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It was modest compared to the grandeur of other noble estates, but it held a quiet dignity, its pale stone walls bathed in the amber glow of the setting sun.

Tall windows adorned the front of the house, their frames dark and sleek, reflecting the fading light. Ivy crept along the corners of the building, giving it an air of timelessness and seclusion.

The rooftop, lined with decorative finials, crowned the house in perfect symmetry.

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At the front door, a figure stood.

The man knocked, the sound echoing faintly into the evening air.

For a moment, there was silence, the trees swaying softly in the gentle breeze.

Then, the door creaked open, revealing a maid with delicate features—pale skin, dark hair tied back into a neat bun, and sharp, attentive eyes.

Her uniform was simple but pristine, a white apron over a dark blue dress.

"The master will be down shortly. Please, make yourself comfortable," she said with a polite bow.

The man, Professor Jacob, gave a brief nod and stepped inside, his eyes immediately drawn to the room\'s decor.

The entrance hall and sitting room beyond it exuded nobility without being overly ostentatious. The walls were painted a crisp white, complementing the soft gold accents of the furniture and décor.

A large fireplace sat at the center of one wall, its mantel adorned with finely crafted vases and ornate clocks.

Above it hung a large painting, a pastoral scene of a field under a blue sky, calm and serene.

The furniture, upholstered in rich burgundy fabric, contrasted tastefully with the white walls, and the marble floors gleamed under the evening light filtering through the windows.

Jacob took a seat on one of the couches, his posture relaxed as he surveyed the room. There was an elegance to the simplicity, an orderliness that spoke of the Vice Master\'s disciplined nature.

A moment later, the maid reappeared, carrying a silver tray with a single cup of steaming tea. She set it down on the table before him.

"Thank you," Jacob said, his tone polite, though his mind seemed far away.

The maid bowed again.

"The master will be with you shortly."

Jacob took a sip of the tea just as the sound of footsteps approached.

The Vice Master, an imposing figure with silver-gray hair and a tall, lean frame, entered the room. His sharp, intelligent eyes scanned Jacob with a knowing smile.

"Mr. Jacob," the Vice Master greeted, his voice deep and smooth.

"How are you this fine evening?"

"Vice Master," Jacob replied, standing up briefly to shake his hand before sitting back down.

"I\'m well, thank you. And yourself?"

"Busy, as always," the Vice Master said, taking a seat across from him.

"But I suspect you didn\'t come all this way to discuss the pleasantries of the evening."

Jacob chuckled.

"No, you\'re right. There\'s much to discuss—especially regarding the academy and... recent events."

The Vice Master\'s eyes narrowed slightly, and he leaned back in his chair.

"Noah Ashbourne."

Jacob nodded.

"And Livia. The investigation into Livia\'s death has led us to believe that the same individual who attacked Noah was also responsible for her murder."

The Vice Master\'s face darkened.

"It\'s troubling. Two incidents, both involving students. What makes it worse is the lack of any clear motive, at least on the surface."

"Indeed," Jacob agreed, setting down his cup.

"Noah survived his ordeal, but Livia wasn\'t so fortunate. Her body was found in one of the floors in Ironwood Hall, and we suspect demonic influence may have been involved."

The Vice Master frowned.

"Demonic influence... The corruption of mana in cases like these is insidious, and difficult to detect without the right means. Do we know if Noah has any leads?"

"He hasn\'t said much about the attack, but he seems reluctant to delve into the details. He\'s cautious, perhaps unsure of who he can trust."

The Vice Master nodded slowly, deep in thought.

"And the other cases? You mentioned in your last report that there were a few students showing signs of... irregular behavior."

Jacob reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a small stack of reports.

"Three more students, each case more disturbing than the last. One of them, a girl named Elise, was caught trying to smuggle a cursed artifact into the academy. She\'s been taken into custody, but we believe she wasn\'t working alone."

He handed the report to the Vice Master, who skimmed it, his brow furrowing.

"The second case," Jacob continued, "involves a boy named Marcus. He was found unconscious in the dormitories, his mana core severely destabilized. We suspect he\'s been tampered with, possibly drugged with some form of demonic concoction."

"And the third?"

Jacob hesitated before speaking.

"A student named Garen. He\'s been missing for over a week. His friends say he was last seen speaking to someone in the shadows of the East Wing, though no one has been able to identify this individual.

We fear Garen may have been recruited into something darker."

The Vice Master leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, his fingers steepled in thought.

"It\'s as I feared. The cult is becoming bolder, and their reach is extending deeper into the academy. We need to act swiftly before more students are lost to this... corruption."

"Agreed," Jacob said, his voice low.

"But we need more than just investigations. We need specialized resources. Which brings me to another matter."

The Vice Master looked at him curiously.

"Go on."

Jacob took a deep breath.

"I want to suggest reopening the Demonic Research Department."

The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of the suggestion hanging in the air.

The Vice Master\'s expression grew hard, his eyes piercing.

"The Demonic Research Department has been closed for decades. What exactly are you hoping to accomplish by reopening it?"

Jacob held his gaze.

"With the number of demonic incidents rising, we need a dedicated facility to study these occurrences—especially with the drugs being used and the incident with Noah.

We need to understand the source of this corruption, and how to counter it."

The Vice Master leaned back, his fingers tapping the arm of the chair. He was silent for a long while before he spoke again.

"Reopening that department would attract unwanted attention, not just from within the academy but from outside as well."

"I understand the risks," Jacob replied.

"But if we don\'t take action, more students will die. We need knowledge to fight this, and that department could provide the means."

The Vice Master considered Jacob\'s words carefully.

After what felt like an eternity, he sighed.

"Very well. I will authorize the reopening of the Demonic Research Department. But I want strict oversight. You are to report directly to me."

Jacob smiled, bowing his head in gratitude.

"Thank you, Vice Master. You won\'t regret it."