VIII. Moments before the storm

It has been two weeks and three days since that incident, and I've become extremely vigilant about Celesty's actions ever since. In fact, I've gone to the extent of setting up a spell trap on my room door to prevent anyone from entering during my sleepless nights. 

The constant feeling of paranoia lingers in my mind, causing me to overthink every single blink I take. This world, which was already terrifying when I first arrived, has now become even more horrifying. As the sun rises, I catch a glimpse of my weary face in the mirror, a reminder of the exhaustion I have endured.

*knocks* *knocks*

A sudden knocking sound disrupted the tranquility of my room, jolting me out of my weariness. In my fatigued state, I squinted my eyes in response. 

The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting bright beams into every nook and cranny of the room. As I fumbled to locate the doorknob, I braced myself for what lay behind it. 

A surge of anticipation coursed through me, for the upcoming night held great significance. It was the much-awaited annual ball, attended by the most esteemed individuals in this nation, and unbeknownst to many, a sinister plot was set to unfold.

With every twist of the doorknob, lingering hesitations plagued my mind, fueling doubts that I could not afford to entertain. There was no turning back now; I had to forge ahead into the unknown.

---

As we engage in training in our familiar field, the clash my sword against Kev's fills the air. Kev insists on imparting his knowledge to me, teaching me a few maneuvers to ensure my self-defense capabilities on the field. 

With each swing and step, I become more accustomed to the training. During one particular exchange that I found an opening in Kev's defense allowing me to strike underneath his chin. 

Surprisingly, despite usually being able to swiftly block this move, Kev appears unsettled this time. Just as I bring the tip of my sword close to his neck, I notice his bothersome reaction.

"My brother, he wrote it…" He said at the current situation. "I'm certain of it, that was his handwriting." He put his fingers at the sword's tip and gently pushed it by the side. Seeing his expression change from bothersome to worry full, understanding the situation I lowered my sword down. 

"Your brother wrote the letter? It could be anyone who has the same writing style as yours" I replied as I pick my towel up and wipe down the sweat on my face. 

"I haven't yet encountered writing like that in a while," Kev said.

How did he even manage to notice it? The writing doesn't appear to have required much effort. That said, I shouldn't underestimate Kev's observation skills. 

After all, he has been working alongside Celesty for quite a while now. 

Moreover, this particular moment was the only instance during our training sessions where I caught him-off guard. It's possible that he intentionally allowed me to get him.

For a moment he went silent.

"Kev, the chances are still low. Even if it is him, what are you going to do?" I ask Kev while I sit down on a stone bench behind him with my towel hanging from my neck.

"I'm going to kill him," Kev replied.

"What, about Celesty, she'll be lonely without you," I asked.

Kev shifted his gaze towards me and rotated his sword so that the blade was facing him, all the while firmly grasping the handle. Then he aimed it directly at me and said, "training is over, take a break and recharge. We got a mission to be done." He concluded with a cheerful expression on his face.