Chapter 189 189: All the shadows lurking

Words : 1948 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the Academy grounds as Noah trudged back from the Year 3 training hall, muscles aching from his session with Lucas Grey. His mind was still processing the new lessons Lucas had taught him when he spotted Kelvin pacing anxiously near the entrance to their dormitory building. Something in Kelvin's demeanor—the tense shoulders, the uncharacteristically still hands—set Noah immediately on edge. "What's wrong?" Noah asked as he approached. Kelvin's head snapped up, relief washing over his features before being replaced by something more complicated. "We need to talk. Not here." They walked in silence to a secluded spot behind the dormitory, sheltered by the building's shadow and a stand of tall shrubs that muffled sound. It was one of their usual spots for private conversations, chosen for its isolation from both eyes and ears. They used this back when they were planning one of Kelvin's heist to disturb the school. "I know who the mole is," Kelvin said without preamble, his voice low and urgent. "It's Raven. He told Albright about your powers. That's how Albright found out." Noah stared at Kelvin, frozen in disbelief that quickly melted into a hot, churning anger. "Raven?" he repeated, the name tasting bitter on his tongue. The pieces clicked into place with devastating clarity. Raven, who had gone from bitter rival to supposed friend. Raven, who had approached Noah after being thoroughly beaten in Master Anng's class and again in that unsanctioned match at the cargo yard. Raven, who had ingratiated himself by helping source the crystals Noah needed to feed Nyx and Storm. How could he have been so trusting? "Are you sure?" Noah asked, his voice dangerously quiet. Kelvin nodded grimly. "Positive. I have... sources." Noah's fists clenched at his sides, a muscle working in his jaw. The cold, sinking feeling of betrayal gave way to white-hot rage. All this time, Raven had been playing him, pretending to respect him, calling him "boss" like some loyal lieutenant while feeding information to Albright behind his back. "I'm going to find him," Noah said, already turning away. Kelvin grabbed his arm. "Noah, wait—" "He won't be in the dorm," Noah continued, shaking off Kelvin's hand. "He'll be at the dojo. He always is at this hour." "Think about this—" "I am thinking," Noah snapped, then forced himself to take a deep breath. "I'll be calm. I'll get him alone first." Kelvin's expression was deeply troubled. "What are you planning to do?" "Have a conversation," Noah replied, his tone making it clear what kind of conversation it would be. Before Kelvin could protest further, Noah strode away, his movements controlled but purposeful. The rage inside him had cooled to something harder, more focused. He moved through the Academy grounds like a storm approaching, students instinctively stepping out of his path. The dojo was a traditional structure, all polished wood and sliding paper doors. Noah paused at the entrance, composing himself before sliding the door open and stepping inside. He scanned the spacious training floor until he spotted a familiar figure practicing forms in the far corner. Raven moved with practiced precision, his martial arts form flawless as always. He didn't notice Noah until he was halfway across the room, and when he did, a smile broke across his face. "Boss! Didn't expect to see you here today. Want to spar?" The casual greeting, the easy smile—it all fueled Noah's anger. How easily the lies came to him. "Actually," Noah said, keeping his voice level, "I could use your help with something. Outside." If Raven noticed anything off in Noah's demeanor, he didn't show it. He simply nodded, grabbed his towel, and followed Noah out of the dojo and around to a secluded area behind the building. "What's up?" Raven asked, wiping sweat from his brow. Noah turned to face him, letting some of his carefully controlled rage show in his eyes. "I know what you did." Raven's smile faltered. "What are you talking about?" "Don't," Noah said, stepping closer. "Don't insult me by lying more than you already have." Understanding dawned on Raven's face, followed quickly by fear. "Noah, listen—" Noah's first punch caught Raven squarely in the jaw, sending him staggering backward. Before he could recover, Noah was on him, landing blow after blow. Raven tried to defend himself, but Noah was fueled by a righteous fury that made him faster, stronger, more precise. "You lied to Albright about me," Noah growled between strikes. "After everything—after I trusted you—" "I didn't mean to!" Raven gasped out, blood trickling from his split lip. "I was different then—a jerk—but I changed—" "Changed?" Noah laughed bitterly, landing another punch that sent Raven to his knees. "You've been spying on me this whole time!" "No!" Raven protested, raising his hands in surrender. "It was before. Before I knew who you really were." Noah paused, his fist pulled back for another strike. "What exactly did you tell him?" Raven swallowed, his face already beginning to swell. "I told him I saw you use abilities on Cannadah. Abilities that weren't just your Echo. I just knew something was off when everyone was running into cover and you didn't. Then I stepped out from hiding and that's when I saw you facing off against that one horn Harbinger along with Lucas,." Noah lowered his fist slightly, studying Raven's face for any sign of deception. "After you beat me," Raven continued, wincing as he spoke, "Albright approached me. He had dirt on me—" he broke off, shame crossing his features. "He made me his errand boy. But I've been resisting, feeding him useless information when I could get away with it." Noah stared at him for a long moment, then grabbed Raven by the collar of his training uniform and hauled him to his feet. "Medical bay," Noah said flatly. "Now." He half-dragged, half-supported Raven to the Academy's medical facility, ignoring the stares they attracted along the way. Once there, he deposited Raven on an exam table and turned to leave without another word. "Noah," Raven called after him, his voice strained. "I'm sorry." Noah paused at the door but didn't look back. Without acknowledging the apology, he left, his knuckles bloodied and his mind racing. Back at the dorm, he went straight to the sink and methodically washed the blood from his hands. That's where Kelvin found him, standing over the sink with water running pink down the drain. "I take it you found him," Kelvin said quietly. "Yeah," Noah replied, his voice hollow. "And?" "And I beat the crap out of him," Noah said bluntly, turning off the water and reaching for a towel. "He admitted it. Said he told Albright about what he saw on Cannadah." Kelvin winced. "Noah, that wasn't the smart move." "Probably not," Noah conceded, sitting heavily on his bed. "Raven was pushing back against Albright before," Kelvin explained. "Now he'll do the opposite. We've just handed Albright another ally." Noah ran a hand through his hair. "You're right. I wasn't thinking straight." "We don't need to be making more enemies right now," Kelvin said, sitting across from Noah. "Not with Albright already breathing down your neck, ready to charge you with potential war crimes if he gets even a hint of evidence." Noah nodded grimly. "I know. I know. It's just..." He trailed off, unable to put into words the sense of violation he felt. "I get it," Kelvin said simply. "But we need to be smarter than this. We need a plan." Outside, the sun was setting, casting the room in deepening shadows. Noah looked at his bandaged knuckles, then up at his friend. "You're right," he said finally. "No more impulsive moves. From now on, we're five steps ahead of them." Kelvin's usual energy returned, a determined glint in his eye. "Now that's more like it." Kelvin exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Alright, now we need to hit back. Because from what I've gathered, Albright isn't just some power-hungry prick. He's got a network. A group of students under his control, doing his dirty work. Some kind of occultic hold over them." Noah groaned, leaning back against the wall, the weight of it all sinking in. "How the hell did I not see Raven was the one? It makes too much sense." Kelvin folded his arms. "Because you trusted him. You gave him chances, and he played you for a fool." Noah let out a bitter chuckle. "And all this time, I've been a complete jerk to Micah Reeds. I was so sure he was the one. Hell, I even confronted him about it." He shook his head. "Now I have to go make myself look like an idiot and apologize to him for the wrongful accusation." Kelvin shrugged. "Could be worse. At least you get to clear things up. And let's be real—when this first blew up, I did worse than just accuse Micah." He let out a sigh. "I actually tried to frame him." Noah turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah, I know. You hacked his dorm, planted fake evidence to make it look like he was leaking information. Tried to get him expelled." Kelvin clenched his jaw, guilt flickering across his face. "Yeah, well, I was pissed. Thought I was doing the right thing. Now? Looking back? We both went too far." A heavy silence settled between them, both of them partially ashamed, partially frustrated that they didn't even have the time to process their anger at Raven properly. Kelvin shook his head. "Look, we'll deal with the Raven thing later. Right now, the real issue is Albright. If he's got a group working for him, we need to find out who's in it, what their angle is, and most importantly—how to break that hold." Noah exhaled through his nose. "Yeah. We need to be smart about this. No more reckless moves. Albright's playing the long game, and right now? We're reacting." Kelvin smirked. "Then let's change that. Let's make him react to us for once." Noah cracked his knuckles, the lingering sting from earlier barely registering. "I like the sound of that." But first, he had an apology to make. ___ In a closed study within the Academy's administrative wing, Albright leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled as he regarded a young woman across from him. Lila stood with her arms crossed, her posture relaxed but her eyes sharp, calculating. "So," Albright said smoothly, "we're in agreement?" Lila smirked. "Yes. Yes, we are." Albright extended his hand. Without hesitation, Lila clasped it, the shake firm and brief. "I trust we all have an understanding now," Albright said, his tone pleasant but laced with finality. Lila's smirk widened just slightly. "Oh, absolutely." She turned and walked out without another word, her heels clicking against the polished floor. Moving swiftly through the hallways, she stopped at a secluded corner and pulled out her phone. Her fingers danced across the screen as she sent a message to a contact saved under #Alpha 2. Lila: Got through to the first seat. Commander Albright is on board. The plan is in motion. She glanced at the screen, then smirked before slipping the phone back into her pocket and walking off like everything was normal.

Chapter 189 189: All the shadows lurking

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