Calm Before The Storm (3)

Elaine lay beneath me, her breath uneven, her emerald eyes wide with shock.

Her body trembled slightly beneath my grasp, her wrists pinned against the mattress as I loomed over her. The remnants of her magic still flickered through the air, but it was useless now—absorbed the moment it touched my skin, twisted into something darker, something mine.

She had tried to kill me.

And she had failed spectacularly.

I smirked. "Did you really think that would work?"

Elaine gritted her teeth, her hatred flaring to life. "You bastard!"

She thrashed beneath me, attempting to break free, but it was a pathetic attempt. Her strength was nothing compared to mine, not just physically, but mentally. She had made her move, played her hand, and she had lost.

I leaned in slightly, my voice dropping into something quieter, something dangerous.

"Don't do that again," I murmured, my fingers tightening around her wrists. "Because next time?" I tilted my head, eyes locking onto hers. "I might not stop myself from killing your last living sibling."

Elaine flinched, her breath hitching.

Fear crept into her expression. Just a flicker, but I caught it.

Her defiance hadn't died, but the certainty she had before—the belief that she could win—was gone.

Slowly, I released her wrists, pushing off her and stepping back as if nothing had happened. I rolled my shoulders, stretching my arms while she scrambled away, pressing herself against the headboard of the bed like a cornered animal.

I chuckled. Pathetic.

"Try to get some sleep," I said casually, brushing imaginary dust off my sleeve. "The banquet is in two days, and I'd rather not have you looking like a walking corpse."

Elaine didn't respond.

Didn't even glare this time.

Good.

I turned away and walked toward my desk, settling into the chair as I leaned back, staring at the ceiling.

I had bigger things to worry about.

---

Golden Compass Headquarters

The streets of the academy's lower district were always lively, filled with merchants, students, and workers going about their business. But as Joseph and I made our way toward a particular building—a modest but well-guarded stone structure tucked into a quiet street—I could feel the subtle shift in atmosphere.

People walked by with hushed whispers. Eyes flickered toward the building before quickly looking away.

The Golden Compass had become something of a mystery in the capital.

A merchant guild that had sprung up seemingly overnight, expanding its influence at an unprecedented rate. No one knew much about its true leader, only that it had strong financial backing and a talent for acquiring rare and valuable goods.

And that was exactly how I wanted it.

Evan Jones was already waiting for me when I arrived.

He was seated behind a large desk, meticulously scanning a ledger while sipping from a glass of expensive wine. At the sound of my entrance, he glanced up and smirked.

"You're earlier than expected," he remarked.

I smirked back, sliding into the chair opposite him. "Had a long night."

Evan set down his glass, adjusting his glasses. "And yet, you're still making time for business. I have to say, your work ethic is truly inspiring."

"Spare me the flattery," I said lazily. "Give me the numbers."

Evan pulled out a thick ledger and flipped to a marked page. "As of this month, the Golden Compass is generating a steady revenue of 1,500 gold per month."

I raised an eyebrow. "Three times what it was last time I checked."

He nodded. "We expanded operations significantly. The alchemy trade has been particularly profitable—potions, enchanted herbs, and mana restoratives. With the academy reopening, the demand is only going to increase."

I skimmed over the ledger, running quick calculations in my head.

After deducting operating costs, bribes to local officials, and payments to our enforcers, the actual profit was around 1,100 gold per month.

Not bad.

"Total assets?" I asked.

Evan smirked. "Currently, we have 6,400 gold in reserves. Enough to make some interesting moves, if you have anything in mind."

I leaned back, tapping my fingers against the desk.

The banquet's auction could be an opportunity to expand further. With the right artifact or magical resource, the Golden Compass could position itself as the premier trading group in the kingdom.

I made a mental note to look over the auction catalog when it became available.

For now, I had other things to take care of.

"I need to test something," I said, standing up.

Evan raised an eyebrow. "And that is?"

I smirked. "A new power."

---

Academy Training Grounds

The sky was overcast as I stood across from Joseph, the wind rustling through the trees surrounding the open training grounds.

"Using magic against me now?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

I smirked, lifting my hand. A faint breeze stirred around my fingers, but this wasn't ordinary wind magic.

This was Demonic Wind Magic.

The moment Elaine's Elven Wind Blade had touched me, Absorption had kicked in. Now, I had taken that same magic and twisted it into something darker.

Joseph observed me carefully, then nodded. "Let's see what you've got."

I moved first.

The wind responded to my thoughts, sharper, deadlier than normal air magic.

I flicked my wrist, sending a concentrated blade of wind toward Joseph.

He dodged, but I was already moving, using the wind to propel myself forward at unnatural speeds.

Joseph barely had time to raise his sword before I was in front of him.

I spun mid-air, twisting into a wind-accelerated roundhouse kick.

Joseph blocked, but the sheer force sent him skidding backward.

I smirked. "Not bad, huh?"

Joseph exhaled, lowering his sword slightly. "Your movements are cleaner now." His eyes flickered toward the magic still lingering around my fingers. "And that magic… it's unlike anything I've seen before."

I chuckled. "It's one of a kind."

Joseph took a stance again. "Then let's see how far you can push it."

I grinned.

We clashed.

The wind roared around us, my movements faster, sharper than before. I wove between Joseph's strikes, using wind not just as a weapon, but as an extension of my body.

It was different from my Hellfire—Hellfire was consuming, destructive. But this?

This was refined, controlled devastation.

I was getting stronger.

And I wasn't the only one noticing.

Three figures stood at the edge of the training field, watching.

Chiyo.

Sophia.

Alex.

Their expressions varied—Sophia's eyes narrowed in confusion, Chiyo's gaze analyzing every movement, and Alex…

He looked angry.

I frowned mid-dodge.