The moon hung high over the academy grounds, casting pale light across the stone walls and courtyards. All was quiet, save for the soft rustling of trees swaying in the cool night breeze. Inside the dormitory, the clock had just struck midnight, signaling the start of the night shift for the academy's patrol guards.

A pair of sleepy-eyed guards trudged along the well-worn path that circled the student dormitory. Their armor clinked softly as they moved, the rhythmic sound almost a lullaby in the stillness of the night. One of them, a grizzled older man with a thick mustache, yawned and rubbed his eyes.

"Another quiet night," he muttered, glancing around. "Not that I’m complaining, but these shifts get dull.”

His younger companion nodded, barely able to keep his eyes open. "Yeah, I heard some students are pulling all-nighters, studying for exams. Good thing we don't have to deal with that anymore.”

As they continued their patrol, their lantern light flickering in the breeze, they passed under the tall windows of the student dormitory. A few faint lights could be seen from the upper floors, likely from students still awake, cramming for their mid term exams. The guards exchanged tired glances but moved on. They didn’t bother checking—the last thing they wanted was to get involved in a student’s late-night cramming panic.

Unbeknownst to them, something far more sinister was stirring inside.

At the end of the third-floor corridor, far from the rooms of diligent students burning the midnight oil, stood a figure cloaked in shadow. The hallway was dim, the torches mounted along the walls flickering weakly, casting long shadows that danced across the stone floor.

The figure paused before an elaborate full-length mirror, its frame adorned with intricate carvings of ancient runes linked to titan lore. The mirror’s surface was far from ordinary, rippling and shifting with hues that resembled galaxies in motion. For a moment, the figure remained still, seemingly lost in thought, before leaning closer to the glass, where faint, hairline cracks spidered across its surface.

"Soon, Father," the figure murmured, voice low and filled with purpose. "I will release you soon.”

The mirror pulsed in response, and from within its swirling depths, a titan like creature emerged. Its eyes glowed with an eerie light. It let out a sharp, otherworldly shriek before diving back into the mirror, disappearing into the void. The figure watched in silence as the mirror's surface returned to its usual state.

In the distance, the faint sound of the guards’ footsteps grew closer. The figure tilted their head slightly, listening. With a flick of their wrist, they dissolved into the shadows, vanishing just as the guards turned the corner.

"All clear," the older guard grumbled, casting a quick glance down the corridor. "Let’s finish this round and get some rest.”

The guards, oblivious to the dark presence that had been mere steps away, continued their patrol, unaware of the chaos that would soon be unleashed upon the world.

——

The Academy buzzed with anticipation, students hustling through the halls with a sense of urgency. Mission parchments fluttered on the boards outside the main hall, drawing clusters of students eager to claim the best opportunities for the midterm exams.

At the mission board outside the main hall, Martin Apollo stood with his arms crossed, his eyes scanning the rows of parchment pinned to the board. His lips pressed into a tight line, his frustration evident.

"Still here, Martin? You look like you’re trying to decipher ancient runes instead of picking a mission," came a familiar voice.

Martin turned to see Rem approaching, her hands tucked casually into her pockets and a teasing smile playing on her lips.

"Not in the mood, Rem," he muttered, turning back to the board. "Nothing here is worth the effort. Just more dull, routine missions.”

Rem leaned against the board beside him, her eyebrow arched. "What exactly are you looking for, then? A chance to slay a titan? A treasure hunt through the Abyssal Caves?”

"Something that actually matters," Martin shot back, exasperated. "I’m tired of being just another name in the top ten. I’ve been consistent every year, but none of it feels... remarkable. I need something big before the third year ends. Something that’ll make them notice.”

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Rem tilted her head, her grin softening. "Ah, I see. You want your name whispered in the halls, etched into Academy lore.”

Martin smirked slightly. "Something like that.”

"And what’s the hold-up?" Rem pressed.

"This year’s been a bust," Martin admitted, shaking his head. "The missions have been boring. Everyone’s scattered. Ika’s buried in Defense Art classes, and Lorenzo…"

"Lorenzo?" Rem echoed, her tone curious.

Martin hesitated before speaking, his voice dropping. "He’s impossible to track down lately. And there are those rumors—“

"—about the student killings?" Rem finished, her voice tinged with skepticism.

Martin nodded reluctantly. "Yeah. People are saying he’s involved, but I don’t buy it. He wouldn’t do something like that.”

Rem shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not. Rumors don’t start from nothing, Martin. But if you’re so set on a big mission, why not team up with someone else for now?”

Martin sighed, his gaze returning to the board. "Easier said than done. I need something worthwhile first.”

"Then let me help you with that," Rem said, a mischievous glint in her eye as she pulled a scroll from her satchel. “I think I’ve got just the thing.” Martin raised an eyebrow. “What’s that?”

She handed him the scroll with a flourish. "Take a look. You’re going to love this one.”

Unrolling the parchment, Martin’s eyes scanned the title: The Cosmic Plumage. His interest piqued immediately, and as he read further, his jaw tightened in thought.

“Hidden in the ruins of the Ethereal Glade,” Rem began, her tone hushed with excitement. “The mission’s goal is to recover the Cosmic Plumage, an ancient relic said to be imbued with celestial power. It’s not for the faint-hearted, though. This is a four-star assignment, and you’ll need a team of three.”

Martin’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Finally, something worth doing.” He paused, glancing at her. “Who’s the third?”

“Nova,” Rem said confidently.

“Nova?” Martin tilted his head skeptically. “You think she’ll agree? She’s not exactly a fan of leaving her books for dangerous missions.”

Rem leaned closer, her grin widening as she pointed to the rewards section on the parchment. "Check this out.”

Martin’s eyes flicked to the specified rewards. His expression shifted to one of shock. "That much?" he muttered, barely able to believe the numbers listed.

“Exactly,” Rem replied smugly. “And from what I’ve heard, Nova’s research isn’t cheap. With that kind of payout, I doubt she’ll turn it down. She needs funds, and this mission could cover her expenses for months, maybe years.”

Martin nodded slowly, still processing the scope of the mission. “Alright,” he said at last. “You’ve convinced me. Let’s go talk to her.”

——

The library was a stark contrast to the bustling cafeteria. The vast, echoing halls carried the scent of aged parchment and polished wood, and the only sounds were the soft rustle of pages and the faint creak of floorboards. In a secluded corner, Nova sat surrounded by towering stacks of books. Her fingers delicately turned the pages of an ancient tome, her feline-like golden eyes darting across the text with unwavering focus. The dim light from her desk lamp cast a warm glow on her dark skin, highlighting the quiet intensity she exuded.

Rem and Martin approached quietly, their steps careful as not to disturb the peaceful atmosphere. Martin glanced at Rem, whispering, “You sure she’s going to go for this? Nova doesn’t exactly strike me as someone who jumps at danger.”

“She’ll go for it,” Rem whispered back confidently, a mischievous grin on her face. “Trust me.”

As they reached Nova’s table, Rem leaned down slightly, her voice soft but playful. “Hey, Nova. Busy?”

Nova didn’t look up immediately, her fingers continuing to trace the page in front of her. “What do you want, Rem?” she asked, her tone calm but laced with mild annoyance.

“We’ve got something for you,” Rem replied, sliding into the chair across from her while Martin stood nearby, looking slightly out of place amidst the sea of books.

Nova sighed and finally glanced up, her gaze flicking between the two of them. “If this is about some ridiculous mission, save your breath. I’m not interested.”

“Not ridiculous,” Martin interjected, crossing his arms. “We’re talking about the Cosmic Plumage.”

Nova raised an eyebrow. “The Cosmic Plumage? You mean the mythical relic no one’s ever confirmed exists? That Cosmic Plumage?”

“It’s not a myth,” Rem said firmly. “It’s real. We’ve got the scroll and everything. Hidden in the ruins of the Ethereal Glade.”

At that, Nova sat up straighter. “The Ethereal Glade ruins? You’re joking.”

“Nope,” Rem replied with a grin. “Dead serious. Look, I know the place has a reputation. Ruins tied to Elysion’s primordial past, connected to the lore of the titans. Dangerous? Sure. Traps, ancient mechanisms, rival treasure hunters—it’s not exactly a walk in the park.”

Nova frowned slightly, her gaze falling back to her book. “The ruins are notorious. Few who go there ever come back. And those who do… they’re not the same.”

“That’s why we need you,” Rem said earnestly. “You’re agile, quick-thinking, and let’s be honest, probably the smartest person in this entire academy.”

“And don’t forget,” Martin added, “your Feline Rising ring gives you an edge no one else has. With you on our team, we can navigate the ruins and deal with any surprises.”

Nova’s gaze shifted between them, her skepticism still evident. “Even if the Plumage exists, the risks are astronomical. Why should I put myself in harm’s way for a rumor?”

Rem grinned and pulled the mission scroll from her satchel, unrolling it carefully on the table. She pointed to the reward section, tapping the parchment with her finger. “See this? With this kind of payout, you could fund your research for years—maybe even finish that lab expansion you’ve been dreaming about.”

Nova’s eyes scanned the text, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Those are… substantial rewards,” she admitted reluctantly.

“And,” Rem added with a knowing look, “I heard you need a lot more resources for your latest project. With this, you’d have all the funding you’d ever need.”

Nova closed the tome in front of her with a decisive thud, her curiosity finally outweighing her caution. “Alright. I’m in. But if this turns out to be another one of your half-baked schemes, I’ll make you regret it.”

“Fair enough,” Rem said with a wink, standing up. “We’ll make sure it’s worth your time.”

Martin grinned, the hint of hesitation he’d felt earlier now replaced with growing excitement. “Let’s get moving then. The Plumage isn’t going to find itself.”

The trio left the library together, the weight of their mission heavy on their shoulders. The Ethereal Glade awaited, a place of danger, legend, and untold secrets, but with Nova on their side, their chances of success felt stronger.