Chapter 80: His Healer’s Mask

The Great Hall smelled of incense and Raziel stood at the back, hands clasped and head bowed. The posture of a perfect novice.

On the outside, he was the pious student waiting for his assignment.

On the inside, his mind was calculating every move like a chessboard about to be flipped.

’Two days,’ he thought. ’Two damn days to convince the instructors that I’m useful as a healer.’

And he had.

The problem was that it hadn’t been enough.

They had approved his skill, yes, but the list of apprentices for Saint Sophia was already full.

Six novices with years of training, all with better credentials than him.

Raziel needed openings.

So he created them.

Two Days Earlier

Raziel walked through the halls of St. Celeste with a tray of tea in his hands.

His objective was simple: Brother Matthias, the instructor for the most promising apprentices.

Matthias was in his office, reviewing scrolls, and Raziel knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Raziel entered and placed the tray on the desk. “Brother Matthias, I brought you some tea.”

Matthias looked up, surprised. “Raziel, you didn’t have to bother.”

Raziel smiled humbly. “It’s the least I can do after all your teachings.”

Matthias nodded and took the cup.

Raziel waited.

The tea had a special ingredient: Sleep Root, a common plant in the academy’s herb garden. It wasn’t poisonous, it just caused extreme fatigue and a mild fever for three days.

Enough to disqualify an apprentice.

Matthias drank, Raziel said his goodbyes and left the office.

Two hours later, Matthias collapsed at his desk.

The next day, three of his most promising apprentices showed the same symptoms.

Brother Thomas declared them unfit to travel.

Three open spots.

One Day Earlier

Raziel needed three more, so he visited the other three apprentices in the dining hall.

“May I sit with you?” he asked in a soft voice.

They nodded.

Raziel sat down and listened to their conversations about Saint Sophia.

Then, he carefully dropped a question. “Aren’t you worried that Saint Sophia is so far away?”

One of them frowned. “Why should I be?”

Raziel lowered his voice. “I heard Prince Ayres is hiding there so there are rumors the Inquisition is going to raid the place.”

The boy paled. “Seriously?”

Raziel nodded. “I’m just saying, if I were you, I’d reconsider going. I wouldn’t want you to end up like the students from the Royal Monastery.”

The seed of doubt was planted, so the next day, the three apprentices went to Matthias and asked to be removed from the delegation for “personal reasons.”

Matthias, sick and exhausted, didn’t have the strength to argue and just approved their requests.

Six openings.

Now

Father Marius stood at the podium in the Great Hall, his face pale but firm.

“As you know, the delegation to Saint Sophia will depart tomorrow at dawn.”

His voice echoed in the hall.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, we need replacement apprentices.”

Raziel felt Marius’s gaze on him.

“The following novices have been selected: Raziel Celeste, Lucian Valerius Nyxian, and Lara Whitecliff.”

There were murmurs among the students.

Lucian, sitting next to Raziel, looked at him in shock. “what the hell did you do?”

Raziel didn’t answer.

Marius continued. “Sister Elena will lead the delegation. I expect all of you to behave with honor and represent St. Celeste with dignity.”

Elena stood next to the podium, her hands clasped and a motherly smile on her face.

Raziel looked at her and she returned his gaze.

Raziel felt a chill.

’The Saint of the Cult of Saint Sophia, disguised as a simple instructor.’

The System confirmed his suspicions.

[IDENTIFICATION CONFIRMED: ANGELINA, SAINT OF THE CULT OF SAINT SOPHIA]

[THREAT LEVEL: VERY HIGH]

[WARNING: SUBJECT CAN DETECT ANOMALOUS MAGIC.]

Raziel closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He knew he had to be careful.

Marius stepped down from the podium and walked towards the exit, and Raziel followed him.

But in the hallway, Marius stopped.

Marius spoke without turning around. “Raziel.”

“Yes, Father.”

Marius turned slowly. “I know what you did.”

Raziel kept his expression neutral. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Father.”

Marius got closer. “The sick apprentices, the ones who asked to be withdrawn… it was all too convenient.”

Raziel looked him straight in the eye. “Sometimes things just happen, Father.”

Marius grabbed his arm tightly but Raziel didn’t move.

Marius leaned in. “You’ll come back, and when you do, there will be no more masks.”

Raziel gave a polite smile. “With all due respect, Father… you wear more masks than I do.”

Marius let him go abruptly. Raziel walked away without looking back.

At Dawn, the courtyard of St. Celeste was bustling with activity.

Three carriages waited in front of the main entrance. Raziel stood next to Lucian and Lara, a small pack on his shoulder.

Lucian looked nervous. “Are you sure about this?”

Raziel nodded. “We don’t have another choice.”

Lara stared at the carriage with a worried expression. “What if Elena suspects something?”

Raziel looked at her. “She won’t suspect a thing if we act normal.”

Sister Elena appeared, walking towards them with a warm smile.

“Good morning, my dear apprentices.” Her voice was as smooth as honey. “I hope you’re ready for this experience.”

Raziel bowed his head. “We are ready, Sister.”

Elena looked at him for a long moment.

Then she smiled. “Perfect. Get in the carriage.”

Raziel, Lucian, and Lara obeyed.

The inside of the carriage was simple: two wooden benches and small windows covered with curtains.

Raziel sat next to Lucian, Lara sat across from them. Elena got in last and closed the door.

The driver cracked the reins.

CRACK!

The carriage started moving and Raziel watched through the window as St. Celeste slowly faded away.

The road to Saint Sophia was long and monotonous.

Lucian fell asleep first, leaning against the carriage wall with his mouth open.

Lara fought to stay awake, but eventually her eyes closed.

Only Raziel remained alert.

Elena was watching him from her seat. “You don’t sleep much, do you, Raziel?” she asked softly.

Raziel looked at her. “I’m used to long nights, Sister.”

Elena smiled. “I suppose you are.”

Raziel activated [Secret Whisperer].

[SKILL ACTIVATED: SECRET WHISPERER (LVL 2)]

[COST: -3% MENTAL STABILITY]

[EFFECT: DETECTS HIDDEN INTENTIONS AND REPRESSED EMOTIONS IN THE TARGET.]

Elena’s true emotion was revealed.

There was a fake tenderness mixed with something darker.

Elena looked at the sleeping Lara.

Then she reached out and gently stroked Lara’s hair. Raziel clenched his fists under his cloak.

Elena whispered, so low it was almost inaudible. “If only you knew what’s waiting for you.”

Raziel felt rage burn in his chest.

But he didn’t move, he couldn’t, not yet.

Elena pulled her hand back and leaned against her seat, closing her eyes.

Raziel looked at Lara.

’She won’t know,’ he thought. ’Because I’ll get there first.’

The carriage continued on its way to Saint Sophia, and Raziel prepared his next move.

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