The Unmasked
Chapter 7
The great hall was filled with students. A wave of chatter echoed through the room as everyone gathered, waiting for the announcement. Leon, Finn, Isla, and Fanny walked in together.
"I was sleeping... Why did they drag us here for some boring announcement?" Finn grumbled.
Leon shrugged. "I don't know, but it seems like it's something related to the tournament."
Just then, Magnus-sir stepped onto the stage.
"Hello, students—" he began, but the room was far too noisy. No one paid attention.
Suddenly, a tremendous surge of ice-cold aura exploded from Magnus. The temperature dropped instantly. Frost crept up the walls, and a chill ran down every student's spine. Their eyes widened in shock. Even Leon and his friends felt the intense pressure of Magnus's power.
Then, Magnus withdrew his aura.
"Now that I have your attention," he said calmly, "I want to begin by saying this: in these past three months, your progress has been exceptional—far better than the previous batches. However, as you know, you'll soon be facing the Obsidian Sanctum in the upcoming tournament."
A murmur spread through the hall.
"I didn't want to say this, but your opponents are two years your seniors."
Gasps filled the room. The students exchanged nervous glances, some whispering frantically.
"How can we win? They've had two extra years of training!"
Magnus raised a hand, silencing them. "I understand this may seem unfair. But this is how the tournament always works. Next year, you'll be the ones fighting juniors. So in a way, it balances out.
"But for now," he continued, "this is a reality check. Your opponents are, on average, five times stronger than you at your current level."
Leon felt the weight of those words. "Five times stronger?" he repeated in shock.
Isla, with a hint of worry in her voice, muttered, "If a teacher as strong as Magnus is warning us… they must be incredibly powerful."
Magnus went on. "If you continue at your current pace, your chances of victory are only ten percent."
A wave of discouragement washed over the hall. Many students looked down in defeat.
But Finn clenched his fists. What is Sir thinking? he thought. If I get one chance, I'll show them what I can do.
Fanny, surprisingly, nodded. "I don't usually agree with this idiot," she said, glancing at Finn. "But he's right. We've got to show our strength."
Leon saw the fire in their eyes and took a deep breath, refocusing as Magnus continued.
"So, after much discussion with the faculty, we've decided to begin a special training program. There will be three intense training sessions. These won't be like your regular classes—they'll be ten times more difficult and dangerous. Some students may get injured. That's why this is optional."
He paused.
"However, anyone who decides to join must complete all three sessions. Only those who do will be eligible to participate in the tournament. This training will last three months, and after that, we'll select four students to represent us."
The room grew quiet.
Magnus smiled slightly. "To those four, we will grant a special gift—tailored to your power type—that will boost your experience and understanding of your abilities."
Leon perked up at that. Until now, he wasn't planning to join. He preferred to train on his own. But a gift based on our powers? he thought. If I'm selected, I might finally learn more about my Purple Blood... I have to take that risk.
He glanced at Finn and Fanny. They looked determined. And Isla—well, it was always obvious she'd want to join. But when he turned to her, her face looked distant... unhappy.
Magnus finished. "You can collect the training forms from my office. But be warned—this training won't be easy."
He left the stage. Students began filing out of the hall.
As they walked, Leon turned to Isla. "Are you going to sign up for the training?"
She looked down, avoiding his gaze. "I don't know."
Leon frowned. "Is something wrong?"
"No... it's nothing," she replied quietly, still not looking at him. "I have something important to take care of. I need to go."
"Alright... take care," Leon said softly, watching her walk away. Her face remained clouded with sadness.
Suddenly, he heard shouting. Turning around, he saw Finn and Fanny bickering again.
"Not again..." Leon sighed.
"She called me stupid!" Finn snapped.
"Because you are stupid," Fanny shot back.
Leon stepped between them. "Enough! Calm down, both of you."
He turned to Fanny. "Hey... is something going on with Isla?"
Fanny's teasing grin faded. "No... but why do you ask?"
"It's just... whenever someone mentions the tournament, her expression changes. I asked her what's wrong, but she didn't tell me."
Fanny paused, then her expression grew serious. "I think I know why."
Leon listened intently.
"I don't know the full story," she began, "but it might be because of her family. She once told me she had some family issues."
Leon nodded. He remembered that, too.
Fanny continued. "Her mother was a maid. Her father—the head of the family—had a relationship with her. That's how Isla was born. But her stepmother and half-brother don't accept her. Even her father barely acknowledges her." she lost hes mother when she was seven.
Leon's heart sank.
"In public, she's respected," Fanny said, "but in her own home... she suffers. Her mother died when she was seven, and since then, she's been doing everything she can to make her father proud. But no matter how hard she works, it's never enough.
"And now, for this tournament... her father and stepmother will be there. Maybe she doesn't want to face them."
Leon stood in silence, overwhelmed. Isla—the kind, strong girl admired by everyone—had been carrying such pain for so long.
"Thanks for telling me," he said.
"Don't tell anyone," Fanny warned. "I told you because you seem to genuinely care about her. If Finn had asked me, I would've punched him."
"Why are you always looking for excuses to bully me?" Finn grumbled.
Leon smiled. "I won't tell anyone. But we have to help Isla. We've got to motivate her to join the training."
Fanny nodded. "Agreed."
The three of them went searching. Finn looked around the grounds. Fanny checked the library. Leon headed to the terrace—and there, he found her.
Isla stood at the edge, gazing into the distance.
"How are you?" Leon asked gently.
"What are you doing here?" she said, surprised.
He didn't answer. Instead, he sat beside her. "Fanny told me... about your story."
Isla looked away, her eyes heavy. "So... you know too now."
Leon nodded. "Why do you care so much about a family that doesn't care about you?"
"That's my family," she whispered.
Leon looked into her eyes, and she knew—he understood everything.
"When I was five," she said quietly, "my mother used to tell me, 'Always care for your family. Make us proud.' Those were her last words."
Leon gently took her hand. She blushed slightly.
"Your mother was kind," he said. "Just like you. But I don't think she wanted you to suffer like this. She wanted you to be strong, kind, and powerful—and you already are."
He smiled. "You don't need to prove anything to them. Join the training. I know you'll get selected. And your mother, watching from heaven... she'll be proud of you for choosing your own path."
Isla's mind spun with memories—her father's coldness, her mother's final words, her endless efforts to earn love that never came.
But now, something shifted.
I don't need to impress my father anymore, she thought. I'll train to protect others... to destroy demons.
She looked at Leon, who was still smiling at her.
"Thank you... for reminding me who I really am. I'm ready now. I'll join the training."
Leon's face lit up. Isla smiled back, her heart a little lighter than before.