Chapter 164: Chapter 164: System's Spies

Elio emerged from the training room satisfied. Ember, his salamander, chirped contentedly on his shoulder, mirroring his mood.

Selene had shown an impressive aptitude for the corrosive attack, grasping the nuances of the technique almost as quickly as Lucien. With both level 4 Summoners now capable of facing the elephant, Elio felt the city wouldn't need him if the worst were to happen.

As he walked through the central building's corridors, his mind wandered to Zara. He hadn't seen her all day, and a feeling of unease settled in his stomach. Ember sensed his disquiet, nuzzling closer to his neck.

Elio decided to seek out Ren; if anyone knew where everyone was, it was him, thanks to his new network of collectors.

However, before he could reach Ren's office, he encountered a familiar group. story-source-MvLeMpYr

Kriz and Brok were walking down the hallway, closely followed by Aria, Mei, and Valeria. Their invocations - Kriz's playful rabbit, Brok's muscular one, and the girls' salamanders - reflected their owners' tense expressions.

"Elio!" Kriz exclaimed upon seeing him. "Just the man we were looking for."

Elio stopped, noting the tension in their faces. "What's going on?"

Aria stepped forward, her voice tinged with worry, her salamander's scales flickering anxiously. "It's Lila. We haven't seen her since this morning. We thought she'd be with you..."

"We parted ways hours ago," Elio replied, feeling a pang of concern. Ember chirped worriedly. "She didn't return to you all day?"

Mei shook her head, her salamander curling tighter around her neck. "We thought she was still with you. When she didn't show up after training, we got worried."

Elio frowned. "Let's go to Ren. Maybe he knows something."

The group quickly headed to Ren's office. Upon entering, they found him bent over a scroll, muttering calculations to himself. His rabbit familiar hopped nervously at his feet as if counting its jumps.

"Ren," Elio called. "Do you know anything about Zara or Lila?"

Ren looked up, surprised by the sudden intrusion. "No, they haven't been seen all day."

Elio's concern grew. "They've disappeared."

Ren frowned, his analytical mind already working on possible scenarios. His rabbit's ears twitched, as if trying to pick up any useful information. "That's... unusual. When was the last time anyone saw them?"

The three girls fell to their knees in front of Elio, sobbing and begging for forgiveness. Elio, stunned, looked at Kriz and Brok for explanations, but they seemed as confused as he was.

Aria, tears forming in her eyes, began, her voice shaking. "Von Elio, there's something you need to know."

"It's about Lila," Valeria continued, her voice barely a whisper. "And about us."

Mei, still reluctant, finally gave in. "Cassandra... she's been blackmailing us. All of us."

"Blackmailing? Why?"

"Our families have enormous debts," Aria explained, tears now flowing freely down her cheeks. Her salamander nuzzled her face, trying to offer comfort. "She has... she has power over them. She forced us to..."

"To spy on you," Valeria finished, unable to look Elio in the eye. "To report your movements, your plans."

Elio looked at them, shock, disappointment, and something else... understanding? reflected in his eyes. Ember coiled tighter around his neck, as if trying to shield him from the girls' words.

"I'm so sorry," Aria sobbed. "We never wanted... but our families..."

"And now Lila," Mei added, finally breaking down. "If Cassandra has her... oh God, what have we done?"

The three girls cried, the weight of their guilt and fear finally overwhelming them. Sobs shook their bodies as they begged for forgiveness, terrified of the consequences of their confession but unable to continue carrying the secret.

Elio looked at them, betrayal, understanding, concern, and determination mixing in his eyes. Finally, he knelt in front of them, his voice soft but firm.

"Thank you for telling me the truth," he said.

The girls looked up, hope mixing with fear in their eyes.

Elio nodded. "We'll find Lila and stop Cassandra. I promise."

At that moment, with those words, the girls felt an enormous weight lift from their shoulders. They had trusted Elio, and he hadn't disappointed them. For the first time in a long time, they felt that maybe, just maybe, everything would be alright.

But before anyone could respond, there was a knock at the door.

The door slowly opened, revealing two hooded figures in max-level armor.