Chapter 4: ZeroVeil

Principal Eldra's office was quiet, but her heart wasn't. The stacks of paperwork in front of her should've been her only focus, yet she kept glancing up, her gaze flickering to the corners of her spacious room, the walls, the ceiling and especially the windows—as if expecting something, or perhaps someone.

She set her quill pen down, sighing, and rubbed her temples. It had been a tense year, ever since that first strange broadcast from this so-called "streamer." ZeroVeil. The name brought a shiver down her spine. Despite her efforts to heighten security at the academy, the elusive master of illusion had only increased his influence. He'd started at the academy, but now, it seemed, he was everywhere. She'd heard reports from the market district, the noble quarters, and even the commoner district. There wasn't a corner of Thimoria left untouched by his voice.

"I wonder what kind of a response other nations will give, after all, he is not harmful," She had a strange tone to her voice, but it might because she had been working non-stop ever since the day of incident.

Across the academy, students wore similar expressions of apprehension, exchanging nervous glances and amyn of them were impatient. Even Mesuna Londor, the vice president of the Arcane Blades—a group of elite students who combined magic and swordsmanship—looked uneasy as she surveyed her surroundings, her hand never straying far from her blade.

"..." She didn't say anything, but the people who witnessed her knew she was ready to unsheathe her greatsword anytime.

As the interval bell echoed through the academy halls, the familiar, quirky voice of ZeroVeil began streaming from a crystal embedded in the academy courtyard, loud enough for all to hear. The voice wasn't just contained within the academy this time. It rang out through the noble district, the market square, even the quietest corners of the commoner district. It was everywhere.

Even though the academy had removed almost every crystal that he used to stream his voice, everyday it get replaced by something new and they didn't even know how they got there in the place.

Principal Eldra rose from her seat and moved to her window, pushing it open just enough to catch the voice more clearly. Around her, she noticed other teachers and students doing the same. A few students, perhaps driven by curiosity or irritation, even began attempting to pry the crystal loose from the academy's walls.

While she could easily see there was another crowd that was completely different from others, as they had looks crazy in their eyes, as they kept listening to ZeroVeil's words, as if they were honey to their ears.

The voice of ZeroVeil boomed, smooth and self-assured, as if the entire world were his stage.

"Good afternoon, my dear fans of Thimoria!" ZeroVeil's voice rang out with a casual, almost playful tone. "How are we doing today? I trust you've all been waiting eagerly for a stream."

"I am really sorry for taking too long, but as you can see, I'm not up to the standard I want to reach...yet," He gave a slight pause, but quickly went back to his cheerful personality.

"Forget about that, so how have you ladies and gentleman being doing? Anything interesting in your lives? Any new development in your love lives? Did you get confessed by your lover or did you confess your lover." He kept talking as if his sole purpose was entertaining the people.

"How nice! I wish I could have a partner. Isn't it such a nice feeling to share your struggle and happiness with someone? I sure hop everyone find happiness in their relationships,"

Some students cheered, others muttered, while a handful looked bewildered. Eldra's fingers gripped the windows tightly as she listened.

"Oh, and don't worry," he continued, chuckling, "this isn't just a one-time appearance. You'll be seeing more of me, in fact, a whole lot more. I'll be adding a brand-new feature to make our interactions even better called—'chat.' Yes, that's right. Soon you'll be able to communicate with me, your friendly neighborhood streamer, ZeroVeil. Imagine it! We'll be closer than ever."

In the market district, commoners and merchants alike stopped what they were doing, drawn to the strange, unseen voice echoing from the crystal placed there. Nobles in their carriages halted to listen, servants and guards craned their necks, and everywhere, whispers passed through the crowds as people leaned in closer to hear every word.

ZeroVeil's tone shifted to one of mock sincerity. "Now, I know I've asked you all to 'like' and 'subscribe' before… and I know, I know, some of you might have not known what it meant. But, let's be honest, I didn't even have a way for you to actually do that so I guess they are just empty words." He laughed. "But that is until now. If you're a true fan, simply touch one of my crystals. Yes, it's that easy. Just touch, and you're subscribed to stay in the loop of all future 'entertainment' I'll be bringing your way and in the next stream you will able to communicate with me."

A mixture of laughter, grumbles, and murmurs rose from the academy courtyard. Principal Eldra's gaze narrowed.

"So, with that," ZeroVeil concluded, his voice growing softer yet more intense, "just remember… I'll be around, and the fun is only beginning. Stay tuned, Thimoria, and until next time, this is your one and only ZeroVeil signing off."

The voice faded, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. For a moment, the entire Thimoria district seemed to hold its breath. Then, all at once, chaos erupted.

People dashed through the streets, surging toward the crystal installations. The students of the academy were no different, pushing through the halls and charging into the courtyard where the crystal was mounted, all eager to be the first to "subscribe."

Principal Eldra hurried down to the courtyard, her eyes steely as she assessed the crowd. She raised her voice, her tone commanding, "Students, step away from the crystal!"

A murmur of protest rippled through the crowd, but they hesitated. Eldra held her ground, her authoritative presence casting a palpable silence over the students. "This is a matter of academy security," she continued. "As always, it is the duty of the staff to handle any anomalies. I will personally see to this crystal."

A few students voiced their objections, particularly some of them who had crazy look on their eyes telling they wanted to listen to their streamer.

Mesuna her hand resting on her sword hilt, met Eldra's gaze and nodded reluctantly. "Principal, we'll leave it to you."

Some of the other students weren't as cooperative, grumbling under their breath as teachers moved through the crowd, gently but firmly guiding them back to their classes. A few teachers themselves seemed caught up in the commotion, unsure whether to fully support the principal's decision or they should just give up on trying to act like they don't care and just simply jump into the crowd and touch the crystal.

One young female teacher hesitated, casting a longing glance at the crystal. She stepped forward, clearing her throat nervously. "Um… Principal Eldra, if I may… Could I perhaps just… touch the crystal, for… research purposes?"

Eldra turned to her, her gaze sharp and cold. "Research, Miss Brina?"

The teacher paled slightly under the principal's gaze, averting her eyes. "I—yes, Principal, but… never mind." She backed away, looking disappointed.

When the courtyard finally cleared, Eldra carefully approached the crystal, her mind racing. She could sense its residual magic, a strange, pulsing energy unlike anything she'd felt before. Whoever this ZeroVeil was, his knowledge of magic was deep, and his methods—fasincating.

"I have never seen someone use their power like this," She thought to herself while carrying the

Principal Eldra entered her office with the crystal held carefully in both hands, her usual composure completely intact—until she shut the door.

With a soft click, her expression transformed. Her stern, commanding facade melted away, and a dreamy, almost silly grin crept across her face. She glanced around the room, as if making sure no one could witness her sudden lapse in composure. Then, unable to contain herself any longer, she hugged the crystal to her chest.

"Oh, ZeroVeil…" she murmured, a fervent gleam lighting her eyes. "I knew you'd be back. You wouldn't leave your number one fan waiting for too long, would you?"

She ran her fingers along the smooth, faintly glowing surface of the crystal. Her hand trembled as she did, each movement slow, almost reverent, her breathing hitching with anticipation. She turned it over, tracing her finger along its edges, as though she could somehow summon his voice again, just for her.

"Your voice…" she whispered, grinning foolishly. "So close, so… thrilling." Her voice dropped to a murmur, her fingers gripping the crystal a bit too tightly. "If only you'd talk just to me."

The calm, disciplined woman seemed to unravel further with each passing second, and with a glimmer of mischief, she brought the crystal up to her lips. "ZeroVeil, how I wish I could hear you right now, telling me how clever I am… or that you'd been waiting for me as well. Don't worry—I'll make sure this is safe, so you can keep coming back, talking to us all."

Across Thimoria, similar scenes played out behind closed doors. In the academy's staff quarters, a teacher clutched a smaller crystal hidden under her desk. She caressed it, her face flushed as she muttered excitedly, "Oh, I've never heard a voice like yours before…"

In a secluded corner of the noble district, another figure sat in her study, a candle casting her shadow on the walls as she held her crystal with both hands, eyes gleaming in the dim light. "He's so mysterious," she whispered to herself, laughing softly. "I can't wait for his next… stream."

Back in Eldra's office, she gently set the crystal down on her desk, giving it one last adoring stroke before taking a step back to admire it from a distance. Her voice dropped to a quiet murmur, filled with an almost desperate anticipation. "Until next time, ZeroVeil. I'll be here, waiting."