I cuddled my body and ducked into the small cave, trailing Rein with fidgety. Shiver of trepidation coursed through me. It might be the effect of being in the same place as Rein. Inside the den, the torch glimmered the vague light across the limited area. Its tiny size should enable us to easily search for the cue. However, the low ceiling made it difficult for us to reach inside."The clue is somewhere around the torch. Go get it!" An order in cold tensed intonation reverberated among the gust of the breeze, a commendation for me to obey. No rejection I dared to express. Defying him would only drag me to imperilment.My hands fumbled through the cave wall. They affixed nothing. No object of a clue I could uncover. The wind put out the flame; the gloom took over the inward of the cavern. The earthquake shook the cave; the stones rolled down and blocked the way out. My scream for rescue wouldn't work out. When the turmoil stopped, I glanced at no one around. Rein locked me here. It w

"I'll take you out of here." Lanzo's rash paces rode toward me and snatched my hand with his. My glance went to Rein who froze in his place."Wait! Rein is here too." Lanzo turned his back to me. "Did he do something bad to you?" He asked as soon as his face met mine. Shaking my head, I confirmed that he didn't treat me badly. "I wonder if you happen to fall down here." Rein joined us."I came to save Dylanesia." Not only did he shock me but he also let Rein's eyebrows arched in surprise. How could he learn that I was here?"How do you know that..?""Your group has come back to the tent without you." He looked at me when he said that. His serious expression just asserted his concern. "Do you have any idea how to climb out of this canyon?" Standing up just a few meters away from us, Rein doubted Lanzo's ability to rescue us. "I have fastened the rope on the big tree. We can tie our waist with this role and then climb up." His eyes were attached to mine while explaining. "I'll go

"We have to go back to the academy tonight?" Brad announced as soon as our journey came to its end. The glow of the bonfire that highlighted the whole area near it including the tents verified that we had been safely back to the camp. There was no doubt in that dashing man's say. It accentuated his conviction of the threat that might prowl us. However, abandoning the other intelligentsia at risk wasn't a wise decision, either. "What about the others? I heard some intelligentsia are still missing. They might get lost." Words of revolt slipped out of my lips. "Or eaten by the beast," Rein's interruption freaked me out. "I hope none of you question my decision." Brad intruded. Silence gagged our mouth. I glanced at Lanzo hoping his initiatives of telling Brad about the crops we discovered in the forest. That boy chose to lock his mouth. That annoyed me. I decided to do it myself. However, the skepticism stopped me. Brad wouldn't believe what I said even if I told him the truth.

Lanzo's words played in my head over and over even until I stepped my feet in the dormitory. His promise to protect me implied that something bad might be lurking at me. What kind of threat would endanger me? And why? The deeper I delved into this stuff, the more confused and anxious I became. The chip on my nape and the bloody tragedy in this academy just confirmed my prejudice that this institution might have a secret mission. The thought of this academy might be a part of human trafficking shuddered me. I immediately shooed that speculation away.Resuming my pace to the next floor, I passed by the receptionist in a dark blouse. A young woman with long raven hair was in charge today. Brad might be taking his leave. Her sincere smile welcomed me in the lobby. My focus drew to the bucket of chrysanthemum in her hand. "Ms.Dawson…. Someone sent this to you." That beautiful white flower moved to my hold in a second even though I hesitantly received it. Normally, I didn't accept anythin

"Rein…. What are you doing in the women's locker room?" Instead of his defense, I faced his impish smile. He set his body free from the pillar he put his back on upon hearing the grumbles of two girls who happened to be walking by his side. His fingers scratched his scap. "Speaking of which…. Do you have the book we discussed yesterday?" My eyebrows raised, querying what he meant. "I am coming for the book." I got where his conversation led to . He feigned to act out having an appointment with me under those girls' scrutiny who now spied on him. Male intelligentsia were forbidden to access this room. And for those breaching the rule would bear the consequence of physical chastisement. "Could you please wait outside!" He obediently did my instruction. Luckily those girls no longer dwelled in their place; they got busy with their activity afterward. I hastily strutted out of the building. Rein reclined by the pillar with his hands folded over his chest. "Dear friend…" his yell i