Chapter 84: The Silent Snatch

The academy's corridors were unusually quiet that afternoon. The sun cast long shadows through the tall windows, creating a serene atmosphere. Nino and Mono walked side by side, their laughter echoing softly against the marble walls.

Nino glanced at Mono, her identical reflection, and smiled. "I can't believe we finally have a free afternoon. No classes, no training. Just us."

Mono nodded, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Let's make the most of it. Maybe we can visit the library or explore the gardens."

As they turned a corner, Nino felt a sudden chill run down her spine. She paused, looking around. The corridor seemed empty, but something felt off. "Did you hear that?" she whispered.

Mono frowned, her playful demeanor shifting to concern. "Hear what?"

Before Nino could respond, a shadowy figure emerged from a side passage. The figure moved with lightning speed, grabbing Nino by the arm. She barely had time to react before a cloth was pressed over her mouth, the scent of chemicals overwhelming her senses.

"Nino!" Mono screamed, reaching out to her sister. But another figure appeared, blocking her path. Panic surged through Mono as she tried to fight her way through. "Get out of my way!"

Her hands ignited with flames as she launched an attack at the figure, but the figure was too strong, pushing her back with a gust of wind magic.

Nino's vision blurred as the chemicals took effect. She struggled to stay conscious, her heart pounding in her chest. She could hear Mono's desperate cries, but they seemed distant, like echoes in a dream.

The last thing Nino saw before darkness claimed her was Mono's terrified face, her twin's eyes wide with fear and helplessness.

Nino awoke in a dimly lit room, her hands bound and her head throbbing. She tried to move, but her body felt heavy and unresponsive. Panic set in as she realized she was alone.

"Where am I?" she thought, her mind racing. "Who took me? And why?"

As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she noticed a figure standing in the corner. The figure stepped forward, revealing a masked face. "Welcome, Princess Niatina von Lunaris," the voice said, cold and menacing. "We've been waiting for you."

Nino's heart sank. She knew she had to stay strong, for herself and for Mono. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever was to come. "What do you want from me?" she demanded, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her insides.

The masked figure chuckled. "Not from you, princess, but your father. The Emperor."

Back at the academy, Mono was frantic. She had managed to escape her captor and was now racing through the corridors, searching for help. "Someone… Anyone… Please help…" Tears fell as she kept running until she reached Justin's chamber.

Around the same time...

Ray sat by the window, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The room was filled with an uneasy silence, broken only by his occasional sighs. Kai on the other hand, lounged on the bed, flipping through a book but not really reading it. Occasionally looking over Ray, wondering what's wrong with him.

Ray finally broke the silence. "You're a traitor, Kai," he said, his voice tinged with frustration, slowly looking behind at Kai. "You promised to help me get together with Nino, but you've done nothing."

Kai looked up, a smirk playing on his lips. Just as Ray sighs again, Kai's projection of words floats in front of him.

"It's not the right time yet, Ray. Trust me, I will help you, but we need to be patient." It read.

Ray sighed again, turning his attention back to the window. "It's been a few days now, Kai. And nothing has changed."

Kai's expression grew serious as he thought to himself, "Not a few days... It's been five days now, meaning five more days until the attack on the mansion. I need to come up with something soon." He closed the book and sat up. "Come on, Ray. Let's go for a walk." Kai's projection changing words.

Ray looked over it and shook his head, his shoulders slumping. "I'm not in the mood, Kai."

Kai's eyes twinkled with mischief, as the words changed again. "I thought you might want to hear how I'm going to help you get back with Nino."

Ray's head snapped up, his eyes wide with interest. "Really? Alright, let's go."

Ray took the handle of Kai's wheelchair, as both of them left the room and walked down to the corridor. As they turned a corner, they saw a commotion ahead. Teachers were gathered, talking in hushed tones, and Mono was sitting on a chair in the garden, looking distraught.

Kai's heart sank at the sight of Mono's tear-streaked face. He looked over Ray, who too was worried as they both rushed over to her. "Mono, what happened?" Ray asked, his voice filled with concern.

Mono looked up, her eyes red from crying. "It's Nino… Nino's been kidnapped," she said, her voice trembling.

Ray's eyes widened in shock, his mind reeling from the news. "Wait... what? No, this can't be happening! This is a bad joke..." His body tensed with urgency. "Wait I will che-!"

He turned to dash off, but Kai grabbed his arm, holding him back. Without looking back, his projection came up to Ray; "Look at her once. Do you think she would joke about something like that?"

Ray looked over Mono, tears still streaming down her cheeks. He grit his teeth, struggled against Kai's grip, his desperation evident. "Then we can't just sit here! Nino needs us!"

Kai's grip tightened, his words changing again in the projection. "I know, Ray. But we need to be smart about this. Let's see what the elders has to says first."

Mono nodded in agreement, her voice shaky but resolute. "He's right, Ray. We shouldn't act in haste."

Ray took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. "Alright, let's go to uncle Justin's chamber and find out what we can do."

Ray, Kai, and Mono hurried to the main building, towards the principal's office. As they approached the door, they could hear the muffled sounds of an argument inside. Ray hesitated for a moment, then pushed the door open.

Inside, they saw Maximus gripping Justin's collar, his voice low but filled with anger. "What do you mean Nino's been kidnapped?" he demanded.

Justin remained calm, his expression unchanging. Hiro was trying to pull Maximus away, urging him to calm down. "Max, let go. This isn't helping."

Just then, Mono's voice broke through the tension. "Dad…?"

All eyes turned towards the door, where Ray, Kai, and Mono stood, their faces etched with worry. Maximus slowly released Justin's collar, sighing deeply. "I'm sorry, Justin. I lost my temper."

Justin patted Maximus on the shoulder. "It's my fault that this happened, Max. Let me handle it. We will find her."

As the two consulted, Hiro approached the three. "Why are you all here?"

Ray without responding to the question, quickly asked, "Uncle, what's going on?"

Hiro stayed silent for a while, before he gestured for them to come in and sit down. "Let's talk inside."

Once they were seated, Hiro began to explain the situation.

As the explanation proceeded, Ray stood up, his face a mix of worry and frustration. "Then why are we still here? We need to go and rescue her!"

Hiro, equally worried, replied, "We can't rush in without a plan. The knights and mages are doing everything they can. Justin is trying to pinpoint their location."

Ray looked over at Justin, who was standing by the window with his eyes closed, deep in concentration. Ray clenched his fists, feeling helpless. He sat back down, his mind racing.

Maximus sat quietly next to Mono, who was equally silent. Kai glanced at Ray, then back at the table, deep in thought.

"Kidnappers inside the academy… No way they were able to enter easily. There must be someone inside who helped them enter. A staff member? One of the teachers? Or a student?"

A heavy silence fell over the room, until suddenly, Justin opened his eyes. "He's here," he said, looking straight at the door.

Everyone turned to see a magic circle forming on the floor. A figure emerged from it, bound in magical chains. The man looked up, a smirk on his face. "I really can't escape the master of the magic tower, huh?" he laughed, looking directly at Justin.

As the man's face became clear, Hiro, Maximus, and Justin's eyes narrowed. In unison, they spoke the name with a mix of anger and recognition.

"Jellal."

-To be Continued