Ashley’s heart dropped into her stomach. They had barely managed to escape from one danger, only to walk right into another. The feeling of helplessness gnawed at her, but she refused to show it.


    She could feel the heat rising in her chest, the urge to lunge at Miss Trust, to strike her down for daring to kidnap the professor. But she forced herself to take a deep breath, holding her composure. She knew better than to act on impulse. It was clear Miss Trust had orchestrated this entire situation, and rushing into a fight now would only lead to disaster.


    Ethan, ever the strategist, was the first to speak. His voice was calm, measured, but there was a sharpness beneath the surface. "You must be desperate if you''re willing to use Cassius as leverage. What do you want from us, Miss Trust?"


    Her smile widened, though her eyes never wavered from them. "Oh, it’s not what I want from you, Professor. It’s what you want from me. You see, I know about your little escape plan– I''ve seen wee wittle Ashly poke her nose around the base. I figured it would be a great time to go to our actual target."


    Ashley tensed, her mind racing. How could she know? They had been so careful, so stealthy. And yet Miss Trust was two steps ahead.


    As if in jest, Miss Trust gave Ethan a playful look as she continued, "...but I''m not here for that either. You see, after the written exam and the stunt you pulled at Louie, I''ve grown fond of you, professor."


    Ethan’s face hardened. "What do you want, then? What can of demented victory are you after? and who is this common enemy you speak of?"


    Miss Trust tilted her head, her smile never faltering. "Victory?" she repeated softly. "No, no. This is far from a victory. This is a... catalyst. A little nudge to make sure we’re all playing the same game." Her eyes flashed, predatory and calculating. "You see, you’re so much more interesting to me alive, Professor. Your talents are... rare. But not as rare as Cassius'' lineage, the Orders'' primary target."


    "What do you want with Cassius?" Ashley retorted.


    Ethan had a spark of realization, then he frowns, "They want to put an end to the Protagonists'' lineage. I''ve read Cassius'' Diary. The main character, Peter Piqer was his ancestor. But I don''t get it, why go after a boy whose quillmantic  tendency has shown the least promise?"


    "Very insightful, are all academic instructors this bright? I''ve always wanted to date one... But the professors of this world are far too old for my tastes."


    "This world. You can''t mean–"


    "Yes. I am aware of your transmigration. The protagonist was not from this world too. So is Louie, and others who came along with you."


    Ashley gasps, "So, we aren''t the only ones after all? How many are there?"


    "Eight, if my knowledge serves me right. There used to be nine but Ethan slayed one."


    The air in the room grew heavier. This implied that there could be more complications as people have their own motivations and desires. For now atleast, Ethan knew he had to keep the conversation going in order to extract more information from Miss Trust.


    "So, hypothetically, if work together we''ll need to learn your real name."


    "Lilith Light," Miss Trust said bluntly.


    "Woah, you can''t be serious?!" Ashley exclaimed, her voice unwavering despite the knot of tension in her chest.


    "Is there a problem? You asked for my name and I gave you my answer."


    "I- No, I don''t believe it!"


    "And never have I asked you to believe. What I''m proposing right now isn''t something as baseless as a name."


    Right. We have strayed off topic, Ethan could see that Miss Trust has switched to a more serious tone, whether she speaks the truth or not, it wouldn''t hurt to hear her out atleast.


    "Let''s get to the bottom of this, what do you want, Ms. Light?" Ethan inquired.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "Talk," Ashley said, her voice steady.


    Miss Trust''s lips parted in a slow, deliberate smile. It''s as if the notion of infuriating Ashley is entertainment to her. "Ah, I knew you''d understand. You see, I learned a great deal about this little game we’re all playing—about the power of the so-called ‘Anomalies.’ This kid has the blood of the Protagonist flowing in his veins. You, Ashley Briar, are much more than you appear. Your ability to manipulate that form of yours... it’s intriguing. Louie had exponential growth, the more women he takes, the stronger he gets, it''s a relief you''ve gotten rid of him while he hasn''t reached his full potential. And you, professor, have been given the gift of permanence, whatever that means."


    "Curse. You meant curse." Ethan replied. "How did you know about us not being from this world?"


    "The Order of Unmaking has their eyes everywhere," Lilith points at her crest with an eye and eight tentacles surrounding it. "Me and Louie happen to find you while tracking down Cassius. Louie used to really hated you."


    "Used to?"


    "Yes. He can''t hate you beyond the grave can he?"


    "He can hate me in the afterlife."


    "An afterlife exists in your world? That''s interesting. This one isn''t so forgiving, once you have been erased from the narrative, that''s it."


    "So you want to get rid of the anomalies then?" Ashley interjects.


    "Did I gave that impression?" Lilith smiles, no, far from it, I want you to permanently shut the eye of the Order. I need you to aid me in defeating Parallax."


    "And why would you want that? Defeating the head of your own organization?"


    "Would you decline if I told you it''s for personal gain?"


    "We''ll give it some thought. What do we gain from helping you?"


    "Everything."


    "Everything?"


    "All that I have, and all that I am," Lilith pricks her thumb with a needle, blood dripped over her palm, she extends her hand for Ethan to shake. "This is a blood oath, do you accept?"


    Ashley frowns, "Professor, this feels like a trap."


    Lilith begins to tighten her grip over Cassius neck.


    "Alright, you don''t have to resort to more desperate means. I accept," Ethan pricks his thumb with a needle and shakes Lilith''s hand.


    In Ethan and Lilith''s perspective, they are suddenly plunged into a dark place, an enormous divine scale appeared between them illuminating the darkness. They find themselves on each side of the scale. Lilith, now in the form of a helpless child, stood on the heavier side of the scale, while Ethan stood on the lighter side. They both hear a thundering voice from above yet found nothing but darkness there.


    Thread carefully for the Author loathes


    The scoundrel who disobeys the oath


    Only when the two scales meet


    Shall the oath be deemed complete.


    The light from the scales expanded until all darkness is consumed. Both Ethan and Lilith found themselves back in the infirmary room once again.


    Lilith has a bashful look on her, as she whispers at Ethan, "You saw nothing, understand?"


    "Of course." Ethan knew better than to expose a woman''s vulnerability. He prides himself to be a gentleman.


    As Lilith storms off the infirmary, Lorenz goes in immediately after. Oblivious to the tension in the room, he excitedly exclaims "Woah! Have you seen that snob chick? Who''s friend is she? Could you introduce me?"


    "That is a dangerous person, Lorenz. You''d be lucky to have your head on your shoulders when you date her," Ashley replies.


    As if on cue, Cassius shoots up from his slumber and exclaims "Yes I do!", he immediately regrets it after realizing he has been dreaming about his own wedding as soon as he saw everyone''s judgmental gazes poking at him.


    "Ah, so did I miss anything?" Cassius innocently inquires.


    "Oh you sweet summer child! You could''ve died!"


    "Let us all relax and take time to process some things before we get more confused. Everyone take a seat, we need a plan going forward," Ethan diffuses the chaos. After everyone calmed down, he gets them up to speed by discussing all the events that transpired as briefly as possible.


    "Wait, am I part of the team now? Because it feels like all this is confidential information and I, I don''t know, I feel like I don''t belong here," Lorenz asked.


    Ethan raises an eyebrow, and thinks to himself, so he''s one of those indecisive people? He gives a meaningful look at Ashley.


    As the professors'' assistant she had dealt with a lot of his indecisive students, she has been taught that forcing them will only make things worse. These type of people usually leave the decision-making chore to others but complain about it later. If, he is to be part of their team, this has to be rectified sooner. Lorenz needs to actively make the decision in order to take accountability for their actions.


    Ashley stood up, grabs a coin and says "Let''s do it this way, heads you don''t join us and tails you do, got it? Good-" and she tosses the coin in the air...


    "Wait– No..."


    Ashley snatches the coin in the air, and asked Lorenz, "So... You staying or not?"


    "I''m staying."


    "Good."


    "I can''t believe that worked," Cassius said, bewildered. "What sorcery is this?"


    "Not sorcery. Experience. The professor used ro have a lot of indecisive students."


    "Ehem," Ethan brings them back on track, "First part of the plan is to get out of here. We need to complete the missions, I''ll give each one of you 3,500 gold so we can proceed to the third challenge."


    The professor casually gives them a bag containing 3,500 gold each. Cassius was shocked, Ashley had the look of a proud mom as she looked at Ethan, while Lorenz was crying in joy, "I''m beyond grateful boss! Can I call you boss?Thank goodness I stayed!"


    "Call me whatever you want, let''s grab some food before we discuss our plans for the third challenge," Ethan takes them all to the nearest restaurant.


    I can''t tell them the money came from Professor Ex''s ill-gotten gains, but none of them seem to mind. Let''s just roll with it, Ethan thought.