Vana's POV A handful of wizards surrounded us from all direction, weapons pointed at us as they corner us inside the tower. The team stepped forward to have a talk with us, led by Chairman Zerondale whose staff thudded against the ground.   “You’ve been helping Igneus this whole time…” Ms. Rosemary mumbled, glowering at us in disdain.   “It’s not what you think it is,” I argued.   “You’ve got it all wrong,” Jerome said, denying the accusation.   “From the way I see it, we’re not. You are colluding with Igneus, Jerome. You and Vana are working with Igneus. Chairman Zerondale’s assumption turns out to be true,” Ms. Angela stated, convicted as she takes the Chairman’s side.   This was his plan all along. To turn us against the team. To bait us out and trap us to make us look like traitors. With that, me and Jerome would become enemies; criminals. Cha

Jerome's POV   “He’ll do whatever it takes to tear us down, Jerome. He might go after the people important to us to make us give up our mission. Your mother might be put into danger.”   An alarm rang in my head as I listen to Vana’s words. Mom could be put in danger. Chairman Zerondale will put her in danger if it means sabotaging us. He’s closer to us than to Vana, and he is Gramps’ closest friend. I clenched my fist, my nails digging into my skin.   I can’t let Chairman Zerondale hurt mom. She suffered so much already. Chairman killed dad, and I won’t let him kill mom as well.   The sirens that rang in my head grew louder and my instincts made my body move on its own. I dashed out of the room, bumping into Vana and Cara on my way out. I marched down to the main hall, ignoring Cara and Vana’s calls for me.   “Jerome, Jerome, wait—” Vana called, shouting my name.

Vana's POV   I trailed my eyes as Jerome leaves the dining hall, exiting away into the dimly lit hallway. I stared at his back with worry, conflicted by his overreaction on many occasions now. He hasn’t been looking alright for a while now, and that concerns me.   “Worried about Jerome?” Cara asked, scooting beside me after she noticed my distracted gaze.   “Yeah, he’s… kind of out of it these days,” I mumbled.   “How so?” “I asked him about it a couple of days ago and he said he was… afraid,” I answered, trying to figure out the meaning behind his words.   “That boy… has a lot… in mind…” Jerome’s mother mumbled, speaking a few words at a time.   I flinched as I didn’t realize that she was seated next to me. She was still on her wheelchair, and has a more relaxed complexion compared from earlier. I pursed my mouth with a nod, know kno

3rd POV   The lingering summer heat glisten their skin with sweat and the moist autumn winds gush against their back, yet despite that, Gregory remained composed in front of Lady Ailima, walking side by side with her at the gardens of the royal palace after inviting her over.   His heart raced that lasted only for a minute before it calmed, the Lady’s presence beginning to be a comforting presence next to him. He smiled at the thought, wishing that her time with her is longer than his busy hours inside of his office.   “I’m glad you seem to be enjoying my company, Your Majesty,” Lady Ailima said in a firm ye soft voice, glancing at Gregory as she observes his expression.   “Why wouldn’t I? The moment I chose you in the long list of candidates already proves that I wish to enjoy my time with you,” Gregory replied, darting an eye at her. “And I told you to call me by my name when we’re

Vana “For a small library, this holds too much,” I mentioned as we enter the library in Yuna’s old home.   I gaped in awe as I saw the clustered room. The library was small and cramped compared to other libraries I’ve seen, filled with books and bookshelves clustered together in the space. The walls are surrounded by shelves, with two bookshelves adjacent to the left and right walls, standing at the center of the room.   The caretaker of the house has been dismissed by Yuna today, the key to the house given to us by Yuna before we rode out to the East Coast. We also handed Yuna the Book of Dragon, which she will hand to Lady Ailima for safety reasons.   With only a quick exchange of glances, Jerome and I scooted inside the room, skimming and checking the books one by one in each shelf. I checked the books on the right side of the wall, while Jerome checks the left side of the wall.   The book