“RULE OF LUNARIS”

The dorm hallway was silent.

Too silent.

Liora quickly looked away from Kael before he could notice the panic in her eyes.

“…I think you’re mistaken,” she said calmly.

Kael stared at her for a few more seconds.

Like he was trying to remember something buried deep in his mind.

Then the elevator stopped.

The doors opened slowly.

Without another word, Kael walked out.

The pressure disappeared instantly.

The other trainees inside the elevator finally breathed again.

“Oh my god…”

“Did Kael Draven just talk to her?”

“Is she insane? She didn’t even bow.”

Liora ignored them and stepped out quietly.

But before the elevator doors closed—

Kael spoke without turning around.

“Stay away from the west practice building after midnight.”

Then he walked away.

The hallway remained frozen.

One trainee whispered nervously, “…Why would he warn her?”

Liora frowned slightly.

Warn her?

Or threaten her?

—

ROOM 19

The dorm was bigger than expected.

Modern lights. Black walls. Floor-to-ceiling windows showing Seoul’s glowing skyline.

Luxury prison.

Liora placed her bag down slowly.

Then noticed something on the desk.

A silver trainee card.

LIORA VALE

LEVEL — UNKNOWN

Unknown?

Every other trainee had ranks.

Why was hers hidden?

Before she could think further—

BZZZT.

Her phone vibrated.

Unknown Number.

“If you want the truth about your mother…” “Don’t trust Lunaris.” “Especially Kael Draven.”

Liora’s expression darkened instantly.

Who sent this?

Another message arrived immediately.

“Check your bathroom mirror.”

A cold feeling crept through her chest.

Slowly…

Liora walked toward the bathroom.

The lights flickered once.

Then again.

She pushed the door open carefully.

Nothing.

Just silence.

Liora exhaled quietly.

“This isn’t funny—”

Then she looked at the mirror.

And froze.

Written across the glass in red lipstick were three words.

“YOUR MOTHER LIED.”

Suddenly—

BANG.

The dorm lights went out.

Complete darkness.

Liora’s breathing stopped.

Then…

A soft sound echoed behind her.

Someone laughing.

Very quietly.

Inside her room.

The emergency lights slowly turned red.

Dim crimson shadows covered the room.

Liora turned around instantly.

“Who’s there?”

Silence.

Only the sound of rain hitting the windows.

Her heartbeat became louder.

Then—

CREEEAK.

The closet door moved slightly on its own.

Liora stepped back carefully.

This had to be some kind of prank.

Right?

She grabbed her phone flashlight with shaky fingers and pointed it toward the closet.

Slowly…

The door opened wider.

Empty.

Nobody inside.

Liora exhaled deeply.

But suddenly—

BZZZT.

Her phone vibrated again.

Unknown Number.

“You should’ve never come back.”

Back?

Liora’s stomach tightened.

Before she could think further, the dorm lights suddenly turned on again.

Everything looked normal.

Too normal.

Then someone knocked on the door.

Three slow knocks.

Liora hesitated before opening it slightly.

A girl with short silver hair stood outside holding instant ramen cups.

“You’re the new trainee, right?”

Her smile looked friendly.

But her eyes looked nervous.

“I’m Yuna… your neighbor.”

Liora relaxed slightly.

“Sorry about the mess,” Yuna whispered while glancing around the hallway carefully. “People here like scaring new trainees.”

“Who sent those messages?”

Yuna’s smile disappeared instantly.

“You got messages too?”

Before Liora could answer—

A loud announcement echoed through the entire dorm building.

ATTENTION ALL TRAINEES. MIDNIGHT EVALUATION BEGINS IN THIRTY MINUTES.

The hallway exploded into panic.

“Already?!”

“This is insane!”

“I’m not prepared!”

Yuna looked pale suddenly.

“We need to go,” she whispered quickly.

Liora frowned.

“Why does everyone look terrified of a simple evaluation?”

Yuna stared at her silently for a moment.

Then spoke very softly.

“Because sometimes… people don’t come back from them.”

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