Chapter 372: Too late

Chapter 372: Too late

The next morning, Noah woke up to Lee slipping in through the window. He blinked, locking eyes with her as she froze with one foot into the room, as if not moving would keep anyone from noticing her.

Lee? Noah asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and sitting up. Moxie had somehow slipped out of bed without waking him up, and it didnt look like she was in the room.

I was trying to be sneaky, Lee said, pulling the window open the rest of the way and dropping into the room. She shut it behind her and frowned back at it.

Youre normally pretty good at that, Noah said. What happened?

I was distracted, Lee said. Something about the party yesterday felt a bit weird, so I went back to investigate. I havent seen anything out of place, though.

Weird? Noah asked. What part of it? Id say there were half a dozen different weird things all happening at once.

Most of that was the normal weird. Lee shook her head, clearly searching for the right words. It was a smell. One that really didnt fit, and it wasnt the puppets I dont know why, but those didnt smell different. They just smelled like people.

Concerning, but what was the other smell, then? Noah asked, fully waking up. He slid out of bed and got dressed, snagging his belongings. Something we should be worried about?

Thats what I was trying to find out. It seemed a little familiar but at the same time, I couldnt place it at all. And, when I went back today to try and see if I could smell what it was, there was nothing there.

Im not even going to waste time asking if youre sure it was there, then. Do you think it had anything to do with the puppets, even if it wasnt them? Maybe Wizen?

I dont know. I dont think Ive interacted enough with Wizen or the puppets to place the smell, Lee admitted with a frown. She fell silent for a second, then shook her head. Never mind. For now, just be careful, I guess. I dont know what it was.

Noted, Noah said. Do you know where Moxie went?

Emily and Alexandra stopped by asking to do some extra training today, so she went to practice with them. I saw them leaving while I was headed out to see if I could smell the thing from yesterday.

Noah nodded, adjusting his hair. He went for the door, then paused. Now that the meeting with the advanced track had passed, he wasnt actually sure what he wanted to do today. Originally, dealing with Wizens puppets would have taken that spot up but those were, courtesy of Silvertide, handled as well.

Well, shit. Normally this would be a great time to bother Moxie, but shes doing teacher things. Thats honestly for the best, considering shes been trying to find a way to help more in recent classes. Does leave me in a bit of a pickle, though.

Whelp, Formations it is then. Theres still a lot more I know I can get out of the violin, and I need to make sure Im as strong as possible in the near future. Getting better with Formations and the violin will be a lot more beneficial in the short term than getting some new Tier 4 Runes, but I should keep that in mind as well.

That particular thought gave Noah pause. His first Rank 4 Rune had been pretty easy to figure out. It had just been an extension of his Rank 3 but he didnt have that privilege anymore. Even if he used a few Rank 4 Natural Disasters for his Rank 5 Rune, he still needed something else in the mix.

What kind of magic would pair well with Natural Disaster? Noah mused to himself, letting his hand rest on the doorknob.

Unnatural Disaster? Lee offered from behind him, snickering to herself.

Noah went to roll his eyes, then caught himself as the idea fully registered. Natural Disaster was all nature-based magic. If he continued down the disaster route, adding magic that originated from areas beyond just environmental ones seemed pretty logical.

That would be a great spot to work in some Space Runes or the like. Im not sure what Rank Id have to be to create a black hole, but Im pretty sure that would count as a disaster at some point, especially if it was right on top of some poor bastards head.

Thats not a bad idea, Noah said with a grin. Thanks, Lee.

It wasnt? Lee blinked, then cleared her throat. I mean, of course it wasnt. Im a genius.

Got plans for today? Noah asked as he headed into the hall. Ill probably focus on some practice. I dont know how long well have before Wizen is back, but we should have at least a few days of being left alone if not more. Thatll be welcome Its been far too long since Ive gotten any proper free time. Are you close to hitting Rank 4 yet? It might be a good idea to try to push through the last bit and advance.

Lees features clouded and she remained in the room, not following after him. Im almost there. Maybe Ill get there this week. Today, Ill probably just wander around. Maybe Ill follow after Moxie and the others.

Lee nodded and sat down cross-legged beside Emily, content to bide her time and wait for the opportune moment to claim some of the girls jerky for herself. Figuring out how to defend food was a core element of training.

Part of her was still concerned with the smell from yesterday, but it had been so faint and unreadable that it was almost certainly something to do with Wizens puppets. Silvertide had handled that, so there was nothing else to worry about for now. There would be time to worry about getting stronger later. Right now, she was content to sit with her friends.

***

A footstep echoed through the room, pulling Tims gaze away from his favorite window. He hadnt even heard the elevator activate, but a man stood on the lift, his features concealed by a hood.

For a moment, Tim wondered if Jalen had returned, but he quickly dismissed the thought. This man didnt have the same build his shoulders were broader and he was almost a foot shorter.

I didnt hear you coming, Tim said with a smile, pushing back from the table and rising to his feet. Are you new to the transport cannon?

Yes, the man replied in a gravelly tone. This is my first time. I dont often take use of Space magic imbuements. Theyre finnicky.

They are, Tim agreed, his smile growing even larger. Thats why the transport cannon is so impressive. Its state of the art, and has some of the biggest improvements in travel efficiency that the world has seen. Care for a demonstration?

No, the man barked as Tim reached for the controls. Tim froze, blinking in surprise.

You dont?

Not at the moment. Please step back, the man said. Something in his tone sent a frown crawling across Tims face.

Im sorry? Why? Is something wrong?

Nothing is wrong, the man said, his cloak flowing across the floor as he approached Tim. Just step away from the controls.

Tims eyes narrowed. He considered himself a pretty good judge of character, and in nine times out of ten, when people showed up with their hoods on and murmured vague threats, they didnt tend to be anyone good.

I dont think Ill be doing that, Tim said. If you have any complaints, feel free to take them to the Office.

He reached for the reset lever and froze.

Tims eyes couldnt even widen. His body wouldnt budge. It was as if every single part of it had completely rebelled against him. He couldnt so much as blink. The man stepped forward, studying the levers beside Tim.

This one activates the cannon, yes?

Tim didnt respond. It wasnt like he had a choice. He struggled as furiously as he could, trying to so much as wiggle a pinky toe, but his entire body was locked down.

Theres no point trying to resist, the man said. Its blood magic, and youre in my domain. Without one of your own, its fruitless.

He held a hand up, running his thumb over a bone rosary. A moment later, the man lowered it. You have nothing to fear from me. All youre going to do is pull that lever once Im on the transport cannon. Its still set to the same location, isnt it?

Tim could do nothing but stare as the man walked across the room and laid back on the cannon. He felt his hand rise up of its own volition and wrap around the lever. It wasnt mind control Tim could literally feel the blood shifting in his body, forcing him to move his arm.

That did nothing to change what happened. His hand pulled down. There was a flash, and the man disappeared, leaving Tim standing in an empty office. Control snapped back into his body and his face went pale as his blood started flowing properly again.

The cannon isnt set up for any custom controls right now. I cant pull anyone back early. I need to find someone.

Tim sprinted out from behind the counter, nearly tripping over his own feet as he ran into the lift and it started to lower, the rattle of the chains rising up all around him in a mocking cacophony.

All he could do was pray hed be able to get help before it was too late.