𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘰𝘰𝘯 𝘈𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘺.

Nine.

Akira's mind raced as she listened to Amara and Nara talk about the Veil Mirror, but her thoughts were miles ahead. If the mirror truly revealed hidden truths, it could be her one chance to unravel the mysteries tangled around her grandfather, this academy, and even her new friends. The more she thought about it, the more it made sense to come back alone, when the darkened halls were silent and no one would stop her from peering into its depths.

Nara and Amara's voices grew distant as her plan solidified. She'd wait until it was extremely late, sneaking back to the garden under the cover of darkness. The possibility of being caught loomed, but Lucian's warning echoed in her mind—she couldn't afford to be naive. Not here.

Feigning a casual smile, Akira looked at the two girls. "This place is amazing. Thanks for showing me around," she said, keeping her voice steady. Inside, though, her resolve was set. Tonight, she'd finally confront the Veil Mirror—alone.

As they hurried back to their dorms, Akira's mind raced with thoughts of the veil mirror and the secrets it could reveal. The party had been a whirlwind of excitement, but now that the magic of the night was fading, so too was her trust in Amara and Nara. She needed to confront the truth alone, away from their influence.

"Goodnight, Akira!" Amara called, waving as they reached the entrance to their dormitory. Nara smiled, but Akira barely returned the gesture. Instead, she forced a lighthearted response, nodding and pretending to be tired. As the girls turned to head inside, Akira slipped into the shadows, her heart pounding with anticipation and trepidation.

She made her way back through the darkened halls of Silvermoon Academy, her footsteps muffled against the polished floors. The academy felt different at night—alive and electric, as if it were watching her every move. Akira remembered the way to the chamber of the veil mirror from when the girls had shown her earlier, the winding staircases and hidden passageways echoing with magic.

As she approached the ornate door in the dark garden, her heart raced. She hesitated for a moment, listening for any sign of others nearby. The air was thick with the scent of incense, and she could feel the energy thrumming in her veins, urging her forward. She placed her hand on the door, pushing it open gently.

The chamber was dimly lit, the only source of light emanating from the mirror itself, casting a silvery glow across the room. Akira stepped inside, closing the door softly behind her. The atmosphere was heavy with anticipation, and she felt a mixture of fear and excitement.

The veil mirror stood before her, shimmering like a portal. As she approached it, she caught her reflection, but it was different—more ethereal, as if she were looking at herself through a veil of dreams. Akira took a deep breath, gathering her courage. She had come here to uncover the truth about her grandfather, about the academy, and about the friends she had begun to question.

"Show me," she whispered, reaching out to touch the surface of the mirror. The moment her fingers brushed against it, the glass rippled, and images began to swirl within, revealing fragments of the past.

Akira gasped as visions played out before her eyes: her grandfather in a dimly lit room, surrounded by ancient texts and glowing artifacts, deep in conversation with figures cloaked in shadows. She saw glimpses of a younger Amara and Nara, their expressions filled with curiosity and ambition, a time before she had arrived at the academy. But the most unsettling vision was of a dark force lurking just beyond the veil, a shadowy presence that seemed to whisper her name.

"Akira," it called, a voice deep and resonant, echoing through the chamber.

She stumbled back, her heart racing. "Who are you?" she demanded, trying to steady her breath.