Chapter 17: Shadows Beneath the Table
The heavy door of the Headmaster's Office closed with a soft click behind Luther. He walked in without hesitation, eyes as calm as ever. Behind him, Luna followed with a measured grace, arms crossed and her long hair pulled into a loose bun.
Seated behind his broad blacksteel desk was Krav Laboly, Headmaster of Eden Academy — a living legend, warrior-mage, and one of the most feared strategists alive. His white hair shimmered beneath the office's ambient mana-lamps, his eyes sharp despite the deep bags beneath them.
"Sit," Krav ordered. His voice was low, steady.
Luther slouched into the leather chair across from him, the same casual defiance he always wore when no one else was around.
Luna sat beside him with crossed legs and an expression that mixed exhaustion and concern.
Krav did not sit.
He walked slowly behind them, hands clasped behind his back.
"From the beginning," he said, "tell me what Varnel told you."
Luther didn't ask how Krav knew what he'd done.
He just nodded.
> "He confessed it was Gustav," Luther said evenly. "One of the Round Table. Said he was ordered to eliminate White Death if he ever entered Eden Academy."
Luna frowned but didn't seem surprised.
"Did he say why?"
"No," Luther replied. "Only that Gustav is leaking intel to demons. Deals. Power. Something to do with forbidden magic."
Krav let out a slow breath, his jaw clenched tight.
"That man oversees the Eastern Border. Do you know how many dungeons run through that zone? If he's feeding the demons information, he's not just corrupt… he's strategically dangerous."
"And bold," Luna added. "To target Luther directly like this..."
"Desperate," Krav corrected. "Gustav's been operating too long in the shadows. Maybe he saw Luther as a variable that could expose him."
There was a heavy silence in the room.
Krav finally stepped around his desk and took his seat, folding his hands together.
"We cannot move on this yet."
Luther raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
Krav looked him dead in the eye.
"Because accusing a Round Table member without irrefutable proof is enough to cause political collapse. The world still remembers the War of Factions. Nobles would seize this as an excuse to challenge each other's power. Guilds would splinter. And the demons would take full advantage."
"So we just let him live?" Luna asked, her tone sharp.
Krav shook his head.
"We play it smart. We gather evidence. Create a net around Gustav's activity. We don't just accuse him… we expose him."
His gaze turned back to Luther.
"And to do that, we'll need to involve King."
Even Luna paused at that.
"Are you sure?"
"We don't have a choice," Krav said. "He's the only one with enough authority and fear to keep this quiet while we investigate."
Luther's expression didn't change, but his fingers drummed against the armrest.
"Aurora doesn't know what kind of man her father is, does she?"
"She knows some," Luna replied. "But not all. Not what he's capable of."
King — the strongest living human. Ruthless, calculating, and utterly pragmatic. A man who would sacrifice ten lives to save a hundred without hesitation.
Luther had always respected his strength. But never trusted his morals.
"We'll keep Aurora in the dark for now," Krav said. "King will help. He hates demons more than anyone, even if his methods make others uncomfortable."
"I'll send a coded request tonight," he continued. "Encrypted and laced with divine sealing. If Gustav catches even a whiff of this plan, it's over."
He leaned forward.
"And until then, Luther... keep your head down."
Luther smiled faintly.
"Not really my style."
Krav's eyes didn't blink. "You may have taken Varnel down in secret, but if word gets out who actually corrupted the troll to trigger this—"
Luna cut in, voice low. "We agreed not to speak of that."
Krav nodded slowly.
"Fine. But be careful. The stronger you get, the more enemies will crawl out of their shadows."
Luther stood.
"I'll be ready. I've always been."
Krav smiled at last — tired, but proud.
"You're trouble," he said, "but you're my kind of trouble."