Chapter 8: Whispers of the Veins

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The White Knights began to unravel, panic etched on their faces as they seemed too stunned to remember their own gifts. Evelyn, perplexed by their uncharacteristic behavior, questioned what was unfolding before her. Number One swiftly pinned Logan to the ground while Numbers Two and Three closed in on Vivian and Selene.

Vivian's senses returned as her gaze locked with Evelyn's, the moment fraught with tension. Evelyn, sensing trouble, bolted toward the door. Her soldiers, Number Two and Three, abandoned their pursuit of the girls to shield her from Selene's blood tendrils. In an instant, Vivian conjured a powerful gust of wind, blowing Evelyn and her soldiers out of the room and freeing Logan from Number One's grip.

"Three seconds... that's all I needed," Evelyn muttered under her breath. Without hesitation, Number One aimed the paintball gun upward, firing three shots. Despite the swirling wind, each pellet found its mark on the White Knights' heads.

They froze, their faces painted with disbelief as the colorful liquid trickled down. Evelyn cautiously peeked back into the room as the wind subsided. Logan wore a look of bitter disappointment, Vivian was in denial, and Selene's face was masked in terror—an expression that baffled Evelyn.

A sudden bell chimed, and they were teleported to a new location. A massive sign that read "Congratulations" loomed in front of the Phantom Edge building.

"We passed," Logan said, his voice tinged with excitement. Selene dropped to the ground, overwhelmed with relief, while Vivian glared at Evelyn with fury. She stormed over to her, flanked by her soldiers.

Evelyn stood her ground, silently debating what to do with her soldiers. To her surprise, it seemed they had been counted among the official participants, now also students of Phantom Edge.

Vivian, seething, demanded to know what Evelyn's soldiers wanted from her. Evelyn, inwardly baffled by her sister's outburst, remained calm. Logan and Selene soon joined them.

"You impressed me," Logan admitted, though his voice carried a warning. "But I won't lose the next time we meet."

Evelyn shrugged off his praise, giving credit to her soldiers. Selene's mischievous grin reappeared as she asked who had shot her during their encounter on the train. Evelyn pointed to Number One, who stood silently beside her, exchanging a cold glance with Vivian.

Vivian grabbed Evelyn's arm, demanding an introduction to the soldiers. Evelyn pulled away, stating she didn't even know their names but trusted them because they hadn't tried to eliminate her.

"And for your information," Evelyn added coldly, "they do whatever I say."

Number One pulled Vivian's hand off Evelyn. Infuriated, Vivian tried to shove him, but her strength was no match. Furious, she shouted that Evelyn was her sister, and Number One should let go.

Without warning, Number One drew a pistol and aimed it at Vivian's head. The crowd gasped as a deadly silence fell over the scene.

Logan intervened, his floating sword coming dangerously close to Number One's neck. "Put the gun down," he warned.

Students around them whispered, watching in shock as the tension escalated. Selene, amused by the unfolding chaos, asked if Evelyn was really going to let her sister die, though she didn't seem opposed to the idea.

"Shut up," Logan growled at Selene, his patience thinning.

"Evelyn!" Logan barked.

Evelyn sighed, signaling Number One to back off. She grabbed the pistol, unloading it to reveal plastic pellets. "It's just a toy," she said, mockingly.

Vivian's face flushed with embarrassment. Without warning, she punched Evelyn hard in the face, sending her sprawling to the ground. Logan quickly restrained her, pulling her back before things spiraled further out of control.

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