Chapter 368: Off in pursuit

Chapter 368: Off in pursuit

The party if it could still be called that ground on. It was clear that the mood had been completely ruined, and most people stuck to their own areas, glancing furtively around the room as if Wizens clones could have been lurking anywhere in their midst. And, in their defense, they werent wrong.

Moxie joined the fake Vermil and the rest of the students at the table, keeping an eye on them while giving Noah, Jalen, and Silvertide more room to speak in private without having such a big crowd that they grew attention.

Godrick did his best to perform proper introductions for everyone, but with the evenings earlier revelations, it was clear that nobody was particularly interested. They already knew who Silvertide was, and Vermil had already plowed through nearly half of the available food on the table with no signs of stopping.

As for the new students, it was pretty clear that nobody was going to be going around doing any proper introductions until the Wizen issue had been dealt with. After all, knowing more people just meant more opportunities for a clone to get closer.

Noah sat with Silvertide and Jalen through the majority of the party, keeping an eye on the white-haired clone while they waited for her to take her leave. Ulya sat a few feet to their side, nervously fidgeting in her chair.

So, are you going to properly introduce me to your hooded friend? Silvertide asked, sending a glance in Jalens direction. I dont believe I recognize him.

Just a traveler, Jalen said with a dismissive shrug. Nobody of any interest, I can assure you.

Would you find me odd if I didnt believe that for a fraction of a second? Silvertide let a wry smile cross his face and shrugged. No matter. I will not push, even if it causes my curiosity pain.

Wise, Jalen said. Though Im starting to wish someone would. I was expecting a considerably more exciting night. Everything was laid out for a play, but it seems youve gone and shifted the pieces around.

I prefer to work when the playing field is already stacked to my advantage, Silvertide said. I would be happy to accommodate you if I knew more of what your desires were.

Jalen chuckled and tapped a finger to his head in a gesture of respect. A good attempt, but one that will yield no fruit. I believe I promised to avoid causing too much of a commotion today, so I will not be sharing anything about myself.

Silvertide shrugged. Very well. Does anyone happen to know the name of tonights target? I must admit that I havent had time to properly research the backgrounds of everybody in the advanced track yet. I had planned to do it tonight, but that plan changed when a corpse showed up at my door.

Mayreena, Ulya put in. They all turned to look at her and she shrunk in her seat. Sorry.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

No need to apologize. If we wanted privacy then it would have been rather stupid to speak in your presence. As far as I can tell, youre in with Vermil, yes?

Ulya averted her gaze to peer at Vermil, who was currently crushing a large fruit up in his hands to shove it, skin and all, into his mouth. She swallowed, then nodded. I suppose so. We have been working together.

Then nothing here should be much of a surprise to you, Silvertide said. Im sorry for your loss, though.

My loss?

Mayreena. She is dead, Silvertide said.

Oh. I wasnt particularly close to her. She was one of the professors that worked closely with Verrud, another researcher. Mayreena always kept to herself and was pretty standoffish, so while Im sad to hear she died, Im not personally affected.

Or perhaps youre just too tired to register things properly, Silvertide observed. You could carry a corpse in those bags under your eyes.

Could it be that sympathetic magic that Ulya mentioned? Im assuming it works by some form of correlation, kind of like Voodoo back on Earth. Do something to a representative and the magic carries on to the other pieces. I dont really know much more than that, but if Im right, that seems like a pretty reasonable strategy.

Just defeating the puppet may be more difficult than you suspect, Ulya said. And the plant mage didnt seem like he valued the one that he attacked me with very much.

Gero did inform me of some of your circumstances, Silvertide said, causing a small frown to pass over Noahs face. If Gero had spoken with Silvertide, then why had Silvertide pretended to not know who Ulya was?

He could have been testing her, I suppose. Testing for what, though? Maybe Im reading too far into it, and he literally just forgot. Its hard to remember hes a powerful soldier sometimes. He might really just not remember.

Do you know what happened? Ulya asked, leaning forward slightly, but disappointment passed over her features as Silvertide shook his head.

Im afraid not. Nothing about our opponent has indicated he has any form of space magic, though. If youre a plant, then he is playing at an entirely different game than I believe. Regardless, your help will be useful, even if your puppets cant properly fight yet.

Then Ill do what I can, Ulya said, swallowing in a clear attempt to keep her nerves under control.

Before anyone else could speak, Mayreena rose from her spot at the table. The party had been slowing down for a while, and a few of the other professors and their students had already left.

She started to make her way for the exit, and nobody other than the trio around Noah was watching her. Silvertide inclined his head slightly once Mayreena passed them. He stood up with a yawn.

Id say its about time we get moving. Would be a shame to let her get away.

Noah sent a glance back at Moxie and the others, his brow furrowing. As much as he wanted to follow Silvertide blindly, he wasnt keen on leaving his friends alone with the advanced track.

He wasnt confident something wouldnt go wrong, and if he was nowhere near, hed have no way to know.

You didnt have any plans of fighting anything tonight, right? Noah asked Jalen.

Jalen shrugged. Not at the moment.

Mind sticking around here and keeping an eye on them? Im not asking you to go to war for them, but I dont want some random Rank 5 or 6 just showing up and randomly killing everyone the moment I leave.

Is that something that happens frequently enough that youre accounting for it? Jalen asked, tilting his head to the side just enough to let the light touch on the amused grin on his face.

Now that you mention it yes.

Jalen snorted. Fine. Dont expect much, but Ill make sure the fight is fair if nothing else.

That was about as much as he could ever imagine getting the strange man to agree to, so Noah nodded in appreciation. He rose to his feet to stand beside Silvertide, and Ulya got up as well.

Well be off, then, Silvertide said, his cane clicking at his side as Noah and Ulya followed him up the stairs, leaving the advanced track party behind in pursuit of Wizens puppet.