Chapter 187: Few hours

Chapter 187: Few hours

Magus Evergreen didn’t let Revin’s disappearance bother her long. While James was busy trying to sink into his shoes and vanish, she shifted her attention back to Moxie and tapped her staff on the ground.

“Do you know that man, Magus Moxie? He was not in your reports.”

“He briefly caused us difficulty during training, but it was between reports. I do not have any further relation to him,” Moxie said.

“And you?” Evergreen’s gaze flicked to Noah.

“Nope. His student is basically his polar opposite, so we don’t have any issue with him working together with ours,” Noah said with a shrug. Revin had reinforced one incredibly important thing for him – Arbitage was a true neutral ground. If Evergreen hadn’t crushed Revin on the spot for his impudence, then she definitely wasn’t going to do anything if he spoke a little more freely. “Also, we’re pulling a fair bit of attention with all the stunts we’ve been pulling off.”

Eline looked over her shoulder. Many of the other groups were staring in their direction, but they quickly averted their gazes before Evergreen could catch any of them watching. Evergreen shook her head.

“The weak will always gawk. Eline, go begin your preparations. You already know the cost of failure, so I have no need to say anything further. Emily, I would suggest that you and your team do the same. It will not be long before the exam starts – and I wish to speak with Magus Moxie alone.”

Eline and Garrick turned and left without even an instant of hesitation. Emily’s brow furrowed and she looked to Moxie, who gave her a smile and nodded.

“Good luck, in case we don’t get to talk again before the exam,” Noah said. “I know you’re all going to do great. Just keep at what we’ve been practicing.”

“We will,” Isabel said with a sharp nod. “Don’t do anything crazy while we’re gone, please.”

The four of them headed off into the crowd, leaving Noah, Lee, and Moxie alone with Evergreen. Evergreen waited until all the students were well out of earshot before she spoke again.This chapter's initial release occurred on the n0vell--Bjjn site.

“When I said alone, I meant without the two of you as well.”

And leave Moxie alone with you? Absolutely not. The chances of you snapping her neck in a back alley are way too high. Even with that flat expression of yours, you’re nothing compared to Father. I can tell you’re seething at Moxie letting Emily associate with those you view as lesser.

I need to keep Evergreen’s attention for long enough that she doesn’t even remember that Moxie is of interest until the test is complete and we find out how things have gone.

“Are you sure?” Noah asked, tilting his head to the side and mirroring Father as best as he could. “I’d imagine we have much to discuss, Magus Evergreen. If we part ways now, we might not run into each other again any time soon, and then I’d never get a chance to properly return this.”

He reached into his bag and pulled out Evergreen’s scroll. Noah loathed taking it out here, but now that he had confirmation that Arbitage was a complete neutral ground, this was the perfect time to do it.

I need something that will get her focus on me. Besides, I suspect she would have spotted it pretty soon, even if she hasn’t yet. Evergreen was probably just waiting to see if I’d pull it out, so this probably won’t even surprise –

Evergreen’s eyes bulged.

“She has,” Moxie said.

“I’m of some mind to say that you’ve already failed in your teachings because of the company you keep,” Evergreen said, pointing the top of her staff at Moxie. “Their ineptitude will rub off on Emily. She may grow lax.”

“If Emily is that easily corrupted, then she is no true Torrin,” Moxie said firmly. She held Evergreen’s gaze for several moments. A wry smile crossed Evergreen’s features and the old woman inclined her head.

“You are correct, which is why I will stay my hand for the time being. But let it be known – I will not be pleased with mere success. Emily must excel during this exam. If she does not, you will have failed.”

“Then there will be no problems,” Lee said, speaking up for the first time. “Emily has been trying really hard in training, and compared to the other students I’ve seen, they’re going to come out on top.”

“So long as nobody cheats,” Noah added, watching Evergreen’s expression carefully. Evergreen didn’t give him the slightest hint of a reaction. She simply shrugged.

“Cheating is only cheating if it is caught. Emily will face challenges in life. If you are so blind as to believe that things always go as you wish, then Emily has been led astray.”

Noah pressed his lips together. The urge to give Evergreen a snarky response was strong, but this was one person he absolutely couldn’t risk offending. She was just too powerful. Father was a known evil, but Evergreen was a complete loose cannon, and she had too much power over Moxie’s life to risk playing with.

It’s a bit odd that Evergreen didn’t notice her scroll when Janice did it without any trouble, though. Nothing to do but wait and see if I can figure out why, though. I can hardly up and ask her.

“I am certain you will find the exam’s results satisfactory,” Noah said. He paused for a second, then continued. “Does it not bother you that her success will mean Eline’s death, though?”

Evergreen tapped her fingers on her staff. “Eline is not part of the main branch. She is free to make her own decisions. If she acquits herself well in this exam and wins, then Emily has truly been failed. If she does not, then I will be pleased with Emily’s performance and have nothing to be disappointed in. The weak must occasionally be culled in the pursuit of strength.”

Something tells me you’d get along really well with Father if you didn’t hate each other’s guts. Say, you want me to set you up on a mystery date? You’d love him. Old and soulless, just like you. I’d even provide some fancy wine.

“It will not be long until the exam begins,” Evergreen said, pulling Noah from his thoughts. “Since you have purchased my time, Vermil, come with Magus Moxie and I. We shall observe the exam together.”

Wait, we can observe the exam? I thought we’d have to sit around waiting to find out how it went.

Noah didn’t have anyone to voice his question to. Revealing that much in front of Evergreen seemed like a remarkably bad idea, so he just fell in alongside Moxie and Lee as they followed after Evergreen.

In the distance, he saw a lanky man rise up into the air, standing aboard a flying sword. His robes fluttered in the air around him, and a serious expression was plastered across his sharp featured face.

That’s Magus Tenfort, the proctor who oversaw the previous exam.

“As you all should know, my name is Magus Tenfort. I’ll be overseeing this exam once again. Since this is the survival exam, teachers will not be allowed to accompany their charges,” Tenfort’s voice boomed. “Students, enter the transport cannon with your groups. I will meet you at our destination.”

And, just like that, the exam had begun.