Chapter 56: Phantom Assembly Resurfaces

The passage of time within the Verdant Dawn Academy felt like a blur to Alaric. It seemed like just yesterday he was a scrawny eight-year-old prodigy, arriving at the gates of the academy with wide-eyed wonder.

Now, at the threshold of his 15 years of age, his transformation was undeniable. He had grown tall and athletic, his once-slender frame now honed by years of rigorous training. His blonde hair, which used to sit in a messy tangle, now fell in soft, golden waves to his shoulders, framing his striking ruby-red eyes.

Standing at an impressive 5 feet 10 inches, he cut a figure that was as commanding as it was captivating.

But it wasn’t just Alaric who had changed.

His closest friends—Natasha, Lea, Tess, and Irene—had blossomed as well, evolving from awkward adolescents into stunning young women who turned heads wherever they went.

Natasha now carried an air of mischief and confidence that matched her sharp wit. Her auburn hair fell in loose curls down her back, her hazel eyes gleaming with intelligence and a spark of something playful. Her athletic figure was enhanced by the effortless grace in her movements, making her a natural magnet for attention.

Lea had grown into her mysterious beauty. Her raven-black hair framed her delicate face, accentuating her piercing blue eyes that seemed to peer straight into the soul. Her quiet demeanor gave her an enigmatic allure, and her shapely figure added an undeniable magnetism.

Tess exuded warmth and kindness in every gesture. Her soft brown hair framed her gentle features, and her brown eyes sparkled with a compassionate light that drew people to her. Her curves, subtle but enchanting, added to the comforting presence she radiated.

And Irene, a bold woman was a vision of determination and passion. Her crimson hair, thick and luscious, cascaded in waves over her shoulders, while her emerald-green eyes burned with intensity.

Her lithe yet curvaceous figure made her impossible to ignore, and her confidence only amplified her allure.

The four girls weren’t just beautiful; they were formidable in their own right.

Years of training alongside Alaric had shaped them into capable mages and fighters, each with their unique strengths and unshakable loyalty to one another.

The academy had become their home, a place where they had honed their skills and forged unbreakable bonds.

Alaric, in particular, had grown into a prodigy not just of talent but of hard work.

He had mastered nearly every subject taught at Verdant Dawn—from the intricacies of magical beasts to the complexities of combat magic and alchemy.

His thirst for knowledge was insatiable, his understanding rivaling that of even the professors.

Yet, for all the growth and progress, the seventh year brought an unsettling shift.

Rumors had begun to circulate—whispers of students colluding with a dark and infamous mage faction known as the Phantom Assembly.

The name alone sent chills through the academy’s halls, dredging up memories of the terror they had wrought years ago.

Eight years prior, the Phantom Assembly, under the command of the feared Lord Vortan, had waged a brutal war against the Kingdom of Eloriath.

Their dark magic was insidious, capable of corrupting even the purest souls.

Though King Thaleon had led a valiant charge and defeated Vortan, scattering his followers, the victory had been far from complete. The Assembly had retreated into the shadows, biding their time and refining their forbidden arts.

Now, their resurgence was no longer a rumor but a terrifying reality. Their mastery of black magic had evolved, allowing them to merge it seamlessly with their mage cores, making detection nearly impossible.

Worse, a partially merged core could cause catastrophic magical surges—unleashing bursts of destructive energy before vanishing without a trace.

This event of partially merged core causing catastrophic magical surges had already occurred within Verdant Dawn, leaving students and faculty alike on edge.

In response, the academy’s leadership had called an urgent meeting, summoning the most talented students to Professor Maelis’s private staff room.

The tension in Professor Maelis’s private staff room was thick enough to cut with a blade.

Alaric leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, his sharp ruby eyes scanning the room as murmurs filled the space.

Beside him, Natasha fiddled with a loose strand of her auburn hair, her hazel eyes darting around with suspicion.

Lea sat stiffly on the edge of her chair, her long dark hair falling over one shoulder, while Irene paced restlessly near the window, her scarlet curls catching the sunlight streaming through the glass.

Tess, as usual, was the calmest of the group, her soft brown eyes flickering between the other students and Professor Maelis, absorbing every word and every movement.

Across the room, four senior students—Brenner, Kael, Merrick, and Ryker—clustered together. Brenner, tall and broad-shouldered with his perpetual sneer, leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed in defiance.

His cohorts mimicked his demeanor, though none with his level of arrogance. It was no secret they had a rivalry with Alaric and his friends. Whether it stemmed from envy of Alaric’s unmatched talent or their own insecurities, no one could say for sure.

Professor Maelis stood at the head of the room, commanding attention without effort.

Her silky black hair flowed in waves over her shoulders, framing her striking features. Her deep blue eyes swept over the students with a sharpness that made even Brenner straighten slightly.

Her robes clung to her mature figure, the elegant fabric accentuating her narrow waist and full curves.

Despite her beauty, her presence was purely authoritative, and when she spoke, her voice carried the weight of experience.

“Thank you all for coming,” she began, her tone calm yet firm. “I won’t waste your time with pleasantries. You’ve all heard the rumors circulating in the academy. I’m here to confirm that they’re true—the Phantom Assembly has resurfaced.”

A collective murmur rippled through the room. Natasha stiffened beside Alaric, her expression sharpening. “So, it’s not just gossip,” she muttered under her breath.

Maelis caught the comment and nodded grimly. “No, it’s not. Their presence was confirmed after a recent incident on academy grounds. A surge of black magic destroyed an entire section of the east training field. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the traces left behind were unmistakable.”

“That’s impossible,” Kael interjected, his voice skeptical. “The Phantom Assembly was destroyed eight years ago. My uncle fought in that war—he said they were finished.”

“Your uncle was mistaken,” Maelis said coolly. “Lord Vortan may be in hiding, but the Assembly was never eradicated. They retreated, regrouped, and adapted. Their magic has evolved. They’ve found a way to merge black magic with their mage cores seamlessly. It’s almost impossible to detect, making them more dangerous than ever.”

Lea leaned forward, her piercing blue eyes narrowing. “Almost impossible?”

Maelis’s gaze flicked to her. “There are rare signs—traces of instability if the merger isn’t complete. The surge in the training field was one such example. But by the time we detected it, the caster was dead and all that remained was the Black Magic that disappeared into the void.”

Irene, who had been pacing, stopped abruptly. Her emerald eyes burned with frustration. “So, what’s the plan? We just sit around and wait for them to make the next move?”

“Of course not,” Maelis replied sharply. “We’ve reached out to local guilds for assistance. However, we need scouts to gather intelligence. That’s where you come in.”

Brenner straightened from his slouched position, scoffing. “Scouts? You’re sending students to do the guilds’ dirty work? That’s insane.”

“Insane would be ignoring the threat,” Maelis shot back. “The guilds are stretched thin dealing with rogue magical beasts and other threats. This academy is filled with some of the most skilled young mages in the kingdom. You’re not ordinary students.”

Alaric glanced at his friends, gauging their reactions. Natasha looked ready to leap into action, while Irene’s expression mirrored his own determination. Tess and Lea were more measured, but he could see the fire in their eyes.

Maelis continued, her tone firm. “Let me be clear—this is not a combat mission. If you encounter members of the Phantom Assembly, your objective is to gather information and report back immediately. Do not engage. Their magic is far more advanced than anything you’ve faced in your training.”

Lea tilted her head, skepticism evident in her tone. “And what happens if they find us first? I doubt they’ll just let us walk away.”

“That’s why you’ve been selected,” Maelis said, her voice hardening. “You’re among the academy’s best. Your skills will be your greatest defense. But if you’re reckless, you won’t survive. This mission is about intelligence, not heroics.”

The room fell silent for a moment. Then Natasha broke it, her voice steady and resolute. “We’re in. All of us.”

Brenner rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath. Alaric’s patience wore thin.

“Got something to say, Brenner?” he asked, his tone calm but sharp.

Brenner smirked, his arms crossed. “Just wondering how long you’ll last out there, ’golden boy.’ This isn’t some duel in the courtyard. The Phantom Assembly doesn’t play fair.”

Natasha took a step forward, her hazel eyes flashing with anger. “Neither do we, if it comes to that.”

“Enough,” Alaric said, holding up a hand. His voice was calm, but it carried a weight that silenced the room. He turned his attention back to Brenner. “This isn’t about proving anything. We’re here because we’re the best chance the academy has. If you can’t take this seriously, step aside.”

Brenner clenched his jaw but stayed quiet.

Maelis cleared her throat, drawing the attention back to her. “If anyone has doubts, now’s the time to speak up. This mission isn’t for the faint of heart.”

When no one spoke, her expression softened slightly. “Good. I chose each of you because I believe in your abilities. You’re some of the most talented students I’ve ever had the privilege of teaching. But remember—your lives are more valuable than any information. If things go south, retreat and report back. That’s an order.”

As the meeting concluded, the students began to file out of the room. Alaric lingered with his friends, the weight of Maelis’s words settling heavily over them.

In the corridor, Irene was the first to break the silence. “This feels… big. Bigger than anything we’ve done before.”

Natasha grinned, nudging her. “Come on, Red. We’ve faced worse in training. Besides, we’ve got Alaric. What could go wrong?”

Lea snorted, a faint smile playing on her lips. “Famous last words, Natasha.”

Tess glanced at Alaric, her voice gentle. “We’ll be okay, right?”

Alaric met her gaze, his voice steady. “We’ve trained for this. Whatever’s out there, we’ll face it together.”

Despite his confident words, a flicker of doubt lingered in his mind. The Phantom Assembly was no ordinary foe. Their return wasn’t just a threat to the academy—it was a shadow over the entire kingdom. As they parted ways to prepare for the mission, Alaric couldn’t shake the feeling that life as they knew it was about to change forever.

The storm was coming, and retreat was no longer an option.