After retrieving my disguise, I made my way to the disciplinary office. Mr. Moon was still pacing in front, muttering my alias over and over.

“Moon,” I said with a smirk. “You should really stop pacing like that. It's unbefitting of someone with your standing.”

He ran up to me and handed me the mask. I thanked him and told him to turn around as I put it on.

“This is much better,” I said, my voice distorted by the mask so that no one would recognize me. “Now tell me, what did you find out about the symbol?”

“I apologize, but I could not find anything about that symbol,” he said, looking down and worried that he had disappointed me.

“That's fine,” I replied. “Do you have a list of all Tier 4 Illusion Students?”

His face brightened as he pulled it out from his cloak. “Yes, here you go!”

I scanned the list. “Can I trust you to interview the second years while I work on the third years?” Even though the mask distorted my voice, I couldn't risk any second-year students recognizing me.

“Yes, of course, X.”

“Good. Meet me back here in four hours.”

I made my way to the first student on the list, Leila Damica in room 107. I knocked on her door, and she quickly answered. She was slightly taller than me with red hair that extended far beyond her lower back. It seemed like I had caught her in the middle of a nap, and she rushed to the door, her hair a mess and all she wore was an oversized hoodie. I blushed slightly underneath the mask. She opened the door with a smile, but when she saw me, it disappeared.

“Who are you?” she questioned.

“Detective X,” I said, conjuring an ID using a spell. “I'm here to investigate the missing wands.”

She invited me in, "Would you like a minute to freshen up?" I asked, trying to put her at ease.

"It's fine," she sighed. "I'd like to get this over with."

"I see," I said, taking a seat. "For the record, please state your name and tier."

"Leila Damica, Tier 6 Illusionist," she replied.

I nodded, jotting down her information. "What were you doing the night of the incident?"

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"I was in my room with a few friends playing board games," she replied, leaning back with her arms crossed. "My alibi is watertight."

I made a note of her statement before continuing. "Would you mind stating the names of these friends?"

She listed off three names I was unfamiliar with, and I wrote them down. "Thank you. Do you recognize this symbol from anywhere?" I asked, handing her a piece of paper on which I had drawn a symbol.

"Nope, can't say I have," she replied, examining the drawing.

I noted her response and continued with my questions. "Have you noticed anything suspicious or out of the ordinary in the past few days?"

She shook her head. "No, nothing unusual."

I paused, taking in her responses. "Thank you, Ms. Damica. That's all for now. I may need to follow up with you if anything else comes up."

Leila nodded, and I stood up to leave. "Thank you for your cooperation, and please remember to report anything suspicious to the disciplinary office."

I exited the room and made my way down the hall to the next student on the list. As I walked, I thought about Leila's alibi and her lack of knowledge about the symbol. It seemed like she was telling the truth, but I couldn't let my guard down just yet.

The next student, a Tier 4 Illusionist named Max, wasn't as cooperative as Leila. He was defensive from the moment I knocked on his door, and he refused to let me in without a warrant. I had to use some persuasive tactics to get him to cooperate, but eventually, he relented and allowed me inside.

Max's room was cluttered with various gadgets and gizmos, and it was clear that he spent most of his time tinkering with machines. I asked him the same questions I had asked Leila, but his answers were evasive and vague. He claimed that he was working on a project the night of the incident and couldn't leave his room, but he refused to provide any further details.

When I showed him the symbol, he squinted at it for a moment before shaking his head. "Never seen it before," he said, his tone dismissive.

I left Max's room feeling frustrated. He was hiding something, but I couldn't figure out what. As I made my way to the next student on the list, I couldn't help but wonder if I was getting any closer to solving the case or if I was just running in circles.

Hours passed as I interviewed each student on the list, and by the time I had finished, it was nearly dark outside. I met up with Mr. Moon at the disciplinary office, and we compared notes. Unfortunately, none of the students had any useful information about the missing wands or the mysterious symbol.

“X, we’ve made zero progress,” Mr. Moon said, his tone somber, “We may have to close the case if we don’t make progress soon.”

I grabbed his shirt and pulled him down until he was eye level with me, “Moon as long as I am working with you we will never close a case until we solve it,” He began fervently nodding, “And if I even hear you think about suggesting that you will experience pain unlike anything you have ever felt,” I paused, “Do you understand?”

He said yes so I released my hold on him, “Good. Now I need you to find out about these three students.” I handed him the paper with the three names Leila had given me as well as some other names I had received to confirm alibis, “I need names, tiers, and dorm numbers.” He nodded, “When you are done, find my sister and give her the information,”

“Y-you have a sister?” He questioned,

“Yes,” I lied, he couldn’t find out I was a second year student in disguise just yet. But if he thought X and me were sisters, he would write off any similarities.

“How will I find her?”

“You are a detective are you not?” I said already walking away