Chương 390: The Secretary's Task
"Arthur!" Rose's voice rang through the room, bright and uncontainable, the kind of enthusiasm that made everything else seem smaller. She practically bounced across the space, her auburn hair catching the soft glow of the rune inscriptions carved into the walls. "Elder Maximus made me his secretary!"
I glanced up from the notes spread across my desk, the intricate patterns of spell equations dissolving into irrelevance as I turned my attention to her. Her excitement was infectious, and the grin she wore could have outshone any mana crystal in the room.
"Wow," I said, leaning back in my chair, offering her a smile that I hoped masked the flurry of thoughts already churning in my mind. "That's great news."
And outwardly, it was great. Rose had always been sharp, dedicated, and driven in ways that set her apart. Her aptitude for alchemy went beyond raw talent—she understood its nuances, its rhythms, the way mana moved within mixtures and potions. It was no surprise that Maximus would single her out.
But inside, a storm brewed. 'Is he thinking of bringing her into the Paladin of Void project?'
Maximus wasn't a man who acted lightly. Every decision of his was layered with thought, his every move calibrated to balance not just the science of alchemy but the politics of the Tower itself. Declaring Rose as his secretary wasn't just a mentorship decision—it was a statement. A ripple in the delicate web of influence and control that defined the Tower of Alchemy.
The Tower of Alchemy was no simple building. Rising impossibly high, its polished stone walls glinted faintly with a sheen of mana, a reminder of the enchantments and wards woven into every brick and tile. It was ancient, built on the foundations of knowledge passed down through generations, but it was also alive with the energy of new discoveries.
Maximus wasn't just an Elder, his influence stretched through every department and laboratory, his hands in every project of significance. Naming Rose his secretary wasn't an idle decision. It was a move that would be noticed by everyone.
Rose, however, seemed blissfully unaware of the weight her new role carried. "He even showed me some of the experimental work he's doing in the lattice lab," she said, her words tumbling out with excitement. "Can you believe that? The lattice lab! I thought only Elders were allowed in there!"
Her voice was bright, enthusiastic—a sound that felt almost out of place in a Tower where whispers carried more power than shouts. She spoke about the privilege of seeing Maximus's work, but my thoughts were already racing ahead, considering what it all meant.
'If Maximus is pulling her closer, it isn't just for paperwork or note-taking.' He was positioning her for something larger. Perhaps even the Paladin of Void project itself.
'This is both a problem and an opportunity,' Luna's voice drifted into my mind, as calm and cool as a breeze cutting through summer heat.
I exhaled quietly, leaning back further into my chair as Rose's voice faded into the background. 'I know' I replied, 'If she gets too close, she'll become a pawn. And pawns are meant to be sacrificed.'
My jaw tightened as I mentally transmitted that to Luna. I hated the thought of Rose being used like that, caught in the wake of Maximus's larger plans. She deserved better than to be reduced to a tool.
'But?' Luna prompted, knowing there was more.
'But if I play this right, she could be my way in,' I continued. 'Her position gives her access. If Maximus trusts her enough to share sensitive details, she could give me what I need.'
'But you have to be careful won't you,' Luna said, 'You can't tip her off.'
I bit back a sigh, letting my gaze linger on Rose as she chattered about her first assignments. Luna wasn't wrong, but the line I'd have to walk to make use of Rose's new role without putting her in harm's way would be razor-thin.
As the day wore on, I found myself wandering the Tower's corridors, the cool air carrying a faint hint of alchemical reagents—spiced mana blossoms, volatile ores, and the tang of distilled energy. The walls were adorned with carvings, intricate runes etched deep into the stone, each one pulsing faintly with mana. They weren't just decoration—they were reminders of the Tower's legacy, its commitment to alchemy as both science and art.
The announcement of Rose's new role had already begun to ripple outward. The Tower was a place of subtlety, where every action, every appointment carried unspoken meaning. To most, it might seem like a simple gesture—an Elder recognizing a talented student. But to those who understood the undercurrents, it was a calculated move in a game where every piece on the board mattered.
Maximus's choice would raise eyebrows. It would spark quiet conversations in the corners of laboratories, in the hidden alcoves where alchemists gathered to whisper about politics and power. Rose had been thrust into the heart of something much larger than she realized.
When I returned to my quarters, the familiar shimmer of light heralded Luna's arrival. She appeared on the edge of my desk, her galaxy-like eyes fixed on me with a quiet intensity that always felt unnervingly perceptive.
"So," she said, her voice lilting, "what's the plan?"
I leaned against the desk, letting out a slow breath. My fingers drummed absently against the wood as I sorted through the pieces in my mind. "First, we figure out how much Maximus trusts her—and why."
Luna nodded, her small form exuding an air of authority. "And second?"
"Second," I said, my voice hardening, "we make sure she doesn't become a casualty. If Maximus is drawing her into the Paladin of Void project, we need to understand his endgame before it's too late."
Her expression didn't change, but I could feel the weight of her thoughts. "And the opportunity?"
I allowed myself a faint smile, though it didn't reach my eyes. "If she's his secretary, she'll have access to details Maximus wouldn't share with anyone else. We'll see if we can… borrow a few of those."
Luna crossed her arms, her gaze sharp. "Borrowing implies you plan to give them back."
"Well," I said with a faint smirk, "we'll see."
The plan wasn't perfect. It was barely more than a framework. But as I looked ahead to the days to come, a quiet determination settled over me.
The Tower of Alchemy was a place where ambition, secrets, and power intertwined. If I wanted to protect Rose, uncover the truth about the Paladin of Void project, and achieve my own goals, I'd have to master all three.
And Maximus, for all his careful planning, had just opened the first door.
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