SWNOVELXO Chapter 8: Chapter 8 – Echoes of Mistwood
The five students returned to Arcane Academy just as the sun set, their uniforms scorched, hair messy, and mana nearly depleted. The mission had been far from a training exercise—and everyone knew it.
They marched into Professor Eldren's office in silence.
Eldren, with his usual stone face, listened to their report.
> "An illusion forest?"
"An unknown cloaked man?"
"Immense mana presence…"
He paced slowly.
> Eldren: "You five were fortunate. What you encountered was no ordinary illusion. This was advanced spellwork. Far beyond what's taught in the academy."
He turned to Show.
> Eldren: "And you say… he addressed you specifically?"
Show nodded, still trying to make sense of it.
Eldren's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing more.
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🧑🏫 Back to Class
The next day in class, things weren't the same.
Word of the Mistwood incident had spread like wildfire. The classroom buzzed with whispers, wide eyes, and curiosity.
Hibiki: "Bro! That forest came to life?! You got attacked by trees!?"
He punched Show's shoulder playfully.
"Dude, you're like a fire magnet for trouble."
Chris, seated in the front, calmly polished his stone orb.
"Nature doesn't just attack. Something dark was embedded there."
Cyrus, still arrogant, crossed his arms.
"Tch. You all exaggerate. I could've handled it alone."
Akito, twirling his cards, raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm. But someone appeared at the end? Sounds like the opening act of a deeper game."
Raelyn, silent until now, looked toward Show and murmured:
"That presence… I felt it too. From afar. It was... ancient."
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🧍 Emotional Shifts
Karen sat quietly, distracted. Her eyes kept glancing at Show, then away. Something inside her was shifting.
Lyra, gentle and thoughtful, smiled softly whenever she and Drake accidentally made eye contact—but never said anything.
Lina, from across the room, watched Raelyn in silence, clutching a healing charm tighter in her hand.
Drake, unusually thoughtful, looked at Show during break.
> Drake: "You kept calm in the forest. That's new."
Show smirked.
"Maybe I'm learning."
Drake almost smiled—but didn't.
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🌌 New Threats, Unknown Paths
As class ended, Eldren appeared again.
> Eldren: "Your next lectures will now include advanced theory on illusion and dimension-type magic. What you faced was not the last of its kind."
He paused at the door.
> "Also… if any of you feel something… wrong… even a flicker—report it immediately."
With that, he left.
Show stayed back, staring at the flame in his hand.
> "Who am I really… and why does he want me?"
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> TO BE CONTINUED