The Academy: Detective Stories - Part I

Chapter 9. Hidden Treasures

The bushes grew between the rocks, and the cadets lurked behind them, waiting for the first rays of dusk. Theo sat on a flat stone, his gaze fixed on the cave entrance. Urchin began doing stretching exercises to prepare himself.

Elisa removed her gloves and rubbed her palms. The sparkles lit up and melted between her fingers. "My Gift is useless here," she remarked.

Jackie smiled sarcastically. "Then what about me? My mind-reading has nothing to do with robbery."

Elisa leaned down and picked up a strange rock. Jackie approached to get a better look and raised her palm, invoking her Light. A blue energy twisted between her fingers, forming a glowing sphere.

The small rock in Elisa's hand had a dark blue color, now gleaming in her palm as it reflected her Light.

"A dragon's scale!" Elisa exclaimed.

Theo stood up and approached. "It belongs to the Nosimos. This species of dragons is quite big but not too dangerous. Some scientists even find them cute."

"They won't be so cute when you steal from them," Jackie added with a smirk.

He chuckled. "Just like Sparkle."

"Very clever," Elisa remarked, her brow furrowed.

Theo softened his voice. "Why don't you just take it as a compliment?"

"Because you have a strange way of giving compliments," Elisa retorted.

He narrowed his eyes. "As do you."

Jackie took the scale from Elisa and twisted it in her hand. Holding the scale made her feel oddly calm. "It might make a good trophy," she suggested.

"We have plenty of those in the lab. Jackie, could you look for the red or orange ones while we wait?" Theo asked. "Please?"

"I'll see what I can find," Jackie replied, offering him a polite smile before tucking the scale into the pocket of her pants.

Urchin joined them, pointing upwards. "Guys, it's time."

They turned their heads to see the pink horizon. The dark-blue dragon emerged from the cave, stretching and yawning.

"I told you they're cute," Theo whispered. "And by the way, it's a female."

The dragon walked to the edge of the cliff, her paws with violet stripes sliding forward as her mouth opened, revealing sharp yellow teeth.

"Cute, of course," Elisa grumbled.

The dragon shook her head, then roared, the sound echoing through the valley. Speechless, all four quickly retreated back into the bushes.

Urchin's voice was barely a whisper. "She's waking up the others. It's hunting time."

Jackie's heart pounded in her chest. These creatures could easily devour them for breakfast.

"Jackie, I'll need your Light now," Elisa instructed. "Split it and give me a half."

Jackie lowered her eyes, the Light ball still shimmering in her hand. She nodded and placed her free hand in the middle of the Light ball, splitting the energy into two parts. As they had discussed earlier, Jackie had to wait outside while the guys were stealing the eggs. It was decided to use her Light as a signal.

As it was two parts of the same energy, in case of danger, Jackie was supposed to destroy her Light, causing the other half to disappear as well. This was their signal for impending danger if the dragon returned to the cave earlier than expected.