Chapter 63

◈ Chapter 63: The Shadow's Pursuit (1)

Sedina Roshein had been fidgeting in front of Rudger because she had something important to tell him.

The reason she didn't leave when Rudger dismissed her and instead lingered by the door was fortunate for both of them.

"Looks like the underlings acted on their own."

"Ah, that... Yes."

When Rudger spoke, Sedina tried to make an excuse but soon realized it was unnecessary and nodded.

As Rudger said, it was an undeniable fact that they had acted on their own.

"Exactly what happened?"

"One of the Second Orders... no, one person tried to handle the matter on their own."

"Start from the beginning."

Sedina shivered at Rudger's stern voice, but it wasn't out of fear.

It was a shiver of excitement.

Her eyes couldn't tear away from Rudger's face, which was intensely staring at her.

"It started when one of the Third Orders came to ask for information. He was gathering information about some servants who had been dealt with in Seoln while hiding there, and he realized that one of them had contact with the source of this rumor."

The stone that grants wishes.

If it were just a rumor, it would have been dismissed as one of the fanciful tales that are common in the magic academy.

However, the Third Order in question seemed to be drawn to the information and listened closely.

"That's how the truth was revealed. A rather powerful relic is secretly stored somewhere in Seoln."

"And the report must have been submitted."

"Yes, that's correct. The Third Order informed their superior, a Second Order. And... "

"The Second Order who received the report didn't pass it on to the First Order."

"...Yes."

If it were a matter involving a relic, it wouldn't have been unusual to inform the First Order.

But for some reason, the Second Order decided to cut off and conceal this information.

And acted on their own.

"Did you think I wouldn't know?"

Rudger's voice carried a hint of anger, and Sedina hurriedly replied.

"I... I don't know..."

"Who is this Second Order?"

"A man named Demires."

Rudger nodded, gesturing for her to continue.

"He was closely associated with the intelligence department and handled matters related to that. However, his abilities didn't quite match his ambition..."

"What do you think was the reason this Demires acted on his own?"

"It's hard to say, but perhaps... he wanted to achieve a great feat and rise to the position of First Order."

"The position of First Order?"

"Yes. Our Black Dawn Society's founder, the Zero Order, created seven positions for the First Orders and said that these positions could change at any time."

As soon as the topic of the First Orders came up, Sedina couldn't help but get excited.

The First Orders were the ones she looked up to, the ones she admired.

The same goes for the man standing in front of her now.

"The current First Orders are firmly holding their positions, but there are no shortage of Second Orders who are eyeing those positions."

"I see."

Rudger nodded, shaking his head at the system of the Black Dawn Society.

He thought they were just notorious for their cruel handling of traitors, but he didn't expect there to be such a harsh rule within the organization.

'They take the position of those who are eliminated or fail to handle their tasks properly.'

If that was the case, the current First Orders might have already taken their positions from others.

But the one he was most curious about was the Zero Order, the founder of this organization.

Just who was this person to create such a crazy rule?

'The confidence that his position won't be taken.'

There must be a reason for that confidence.

And that reason must be his belief in his own power.

Whoever this person is, the Zero Order is the one he needs to be most cautious about.

"So, what's the current situation?"

"First, it seems that Demires gathered other Third Orders who agreed with his opinion and acted. He attacked the storage location before the relic could be moved, stole the item, and is now on the run."

"Where is he?"

"Given the situation, we only know the direction he fled in, but not much else yet..."

"He hasn't left Seoln, I suppose."

"Yes."

Rudger lightly stroked his chin.

The fact that Sedina didn't confirm Demires' whereabouts until the end must mean it was urgent enough to report.

Considering the time the principal contacted him, the incident couldn't have happened too long ago.

However, the fact that the principal needed help suggests that the secret society members managed to escape quite well.

"A game of hide and seek, huh."

"Excuse me?"

"Never mind. I was talking to myself."

"Ah, I see."

Rudger turned his head and looked out the window.

The sun was slowly setting, and the sky was beginning to glow with the colors of the sunset.

Spring wasn't over yet, so the day wasn't long. The darkness of night would soon envelop everything.

Once that happened, it would be more difficult to track them.

The pursuers would be delayed, and the fugitives would have a moment to catch their breath.

That would be the moment for him to step in.

"I should move now."

"Y-You, I mean, Sir, are going to handle it yourself?"

"Yes, I have to. We need to handle this from our side before the situation gets worse."

"What should I do then?"

Sedina mustered the courage to ask.

If Rudger was going to handle it and she did nothing, it would be awkward for her.

After all, all she had done was bring the information.

That alone couldn't be considered doing her job.

"Nothing."

"Excuse me?"

"By telling me this, Sedina, you've done your part."

"Me, really?"

You've done your part.

Sedina never expected to hear such words from Rudger.

In fact, she doubted she had ever heard such words in her life.

"Is that true?"

"Yes."

Rudger answered without hesitation.

"You did well."

"......!"

Those words made something rise in Sedina's chest.

It was the first time someone had acknowledged her.

She had always been treated like trash, which was why she had run away from her family. But even where she had fled, no one had welcomed her.

Perhaps she had thought this was her limit many times.

But Rudger had acknowledged her.

Her eyes welled up with tears, but she desperately held them back.

She couldn't show such an ugly side to the person she most admired.

Flap.

Rudger put on his black long coat, which was hanging on the coat rack.

"I'm going out. Please take care of the follow-up."

"......"

Sedina bowed her head deeply, trying to hold back her tears as he passed by.

It wouldn't be strange for her to be hurt by his indifference, as if he didn't even notice her.

But Sedina knew that this was his way of showing consideration.

* * *

Why is she reacting like that just because I said a few words?

I shook my head, thinking about Sedina, who was left alone in the faculty office.

I just wanted to boost her morale a bit, but she got so emotional.

While I couldn't understand her reaction, I could guess that she had gone through a lot to react this way.

She might act tough, but it's just a facade to hide her vulnerable side.

'The Roshein family.'

I've heard of the Roshein family.

It might be a stretch to call them recent, but they are undoubtedly a rising power among the well-known noble families.

However, they have their fair share of controversy. While not much is publicly known, it's clear they used all sorts of dirty tactics to grow their family.

If I had to rank them, they would be on par with the Velbot Rikson, whom I eliminated not long ago.

The head of the Roshein family might be even more despicable.

'But that's not my concern now.'

This is clearly Sedina's personal matter.

Her hatred for her family and her connection to Julia Flumhart have nothing to do with me.

She's currently my assistant, but ultimately, our relationship is just a facade.

There's no need for me to invest so much effort into caring about it.

'There are more important things to focus on.'

Finding the stolen relic, the "Stone of All-Power," is the priority.

I've already heard the direction the other Black Dawn Society members fled, so there's no problem with pursuing them.

Seoln is vast, and there are many places to hide.

But that doesn't mean they'll be impossible to find.

I stepped outside the building and slowly walked down the path, looking up at the sky.

Time slowly passed.

When the sun completely disappeared behind the western horizon.

The light faded away, and the coldness of the night began to mix with the wind.

As the surroundings grew dark, the chirping of crickets started to be heard.

I stopped in my tracks.

Looking around, I saw no one.

Or rather, there were students leaving and people chatting, but no one noticed me.

That's because I had already perfectly blended into the environment.

"Ater Nocturnus (Black Night)"

The black shadow covering my body rippled, hiding my presence from the surroundings.

This is my original magic, called "Black Nocturne" in Latin.

Interestingly, this magic is not a dark elemental magic, nor is it part of the <Manifestation> series I teach my students.

It's actually a <Summoning> magic.

One of the five types of magic, <Summoning> magic.

There are four specializations in summoning magic.

[Elementals] who inherit the will of nature.

[Golems] made from metal and earth.

[Necromancers] who summon and apply the remnants of souls.

And the last one, the [Magic Beast] I'm using now.

Every mage handles mana, a mysterious power that hasn't been fully defined.

When a person handles this mysterious power, the mana itself is influenced by the person's nature.

Physical constitution, life experiences, the user's desires, or hidden talents.

Whatever it is, all these elements combine to give the mana a will and form it into a 'summoned creature.'

That's what a magic beast is.

These magic beasts, which vary in shape and ability, are fundamentally different from ordinary living beings.

The magic beast I control, for example, takes the form of 'clothing' rather than a typical summoned creature.

And its role is equally unique.

"Let's go."

Swish.

The shadow at the end of my coat flowed like ink in water, moving along the ground.

Soon, a shadow darker than the darkness itself spread like a carpet on the ground, creating a path.

I followed the path it led.

"Hmm?"

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing. I just felt something brush past me."

"I didn't feel anything. Was it a bird?"

No one in the darkness recognized me.

They didn't even sense my presence.

This is one of the abilities of my magic beast, "Ater Nocturnus."

It consumes the user's 'presence,' an abstract force, so it doesn't just hide me; it also makes me undetectable by magical searches.

However, it can't be used for long.

If I wear it for too long, it will consume my very existence.

I took a pill from my pocket and swallowed it.

The magic beast consumes a lot of fuel, so it can't be used for long.

It follows my orders well, but it doesn't listen to everything I say.

It follows me because I feed it; otherwise, it could eat me at any time.

'The magic I use is all a bit off.'

Teaching the basics since coming to Seoln has made this fact even clearer.

But I have no choice but to use them.

I thought this as I continued to move through the darkness.

* * *

"Hmm?"

"Flora, what's wrong?"

Flora Lumos, who had just finished her studies, stopped walking with her childhood friend Cheryl.

Cheryl was puzzled by Flora's sudden behavior, but Flora didn't answer.

'Something just brushed past me.'

She didn't see it with her eyes.

She didn't feel it with her skin.

If it were anyone else, they might have thought it was just the wind.

But Flora didn't.

'The smell, it's... '

A strong scent wafted past her and then moved away.

It wasn't just a smell; it was clearly the scent of magic.

But it was a scent she had never encountered before.

While the usual magic scents were sweet and strong,

this one was darker and deeper, like a rich black coffee.

'What is it? Magic that I can't see?'

And it had brushed past her.

Flora felt a bit hurt but also curious.

'The scent is still here.'

The lingering fragrance was still on the path.

'Let's follow it.'

Flora thought this and immediately acted.

"Flora? Flora!"

Cheryl Wagner called out to Flora, who was acting strangely, in a panic.