I remembered reading about this event in the novel.

“A small scandal occurred during the midterms…” was how it was described.

Small scandal, my foot.

Students’ screams echoed across the long corridors. I used my Appraisal Map to keep finding students and sending them out through the nearest exits.

Deus had returned with me when I went to pick up Mike from his Island, and he was a big help during the evacuation.

Not to mention, he had even ranked up during his time on the island.

But his ranking up was a bit painful for me. I rubbed my right shoulder. The day Deus evolved, a small falcon tattoo appeared there. It was more painful than the time the snake tattoo appeared on my arm.

Another thing I noticed was that no one noticed the tattoos on my body, unless they focused on them. I was glad that I didn't have to explain to anyone why I suddenly acting like a rebellious teenager, getting tattoos.

A falcon zipped past me in the air, bringing me back from my thoughts. It had dark brown feathers with lava red tips. As it flew through the corridors, its red tips glowed in the dark, like embers coming to life.

Arcadeus (Fire Falcon Form)

Title: The Formless Spirit

Rank: D

Stats:

Strength 3.2

Stamina 3.5

Agility 4.2

Perception 5

Magic Power 6

Intelligence 6

Skills:

Feather Dance(B): With this skill, Arcadeus can freely control his feathers and use them to attack.

Mana Compatibility:

Air: 95%

Fire: 90%

The feathers of a Fire Falcon are known to contain the essence of the wildest flames. Its Flame Feathers can be used in a wide range of potions and are sold for a high price.

“Just so you know, I am not letting you pluck my feathers.” Deus shouted down at me, as he read his own Appraisal screen.

“I am sure we can negotiate a price, if it ever comes down to it. But for the time being, come down. Your falcon form is too noticeable here.”

Following my instructions, Deus swooped down. As he flew down, his wings retracted into his torso and his tail grew long. His dark feathers turned back to golden scales and Deus turned back into his snake form, slithering on the ground.

“Let’s go.”

Deus continued to help students evacuate while I sent him directions from the Appraisal Map telepathically.

“Get lost!” A wave of mana swept over me. I could feel my mind getting scrambled. Thankfully my Perception Stat had increased significantly from training daily.

This kind of overpowered power could only belong to one person.

“Deus, go and help out Misa.”

She had students with her, so I decided to attract the Faydes that were following her by acting as bait. Faydes had intangible bodies, that’s why attacks coated with Earth mana were very effective against them.

My sword shined brown as I swung it at the confused ghosts. Instead of passing through the ectoplasma, the monsters were flung away.

A bit away from me, I could sense Misa escorting her students through the portal.

“Come at me.” I taunted the ghouls. They screamed at me in response. Our eyes met.

“Ray, don’t look in their eyes.”

Faydes: Monsters that are able to read your mind and able to manifest into your worst nightmare.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

Caution: Avoid eye contact!

My Appraisal screen notified me too late.

‘Crap.’ was the last thought that crossed my mind. The female ghouls screeched at me as dark smoke started rising from their feet, quickly engulfing them.

I prepared myself, ready to face whatever horror they changed into.

But contrary to my expectations, as the fog started to rise, it took a surprisingly humane look. A young man's silhouette came into existence.

But once the fog evaporated from his torso, the real horror began. The man’s wrists were slit and the warm crimson fluid was dripping all over his shirt.

The moment its face was revealed, goosebumps covered my arms. I could feel myself hyperventilating as I lost my balance. I clutched my heart as the memory I had tried to forget so hard began to resurface on my mind.

Deus rushed to my side. “Master, what’s wrong?”

“I-i c-can’t breathe…huff…huff”

“Okay, wait! I am gonna stabilise you.”

He slithered up to my neck and dug his fangs into it. I could feel his venom entering the wound and immediately my breathing started to relax.

“Go to hell.” I could hear Misa yelling, followed by the ghouls screeching as they disappeared.

She rushed to my side and started to help.

“Lean on me, Ray.” she instructed me as she carried me out to the exit. Deus had already turned back into a tattoo on my arm and was hiding his presence.

We passed through the portal and found ourselves in front of a temporary camp. Healers were rushing amongst the injured students, many of them victims of panic attacks similar to mine. Deus’ venom was coursing through my veins, and my mind, slowly but surely, cleared up.

As soon as I gained enough strength, I tapped Misa's shoulders and she slowly let me off.

“I can understand why people usually say to avoid Faydes despite them only being D-Rank monsters.”

They were capable of stirring up your worst fears, ones you tried to forget or didn’t even know existed. I remembered hearing somewhere that mental attacks were more damaging than physical ones.

“Are you okay now?” Misa gently asked me.

“Just a bit dizzy.” I gave her a pained smile. Deus’ venom had cleared my head, but the aftereffects from the attack were still present. My eyes started to get blurry as my consciousness began to fade.

It was probably cause of the venom coursing through my viens, but thankfully I didn't have any nightmares.

When I woke up again, I was staring at the unfamiliar ceiling of the Academy infirmary. I turned my head, to find two gorgeous green eyes staring at me.

“You are finally awake.” Misa spoke up from beside me.

I sat up on the hospital bed as Misa handed me a glass of water. My throat was parched, so I quickly chugged it down.

“What happened after the exam?” I asked her, once my thirst was quenched.

“Well, we found demonic energy in parts of the Dungeon, indicating that the Fallen were responsible for infecting the Dungeon with real Spyders and Faydes. Thankfully, there were no casualties but we still haven’t been able to locate the person responsible for it.”

I am sure I could search for the Fallen with my Appraisal skill.

“Can I be part of the investigation?”

“Well, I am the head of the investigation team, so I can allow you in.”

“Wait, the investigation head is here, looking after a patient instead of searching for clues?”

“I just dropped by a few minutes ago, to see how you were doing. You have been unconscious for almost an entire day now. Thankfully, the healers said you were just shaken from shock and would wake up naturally.”

The nightmares were quite disturbing, so it wasn't a surprise I had fainted from shock.

“Was that… thing, that bad a memory for you?” Concern was etched over her. She clearly saw and understood what the Fayde had turned into.

“It was just a memory I thought I had forgotten.” I gave her a small smile to reassure her I was unaffected, but she obviously didn’t buy my act.

I looked around and saw that all of the beds around me were empty. I must have been one of the last people to recover. I got up from the bed, and Misa walked with me back to my dorm apartment.

Sun was setting on the horizon as we walked through the Academy gardens

“You should rest back at your house for a few days. Don’t overwork yourself just to be part of the investigation.” Misa instructed me as I walked through my door.

Since whoever was responsible won’t make another move for some time, I nodded at her advice.

“Come out, Deus.” I called out on my Spirit once I was in my apartment.

On my command, the tattoo on my arm started to wriggle and Deus slithered onto the ground.

“Looks like you healed up well.” Deus examined me with a hint of pride in his voice.

“I did. Thank you for that.” I bowed my head in gratitude.

“Aww. Don’t mention it.” I could almost see his golden scales turning red in embarrassment.

I took out one of the large monsters that was stored inside my dimensional ring and Deus started feasting on it. Dimensional rings had the added effect of stopping the time of whatever was stored in them, so the corpse was still fresh as new.

I didn’t want to go down to the mess hall, so I decided to make my dinner in the kitchen. I took out a pack of spaghetti and decided to make some chicken carbonara.

‘Ding’

A notification popped up on my smartwatch. I opened up the screen and found an email notifying me that the classes will be halted for the next two weeks and that the staff is investigating the matter.

Seeing that there weren’t any additional instructions to stay within the campus in the message, it seems like they weren’t openly suspecting me. Though I am sure they will be keeping an eye out for my actions.

Well, not that I am worried. The only thing I would be doing is teaching Mike back at the mansion. Since Misa, who is involved with the League, registered Mike and Jacob in the City, their identities can be vouched for, and they won’t be suspected to be working for the Chaos Alliance.

Once Deus and I had finished our dinner, I packed up some clothes and things in my office and went out to go back to my mansion.

Deus slithered behind me, hiding his presence using Fade.

I entered through the mansion gates pretty late in the night. Jacob was sitting in the living room while Mike was outside in the garden exercising. Seeing my arrival, both of them rushed at me.

“Sir Ray, we heard about what happened at the Academy.”

"Are you safe? We heard that the Fallen were responsible for it and many students and teachers got injured during the attack.”

Academy news does spread fast.

“Don’t worry, I am okay. Some of the students are still suffering from panic attacks. But I am okay.”

I didn’t want to worry them by informing them about the internal affairs of the Academy.

“The Academy decided to give everyone a break for two weeks until things die down, so I decided to stay here. I am a bit tired, so I will be resting in my room.”

Bidding them good night, I went to my bedroom. I slumped down on the bed while Deus curled up in a corner, nodding off to sleep. I stared up at the pendant lights, thinking about what had happened.

The memory that the Fayde had resurfaced was one I never thought I would face again. I slowly closed my eyes and lulled into my dreams.

I found myself in the dorm room where I stayed during my 4th year of college. My past self was surfing through his laptop in front of me. He had a smile on his face, as he rushed out of the room.

I walked in front of the screen. It had the same page on the screen that I had opened on that day.

The final volume of the novel ‘The Blood Drowned Reincarnator’.

After receiving the document from him, I had rushed out to congratulate Aries on completing his series, but what I saw in the room was far from a cause for celebration.

The landscape surrounding me dissolved into smoke before reassembling itself into another similar room with a different décor.

My memory self was standing in the centre of the room. In front of me, Happy was desperately calling for an ambulance on his phone.

And below him lay the cooling body of Aries, his wrists slit with a razor and a note in his hand.