Chapter 26: Preparation [2]

Chapter 26: Preparation [2]

Tap- Tap- Tap-

Tapping on the table, Brandon asked Amy,

"So? What's your plan?

"First, I need to see what you can do."

Brandon could see where this was going.

She was evaluating him.

To see if his mana signature had any resemblance to Moriarty.

But too bad for Amy.

Mirage Mask would instantly tamper his mana signature, as if he was a different person.

She couldn't trace it back to him.

Also...

"This is a public place, you know?"

"Ah, that's right."

They were in a coffee shop, waiting for their order.

Magic was prohibited in public places such as this. If caught, they would immediately be detained.

Such were the rules of the city.

Sipping from her coffee, Amy spoke up,

"For now, I'll debrief you on what I know about Claire, and since you're closer to Raven, you can do the same about him."

"Got it."

Amy then told him everything she knew about Claire. Information that Brandon already knew.

He'd just let her words go in his ear and out another. There was no point in listening to whatever Amy knew.

After all, Brandon knew more than she did.

Not just about Claire, but about everyone else.

The power of the novel reader.

When Amy finished speaking, her brows furrowed.

"You didn't listen at all did you?"

"...Hmm?"

"Haa... How uncooperative."

She breathed out a sigh.

"Don't worry I heard you loud and clear."

He assured her.

"Okay, I'll believe you. Now it's your turn, what do you know about Raven?"

Brandon then let out as much information about Raven as he could, omitting some parts that he wasn't supposed to know.

In truth, they should watch out for the other pairs as well.

But it seemed like Raven and Claire were the main stars for the next Combat Class session.

Raven's signature weapon was a dagger. But at this point in the story, they didn't know it yet.

The only thing they knew was that–Raven was proficient with the sword, and that he didn't rely on mana.

This meant that [Mana Disruption] would be useless against Raven.

He would be a tough opponent for Brandon–who had relied on the skill a lot.

And it was bad enough that he focused most of his stats on intelligence, leaving his physical stats default.

He needed to bridge the gap somehow.

It was good that he saved a slot for a [Skill Weaver] capacity.

After he finished debriefing Amy, Brandon stood up.

"It seems like we're done, so I'll head out now."

"Wait."

"..." Yôur favorite stories on n/o/(v)e/lbin(.)com

Brandon sat back down.

"Why are you in such a hurry to leave?"

Felix's death would definitely alter the way the storyline would progress.

As Brandon was lost in his thoughts, Amy's brows furrowed.

"How arrogant, so this is the real Brandon Locke."

"Maybe, but aren't you lucky enough to be the first person I'm being open to?"

The reason why Brandon was being casual with Amy–was so she would let her guard down.

To see that Brandon Locke wasn't as suspicious as she thought.

"I'm really regretting choosing you as a partner..."

"Don't be like that, Amy. Here, you can have my coffee."

Brandon offered up his coffee, lifting it up for Amy to take.

Amy seemed reluctant, but accepted the gesture anyway.

"...Fine, but don't think I approve of you for Rachel."

'So she's still going on with that lie?'

How stubborn.

As she tried to sip the coffee, Amy tilted her head, confused.

She opened the lid to see what was inside the cup.

"..."

"What?"

"I hate you."

The coffee was empty.

***

Tak- Tak- Tak-

Stomping her feet, Amy muttered to herself,

"Damn arrogant bastard."

After the meeting with Brandon, the two decided to go their separate ways.

Brandon left ahead of her, and Amy waited for her driver.

After assessing Brandon's personality, Amy concluded that he had nothing to do with Felix's death.

Was it stupid to judge a person just by one interaction?

She didn't know.

But for now, Brandon seemed harmless.

Except...

"I can't believe he was actually that bold. To think I thought of him as the silent type."

Surprises after surprises. Everyday, she'd learn something new about Brandon Locke.

"But it feels kind of nice to be the first person he'd let his guard down to."

Since Brandon said she was the first, then it meant–not even Raven or Reinhard knew about his true personality.

Amy never had any friends besides Claire and Rachel.

"Reinhard doesn't count."

All the people who tried to get close to her were only because of her status.

They were leeches.

But Brandon was different, he didn't care about anyone's standing in society, evident by the way he spoke to her.

While everyone else would speak to her formally, Brandon poked fun of her as if she wasn't anyone important.

Still...

"Haha, as if my Sister would like you, keep dreaming."

She was unsure if Brandon knew she was a witness to the crime.

Which is why she kept her distance from him, trying to assess if he would act differently. Hence she told a lie when Brandon interrogated her.

But to her assessment, Brandon acted the same, he didn't even spare her any glances the whole week.

Frustrated, Amy decided to partner up with him.

If Brandon were to hide his involvement in the crime, then Amy had to stick close to him.

"If he really was involved, then I'll find out the truth eventually..."