They returned to the clubroom with Lucian and Elena, who both wore tense, anxious expressions.

“You two have been absent for days,” Rika noted, glancing between them. “Were you also investigating something?”

Lucian nodded, though his gaze remained averted. “Yes, we were dealing with a personal matter.”

Kenneth’s eyes narrowed, a memory surfacing of the little girl he’d seen with Lucian. “Lucy?” he asked quietly, concern evident in his tone.

Lucian looked at Kenneth, momentarily surprised by the question, then gave a reluctant nod. “She went missing a few days ago. Elena and I have been searching for her ever since.”

Kenneth’s chest tightened at the news. “Any signs of where she might be?”

Elena shook her head, frustration clear in her expression. “No one’s seen her. But that woman from earlier—she’s the one who took her.”

Lucian added grimly, “I remember sensing a faint trace of magic just before she took Lucy.”

Kenneth’s gaze hardened. “So, you’re after her too.”

“We’re investigating the disappearances of children connected to noble families. Every clue we have points back to her.” Joash added.

Lucian exchanged a look with Elena, their shared worry deepening.

As they continued sharing information, the gravity of the situation settled over them.

“What should we do?” Aine asked, worry evident in her tone. “She managed to take another one today.”

“We don’t know who she’ll target next,” Rika added, frustration lining her voice.

Kenneth considered their options, when Ash spoke up, an idea dawning on him. “It’s risky, but… what if we use someone as bait?”

Kenneth’s expression turned serious. “It could work, but I don’t want to involve any real children in this.”

Aine’s eyes lit up as a sudden thought struck her. “Actually, my family has a potion that can temporarily revert an adult to the age and magic level they had as a child.”

Kenneth blinked, surprised. “A potion like that exists?”

“Yes,” Aine confirmed, but her tone was cautious. “The catch is, it reverts your magic level to exactly what it was when you were a kid. So if you had already awakened your elemental magic, it won’t work as bait.”

Ash nodded, looking thoughtful. “Most of us awakened our elemental magic pretty young, so that rules us out.”

Joash looked uneasy. “I… I don’t think I’m cut out for this,” he admitted, avoiding everyone’s gaze. “My pnevma isn’t strong enough to attract her attention. But Kenneth… you might be just what she’s looking for.”

Kenneth took a deep breath, weighing the risks. He knew it was dangerous, but the thought of another child going missing was worse. Finally, he spoke, his voice calm but resolute. “I’ll do it.”

A silence settled over the group as they absorbed Kenneth’s decision. Rika placed a hand on his shoulder, her concern clear. “Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

Kenneth nodded with quiet determination, though a flicker of hesitation crossed his face. “I can handle it. If it stops her from taking any more children, then it’s worth it.”

Rika’s brows furrowed, and the weight of the risk seemed to hang heavy in the air. “Are you really okay with this, Kenneth? We’re talking about putting you right in her line of fire.”

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Kenneth met her gaze with a steady nod, the look in his eyes firm despite the silent fear lingering there. “I know it’s risky, but we don’t have another option right now.”

Aine folded her arms, looking between Kenneth and the others. “If we’re doing this, we need a plan to track him constantly,” she said, her voice firm. “I could use an enchantment, something subtle that will help us locate him, even if she tries to erase his memories or put him to sleep.”

Joash shifted uneasily, glancing at Kenneth. “That’s a good start, but… we should have a team ready nearby, just in case. What if something goes wrong? If she’s as powerful as she seems, we need to be prepared for anything.”

Ash nodded in agreement, a serious expression on his face. “We could set up a perimeter where we expect her to show up, with everyone on standby. That way, if something feels off, we’ll be close enough to act fast.”

Kenneth forced a reassuring smile, hoping to ease the tension. “I appreciate the backup, really. But if I’m going in as bait, it has to look real. That means we can’t have you all hovering around too obviously.”

Rika, who had been quiet, stepped forward, her eyes serious. “I can handle the crowd. I’ll make sure no one’s too close, but you all have to promise—if anything feels wrong, you pull him out immediately.”

The others nodded, but Aine's expression didn’t soften. She glanced back at Kenneth, worry evident. “Just… be careful, okay? You may think you’re doing this for everyone’s sake, but that doesn’t make it any less dangerous.”

Kenneth’s voice was quieter now, a mix of resolve and gratitude. “I will, Aine. And thank you—all of you. I know the risks, but it’s a chance to finally end this.”

The group exchanged glances, each feeling the weight of the decision. They weren’t just setting up a plan—they were putting one of their own in harm’s way, knowing full well the price if something went wrong. As they continued to discuss the details, a shared determination settled among them, reinforcing their resolve.

They would do everything they could to protect Kenneth—and they wouldn’t let this mysterious woman slip away again.

＊＊＊

It was time to set their risky plan into motion. Kenneth took a steadying breath before drinking the potion, feeling its effects ripple through his body. His surroundings shifted as his form shrank—his shirt now hung loosely, and his view of the world dropped closer to the ground. As he adjusted, he noticed an unsettling absence; the familiar hum of fire magic within him had faded, leaving only the faint pnevma he could sense.

So I really was Elementless to begin with, he thought, feeling a quiet, unfamiliar vulnerability settle over him.

After changing into a child’s outfit, Kenneth stepped outside. His friends were there, each wearing a mix of encouragement and worry. To his surprise, Headmaster Nero was also present. The headmaster knelt to Kenneth’s new height, his gaze intent and focused.

“I’ve heard about the plan,” Nero said in a soft but steady tone. He took Kenneth’s wrist and replaced his bracelet with a new one, its silver glint hiding a subtle marking. “This is a signature tag. If we lose track of you, it’ll help us locate you.”

Kenneth nodded, trying to ignore the flicker of nerves settling in his stomach. “I understand, Headmaster.”

Aine knelt beside him, her usually spirited face subdued. “We’ll come for you as soon as we have a signal. Please be careful.”

Kenneth managed a small smile. “I will.”

With a final glance at his friends, he walked to the square and found a bench to sit on, his eyes scanning the area as he waited, every moment stretching longer than the last.

Finally, he noticed her—a strikingly beautiful woman moving gracefully through the crowd. She approached with a serene smile, yet something about her gaze set every instinct on high alert. She stopped in front of him, her eyes gleaming with unsettling intensity.

“What a lovely pnevma you have,” she murmured, her voice smooth and soft as silk.

Kenneth felt his muscles tense, but before he could move, her gaze held him in place, her smile widening slightly. She knelt down, her voice taking on a excessively sweetness. “Hello, little one. Mother’s here now.”

Her words enveloped him like a fog, and before he could resist, his thoughts began to blur, fading into nothingness as her voice echoed in his mind. The last thing he saw was her smiling face, his own will slipping away, leaving him with only a hollow sense of obedience.

＊＊＊

As they watched from a safe distance, Lucian and others could feel the tension building in their muscles. Their eyes were fixed on the woman as she approached Kenneth with an unsettling grace, her smile deceptively warm.

Ash’s fists clenched, his knuckles turning white as he fought back the urge to rush forward. “We’re letting this go too far…” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Rika put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, her own face tense but resolute. “We can’t blow our cover. Kenneth’s counting on us to wait for the right moment.”

Lucian’s gaze never wavered from the scene unfolding before them. His jaw set, he whispered, “We’ll get him out of there. No matter what it takes.”

The woman knelt down in front of Kenneth, her hand reaching out with a sickening tenderness. Lucian’s eyes hardened, his voice firm and steady as he promised, almost to himself, “Hold on, Kenneth. We’re right here. And we’re not letting her take you.”

A steely determination settled over them, each member of the group silently vowing the same: they would bring Kenneth back, whatever the cost.