Interrogating Eva
As the sun rose over Rillow Point, the atmosphere inside the team's temporary base was tense. Samson sat silently in one corner, his mind racing as he replayed the events of the previous night. Across the room, Eva remained quiet, her arms crossed, her eyes distant. The old man, their leader, finally broke the silence.
"Rahul," he said, his tone stern. "What's the update on capturing that man?"
Rahul, standing near a map pinned to the wall, shook his head grimly. "We lost him. The moment he fled into the shadows, he vanished completely. It was like chasing smoke."
The old man's eyes narrowed. "Explain."
Rahul turned to face the group. "I've been reviewing the data and the footage from the Mana Relay watches. Based on his movements and his ability to disappear so effortlessly, I'm almost certain he's a shadow magic user. Specifically, he used a spell called Shadow Merge."
---
Understanding Shadow Magic
"What's Shadow Merge?" Samson asked, his curiosity piqued.
"It's a high-level spell unique to shadow magic users," Rahul explained. "It allows the caster to blend seamlessly with the shadows around them. They can travel through the darkness, making them nearly impossible to track without advanced detection spells."
"So he could be anywhere," Sasha muttered, frustration evident in her voice.
Rahul nodded. "Exactly. Unless we can anticipate his next move, he has the advantage."
---
The old man turned his attention to Eva, his gaze sharp and probing. "Now, young lady," he said, his voice calm but firm. "Why do you think you were targeted?"
Eva hesitated, her usual confident demeanor replaced by uncertainty. "I… I'm not sure," she admitted.
"You must have some idea," Sasha pressed.
Eva sighed, running a hand through her silver hair. "My father is a businessman," she began. "A major stakeholder in Hexagon City. He's involved in multiple industries—mana tech, infrastructure, even agriculture. There are plenty of organizations that would target me to get to him. A ransom, perhaps."
The old man shook his head. "No," he said firmly. "That man wasn't trying to abduct you. He was trying to kill you. Your death wouldn't bring anyone money. It doesn't add up."
Eva looked away, her lips pressed into a thin line. "I need time to think," she said finally. "This… this is a lot to process."
The old man studied her for a moment before nodding. "Fair enough. But don't wander off. This isn't over."
Without another word, Eva stood and left the room, her footsteps echoing down the hallway.
---
The old man turned his attention back to Samson, his expression unreadable. "Samson," he said, his voice steady. "I have a new assignment for you."
Samson straightened in his seat. "What is it?"
"You're going to keep a close watch on Eva," the old man said. "Where she goes, who she talks to—everything. This time, Sasha won't accompany you. This is a solo mission."
Samson blinked, surprised. "Why me?"
"Because you've already established a connection with her," the old man replied. "She trusts you more than anyone else in this group, even if she won't admit it. You know small key observations. All the time she used to look at you to ease herself during interrogation. Use that to your advantage."
Sasha frowned. "Are you sure that's a good idea? He's still new to all of this."
The old man raised a hand, silencing her. "This is a test," he said. "For Samson. I need to see how he handle this situation."
Samson nodded, determination flickering in his eyes. "I won't let you down."
The old man placed a hand on Samson's shoulder. "I believe you won't."
---
Preparation for the mission
As the team dispersed, Samson found himself alone in the room, going over his plan. He adjusted the Mana Relay watch on his wrist, its sleek design gleaming in the morning light. The watch, with its communication and tracking features, would be his lifeline during this mission.
On the other hand his magic watch which has given him the confidence that he lacked once, is emitting low array of icy blue light.
Before he left, Sasha approached him. "Be careful," she said, her tone softer than usual. "That girl might be a tough nut to crack, but she's not invincible."
Samson managed a small smile. "Thanks, Sasha. I'll keep that in mind."
---
Samson found Eva sitting on a bench near the lake, her gaze fixed on the rippling water. He approached cautiously, not wanting to startle her.
"Mind if I join you?" he asked.
Eva glanced at him and shrugged. "Suit yourself."
Samson sat down, the two of them enveloped in an awkward silence. Finally, he spoke. "You know, you can trust us. Right?"
Eva scoffed. "And what do you suggest? That I trust a stranger I barely know?"
"I'm not a stranger," Samson said quietly. "We're in the same class at the Alamcaran High."
Eva didn't respond, but she didn't get up and leave, either. Samson took that as a small victory.