Chapter 51: Unwelcome Guests

The war foundry hummed with life as the team worked, the ancient forges burning brightly for the first time in centuries. The clang of metal, the hiss of steam, and the crackling energy from dormant machines echoed through the vast chamber.

Elias was deep in thought, running calculations on his gauntlet's interface, when Ivy's voice cut through the noise.

"We have a problem."

The weight in her tone immediately made him stop.

He turned to see her standing near the entrance to the facility, her bow drawn, gaze fixed on something outside the ruined fortress walls.

Elias quickly moved to her side, the others following close behind.

"What is it?" he asked.

Ivy didn't lower her bow. "We're not alone."

The air outside the factory had changed. The once silent ruins of Solmara were no longer still. Shadows moved in the distance, figures weaving through the debris, their forms barely visible beneath the shifting light of the moon.

Cecilia's dagger was already in her hand. "Please tell me it's just some lost explorers."

Kierian's eyes narrowed. "No. They are too coordinated."

Lira groaned. "Of course. Can't we have one moment of peace?"

Marco adjusted his glasses. "I'm guessing whoever they are, they aren't here to help."

Elias exhaled, already preparing for the worst.

Then, from the darkness, a voice rang out.

"You've been very busy, haven't you, House Null?"

The team tensed.

A group of figures stepped into view, their cloaks lined with sigils of the Academy. At the center stood a tall man clad in deep navy robes, the insignia of the Imperial Mage Corps displayed proudly on his chest. His silver hair glistened in the moonlight, but his eyes—sharp, calculating, and utterly cold—sent a chill down Elias's spine.

Lira's expression soured immediately. "Oh, you have got to be kidding me."

Cecilia cocked her head. "Friend of yours?"

"Far from it," Lira muttered.

The silver-haired man smiled thinly. "Lira. It's been a while."

Lira crossed her arms, not bothering to hide her distaste. "Not long enough, Aldric."

Elias's mind immediately snapped to attention.

This was Aldric Vaelmont—a high-ranking mage of the Academy's elite combat division. A former prodigy, now one of the Academy's strongest enforcers.

And judging by the way Lira's posture stiffened, he was someone she had history with.

Aldric's eyes flickered across the group before landing on Elias. "You must be the brilliant engineer who's been making quite a mess of things."

Elias didn't rise to the bait. "I prefer the term problem solver."

Aldric chuckled. "Yes. That's exactly what the Academy is concerned about." His gaze drifted toward the activated forge, the half-constructed exosuit, and the revived war factory. "I must admit, I underestimated you."

Reinhardt snorted. "You and the rest of the Academy."

Aldric ignored him, his focus never leaving Elias. "You were a mere anomaly at first. An oddity. A non-mage with grand ideas. But this…" He gestured toward the factory. "This is far more dangerous than we anticipated."

Cecilia flicked a dagger between her fingers. "So, what? You're here to shut us down?"

Aldric smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "Oh, you misunderstand. I'm not here to fight." He gestured to the mages behind him, who remained composed but ready—not attacking, but clearly waiting for an order.

"I'm here to offer you a choice."

Elias narrowed his eyes. "Let me guess. Join the Academy or be destroyed?"

Aldric let out a soft laugh. "You think so little of us." His gaze hardened. "No, Elias. The Academy is not so barbaric—yet."

He took a step forward, the air growing heavier with restrained power. "You have done something remarkable here. You have reawakened lost knowledge, unlocked the potential of the Vanguard's legacy. That is… commendable."

He paused, his expression unreadable.

"But you are also playing with forces beyond your understanding. The Primordial Lords are not an enemy that technology alone can defeat."

Elias clenched his fists. "And yet, the Academy is doing nothing to stop them."

Aldric sighed. "The Academy moves in ways you do not yet comprehend."

Lira scoffed. "Oh, don't give us that cryptic nonsense. We know exactly what the Academy does—hoard knowledge, control power, and silence anyone who dares to challenge them."

Aldric's gaze darkened. "Then you must understand why I cannot allow you to continue unchecked."

Elias stood his ground. "And what happens if we refuse your offer?"

Aldric exhaled, as if he had expected this answer.

"Then I will be forced to eliminate you here and now."

Silence.

Then, Reinhardt rolled his shoulders. "Well, that's not much of a choice."

Cecilia grinned, twirling her dagger. "I was hoping for a fight anyway."

Ivy was already moving, disappearing into the shadows.

Marco muttered, "I knew this was going to happen."

Elias, despite the situation, smirked.

"Well, Aldric. You were right about one thing." He flexed his fingers inside his exosuit gauntlet, feeling the energy hum beneath the metal.

"We have been busy."

Aldric's eyes flickered toward the suit—and for the first time, Elias saw a glint of caution in them.

Good.

Because this time, Elias wasn't going to be outmatched.

And House Null wasn't backing down.