Winx: The reincarnation

Chapter twenty-nine

A/N: This is a simultaneous update, remember to check the previous chapter

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Meanwhile, Serenity stayed in the hallway; the other girls she was with had already retreated to their rooms. It was just her and her roommate, a first-year student named Elara, left in the quiet space.

"Those girls were the fairies involved with those second-year witches from Cloud Tower, right?" Elara asked.

Serenity nodded.

"Gosh, it seems like trouble keeps following those girls. They probably meddled first, even after all the instructions to stay away from the witches of Cloud Tower," Elara shook her head. "They seem like attention seekers."

"You know, Elara, you might be right. They could just be meddlesome attention seekers reaping the consequences of their actions," Serenity replied.

"I know I'm right. If I were you, Serenity, I'd keep my distance from them," Elara said, her nose in the air. "Let's go to our room."

"You know, I want to get some air. I'll meet you later in the room," Serenity said with a serene smile.

Elara shrugged, "Suit yourself," she said, heading towards their dorm. Serenity watched her go, her smile fading once Elara was out of sight.

Serenity walked toward the headmistress's office, her steps silent and purposeful. She had spent weeks gathering information, and tonight, her efforts had finally led her to this moment. While in the library, she had overheard the librarian mention a secret archive hidden within the headmistress's office. Now, with the headmistress occupied in a late-night meeting with the professors, Serenity saw her opportunity. If a powerful artifact was hidden at Alphea, it would surely be in the headmistress's archive

Quietly, she opened the door and slipped inside, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of the hidden archive. The office was dimly lit, shadows dancing across the walls. Serenity moved with practiced stealth, careful not to disturb anything that might give away her presence.

Her heart pounded with anticipation as she approached the large, ornate desk at the center of the room. She had a feeling the archive was hidden somewhere close by. Gently, she ran her fingers along the edges of the desk, searching for any hidden mechanisms.

After a few tense moments, she found it—a small, almost invisible button embedded in the wood. With a quick glance over her shoulder to ensure she was still alone, Serenity pressed the button. A shelf adjacent to the desk slid open, revealing a hidden stairway descending into darkness.

Serenity took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead. She stepped cautiously down the narrow stairway, the air growing cooler as she descended. The hidden passageway was dimly lit by flickering torches mounted on the walls, casting eerie shadows.

At the bottom of the stairs, Serenity found herself in a small, dimly lit chamber. Shelves lined the walls, filled with ancient tomes, scrolls, and mysterious artifacts. A large, ornate desk sat in the center of the room, covered in papers and books.

Serenity's eyes scanned the room, her heart pounding with anticipation. She approached the desk, her fingers brushing over the delicate pages of an old, leather-bound book. Her gaze then shifted to a small, intricately carved chest sitting on one of the shelves. She felt faint magical energy drawing her attention to it.

Approaching the chest carefully, Serenity reached out, her fingers just about to lift the lid when a sudden image flashed in her mind: the headmistress returning to her office. Panic surged through her.

Acting quickly, she stepped away from the chest and rushed back up the stairs. She pressed the hidden button on the desk, and the secret stairway began to close, the shelf sliding back into place. She glanced around, ensuring everything was as she had found it.

As the secret door sealed shut, Serenity quietly exited the headmistress's office, hoping she still had enough time to flee the scene before being caught.

"You shouldn't be here at this time of the night, Serenity." She froze, recognizing the voice. It was the headmistress. Panic surged through her, but she quickly composed herself, reminding herself to stay calm and think fast.

Serenity turned slowly, forcing a composed smile. "Headmistress," she greeted, her voice steady despite the racing of her heart. "I was just... taking a walk to clear my head."

The headmistress's eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze piercing. "A walk that led you into my office? At this hour?"

Serenity's mind raced for an excuse. "I heard some strange noises and thought I should investigate. I didn't want to bother you or the professors during your meeting."

The headmistress studied her for a moment longer before nodding. "Very well, but next time, leave the investigating to the staff. It's dangerous to wander alone at night."

"Of course, Headmistress," Serenity replied, relief washing over her. "I didn't mean to cause any trouble."

"Get back to your dormitory, Serenity," the headmistress instructed. "And remember, curiosity is valuable, but only when used wisely."

"Yes, Headmistress," Serenity said, bowing her head respectfully before walking away. The encounter had been a close call, but it brought her one step closer to finding the talisman.