I have to leave. I have to.
If I don't, those kids, everyone is as good as gone.
But I have no idea where they were taken, no clue of who kidnapped them, and absolutely no time to waste. And yet… I can't just walk out. Slipping away from the academy without drawing suspicion is already difficult. Leaving for more than a brief window? Nearly impossible.
I clenched the letter in my hand.
I need to hurry. I need a plan. I need—
"Asier. Headmaster Damian is calling you."
Impeccable timing, just when my nerves are already hanging by a thread.
"What does he want now…" I muttered, teeth grinding. "I'm running out of time."
Still, ignoring him isn't an option not if I want to keep my cover intact. He's the one who allowed me to stay in this neutral ground to begin with. If I suddenly start acting suspicious, the entire academy will be crawling with attention I can't afford.
So, with a heavy heart and a mind spiralling in panic, I made my way toward his office.
Which is exactly forty-five minutes.
Forty-five whole minutes from the boys' dormitory to his office. For some weird reason, I will never understand why he forbids students from using magic to travel within the academy.
Every step felt like a kick against my already fraying nerves.
Forty-five minutes that could be the difference between saving them and being too late.
I finally reached his door, knocked once, and slipped inside.
"You called for me," I said, steadying my voice.
"I did." He motioned toward the chair in front of him. "Sit."
I obeyed, every second stretching painfully thin.
"I apologize for calling you this late," he began, "but the situation appears far more serious than we anticipated."
My fingers twitched.
What situation?
Where is he going with this?
"I was going to assign this mission to Cecilia," he continued, "but she is currently away. And you… They are the only ones I can rely on."
My heart stuttered.
What is he getting at?
"There has been a sudden rise in child kidnappings." His expression darkened. "Every time the knights get close to uncovering anything, they are killed. Which is why I need you."
My breath caught.
Kidnappings.
Dying.
And me, he needs me.
"What does that have to do with me?" I asked, barely containing the panic clawing up my throat.
It has everything to do with me.
What if Tia and others were kidnapped by them too? I need to find who's behind this to save them.
I just hope, I hope they're still alive.
"Don't be like that," he said gently, almost too gently. "I know you're agitated. After all… You want to save your little friends."
My blood ran cold.
How did he know that?
I never told him.
I never told anyone.
My voice cracked. "How—?"
"It's a secret," he replied lightly, as if discussing the weather, not ripping apart every layer of my composure. "Now… are you willing to go and rescue everyone?"
He smiled, a knowing, almost amused smile because he already knew my answer.
And he was right.
"Tell me the details," I said, the words steady even though my world was shaking beneath them.
He briefed me on the mission every detail, every confirmed sighting, every dead end the knights had run into. By the time he finished, my pulse was pounding so hard it felt like it echoed in the room.
"So," I asked, keeping my voice level, "where exactly do I need to go?"
The Headmaster let out a weary sigh, rubbing his temples as if the name itself was a headache.
"Luton," he said. "According to the intel, there's an illegal auction house operating, dealing in trafficking, forbidden creatures, stolen relics… all kinds of filth."
Luton.
For a moment, I thought I misheard him.
Luton? The place everyone talks about as the shining jewel of the region? The territory that rose from decay to luxury almost overnight? The town where crime rates supposedly dropped so low that people joked the rats filed taxes before stealing anything?
"Luton," I repeated slowly, trying to process it. Isn't that place… the epitome of luxury? Didn't the new lord implement all sorts of reforms? Crime reduction, economic stability, and improving living standards?
"I can tell what you're thinking," he replied, sounding just as exasperated. "And yes, I was surprised too."
He glanced down at his feet, muttering quietly under his breath, "And the lord of that place is going to raise hell when she finds out what's happening under her nose…"
"What was that?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"Nothing," he said far too quickly, straightening his posture as if that erased the slip. "Anyway, you should bring Cassian and Vivian with you."
My confusion turned into outright disbelief.
"…Why?" I stared at him. Why would he suggest taking those two of all people? I can do this alone and far more efficiently without needing to babysit anyone.
He smiled like someone who knew something I didn't and was annoyingly pleased about it.
"I know you can handle it alone," he said, "but trust me. Later… you'll thank me for sending them."
I highly doubted that.
But the mission came first.
And I didn't have time to argue.
—
That said, the lord of Luton, who had spent the entire day inspecting districts, meeting merchants, disciplining lazy officials, and doing every possible thing for the betterment of her people had absolutely no idea what had transpired under her nose.
If she had, the world would've already been on fire.
She was going to raise hell.
No, hell would be merciful compared to what she was about to unleash.
She, who had been restless and irritable from the lack of bloodshed, who had gone too long without a proper fight, had been waiting… aching for an excuse.
And now, the opportunity had fallen into her lap like a gift from the heavens.
Except this gift was soaked in fury.
"Man, I'm beat," I groaned, collapsing onto the sofa like a corpse. Even if Zisel was handling most of the management, running nine guilds and overseeing countless businesses would kill anyone with a weaker spine.
"Good job," Nox said at last.
He sauntered in a moment later clearly done with his pathetic excuse for 'sunbathing.' Lux and Frore trailed behind him like overfed ducklings, and the moment they spotted me, they launched themselves onto my shoulders.
Of course they did.
Those two.
Those deceptively small, deceptively cute, absolutely heavyweight little fatties.
My shoulders had been suffering since I left for the inspection, and at this point, I was convinced they were plotting to crush my spine into dust.
When we go back, I swore internally, I'm putting an immediate ban on snacks.
No cakes.
No chocolate.
No butter cookies.
Nothing.
They will know the meaning of discipline.
…Or at least the meaning of portion control.
Lux froze, ears twitching like he'd sensed a disturbance in the universe.
Slowly… slowly… he turned his head toward me.
"Did you just think something dangerous?"
"I felt it too! A chill! A void!"
I stared at their round little faces, their soft bellies squishing directly onto my lap.
My resolve hardened.
"Yes," I said coldly.
Before the bickering escalated, Nox stepped back with a grin, arms crossed.
"You really are doing an excellent job as a lord," he said proudly. "Finishing a three-day inspection in one day? That's some impressive commitment."
"You know how I like to work. You're the one who drilled it into me," I replied.
He smiled, satisfied. "I know."
Before I could say anything else, a loud voice came from outside my office:
"You can't go in! The Guild Master is resting!"
"Please, please let me see her! I need to see her...my children, they…!" a woman sobbed desperately.
The commotion grated against my already exhausted nerves. With a heavy sigh, I pushed myself off the sofa and headed for the door.
"What is going on?" I asked sharply as I opened it. "I thought I said I didn't want to be disturbed."
"My apologies, Master," Amarila said, bowing. "But this woman insists on seeing you. She forced her way here."
I scanned the trembling woman who immediately began sobbing even more.
"So," I said, tone steady but cold, "what was so important that you barged into my office?"
The guards released her, and the moment she was free, she collapsed forward, her forehead nearly touching the floor.
"My lord—please—save my children… They've been kidnapped!" she cried, voice breaking.
Kidnapped.
Again.
This wretched word in my territory.
But I kept my voice calm. Barely.
"Stand," I commanded. "Tell me everything."
"Kerrigan," I added without looking back, "in my office. Now."
The woman, Seria, told me everything.
How the orphanage had been targeted.
How, even after that, more children were taken in broad daylight.
How the guards ignored them, dismissed their pleas, and refused to even write down the reports.
Each word she spoke felt like a stone dropping into boiling water, my anger simmering hotter with each detail.
When she finished, I placed a hand on her trembling shoulder.
"You don't need to worry anymore, Seria. I'll personally ensure your children and every other missing child are brought back safely."
She bowed repeatedly before finally being escorted out.
The moment the door closed, my eyes shifted to Kerrigan, who had remained silent throughout, stiff as a statue.
"When," I asked quietly, "were you planning to report this to me?"
My voice was calm.
Too calm.
The kind of calm that made even Nox glance at me telling me to calm down.
"Tell me," I continued, "were you going to mention this only after I left… or were you planning to bury this matter altogether?"
My mana surged, a violent flare that cracked through the air like lightning. The desk beside me shattered. The wall behind it formed cracks under the pressure I barely kept contained.
Kerrigan paled instantly.
"M–Master, I swear, I never received any report on this," he said, trembling. "No one told me anything before today. This is the first I'm hearing of it."
It didn't feel like he was lying. Not yet, at least.
"Fine," I said, forcing my mana back under control with considerable effort. "Get me every detail you can right now. And summon the chief of security."
My voice dropped a degree colder, sharp enough to slice bone.
"I'm done being merciful."
—
We departed early in the morning for Luton. Everything had happened too quickly for me to properly brief them; between preparing supplies and setting up our cover, there simply wasn't time. Since this was an unofficial mission, we left under the pretence of exploring a dungeon a convenient excuse, and one no one would question.
"When are you going to tell us where you're taking us?" Cassian finally asked, trudging beside me. "You even made me drag Vivian along while she was still in her sleepwear."
I glanced back. Vivian looked half-awake, half-annoyed, clutching a cloak around her shoulders. A part of me wondered not for the first time whether these two had ever faced real danger outside controlled sparring halls. Combat in a structured environment is one thing; real life is something entirely different, messy and unforgiving.
I stopped, faced them both, and said plainly, "We're going on a mission."
They exchanged looks before turning back to me with identical disbelief. "Again?" they said in unison.
Again? What's that supposed to mean? I could ask, but frankly, it didn't matter nor did it concern me.
"I still can't believe you woke me up at dawn just to drag me into another mission, Asier," Vivian muttered, rubbing sleep from her eyes.
Cassian crossed his arms. "So what exactly is this mission?"
I didn't bother softening the truth. "Illegal human trafficking. Specifically children. In Luton."
That silenced them. The air grew heavier as they walked in quiet for several moments, processing the weight of what I had just said.
"…What are we supposed to do?" Cassian finally asked.
"Don't get in the way," I replied, my voice leaving no room for negotiation. "We're going to rescue the children and leave immediately. No heroic ventures. Nor no detours."
They nodded, though uncertainty flickered behind their expressions.
The plan was simple on paper. But the situation waiting for us was anything but. The secrets festering beneath Luton were darker and far more tangled than any of us could have anticipated. And those secrets… They were the first tremors of a calamity that would soon reach far beyond the city's borders, threatening to swallow the entire world.
"You know," Vivian began, stretching her arms above her head as she walked, "this reminds me of our first mission with Lia." She trailed off halfway through the sentence, lost in whatever memory she'd stumbled into.
So they had worked with that witch before. Now that she mentioned it, I vaguely recalled Cassian telling me something about a disastrous first outing.
Vivian's expression twisted into frustration. "She's so heartless. I mean, how many more times is she going to push us away? Aren't we her friends by now?"
Friends. As if that concept even exists for someone like that cold-blooded witch.
Cassian sighed, trying to reason with her. "Don't you think she might have her reasons for pushing us away?"
Vivian whirled on him. "Why are you always trying to justify her behaviour? Her actions don't need defending."
"I'm not defending her," he replied calmly. "But… we don't know what she's been through. If what the headmaster said at the banquet was true, if her parents really are missing then we have no idea what she's endured all this time." His tone softened. "And it's not like she hates us. She did help train us. Look at how much stronger we are because of her."
Vivian opened her mouth to argue again, then slowly closed it, the fire in her eyes dimming just a little. The conversation had taken a strange, unexpectedly a weird turn. So much for the peaceful silence I had been appreciating.
By the time Vivian grudgingly accepted Cassian's point, we had reached the warp gate. The runes etched into the stone shimmered faintly with morning light.
"Alright," I said, stepping ahead of them. "I want you two fully focused from this point forward."
They nodded without protest.
We activated the gate.
In a blink, the world twisted and then settled. The chill morning air of Luton greeted us as we materialized before the city's main gate, its familiar stone archway rising tall against the skyline.
Our real mission was about to begin.
We were just about to pass through the gate when the guards stationed outside stepped forward, halting our approach.
"Identification," one of them demanded. "And state your purpose for visiting Luton."
Without hesitation, we handed over our documents. I kept my expression neutral as the guard inspected them, fake identities, but convincing enough. It was a good thing I always carried a few with me. You never know when caution becomes a necessity.
"And your purpose?" the second guard asked, gaze flicking between the three of us.
"We're here for vacation," I replied smoothly.
The guard nodded, apparently satisfied. "Very well. Here are your identifications. Enjoy your stay in Luton."
He handed the papers back, and we moved to step inside. But before we got far, Cassian turned back.
"I have a question," he said. "What's with all the heavy security? There are twice as many guards as usual."
The two guards exchanged a quick look, one of those silent conversations that said they were debating how much to reveal.
"We're not supposed to discuss it," the first guard admitted, lowering his voice, "but the lord herself ordered that the security be doubled. She's been personally conducting inspections these past few days. You might even run into her if you're lucky."
As if we ever had anything to do with her.
She handles her business, we handle ours.
But after that little…chance encounter?
Well.
Let's just say the dynamic didn't just shift. It tilted, wobbled, tripped over its own feet,
and is now lying face down on the floor pretending everything's fine.
Things got interesting.
Annoyingly, inconveniently interesting.
And neither of them was emotionally prepared for it.
We made our way into the city and followed the directions the guards had given us. The inn they recommended was located in the central district—a tall, elegant building with polished stone walls and golden lanterns lining the entrance. Easily the most expensive-looking place I'd ever stayed in. Even the doorman looked like he earned more than some nobles.
Inside, the lobby was all marble floors and velvet-covered furniture, glittering chandeliers suspended like stars overhead. Cassian and Vivian took in the surroundings with wide eyes, while I went ahead to secure a room.
Once we were finally inside and the door shut behind us, I turned to them.
"Get changed," I instructed. "We're heading out to gather more information. Stay sharp. We're not here to enjoy the scenery."
They nodded, the fatigue draining from their expressions as the weight of our true purpose settled back onto their shoulders.
Luton looked peaceful on the surface, but the tension in the air told a different story.
And we were about to dive straight into the middle of it.
—
I spent the entire night piecing together every scrap of information I had, trying to identify who was driving this agenda all without alerting the very people I was hunting. One misstep, one careless move, and everything I've worked so hard to build would crumble to dust. I refuse to let that happen. Not under my watch.
One territory was already in ruins; I cannot afford another disaster on my hands.
I ended up tearing into the chief of security with far more force than I intended. In the process, I may have lost a fraction of my control judging by the new cracks splintering across my office walls and the remains of a shattered table at my feet. I can remain calm under most circumstances, but this… this is the one thing that makes my blood boil. When children are involved, my restraint disappears.
To his credit, the chief truly seemed unaware. His subordinates had reported nothing, and he hadn't received a single direct complaint. That only meant one thing: there is a traitor within these walls within the very domain I bled to build. And when I find them, they had better pray the mercy I grant them is quick.
So I took the harder path. No interrogations, no direct accusations. Instead, I walked the streets under the guise of routine inspections, masking the intensity of my search behind a calm exterior. All the while, I used mana detection one of my strongest assets. The way people learn mana detection differs from mage to mage, but mine is… refined. Precise. I can sense even the faintest trace, even when cloaked behind blockers, seals, or the clever tricks of cowards.
And today, I would find the thread that leads to the traitor.
One way or another.
To be continued....