The door before Lysandra was ancient, carved from oak that held centuries past, and as she received a cue from the Headmaster to enter, she pushed it open

Whoosh~

The room beyond seemed to breathe a welcome.

The Headmaster's chamber was a sanctuary of knowledge, walls lined with shelves that groaned under the weight of countless tomes.

The air was thick with the musk of parchment and the hint of ink.

In the center stood a grand desk, its surface a map of the world, with ley lines and psychic currents traced in delicate gold leaf.

Master Therion, the Headmaster, was a figure that commanded respect.

His hair was a cascade of silver, showing his old age to everyone. Though he seemed to be capable of having a better appearance with his Arcane Arts, he decided to stay in this state as he guided his students in the Academy.

His eyes, a piercing blue, seemed to hold the depth of the ocean, and his robes, a deep indigo, were embroidered with symbols of the Farrel Academy.

Lysandra doesn't really feel good whenever she's in front of the unfathomable Headmaster. It had always been like that ever since she entered the Academy.

Nonetheless, this unfathomable trait seemed to be very reliable in her eyes.

Since she could see through the unusual behavior of a certain student, she believed that her Headmaster would be able to do so as well!

***

Lysandra's heart raced as she approached the Headmaster's desk, the map of the world beneath the glass surface seemed to pulse with an inner light before disappearing.

It seemed that Headmaster Therion was doing something on the map before she entered the room.

There were also several ancient books on his table, showing that he was probably studying before she entered... Furthermore, Lysandra noticed traces of light in his blue eyes as they locked onto hers with an intensity that seemed to peer into her very soul.

Meeting against a strong Mind Controller could really become too intense at some point in time.

"Master Therion" Lysandra began, her voice a mix of reverence and urgency.

"I have come to report something unsettling. There's a student, Lara, whose behavior has grown increasingly peculiar. I fear she may be under some demonic influence."

The Headmaster steepled his fingers, considering her words. "Lara, you say? A serious accusation, indeed. What leads you to believe this?"

Lysandra recounted her observations: Lara's sudden withdrawal from her peers, her once vibrant aura now shrouded in shadows, and her eyes that flickered with an unnatural gleam. It was also weird how her presence was weakened that even the teachers didn't notice her.

As a matter of fact, if not for the name in her uniform, Lysandra would also fail to recognize Lara and the fact that she was indeed a student in the Academy.

"It's as if she's not herself anymore, and my visions they hint at something sinister at work."

Master Therion nodded slowly, his gaze never wavering.

"Your insights have always been a guiding light, Lysandra. I shall take this matter into my own hands. Give me a couple of days to observe and investigate. We must tread carefully; if a demon has infiltrated our academy, we must act with both wisdom and discretion."

To be honest, Lysandra wanted to have the Headmaster capture the woman immediately.

However, she couldn't order around the Headmaster either.

"I understand, Headmaster"

With that, Lysandra left the chamber.

After getting out of the room, she still actually felt relieved that the thing she discovered had already been passed to the Headmaster.

Indeed, her mind was somewhat eased by the Headmaster's calm assurance.

'Right If the Headmaster isn't too worried, then it shouldn't be bothering me a lot.' Lysandra thought.

***

Over the next few days, Headmaster Therion conducted his investigation with a subtlety that matched his reputation.

He observed Lara from a distance, using his psychic abilities to sense any disturbances in her essence.

He also used various Artifacts to see through Lara After all, he indeed confirmed that something was wrong with Lara but just like Lysandra, he failed to see through the depthness of her disguise.

Because of this, the Headmaster Therion opened his ancient books, searching for any reference to the type of possession he suspected.

He also selected a few trusted Psychics in the Academy to look out for Lara.

Thanks to his instructions, they obtained more clues as they observed Lara's recent behavior without raising the alarm.

Finally, after days of meticulous research and observation, Master Therion summoned Lysandra once more to his chamber.

The morning light filtered through the stained glass windows, as Lysandra returned to the chamber.

"Lysandra" Master Therion said, his voice carrying the weight of his findings

"Your instincts were correct. There is indeed a presence within Elara that does not belong to this realm. However, it is not a demon, but a spirit of Envy, one that feeds on the ambitions and desires of its host. We must act, but with caution, for the spirit is cunning and will not be easily banished."

Lysandra was stunned as soon as she realized that the Demon wasn't just a weak one but was actually a Deadly Sin!

Gulp

Lysandra wasn't able to reply and simply nodded.

She listened intently to the Headmaster as her fears were now validated by the Headmaster's words.

Lysandra's heart pounded with the gravity of the situation as Master Therion laid out a plan that would use her as the lure!

Indeed, Lysandra was shocked that she had to be involved into this mess! She knew that she wasn't strong enough after all!

"Lysandra, you must draw Lara to the Chamber of Seals. You're a fellow student so it wouldn't be very suspicious to invite her. It's a room fortified with ancient wards strong enough to hold Envy" he instructed, his voice steady despite the perilous nature of their task.

"The instructor would also assist you in this matter so it wouldn't be too suspicious." The Headmaster added.

"Why does it have to be? Also, is it not possible for you to make your move? I will be in danger." Lysandra finally said, after considering it for a while.

The Chamber of Seals was a room seldom used, hidden deep within the Academy's foundations. Its walls were inscribed with runes that hummed with ancient power, and at its center lay a platform that acted as a focal point for the room's immense energies.

"We can't let Envy escape. If the Deadly Sin felt danger, then we would have no way of stopping him from leaving this place." Headmaster Therion explained.

Lysandra did her best to negotiate on this matter. In the end, Lysandra was convinced after she was promised that she'd be able to obtain an artifact that would increase her Mental Energy and also an automatic passing grade on several subjects!

"Fine Let's do this!" Lysandra could only encourage herself as she accepted the difficult task.

***

As the final class of the day concluded, Lysandra approached Elara with a feigned casualness that belied her inner tension.

"Lara, we were chosen by the instructor to clean one of the chamber of secrets Let's go." Lysandra said to the woman in disguise.

"Mhmm Alright." Envy replied. She wasn't bothered that her Spell that weakens her presence was no longer that effective. She expected this since the mental energy of the students would slowly get used to her energy fluctuation and she would certainly become noticeable again.

"What's in those chambers? I heard the instructor say that we will be using that in our class. It's related to our studies on psychic wards," Lara, or Envy, suddenly asked and her voice was even tinged with just enough excitement.

She was certainly acting like a real teenager girl at this time.

"The chamber should be able to help us with our Mental Energy."

Elara, her eyes reflecting the green glint of Envy, nodded slowly...

Soon, they navigated the academy's corridors At this time, the setting sun was already casting long shadows in the hall.

Upon entering the chamber, Lara's gaze was immediately drawn to the platform

"Interesting" Lara muttered.

As soon as she stepped inside, it was then that Lysandra sprang the trap as she jumped back!

Thud! Thud!

The doors slammed shut, and the runes flared to life, a brilliant display of psychic might that encased Envy in a prison of light!

It happened so quickly!

However, Envy didn't seem to panic as a powerful Arcane Energy pressed on her!

She tried to test the binding powers of the Runes as well, but the Chamber of Seals held firm!

"Ho~ So Psychic Arts weren't just boring Mind Controllers, huh..." Envy muttered as she felt the presence of the Headmaster and other Psychics in the Academy.

In the meantime, outside the academy, a lone figure observed the unfolding drama with an air of detached interest.

Kyle, the Shadow Immortal, had arrived, his senses attuned to the presence of Envy.