บท 16: Testing The Waters
"Please wait here," the staff member instructed, gesturing for Donovan and Mason to enter the grand meeting room. As they stepped inside, the door quietly shut behind them, leaving the two guards alone.
"Quite the place, huh?" Donovan remarked, his eyes scanning the intricate carvings on the walls, taking in the grandeur.
Mason raised an eyebrow, slightly amused. "You've never been in here before?" He had been in this room during his academy days, having earned the privilege of speaking with the headmasters. It hadn't occurred to him that not everyone shared that experience.
Donovan shook his head. "Nah. I wasn't the kind of student they brought in here for meetings. Honestly, I made it into the Emerald City Guards based on brute strength, not brains."
Mason nodded, understanding Donovan's situation but eager to change the subject. Pointing to a chair, he remarked, "That chair—rumor has it the Wizard himself used to sit there back when this was a war room."
"Really?" Donovan followed Mason's lead, moving to sit in the nearby chairs. "Let's keep this tight, though. Don't reveal too much," Mason reminded him. Donovan had a reputation for oversharing, a dangerous habit considering the stakes.
"Right, got it," Donovan agreed.
"And don't talk too much about 'potential spies.' We don't know who we're dealing with."
Donovan leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You're not saying the headmasters might be... spies, are you?"
Mason shrugged. "Could be. Might be just one of them, or none. But better to be careful."
Donovan frowned, struggling with the thought. Seraphina and Gideon, spies? He found it hard to believe, given their esteemed positions. But with Mason's cautious tone, he knew it was better to keep his guard up. Mason was rarely wrong.
Their thoughts were interrupted by the faint sound of approaching footsteps. The two guards immediately felt the weight of an unseen tension in the room, their instincts heightening as the door creaked open.
Seraphina entered first, her ageless beauty masking the power she held. Despite her youthful appearance, both Donovan and Mason knew she was far older than she seemed—her mastery of mana slowed her aging dramatically. The room seemed to thrum with her presence.
Close behind her was Gideon, every bit as imposing as the stories suggested. His massive, muscular frame, combined with his reputation as a skilled knight, made him a formidable figure. His arrogance was well-known, but no one dared challenge him, especially those who had seen his prowess firsthand.
"Thank you for meeting with us," Mason said, rising to extend a hand in greeting.
Donovan followed suit, standing a bit slower but maintaining a polite smile as he tried to match the intense energy in the room.
Seraphina, however, ignored Mason's gesture entirely. "We're busy preparing for the new student intake. Let's make this quick," she said coldly, taking a seat without acknowledging the offered hand.
Mason concealed his frustration, sitting back down. 'So that's how it's going to be,' he thought. "Of course," he began smoothly, "I'm sure you've heard the rumors about spies infiltrating the academy."
The headmasters exchanged glances but remained silent. Gideon finally broke the silence. "And where exactly are you going with this?"
"Just wondering if either of you might have insight into these rumors. We're trying to gauge their credibility," Mason probed further, maintaining a neutral tone.
Seraphina's eyes narrowed. "Why would they be credible? We have strict protocols and vet every student thoroughly before admitting them. Are you trying to spread baseless rumors?"
Mason didn't flinch. "And why would I do that?"
"I've heard the Emerald City Guards have been slipping into corruption, unlike the honorable guards of the past. Perhaps this is your attempt to undermine the students and create chaos," Seraphina retorted, her voice dripping with disdain.
Donovan's temper flared, and he slammed his hand on the table, his frustration barely contained. "That's not true!" Mason quickly tried to calm him down, but Donovan continued, his voice rising. "We have a trusted source, damn it!"
Seraphina smirked. "Trusted source? Please, I've lived long enough to know that 'trusted sources' can be as unreliable as the wind."
Donovan slammed the table again, the frustration getting the better of him. "That source is the Great Wizard!" he shouted.
Mason's heart sank. He hadn't wanted to reveal that piece of information so soon, and now it was out. He glanced at Seraphina, who covered her mouth in surprise, then exchanged a quick look with Gideon, who seemed both annoyed and intrigued.
"You've brought the Wizard into this?" Seraphina said, her voice suddenly lower, her arrogance checked by the mention of the Wizard. She looked around, half-expecting the Wizard to appear and strike her down for her earlier words.
Donovan, realizing the gravity of his outburst, tried to backpedal. "I mean, I'm sure the Wizard is very forgiving, right?" He shot a nervous glance at Mason, who looked ready to strangle him.
Mason took a deep breath, knowing they had crossed a line. There was no going back now. He reached into his bag and pulled out a folded piece of paper—the list. "This is a list of students we believe might be targeted. We're here to ensure their safety."
Gideon barely glanced at the paper, his expression unchanging. But Seraphina's eyes widened when she saw one name in particular: George Sterlinguard.
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