The Pursuit Of Catalyst: A Dive Into Another Verse

The Next Morning

As the first rays of dawn slipped through the curtains of Dorm Room 104, Ashia was already up and preparing for the day. Moving with the quiet efficiency of someone well-practiced in her duties, she approached the bed where Sylves still lay asleep. Gently placing her hand on his shoulder, she whispered softly, "Master… it's time to wake up."

Sylves stirred, blinking away the last remnants of sleep, and sat up with a yawn. "Morning already, huh?"

Ashia smiled as she guided him to the washroom, where she helped him clean up and dress in his uniform, brushing out the faint creases and straightening his collar with the same care as always. Once he was ready, she placed the breakfast tray on the small table and served him his meal. Only after Sylves had finished and thanked her did Ashia sit down and eat her own simple breakfast.

They locked the door behind them as they stepped out into the soft morning breeze. Standing outside, leaning against the stone railing of the dorm corridor, was Serena. She turned with a gentle smile. "Good morning, Sylves, Ashia."

"Good morning, Serena," Sylves responded, and Ashia added a cheerful, "Good morning."

They walked together down the corridor toward the main academy buildings, their steps light and coordinated, like a routine built from familiarity. It wasn't long before they spotted a familiar figure ahead—Prince Elas, waiting near the central courtyard.

"Good morning, Sylves, Ashia, Serena," he said, waving with casual grace.

"Morning, Your Highness," Serena greeted politely.

"Oh come on, just Elas is fine," he grinned. "We're practically a family by now."

They all laughed, and it wasn't far from the truth. In just over a month, the four of them had grown inseparable—sharing meals, studying, supporting one another through their discoveries and the dangers they had faced. Their bond had transcended the rigid lines of noble status, title, and even power.

As they stepped into the lecture hall, the energy around them shifted. Though the incident from weeks ago had passed, students still turned to look, some with admiration, others with suspicion or curiosity. Whispers trailed behind them like ghosts, but the group had long learned to ignore them.

Today's schedule listed Light Magic Practical Training, and all students were visibly eager. Light magic was rare and refined—graceful, beautiful, and powerful. Some were excited, others nervous.

But as they all took their seats and minutes began to pass, no instructor entered.

Professor Montclair, their usual light magic teacher, was nowhere to be seen.

Murmurs began to spread through the room.

"Where's Professor Montclair?"

"She's never missed a lecture before."

"Was it rescheduled?"

Sylves frowned, exchanging glances with Elas and Serena. Ashia's expression turned serious.

Moments later, a messenger walked briskly into the room and whispered something to a senior instructor. The instructor's brows knit tightly.

"I'll report this immediately," the instructor muttered under his breath and left the hall.

At that very moment, far across the academy within the high towers of the administrative wing, Headmaster Gardinant Blackwood was seated in his personal chamber when the news arrived. A knock echoed through the heavy oak doors before one of the staff members entered, bowing low.

"Headmaster… Professor Montclair is absent. She has not been seen since yesterday evening."

Gardinant rose from his seat immediately, his eyes narrowed beneath his silver brows. "No notice? No leave of absence?"

"None, sir. Her quarters were empty this morning. The wards placed for faculty safety have also gone… cold."

The headmaster was silent for a moment, then walked toward the wide window overlooking the academy grounds.

"Prepare the faculty council. I want a full magical trace run through her chambers and a locator cast deployed. Quietly," he added, glancing over his shoulder. "We must not cause panic… not yet."

Something was wrong—and he felt it in his very core.

Northern Tower – Staff Headquarters, Three Hours Later

The halls of the Academy were unusually quiet as the faculty members moved under strict orders from Headmaster Gardinant Blackwood. A full magical trace had been run through Professor Montclair's chambers. Senior staff used detection runes, ancient elemental residue spells, and even summoned a Seer from the Royal Capital.

But the results were the same—

Nothing.

No traces of magical struggle. No physical signs of departure. Not even a fingerprint out of place. Her personal belongings remained untouched. Her magical presence—erased. As if Professor Giselle Montclair had never existed.

A cold, quiet dread settled over the staff like mist.

---

Later That Evening – Sylves's Dorm Room

Ashia was polishing Sylves's uniform quietly when a knock sounded at the door.

Elas entered, brows furrowed. Sylves gestured toward the chair, and Elas sat without a word for several seconds before speaking.

"They're lying," the prince said flatly. "They've issued a public notice claiming Professor Montclair is on temporary leave."

Sylves crossed his arms. "I figured as much. No warning, no explanation? She was too precise a person to vanish like this. She didn't even miss a single lecture before this."

Ashia, sitting on the edge of the bed, looked between them nervously. "Do you think she's... one of them? Like Calista?"

"No," Sylves said after a pause. "She was powerful. Too powerful to fall so easily without a trace—unless she allowed it."

Elas's eyes flickered. "Or unless something stronger than her took her."

The weight of that sentence hung in the air like a storm cloud.

---

The Next Morning – Cafeteria, Whispered Rumors

Though the students accepted the official story, unease seeped through the academy walls. Students who admired Professor Montclair's graceful yet fierce personality whispered her name in hushed tones. Some began wondering if another Catalyst of Despair had infiltrated the staff.

The staff maintained their composed appearances. But to Sylves, Elas, Ashia, and even Serena—something darker was beginning to show beneath the polished surface of the Imperial Asphalia Academy.

The truth was simple:

Montclair had vanished.

And this time, it wasn't a fake identity or a simple trap.

She was real. And she was gone.

Dormitory Room 104 – That Evening

The room was dimly lit, the moonlight filtering in through the tall window, casting pale lines across the floor. Ashia sat at the foot of the bed, hugging her knees. Elas leaned back in the chair, fingers steepled. Serena stood by the window, arms folded, her expression tense.

"She might've been one of them," Ashia said softly. "The Catalysts of Despair. Like Calista. Disappearing without a trace? It's too clean…"

Elas nodded reluctantly. "It makes sense. Think about it—Calista gained everyone's trust too. Pretended to be harmless. Who's to say Montclair wasn't doing the same thing?"

"No," Serena said sharply, turning to face them. "That's wrong. I don't believe that for a moment."

Ashia looked up. "Why are you so sure?"

Before Serena could answer, Sylves spoke, his voice calm and resolute.

"Because she wielded Light Magic. And not just any light magic—pure Light Magic. You all saw it."

He stood from his desk, walking toward the center of the room.

"She didn't just teach with words. Her spells, her aura, her very presence… there was no malice. No instability. The kind of Light she wielded—it can't be tainted so easily. That kind of power comes only from an unshakeable will."

Serena nodded slowly. "Exactly. That's why I trust her. You all saw how she taught. There was no hatred, no resentment… only guidance and strength."

Sylves continued, "If she's gone, it wasn't by choice. Something happened to her. Something powerful. And I believe the other professors know at least that much—maybe more."

A silence followed his words, filled with heavy thoughts.

"They say her name was known across three kingdoms," Sylves added quietly. "Not because she was feared... but because she was revered. That's not something you fake."

The room stayed quiet for a few moments longer, the gravity of the situation setting in.

"She's not the enemy," Sylves finished. "But whoever took her… probably is."

Elas exhaled slowly. "Then we're back to square one. But now we know one thing for sure—someone stronger than even the professors is moving in the shadows."

Ashia's voice was quiet. "And we may be next."

Sylves looked at them, one by one.

"Then we prepare !"

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