Ignihyde Pick Me

The announcement of the annual **Night Raven College Festival** spread across campus like wildfire.

For once, even the usually stoic students seemed excited. Every dorm was expected to host an attraction, compete for visitors, and somehow avoid blowing up the school in the process.

Needless to say, the last part wasn't guaranteed.

Ignihyde's contribution was exactly what everyone expected.

A fully immersive virtual reality experience designed entirely by Idia.

"It has seven branching story paths, adaptive AI, randomized encounters, hidden achievements, and three secret endings," Idia explained without looking away from his monitor. "...Which means approximately zero people are gonna appreciate the amount of work I put into this."

Ortho floated beside him with a proud smile.

"They will."

"They'll skip the dialogue."

"They'll still enjoy it."

"They'll skip the lore."

"They'll still enjoy it."

"..."

"..."

"...Fine."

It was the closest thing to surrender Idia ever admitted.

Over the next several days, you found yourself helping however you could.

Most of the programming was well beyond your understanding, but Ortho happily assigned you smaller tasks.

Sorting equipment.

Testing headsets.

Making sure exhausted students remembered to eat.

Which, unfortunately, included Idia.

"You've had three energy drinks."

"...Hydration."

"They don't count."

"They're liquid."

"They're concerning."

Without another word, you quietly placed a bottle of water beside his keyboard.

He stared at it.

Then at you.

Then back at the bottle.

"...You're persistent."

"So are you."

"...Touché."

By the fourth day of preparations, the VR attraction was nearly complete.

Students from other dorms had started stopping by to watch demonstrations.

Most were impressed.

Some were amazed.

One person, however, wore the same gentle smile she'd always had.

Celestine.

She applauded politely after finishing the demo.

"That was incredible."

Ortho smiled.

"Thank you."

Idia mumbled something unintelligible into his hoodie.

She laughed softly.

"I can't believe someone as shy as Housewarden Shroud could make something so amazing."

It sounded like a compliment.

Until she continued.

"I suppose it's easier when you don't have many distractions."

Her eyes drifted toward you.

Several nearby students followed her gaze.

The implication settled over the room before anyone spoke.

One student awkwardly cleared his throat.

Another quietly looked away.

You noticed Idia's shoulders tense.

Ortho noticed too.

He smiled politely.

"I'm sure Brother's work speaks for itself."

"Oh, of course."

Celestine nodded quickly.

"I didn't mean anything by it."

The phrase had become painfully familiar.

She never meant anything by it.

Yet somehow everyone walked away thinking exactly what she'd wanted them to think.

Festival day arrived beneath bright blue skies.

Music echoed across campus.

Food stalls lined the pathways.

Students hurried in elaborate costumes while magical fireworks occasionally burst overhead.

Compared to the rest of the school, Ignihyde's booth felt almost peaceful.

Soft blue lights illuminated the room.

Holographic projections floated through the air.

Visitors gasped as they entered the simulation.

Many returned for another attempt immediately afterward.

Even Idia seemed surprised.

"...Wait..."

He glanced toward the growing line outside.

"...People actually... like it?"

Ortho beamed.

"I told you."

"...This has to be a bug."

"It isn't."

"...Hidden camera prank?"

"No."

"...Mass hallucination?"

"No."

You laughed.

"I think your project's just good."

Idia looked away so quickly you almost missed the faint glow spreading across the tips of his ears.

"...Don't... say stuff like that."

"Why?"

"'Cause my social battery wasn't prepared."

Hours passed.

The attraction became one of the busiest at the festival.

Students praised the technology.

Teachers complimented the design.

Even Housewardens from other dorms stopped by.

For the first time since you'd met him, Idia looked...

Proud.

Not loudly.

Not confidently.

Just quietly.

Like someone allowing themselves to believe they might actually deserve the praise.

Then everything changed.

Near the entrance, a loud crash echoed through the room.

One of the spare VR headsets had fallen to the floor.

Everyone turned.

Celestine stood nearby, looking startled.

"Oh no..."

She covered her mouth dramatically.

"I'm so sorry."

Her eyes widened.

"I tripped."

The headset had landed near your feet.

Before anyone could process what happened, she hurried over.

"I was trying to help carry equipment earlier," she explained breathlessly.

Then she looked down.

"...Oh."

She picked up a small screwdriver from beside the broken headset.

"I think this belongs to them."

The room went quiet.

You frowned.

"It isn't mine."

"Oh..."

She blinked innocently.

"I must've been mistaken."

A few students exchanged uncertain glances.

One whispered something.

Another looked toward the damaged equipment.

Idia immediately stepped between you and the gathering crowd.

"...Stop."

Everyone froze.

His voice wasn't loud.

It didn't need to be.

"I built these."

Blue flames flickered brighter around his hair.

"If someone had tampered with them..."

He walked toward the broken headset, kneeling beside it.

Only a few seconds passed before he picked up a cracked fastening clip.

"...It broke because this lock wasn't secured."

He looked toward the maintenance checklist.

"...Which..."

His eyes narrowed.

"...Was my responsibility."

The room became silent.

Celestine's smile faltered for the first time.

Just briefly.

Then it returned.

"Oh..."

She laughed nervously.

"I guess we all make mistakes."

Idia slowly stood.

"You accused the wrong person."

"I didn't accuse anyone."

"You implied it."

"I was only trying to help."

"No."

For perhaps the first time in years...

Idia met someone's eyes without immediately looking away.

"You weren't."

Even Ortho seemed surprised.

Celestine hesitated.

Only for a heartbeat.

Then she sighed softly.

"I suppose I chose my words poorly."

She bowed politely before slipping back into the crowd.

Within moments, she'd disappeared among the festival guests.

The excitement gradually returned.

Students resumed enjoying the attraction.

The line formed once again.

Yet something had changed.

For the first time...

Idia hadn't retreated.

He'd spoken.

Not because he wanted to defend himself.

Because he wanted to defend you.

Later that evening, as the festival lights reflected across Ignihyde's glass walls, the three of you sat together in comfortable silence, sharing snacks while watching students wander the campus below.

Idia finally spoke.

"...Thanks."

"What for?"

"...Staying."

Before you could answer, Ortho tilted his head.

"...Brother?"

Idia's expression changed.

His eyes had drifted toward the courtyard.

Following his gaze, you spotted Celestine standing beneath a tree.

She wasn't alone.

She was quietly speaking with several students who occasionally glanced toward Ignihyde before nodding.

When she noticed someone watching, she smiled sweetly...

...and gave a small wave.

Whatever she was planning next, she clearly hadn't given up.

The festival might have ended.

But the game she was playing had only just begun.

Rain pattered softly against Ignihyde's glass walls, blurring the lights of Night Raven College into glowing streaks of blue, gold, and violet. Thunder rolled somewhere far in the distance, gentle enough to be comforting rather than startling. It was the sort of weather that encouraged people to stay indoors, curl up beneath blankets, and forget the rest of the world existed.

Inside the dorm, the atmosphere matched the weather perfectly.

Warm lights had replaced the usual bright laboratory glow, casting everything in soft shades of amber and blue. Several beanbags had been pulled into the lounge, blankets were draped over the couch, and the faint aroma of fresh popcorn lingered in the air.

Ortho floated happily between the kitchenette and the living area, carefully balancing bowls of snacks in his arms.

"I made sure there are sweet snacks... and salty snacks... and spicy snacks. Brother couldn't decide, so I bought all three."

Idia barely looked up from where he was buried beneath a fluffy blanket.

"...Decision paralysis is a real condition."

"You just wanted everything."

"...Also true."

Ortho laughed, placing the bowls neatly on the table before hovering over to a shelf stacked with games, movies, and consoles.

"I even organized everything by genre."

"...You're terrifyingly efficient."

"I learned from watching you."

"...That's somehow more terrifying."

The quiet humming of Ignihyde's servers blended seamlessly with the rain outside. It wasn't loud enough to interrupt the silence—if anything, it became part of it, like distant ocean waves that never truly stopped.

For a long while, nobody felt the need to rush anything.

Idia scrolled lazily through his game library, occasionally mumbling to himself whenever he found something he didn't feel like playing.

"No..."

"...Too competitive."

"...Too much reading."

"...Requires effort."

Ortho peeked over his shoulder.

"That one says 'casual.'"

"...Emotionally competitive."

"I don't think that's a category."

"It is now."

A tiny smile tugged at the corner of Ortho's mouth.

The younger Shroud eventually wandered over to one of the large windows, watching raindrops race each other down the glass.

"I always like storms."

Idia glanced over.

"...Yeah?"

"They make everything quieter."

"...Mm."

"People usually stay inside."

"...Less social interaction."

"Exactly."

The two brothers exchanged a knowing look before quietly laughing to themselves.

Idia leaned further into the couch, pulling the blanket up to his chin.

"...Peak weather."

Ortho nodded in complete agreement.

"The best weather."

A kettle clicked from the kitchenette.

Steam slowly curled into the air as Ortho carefully prepared mugs of hot chocolate, topping each one with an almost unreasonable amount of marshmallows.

He placed one in front of Idia.

"...Thanks."

Another was set aside.

Ortho glanced toward the entrance.

"They should be here soon."

Idia immediately looked anywhere except the front door.

"...Didn't ask."

"You've looked over there five times."

"...Coincidence."

"You checked your phone, too."

"...Clock management."

"You've never managed a clock."

"...True."

The room settled once more into a comfortable silence.

Rain tapped softly against the windows.

Somewhere in the distance, thunder rolled again.

Idia quietly reached for a handful of popcorn.

Missed the bowl entirely.

"..."

Without a word, Ortho slid the bowl two inches closer.

"...Thanks."

"I've been doing that for years."

"...I know."

There was something oddly peaceful about watching the brothers exist together.

They didn't constantly talk.

They didn't need to.

Ortho understood his brother's silences almost as well as his words, while Idia had long since learned that Ortho's endless optimism wasn't exhausting—it was comforting.

It was the kind of companionship that only came from years of knowing someone completely.

A soft chime echoed through the dorm.

The front doors unlocked automatically.

Ortho's eyes brightened.

"They're here."

Idia's shoulders immediately straightened before he caught himself and slouched again.

"...Cool."

"You sound excited."

"I sound normal."

"You practiced that."

"...Maybe."

The evening passed comfortably.

Games were played.

Movies were started only to be abandoned halfway through because someone kept pausing to explain obscure trivia.

Ortho somehow managed to convince Idia to try a cooperative game instead of insisting on playing alone.

"...Don't expect me to carry."

Several minutes later, Idia had accidentally rescued Ortho from danger three separate times.

"I thought you weren't carrying."

"...Shut up."

Outside, the rain became heavier.

Inside, the warmth of the room only seemed to grow.

No one paid much attention to the time until another soft chime echoed through the dorm.

Ortho tilted his head.

"Hm?"

"Expecting someone else?" Idia asked.

"I don't think so."

The front doors slid open.

Standing just outside, holding a neatly wrapped bakery box beneath an umbrella, was Celestine.

She blinked in surprise at the sight before her.

"...Oh."

Her smile appeared almost instantly.

"I didn't realize everyone was together."

She looked around the cozy room—the blankets scattered across the couch, the half-empty bowls of popcorn, the mugs of hot chocolate, the paused game still glowing softly on the television.

"...Looks like I interrupted something."

She lifted the bakery box slightly.

"I was walking back from town and thought I'd bring everyone some pastries."

Her gaze lingered around the room for another moment.

Then she laughed quietly.

"I guess I should've asked first."

The dorm suddenly felt much quieter than it had only seconds before.

Rain continued falling outside.

Inside, the warmth remained...

But the peaceful evening had gained one unexpected guest, and no one was quite sure what would happen next.

A rare announcement from Headmage Crowley managed to accomplish what few things ever could.

Every dorm was required to participate in an off-campus "educational enrichment excursion."

Predictably, nearly every student interpreted that differently.

Heartslabyul viewed it as a chance to uphold proper etiquette in public.

Savanaclaw saw it as an opportunity to compete over who could finish the trip first.

Octavinelle immediately began discussing souvenir prices before the buses had even arrived.

Ignihyde...

Wanted to disappear before anyone noticed they were supposed to attend.

"...Can we pretend we missed the memo?" Idia muttered from beneath his hood.

Ortho floated beside him with an apologetic smile.

"Brother, Crowley personally handed you the permission slip."

"...Can we pretend I hallucinated that?"

"He made you sign it."

"...Forgery exists."

"It was your handwriting."

"...Technology has gone too far."

The destination turned out to be a massive public aquarium several towns away.

Its entrance resembled an enormous wave frozen in glass, sunlight shimmering across the blue-tinted panels while schools of colorful fish drifted through towering tanks inside.

Crowds of visitors wandered leisurely between exhibits, children pressing excited hands against the glass while quiet instrumental music echoed through the building.

The atmosphere couldn't have been more different from Night Raven College.

It was... calm.

Even Idia seemed to notice.

"...Less noisy than I expected."

Ortho smiled.

"The fish don't talk very much."

"...My kind of people."

Most students quickly scattered into their own groups.

Some hurried toward the shark exhibit.

Others disappeared into the underwater tunnel.

Crowley, after delivering a lengthy speech about representing the school with dignity, was nowhere to be found within five minutes.

Not that anyone seemed surprised.

Ignihyde naturally gravitated toward the quieter sections of the aquarium.

The glowing jellyfish gallery was almost empty.

Hundreds of translucent jellyfish floated gracefully through a cylindrical tank, illuminated by soft blue and purple lights that shifted like breathing.

Their gentle movements reflected across the glass walls, bathing the room in an almost dreamlike glow.

Ortho slowly spun in place, watching them.

"They're beautiful."

"...Mm."

Idia's gaze remained fixed on the drifting creatures.

"...No expectations."

Ortho tilted his head.

"Hm?"

"They just... float."

"..."

"No one asks them to make conversation."

"..."

"No one expects them to smile."

"..."

"...Lucky."

The words were so quiet they nearly disappeared beneath the sound of bubbling water.

Several minutes passed without anyone speaking.

There wasn't any need.

The jellyfish drifted lazily overhead.

The room remained comfortably dim.

Even the footsteps of passing visitors seemed softer here.

It was the sort of silence Idia never seemed eager to leave.

Eventually Ortho pointed toward another hallway.

"The deep-sea exhibit should be this way."

"...Anglerfish?"

"I think so."

"...Lead the way."

The next gallery was darker still.

Bioluminescent displays lined the walls while enormous windows revealed creatures from the deepest parts of the ocean.

Some looked almost alien.

Others barely moved at all.

Idia quietly stopped before one particularly strange fish.

"...Mood."

Ortho giggled.

"It does look sleepy."

"It looks like it regrets existing."

"...Brother."

"...Relatable."

The younger Shroud couldn't stop smiling.

Moments like these had become increasingly common.

Small jokes.

Dry comments.

The sort of conversations that only happened when Idia genuinely relaxed.

A gentle chime echoed through the exhibit.

An announcement informed visitors that a scheduled feeding demonstration would begin in the central viewing area.

Almost immediately, footsteps began filling the hallway.

Families.

Students.

Tourists.

The once-empty room slowly became crowded.

Idia stiffened.

Almost instinctively, he stepped backward.

Then another step.

His shoulders drew inward beneath his hoodie.

His eyes lowered toward the floor.

"...Too many people."

Ortho noticed immediately.

"It's alright."

"...Yeah."

"...We can leave."

"...Yeah."

Despite agreeing, Idia didn't move.

He simply remained standing where he was, surrounded by strangers flowing through the exhibit.

The crowd continued growing.

Voices echoed off the glass.

Children laughed nearby.

Camera flashes briefly reflected across the water.

The peaceful atmosphere had vanished.

Before either brother could suggest another route, a familiar voice floated through the hallway.

"Oh!"

Celestine approached carrying a small gift shop bag.

"There you are!"

She smiled warmly upon reaching them.

"I've been looking everywhere."

Ortho offered a polite smile.

"Hello."

"I didn't expect to find everyone hiding in here."

Her gaze drifted toward the gathering crowd.

Then back toward the brothers.

"I suppose it makes sense."

She laughed softly.

"It's much quieter."

She reached into the shopping bag.

"I actually bought matching ocean-themed keychains."

Small glass charms shaped like tiny jellyfish sparkled in her hand.

"I thought everyone could have one."

She held them out expectantly.

"...I know it isn't much."

Idia stared at the keychains.

Then quietly glanced toward the growing crowd nearby.

His social battery already seemed dangerously low.

The timing couldn't have been worse.

Ortho noticed immediately.

His expression softened almost imperceptibly.

Another announcement echoed overhead.

More visitors poured into the hallway.

Within moments, the narrow exhibit had become noticeably crowded.

Idia's fingers tightened slightly around the sleeve of his hoodie.

His gaze never left the floor.

Celestine blinked.

"...Is everything alright?"

Neither brother answered immediately.

The only sounds were the muffled voices surrounding them and the steady rhythm of water flowing through the massive tanks.

A manta ray drifted gracefully overhead, casting moving shadows across the floor.

For a brief moment, the peaceful feeling from earlier seemed to return.

Only briefly.

Because the crowd wasn't getting any smaller.

And neither was the growing tension in the room.

The next move belonged entirely to someone else.

Lantern Night was one of the rare events at Night Raven College that didn't feel like a competition.

There were no dorms trying to outdo each other.

No rankings.

No challenges.

No expectations.

Just a quiet evening where students could wander beneath glowing lights, eat festival food, and enjoy the calm atmosphere surrounding the lake.

For Ignihyde, that alone made it surprisingly appealing.

The paths closest to the lake were quieter than the main festival area, filled only with the gentle sounds of water, distant conversations, and the occasional laughter drifting through the gardens.

It was exactly the kind of environment Idia could tolerate.

Maybe even enjoy.

"I still think staying in my room would've been a valid choice," Idia muttered.

Ortho floated beside him, carrying two small paper lanterns.

"You said that about the last three events."

"And I was correct every time."

"You enjoyed the last one."

"...That is classified information."

Ortho smiled.

"You mean you liked it."

"I mean nothing."

The two brothers eventually reached the quieter side of the lake.

The area was decorated with hundreds of lanterns hanging from trees and floating across the water.

Their reflections moved softly across the surface, creating shifting patterns of blue and gold.

Ortho looked around happily.

"It's nice here."

Idia glanced across the lake.

"...Yeah."

The answer was quiet.

But genuine.

The familiar sound of approaching footsteps caught Ortho's attention.

His expression brightened.

"You made it."

Idia immediately looked away.

"...Don't make it sound like I was waiting."

Ortho looked at him.

"You checked the entrance camera."

"...Security."

"You checked it three times."

"...Very secure security."

With the three of you together, the quiet side of the lake became even calmer.

Ortho found a table filled with blank lanterns, brushes, and ink.

"Everyone can make one."

Idia stared at the supplies.

"...A craft."

He looked genuinely concerned.

Ortho tilted his head.

"You can build a robot from scratch."

"Robots follow instructions."

He pointed toward the lantern.

"This thing has unlimited possibilities."

"...It's paper."

"Exactly."

Ortho happily began decorating his lantern with tiny stars.

Idia sat nearby, staring at his own blank lantern as if it were a difficult puzzle.

After several minutes, he finally added a small blue flame design.

He immediately frowned.

"...It looks bad."

Ortho leaned closer.

"I like it."

"...You're biased."

"I'm your brother."

"Exactly."

The peaceful atmosphere continued.

The lanterns drifted over the lake.

The breeze moved gently through the trees.

For once, Idia wasn't trying to leave.

He wasn't hiding behind a screen.

He was simply there.

That was when Celestine appeared.

"Oh."

Her voice interrupted the quiet moment.

She stood at the edge of the path, holding a decorated lantern of her own.

"I didn't realize everyone was here."

Her eyes moved over the scene.

The lanterns.

The lake.

The three of you together.

A small smile appeared.

"Interesting."

Ortho greeted her politely.

"Good evening."

"Good evening."

Celestine walked closer.

"I was looking for everyone."

A pause.

"I suppose I should've guessed you'd come somewhere quieter."

Her gaze briefly moved toward Idia.

"Especially you."

Idia's shoulders lowered slightly.

Not because she had said anything openly cruel.

Because he knew that tone.

The kind that sounded harmless while leaving questions behind.

Celestine picked up one of the blank lanterns.

"I didn't know this was something you all did together."

She smiled.

"I guess some people become close faster than expected."

Ortho looked at her carefully.

"Is that a problem?"

Celestine blinked.

"Of course not."

She laughed softly.

"I just think friendships are complicated."

Her eyes moved briefly around the group.

"Especially when everyone else starts noticing them."

The comment hung there.

Not an accusation.

Not a compliment.

Just enough to make the peaceful atmosphere feel slightly different.

Before the silence could grow heavier, a sudden breeze swept across the dock.

Several blank lanterns lifted from the table.

Ortho immediately flew after them.

"Careful!"

The lanterns drifted toward the edge of the lake, their paper sides catching the wind.

Idia quickly moved to help gather them.

For a few moments, everyone's attention shifted away from the conversation.

When the lanterns were safely collected, the lake returned to its calm state.

Celestine looked over the water.

"I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the night."

Her smile returned.

"I'll see you around."

She walked away toward the brighter parts of the festival.

The music and laughter swallowed her presence until she disappeared completely.

The dock became quiet again.

Ortho looked toward the lanterns.

Idia looked toward the water.

Neither of them spoke immediately.

The night was still beautiful.

The lanterns were still glowing.

But there was now a question lingering beneath the peaceful surface:

Was Celestine simply careless with her words...

Or was she carefully placing them exactly where she wanted them?

The lanterns continued drifting across the lake.

And the answer remained unwritten.

The weeks following the lantern festival were strangely quiet.

Not peaceful.

Quiet.

There was a difference.

Peace meant nothing was wrong.

Quiet meant everyone was waiting.

Ignihyde had always been a dorm built around silence. It was a place where students could disappear into their own worlds without anyone questioning it. Where long nights spent coding, gaming, researching, or simply existing were considered normal.

But recently, the silence felt heavier.

Idia had noticed.

Ortho had noticed.

And unfortunately...

So had you.

The problem wasn't that anything dramatic had happened.

No arguments.

No explosions.

No obvious betrayal.

Those would have been easier.

Instead, small things began changing.

Idia stopped joining Ortho in the lounge as often.

He ate meals at his desk instead of sitting nearby.

He spent longer hours working on projects that didn't need immediate attention.

Whenever Ortho suggested taking a break, Idia always had a reason.

"I have to finish this."

"I'll do it later."

"I'm fine."

Three phrases that, according to Ortho's observations, usually meant the exact opposite.

One evening, the main room of Ignihyde was unusually dim.

Most of the holographic displays were turned off.

Only Idia's workstation remained active, bathing the area in pale blue light.

Lines of code moved across the screen.

Research notes.

Engineering plans.

Files that seemed to go on forever.

Ortho floated nearby, arms crossed.

"Brother."

"..."

"Brother."

"What?"

"You've been working for six hours."

"...Time is a social construct."

"Your battery is not."

"..."

"Your sleep schedule is also not."

"..."

"Your nutritional intake is definitely not."

Idia sighed.

"...Are you done?"

"No."

"Of course not."

The door to Ignihyde opened quietly.

Ortho immediately noticed.

His expression brightened.

"You're here."

Idia glanced over.

Only for a moment.

Then he looked back at his screen.

"...Hey."

It was a small greeting.

But compared to his usual avoidance, it was progress.

Ortho smiled.

"I was thinking we could watch something tonight."

Idia didn't answer immediately.

The hesitation was enough.

Ortho's expression softened.

"Brother?"

"...I can't."

The room went quiet.

"Why?"

Idia's fingers stopped moving.

"...Because."

A pause.

"...Because things have been easier lately."

Ortho blinked.

"Easier?"

"Yeah."

Idia leaned back slightly.

"When it's just me."

The words hung there.

Ortho looked genuinely hurt.

Not angry.

Just hurt.

"Brother..."

"I didn't mean it like that."

"But you said it."

Idia looked away.

"...I know."

The truth was more complicated.

Idia wasn't tired of Ortho.

He wasn't tired of you.

He wasn't tired of the people who had somehow managed to make Ignihyde feel less like a hiding place and more like a home.

That was exactly why he was scared.

Because every time something became important...

There was something to lose.

Ortho understood that better than most.

But understanding didn't mean it didn't hurt.

"You keep acting like caring about people is a weakness."

Idia stayed silent.

"Why?"

A long pause.

Then, quietly:

"...Because every time I let someone get close..."

His hands tightened around the edge of his chair.

"...something happens."

The room became still.

Even the computers seemed quieter.

Idia rarely talked about things like that.

Not directly.

Not without hiding behind jokes.

Ortho slowly moved closer.

"You know you don't have to protect everyone by leaving them."

Idia laughed softly.

A tired sound.

"That's literally the only strategy I've ever been good at."

A notification suddenly appeared on one of the nearby monitors.

Neither brother had activated it.

Both immediately turned.

A file transfer.

Incoming.

Unknown sender.

Idia's entire posture changed.

"What..."

His fingers moved quickly.

The file opened.

Inside was a collection of screenshots.

Messages.

Photos.

Conversations from around campus.

Most were harmless.

Until one folder opened.

A list.

Names.

Observations.

Patterns.

Someone had been keeping track of people who interacted with Ignihyde.

Not just you.

Not just Idia.

Everyone.

Ortho's expression changed.

"This isn't gossip."

"No."

Idia stared at the screen.

"It's data collection."

The room felt colder.

Not because of the temperature.

Because suddenly the problem was bigger than rumors.

Someone wasn't just talking.

Someone was watching.

Another message appeared.

Only one sentence.

"Some people don't notice when they become someone's experiment."

The message disappeared seconds later.

Idia immediately began tracing the source.

"Come on..."

His fingers moved faster.

"Come on..."

Nothing.

No location.

No account.

No trace.

Whoever sent it had covered their tracks carefully.

Ortho looked toward the others in the room.

His expression was unusually serious.

"This isn't about making someone leave anymore."

Idia didn't respond.

Because he knew.

It wasn't.

Someone wanted uncertainty.

Fear.

Doubt.

They wanted Ignihyde to turn inward.

To start questioning each other.

The next morning, rumors spread again.

But this time, they weren't about friendships.

They were about secrets.

Students whispered about someone collecting information.

About someone trying to cause problems.

About someone who had access to things they shouldn't.

Later that day, Celestine appeared outside Ignihyde.

She looked surprised when she saw everyone gathered.

"Oh."

A small smile appeared.

"I didn't realize there was a meeting."

Her eyes moved toward the monitors displaying the investigation.

Then toward Idia.

Then Ortho.

Then you.

"What happened?"

Her voice sounded concerned.

Almost perfectly concerned.

She stepped closer.

"Is everyone alright?"

The timing was strange.

Too strange.

But there was no proof.

No evidence.

Only a feeling.

And in Ignihyde...

Feelings were much harder to process than data.

Celestine tilted her head slightly.

"I hope whatever happened gets resolved."

A pause.

Then a gentle smile.

"After all..."

Her gaze briefly moved across the room.

"...it would be terrible if everyone started losing trust in each other."

The words sounded supportive.

But the silence afterward made them feel like something else entirely.

The investigation was just beginning.

And now everyone had to decide who they believed.

The warning signs appeared before anyone realized there was a problem.

At first, they were easy to ignore.

A few magical disturbances around campus.

A few unstable spells.

A few students complaining that their magic felt unusually heavy.

Night Raven College was not exactly known for being a peaceful environment, so strange events were often dismissed as another normal day.

But Ignihyde noticed patterns.

Because Ignihyde always noticed patterns.

Idia sat in front of several monitors, his usual gaming setup replaced with magical analysis programs and security feeds.

His blue flames flickered quietly as he scanned through the information.

"This doesn't make sense."

Ortho hovered beside him.

"What did you find?"

"Several magic fluctuations across campus."

Idia tapped the screen.

"Different locations. Different students. But the same energy pattern."

Ortho studied the data.

"That sounds like..."

"Yeah."

Idia's expression darkened.

"Blot."

The word alone changed the atmosphere.

Everyone at NRC knew what blot meant.

It wasn't something to be ignored.

It was the result of magic pushed too far, emotions becoming overwhelming, and control slipping away.

The worst part was that it rarely happened without warning.

There were always signs.

Stress.

Exhaustion.

Isolation.

Anger.

Fear.

Ignihyde had become more cautious since the strange incidents involving rumors and surveillance.

The dorm's security systems had been upgraded.

The brothers had been checking unusual activity more frequently.

And, as usual, Ortho had been the one reminding Idia to take care of himself while Idia insisted he was "perfectly functional."

Which usually meant he was absolutely not.

That evening, the three of you were in Ignihyde when the emergency alarms activated.

Not the normal alerts.

The serious ones.

Every monitor in the dorm flashed red.

MAGICAL DISTURBANCE DETECTED

Ortho immediately accessed the school network.

"There's a large concentration of magic near the old training grounds."

Idia stood.

"...That's not good."

A message from the school appeared moments later.

Students were being instructed to remain inside their dorms until the situation was handled.

Naturally, that meant everyone immediately became curious.

Because students at NRC had a strange talent for doing the exact opposite of what they were told.

Idia stared at the screen.

"We should stay here."

Ortho looked at him.

"You say that like you're trying to convince yourself."

"...I am."

A pause.

"...And you."

Ortho smiled slightly.

"You're worried."

"No."

"Brother."

"...Fine."

Idia looked away.

"I'm worried."

The magical disturbance continued growing.

Even from inside Ignihyde, the air felt different.

Heavy.

Unstable.

Like the entire school was holding its breath.

Then another notification appeared.

A message from an unknown sender.

Only one sentence.

"You wanted everyone together. Now see what happens when everything falls apart."

Idia froze.

Ortho immediately scanned the message.

"No source."

"No sender."

"No trace."

Idia's expression tightened.

"...Again."

The previous incidents.

The rumors.

The surveillance.

The strange messages.

They were connected.

Someone had been creating pressure.

Watching.

Waiting.

The dorm doors suddenly opened.

A student rushed inside, clearly shaken.

"The training grounds—"

They stopped when they saw the monitors.

"You already know."

Idia looked toward the screen.

"What happened?"

"The magic went unstable."

A pause.

"Someone lost control."

The information spread quickly.

A student had overexerted themselves.

Too much magic.

Too much emotion.

Too much pressure.

The exact kind of situation that created blot.

Ortho's expression became serious.

"Can we help?"

Idia hesitated.

Every instinct told him to stay away.

To avoid danger.

To let someone else handle it.

But then he looked around Ignihyde.

At the people who had become important to him.

And staying hidden suddenly felt harder.

For once, Idia didn't retreat.

He grabbed his tablet.

"Fine."

Ortho blinked.

"Fine?"

"We help."

A pause.

"But strategically."

"Of course."

"No dramatic hero stuff."

"Of course."

"No running directly into danger."

"Brother."

"...I'm trying."

The three of you eventually reached the edge of the affected area alongside other students and staff.

The atmosphere was tense.

Magic crackled through the air.

The ground was marked with traces of unstable energy.

Students stood back, waiting for instructions.

Idia immediately began analyzing the situation.

"This isn't random."

Ortho looked toward him.

"What do you mean?"

"The magic output."

Idia pointed toward the readings.

"It's reacting to emotions."

The realization settled over everyone.

The blot wasn't just caused by exhaustion.

Something had amplified it.

Pushed it further.

Then, through the chaos, Celestine appeared.

She looked shaken.

Concerned.

Almost frightened.

"Is everyone alright?"

Her eyes moved across the scene.

Then toward the unstable magic.

"I heard something happened."

Idia looked at her carefully.

Not accusing.

Not trusting.

Just watching.

Because by now, he had learned something important.

The easiest people to understand were the ones who showed exactly what they wanted.

The hardest were the ones who always seemed perfect.

Celestine stepped closer.

"I hope nobody got hurt."

Her voice was soft.

Her expression worried.

But something about the timing felt familiar.

Ortho noticed it too.

His sensors quietly analyzed the area.

Then his eyes narrowed slightly.

"Brother."

"What?"

"There's another magical signature."

Idia turned.

"Where?"

Ortho looked toward the edge of the training grounds.

A faint trace of magic lingered there.

Someone had been nearby.

Someone had watched.

The emergency lights continued flashing.

The unstable magic slowly began to calm.

But the mystery remained.

Someone had been pushing situations toward breaking points.

Someone had been studying reactions.

Someone had been waiting for the perfect moment to make everyone lose control.

Idia looked at the fading magical traces.

For once, he didn't make a joke.

Didn't hide behind sarcasm.

Didn't pretend he wasn't afraid.

"...This isn't over."

The night grew quiet.

The danger had passed.

But whatever game had been started...

Was still being played.

The days after the blot incident felt heavier than usual.

Night Raven College had always been chaotic, but this was different.

The strange messages.

The hidden surveillance.

The carefully placed rumors.

The way every incident seemed designed to make people question each other.

It had gone too far to ignore.

And more than anyone else, Ignihyde understood that patterns mattered.

The main lounge of Ignihyde had become a makeshift investigation room.

Monitors covered the walls.

Security footage played across several screens.

Magical readings and reports filled the displays.

Ortho moved between them quickly, collecting information.

Idia sat at the main terminal, his blue flames flickering as he analyzed everything.

Nearby, your presence had become one of the few things keeping the atmosphere from becoming completely consumed by suspicion.

Ignihyde had never been a dorm known for emotional openness.

But lately, having someone around who didn't demand explanations, force conversations, or expect Idia to be anything other than himself had made the dorm feel different.

Less like a bunker.

More like somewhere people actually belonged.

"I hate this."

Ortho looked over.

"The investigation?"

"No."

Idia stared at the dozens of files surrounding him.

"The fact that I'm actually invested."

A pause.

"My brain is enjoying the stress."

Ortho smiled.

"You like solving problems."

"I like solving problems where the problem doesn't have feelings."

"...Unfortunately, this one does."

Idia sighed.

"People are the worst game mechanic."

The evidence continued building.

Not enough for an official accusation.

Not enough for a punishment.

But enough for a pattern.

Every event led back to the same person.

Celestine.

Ortho looked uncertain.

"We can't accuse her without proof."

"I know."

Idia's eyes remained on the screen.

"But we also can't pretend nothing is happening."

That was the difficult part.

Celestine was careful.

She never said anything directly cruel.

She never left obvious evidence.

She always had an explanation.

A misunderstanding.

A coincidence.

A harmless comment.

That was what made her difficult to confront.

Later that day, the doors to Ignihyde opened.

Celestine stepped inside.

"Oh."

Her expression shifted into surprise when she saw everyone gathered.

"I didn't realize everyone was here."

Her eyes moved across the room.

The monitors.

The files.

Idia.

Ortho.

Then briefly toward you.

"Are you all alright?"

Her voice sounded concerned.

Almost perfectly concerned.

Ortho answered politely.

"We're investigating what happened."

Celestine looked toward the screens.

"I see."

A small pause.

"I hope you find answers."

Idia watched her carefully.

"Why do you sound like you already know what we're looking for?"

Celestine blinked.

"I don't."

The response came quickly.

Too quickly.

The room went quiet.

Not because anyone had accused her.

Because everyone was waiting.

"I just think..."

Celestine folded her hands together.

"People can become too focused on finding someone to blame."

Her expression softened.

"Especially when they're scared."

For a moment, nobody responded.

Because part of what she said was true.

Fear did make people desperate for answers.

But that didn't erase what had happened.

Idia looked back at the monitors.

"Finding the truth isn't the same thing as finding someone to hate."

His voice was quieter than usual.

"We're trying to understand what happened."

A pause.

"And stop it from happening again."

Celestine didn't respond.

Not immediately.

For once, she seemed to have no perfect answer prepared.

That evening, a message appeared on the dorm network.

Not from an unknown sender.

Not hidden behind fake information.

From Celestine.

A location.

An abandoned classroom near the edge of campus.

And one sentence.

"If you want answers, come alone."

Idia stared at the message.

"No."

Ortho looked at him.

"You know where that is?"

"Yeah."

His expression became serious.

"I do."

The abandoned classroom was silent.

Dust covered old desks.

The magical lights flickered above.

The air felt colder than the rest of the school.

Celestine stood near the window.

For once, she wasn't smiling.

"I knew you'd come."

Her gaze moved across the room.

She noticed everyone who had arrived.

Including you.

"I know what everyone thinks."

Her voice was quieter.

"They think I'm just trying to hurt people."

A pause.

"But that's not what I wanted."

She admitted the truth.

The rumors.

The comments.

The small manipulations.

They were attempts to make herself important.

Necessary.

Someone people couldn't ignore.

"I thought..."

She looked away.

"If I became the person everyone needed..."

Her voice lowered.

"...then nobody would leave."

The room remained silent.

Understanding why someone acted a certain way didn't erase the damage they caused.

It only explained where it came from.

Idia finally spoke.

"That doesn't make it okay."

Celestine looked toward him.

"You hurt people."

A pause.

"You made them doubt each other."

Another pause.

"And you still chose to do it."

Ortho stayed quiet.

The weight of the conversation settled over everyone.

This wasn't about winning anymore.

It wasn't about proving someone was evil.

It was about what happened next.

Back in Ignihyde, the blue lights continued glowing through the night.

The investigation was finished.

The truth was out.

But rebuilding trust wasn't something that could be solved with code.

Or calculations.

Or a perfect answer.

Idia sat quietly at his desk.

Ortho remained nearby.

And your place within Ignihyde remained unchanged.

Not because everything was suddenly fixed.

Not because everyone forgot what happened.

But because some connections were built by choosing to remain present even when things became difficult.

The future wasn't decided yet.

The next choice belonged to everyone involved.

.