Leo stood two blocks away from the mansion, the air crisp and filled with the faint murmur of distant conversations. The clock struck eight, marking the time for action. To avoid drawing suspicion, he moved swiftly. Approaching the side of the building, he ducked into the shadowed area, concealed by the darkness and the tall trees lining the perimeter. He removed his coat and tucked it into his magic bag, preparing to blend in seamlessly.
The side of the building was less illuminated than the front, the faint glow of distant lamps barely reaching the secluded corner. Hidden behind a cluster of trees, Leo began his surveillance. As Ryan had informed him, two guards patrolled the area, their routine methodical and precise. He observed them closely, noting their movements and timing. Every minute and a half, they passed the same position. Leo calculated his window of opportunity—he would have a minute and a half after they passed before they returned, and 45 seconds before they turned back.
The timing had to be perfect.
As the guards crossed his vantage point, Leo waited for thirty seconds, counting each moment in his head. The sound of his own heartbeat thudded in his ears. The yard on this side of the mansion was not particularly large, but every step needed to be swift and silent. At the thirty-second mark, he bolted toward the side door, his movements honed by a year of grueling warrior training.
The night provided cover, and the noise from the banquet at the mansion's front worked to his advantage. Laughter, music and chatter masked the sound of his footsteps. He wasn't a master of stealth, but tonight he didn't need to be—only careful and quick.
Within moments, he reached the door, his breath steady despite the adrenaline surging through his veins. He cast a quick glance around to ensure no one had noticed him, then pressed the handle down. It opened easily—either it had never been locked, or Ryan had left it open for him. Slipping inside, he shut the door behind him, sealing off the distant hum of festivities.
Inside, Leo found himself in a dimly lit corridor. The faint aroma of food wafted through the air, accompanied by the sounds of clattering pans and hurried voices, confirming the kitchen was nearby. A small closet stood against the wall. Without hesitation, Leo slipped his magic bag into the closet, ensuring it was well-hidden, and adjusted his belt so it remained inconspicuous beneath his uniform. Satisfied, he straightened up and headed toward the kitchen.
The kitchen was bustling with activity. Cooks shouted instructions, pots bubbled, and waiters scurried to and fro with trays of food and drink. The chaotic energy worked in Leo's favor—nobody paid him any attention as he entered from the corridor. To them, he was just another servant lost in the sea of laborers.
Scanning the room, Leo spotted a tray laden with glasses of sparkling drinks. He picked it up and quickly fell into step behind another waiter carrying a tray of hors d'oeuvres. Together, they exited the kitchen and entered another corridor that led to a smaller hall.
This hall was expansive yet eerily quiet, its vastness emphasized by its emptiness. It measured roughly twenty meters by ten and its centerpiece was two grand statues of knights, each standing on either side of the room. The statues were imposing, with their swords held upright, tips resting against the ground. One statue stood directly in front of a smaller, less noticeable door—a detail Leo mentally marked for future reference.
He followed the other waiter along the right side of the statue and toward a large set of double doors. As they approached, the muffled sounds of conversation and music grew louder with every step. With a final push, they entered the grand main hall.
The main hall was a spectacle of opulence. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, their light reflecting off polished floors and gilded walls. Nobles dressed in exquisite clothing mingled, their voices a symphony of laughter, polite chatter, and whispered gossip. Servants moved seamlessly among them, trays in hand, their presence barely acknowledged.
Leo's gaze swept across the room, taking in every detail. On the left, a set of massive doors led to the entrance hall. On the far right, at the far end of the room, a grand spiral staircase rose gracefully, its balustrade adorned with intricate carvings. Along the edges of the hall, smaller doors hinted at adjoining rooms, their placement likely strategic.
Among the elegantly dressed nobles stood others who clearly did not belong to their world of wealth and privilege. These individuals, clad in practical attire and standing with an air of vigilance, were undoubtedly bodyguards, their presence a stark contrast to the opulence around them.
As Leo navigated the room, carefully mimicking the movements of the other waiters, his eyes found the host of the banquet, Roy Mills. The man stood near the base of the staircase, engrossed in conversation with another noble. His confident demeanor and the way the others gravitated toward him confirmed his importance.
Leo continued weaving through the crowd, mentally mapping the room and observing everything. Every detail could prove crucial for what lay ahead.
Beside Roy Mills stood a towering, muscular man whose presence exuded power and confidence. Leo immediately recognized him as the B rank warrior. Moving carefully through the crowd, Leo kept his demeanor neutral while his mind raced, analyzing every detail he could gather.
His instincts told him that Roy's office was likely on the second floor, but he knew wandering upstairs and opening random doors was out of the question—it would attract unnecessary attention. For now, he decided to play his role as a waiter, collecting as much information as possible.
Each trip to the kitchen to retrieve a full tray and back to the main hall took about fifteen minutes. On his second round, the atmosphere in the room shifted as a servant announced the arrival of Lizzie Mills, Roy's daughter. All eyes turned toward the grand staircase as a striking young woman descended. Her long black hair shimmered in the chandelier's glow and her elegant white dress flowed with her every step.
Roy Mills moved with the practiced grace of a seasoned noble, his footsteps deliberate as he approached the staircase to meet his daughter. His tailored suit, adorned with gold embroidery and a sapphire pin on the lapel, caught the light of the grand chandelier above. The entire hall seemed to pause in anticipation as Lizzie descended the staircase, her white dress cascading like a waterfall, shimmering faintly with her movement.
Reaching the midway point, Roy extended his hand, a polished smile gracing his face. Lizzie accepted it with poise, her fingers lightly resting on his as if the gesture was a rehearsed dance. Together, they descended the remaining steps, their combined presence commanding the attention of every guest in the room.
When they reached the floor, Roy led her with an air of authority toward a group of nobles who had been engaged in hushed conversation. The nobles parted slightly to make room, their murmurs ceasing as Roy and Lizzie joined their circle.
Roy raised a glass of amber liquid, its surface catching the golden glow of the room and tapped it gently with a silver spoon. The sharp chime silenced the room, drawing all eyes to him. He stood tall, his posture exuding confidence and pride, while Lizzie remained at his side, her delicate smile a picture of refinement.
"Thank you, everyone, for coming to celebrate my daughter's eighteenth birthday," Roy announced, his voice resonating through the hall. The subtle pride in his tone hinted at the importance of the occasion, as though this celebration was not merely for Lizzie but a testament to his own status and influence.
A ripple of applause followed, mingled with approving smiles and raised glasses. Lizzie gave a polite nod, her cheeks faintly flushed as the attention settled on her. Meanwhile, Roy's expression didn't waver, his eyes scanning the crowd as though measuring their reactions to the grand display.
Leo's mind raced. ''This is a birthday?' He couldn't fathom such extravagance for such an occasion.
On his third trip through the hall, he noticed Lizzie laughing with a group of girls, their attention fixed on a tall blond boy standing among a pair of young men. Their chatter was filled with giggles and whispers.
As Leo passed near Roy Mills again, the fat man who worked for him entered the room through a side door and approached Roy. Luck was on Leo's side—the man didn't notice him as Leo was heading back toward the kitchen. Sensing an opportunity, Leo adjusted his route, slowing his pace to stay within earshot. Pretending to scan the room for nobles in need of refreshments, Leo casually shifted his gaze, careful not to draw attention to himself. Activating his enhanced eyes, he focused on the area near Roy, making sure not to look directly at the group to avoid repeating the mistake he made with Ryan.
"Mr. Lieber, how is everything?" Roy's voice carried an air of authority.
"Mr. Mills, everything is in order. We just need around three hundred gold coins for some additional expenses," replied the fat man, whom Leo now identified as Lieber.
"Good," Roy responded. "Go to my office. The money is in my first drawer."
The conversation ended and Leo knew he had to act fast. A noble near him finished his drink and emptied the tray, giving Leo the perfect excuse to leave.
Keeping a low profile, Leo veered toward the back, moving deliberately but unobtrusively. Roy remained engrossed in entertaining his guests, and the B rank warrior seemed uninterested in the staff. It was the perfect moment to slip away unnoticed.
Leo's heart pounded as he followed Lieber through the side door, taking care to stay out of sight.
While following him and keeping a careful distance, Leo maintained his act as a waiter, walking with purpose as though diligently attending to his duties.
Lieber entered a room and passed into a corridor before turning right. The hallway ahead was silent and empty of guests, but Leo stopped short of the corner. He knew there was a risk of guards stationed on either side and directly ahead lay a blank wall, leaving only two possible directions to navigate.
Quickly assessing the situation, Leo lifted his empty tray and drew two illusion spells, preparing them to project false visuals to either side of the corridor. As Lieber's footsteps faded into the distance, Leo activated the spells, casting them on the tray's sides before hurling it vertically into the intersection. The tray clattered loudly as it struck the floor, the sound reverberating in the confined space.
Leo focused intently, trying to sense the subtle change in the current that Ryan had described. Though he hadn't fully mastered the technique, and didn't have time to practice more, he managed to make progress.
The effect was immediate. A subtle sensation—a faint, fleeting connection—confirmed that the illusions had taken hold of someone. At that moment, Leo rendered himself invisible to those affected.
Footsteps approached and seconds later, a guard appeared, scanning the corridor for the source of the disturbance. Unable to perceive Leo, the guard moved past him, drawn toward the illusory distraction. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Leo slipped silently down the hallway, closing the gap between himself and Lieber. The guards, likely no stronger than D rank, were possible to outwit with his magic.
As he moved, Leo remained alert, knowing he couldn't afford even the slightest mistake in this precarious situation.
Leo ascended the staircase cautiously. At the doorway to the second floor, a guard stood with his back turned, making him a seemingly easy target. However, the potential presence of additional guards on the floor made Leo hesitate. Taking cover behind the wall near the door, he reached into his pocket and threw his pen toward the far end of the staircase. The clattering sound caught the guard's attention, prompting him to step inside the stairwell to investigate.
Seizing the opportunity, Leo moved swiftly. Casting Fear on the guard to disorient him, he wrapped an arm tightly around the man's neck, using his trained strength to choke him out while ensuring no noise escaped. Within moments, the guard fell unconscious.
Leo quickly assessed his surroundings. The stairway above appeared to lead to the roof, but that wasn't his destination. He dragged the unconscious guard up the stairs to a concealed spot, ensuring the man wouldn't be seen by anyone passing by. After stripping the guard of his uniform and donning it himself, Leo ensured his disguise was thorough, taking a moment to hide his waiter uniform beneath the guard's clothes. The extra layer added bulk to his frame, but it would serve as a fallback should he need to revert to his previous role. Every detail mattered in maintaining his cover. Once he had secured the uniform and adjusted the stolen outfit to appear natural, he descended to the second floor, ready to continue his mission.
Stepping into the hallway, Leo took a moment to orient himself. To his left, the corridor stretched further into the mansion, while to his right, it opened into a grand hall filled with noise and activity. He deduced that this hall was connected to the main staircase he had observed earlier. At the far end of the right corridor, another guard stood watch, facing his direction.
Leo nodded subtly at the guard as he approached, mimicking the behavior of a patrolling comrade. The guard regarded him with a brief, assessing glance before turning back to his post, seemingly satisfied.
Though he had hurried, Lieber was nowhere to be seen, likely having moved further along during the delay. Leo decided to remain at his position for fifteen minutes, blending in seamlessly as a guard. Just as his patience began to wear thin, the last door in the corridor to his left opened, and Lieber emerged.
Leo's eyes narrowed as he glanced at Lieber, carefully noting his movements. he now knew the whereabouts of Ray Mills's office.