The perks of skulking

[Watching fights in the Arena should help me figure out how to utilize mystic powers during combat.] Hugo mused as he jogged away from the Matriarch's house.

When he stepped onto the dirt road headed southward, Hugo could still feel the sensation of attachment to the folds of reality through a distinct mysterious link. The connection was maintained through Infinitus which he had already dismissed back to his spiritual world.

[The Grimoire is the main factor that enables me to remain in a separate space whilst still interacting with physical items in the material world.] Hugo mused as he continued rushing southward to the Giza Arena.

[Why is it that my hands appear whenever I touch something, whereas my footsteps leave no prints on the ground?]

[Could there be a movement-type mystic technique embedded into the spell model of the Cloak of Thanatos?] Hugo speculated as he halted for a moment to examine the ground behind him.

[I need to study the mystic arts of this world. Only then, will I have the capacity to solve such enigmas.] He resolved while resuming his light jog southward.

Due to the rain, pedestrians and carriages on the dirt roads were few and far between. Hugo felt boundless freedom for the first time since arriving in this world.

He felt like a young bird soaring through the beautiful skies, unhindered by any worries. Tracy and the others might start searching for him soon, but for now, it was just him.

Houses flashed by, then granaries, then carpenter workshops, and then the gambling dens in the southwestern part of Giza.

And sometime later, a large pitch-black arena, similar in architecture to medium-sized stadiums back on Earth appeared before him.

This was the renowned Arena in the southwestern corner of Giza Town. It was open only to mystics of the Dark Church staying in Giza.

Back on Earth, the Arena could solely be fitted in history books about Roman gladiators. It looked big enough to accommodate thousands of spectators watching the combat between mystics.

Aladdin's stories insinuated that sparring among the Dark Church's assassins was a common sight within the walls of the Arena. And in rare cases, death-matches would be permitted if there was irreconcilable enmity between two people in the Dark Church.

Since Gaia was a planet constantly at war with the colonialists, all organizations had endorsed combat training as part of their curriculum.

The Dark Church went a step further by training every youth who joined them into lethal assassins proficient enough to take out even mystics at a realm above theirs.

[I shouldn't be noticed by anyone with the Cloak of Thanatos activated. But I still have to be cautious not to run into anyone.] Hugo reflected.

Hugo felt erratic with excitement as he gazed at the majestic high concrete walls of the Arena. He had been too bored during the past six years.

But his bubble was popped a moment later…

"Eehh! What was that?" A female voice exclaimed just a short distance behind Hugo.

His heart hammered in his chest as he turned around to find a girl scrutinizing the place where his invisible body was positioned.

She seemed to be in the age range of twelve to fifteen. Her skin was a light brown tone and her short hair was as dark as a night sky. Her eyes at that moment glittered with green light as she inspected the region around Hugo's invisible silhouette.

[Can she see me?] Hugo mused as he swiftly stepped away from the position.

[No! Her eyes are not following me. My invisibility hasn't been cracked! Why did she detect my presence then?] Hugo wondered as he recalled the group of girls that had bypassed him before.

The three girls had sauntered by as he was gazing up at the high walls of the arena. The green-eyed girl was still much further behind than the other three, but also several feet away from Hugo, yet she had almost perceived his hidden presence.

[I didn't even come into contact with her. Plus, her mystic powers also seem to be a few grades shy of Tracy's level! So, why was I noticed?]

Hugo started dissecting every detail of the situation.

[Could it be that her aura collided into mine, causing my presence to be detected? I need to be carefully around mystics.] Hugo reflected as a seed of vexation started taking root in his psyche.

The Cloak of Thanatos was not as invincible as he had expected.

[If I can be detected by such a girl, what about the Matriarch?] Hugo shuddered despite himself as he realized the implications.

The Owl had solemnly warned him not to expose anything whatsoever, that was related to the pyramid. Hugo had a feeling that the consequences of such exposure would be beyond the realms of his imagination.

That was the foremost reason he was concealing his mystic arts from Tracy. Although his aunt would not voluntarily bring danger upon him, Hugo couldn't rule out the existence of mystical techniques or powerful individuals capable of detecting their shared information.

This was particularly troublesome since Tracy was under the oaths of the Dark Church.

[I need to find a way to upgrade this spell. Maybe a second activation will improve the abilities of the Cloak of Thanatos.] Hugo mused as he watched the group of girls who were some distance past him.

"Leona! What are you questing after?" Hugo heard one of the other girls inquire in a voice like a whisper.

"I felt my aura touch something mysterious; like a life field. But there isn't a single soul around!" Leona whispered back whilst still surveying the position formerly occupied by Hugo.

"Eehh! Why are you so paranoid? This is Giza, not the Dark Forest!" Amanda, the other girl, replied doubtfully.

"Amanda! Don't you remember your first lessons at the Church School? Let me refresh your memory; as an assassin, never disregard your esper sense." Leona countered; her tone steadfast.

[Esper sense?] Hugo was intrigued by the phrase but decided to eavesdrop first and analyze it later.

"You two! Stop with your machinations. We're in Giza Town, right in front of the Arena. Even if there was someone concealed, what could they do?" Nadia, the girl with magma-red hair interjected.

"Is that so?" Leona replied; a mysterious smile outlining her lovely oval face.

The other three nodded in unison.

"I heard some fascinating news from my sister." She paused, looking at the rest like she was waiting for the information to sink in.

"Just tell us. There is no need to mystify everything." Amanda was the first to respond; her tone filled with unbridled curiosity.

A triumphant smile outlined Leona's face.

"The Matriarch is leading a group of sixty mystics including the Section-41 team to scout the Ubaya Marshlands. They've over ten mystics at the level of kings and queens." Leona added before pausing once more.

[The Matriarch!] Hugo's ears twitched like a calamity-rabbit's after hearing the phrase.

[That must be where Aladdin and the rest went. What are they up to?] Hugo mused as he tiptoed closer to the girls.

"Can you stop teasing us. Why?" Amanda was the first to respond once again; her glossy red lips pouted as if a gross injustice had been brought upon her. Her brown eyes focused on Leona like a puppy looking at their owner.

"Hihihi…" The rest giggled after seeing Amanda's expression.

[What's so funny?] Hugo wondered as he stepped closer.

"Leona! Seriously, why were they headed into the Marshlands?" Nadia inquired.

[Yes! She took the words right out of my mouth… Why indeed?] Hugo concurred with the girl, his invisible silhouette inching closer to the group.