Whispers of Worlds Beyond: A Series - Chapter 79

Chapter 79: Mischief Makers Behind the Blue Incident Chapter 79: Mischief Makers Behind the Blue Incident The dormitory was quiet, save for the sound of water running from the sink and the occasional muttered complaint.

Aiden stood hunched over the basin, rubbing at his skin with a damp cloth.

The drinking water dripped down his arms as he scrubbed at the lingering blue stains on his fingers, but at least it wasn’t getting any worse.

“Ridiculous,” Adrian grumbled, standing next to him, aggressively wiping his face.

His black leather jacket was slung over a chair, still bearing faint blue smudges from earlier.

“You’d think that after all that effort, I wouldn’t still look like I lost a fight with a fruit cart.” Sevan, sitting on the edge of a desk with a towel around his neck, inspected his reflection in a small hand mirror.

“I told you- if we used the tap water, we’d be blue forever.

At least drinking water isn’t enchanted.” He dragged the towel over his face, shaking his head.

“Who even thinks to curse the sinks?

That’s next-level pettiness.” Aiden chuckled under his breath, though he had to admit- they had planned it well.

A normal wash would have just made the blue stains worse, which was why they were now rationing their drinking water to clean themselves up.

“You’d think Flinders would’ve been angrier about it,” Adrian continued, rubbing the last bit of blue off his cheek.

Sevan snorted.

“He was too busy being a blueberry to do anything about it.” Just as Adrian reached for another towel, a sudden knock echoed through the dorm.

The three of them froze.

Aiden exchanged glances with the others before quickly drying his hands.

It was late, too late for anyone to be paying them a casual visit.

Another knock, firm and deliberate.

“Who the hell is knocking at this hour?” Adrian muttered, narrowing his eyes at the door.

Sevan stretched, rolling his shoulders.

“If it’s Jarek or Rupert, they better have a good reason.

I’m not opening that door just for gossip.” Aiden hesitated before stepping forward.

Something about the knock felt… off.

Cautious, Adrian pulled the door open.

And there, standing in the doorway, was Professor Anwar.

The moment Aiden saw him, his stomach dropped.

Anwar’s dark robes swayed slightly as he stood there, his gaze sweeping over the three of them.

He was usually an unreadable man, but tonight, there was something distinctly knowing in his expression.

Aiden’s mind raced.

Did he know?

About the prank?

About Shiloh?

The professor’s eyes flickered to the faint blue tint still clinging to their skin.

For a brief moment, his lips twitched in amusement.

“Ah,” he murmured, tilting his head.

“Cleaning up, I see.” Aiden swallowed, unsure of what to say.

Adrian, ever the quickest to recover, leaned against the doorframe with a casual grin.

“Just your usual nighttime skincare routine, Professor.” Sevan nearly choked on his laugh but quickly masked it with a cough.

Anwar raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed but not exactly displeased either.

Then, in a tone far too casual for comfort, he said: “Gentlemen, follow me.” The easy atmosphere evaporated in an instant.

Aiden tensed.

Adrian’s smirk faltered.

Sevan stiffened.

“P-Professor, if this is about-” “Now.” There was no room for protest.

Adrian grinned.

“Well, this should be fun.” He clapped Aiden on the back before stepping out.

Aiden sighed and followed, while Sevan looked as if he wanted to collapse.

“This is it,” Sevan whispered under his breath as they walked behind the professor.

“This is the moment I regret everything.

I knew it-I knew it-you are a bad influence.” “Relax,” Adrian said breezily.

“Worst case?

Detention.

Best case?

He just wants to congratulate us on the best prank this school has seen in years.” Sevan looked horrified.

“That is not a best case-” “Shh.” Aiden nudged him as Professor Anwar led them down the dimly lit corridor.

Aiden, Adrian, and Sevan followed Professor Anwar in silence, the dimly lit corridor stretching ahead.

The flickering lanterns cast long shadows, warping across the stone walls, making the space feel narrower than it was.

Sevan, visibly anxious, kept glancing at Aiden and Adrian as if hoping one of them would magically turn back.

“I don’t like this,” he muttered.

“Relax,” Adrian said, shoving his hands into his pockets.

“If he was dragging us to be expelled, he’d have taken us to Headmaster Kairos already.” Aiden wasn’t sure about that.

Anwar was unpredictable.

He wasn’t strict like Flinders, nor as dramatic as Professor Mopsus.

He carried himself with an effortless authority, someone who didn’t demand respect but simply had it.

Still, something about this- being pulled aside at this hour- didn’t feel like a normal reprimand.

They stopped in front of a large wooden door near the southern wing of the academy.

Aiden had never been here before.

With a flick of his wrist, Anwar bent the light around the door’s handle, causing the latch to unlock without a sound.

He pushed it open and stepped inside.

“Come in.” The three exchanged glances before cautiously stepping into what appeared to be an old study room.

The space was filled with bookshelves stacked high with aged tomes and yellowed scrolls.

A round wooden table sat in the middle, illuminated by a suspended orb of warm light, casting a soft glow.

A single chair stood at the head of the table, and Anwar took his place there, leaning back with a knowing smirk.

“Sit,” he gestured.

Aiden took a chair, as did Adrian and Sevan- though Sevan hesitated before finally lowering himself down, looking as though he was preparing for his execution.

Professor Anwar studied them, his eyes flickering with intrigue.

“Now,” he began, steepling his fingers.

“You three have been… quite the entertainment this week.” Aiden tensed.

“Blueberry prank,” Anwar continued, his tone unreadable.

“A creative, well-executed, rather inconvenient act of chaos.” He tilted his head.

“And let’s not forget today’s little incident after Divination.” Aiden stiffened at the mention of his near fall.

Adrian, however, leaned forward, smirking.

“So, which one are we here for?

The prank or the fall?” “Neither,” Anwar said smoothly.

“Though, I will say- whoever planned the prank had remarkable foresight.

To make even the teachers blue?” He chuckled.

“I can admire a well-calculated move just like what a previous trickster did.” Sevan blinked.

“Wait… are we not in trouble?” Anwar’s lips curled.

“Oh, you are.” Sevan groaned.

“In fact, I’ve been assigned to give you detention on behalf of the Headmaster,” Anwar continued, tapping his fingers against the table.

“And lucky for you, I’m feeling particularly benevolent today.” Adrian raised an eyebrow.

“That doesn’t sound like a good thing.” Anwar smiled.

“It means your punishment might just be educational rather than tedious.” Aiden narrowed his eyes.

“What do you mean?” The professor leaned forward, his gaze sharp.

“I’ve been keeping an eye on you three.

You may not realize it, but you stand out.

Not just because of your antics, but because of your potential.” Sevan frowned.

“Potential for what?” Anwar studied them, but his gaze lingered on Aiden the longest.

“This academy has always valued structured learning, controlled lessons, and safe environments for growth.

But the world outside these walls?

It is not structured.

It is not controlled.

It is unpredictable.

Dangerous.” He let the words settle before continuing, “I teach students how to fight, yes, but there are other skills.

Skills beyond mere spells and swordplay.

Skills that require intelligence.

Strategy.

The ability to outthink your opponent before you even lift a weapon.” Aiden exchanged a glance with Adrian.

“And you three,” Anwar continued, “have already demonstrated a talent for that.” Sevan paled.

“Is… is this some kind of special training?” “In a way.” Anwar rested his chin on his knuckles.

“You could say it’s an invitation to something beyond your usual coursework.” Adrian’s grin widened.

“So, secret training?” Anwar didn’t confirm nor deny it, but his smirk deepened.

Aiden remained quiet, his mind racing.

Anwar’s words carried weight.

This wasn’t a simple offer to join an extra lesson; it was something else.

Something not openly taught within the academy’s structured curriculum.

Sevan, however, looked absolutely horrified.

“I-I don’t think-” “You don’t have to decide now,” Anwar cut in smoothly.

“But consider this: the academy trains you to be strong, but strength alone isn’t enough.

If you want to truly survive beyond these walls, you need more than magic and muscle.” His eyes flickered with amusement.

“And something tells me you already understand that.” Aiden clenched his fists.

He did understand that.

Adrian let out a low whistle.

“Well,” he said, stretching, “I’m interested.” Sevan groaned.

“Of course you are.” Anwar chuckled.

“Think about it.

I’ll be expecting an answer soon.” He then stood, the light in the room shifting subtly around him as if it bent to his will.

“One more thing,” he added, his gaze locking onto Aiden specifically.

“I see great potential in you.” Aiden tensed slightly.

“You’re different from the others,” Anwar continued.

“You have the ability to be something greater- but only if you choose to be.” Aiden didn’t know how to respond to that.

“As for detention,” Anwar said, breaking the heavy silence.

“Consider it part of your training.” His lips curled into a knowing smirk.

“And trust me, it’ll be far more interesting than scrubbing the bathrooms.” Adrian snickered.

“Well, that’s promising.” As they stepped out into the corridor, Anwar’s voice followed them.

“Oh, and one more thing.” They turned.

Anwar smiled.

“Next time you pull off a prank of that scale, consider the consequences.

Even the best tricks can have unexpected results.” And with that, the door shut behind them.