Chaos Intensifies

After discussing a few things, Evan asked again, "Can't you wait for me at least? It's just a couple of days at most."

"I need to go there today, Evan. You get it?"

Evan clicked his tongue. He understood what Alastor was saying, he really wanted to know why Alastor was rushing things, but he refrained from asking anymore.

Alastor had predicted they may stay under the Academy for a week or so.

"I do not believe getting that gemstone is easy."

He dryly said, then started to point some specific

"These places are most likely to have some traps. They aren't mentioned in this map, but that doesn't mean they aren't present. In maps, you do not show off your hidden traps, do you?"

Evan shook his head, agreeing with Alastor. He had already narrated all of the details of yesterday's night to Alastor, minus the things Vian did.

When Alastor asked him why he was with Vian and what they were doing, Evan made up a quick white lie. Saying that he escorted Vian to her room and so they met the principal, or whoever was that person as they did not believe she was the principal.

"Then, is that why you are so hasty?"

"We have no time before the Trials Tournament starts," Alastor stressed on that point.

He then created a sphere of mana in his palm, twisting it around and pulling it into a star shape.

"What is this?"

"A gift, you need to keep it with you when I am not around. With our tight timeline, I'd need to go before you. However, you are welcomed to follow as long as you confirm your Ascension."

Merely scoffing, Evan took the Mana Star and hid it in his pocket. Just by holding it, he felt numerous times stronger. In addition, he felt something similar to Alastor.

'Is this Chaos Mana? Well, it does seem only natural to be…'

Yet, knowing he was holding something like that made Evan afraid. The Chaos Mana was something rare, people did not even recognize it immediately and were already gossiping about how Alastor seemed to be using the devil's power.

'Though, if someone asked me, Alastor is the real devil around here.'

Shaking off these thoughts, Evan thanked Alastor and asked him something else.

"Will you go alone? That's also dangerous, you know."

"That is okay," Alastor waved him off, "Vian is going to accompany me as I said before. Perhaps, another person will join as well."

Then, he remembered he had yet to tell Evan about something.

"Oh, I forgot to mention, your sister is not going to need any help."

"Huh?"

"Let's say, Arisa decided that was an idiotic move or something."

Evan was unable to comprehend those words, he fell to his knees and let out a deep sigh of relief. Although he was trying so hard to ignore it all and trust Alastor's words, Evan was still feeling anxious.

That did not mean he was unaware how much he needed Alastor to stay alive as well. Without Alastor, sooner or later, he was going to need to lick the Imperial Family's shoes.

"I still have no idea what you did… But I am unconditionally grateful for this, honest."

Alastor laughed, a vague memory that was not his own suddenly resurfaced. Apparently, Evan used to use the word 'honest' instead of 'honestly' whenever he was genuine about something and unable to think clearly.

"You're the most natural when you are a total mess, are you not?" He teased.

"I seriously am trying to keep the act of a nobleman. Please, respect my efforts."

Evan's words were truly a whole lot of comedy for Alastor as he helped him up, he shook his head helplessly.

"It is about your atmosphere, not your accent or your behavior. But that is it, now, I need to go and you need to leave and start with the arrangement of your Ascension Battle."

"Ha. Okay, we will meet under the Academy then?"

"If you did not take that long to finish, yes."

No longer bothered by Alastor's teasing or mysterious ways anymore, Evan nodded and took off.

Alastor on the other hand did not leave immediately, he decided that it was time to meditate.

Running his mana through his body, Alastor felt his cracked Circles. They were better than normal, thanks to Arisa's healing abilities. However, he noticed something else.

In his core, something was manifesting. Something small, dark, but ominously strong. That thing was growing up rabidly, and instead of hurting him, the thing was blending in a good way with his body.

"Fabulous, another weird secret about this body."

Alastor commented sarcastically before going to meet with Vian, while he was on his way, he heard the news about the Emperor falling unconscious.

The students were chattering about it in excitement. Despite the topic being sensitive, the students of the Academy were not particularly… Careful about their behavior towards the Imperial Family until their families were involved.

Why?

'The principal of this Academy is not a nobody that the Imperial Family can easily buy, that is why.'

Alastor was itching to meet that woman and know more about her, especially since she handed the map to him. Did she know anything? Alastor was suspicious, there was also the Fae from before, which also piqued his interest.

A wicked smile appeared on his face, his eyes glowing dangerously bright.

'I suppose I am being too curious again, and this perhaps is going to bite me in the butt. But I do not care, hahahah…'

Alastor controlled his expression once he arrived to meet Vian, in front of this girl, it was not the time to show this face.

Oh if only Alastor knew how wicked and vicious this young woman herself was, he perhaps would be mocking himself and putting a red clown nose on his face already.

In any case, he was not going to realize this fact very soon, as much as he was observant.