Chapter 239: Inquisitors Again…?

Frian and the others slipped into a seemingly abandoned wing of the academy, the part still scarred and half-ruined from the hunt, left unrepaired and forgotten.

Apparently, the academy had just decided to ignore it. Hardly anyone used this place anyway; only a handful of students ever came near these buildings. Now, though, it looked like this was Frian’s base of operations—or whoever he was working with, at least.

“Don’t you think this is way too obvious for a meeting spot?”

“Please. The first thing they’ll assume is that we’re just delinquents sneaking off to smoke or mess around. No one’s first thought is going to be ’secret conspiracy.’”

Frian walked up to one of the buildings, its locked doors blocked off by a stack of crates that looked like they’d been thrown together at random.

“Hmph.”

He shoved the crates aside, then rapped his knuckles on the door four times. A second later, it swung open. So they’d set it up so no one could just wander in by accident.

“How are your preparations?”

Another voice drifted over from the end of the hallway, where someone was leaning against the wall just beyond the door Frian had entered. And whoever it was, they definitely weren’t a student.

Far from it, actually.

White robes…

Golden mask…

It was… one of Elion’s inquisitors?

“What…?”

Evelina raised a brow, not sure if she was more confused by what she was seeing or what she was hearing. Why were inquisitors inside the academy grounds? And on top of that, this place was a long way from Berian.

Was this another operation? That didn’t make sense. The inquisitors were known for taking only one job at a time, and Elion definitely wasn’t the multitasking type.

“We’ve investigated every dark magic user in the academy, especially the one you emphasized.”

“So… how was Illinalta?”

“I’m still not sure how he’s connected to Goddess Nyx, but I do know he’s ridiculously talented. And it doesn’t help that he’s apparently Arden’s student.”

“Arden, one of the top two, right?”

“Yeah. I didn’t get much out of him—he just got back from Berian—but I do know he’s also a skilled dark user.”

“I see. Keep an eye on him too.”

“Of course.”

Frian had people with him, but they barely said a word. Most of them just looked worried or unsure about the whole thing. It didn’t help that they were tossing the gods’ names around like it was nothing.

“My lord inquisitor, um… if we really remove every dark-attuned user in the academy, will Lord Elion truly praise us?”

“Of course, my child. This mission comes from the grand priest himself.”

Just hearing the title “Grand Priest” was enough to shut them up. None of them would dare argue once his name was mentioned. After all, if there was any mortal who could willingly commune with the gods without a ritual, it would be the grand priest.

[What the hell is this?]

[And they did say all dark magic users. That definitely includes you.]

“Weird… I didn’t even notice anyone watching me,” Evelina muttered, still hidden in their shadows.

“What about our highest priority? The D’Arclight woman?”

“Every student we sent to watch her has… disappeared, my lord.”

“Typical…” the inquisitor sighed. “Very well. You’re all dismissed. I trust you won’t disappoint me.”

“Of course, lord inquisitor.”

[Well, that answers that.]

“How far does this stupid rabbit hole go?”

Evelina sighed and crossed her arms. There was no way she was getting to the bottom of this in a single day. This would probably end up as a fun little side project she could poke at while the exams were going on.

“We’ll just let their plan play out for now. At least I’ve got a decent distraction. I think I can get back to studying now…”

[You’re not worried Cael might, you know, find out and just kill everyone?]

“Not really.”

[…All right then.]

*** Academy Hallways (The Day of the Exam) – Cael’s POV

I couldn’t believe it had already been a few days since we arrived. Everything blurred together, mostly because nothing actually happened. Vivianne had also decided she’d only start training Kevin after the exams, so there wasn’t even that to break the monotony.

No reports, no missions — just studying.

And I don’t hate studying, but once you’ve got [Photographic Memory], it stops being a challenge and just turns into a chore.

It didn’t help that the one person who actually makes my life feel alive wasn’t around today.

Evelina hadn’t been in her dorm when I went to wait for her. I stood there for a good ten minutes before it finally sank in that she wasn’t coming out.

“What is she up to…?”

I pulled out the folded piece of paper I’d tucked into my pocket — the letter Evelina had left in front of her door. Something about being busy with something…

Was it exam-related? Something else entirely? I had no idea. Either way, I might as well ace this test and get my treat.

“You’re late, Arden. Please take a seat.”

Well, here goes nothing…

Just like I’d expected, this part of the exam was barely a hurdle. With [Photographic Memory], written tests might as well be a bad joke. Naturally, I finished first.

This time, they were even allowing early submissions. How considerate of them.

And then came the next part of the exam: a classic duel. This academy really loves those, even though the matchups are usually pretty one-sided.

Still, they were more entertaining than written tests, so I wasn’t complaining…

I headed into the academy gym, where the duels were being held, and the place was already packed with students whose schedules had the duel before the written portion.

And…

Judging by the pair currently fighting in the center, I probably wasn’t going to get any opponents who could really challenge me. It almost made me wish Julius were here, just so I’d have someone fun to fight.

Was it just me, or was everything a little too peaceful this time? I know the Hunt isn’t part of this exam, but still… it was almost uncomfortably quiet.

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