The journey back home on the enchanted airship was nothing short of jubilant. The hum of the ship’s magical core provided a comforting background melody to the team's laughter and chatter as the vessel soared above rolling clouds in the glittering night sky.

Aaron was sprawled across one of the cushioned benches. “Did you see their faces when we pulled off that final combo? Priceless!” he said grinning.

Jace, sitting nearby, gave a satisfied nod. “I’ve got to admit, that felt real good. All those late-night drills we hated? Totally worth it.”

Mira sat by the window, her gaze fixed on the stars outside, a soft smile on her lips. “It wasn’t just the training,” she said quietly. “Our teamwork made the difference.”

Elaine smiled, letting the cool breeze from the enchanted ventilation charm ruffle her hair. “I can’t wait to see everyone’s faces when they hear about this. The ‘worst class in the academy’—our class—wins the inter-academy tournament? We are going to become legends! »

Aaron chuckled. “They’re going to faint. Or better yet, challenge us to ‘prove’ their so-called superiority!”

Jace smirked as he cracked his knuckles. “Let them try. Kicking some ass always feels good.”

Elaine laughed, “for sure.”

Mira turned from the window, her voice brimming with anticipation. “And the teachers… do you think they’ll believe it? The same ones who said we’d never amount to anything?”

So, their previous teachers said that… Interesting. Sherry will be delighted to hear that. I though watching my students thoughtfully from the sideline.

Aaron burst out laughing. “Oh, they’re going to have to swallow their words. I mean, us? The ‘misfits’ beating the elite teams? That’s going down in history.”

Jace smirked, arms crossed. “Someone should write a ballad about it—or maybe build a big statue of our team in the hall.”

Elaine chuckled softly. “You just know it’s going to end up in the history books. ‘Class D: From Underdogs to Champions.’”

Aaron grinned and waved dramatically, mimicking an imaginary crowd. “And of course, I will be the hero of the story!”

Jace rolled his eyes. “More like the loudmouth of the team.”

Mira giggled, and even Elaine couldn’t hold back a smile as the playful banter continued.

From my spot, I listened to their joy, feeling a quiet pride settle over me. They deserved this moment of celebration after all their hard work.

As the enchanted airship began its descent toward the academy grounds, the mood shifted subtly. The team’s chatter quieted as they gathered near the windows, eager to catch the first glimpse of home. But as the fog cleared and the academy came into view—or what was left of it—a collective gasp filled the cabin.

The academy was in ruins.

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Among the rubbles, the corpse of teachers and students littered the ground. Well what was left of their bodies did.

As soon as the airship touched the ground, my body moved before my mind caught up. I descended the ramp in a haze, my steps heavy and unsteady. Instinct took over. I summoned tracking orbs in an instant, sending them darting across the wreckage in desperate hope. Each orb carried a spell that could detect the faintest trace of life.

But there was nothing. The orbs returned one by one, their silence a verdict more damning than any words could convey. No survivors. Not even one.

And then I saw her.

Sherry.

She laid crumbled beneath the ruins of the grand archway, her body half-buried in debris in a pool of her own blood. Her lifeless face, mangled arms and bloody robe came into view.

I froze, staring at the vision, my hands clenching and unclenching, trying to grab her intangible form. She wasn’t here—at least not in a way I could touch. The orb’s magic allowed me only to see her, to witness her broken form through this cruel illusion, while her actual body lay buried beneath tons of debris, unreachable.

“Sherry…” I whispered, my voice cracking, the word barely escaping my lips. I wanted to turn back time, to undo this nightmare.

But the image remained. Still. Cold. Silent.

My knees gave out, and I fell to the ground, my strength abandoning me. I reached for the orb, for the projection, my hand trembling as it passed through the insubstantial light. I couldn’t touch her. I couldn’t hold her. All I could do was watch.

Her face—the same face that had always glowed with determination and warmth—was now expressionless. Still. Too still. My breath caught as my mind replayed her laughter, her fiery speeches, her stubborn resolve to make the academy a place for everyone, even those deemed unworthy by others. She had been a force of nature, a blazing sun, and now… now she was gone.

The orb flickered, the image beginning to fade. “No!” I cried out, my voice raw and broken. I lunged for it, my hands grasping at the light, but it shimmered once more before vanishing completely, leaving nothing but darkness and the memory of what I had seen.

Behind me, my students watched in stunned silence. Aaron staggered forward, gripping the edge of the airship for support, his usually boisterous voice shaking. “No... no, no, no,” he muttered, his eyes wide with disbelief. “This can’t be real… this can’t be real!” He fell to his knees.

Mira let out a sob that seemed to cut through the smoke-filled air, collapsing as if her legs had given out. “Everyone… they’re all… gone,” she choked out, her voice cracking under the weight of this madness. Jace stood frozen, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white, his breath coming in short, sharp bursts. Elaine buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking as tears streamed down her face.

The sight of my students—my other children—breaking apart only deepened my sorrow. They didn’t deserve this. None of us did.

I wanted to scream. To rage. To curse whoever had done this. But no sound came.

How dare they kill my daughter, my colleagues and my students? I will hunt them down. None of them will escape.

This attack had definitely been planned thoroughly over a long period of time. The teachers should have been able to send a message or teleported directly in front of me to ask for help.

This was not normal. This shouldn’t have been possible.

Most of the teacher were proficient in teleportation under the effect of disruption wards, and I even gave Sherry an artifact to summon me in case of danger.

When I finally stood, I turned to my students. Their tear-streaked faces stared back at me, desperate for guidance, for answers, for something to hold onto. But what could I give them when I was as lost as they were?

Still, I forced the words out, my voice hoarse and trembling. “We will find who did this. And we will make them pay.”

Then, I took a deep breath, forcing myself to speak the words that would shatter their last sliver of hope. “I sent tracking orbs across the entire academy. There is no survivor.”

This news was met with a profound silence. Each of my students processed the reality in their own way, their expressions shifting between disbelief, despair, and muted anger. Their sobs were muffled, their words hesitant, but I could see the unspoken question burning in their eyes: Why? Why would someone do this?

"Alright, we will talk later. For now, I am bringing all of you to a safe place."

On those words, I teleported everyone to my home.