Chapter 367: Silvertold

Chapter 367: Silvertold

Thats a relief, Godrick said, leaning back in his chair. He drummed his fingers on the table and tapped his foot on the ground. It means everyone in the room right now is safe but it doesnt give us a good solution to the problem.

Which is for the best, Silvertide said.

What? How is that good? Verrud asked, rising from his chair and crossing his arms behind his back. Even if you have a way to detect the puppets, the rest of us dont. Were also clearly getting targeted for some reason.

Are you getting targeted, or is our opponent simply after stronger mages and you fit the bill? Silvertide queried, raising a finger into the air to forestall any further questions. Either way, it doesnt matter. As Im sure you all know, letting news about this out would cause panic and do nothing but make it harder to trace the roots of our target.

We cant exactly sit around and do nothing, Gero said. He picked up a piece of chicken and took a large bite out of it bone and all before Vermil could mow through all the food around them. He continued to speak through a full mouth. Something has to be done.

Something will be done, Silvertide said. But this is a job for a surgeon, not a swarm of blundering fools.

Are you volunteering? Godrick asked.

I am. I have extensive experience dealing with threats such as this. I should be able to deal with this threat with the aid of a small team.

What do the rest of us do, then? a female professor with pure white hair asked. You cant expect us to sit around and do nothing while theres a murderer running lose on campus.

Do you really do anything that different normally? Silvertide asked with a chuckle. Just continue as you were and keep your guard up. These are puppets, not mages at your rank. They dont have any information about the person beyond what they can study. If youre aware of your surroundings and put a little thought into your actions, nobody should be caught by surprise.

A few murmurs passed through the room, but nobody spoke up immediately. Silvertide was acting as if the situation was little more than an inconvenience that had drawn his annoyance.

Im pretty sure hes underplaying this a bit too much, and I still dont understand why he doesnt suspect Godrick. Id almost wonder if Silvertide himself was a clone, but he still had a heartbeat and he definitely recognized me. For now, I suppose I should just play along and see what hes aiming for.

How long do you believe it would take you to handle this threat? If youre asking us all to stand down, theres only so long we can wait before it becomes unsustainable. Unless were up against an entire group of mages, I refuse to be terrorized by a single opponent, Godrick said. Im willing to let you try things your way, but only if it solves the problem quickly.

I can have this handled in a week, Silvertide said with a dismissive shrug. And, so long as all of you actually use those heads youre so proud of, there shouldnt be any more deaths.

A week? You can root out the mage in just a week? Godrick asked, raising an eyebrow. He shrugged, then gave Silvertide a sharp nod. Very well. I speak for all of us when I say youve got your week. I assume you wish us to maintain our normal activities?

Yes. The less our opponent knows about what were doing, the better it will be, Silvertide confirmed. I can assure you that this threat will be completely dealt with within seven days.

The other advanced track professors exchanged glances, but nobody spoke up. It looked like they were satisfied with going with whatever Godrick suggested for the time being, at least. Even though nobody was speaking, the tension in the room was evident.

In that case, for the time being, we will resume as we were, Godrick said. He paused for a few moments to gather himself. I can honestly say that this is not how I saw today going. It is tragic to hear of Peters passing, but we will continue on as we always have.

At least he didnt have any students, Gero said through a mouthful of food.

Your disguise sucks, Jalen informed Noah. Mine is much better.

You dont even have one. The only reason that hood does anything is because nobody knows what you look like in the first place.

Anonymity is the greatest disguise and Ill have you know that at least a few people do know what I look like. I used to get around.

Noah suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. It wasnt like anybody was going to be able to easily tell what he was doing with them while the mask was on. Im not opposed to helping, but why me?

Because youre already wrapped up in it, Silvertide replied. Its a powerful plant mage. Do you know when the last time a powerful plant mage showed up that wasnt part of the Torrin family? Ive got no better place to start working, and I imagine youd be wherever Moxie ends up.

Fair enough, Noah allowed. This was definitely Silvertide which made it even more confusing as to what his goals were. He glanced around to make sure nobody was too close, then lowered his voice. Why did you lie?

Lie? Silvertide blinked. What are you talking about?

About Godrick. You said there werent any other puppets in the room, but he doesnt have a heartbeat. Im pretty certain hes a puppet.

Silvertide let out a bark of suppressed laughter. I can see how youd come to that conclusion. You arent technically wrong Godrick doesnt have a heartbeat. That isnt because hes a puppet, though. Its because he doesnt have a heart.

Something tells me youre not being metaphorical.

Godrick and I go back quite some time. His heart was destroyed out years ago in a really nasty fight, but he was fortunate enough to have a very talented Imbuer on his team. They managed to make an Imbued heart that keeps him kicking, and his body is so adapted to it that trying to heal the damage with a potion is pointless at this point.

A flush of embarrassment reddened the back of Noahs neck. Of course hed run into the one person that somehow didnt have a heart and wasnt a puppet the moment hed come up with his new puppet-sensing technique.

Well, thats awkward, Noah muttered. At least I didnt do anything yet.

I would have come to the same conclusion if I was using heartbeats to sense puppets, Silvertide said with a grin. He clapped Noah on the shoulder. Dont beat yourself up about it. Fact of the matter is, you werent entirely wrong. Have you had a chance to scan the whole room yet?

No. Ive been pretty focused on Godrick.

Ah. Then youll be thrilled to know that there is, in fact, a puppet that I didnt mention. No point letting our opponent know that Im onto him, is there? Silvertides lips split apart into a cold grin.

Noah was grateful for his mask, as it stopped anybody from noticing his eyes widen. He still nearly turned to scan the room before he caught himself. It would have been ironic if he gave himself and Silvertide away by acting like an idiot.

Who?

The woman with the white hair, Silvertide replied, not breaking eye contact with Noah. How do you feel about going on a little hunt tonight, after the party has worn down?