The Runic Alchemist

"Now, this research of yours…" Voidshaper said, looking directly at him. "You do understand that once you leave this place, people from all over the world will be after your life for as long as you live. Work with us. That is your best choice."
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Damian stared back. "Yes, they will come. But they won't leave as easily. My best choice is something I will decide myself."

"Think again, kid. With us, you can have any resources you might want and truly change this world with your inventions," Lifewarden said this time.

"To be honest, at one point, I had great respect for all of you—a group so powerful that you had made yourselves above petty politics and dumb power struggles. Hell, I came here for that very reason," Damian said, standing up and turning to look at all of their faces. "But you have lost your way. Now it feels like a group of unruly people held together by an overwhelming leader. Once he was gone, so was the great mission of this organization.

No. I will not give you my research. People who swore to protect women and children, now hiding in a hole while the world burns, are not exactly trustworthy." He turned away. "Now excuse me. I have things to do."

"How dare you!? Standing in our great bastion, you question us? A mere first-ranker pointing fingers at the prestigious Highswords?" Silverspell bellowed. He immediately stood, summoning his staff, but before he could utter a single word of the chant, the black stone floor beneath him swallowed him whole.

Just like that, he disappeared.

Only through a runic circle near Voidshaper's hand did Damian realize what had happened. Voidshaper had chanted so fast—a modified version of a wormhole spell—that in the noise of so many people getting startled by such a blatant attack in the middle of the meeting, Damian hadn't even heard the spell properly. It just felt like Voidshaper had muttered a few words, and then Silverspell was gone.

But that was just for him. The other third-rankers had fast enough reflexes and enhanced hearing to catch exactly what had happened and who was responsible. The hall fell into silence as everyone stared at Voidshaper, none more glaringly than Sunkeeper. Silverspell had been in her section, after all. Where did he send the guy?

"Using spells in the Stone Hall is forbidden, if I recall correctly," she said, her voice venomous.

Voidshaper met her glare and simply replied, "Make sure to remind him of that, then."

The tension in the room peaked. Those in their respective sections were eyeing each other with clear hostility.

At last, Lifewarden stood up, the sound of his chair scraping against the floor breaking the silence. He turned to Damian and said, "I apologize that you had to witness that. You are a guest here. Don't worry—he will be punished for his offense. But it would be wise not to say such things as you just did in the open… if you wish to spare yourself from the consequences."

It wasn't a threat, but there was a defiant look in his eyes that said: Even if you're right, we don't want to hear that shit. We already have enough fuckery going around.

Damian simply nodded. He had given up on the Highswords long before today. The return of their leader was the only thing that might change the situation—if only slightly. But even with him back, Damian doubted five decades of conflict could be absolved so easily.

Lifewarden gestured for a nearby third-ranker to escort Damian out of the hall. As they approached the massive golden doors, Damian sensed a familiar mana signature approaching. He turned.

It was the short woman with a ribbon in her hair.

"Can I walk you outside instead?" she asked.

Damian exchanged glances with the pugilist escort, then nodded. The man returned to the hall, leaving the petite woman to walk beside him as they made their way toward the academy.

"You're taking your ship inside the dungeon, right? Can I come with you?" she asked suddenly, a hint of shyness in her voice.

Damian was surprised. He had thought about it and had a plan, but he had never told anyone yet. Still, it was an easy thing to assume.

"I'm sorry. Having an unidentified third ranker esper on a ship with my friends isn't exactly an ideal situation," Damian replied simply.

"What if I make a mana contract with you?" she countered. "I'll swear never to knowingly or unknowingly do anything that harms you. I'll also reveal anything that might be dangerous to you and your friends—things others might be thinking or planning here."

She was trying hard to maintain eye contact, to appear strong. It was clear she was feeling very awkward though, or maybe was just an excellent actor.

"Why would you go so far for this?" Damian asked, intrigued.

"Voidshaper and the others fear someone might misbehave with you inside the dungeon. We hope nothing happens, but I can warn you if there's any danger from others once we're inside. They chose me because I'm neutral… and not really a combat class."

That last part was barely a whisper.

"What is your power, then?" Damian asked, neither agreeing nor denying.

"Illusions. The monsters in the exams were mine," she replied with a smile.

"What's your name?"

"Mindseer."

"Give me some time. I'll get back to you," Damian said before stepping through the academy gates, guarded by two second-rankers.

It was late at night. The hallways were empty, the only sound being his own footsteps. He still needed to send the Baron and the others back to Dawnstar before he could rest. The exhaustion of the fight and casting so many spells was piling up.

Having unlimited mana didn't mean he could just spam spells all day and night. The mana control and focus required to manage so many mana threads weren't easy on the mind.

It was another reason Damian wanted to strengthen his body as much as possible. There were countless ideas and projects in his mind that he could only fully pursue if he had the stamina to sustain his magic for long periods.

If he had been a second-ranker, the Dreamlight might have been finished twice as fast.