Leo sat at the coffee shop table, his hands crossed over his chest, and his foot tapping incessantly against the wooden floor. The rhythmic tapping was a clear sign of his anxiety. His thoughts churned relentlessly, replaying the events of the previous night. He hadn't been able to focus on anything—not in the illusion class when they were attempting to combine spells with the word Whole, nor in his enchanting class, where he and the other students struggled to bind and seal crystals to stone discs.
The minutes dragged on, stretching into what felt like an eternity before Ryan finally arrived. Or rather, an illusionary version of Ryan walked in and ordered coffee, while the real Ryan silently slipped into the seat across from Leo. It was a subtle yet impressive display of his abilities.
Leo wasted no time, diving straight into recounting the events of the night. His voice was low, laden with the weight of what he'd endured. Ryan listened intently, his expression turning pensive as he processed the details.
After a long pause, Ryan finally raised his head, his gaze locking onto Leo. "It looks like your soul isn't fully shaped for that connection yet," he said, his voice steady. Lifting his coffee cup to his lips, he took a slow sip before continuing, "Now you understand why advancing to the next rank takes so long. Even if you're a genius or have an immense pool of mana, your soul needs time to adapt."
Leo's frustration bubbled to the surface. "Then what should I do next?"
Ryan's demeanor shifted, his tone becoming grave. "You have two options," he said. "Either you give up, or you risk it."
"Risk it?" Leo echoed, his voice tinged with apprehension.
Ryan nodded. "Yes. You'll take on the mission and you'll use your new abilities and let me be clear: the chance of you surviving this mission is less than ten percent, even if everything goes smoothly. Even if you manage to use your abilities without losing yourself, like what almost happened last night." He leaned forward slightly, his serious gaze piercing through Leo. "So? What will you do?"
Leo's thoughts spiraled. Less than ten percent? The odds were dismal. If he failed, he might not only lose his life but also condemn Eliza's mother to certain death. Yet doing nothing would guarantee her demise. They had no leads, no evidence at the association to locate her.
'I could tell the captain,' Leo mused. 'Let him burn' But he shook his head, dismissing the thought. That wasn't who he was and also high risk have high reward.
Finally, his resolve solidified. He straightened in his seat and met Ryan's gaze with unwavering determination. "I'll do it."
Ryan's expression transformed into a wide, almost unnerving grin. "Good," he said, his voice carrying a hint of excitement. "Then let me tell you the plan."
"This noble is called Roy Mills," Ryan said, his voice steady as he conjured an image midair.
Leo's eyes focused on the projection—a man in his forties, standing tall at nearly 180 centimeters. His sharp features and narrow eyes gave him a cold, calculating look. His short black hair and muscular build hinted at a life of discipline and physical prowess.
"Is he a warrior?" Leo asked, narrowing his eyes at the image.
"Good guess," Ryan replied with a smirk. "Yes, he's a D+ Warrior."
The image dissolved, replaced by a detailed 3D map of a street. Ryan pointed to the third building on the north side of the street. It zoomed in on a grand mansion, surrounded by meticulously maintained gardens and iron fences. The mansion was colossal, its sprawling structure and expansive grounds exuding wealth and power. To put its size into perspective, more than ten of Leo's rental house could easily fit within its boundaries.
"This is his mansion," he explained. "First, you need to know there's a barrier around the house. It's designed to alert the protector if someone unauthorized enters. Lucky for you, I'm the current protector."
As he spoke, the illusion displayed the mansion encased in a shimmering, translucent sphere, a clear representation of the magical barrier.
"Next," Ryan continued, "are the rankers stationed there. Twenty E-rankers, ten D-rankers, three C-rankers, and one B-rank, aside from me."
The illusion shifted, highlighting different figures stationed strategically around the mansion.
"The C-rankers are a Warrior, a Paladin, and a Priest. But the real threat is this guy."
The image morphed into a massive man, almost as tall as Edmond but with even broader muscles. His intense presence radiated power, a testament to his B Warrior rank.
"He may have a brain made of meat," Ryan said dryly, "but his body is a fortress. If he catches you, you're done."
Leo's brows furrowed as he stared at the projection. "How the hell am I supposed to get into the house with all these people stronger than me and then get out alive?"
Ryan grinned. "Think like an Illusionist. You're not going to fight them. You're going to trick them."
Leo's skepticism was evident. "My illusions won't work against a B-rank and three C-ranks. Even if I get inside and find Eliza's mother, how do I get her out?"
"You're not going to do that," Ryan said, his tone cryptic.
Leo blinked. "Care to explain?"
Ryan crossed his arms, letting the pause build suspense. "You're going to head to Roy Mills' office, find my contract, and burn it."
Understanding dawned on Leo's face. "If I burn your contract, you'll be free to handle the rest yourself."
"Exactly."
"Is the contract easy to burn?"
"It's just a piece of paper," Ryan replied. "I can't destroy it because of the binding, but someone else can."
Reaching into his bag, Ryan pulled out a small bundle of items and laid them on the table.
"Take these."
Leo examined the objects: a crystal, two scrolls and a piece of cloth.
"What are these?" he asked, picking them up one by one.
"The crystal is imbued with a high-level Calm spell to help you stay focused and sane," Ryan explained. "The first scroll is a teleportation spell. It'll take you to the alley near this coffee shop. The second scroll contains a B-rank ability called Arc Confinement. It creates a lightning arc on the ground, capable of immobilizing even a B-rank for about five minutes."
"This clothe is your way in," Ryan explained, holding up the neatly folded attire. "They belong to a waiter who isn't scheduled to come tonight. Only one person in the mansion keeps track of the waitstaff—remember the fat man who was with me that day? He's in charge of minor operations like this."
An illusion of the mansion appeared once more, hovering between them.
"I suggest you enter from here." Ryan pointed to the building's right side, where a small, unassuming door was highlighted. "That door leads directly to the kitchen. Only two E-rank guards patrol this area, so it's your best shot. Once you're inside, you'll have to figure things out on your own. Unfortunately, I can't guide you further—part of my contract prevents me from revealing the interior layout."
Leo frowned, studying the illusion carefully. "So I'm going in blind after that point?"
Ryan nodded. "Yes. But remember, you're not going there to fight. You're there to outwit them. Stick to the plan, and you'll be fine."
Leo nodded, carefully tucking the items into his bag. "This plan sounds insane, but it's the best option we've got. When should we start?"
"Tonight," Ryan said firmly.
"Tonight?" Leo echoed, his brow furrowing in surprise.
"Yes. The faster, the better," Ryan continued. "I don't know how long I'll remain the designated protector. If that changes, you won't be able to enter anymore. Tonight, there's a banquet—perfect for blending in."
Leo frowned. "Doesn't that also mean there will be more nobles there? And their bodyguards, who are probably high-rankers?"
Ryan smirked. "That's one way to look at it. But think about it—our noble will need to keep his bodyguard close. None of these people trust each other. It works to our advantage."
Leo rested his right hand under his chin, mulling over the strategy. "That's a good point," he admitted after a moment.
Glancing at his watch, Leo noted the time: 6:30.
"Then I'd better go prepare myself," he said, standing up.
Ryan nodded. "Yes, you should. And remember—think like an illusionist."
Leo gave a firm nod, turned, and began making his way home, his mind racing with thoughts of the night ahead.
…
In the vast expanse of the mansion, Clemens Mullner strode purposefully down a corridor lined with intricately carved doors. His destination was one of the many rooms reserved for the rankers stationed within. Inside, three C-rankers stood at attention, awaiting his instructions.
As he stepped into the room, they immediately rose, their postures stiffening under his authoritative gaze.
"I'll be assigned to protect Mr. Mills tonight" Clemens began, his tone sharp and commanding. "That means the three of you are in charge of handling everything else. If anything happens, do your best to resolve it without disturbing Mr. Mills. And don't contact me unless it's absolutely necessary."
The trio nodded in unison, their expressions a mix of deference and determination. Satisfied, Clemens turned on his heel and made his way toward his quarters to prepare for the banquet.
Inside his room, he began donning his special armor, its blackened steel glinting ominously under the faint light. A sense of superiority filled him as he adjusted the last strap. To Clemens, there was no question about who held real power in the mansion. Ryan's presence meant little to him; the man seemed to do nothing of substance, leaving the weight of responsibility squarely on Clemens' capable shoulders.
Not that he minded. In fact, he relished it. The thought of Ryan failing his supposed missions only bolstered Clemens' confidence. A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth as he imagined how easily he could have handled things.
"If it were me, I'd have cut down anyone in my way and completed the mission without a hitch," he muttered to himself, his arrogance seeping into every word.
Fully clad in his imposing armor, Clemens stepped out of his room. His heavy boots echoed down the grand halls as he made his way to the main hall, a proud and arrogant smile etched across his face.
…
Inside Leo's room, he meticulously prepared for the daunting mission ahead. Knowing he would be gone for the night, he informed his mother, that he'll be out tonight with friends, reassuring her he might not return until morning.
He began by donning the waiter's uniform Ryan had provided—a tailored suit that exuded the sophistication and elegance expected in the presence of wealthy nobles. The fine material and impeccable stitching were a stark contrast to the simple clothing Leo was accustomed to. To maintain his cover while ensuring practicality, he layered his sturdy coat over the uniform, its durable fabric offering both concealment and protection.
Around his waist, he fastened his utility belt, its design allowing quick access to vital items. The belt featured five small compartments on each side, which he methodically filled.
From his collection of gems, he carefully selected the ones he deemed essential. Into the first pocket on his right side went the black gem, followed by the mana crystal and the calm crystal. Activating all of the crystals, he felt a soothing wave wash over him, dulling the edge of his nerves. On his left, he placed his shield crystal and fireball crystal, ensuring they were ready for use.
The scrolls Ryan had given him—teleportation and Arc Confinement—occupied the next two compartments, positioned for easy access even if his bag was compromised.
His cane posed a challenge, as it wouldn't fit the role of a waiter. Reluctantly, he stowed it in his bag alongside his Light Sword. However, he slipped on his Ring of Clarity, knowing its benefits could prove invaluable.
Satisfied with his equipment, Leo turned to his spells. Preparation wasn't just physical; he needed a clear mental strategy. he went over his spell repertoire carefully, knowing that preparation would be key to surviving the dangerous mission ahead. His spells were versatile, but their utility varied greatly depending on the situation.
Of his spells, Veil of Deception and Spiritbound Shield were passive abilities that only needed activation and sustained focus. his other enchantment skills weren't combat-oriented, rendering them nearly useless in a high-stakes scenario. That narrowed his options further.
His most reliable spells would be his illusion spells and Telekinesis, the latter being a versatile spell that could be adapted to offensive, defensive, or utility tasks. Additionally, his fireball crystal and the light sword's abilities provided emergency offensive capabilities.
Leo considered the limitations of his resources. His ring could store a single spell for instantaneous casting, but this would significantly drain his mana.
Ultimately, spells like False Power, False Image, and Blur didn't require being cast in midair to remain effective, making them strong contenders for versatility. However, Fear stood out as a tactical option for dire situations. Its ability to scatter or paralyze enemies made it invaluable when facing overwhelming odds.
After careful deliberation, he imprinted Fear into the ring, convinced it might serve as his last resort in a desperate moment.
He pulled out a parchment inscribed with the Fear spell, infusing it with mana as he activated the ring. A faint hum signaled the successful transfer of the spell's essence. With that done, he filled the remaining pockets on his belt with additional parchments containing his other spells, ensuring he had backups in case of emergencies.
He also picked up a pen, for drawing more spells, if necessary.
Finally, with the preparations complete, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, steadying his racing thoughts. He was ready—or as ready as he could be.