The clock struck midnight.
The academy grounds were silent, wrapped in moonlight and shadows—except for one part: the long-abandoned church hidden behind the old chapel in the academy's backyard. Overgrown with ivy and time, it looked like nothing more than a relic of the past.
But tonight, it pulsed with presence.
A black figure walked through the church doors.
No sound. No steps. Just a gust of wind as if the shadows welcomed him.
The moment he entered, the dozen figures standing inside straightened up like soldiers. Elves, beastkin, and even a horned demi-human—all in cloaks, all silent.
Then he appeared. Clad in a long black coat that billowed despite the still air, a silver mask hiding the top half of his face, and glowing violet eyes peering through the slits. He stood on top of a fallen pillar like it was a stage.
The Phantom had arrived.
"Sorry I'm late," he said in a deep, mysterious voice. "I took a nap."
The silence cracked.
"…A nap?" whispered a lizardman.
"Shh! That's code! It must mean he defeated a demon lord or something!" hissed an elf girl, eyes sparkling.
"Legend says he once slept through a volcano eruption," muttered a beastman reverently.
Phantom raised a hand, and everyone shut up instantly. He wasn't sure what they were murmuring about, but it felt… important. So he nodded seriously.
"Good. You're all here. The Phantom Legion."
Everyone saluted.
Fay stepped forward, long white hair tied back, her expression as serious as ever.
"We've gathered the full legion. Vice Commander Fay reporting. All present and accounted for. Captain Martha at my side."
Martha, a tall, muscular beastman girl with furred ears and a long tail, gave a sharp nod. Her sharp amber eyes and scar across her cheek made her look like a fierce warrior—but her silent devotion was undeniable.
Ash—no, Phantom—crossed his arms, trying to remember who half these people were. Honestly, he'd only saved most of them by accident. There was the catgirl he'd bumped into while escaping the demon cult last week. The lizardman who got freed when Ash knocked over a cage trying to look cool. And several others he couldn't even recognize.
But they all looked at him like he was their savior.
So naturally, he stood tall and said, "Good. As planned."
What plan? I never planned anything.
Fay activated a magical projection, showing a map of the academy. Certain rooms glowed red.
"These are locations we've marked with suspicious activity. And we believe one or more instructors are involved with the cult."
The projection highlighted a name.
Ash tilted his head dramatically. Everyone leaned forward, expecting wisdom.
He squinted thoughtfully.
"I see…" he muttered in a deep, mysterious tone, as if deciphering ancient secrets.
He didn't see anything. He had no idea who they were. Weren't they the scary instructor who gave a ton of homework and looked like they hadn't slept since the last century?
"His mana signature is irregular," Martha said. "Last week, a student vanished from his class. The administration covered it up, but—"
"Say no more," Phantom interrupted, holding up a hand. "I know everything."
He didn't. But it felt right to say.
Everyone gasped.
"Incredible… as expected of Phantom-sama!"
"I bet he's already infiltrated Mandenlin's mind."
"He probably fought his evil clone version and sealed him in a dungeon below the academy!"
Ash paused, wanting to clarify—then decided not to. If people wanted to believe that, who was he to stop them?
Then he casually murmured to himself, "Tch… tomorrow's Mandenlin's class. I gotta wake up early or he'll give me detention again."
Fay's eyes widened.
"You… You knew he was a suspect before this?!"
"What? I—uh, yes. It's all according to plan."
Murmurs erupted again.
"He allowed himself to attend class under the enemy to gather intel!"
"A true shadow strategist!"
Ash coughed and turned away, pretending to look mysterious.
I just didn't want to get yelled at again…
He looked at the wall, wondering if he should just go home and sleep. But then a nervous-looking elf with thick glasses raised her hand.
"Ph-Phantom-sama! I—I have a question…"
"Yes?" Ash said, turning dramatically. His coat flared even though there was no wind. He made sure to flick it with one finger on the sly.
The elf bowed.
"Why did you save me… that day in the swamp?"
Ah, crap. Who was she again?
Ash closed his eyes and took a wild guess.
"I could not stand to see the light of courage fade from your eyes."
The elf immediately burst into tears.
"He remembered!"
The others applauded.
"Truly a god of cool lines…"
"I'm gonna tattoo that on my sword!"
Ash was now sweating under the mask.
Before anyone else could ask a random backstory question he couldn't answer, he raised his hand.
"Enough."
Everyone straightened again.
He paced in front of them like he was planning something important.
"We will observe Mandenlin. Quietly. No action… unless necessary."
Everyone nodded gravely.
Fay stepped beside him.
"What about the other suspects?"
Ash hesitated. "…They're not important right now."
Because I don't know who they are.
"Your focus," he continued, "will be gathering more evidence. Trust no one. Except me."
They all nodded, hearts pounding with loyalty.
"Dismissed."
One by one, the Phantom Legion vanished into the shadows. Martha vanished first. The others tried to follow—but a few tripped over pews, one got tangled in their own cloak, and someone else fell into a mop bucket.
Ash pretended not to notice and slowly walked to the exit.
As he stepped out into the night, he whispered to himself, "I don't know anything. But who cares?"
Behind him, Fay stared at his retreating figure, hand on her chest.
"He knew… he knew everything before we did. Truly, the Phantom sees through all."
Martha, usually silent, muttered, "I think he's ten steps ahead of reality."
Fay nodded. "He must have allowed us to form this legion just to let us grow. So wise…"
Meanwhile, Ash returned to the dorm, climbed into his bed, and let out a loud sigh.
He blinked.
Then shot up.
"Wait… did I forget to do my homework?"