Dark Dragon: The Summoned Hero Is A Villain

Chapter 292: What Happened?

Noah sat alone in the cold, windowless room. A single lantern flickered on the wall above him, providing the only light illuminating the space.

His uniform was still dusted with soot from the earlier fight, but at this point in time, that didn’t matter.

After the explosion, chaos had erupted.

The upper floors of the dormitory had been sealed off. Guards, professors, and wardens had flooded the area, setting up barriers and investigating the wreckage.

Noah, Arlo, and Ben had been questioned on the spot, then led away separately for further inquiry. Now, hours later, he was still here, waiting.

The door clicked open.

Professor Faye stepped inside, closing it quietly behind her. She was alone and carried no papers, just her usual calm expression on her face.

She studied him for a moment before she took the seat opposite him.

"Noah Webb," she began. "I’m here to get a clearer picture of what happened."

Noah nodded slightly. "Of course."

"Let’s start simple." She folded her hands on the table. "Why were you and Arlo Kael visiting Ben Stanley this afternoon?"

"Because he missed classes," Noah replied. "He never really misses class, so Arlo thought it was strange. We went to check if he was sick or in trouble."

Faye’s expression didn’t change. "I see. And what did you find when you arrived?"

"The entire floor was quiet," Noah said slowly, recalling the scene. "Too quiet. And when we reached his room, the door was slightly open. We went in and found him tied to a chair and gagged. The place was wrecked."

"Was anyone else there?"

"Not at first. But he told us he’d been attacked. We just didn’t see the attackers until after we freed him. That was when the four cloaked figures appeared and attacked."

Faye’s brow furrowed slightly. "You said four."

"Yes."

"And what state was Ben in when you found him?"

"He’d been forced to drink something," Noah said. "Some kind of potion. Whatever it was, it couldn’t have been a good thing, so we made him vomit it up before it could take hold."

Faye nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. "And then?"

"They attacked, so we fought them off. When one started glowing, Arlo realized it was about to explode. The only thing we could do was run, and the room blew up behind us."

It was because of times like these that Noah was glad he simply didn’t go all out and use Feast on the undead.

First, it would reveal his true strength to Arlo, something he’d taken care of hiding away.

Second, there was no guarantee Ben Stanley would not give up the secret when investigated like this.

Besides, this was the wrong time to stand out in the academy. When students were going missing. All it would bring was unnecessary and unwanted attention.

For a few moments, there were no sounds in the room. Faye tapped a finger lightly against the table, her gaze fixed on Noah.

"Strange," she murmured finally. "You and Arlo always seem to be there when these assailants are attacking in the academy."

She leaned forward. "Especially when even the faculty have failed to locate these assailants."

Noah looked up at her evenly. "Are you implying something, Professor?"

"I’m asking," she said coolly, "if there’s something you’re not telling us."

"I have no idea who they are," Noah said, his tone. "If I did, you’d be the first to know."

Faye studied him for a long moment, her eyes searching his face. There was nothing to find, as his expression was as unreadable as stone.

Finally, she sighed, leaning back slightly. "All right," she said quietly.

She stood, smoothing the front of her robe. "That will be all for now, Noah. You’re free to go."

Noah rose, his movements slow.

Faye opened the door and gestured for him to follow. The corridor beyond was dim, and lined with other identical doors, each hiding its own interrogation.

As they reached the exit, Faye said softly, "If there’s anything else you remember, anything at all, report it immediately."

"I will," Noah said.

Outside, the night air was cool against his face. The faculty building stood silently behind him.

He walked away without looking back.

Soon, he found Professor Cecilia waiting for him outside his dormitory. She stood by the entrance, her hands clasped loosely behind her back, her expression neutral.

She turned as she approached, her neutral mask turning into a smile.

"Walk with me," she said quietly.

He fell into step beside her as they made their way down the path that wound through the academy grounds. The silence stretched between them until Cecilia finally spoke.

"What do you make of the attack on Ben Stanley?"

Noah glanced ahead, watching the moonlight ripple over the surface of the small pond to the side.

"Now that I think about it, Ben fits the pattern," he said. "The puppeteer always chooses people who won’t be missed immediately. The loners and quiet types. Ben didn’t have many friends. He kept to himself. That made him an easy target."

Cecilia’s gaze flicked towards him. "And what do you think the puppeteer’s goal is?"

"I don’t know," Noah admitted. "But whoever it is... they’re close."

"They knew Ben’s habits, and knew when he’d be alone. That kind of access means they’re someone who can move freely through the academy. Someone no one would question."

He hesitated before adding, "Like a teacher."

Cecilia didn’t respond. Her silence said more than words could. The academy’s investigators probably had that possibility in mind too.

They walked a while longer. Finally, Cecilia sighed softly. "You remember how I made you promise to be a model student this semester?"

"I remember," Noah said, glancing at her.

"With everything that’s happened," she said with a faint smile, "I can’t tell whether you’re keeping that promise by helping others, or breaking it by getting involved in things that should be left alone."

They reached the edge of the courtyard, and Cecilia stopped, turning to him.

"I have a favor to ask," she said quietly.

Noah stared at her expectantly.

"When you go to the palace for the coronation, I want you to stop by the royal library," she said. "There’s something I need you to find for me."