Despite Augustus College's swift response after the first attack, a second incident erupted the very next day—another Mechanical Department student fell victim. The academy was now on high alert.

Mechanical Mages were war mages worth an entire army, the Duchy of Lain’s most precious combat force. Yet seven had been lost in just two attacks—casualties exceeding wartime losses. The sheer scale left all factions reeling.

Failure to swiftly identify the culprit would spell disaster.

Yet the Security Office and Imperial Guard found zero leads. Even the OuYang siblings, initially prime suspects, were cleared after the second attack. The investigation had bogged down completely.

By protocol, a professor or senior instructor should have volunteered to lead the case—a chance to earn merit and promotion. The Council had even offered a substantial reward: solving this would grant immediate Council membership.

But no one dared take it. The killer left almost no traces, wielded unfamiliar Sin Power and a Devil King Artifact, and the deadline loomed. Success seemed impossible.

Except one person stepped forward: Lu Yun.

His first move after taking charge wasn’t investigation or interrogation. He quietly summoned two Discipline Squad students.

"Professor Lu," Monster Girl asked, tilting her head. She and Silent Sword had been pulled from patrol duty. "I heard you’re handling the attacks now. Got a mission for us?"

"Yes. Frankly, I already have a strong suspicion about the killer’s identity." Lu Yun’s certainty was why he’d accepted—but he couldn’t act yet. "What I lack is evidence."

Monster Girl frowned. "Then just interrogate your suspect. Routine questioning never hurt anyone."

Silent Sword nodded in agreement.

"No. I won’t spook them. If the killer vanishes now, even I can’t solve this before the deadline." Lu Yun’s tone shifted abruptly. "By the way—how is my student doing lately?"

"Huh? Why ask that now?" Monster Girl’s eyes narrowed. "Professor... you don’t actually suspect those siblings, do you? We’ve only known them briefly, but Silent Sword and I vouch for them."

Silent Sword gave a firm nod.

"You misunderstand. I’m concerned for their safety."

"Professor," Monster Girl pressed, "you sound awfully certain about the killer."

"Certain? No. But I’ve pinpointed their next target." Lu Yun’s voice turned icy. "Deya—a Mechanical Department postgraduate student—will be the next victim."

Monster Girl blinked in confusion. Silent Sword’s expression darkened, both waiting for his reasoning.

"Simple. You two are the strongest students in the Magic Sword and Beast Departments. Even if you can’t defeat the killer, you can hold them off until backup arrives."

"I see," Monster Girl said, a wicked grin spreading. "Using Deya as bait for a trap? She just graduated from your class, Professor. Quite the sacrifice."

Lu Yun fell silent. Helplessness and bitterness flickered across his face—a mentor’s pain laid bare. "That’s precisely why I chose you two..." His unspoken plea hung heavy: *Protect Deya at all costs.*

Monster Girl and Silent Sword exchanged a glance. "Understood," they said in unison. "Leave it to us."