Chapter 24: "I'm Back… Like I Promised"
The academy gates loomed tall under the setting sun, casting elongated shadows across the courtyard. Two guards at the entrance tightened their spears when they saw the cloaked figure approaching, his steps uneven, blood trailing behind him like a twisted red carpet.
"Halt—identify yourself!" one of the guards shouted, lowering his weapon.
The man didn't respond immediately. His coat was soaked in crimson, his face obscured by a cracked silver-white mask. He looked more like a wraith than a man.
"I said identify yourself!"
The figure stopped right in front of them and leaned closer.
"I'm Andrew. I'm back," he whispered low enough for only them to hear. "Don't say anything… you got that?"
His voice, hoarse yet chillingly familiar, sent a shiver down their spines. The guards froze as Andrew limped forward, leaving the two stunned behind him.
Was that really him?
They didn't move. They didn't dare.
He made his way through the academy grounds silently, students passing him by, some glancing at him with unease but unable to recognize him. The mask covered half his face, his tattered coat hiding the imperial insignia beneath. Blood trickled from beneath the coat, but Andrew made sure it wasn't fatal—just… dramatic.
He reached the dormitories, climbed the stairs slowly, and knocked twice on the door labeled "Girls' Wing – North Hall."
The door swung open.
Caroline stood there, her eyes immediately narrowing before her pupils dilated in disbelief.
"…Andrew?"
He lifted his head slowly, meeting her gaze. His voice barely audible:
"I'm back… like I promised."
And with that, he collapsed forward into her arms. His body was cold from his own manipulation of his temperature using mana. Caroline caught him, falling to her knees with his body in her lap.
"Andrew?! No—no, no, no!" she screamed, panic flooding her voice. "Emma! Sofia! Someone come quick!"
She placed a trembling hand on his chest.
No breath. No pulse.
Her eyes widened. Her throat tightened.
"Don't do this… not now…"
Then—"Hey," a very familiar voice rasped.
Her head shot up. Andrew had opened one eye.
Caroline's scream was so loud it could've shattered glass. She shoved him backwards with a punch so fierce he hit the floor and rolled against the wall.
Mario burst in through the hallway, breathing heavily. "Andrew, you look like hell"
"I know," Andrew interrupted from the floor, again, smirking behind the now-cracked mask. "Is this what happens when I make a dramatic entrance?"
"You idiot!" Caroline yelled, tears flowing as she stomped over and smacked him on the head again. "You made me think you died!"
"I did fake die. For the drama," he added, still lying down.
Emma and Sofia arrived seconds later, yelling over each other.
"You maniac!"
"You could've at least written again!"
"You're cleaning all this blood off the floor!"
They all piled on, yelling, sobbing, hugging him—while Mario leaned against the wall, sighing.
"I told you, bro. That plan of yours was messed up."
"You helped me write the lie letter!" Andrew shouted.
"I didn't think you'd Method Act your own funeral!"
Caroline held onto Andrew's collar tightly, head against his chest.
"If you ever do this again… I swear I'll actually kill you."
Andrew chuckled weakly, leaning his head back on the floor.
"I missed this…"