CHAPTER 255: CHAPTER 255: UNEXPECTED REUNION

The luxurious suite was silent except for the faint hum of mana-lamps lining the edges of the ceiling. A king-sized bed rested near the center of the room, untouched. Deep red leather chairs formed a seating area off to one side, with a polished glass table between them. Beyond the thick windowpanes, the lights of the mountain city flickered like stars—soft, distant, and cold.

A tall woman stood barefoot on the plush carpet, her long violet hair flowing down her back in smooth waves. She wore something light, not her usual formal attire as the director of Luceria Grand Academy, but a silken, sleeveless robe that hinted at ease and confidence. Her gaze was fixed on the door, though her expression was unreadable.

"I can feel you, Nicolas," she said calmly, turning her head slightly.

A soft hum of spatial energy shimmered in the room as Nicolas von Aldros emerged from the mana-surge, materializing near the entrance.

"Forgive me, Redna," he said, his tone measured and respectful. "I didn’t intend to intrude... but this is important."

She raised an eyebrow, then crossed her arms loosely.

"Hm? Is that really the only reason you appear before me, Nicolas? Nothing else?"

He met her gaze without flinching. "I need your help."

A faint smirk tugged at her lips. "You have my attention. But first, sit. Let’s drink like old times—while you tell me what storm you’ve found yourself in this time."

Nicolas walked forward, his long dark coat brushing against the polished floor. He took a seat in the nearest red leather chair, resting one arm on the edge.

Redna moved with practiced grace toward one of her travel cases, pulling out a sealed wine bottle with a flick of her fingers. Her mana flared just briefly, just enough to pop the cork effortlessly with a controlled burst of wind.

"Judging by your expression," she said, pouring two glasses, "this is no small matter. So, what is it this time, Nicolas?"

Redna handed Nicolas his glass and sat down across from him, one leg elegantly crossed over the other. Her violet eyes studied him with calm interest as she took a slow sip of wine.

Nicolas drank as well, then placed the glass on the low table. His expression was grim.

"You’ve probably heard about the incident at the Imperial Academy," he began. "It wasn’t exactly discreet."

Redna nodded. "Of course. Word travels fast when it involves an elite institution."

Nicolas exhaled. "It wasn’t just a crisis. The group responsible is now manipulating this very tournament. The one behind it is Torwan."

Redna blinked, amused. "Torwan? The director of Tharvaldur Institute? We’ve all noticed his students throwing matches, but most of us thought he was just managing the brackets in his favor."

"That’s only the surface," Nicolas said. "Some of his students are enhanced. Others are enslaved—literally. He uses a binding spell placed at the base of their neck. Full obedience, no free will. They do everything he says, including losing or winning on command."

Redna’s relaxed demeanor began to fade. She leaned forward, voice sharper. "You’re telling me he’s using slave magic in an inter-academy event?"

Nicolas nodded. "And there’s more. The families of those students are being used too. Held in one of the facilities producing the enhancer. If a student fails, their families suffer."

Redna’s eyes narrowed. "That’s darker than I thought... And you came to me because you know I have experience with such bindings."

Nicolas allowed a small smirk. "You always had a taste for complex spellwork."

She chuckled. "You know me well."

"Two decades together," Nicolas murmured. "Hard to forget."

Redna leaned back slightly, swirling the wine in her glass.

"So, what’s your plan, Nicolas? I doubt you came here just to share your woes."

Nicolas nodded. "It’s a large-scale operation, still unfolding. First, I’ll speak with King Alveron IV. We’re meeting tomorrow morning on the floating island we use for sensitive diplomatic matters. I also plan to contact King Deyrion of Velmora."

"The demon?" Redna raised an eyebrow. "You? Aligning with a demon? You keep surprising me, year after year."

Nicolas frowned faintly. "Don’t twist it like that. I still loathe his race. But in this case, he has a vested interest. Helping us would help restore the public image of the demons after the previous scandals."

Redna smiled with dry amusement. "The great Nicolas von Aldros... cooperating for convenience. How pragmatic you’ve become."

"This is bigger than me—or my hatred," Nicolas said. "We’re talking about a slave network operating inside an international academic tournament. If this were to leak without hard evidence and a plan, it would become a scandal of such proportions that even innocent academies would suffer."

Redna swirled her glass again. "And the king of Tharvaldur... you said he’s a puppet."

Nicolas nodded. "A pawn in Torwan’s hands. Most likely being blackmailed or controlled. The real power in that kingdom lies with that bastard."

Redna lowered her glass and tilted her head. "That’s something you could’ve led with, don’t you think?"

A faint smirk appeared on Nicolas’s lips. "I wanted to see your reaction."

She shook her head, though a small chuckle escaped her. "You haven’t changed."

"And I’m glad to see neither have you."

"I do," he said firmly. "Not just because I trust you... but because I need you. Your expertise in binding spells, mark detection, and high-level enchantments will be crucial. If we’re going to dismantle Torwan’s network and expose the king’s manipulation, I need someone who knows how to recognize and disable forbidden contracts."

Redna crossed her arms. "You’re not wrong. Most spellcasters wouldn’t even be able to see those marks unless they knew what to look for. I’ve dealt with similar constructs... and worse."

Nicolas stood up as well. "I know. That’s why I’m asking this of you."

A silence passed between them—comfortable, old, familiar.

She finally spoke. "Alright. I’ll come with you. But don’t expect me to play nice with royalty. I don’t grovel for anyone—not even for a king."

Nicolas smirked. "I wouldn’t want it any other way."