Alexander gestured for Leylani to stop talking, then turned toward the children. Athena, distracted by Ayden’s excited rambling about the lake’s beauty, had already sensed something was wrong. When her father’s gaze returned to Leylani, more serious than before, she knew—something was up.


    "Darlings, why don’t you wait at Ayden’s dorm? I’ll be there in a moment," he said with a gentle smile.


    Ayden, who had been chatting away just moments ago, noticed the sudden tension in the atmosphere. Both children nodded and started walking toward the Delta dorm.


    As they walked, Ayden tugged at Athena’s sleeve. "Sister, what do you think is so urgent that Master had to find Uncle so suddenly?"


    Athena thought for a moment before answering. "Maybe Dad told him something he didn’t believe at first but later found out was true."


    Ayden frowned, feeling restless. "Sister!"


    Athena sighed. "No, don’t ‘sister’ me."


    But Ayden wasn’t giving up. He stepped in front of her, took both of her hands in his, and looked up at her with his signature lost puppy eyes—the one look he knew she could never resist. "Please, Sister."


    Athena contemplated for a moment before sighing in defeat. "Alright, but we can’t get caught. Understand?"


    Ayden nodded vigorously, then grabbed her hand and dragged her along as they quietly followed the two adults.


    Meanwhile, Alexander and Leylani were deep in conversation, unaware of the two little eavesdroppers.


    "I can’t believe they dared to infiltrate Hunter’s Academy," Leylani grumbled.


    "Of course they did," Alexander replied, his tone sharp. "The only reason they haven’t spread their influence here before was because of the barrier. Now, they’ve found a way to compromise it."


    Leylani clenched his fists. "Who else would dare do this but those northern traitors?"


    Alexander looked at his friend, who was quickly losing his composure. "Calm down. From what I’ve assessed, they don’t have a significant presence yet—just some cronies, a fake prince, and a full-fledged demon."


    Leylani inhaled sharply, his shoulders stiffening. For a moment, he looked as if he’d been physically struck. ‘A demon?’ His voice was barely above a whisper. ‘Who?’


    Alexander met his gaze with deadly seriousness. "Who was in charge of recruiting the new professor?"


    Leylani hesitated, thinking. "I… I don’t know. Before the year started, the Northern Empire made demands regarding their prince’s safety, claiming that a place without one of their kind wasn’t safe for him to study and live in. So, we recruited a few professors from their empire. But none of them have access to sensitive information or key Academy structures."


    Alexander ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "Then explain how the barrier was compromised. And how a demon got in."


    Leylani looked visibly disturbed. "I admit the barrier issue is serious, but a demon? If that were true, how did Principal Sylvester not notice? Who exactly is it?"


    Alexander pinched the bridge of his nose. "The new professor is a demon. But for some reason, he’s weak—so weak that if it were anyone else, they would’ve missed his presence entirely. But I saw him clearly with my Eyes of the Truth Seeker. And my ability never lies."


    Hidden behind the bushes, Athena and Ayden held their breath. Ayden’s fingers gripped her sleeve tightly, his body trembling. His wide eyes darted to hers, sheer panic in them.


    "Sister, there’s a demon here!" Ayden whispered, panicked.


    Athena widened her eyes and quickly covered his mouth, signaling him to stay quiet.


    Meanwhile, Leylani was still processing the revelation. "Alexander, shouldn’t we capture him and root out the traitors who compromised the Academy’s safety? They let a demon in."


    Alexander shook his head. "Not yet. We need to find out their motives first. If we act now, they’ll realize we’re onto them and scatter before we can stop them. Let them believe they’re still undetected."


    Leylani exhaled sharply, struggling to keep his anger in check. "Should I at least inform Principal Sylvester?"


    Alexander shook his head again. "No. Given his history with demons, that old man won’t be able to resist killing that thing the moment he finds out. We need a temporary way to reinforce the barrier while keeping up the illusion that it’s still compromised so that the traitors remain unaware."


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


    Leylani’s brows furrowed. "But how?"


    Before Alexander could answer, he smirked and turned his head slightly. "My dear children, why don’t you come out of the bushes and help your master find a way to solve his dilemma?"


    From behind the thick greenery, two small figures stiffened.


    Ayden let out a squeaky, "Eeeekkk!" before scrambling out, followed by a very reluctant Athena.


    Alexander raised an amused brow. "I never knew you could reach the dorm through these bushes."


    The two troublemakers stood before their father and master, caught red-handed.


    Alexander sighed dramatically. “Honestly, you two are the worst at sneaking around. Did you really think I wouldn’t notice? I’ve been watching you two since the day you were born. Brother asks, and sister always gives in.”


    Leylani crossed his arms, giving them both a hard look. "Do you two have anything to say for yourselves?"


    Athena and Ayden exchanged a nervous glance.


    "Um…" Ayden started sheepishly. "We were… just making sure you were safe?"


    Athena sighed in exasperation, rubbing her temples. "We are so getting punished for this, aren’t we?"


    "No, not if you find a way to repair the barrier like I said," Alexander stated matter-of-factly.


    Athena gave him a deadpan look. "I’m only ten. What can I possibly do?"


    Alexander smirked. "Oh? Says the one who created a perfect barrier at the age of five."


    Athena shrugged. "That was an accident."


    Leylani looked at her as if he had just found a priceless treasure. "Right… Dear disciple—no, dear goddaughter, please save us. Given the current situation, you’re the only one capable of doing such a thing."


    Athena hesitated. "But I can’t. Didn’t you see? My barrier was weak. I don’t even know how I created the first one—it just happened. The one I made during the trial wasn’t as strong, and I don’t know why."


    Alexander thought for a moment before nodding. "That’s true. But can’t you tweak it so we can sense their presence and monitor them without alerting them?"


    Athena fell silent, deep in thought. Finally, she spoke. "I have another idea, but it will have to wait until I get back to my dorm. I need to figure out why the quality of my barriers is different."


    Both adults exchanged glances before Leylani nodded. "Yes, it can wait."


    The tension hung thick for a moment, but then Alexander clapped his hands together with a grin. “Well then, enough of that. Let’s check out Ayden’s dorm!”


    "Yaay!" Ayden cheered, jumping up and down before grabbing his uncle’s and sister’s hands, practically dragging them away toward his dorm.


    As they disappeared in a whirlwind of excitement, Leylani stood still, watching them leave before letting out a sigh. Shaking his head, he turned and walked toward his office, his mind already deep in thought.


    Ayden’s dorm visit was long, but that was expected—he was a chatterbox who talked endlessly when excited, especially when surrounded by his most cherished people. He eagerly showed his uncle all the gifts he had received from the academy for completing the trial, along with the occasional handmade presents and little potted plants his sister and Julian had given him.


    On their way out, they ran into Julian and Sir Morari, who were returning to Julian’s room after a stroll. The moment Ayden saw Julian, he volunteered to stay behind.


    "Even if I come with you, I can’t enter the Alpha dorm, so I’ll stay with Brother Julian and Sir Morari," he said cheerfully.


    Julian and Ayden, along with Sir Morari, watched as the father-daughter duo—one big and one small—headed toward the Alpha dorms.


    "Sir Morari, don’t you think Sister not only looks like Uncle but also walks and behaves exactly like him?" Ayden mused.


    Sir Morari let out a deep sigh, watching Alexander’s familiar posture. "Yes, indeed. Little Highness resembles His Highness so much that it’s almost scary."


    Both boys shrugged in sync, as if saying, That’s just how the world works—what can we do?


    Just as Alexander and Athena reached the intersection leading to the Alpha dorm, they ran into Alya. The moment Alya saw them, she instinctively tried to flee using her super speed, but Athena was quicker—she grabbed her hand before she could disappear.


    "Dad, do you remember her?" Athena asked, looking at her father.


    Alexander studied the little elf girl carefully, and recognition flashed in his eyes. He gave a polite nod. "It’s good to see you again, Princess."


    Alya shyly bowed and gestured back. "It’s good to see you again, Your Highness."


    Athena turned to her father. "I wanted to introduce her to you earlier, but she vanished when you came to pick us up." Then she looked back at Alya. "Where did you disappear after the ceremony?"


    Alya blushed, her expression filled with happiness. "My brother came to see me. He’s in my dorm now," she signed.


    Athena smiled, feeling relieved for her friend. At least now, Alya wouldn’t feel left out just because no one came to visit her.


    Alya quickly waved her hands. "See you later!" she signed before rushing off toward her dorm.


    Alexander sighed as he watched her leave. "Poor child. I hope no one here discriminates against her just because she can’t speak."


    "Don’t worry, Dad," Athena assured him, her voice firm. "As long as we’re here, no one will dare."


    Alexander ruffled her hair affectionately. "My little cupcake is so awesome."


    They resumed their walk, stopping when they reached the barrier to the Alpha dorms.


    "Dad, do you have to pass a trial to enter?" Athena asked.


    Alexander chuckled. "No, Cupcake. Just like you don’t need to take a trial to enter a lower-level dorm, an adult who surpasses the dorm’s limits doesn’t have to face the trial either."


    Athena sighed in relief. "Then, okay."


    She pressed her bracelet, quickly navigating the interface and sending a message:


    ‘Cleo, we have a guest.’


    The reply was instant.


    ‘Understood, my lady.’