Chapter 10 – The First Real Hand

Hikaru hated losing.

But he hated not knowing even more.

And right now, Budi had all the cards.

The old parchment with the strange mask illustration still sat in Hikaru's hands. The faded ink, the unfamiliar script—it didn't look like anything from the kingdom's usual records.

Which meant one thing.

Budi wasn't just playing around. He was searching for something real.

And Hikaru had no idea what it was.

He exhaled, flipping the paper over again. That single phrase at the bottom still stared back at him.

Beware the Forgotten Ones.

Hikaru glanced up at Budi, who stood at the edge of the rooftop, twirling the stolen dagger lazily in his fingers.

"Alright," Hikaru said. "I'll bite. Where'd you get this?"

Budi hummed. "A little here, a little there."

Hikaru sighed. "You always do this."

Budi smirked beneath his mask. "Do what?"

"Act all mysterious when I know you want me to ask more questions." Hikaru waved the parchment. "You could've just told me to meet you instead of making me chase you through the city."

Budi tilted his head. "And miss out on the fun?"

Hikaru exhaled through his nose. Same old Budi.

But still—this was different. Budi was always unpredictable, always a little chaotic. But there was intent behind his actions this time.

This wasn't just a game.

Something was coming.

Hikaru tucked the parchment into his coat. "Fine. Let's say I believe this is important. What's your next move?"

Budi's grin widened. "You're finally asking the right questions."

Then, without warning—

He jumped.

Hikaru's eyes widened as Budi dropped off the rooftop.

For a split second, he almost thought his friend was insane—

Then, just before hitting the ground, Budi's form blurred.

It was like watching a trick of the light. One moment, he was falling. The next—he simply wasn't.

Hikaru blinked.

Then he heard the whisper.

From behind him.

"I'll be in touch."

Hikaru whirled around, but Budi was already gone.

He let out a slow breath, rubbing his temple.

"Show-off."

The Next Move

Hikaru returned to the guild the next morning, still thinking about the parchment.

Whatever Budi had found, it was important enough to risk exposure.

And that meant Hikaru needed more information.

So he did what he always did when he needed answers.

He started asking the right people.

The first stop was Elara.

The guild handler had been in the business for years. If strange old documents or masked thieves had been making the rounds, she'd know.

Hikaru slid into his usual seat at the counter.

"Morning," he greeted casually.

Elara didn't look up from her paperwork. "What do you want?"

Hikaru smirked. "Wow. No warm welcome?"

She finally glanced at him. "You've been causing a lot of noise lately. That means more work for me. That means I don't like you right now."

Hikaru put a hand over his heart. "I'm hurt."

Elara snorted. "Cut to the chase, trickster."

Hikaru leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Ever heard of something called the Forgotten Ones?"

Elara stiffened.

It was quick. So quick that most people wouldn't have noticed.

But Hikaru?

He caught it.

Her fingers paused on the parchment.

"…Where did you hear that?" she asked carefully.

Hikaru grinned. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Elara's expression darkened. "Listen, Kageyama. If you have any sense, you'll stop looking into that."

Now that was interesting.

Elara was blunt, but she wasn't the type to warn people unless she had a good reason.

Which meant she knew something.

Hikaru leaned back, spinning a card between his fingers. "You know I can't do that."

Elara muttered something under her breath before sighing. She rubbed her temples. "You're a pain."

"An endearing pain," Hikaru corrected.

She ignored that.

Then, after a long moment, she finally said—

"There are things in this world that shouldn't exist."

Hikaru's smile faded slightly.

Elara wasn't joking.

"People disappear when they look too deep," she continued. "Cities vanish from maps. History rewrites itself."

Hikaru's fingers paused on his deck.

"…Rewrites itself?"

Elara's gaze sharpened. "Yeah."

That… was unsettling.

Before he could ask more, she tapped the counter. "If you really want to keep digging, talk to the Magisterium."

Hikaru raised an eyebrow. "The kingdom's mages?"

"They keep records of things the kingdom wants buried." She narrowed her eyes. "But don't be stupid. You're not a noble. They're not just going to hand over information because you ask nicely."

Hikaru smirked. "Good thing I don't do 'nicely.'"

Elara sighed. "You're going to get yourself killed."

Hikaru stood, tipping an imaginary hat. "Wouldn't be the first time someone's tried."

He turned on his heel and walked away, mind already buzzing with his next move.

Because now?

The real game had begun.

And the first step?

Breaking into the Magisterium.