Third-person POV: A scream ripped through the crowd. The girls clutched their ears and backed away, shrieking. "Th–Thora... what are you doing!" Hazel stammered, voice trembling with fear. Even with her high-ranked wolf spirit awakened, the second she faced a muzzle that reeked of gunpowder, her instincts screamed fear—not fight. Her heart pounded so fast it felt like it might burst from her chest. No, Thora wouldn't dare kill her. She wouldn't. Hazel kept repeating it in her head like a lifeline. Thora's face was carved from ice, every line sharp and cold, without the faintest flicker of emotion."Spreading lies. Stirring chaos. People like you deserve to die." She paused, her voice low and steady. "And what I said before—you still remember, right?" It sounded like a question, but there wasn't a shred of doubt in her tone. To Hazel, those words were a death sentence. Her heart clenched hard. Of course she remembered. Back when Thora had returned from the cliff, Hazel had tried to "teach her a lesson"—and Thora had beaten her into the dirt instead. Thora had warned her then; if she caused trouble again, it wouldn't stop with a broken hand. Hazel knew she'd once worked with rogues and almost gotten Thora killed. She knew Thora had every reason to want revenge. Was she really going to kill her here? Hazel stumbled back two steps, eyes darting for someone, anyone, to help her."She's lost it! She's going to kill me!" Hazel screamed, her voice cracking. "Thora! You can't kill me! Dad will kill you!" Thora's hand snapped— and just when everyone thought she'd pull the trigger, she whipped the gun to the side. Hazel felt a sharp, bone-deep pain as the stock slammed into her arm. The hit sent her sprawling. "Ah!" She clutched her arm, nearly numb from the impact, rolling on the ground in pain. "Ms. Hazel!" Caleb ignored his own injuries and rushed toward her. Hazel sobbed and screamed, shaking like a leaf. The sight made more than a few people waver with sympathy. Thora didn't even glance her way. She wasn't about to kill Hazel—not yet. Hazel was still useful, and right now, a public beating was warning enough. Killing her would only create new problems. She turned and barked, "Split the fire zones. Stay sharp—"Before she could finish, the library doors exploded open with a violent kick, slamming against the wall with a metallic crash. A full squad of mercenaries stormed in—submachine guns raised, camo gear on, faces smeared with black paint. Harvey, Ashton, and the others dove behind cover in an instant, guns ready. Thora stayed where she was, dead center, unmoving. That brief distraction with Hazel had cost her—she hadn't sensed them approaching. Her "sweet little sister" had just handed the enemy the perfect opening. The moment the mercenaries entered, the fragile calm shattered into chaos once more. Thora's eyes swept the group quickly. None of the Greywolf Corps' core members were among them. Her earpiece crackled with Luke's excited voice. "Thora! The military's inside!"She stayed calm, eyes fixed on the mercenaries pouring through the doors. They moved fast, boxing everyone in. Their faces were flat, cold, and ready to die. Clear enough—their goal was simple. To kill everyone here. Astralis College's explosion defenses were still active, and Thora had already disabled the main bomb. That meant a full sweep of gunfire would be the quickest way to wipe out the survivors. The mercenaries formed a straight line, black boots thudding in unison across the marble floor. Every step struck like a hammer on the crowd's chest. Clack— The sound of bullets chambering filled the air. Dozens of muzzles rose as one, black and hollow, pointed straight at the trembling teachers and students. The faint metal gleam shimmered with cold, deadly intent. The lead mercenary's eyes were empty, voice flat as stone as he gave command, "Kill." And all at once, every finger pulled the trigger.