The academy was in ruins, with the echo of war still haunting its halls. A once-vibrant institution, renowned for nurturing heroes, had now become the final resting place for hundreds of students. Noble and commoner alike, their dreams and futures snuffed out in the wake of the Shadow Prince's devastating assault. The very sanctuary they had trusted had betrayed them. The Hero Academy—once thought to be the safest place in the realm—had become a graveyard.
Outside the academy's gates, civilians were no safer. Hundreds perished as the Shadow Prince's elite forces laid waste to the surrounding towns, ripping apart the peace that once reigned. Fear and anger simmered in the streets as whispers spread like wildfire. The people of the empire had placed their faith in the academy, and yet, even here, they had found death.
No one could believe it. Not even the Empress, who had placed her trust in the very institution that had failed them. Their heroes, once considered the strongest protectors of the empire, had fallen short. The world had crumbled around them, and now, the empire's greatest institution stood on the edge of collapse.
But there was one face that could not be erased from the memory of those who survived—Arthur, the once-proud hero turned traitor. When the fight had subsided and the chaos had quieted, the students had found him trying to escape, a coward trying to flee the consequences of his own actions. He was caught by Layla, Lyra, and Scarlett, their fury boiling over after seeing the extent of his betrayal. Layla, especially, would show him no mercy. She tortured him with her curse magic, inflicting upon him suffering beyond imagination, keeping him alive only to let him experience the torment he had caused others.
The Emperor, upon hearing of his son's role in the devastation, was initially in disbelief. How could a son of the empire's most respected house have turned so easily? But when Charlotte—his own daughter—and Olivia, the Saintess, came forward with the truth, the Emperor had no choice but to face the consequences. The rage of the people, the anger of the noble houses that had lost their heirs, left him no room for denial. And so, the Emperor, to calm the masses, decreed that Arthur would be publicly executed, his life taken as penance for his sins.
In the three days following the attack, Noah remained unconscious, his body in a fragile state of rest. The healers were at a loss. His soul was damaged beyond repair, a void where once there had been life. There were no words of comfort. No one knew if he would ever wake up. They feared the worst, but even as hope dwindled, something miraculous began to happen. His soul, which had seemed so utterly gone, began to rebuild itself, piece by piece, growing stronger with each passing hour. It was as if a force greater than the healers themselves was at work.
All the while, his girls—Scarlett, Layla, Olivia—stood by him. Their eyes never leaving his unmoving form, their hearts heavy with the weight of their fears. Lyra, too, remained close, offering a quiet shoulder for Scarlett, who struggled to hold herself together. The pain of seeing Noah—who had fought so hard to protect them—now lying in such a state was unbearable. Scarlett couldn't stop blaming herself. She had promised him that she would always be there, but now, in his moment of need, she felt powerless.
Olivia, who had seen Noah's sacrifice firsthand, couldn't shake the guilt. She was the one he had risked everything for, and yet she had been unable to prevent it. She had been weak, and Noah's sacrifice was the consequence. She knelt beside his bed, her forehead pressed against the floor, tears flowing freely as she apologized over and over to his still form.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry," she whispered, each word full of regret and self-loathing.
But it was Noah's mother, Duchess Julia Von Augustus, who was there to soothe her. With a gentle hand, she lifted Olivia into an embrace, brushing away the girl's tears. "It is not your fault, Olivia. It is not. Our son was always stubborn, always willing to do the impossible for those he loved."
Duke Richard Von Augustus stood beside her, offering a comforting hand to Olivia's shoulder. "There is no need for this. You brought joy to our son. You gave him strength when he needed it most."
When Richard and Julia arrived at the academy, they didn't immediately blame it for the catastrophe that had struck. They didn't point fingers at the academy or the heroes who had failed. Instead, they brought with them several of their own healers, determined to help in any way they could. They didn't arrive with anger, only concern and an unyielding love for their son.
But nothing could have prepared them for what they found. As soon as they saw Noah, both parents were shattered. His body was in critical condition, but what really broke their hearts was the state of his soul. It was as if his very soul had been ripped from his body, leaving behind an empty shell. They stood in disbelief, the weight of the tragedy sinking in. Their only son, the one they had raised with so much care, was now lying in a state that defied all understanding. His soul—so vital, so full of life—had almost completely vanished.
Richard and Julia had always known that Noah was strong, but seeing him like this—so broken—shattered them. The healers did their best, but there was little hope left. As they tried and failed to restore Noah's soul, his mother never left his side, her gentle hand brushing through his hair again and again, as though trying to reassure him, or perhaps herself, that it would all be okay.
The Duchess stayed close, always at his side, stroking his hair, whispering soft words of comfort. Every time she looked at his motionless form, her heart cracked just a little more.
During this time, Olivia, still overwhelmed with guilt, approached Noah's parents. She knelt before them, her head bowed to the ground in humility and remorse, apologizing profusely for the condition Noah had fallen into.
"It's my fault," she choked out through her tears. "He did this to save me... I should have done more. I was too weak. I... I couldn't protect him."
But Julia, without hesitation, pulled Olivia into an embrace, her voice gentle but firm. "It is not your fault, Olivia. My son... he loved you so much. He did what he did because of his love for you. Never think it was your fault. Never."
Richard, equally moved, placed a hand on Olivia's shoulder, offering her reassurance. "You brought out the best in him, Olivia. You gave him the strength to keep fighting. None of this is your fault."
And, even in the midst of all the sorrow, Charlotte—the Princess—visited, though she kept her distance. She hesitated to come too close, the weight of her past actions hanging over her. The Duchess welcomed Charlotte into their presence, offering her a chance to see Noah, despite her hesitation. Charlotte was torn with guilt over what had happened, over the fact that her past deeds had indirectly caused this. But the Duchess, seeing the pain in Charlotte's eyes, assured her that Noah had forgiven her long ago.
The room was filled with women—all devoted, all suffering in their own way for the boy who had sacrificed so much. Richard and Julia exchanged a look, a silent communication between the two of them. It was clear that their son had become more than just a young man; he had become a source of admiration, even for those who had once stood at odds with him.
"When did our sweet boy become a player?" Richard mused with a sigh, shaking his head.
Julia, with a soft laugh, responded, "I suppose he always had a bit of charm. But we'll let him have this one."
To be continued....