Whispers of Worlds Beyond: A Series

The roar of the crowd filled the air as the fifth-year duels raged on, flashes of magic and steel clashing in the modified Colosseum-like Labyrinth. Aiden leaned back slightly in his seat, arms crossed as he watched the battles unfold. It seems that the guy who walked past Adrian during the Lopt-Great Hall incident was the fifth year's first placer, and proved to be very scary in the battlefield.

Beside him, Adrian had his feet propped up on the seat in front of him, lazily twirling his small butterfly knife between his fingers. Sevan, on the other hand, sat properly, his back so straight that watching his posture made Aiden feel tired and remembered how he was just like that months ago, his gaze sharp and analytical, though every now and then, his eyes would flicker toward Aiden, as if checking on him.

Then, just as another battle was announced, someone sat down beside them.

"Ah, my little mischief makers," a voice too familiar and far too casual greeted. "How are we? The school has felt so… dull these past few days."

Aiden, Adrian, and Sevan all turned their heads slowly.

Sitting there, in all his supposed authority, was Headmaster Kairos wearing... what looks to be like a wedding dress.

Or at least, he was supposed to be.

It took about half a second before they realized it wasn't.

The tell was in the grin.

The way it curled just slightly too wide, a teasing playfulness in his golden eyes.

Lopt.

Adrian immediately grinned. "Oh, you absolute menace. Headmaster Kairos in a wedding gown? Worth the detention."

Aiden, though initially surprised, just huffed out a quiet chuckle.

Lopt, still disguised as the Headmaster, leaned back comfortably, arms draped over the back of his seat. "Oh, don't look so annoyed, Sevan. You should be thanking me. If it were really the Headmaster, he'd be giving one of his long-winded speeches again."

Sevan opened his mouth, then promptly closed it.

Because… yeah. That was actually true.

Lopt smirked knowingly before turning his attention back to Adrian and Sevan. "Now, I've been hearing all about the Trials. Seems like you two lost your spots in the Top 10?"

Adrian rolled his eyes at this. "Don't remind me."

But Lopt laughed, shaking his head. "Oh, come now. It's just temporary. You'll take them back soon enough."

Adrian, ever the dramatic one, clutched his chest mockingly. "You have such faith in me, my dear Lopt."

"Not faith," Lopt corrected, grinning. "Just knowing how annoyingly persistent you are."

Aiden and Sevan snorted at that.

Adrian shrugged. "Fair enough."

Lopt then turned, his gaze flickering toward a certain trio sitting a few rows away. His eyes narrowed slightly in amusement. "Are those the ones?"

"What?" Aiden asked.

Lopt tilted his head toward Shiloh, Lochan, and Ambrose, who were sitting together, occasionally throwing glances at them with smug expressions.

"The ones who mess with you three?" Lopt asked, his tone casual, but there was an edge of interest in his voice.

Adrian made a disgusted sound as he saw them and stuck out his tongue and gave them the middle finger before turning back to Lopt.

"Ugh. Yes. They're the most annoying bunch I've ever met."

Lopt laughed. "Now that is quite the statement, considering how annoying you are."

Adrian gasped, hand over his heart. "I am personally offended."

Aiden just shook his head, but a small smirk played on his lips.

Lopt, meanwhile, was still watching the trio, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Hmm… interesting."

That tone sent a warning bell through Aiden's mind.

As Lopt spoke, teasing Adrian and Sevan as if he had all the time in the world, Aiden suddenly tensed as he heard a faint sound calling once again.

It was a voice, barely a whisper. Not loud. Not intrusive. But unmistakably there.

Aiden...

The sound slithered through his mind like a thread of cold wind, sending a sharp shiver down his spine. His shoulders stiffened for the briefest moment, his heartbeat skipping before quickly steadying itself.

The world around him blurred just slightly, like a heatwave distorting the air. The clashing of magic, the roar of the crowd, the jeers and cheers- it all dimmed as if he were suddenly standing in a vacuum.

He inhaled sharply, fingers curling against his palm.

Lopt's eyes flickered to him.

"Aiden," Lopt said. "Want to go outside for a bit?"

Aiden turned to him, forcing himself to act normal.

He couldn't tell if Lopt had noticed something. But by the way he asked, Aiden was sure he had.

For a split second, Aiden thought about it.

The voice- whatever it was- had called for him. He could still feel the lingering presence, like an invisible weight pressing at the edge of his consciousness, just waiting for him to acknowledge it.

But if he left now, what would happen?

He was for sure it was just like before. Could it be that the Nosferatu guy was still here? If so, Aiden should probably tell the Headmaster about this, given that there could be safety issues.

After all, it was probably the same thing he felt the past few nights. Yeah, he should make a beeline to the Headmaster later.

Lopt tilted his head slightly, watching him.

Aiden forced a small smirk, shaking his head. "Nah," he said, keeping his voice steady. "I want to watch the matches."

Lopt studied him for a second. His eyes were unreadable, but a spark of amusement flickered there, as if he'd already figured something out.

"If you say so," Lopt hummed, stretching his arms behind his head as if this were all just a game to him.

Aiden exhaled quietly, turning back toward the arena, eyes locking onto the battle raging on.

When the fifth-year duel was reaching its climax, and the tension in the crowd was palpable, over in the stands, Aiden, Adrian, and Sevan had their attention on someone entirely different- Lopt, who was lounging beside them with the most self-satisfied smirk imaginable.

"Now then," Lopt drawled, stretching his arms behind his head. "Since I'll be putting on such a magnificent performance, I expect my dear mischief makers to cheer me on, yes?"

Adrian smirked, nudging Aiden. "You hear that? Our great leader wants our support. Guess we have no choice."

Aiden feigned reluctance. "I don't know… cheering is a lot of effort. What do we get in return?"

Lopt gasped dramatically. "Aiden! After everything we've been through, you're already demanding compensation? The betrayal! The heartbreak!"

Adrian chuckled. "We'll cheer for you, don't worry. Just don't lose too fast."

Sevan, however, narrowed his eyes. "You're planning something, aren't you?"

Lopt gave him his most innocent expression. "Me? Plan something? Sevan, you wound me."

"You're always up to something."

Aiden and Adrian exchanged a glance- they already knew Lopt was up to something, but that was part of the fun of being around him. Whatever scheme he was hatching, it was probably going to be equal parts genius and disastrous.

Before Sevan could interrogate him further, Lopt suddenly reached into his coat and pulled out three small objects, handing one to each of them.

Aiden turned his over in his palm, studying it. It was… what even was this? It was a small metal disc, cool to the touch, with strange swirling engravings on it.

Adrian raised an eyebrow at his. "What is this? Some kind of good luck charm?"

Lopt waggled a finger. "Ah, but that would ruin the mystery. Just hold onto them for me. A simple favor from your dear leader."

"And what exactly do these do?" Sevan asked, flipping his in his palm.

Lopt grinned. "Oh, wouldn't you like to know?"

"This isn't going to explode, is it?"

Lopt let out a dramatic sigh. "Why does everyone assume everything I give them will explode?"

Adrian snorted. "Because it usually does."

Lopt chuckled. "Fair enough. But this time, I promise. No explosions."

Sevan was still staring at his with a deep frown, turning it over between his fingers as if expecting it to sprout legs and run off. "It's definitely enchanted," he muttered. "It's not just some random trinket."

Lopt winked. "Of course it's enchanted. What kind of prankster do you take me for? But what kind of enchantment, that is for you to find out."

Aiden sighed and slipped the disc into his pocket. "Fine, fine. Just don't expect me to be happy when this inevitably turns into some ridiculous prank."

Adrian grinned and pocketed his as well. "If it is a prank, I hope it's a good one."

Sevan stared at his a moment longer before finally tucking it away. "…I'm going to regret this, aren't I?"

Lopt only smirked.

Just then, the fifth years' match ended, and the announcer's voice boomed across the arena.

"Next- thefourth years, prepare for your duels!"

Lopt clapped his hands together. "Ah, finally! My time to shine!" He stood up and stretched. "Now, don't forget- cheer loudly!"

Aiden smirked. "We'll see if you deserve it."

Adrian gave him a thumbs-up. "Break a leg. Preferably not yours."

Sevan just sighed. "Good luck."

Lopt winked before making his way toward the battlefield, his usual cocky swagger in full effect.

Adrian leaned toward Aiden and muttered, "So what do you think? Secret prank?"

Aiden exhaled through his nose. "Definitely."

Sevan groaned. "We're so getting blamed for this, aren't we?"

Adrian grinned. "Absolutely."