Chapter 104 - Secrets for a Price

"State your business." Says the man. "I will charge based on the information you want to know."

"I want the information inside the academy," Orwell says. "Anything about it."

"Ooh, clever one." The man smiles through his shawled face. "Five thousand shellings for that."

Orwell throws the man a bag of gold and silver coins. The man smiles upon inspecting the coin, and when he glances back at them, he leaned to his chair.

When Orwell and Faustina followed the man to the alley, he led them to a place—a store. It was an antique store with a rundown stamp. As they ambled inside the store, there was nothing but odd-looking wares that speak of historical junk. It looked like the place was unkempt, as well. Faustina suppressed a sneeze as she inhaled the dust.

For a quick look, she glanced over the doll that had black hair and brown eyes wearing some antique ball gown. Faustina thought the doll looked like her upon quick inspection. She quickly brushed off her thought when they reached a door the man had entered.

It was a small room, which had antique vases, dolls, and even clocks situated across the entirety along with a cabinet that displayed historical castoffs. It was more organized than the unkempt shop of antiquities outside the room, which was an office, Faustina thought.

"So you want the information about Magierstadt." Says the man. "Orwell Lotheringwood."

Orwell tightened his grip around his staff.

"I mean no harm," the man says, raising both of his arms in defense. "Everyone would know you. That is no surprise."

The man's gaze then drifted to Faustina's. Even without seeing his eyes through the cloak, Faustina knows that the man was looking at her.

"Interesting," the man utters.

"Back to the business." Orwell firmly stated. "I gave you the payment. Now, talk."

"Impatient, eh? Lotheringwood," the man exclaims.

"Information doesn't come cheap, after all," Orwell says. "I paid the price. I think you should speak now."

"No need to intimidate me." The man chuckles and then grins. It showed Faustina his fangs. Fangs to only the sides of his mouth.

"Information to Magierstadt itself. I barely recall anything significant."

"I paid you," Orwell says.

"Aha. Yes." The man then held his staff. "They are brewing something dangerous."

"What do you mean?"

"It's nothing out of ordinary, Lotheringwood." The man exclaims. "Magierstadt has always been Magierstadt. Dangers that magic conjure isn't uncommon here, no?"

"Yes." Orwell answers. "But anything related to the Forsaken? Is it related to that?"

"My lips are sealed." The man says. "That is the extent of five thousand shellings."

"How much for it?"

The man snorted. "And who said I am selling THAT information to you?"

"Fine, then don't tell," Orwell says. "What more could you tell us? About the professors?"

"Is it for the incoming young lady here?" The man says. "Nothing much I could tell except watch out for Professor Mariam. She is very strict."

"I already told her that. Did we waste five thousand shellings for this?" Orwell says.

"No, you didn't." The man then had the snakes in his staff slither away from the wood as they come alive. The two snakes then found their way to his fingers. They hissed silently, like murmuring whispers of the night.

"There is information I got from a reliable source." The man says. "And by far, would be the last information I could give you."

"What is it?" Orwell asks.

Faustina flinched as she met the man's gaze—and for a second, Faustina saw his red eyes gleam.

"They are reforming the exams." Says the man. "And I heard it won't be good for those whose magical capabilities are weak."

**

"Reforming the exams?" Maddie asks. "What does that mean, Lord Orwell?"

"I don't understand it myself." Orwell answers. "But can you stop calling me 'Lord Orwell,' Maddie? I told you, just Orwell is fine."

They were now in a restaurant located in the town square of Magierstadt, eating outdoors.

"This sea bream is so delicious!" Says Maddie. "Are you sure, Lord—er, Orwell, you're eating with a servant like me?"

"No need to be coy now, Maddie," Faustina says. "I think we should just enjoy ourselves."

"Yes, M'lady!" Maddie says and then tears up. "I can't believe you'll be separated from me hours from now."

"Huh?" Faustina tilted her head.

"You don't remember?" Orwell asks. "We will drop you off to the academy today."

Faustina blinked several times, and then slowly placed her fork down.

"Oh." She exclaims. "I completely forgot."

"The boar meat was that delicious?" Orwell asks.

"Y-yes, but no. That's not the point." Faustina answers. "It seems so fast."

"Well, yes," Orwell exclaims. "But tonight is the last day of the exams."

"Why are the exams held in the night, anyway?" Asks Maddie.

Orwell cut a piece of fish meat. "Well, actually they held it usually in the day. But since today's the last, it'll be extended at night. See that there are lots of people here today?"

Faustina glances around the vicinity.

"You're right," she answers. "So . . . at night I'll be going to the academy?"

"Exactly," Orwell says. "Don't worry about it. Just do the drill. The spells I've taught you."

Faustina nods.

"I also asked Madame Hilberry earlier about the reformed exams the informant told us. It seems like Magierstadt had undergone several changes." Orwell then eats the fish.

"Several changes?" Faustina asks.

"I heard that they increased the number of Ianuas—or the classes students are placed in. Ianua I (one) being the upper class. There used to be four classes, but now it increased to six." Orwell utters. "But that's just about it. She said it was to accommodate a large number of students."

"How about the exams?" Faustina asks.

"She said there isn't a rumor about any exams being reformed," Orwell says. "But the exam shouldn't be too hard for you since you prepared so much for this."

Faustina nodded, and then raised her gaze as Orwell found his hand to hers.

"Relax," Orwell says, and then smiles. "You got this."

Faustina smiles. "Thank you, Orwell."

Unbeknownst to them, a pair of red eyes are watching them from afar, with a smile etched on his lips.

"A secret for a price, huh?"