[Night, Capital City]
The capital at night was nothing like the chaos it once knew.
Gone were the screaming shadows of the Princess's birthday banquet.
Gone were the howls of beasts and cries of dying guards.
Now, peace reigned.
The streets shimmered under the soft glow of golden streetlights. The scent of freshly baked mana-bread drifted lazily from a nearby bakery. Wind whispered through tiled roofs, rustling flags adorned with royal crests. Stars flickered gently into view as the last traces of sunlight faded.
It was nearing 7 PM.
And down one of the quieter side streets, a silver-haired boy walked slowly—hands buried in the pockets of his black hoodie. His footsteps made no sound.
A shadow among the shadows.
No one gave him a second glance. Just another quiet figure enjoying the night.
But his crimson eyes—hidden beneath the hood—gleamed with purpose.
Noah Von Augustus moved silently through the capital, his gaze sharp, his mind alert. He passed alleyways and plazas, his pace unhurried, until he reached a familiar structure.
The Church of Light.
Its ivory-white pillars glowed faintly under the moonlight, and soft hymns drifted through stained-glass windows.
Noah stepped forward and knocked.
A young sister opened the door. She blinked, surprised by the visitor, but before she could ask anything, Noah spoke with a gentle smile.
"Sorry to intrude. I'm here to see The Saintess."
She paused, then gave a small nod.
"Please wait a moment."
A minute passed.
Then hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor.
The air shifted.
And then—she appeared.
Flowing down the hallway like light incarnate.
Platinum-blonde hair trailing behind her, eyes as clear as emerald gems under the moonlight.
She smiled brightly the moment she saw him.
"Noah," Olivia said, her voice soft, warm. "What brings you here?"
Noah smiled innocently.
"Nothing. Just wanted to see you."
She narrowed her eyes, hands on her hips.
"Liar. You didn't even write to me after arriving in the duchy. Tell me already—what are you up to this time?"
He raised both hands with a guilty chuckle.
"Guilty as charged. Well… there is something I need to do. But first, how about we go somewhere quiet?"
With a flick of his finger, a portal shimmered beneath their feet.
And just like that—
Before Olivia could say anything.
They vanished.
*****
[A Small Restaurant – 1 KM North From the Church]
The quiet hum of mana lanterns filled the cozy eatery. A breeze carried the scent of honey-glazed bread and herbal stew.
Olivia looked around the warm interior, blinking.
"Why did you bring me here? We could've talked in my quarters."
Noah shrugged, taking a seat at the booth.
"You're always caged inside that church. It's good to get some fresh air once in a while."
She rolled her eyes, but the faint smile on her lips said she appreciated it.
"So," she said, folding her hands. "What is it that you wanted to talk about?"
Noah raised a hand and flicked his fingers again.
A sound barrier shimmered into existence around their booth—completely sealing them from eavesdropping.
His expression turned serious.
"Olivia… do you trust me?"
She blinked.
Then smiled—gently, but with certainty.
"I'm alive because of you, Noah. I'll always trust you… even if you betray me later."
Noah's voice dropped, his tone sincere.
"I won't betray your trust. Not now. Not ever."
She nodded.
"Okay then. Now will you please tell me?"
Noah inhaled slowly.
"I saw a dream… a vision. The capital was burning. Heroes were killing civilians. And you—"
His voice caught.
"You were killed. By a woman with a harp."
Olivia's breath hitched—but she didn't panic. She held onto her composure with grace, though her knuckles whitened.
"So… a dream like that is why you came to see me?"
He nodded.
"Yeah. It might've been a dream… but it felt too real. I came to see you, to check if the Hero Association's acting strange. And—if that harp woman is real. I also want to contact Rein Shroud. He didn't appear in the dream. That's… too suspicious."
"I know it might sound like I'm overthinking it, but… I can't ignore it. I won't risk the capital falling into flames."
Olivia was quiet for a moment.
Then she nodded.
"I don't know about the harp woman… but I have noticed something strange."
Noah leaned forward.
"Strange how?"
Olivia looked around, lowered her voice, and continued.
"Normally, the Hero Association ignores small villages and remote towns. That's where the church usually steps in. But lately… heroes are working around the clock. They're helping in places they used to ignore."
She paused, then added—
"Yesterday, I heard a boy got lost near the Association HQ. Just a scared child. But they sent a low-rank hero to escort him home."
Noah narrowed his eyes.
"Weird. Heroes usually chase monsters, not escort civilians. So why the sudden change?"
Olivia nodded solemnly.
"Exactly. And I've met a few of them during my duties. That's when I noticed something…"
Noah's gaze sharpened.
"What?"
She hesitated.
Then said:
"After I awakened my divine power… I can see more than mana. I see truth. I can see a person's intent. Their lies. Their desires. Their aura."
"And when I looked at those heroes…"
She shivered.
"They weren't normal. Their mana is tainted. There's something dark—something not human—eating away at them. Like a parasite. But… worse. It's like they're being bound. Controlled."
Noah went still.
"…Then it's true. The dream… the vision… It could happen."
"I believe it," Olivia whispered. "And if you're right, something big is coming—and no one's ready."
He nodded firmly.
"I need to spy on the Association. Can you find out where Rein Shroud is for me?"
She frowned slightly. "What about you? Will you be fine alone?"
He smiled.
"Yeah. I'm not going to fight. Just observe."
She nodded slowly. "Alright… but be careful."
"Always am."
He took a step forward, then paused.
"Before we go—"
He gently pressed a glowing blue finger against Olivia's forehead.
A soft blue sigil—a flame-like mark—flared to life, then vanished.
She blinked, startled.
"What did you just do?"
He smiled softly.
"A protection rune. It'll activate once if you're in danger. It'll protect you… and give me time to reach you."
Her fingers brushed her forehead, lips curving slightly.
"…Thank you."
And then—
They vanished.
*****
[Hero Association HQ – Five Minutes Later]
The towering building of the Hero Association loomed like a fortress of light and iron. But beneath the facade, Noah felt something wrong.
Off.
He stood on a rooftop nearby, hidden in the shadows.
"Eva."
[Yes, Host?]
"Use 30 SP to create a stealth-based skill. I want something perfect for spying—makes me completely undetectable by any means. Visual, magical, sensory—everything."
[Analyzing...]
[Skill Created – 30 SP Deducted]
New Skill Acquired: [GhostVeil]
🔹 Type: Passive/Active Stealth
🔹 Mana Cost: Low to Medium (scales with movement and proximity to enemies)
🔹 Effect:
– Renders user undetectable to all forms of perception (visual, auditory, magical, spiritual)
– Cloaks user's presence completely unless directly touched or interfered with
– Immune to detection spells, traps, and divine senses
– Can be toggled for cloaking others (up to 1 target)
– Increases sensitivity to aura shifts and ambient energy
"…Perfect."
Noah raised his hand and vanished—completely.
Not even the wind acknowledged his existence.
He then summoned ten clones, each equipped with GhostVeil, and sent them inside the building—one per floor, two at key observation points.
Just in case.
"Alright," he whispered to himself, standing across from the HQ.
"Let's see what secrets you're hiding."
To be continued…