NIGHT WATCH

*Chapter 28: Shadows Past the Gates*

It started as a rumor—strange lights swirling above a nearby village, people falling into sudden, shadowy sleep, and whispers of "phantoms" on the highway. Headmistress Zhou summoned Li Wei's group, Yan now standing at his side, her raven perched on Chen Xiulan's shoulder like it belonged.

"This isn't just magical mischief," Zhou warned. "We need you to investigate quietly, limit spells to emergencies—blend in, and don't risk revealing yourselves." She pressed keys into Jin Ming's hand (he grinned at the thought of driving), and soon the group piled into an old blue van, cutting through rainy streets toward the unknown.

At first, it felt almost fun—Mei Fen hanging her head out the window, Rui mapping routes on his phone, Yan reminding everyone to keep a low profile. But fear crept in as they reached the village: empty roads, shuttered shops, and a flicker of movement in the alleyways. They ditched the van, moving quietly on foot, sticking to shadows and corners.

Suddenly, from the rooftops, masked figures appeared—no magic, just speed and skill. The group reacted fast: Jin Ming tackled an attacker, Xiulan fought with her staff, and Yan flipped a pursuer with a borrowed broom handle, her movements sharp and precise. When one assailant drew a cursed blade, Li Wei shouted a warning—they dropped smoke bombs and vanished, leaving behind a single black feather as a threat.

Breathing hard, the team gathered in an abandoned bakery, piecing together what they'd seen. Yan, dusting flour off her coat, looked at Li Wei and said, "This isn't just about us now. Someone's stirring up darkness outside the academy—and we're the only ones close enough to stop it."