Chapter 1012: Soft Lies

Chapter 1012: Soft Lies

Somewhere in the outskirts of Ravenfell, inside an underground chamber, several shadowy figures had gathered.

The very air in the room seemed to shudder from the sheer pressure emanating from these individuals. They were all Mana Core Magi, after all.

They stood in a semicircle, facing the man leading them on this mission. It was none other than the master—the mysterious Elder from the Inner Circle of the Cult of Bones.

As usual, the man wore a dark, hooded robe that shrouded his face in shadows. And even if someone managed to peer through them, their gaze would meet an enchanted mask.

From the beginning, the identity of this Mana Core Magus had been a complete mystery. Perhaps, other Mana Core Magi knew who he was. Perhaps, they didn’t. That, too, remained unknown.

“Is everything ready?” He asked, his tone low yet steady.

The Mana Core Magi exchanged glances with one another, then nodded. One of them turned to the masked man and said evenly, “Everything is in place. As soon as you give your word, we can begin.”

“Hmm.” The masked man hummed in response. “What about the contingency?”

“As discussed earlier, all of our contingency plans are on standby. Should anything unepected occur, we will tackle it effciently,” said the old Magus, his tone laced with confidence.

A moment later, he added with a light smirk. “Although I do believe that the Acadian Forces won’t know what hit them.”

This elicited a round of amused chuckles from the Magi gathered. Of course, the masked man did not find it funny one bit.

“Do not underestimate them,” he said flatly.

The sound of soft laughter died down gradually. The old Magus from before asked with a frown, “My Lord, do you… perhaps think that there might be a chance we’ll fail?”

“Anything can happen,” said the masked man with a tilt of his head. “In life, things rarely go according to one’s plans.”

He paused for a moment before adding, his tone turning colder, “Had things gone the way they were supposed to, then we wouldn’t be having this conversation today.”

A deathly silence descended in the underground chamber, turning the already cold atmosphere even more dark and grim.

The old Magus spat one word:

“Constantine.”

The masked man nodded his head ever so slightly. He scanned everyone in the room with a calm and indifferent gaze. These people would be heading an army of Magi and… death in the battle of Ravenfell.

A few moments of silence ensued, then he spoke, “The Grand Magus Tournament concludes two days later. The most promising youths of Ulier will gather in the Ravenfell arena. Your mission is simple… kill them all.”

The Magi nodded, their lips curling into a cruel grin.

“What about our ‘allies’?” One of them asked, his eyes flickering with disdain.

Another Magus couldn’t help but voice out his opinion, “My Lord, about Ballard… was it wise to send him away?”

“Ah, rabid dog, that one.” The master chuckled darkly. “Having such an unpredictable element by our side would do us more harm than good. That fool is blinded by blood and vengeance.”

Thinking back to the events leading up to Ives Ballard’s departure from the city, he couldn’t help but sneer.

“What a hypocrite! Whether he succeeds in his revenge or dies trying, it doesn’t matter. His absence has already achieved exactly what I wanted.”

“What about the other two?” Asked one of the Magi.

The masked man remained silent for a few moments, then answered. “We’ll divulge the plan to them on the day we take action.”

He paused for a moment, then added, “I still don’t trust them.”

“Should we kill the two councilors then?” Asked the old Magi, his tone dripping with bloodthirst.

The master deeply looked at the man, then said in an even tone:

“…Not yet.”

He paused for several moments, then concluded, “Prepare the men. Make sure everything is ready. We will attack on the final day of the Grand Magus Tournament.”

The Magi nodded. Some of them had solemn expressions on their faces, while others displayed dark excitement. One by one, they disappeared from the room, leaving only the masked man behind.

And soon, he, too, disappeared from the underground chamber.

When he reappeared a few moments later, he was already standing on the outer walls of Ravenfell, gazing at the bustling city that sprawled before him.

In the dark of the night, the city—his hometown—looked splendid just like stars scattered across the velvety sky.

From where he stood, far above the streets, the glow of lanterns and gas lights seemed to flicker like distant constellations.

It was beautiful. It was peaceful.

The masked man’s shoulders loosened ever so slightly. As his gaze shifted to the Uptown Quarter, his eyes flickered with conflicting emotions when he saw a particular estate.

Bonds… aren’t they just chains dressed as comfort? He wondered.

To be seen by another, to matter in someone’s life… what was that if not dependence?

A tether to weakness. A leash around the soul.

Love, family, loyalty… these weren’t the journey. They were detours. Distractions. Soft lies meant to keep one grounded when the skies called above.

The master’s eyes flashed with grim resolve.

I have no intentions of being grounded, he thought with conviction.

To ascend, one had to let go. Cut every tie. Burn every bridge. There was no room for hesitation at the summit… only solitude and strength.

Because true power was never found in holding hands.

It was found in standing alone.

That was the philosophy the master lived by.

He turned his head, his cold gaze drifting into the distance, seemingly fixed on the ancient walls of Saratoga, where Adam currently resided.

His thoughts were unreadable, locked away in silence.

A gust of wind blew, and the next moment… he vanished.

***

In the blink of an eye, two days had passed, and the Third Trial of the Grand Magus Tournament had finally arrived.

A lone figure stepped out from the wide gates of the arena. The crowd stirred, anticipation rippling through the stands as they laid their eyes on the commentator of the tournament.

He crossed the vast field and came to a halt at the very center. Lifting his gaze, he swept it across the arena, at the countless spectators packed into every corner of the coliseum, their faces lit with excitement and awe.

And then, he smiled. A brilliant showman’s smile that lit up the entire arena.

He took a deep breath. And then, with a flicker of mana, his voice was magnified, booming through the air like rolling thunder, shaking even the highest rafters of the greatstands.

“Ladies and gentlemen…

“It’s… TIME!!”