For some reason, Raze could feel his heart begin to race the moment he heard the news.
A cold pulse surged through him as his thoughts drifted, unbidden, back to the past. Back to the time when the Grand Magus Council had united... not for peace, but for betrayal.
Together, they had taken down his wife, Sabrina.
And now, now they were planning something again. Another move. Another meeting. One that involved someone else close to him.
Safa.
Even if it wasnāt a direct attack, the mere fact that she and Ibarin would be in the same room... it was enough to raise every alarm in his mind.
Wait... what could Ibarin even do?
Raze thought, forcing himself to breathe.
The event is still ongoing. Even if he tries to harm her, he canāt eliminate her entirely. There are still more stages to come, important ones.
His thoughts raced ahead, calculating.
Realistically, this isnāt about a genuine apology. Ibarin has something else in mind. Heāll want something from her, specifically, her God Eyes.
That was what made Safa dangerous in the eyes of the powerful, and valuable to those who sought to rise higher still.
If I think about it logically...
Raze continued, closing his eyes for a moment,
...every example of Ibarinās behavior points to the same pattern. His entire life, heās had an inferiority complex. Even now, standing among the Grand Magus, he still doesnāt feel like he measures up.
This, this meeting, itās his chance to gain access to someone with the God Eyes. To use them. To elevate himself. To be seen as equal to the others... maybe even to Idore.
As he pieced the theory together, Raze began to calm. His breath steadied.
There was still a risk, of course. There always would be. He couldnāt guarantee that things would go smoothly.
But if Safa simply played her part, if she faked her words, said she wished to transfer to the Central Academy after the event, then everything should unfold just as planned.
"Thanks for letting me know," Raze said at last. His tone was level, though his mind still raced beneath the surface. "This is actually a bigger deal than I thought. It seems Ibarinās been rattled. He wants to walk away from this event with something, anything, that gives him leverage."
Still, there was something else lurking at the edge of his thoughts. A shadow he couldnāt shake.
Although he hadnāt expected to uncover anything right away, one thing was becoming clearer: the Grand Magus were involved in Pagna.
Somehow.
They had been entering through the portals, some openly, others in secret. And the most obvious clue had been Enaxx. The fact that
she
had been sent over... it all pointed to something larger.
Why?
Raze wondered.
What are they really after?
Is there another reason each Grand Magus has been trying to build up their own power, separate from the others?
He didnāt have all the answers yet, but one thing was certain: if Ibarin invited Safa somewhere, anywhere, then at least theyād have a fixed location to work with.
A place where they knew Ibarin would definitely be.
And that meant, for once, he wouldnāt be able to interfere with Razeās search.
"Tomorrow is the best chance for you to find what Iām looking for," Raze said, his voice low and steady. "Thereās been a change of plans. If you manage to locate it, if you can actually get your hands on the item, then retrieve it yourself."
He paused.
For a brief moment, Razeās gaze drifted toward the window. His thoughts wandered.
There were still areas around the academy he wanted to investigate himself, specific places where the item might be hidden. Places heād marked mentally before. But something was holding him back.
And that something had golden eyes and a target on her back.
"Iāll search with her," a voice said quietly from beside him.
Raze turned his head.
It was Londo.
He had been standing there the whole time, listening in silence, absorbing every word of the plan.
"Youāre looking for some kind of magical circle," Londo said, stepping forward, his hands clenched into fists. "One that can extract information, right? Iāve been listening, Dark Magus. I want to help."
His voice was firm, loyal.
"I know what youāre thinking. Youāre worried about that girl. Safa. And you should be. The Grand Magus are scum. We all know that. So go watch her back, make sure nothing happens to her. Leave the search to me and Kelly."
There was fire in his eyes. Purpose.
Londo was more than just passionate. He was capable.
A skilled mage in his own right, he had a solid understanding of magic circles, formations, and detection spells. If the item they were after was hidden using illusion, concealment, or any other enchantment, Londo had a good chance of uncovering it.
Raze didnāt like relying on others.
He never had.
But he already was. He had started this mission surrounded by others who were helping him, whether by choice or necessity.
So what was one more?
"Very well," Raze finally said, nodding. "Let me tell you both where itās most likely hidden, the areas you should focus on first."
He pulled out a small folded map and laid it on the table between them, pointing to several marked locations.
"Itās best if you wear the masks youāve been using during the event. If something goes wrong, if youāre seen, switch to the dark robes that conceal your identities and get out of the academy immediately."
His voice hardened, the words laced with caution.
"Iāll figure out a way to bring you back inside later, but itās better they think this was the work of the Dark Guild. If youāre caught, it canāt trace back to either of you."
Londo gave a quick nod, accepting the risks.
So much had shifted in such a short time. The plan had changed again.
Ending the event tomorrow might no longer be the best outcome. But even if it wasnāt ideal,
even if everything else failed
, they still had to play their part.
The event was far from over.
And so was the fight for the truth.
****
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