The morning sun filtered through the tall glass windows of Mentil's mansion, casting soft golden beams across the polished floors. Outside, the city of Esteria was already wide awake market stalls opening, blacksmiths hammering in rhythmic patterns, and carriages clicking over stone streets.
Inside, the group gathered in the dining hall for a proper breakfast. Plates were filled with fried eggs, seasoned meat strips, toasted bread with butter and honey, and fresh-cut fruit from the local orchard.
Kajala was shoving food into his mouth like he hadn't eaten in days. "Mmhf—d'you guys ever eat this good at the academy?"
Rei took a quiet bite of bread. "Not even close."
Rika licked jam off her fingers, eyes darting across the room like she was already scheming something unrelated. Regulus had somehow knocked over a cup of juice and was trying to mop it up with the edge of his cape. Elrya simply sipped her tea in calm silence.
Leo, who had joined them late, leaned back in his chair, boots on the table. "You should see what nobles eat for lunch."
Mentil rolled her eyes but said nothing as she refilled her cup with coffee. Reiner stood behind her, arms crossed, silent but alert as always.
Once breakfast was done, Lancer leaned over the table and clapped his hands together. "Alright, team. Here's the plan."
Everyone turned to listen.
"We're not just here to sightsee. There's an underground network somewhere in Esteria. People working with or possibly investigating the Sin of Pride. Maestro. Our goal is to find any leads. That means talking to weirdos, watching shady places, and maybe even cracking some heads. Questions?"
Kajala raised his hand like he was in school. "Uhh… a-ARE WE STILL NOT GONNA ADDRESS THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM???" He pointed dramatically across the table. "Leo! Why is he even here?! He just appeared and now he's having toast with us like it's normal??"
Leo looked offended. "I brought your asses out of a kraken's mouth, fox-boy. You're welcome."
Kajala squinted. "You didn't even explain how you got there!"
Leo leaned back and crossed his arms behind his head. "I told you. I heard the ocean calling."
"That's not a reason!"
Mentil sighed. "Can we focus, please?"
Leo shrugged. "Fine. You want a real reason? I was following a trail. Something old. Something that led me to all of you. And someone here reminded me of an old friend. A sage. Osvaint Xrast."
Everyone quieted.
Leo continued, voice a little softer. "He knew everything. Weapons, spells, ancient languages, even how to cook. Guy had silver snow hair and gold eyes. Wise as hell. He was the first one who told me there was more to beasts than fangs and claws. I owed him everything."
Elrya folded her hands. "And you think we're connected to him somehow?"
Leo looked at Rei for a second. Then looked away.
"Maybe."
Lancer cleared his throat. "Alright, alright. Save the heart-to-heart. Here's your missions for the day. We'll split up into three groups. Talk, investigate, gather intel. We meet back at the mansion before sunset."
Group Assignments
Rei and Kajala – Investigate the eastern sector, where strange magical disturbances have been reported.
Rika and Elrya – Visit the local temple archives and question the clerics about any ancient texts involving pride or light magic.
Reiner and Mentil – Interrogate black market traders in the inner ring.
Regulus and Leo – Patrol the outer city walls for anyone acting suspicious.
Everyone nodded.
Kajala whispered to Rei as they left: "Just you and me, huh? Duo partners again."
Rei groaned. "Don't make it weird."
Kajala smirked. "Too late."
Eastern Sector Rei And Kajala
The eastern side of Esteria was older. The stone buildings were cracked, and moss grew between bricks. Magic lamps buzzed faintly overhead. People moved quickly here, heads down, like they didn't want to be noticed.
Rei scanned the alleys, hand resting on his sword's hilt. "Something's off here."
Kajala was sniffing the air. "You smell that?"
Rei raised an eyebrow. "Smell what?"
Kajala tilted his head. "Fear. Or… maybe burnt fish. Honestly, not sure."
They stopped in front of an abandoned shop with a cracked window. A sign swung weakly above it. Inside, the dust was thick, but Rei spotted something on the floor white scorch marks in strange, circular patterns.
He knelt down. "Magic residue."
Kajala stood behind him. "What kind?"
Rei touched the marks and flinched. They were warm. Still active.
"…Light magic," Rei muttered. "Same kind Maestro used."
Kajala's smile faded. "Then he has been here."
They searched the building for more, finding scraps of scorched paper and a half burned symbol on the wall an eye surrounded by rings of light.
Kajala snapped a photo with the small magic mirror the academy gave them. "Think Vetra will know what this is?"
Rei stood. "Let's finish looking around. Then we head back."
Rei stepped lightly over broken glass as they moved deeper into the ruined shop. Kajala kept close behind, quieter now than usual. The burned eye symbol on the wall stayed in Rei's mind like a scar it was too perfect, too precise. This wasn't graffiti. It was a message.
Or a warning.
Kajala poked at some broken wood with the toe of his boot. "You know… I make a lot of jokes, but this place seriously gives me the creeps."
"Good instinct," Rei muttered, squinting at another char mark near the doorframe. "There was a battle here. Not long ago."
Kajala leaned forward, inspecting the floor. "You think Maestro did this?"
"Or someone like him." Rei stood up. "Either way, this wasn't just vandalism. Someone was targeted."
They stepped out into the alley again. Across the way, a cat sat perched on a wall, watching them with glowing green eyes. Kajala blinked at it.
"…Okay, creepy cat. Totally normal. Totally fine."
Rei smirked slightly. "You afraid of cats?"
"No! I—I just don't trust anything with sharp claws and judgmental eyes."
"So, yourself?"
"Shut up."
As they continued down the alley, Kajala's ears twitched. "Wait. You hear that?"
Rei paused.
There barely audible, a soft scratching sound.
Like something dragging.
It was coming from behind a bent iron gate leading to a basement.
Rei pulled his blade free, motioning for Kajala to stay back.
Kajala, of course, did not.
They crept down the narrow steps, the air growing colder with each step. Rei's boots crunched on loose stone. The basement was pitch black, the only light coming from the door above.
Rei whispered, "Light spell?"
Kajala shrugged. "I could cast one, but it might give us away."
Rei nodded. "I'll go ahead first. Watch my back."
Kajala snorted. "That's what I'm best at."
Rei stepped into the shadows, his breathing slow and steady. He could feel the weight of the air change as if it were charged.
Suddenly, a figure lunged from the dark.
Rei ducked, swept the legs, and held his blade to the stranger's throat.
But the figure didn't fight back.
They groaned weakly, light hitting their face from above as Kajala cast a soft glow.
It was a young man. Pale. Barely conscious. His clothes were torn, and he had burn marks across his arms.
Kajala knelt beside him. "Whoa—he's alive. Hey, hey—can you talk?"
The man coughed. "T-They… they said I saw too much. L-Light… the light… it burned everything…"
Rei's eyes narrowed. "Who did this?"
The man's eyes widened in fear. "Golden eyes… perfect smile… said we were insects…"
"Maestro," Rei muttered.
Kajala's tone dropped. "He's killing witnesses now?"
Rei looked around the room no exit, no signs of magic circles. "No. He didn't kill this one. He left him."
Kajala helped the man up, draping his arm over his shoulder. "We need to get him back to the mansion."
As they reached the street again, Kajala glanced at Rei. "You think he left that guy on purpose?"
Rei's grip on his sword tightened. "Yes. To send a message."
Kajala shivered despite the heat. "…I don't like this game."
Rei didn't respond.
He didn't either.