Chapter 1412: Riddle of the Circle
The professor and Raze began walking side by side, heading toward the main building where most of the academy’s core lectures were held. Of all the places on campus, the central structure was the one Raze was most familiar with.
It was where he had spent most of his time teaching back when he was stationed at the academy. Out of all the changes that had swept through the institution, this building appeared to have remained largely untouched, preserved, as if sealed from time itself. That was why he assumed the principal’s office was still located within its walls.
During his previous visit, he had more or less confirmed this assumption. The principal’s office was a place he had entered several times before, though always under invitation, never with full access.
Back then, the principal had been someone else, before Ibarin’s appointment. Raze had been called in on numerous occasions, but he had never been granted the freedom to explore the room’s inner workings. And for good reason.
The office was known to house a rare collection of magical records, notes, and discoveries, a growing archive passed down from one principal to the next. If something truly revolutionary was found, it was often documented here. Though, some knowledge, especially that tied to powerful secrets, might be concealed by the Grand Magus himself.
Still, Raze wasn’t interested in everything. What he truly hoped to find was information on Time Magic. It was one of his innate affinities, an incredible power resting within him, but despite possessing it, he still had no idea how to properly wield it.
Upon entering the main building of the academy, Professor Tink led him toward a hallway lined with professor offices. The academy was well-funded, and each professor was provided with a private study for their research and experiments.
When Raze stepped into Tink’s office, he couldn’t help but smile.
As expected, it was a complete disaster zone. Scrolls were half-opened on desks, books stacked in precarious towers, powerstones left lying about the floor, and half-drawn magical circles stretched across the ground like a chaotic artist’s canvas.
But to Raze, it wasn’t a mess. It was beautiful.
He knew what this meant.
There were all kinds of professors in the magical world. Some joined the academy merely to secure a stable position, a safe and quiet job. But then, there were the rare ones: those who carried an unrelenting passion for magic, who continued their research purely for the love of discovery.
Raze could tell, without a doubt, that Professor Tink was one of those rare few.
“Forgive me for this,” Tink said with a gentle smile, sitting at his desk. He reached for a blank sheet of parchment and, with mana swirling at his fingertip, quickly drew a series of lines and runes before handing the page over. “Would you mind completing this puzzle for me?”
Raze raised an eyebrow. “Is this a test?”
Tink chuckled. “Well, the other students claimed you were their instructor, but I wanted to see for myself, to grasp your understanding of magical theory.
“There are many who possess sharp memories but lack fundamental comprehension. Some can memorize entire libraries of formulas, but have no idea why the formulas work, or how they connect.”
Raze smiled faintly at that. He accepted the parchment, and without saying a word, mana began to glow at his fingertip.
Tink watched closely. He had expected Raze to explain the puzzle verbally or perhaps draw a single symbol. What he didn’t expect was for the student to modify the puzzle using magic right before his eyes.
Within seconds, Raze handed the parchment back. The once simple diagram now had dozens more runes, far more intricate than before.
Tink’s eyes widened. “This is… this is…” He was utterly speechless.
Raze hadn’t solved the puzzle in the way most students would. He hadn’t erased or replaced anything. Instead, he had added to the original spell circle, expanding on it. Without changing the structure, he had altered the end result of the circle when mana would be channeled through it.
Multiple new rune layers were now woven into the spell, introducing complex instructions for how the mana would behave, how it would split, react, and convert.
And to do this? To modify a working spell circle on the fly? It was something no one could accomplish blindly. One would have to already possess complete knowledge of each rune’s function, of each instruction’s cause and effect.
It was clear. Raze didn’t just understand magic. He mastered it.
What shocked Tink the most was the speed.
The changes that would have taken most scholars weeks of research and testing had been made in mere seconds.
“You have to be some kind of genius,” Tink muttered in disbelief.
Raze’s expression shifted. “No, please. I am far from one of those
people,” he said, his voice serious. “If I were simply a genius, then all the nights I stayed awake studying, all the effort I poured into learning, none of it would matter. It would all be credited to luck or birthright. And I can’t accept that.”
Tink instantly realized his mistake. With how young Raze looked, it was easy to throw labels like “prodigy” or “genius” around. But the truth was more complex.
If Raze was a professor, as he clearly deserved to be, calling him a genius would actually be insulting. It would erase the countless hours he’d spent earning his ability.
“You’re right,” Tink said quietly. “That was careless of me.”
Still, he couldn’t help but wonder. “But how? How are you able to grasp these concepts without studying them for years like the rest of us?”
Raze didn’t answer. Instead, he gently diverted the conversation.
The two continued to talk, moving through a range of magical topics. Eventually, the conversation turned toward Tink’s personal projects. Raze, curious and eager to learn, offered suggestions and even assisted where he could.
He ended up offering insights that opened Tink’s mind to new ideas. And before either of them knew it, a great deal of time had passed.
“Would you look at that,” Tink said, glancing at the wall clock. “In about an hour or so, you’ll need to get ready for your next event. But still… I can’t believe you had no teacher, no professor to guide you. And everything, everything, was self-taught?
“I originally thought Wilton had some secret, extraordinary instructor working behind the scenes. But now… I see the truth. You’re the extraordinary one.”
He gave a light chuckle. “You’ve made this old man’s day far more enjoyable than you could imagine. There are many talented students out there, but so few are passionate about the fundamentals, about magic circle theory or research. Even among professors, it’s rare.
“So I have to ask, can I offer you anything in return? Some form of reward, at least?”
Raze’s expression shifted as the opportunity presented itself.
This might be his chance.
“There is something I’ve heard of,” he said. “A special item kept at the Central Academy. One that allows a person to see… into another’s mind.”
****
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Chapter 1413: The Truth in the Circle
Professor Tink paused for a moment, his brows subtly knitting together. When he had asked Raze whether there was something he desired, a favor of sorts, he had expected a request related to the academy’s politics or structure.
Maybe a letter of recommendation to get into the Central Academy, or even a hint about the upcoming events so he could give his own academy a competitive edge. But instead… this question. This specific, obscure inquiry.
Tink leaned forward, his tone shifting.
“Where did you hear about that?” he asked. “That’s not something you should even know exists.”
His response confirmed it. The item did exist. But now, Raze found himself in yet another delicate position, this time, completely unintended. He hadn’t known the information was a tightly kept secret.
He had only heard about it through Alen, someone with high-level access.
“There are rumors,” Raze replied calmly, masking the tension under his voice. “You should know by now that I’m someone who pays attention to the tiniest details. I asked you because I wasn’t sure if the rumors were true.
“And if an artifact like that really does exist… I’d love the chance to study it.”
Tink went silent for a few moments, clearly lost in thought. Yes, such an item existed, but the real question was: could he reveal something so confidential just because of a shared curiosity between them? Perhaps not. But maybe… maybe he could offer something in return, something less direct but still useful.
“Well,” Tink finally said, “my answer might disappoint you.” His lips tightened into a faint line. “Because officially, no such item exists.”
The answer hit Raze like a weight to the chest.
The fact that Tink even needed to clarify it that way meant the item was real, but buried deep behind red tape and secrecy. And if it truly was inaccessible, then completing Alen’s request would be nearly impossible.
Without it, Raze would have to confront Ibarin directly or find another convoluted method to dig into the man’s mind, and that was dangerous.
If he had the item, it wouldn’t just make revealing Ibarin’s dark secrets easier; it could unlock the truth about what happened to the other Grand Magus members too.
“I’m going to assist you,” Tink said, breaking the silence, “but perhaps not in the exact way you were hoping.”
He leaned back and folded his hands behind his head. “Actually, what I’m going to tell you is quite related to the topic we’ve been discussing for a while now. There is a method, an advanced spell formation, that allows us to glimpse into someone’s mind. It’s not an item… but a magic circle.”
Raze’s interest was instantly rekindled.
“The method is complicated,” Tink explained. “We use spell circles layered upon other circles to extract specific memories or thoughts. But it’s not as simple as reading a person’s mind like a book.
“You need a Key, a very specific set of instructions. You have to define what kind of memory you’re looking for. What kind of thought. Otherwise, the spell becomes too vague and unstable. Dangerous, even.”
Raze nodded slowly. He understood what Tink meant, especially after what he had experienced on Pagna.
Back then, when memories were extracted from individuals, it had required strict guidelines, precise instructions that narrowed the spell’s focus. If the intent was too broad, the spell would collapse under its own complexity.
On that island, the Key had been defined: extract only one’s darkest thoughts and most painful memories. That kind of focus required less mana and produced clearer results.
He remembered now that the spell had also needed to be carved onto the ground, a formation similar to what Tink was describing now.
It made Raze wonder… Could the technique used in Pagna have originated from the same source? Perhaps it had been passed down after the Dark Faction’s founder returned to Alterian. Or maybe someone else had stumbled upon it later and refined it.
Tink continued. “Once extracted, that information still needs a place to be stored, usually in a crystal or similar magical container. And then comes the final issue: how do you display the memory?”
“A second circle?” Raze suggested. “One that links the stored information to others who want to view it?”
Tink smiled. “That could work, but it’s far from practical. It requires all individuals to be in the same room at the same time. What if you wanted to share the information widely? Across academies? Across cities?
“In that case, you’d need to enchant the crystal to project its contents, and then cast a large-scale viewing spell to share what’s inside. All of this, storing, displaying, it’s doable. But the hard part? Extracting the memories in the first place.
“And I’m afraid that’s the part I can’t help you with.”
He let out a small sigh. “Still, I hope I’ve shown you that what you’re looking for… is indeed possible.”
Raze stood, bowing deeply. “You’ve already given me far more than I could’ve hoped for,” he said respectfully.
He now knew exactly what he was after. The pieces of the puzzle were starting to come together.
He could ask Kelly to begin investigating, to search for any magic circle records similar to the one used on Pagna. If such a spell had ever been used before, especially one powerful enough to extract memories, there had to be documentation of it.
And if the spell was so rare that even the Grand Magus didn’t fully understand it, then someone would have written it down, somewhere, to ensure it wasn’t lost forever.
A thought did cross his mind, to ask Tink about Time Magic while he had the chance. But that would be pushing it. He had already asked too much, and digging deeper might raise suspicion.
Time Magic was something Raze could pursue alone. Quietly.
“I’ll take my leave now, Professor,” Raze said, his voice calm and measured. “I remember the way we came in, so there’s no need to escort me. I hope you enjoy the rest of today’s event… and whatever the future holds.”
Tink offered a gentle nod and leaned back in his chair. A nap, he thought, didn’t sound like such a bad idea.
He wasn’t too concerned about Raze. The student had proven himself to be polite, independent, and respectful.
But once Raze left the room… he didn’t head toward the building’s exit.
He turned the opposite way, moving with silent steps and full awareness.
He was headed to the principal’s office.
Because he knew this building like the back of his hand.
****
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Chapter 1414: The Locked Mind
It was exactly as Raze had expected. Inside the main building, the entire place was practically deserted.
All the students were outside, enjoying the grand event, and it appeared the same was true for the professors and faculty as well.
In many ways, mages were more comfortable than most in leaving things unattended. With the safeguards of magic, there were countless spells, locks, or automatic triggers they could implement. Some enchantments would alert them instantly if something were tampered with. Others would activate defensive mechanisms, buying the caster time to return.
But no one would ever expect a Nine-Star Mage, especially one from a rival academy, to be strolling through their halls, walking with purpose, knowing exactly where to go.
No one could imagine that a powerful mage like him, one who had every reason to disrupt the main event, would instead slip through the shadows… and aim for the principal’s office.
From the outside, such an act didn’t make sense. Not from a strategic standpoint. Not even from a Dark Magus perspective.
If Raze had wanted to make a statement, to expose the world to the truth of the Dark Guild, he would’ve done so in the public eye, in front of the crowd gathered for the competition.
But this was no stage play. He wasn’t here for theatrics.
This was about discovery. About secrets. And as Raze approached the familiar door to the principal’s office, a small smirk curled on his lips.
Ibarin… I would’ve thought you’d have buried yourself in study by now, Raze mused. You hold the title of Grand Magus. Doesn’t that come with the pressure of staying sharp? Of defending your position? Or is there no one left to challenge you anymore?
Perhaps all those who might’ve risen to your level… you’ve already taken care of.
Raze’s thoughts lingered as he began his work. In front of him was the entrance, sealed with a magical enchantment.
He placed his palm gently against the wood and closed his eyes. Undoing magic wasn’t like casting it.
In fact, it was much harder, and it wasn’t even practical for one to use it in battle.
It was like trying to say the alphabet in reverse, unnatural for the brain. But just as you couldn’t recite it backwards without knowing the alphabet first, you couldn’t unravel a magic circle unless you fully understood how it was made.
Fortunately, Raze had mastered this art.
His deep knowledge of magical symbols and their interplay allowed him to reverse-engineer spells others would consider permanent.
That was Ibarin’s downfall, just like many of the other Grand Magus, confidence. Confidence in their own superiority, in their own barriers, never considering that someone out there might not only match them… but surpass them.
After a few more moments, a soft click echoed from the door. The enchantment released, and Raze stepped inside, quietly closing the door behind him.
The room before him was just as he remembered. It was strange. So many years had passed, and yet… very little had changed.
I half-expected Ibarin to put his own mark on this place, Raze thought. But no… even he has left it untouched.
Still, Raze knew time was against him. Breaking the barrier had taken longer than he would’ve liked, and before he left, he would have to recreate the enchantment, make it look like nothing had ever been disturbed.
He wouldn’t have the luxury of combing through every tome, every scroll, every sealed container.
But that was the beauty of magic. There was always a faster way, if you were smart enough to find it.
Drawing a quick magic circle on the ground, Raze infused it with mana. A pulse of energy ran through the room. Within seconds, five books floated gently off the shelves. From a side table, three scrolls lifted and hovered across the room, all coming to rest on the large center desk.
Only eight results? Raze thought, frowning. That’s even less than the general library. I didn’t expect much on time magic, but this is… minimal.
Then again, he reminded himself, the books in this office weren’t ones found elsewhere. These were private, off-record works, either originals or texts with unrecorded research.
Which meant even the smallest bit of information here was more valuable than anything in the common archives.
Now, it was time for the next step.
From his dimensional storage, Raze summoned a stack of scrolls and several blank books. All of them were enchanted to instantly record written information.
Taking the books directly wasn’t an option. If anyone noticed they were missing, it would raise immediate red flags.
Reading them here, line by line? Too slow. And far too dangerous.
So instead, he would copy the information, all of it.
To do so required two more magic circles: one under the original material, and one beneath the blank pages. Once linked, the words would replicate seamlessly, line for line, rune for rune.
As he carefully constructed the second set of circles, Raze kept an eye on the window, watching the light shift across the room.
The next event should be starting soon, he thought. I can afford to be a little late, since I’m not participating… but if something happens while I’m gone,
The thought trailed off. He didn’t need to finish it.
This mission was important, but so was maintaining appearances.
If someone from Wilton didn’t show up when expected, questions would follow. Suspicion would grow.
Still, Raze remained, keeping his gaze fixed as the blank pages began to fill themselves. Across the desk, words and diagrams appeared one after another. The scrolls absorbed data from their counterparts, glowing slightly as the transfer occurred.
As he watched, something on one of the pages caught his eye.
A phrase. A line of instruction. Something significant.
His brows furrowed.
So that’s how one increases affinity with time magic, he read silently. That’s… not exactly encouraging.
****
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Chapter 1415: Unwelcome Witness
Raze thought back to what the Altered leader had once said, how he had increased his affinity with Time Magic. At the time, it had been difficult to believe, especially coming from someone who stood as an enemy. Trusting the word of a foe, especially one with an unknown agenda, wasn’t something Raze did lightly.
But now, with the information freshly laid before him, it was beginning to make sense. The pieces were fitting together too perfectly to be ignored.
According to the text, the way to increase one’s affinity with Time Magic was… simple, yet extreme. One had to completely abstain from using any other forms of magic. Time Magic demanded exclusivity.
A rare and special affinity, one that, if pursued seriously, required the mage to give up all other elemental or magical paths.
Maybe it doesn’t have to be permanent, Raze thought. Perhaps the affinity increases when avoiding other magic, and just halts when you begin casting again. Still… it’s likely there’s a scale involved.
He pictured it in his mind: the longer one stayed dedicated to Time Magic alone, the more rapidly the affinity would rise. In the beginning, the process would be slow, almost negligible. But with time and strict focus, the growth would accelerate exponentially.
That theory alone explained much. It clarified why Heino had only ever used Time Magic during their confrontation. Why, despite his legacy and strength, there were so few records of his spells being witnessed in Alterian, aside from a few minor displays.
His true power had flourished not in the public eye, but in places like Pagna, places where he could refine his Time Magic without judgment, without interference.
Still, Raze reflected, I consumed Heino when he was near his peak with Time Magic. Although the extraction process doesn’t yield a one-to-one result, especially considering Heino’s power, I should still hold a strong affinity myself.
The problem, he realized, was that every time he used other types of magic, he halted that growth.
So, while the search might not have handed him direct techniques to control time, it certainly wasn’t wasted effort.
He now had confirmation. He had knowledge, a vital piece of the puzzle. With this, he could begin to understand Time Magic more deeply.
And if he could learn to reverse his injuries, or even the residual effects left behind by spells, then perhaps… just perhaps he could one day reverse the toll placed on his God-tier Blazer.
If he could do that, it would allow him to utilize the artifact more freely in combat.
Of course, there would still be complications.
The nature of time reversal meant he wouldn’t know what memories or data might be lost in the process. There would be risks, and an unavoidable trial-and-error phase.
He wouldn’t be able to do what Heino had, rewind massive sections of time. Not yet. But there was something else.
Mana recovery.
That was the key.
Time Magic, at its peak, allowed multiple attempts. It was like rewinding a failed experiment and trying again… until it succeeded.
Learning Time Magic is no longer optional, Raze decided. It’s a necessity.
Even without it, he felt confident. If Ibarin’s strength could be judged by the magical barrier he had placed around the office, then Raze was certain he could defeat him, even now.
But there was something else to consider.
When it came to confronting the Grand Magus, it wasn’t just about raw power. It was about the rate
of growth. About how much strength they could gain in a short period.
Some mages never stopped evolving, not even after reaching the Nine-Star level.
For some, like Enaxx, their abilities hinged on unique traits. As for Ibarin… that was still unclear. But Raze couldn’t say the same about the others in the Grand Magus circle.
He recalled the connection with the Rylon Religion, the mysterious channeling of magical energy to the Gizin.
I chose the right one to go after first, he reassured himself.
Eventually, the replication process was complete. Every scroll and book had been fully copied. The original texts floated gently back into their respective spots on the shelves and tables, just as they had been before.
Now came the final part, cleanup.
Using his Dark Magic, Raze quickly stored all of his replication tools and blank tomes into his personal space. Every trace of his activity was being erased one step at a time.
Before I leave, he thought, I should check to see if there’s any information related to the magical formation I discussed with Professor Tink. Maybe… just maybe, the answer is hidden here too.
But without knowing what the specific formation looked like, or even what exactly to search for, Raze couldn’t create a precise spell to extract that data automatically.
Instead, he began scanning the room himself.
Fortunately, the principal’s office was somewhat organized. Items were often placed in a thematic order, scrolls and books categorized by topic, at least to a trained eye like his.
He moved from shelf to shelf, checking specific sections he guessed might house related materials. But despite his efforts, he found nothing.
To Ibarin, this information must have been worthless, Raze realized. Time Magic didn’t matter to him, but the other spell, the mind extraction tool… he probably considered that far more important.
I’ll have to ask Kelly to dig deeper into this for me. If there’s a lead, she’ll find it.
It wasn’t a surprise. Raze hadn’t expected the answer to be sitting there waiting for him. But he had hoped, just slightly, that fortune would favor him today.
Now, there was only one last thing to do.
He knelt down beside the door and began redrawing the magic circle that had been guarding the office. It was delicate work, precision was everything. If the spell wasn’t exactly like the original, someone might sense it had been tampered with.
As he finished connecting the final lines of the formation, he glanced at the clock.
Only fifteen minutes remained before the next scheduled meeting. Once the circle was reactivated, he’d have to make his way to the coliseum quickly if he wanted to avoid suspicion.
And nearly… don,
“What are you doing?”
A voice cut through the silence like a dagger.
The moment the circle lit up, vanishing into the floor to conceal its presence, Raze turned.
Standing behind him… was one of the last people he wanted to see.
Professor Tink.
“What were you doing just now, Raze?” the professor asked, his voice sharp and unwavering.
****
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Chapter 1416: The Truth Behind the Mask
Like with most things Raze did, he had planned for the worst-case scenario.
In his mind, he always envisioned things going sideways, just in case. It was the safest way to operate. So when he made his way into the principal’s office, he’d already considered the possibility that someone might discover his presence there.
Maybe there were magical traps set up. Maybe alarms had been triggered. Maybe the academy had hidden surveillance or enchanted contraptions meant to alert faculty or summon guards in secret.
Yet… none of that had happened.
Everything had gone smoothly. Too smoothly.
Which meant Raze had gotten lucky. For now.
It was turning out to be his best-case scenario. But even then, in the event someone had appeared, he was prepared. Prepared to do what was necessary.
That meant eliminating the witness, cleanly, silently. And with his Dark Magic, he could make a body disappear without leaving so much as a fingerprint behind.
He wouldn’t even need to cause much destruction. Just a whisper in the air. A flicker of mana. The body would be gone, and no one would suspect a thing.
And if someone did go missing? Well, the assumption wouldn’t be that the person had been killed, at least, not right away.
It wouldn’t be their first thought.
Even if there were traces of a struggle or hints of battle, the way the Central Mage Academy functioned, the way its leaders thought, meant they would never shut down the event.
The pride of the academy ran too deep. The arrogance even deeper.
All it would mean was that Raze’s movements would become a little harder to pull off. But the mission wouldn’t stop.
And yet, here he was.
Faced with the one outcome he hadn’t entirely calculated for.
Someone had caught him.
And it wasn’t just anyone, it was someone he had spoken to just hours earlier. Someone with questions. Someone watching him now with the one expression Raze didn’t want to see: suspicion.
“If I told you the truth,” Raze said, turning to meet the man’s gaze, “you wouldn’t believe me.”
His voice was calm. Steady. He stared straight into the man’s eyes.
Tink.
The professor’s brow furrowed as he took a step closer. “Raze,” Tink said quietly, shaking his head. “There can only be a few reasons why you were standing outside the principal’s office just now. I saw the seal you drew. You replicated the original barrier spell perfectly.“
He paused, clenching his fist as frustration began to rise.
“And based on that… and the timing of our last conversation, my guess is that you’ve been inside that office for a while now.” His voice dropped lower. “None of the reasons I can think of for why you’d be in there… are good ones.”
Tink drew in a deep breath, holding it for a moment.
“But please,” he finally said, his tone cracking, “at least tell me why. Give me a reason, any reason.”
He wasn’t accusing yet. Not outright. But the implications were loud enough.
Raze could sense the inner conflict.
Tink had been on his way to the event grounds. He had spent too long in his office and decided to take a short walk around the academy to stretch his legs. Just by chance, he had stumbled upon this moment.
And he had never expected to see Raze standing there.
A transfer student. Talented beyond belief. But also one who seemed to know everything about the academy.
Tink’s mind couldn’t help but go to the worst place. He could only assume one thing: that Raze was a spy. Someone planted to move against the academy from the inside.
But even with that possibility gnawing at the back of his mind, Tink didn’t want to believe it.
That’s why he asked. Why he held on.
He wanted Raze to say something, anything, that would give him a reason to doubt his doubts.
“Tink,” Raze said suddenly, changing the subject. “You were here when Cromwell was a professor, weren’t you?”
The question hit like a brick.
Tink blinked, confused. For a student to bring up that name, that name, wasn’t just surprising. It was shocking.
“The real name…” he muttered. “You mean Cromwell?”
“Yes,” Raze replied. “That’s the one.”
Tink straightened his posture. “I was,” he answered slowly. “But I had only just started. I’d been a professor for about six months back then.”
“Right,” Raze nodded. “So you had time to form an impression, but maybe not enough to know everything.”
Tink said nothing.
“And that means,” Raze continued, “you’ve been working with Ibarin for far longer than you worked with Cromwell.” His gaze sharpened. “So based on everything you’ve seen. Everything you know. Tell me this, do you think Cromwell really did what they said he did?”
The air between them shifted.
“Do you think it’s possible,” Raze went on, “that Ibarin set up Cromwell? That he framed him, just so he could take the principal position for himself?”
Tink didn’t answer right away.
Even with everything swirling in his mind, he took the question seriously.
If he’d been asked years ago, back when the accusations first surfaced, his answer would have been simple. At the time, his impression of both professors was the same. They were good men. Dedicated to their work. Highly respected.
But over the years… things changed.
He had witnessed things, subtle things. How Ibarin claimed credit for research he didn’t author. How professors with potential mysteriously faded from the academy’s spotlight.
They weren’t expelled or punished. But they stopped being mentioned. Stopped rising.
And somehow, even when they joined other institutions, their projects would collapse.
Entire operations mysteriously shut down.
No one talked about it.
No one dared.
Because they all knew, it was Ibarin.
“I’ll give you my answer,” Tink finally said. His voice was quiet, but resolute. “Based on what I know now… yes. I think it’s possible. I think Ibarin could have done something like that.”
Raze didn’t react. He just listened.
“But just because something is possible…” Tink continued, “doesn’t mean it’s true. I still don’t understand, why are you asking me this?”
Raze raised a hand and touched his face. He had made his decision.
He would try the peaceful route, one last time.
“I told you before,” Raze said. “That if I told you the truth, you wouldn’t believe me.”
His hand dropped back to his side.
“I am Raze Cromwell.”
*****
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