“Mei, we have a problem,” Uki said, reading over a written report. It was dated today, and had been rushed over as an emergency message.

“Yeah?” Mei was stretching on the ground.

“The Grinn Clan offered the Chensu Clan an alliance, but they refused. Now the Grinn Clan has been spotted mobilizing towards the Chensu’s home city of Imiq,” Uki said.

At that moment, Uki felt fortunate for the location of their new base. It was inconvenient for meeting with Levin, but they were very close to the southern edge of Trurok and the three Great Clans. It was only thanks to that they could prevent a disaster now.

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

“No. We want them allying against Inuvik Academy, or else it will be impossible to topple the power of mages in Trurok.”

“Levin said we take down Inuvik.”

Uki smiled faintly, but shook her head. “I don’t believe it’s possible.”

“He can do it.”

“You believe in him that much?” Uki raised an eyebrow.

“You can’t know what his” – Mei waved a finger at her head – “thing can really do.”

“Either way, I want to have backups in place. We have enough strength in the Mage Hunters to contend with the Great Clans individually, so I’d prefer the Clans spend their strength fighting Inuvik. Even if Levin finds a way to deal with Inuvik and we need to fight the Clans at their full strength, I believe you and Takt will be enough to win.”

“So… what, then?” Mei asked.

“We need to stop a battle breaking out between the Grinn and Chensu.”

“Have a plan?”

“You.”

“Me? I can talk okay, but shouldn’t someone come with?”

“I doubt you’ll need to do much talking.”

Mei grinned. Maybe she would get to debut her weapon art’s name.

Mei was soon flying off across the Trurok landscape, through forests and over plains. Destination: Imiq, to intercept the Grinn Clan. She didn’t usually stop battles, but it seemed like a fun challenge. Simply squishing them would be too easy, after all.

***

Levin awoke with a throbbing headache and parched throat. He groaned as sunlight flooded his eyes and he blinked them rapidly, vision unfocused. Levin rolled over, feeling hard, cold stone beneath his body.

As he came to, Levin realized he wasn’t alone. Through his blurry vision he could see the hem of red robes atop a pair of leather boots, and Levin snapped awake. He sat up and scrambled backwards, casting his eyes upward, eventually focusing on the face of a smiling man before him.

A scar crossed his right eye, and his groomed black hair and easy smile belonged to the face of a man in his early thirties. But Levin recognized him immediately as Captain Kodan, peak Wisp rank mage. He was probably old enough to be Levin’s grandfather, with the way more powerful mages gained lifespan.

“Sorry, did I wake you?” he asked.

Levin didn’t respond as he huddled against the wall. Maybe Kodan was trying to be disarming, but Levin just felt uneasy.

He engaged his Y-Link. It eased his fears to feel the familiar device come online, carrying that intoxicating rush of information. For now he connected himself to Cho, programming a route and sending the bird out in the direction of the Hunter’s base. He had to let Uki know he was imprisoned and had found a way to assault Inuvik Academy, and then she could send Mei to his rescue.

“And sorry about your head, as well. My battlemages can get a little rough.” He slightly emphasized my battlemages.

Levin raised a hand to the back of his head, where a large lump had formed. His hair was caked with dried blood, and Levin’s fingers came away with red flakes. It hurt like hell, as expected.

“Does it hurt?” Kodan asked.

“No,” Levin said. His headache pounded a little harder.

“That’s good. I wouldn’t want to get off on the wrong foot.”

“Is that right?” Levin thought, eyes wandering up to the barred window near the ceiling. He was finding it difficult to focus.

“How have you found your time at Inuvik Academy?"

“It would be a lot better if the library was open to everyone.” Levin blurted out his answer before he even processed what Kodan was asking.

Levin immediately froze, realizing he had just critiqued the Academy to one of its highest-ranking members, while under investigation for potential treason. But fortunately, Kodan just chuckled.

“Focus,” Levin thought, trying to fight through the brain fog. He probably had a concussion. “This conversation could determine whether I live or die.”

“Maybe for particularly talented servants like yourself, we could consider making some exceptions at the library,” Kodan said.

“That would be nice.”

“Magus Pilip said you have promise as a runesmith. That’s exceptional for anyone, much less someone with no Source. We certainly wouldn’t want to hold back learning materials from a valuable runesmith.”

Levin stayed silent. “What is Kodan trying to do here?”

“After all, someone able to wield Chaos without penalty, and create inks… They would be one of the Academy’s most valuable members. Maybe even moreso than myself.”

Kodan looked pointedly at Levin. “A person with potential like that should have little reason to throw it all away.”

“Ah, so that’s where he was going. Well, time to make a decision – do I just deny everything? Amaq probably wouldn’t have followed me so easily if the Academy had any concrete evidence,” Levin thought. And if that’s the case, he should be as polite as possible.

“I look forward to serving Inuvik Academy in earnest, after everything Master Pilip and Inuvik have done for me.”

“Hmm.” Kodan crossed his arms, and his smile disappeared. “For such a potential mage, Inuvik may even be willing to overlook some measure of greed. But of course, there must be an equivalent give-and-take.”

“Is he offering me a place back at the Academy? Don’t make me laugh,” Levin thought as he met Kodan’s gaze. And then, everything clicked for Levin. “Of course! They can’t even imagine I could be the one who created the Lethridge counter-ink, so they want me to turn in the actual runesmith!”

It emboldened him to know that Inuvik had not managed to secure evidence of his guilt, but it presented a new problem – Levin literally couldn’t give them the information they wanted. And he didn’t trust himself to fabricate a convincing story on the spot, so there was only one thing left to do. Pretend he misunderstood.

“Of course, Magus Kodan!” Levin injected as much enthusiasm as he could muster. “I fully intend to help however I can in the battle against the Great Clans!”

“That’s Captain Kodan,” he said. "Tell me, Levin, why exactly do you think you were brought in today?"

The change in pace made the question hang over Levin like a dark cloud as he considered his response. "Just how much should an innocent servant know?"

"As part of your investigation into the Lethridge attack…?" Levin answered. "Everyone knows about that, so it should be safe to–"

Kodan interrupted Levin’s line of thought with a swift kick to the head. Levin didn’t even see Kodan move before his vision flashed and his neck snapped backwards, head slamming into the stone wall behind him. Kodan’s boots stained Levin’s face with a red rash as blood began to freely flow from the back and front of his head.

“Quit playing dumb. You know exactly why you’re in this cell.”

Levin’s vision swam as he sat in a daze, barely able to comprehend what just happened. The thick stone walls around him suddenly felt more restraining than ever as the elite battlemage towered above him, a stark reminder to Levin of the futility of his words should Kodan continue to ignore them.

“I don’t know anything,” Levin choked out.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Kodan lashed out with his leg for a second time, but Levin flung up his arms in the same moment as he braced for the impact. Kodan connected with Levin’s forearm and knocked him back down, frowning in displeasure.

“None of that,” Kodan said, forming a seal with his hands.

The Academy’s central rune array materialized in response to Kodan’s command, forming into a black runic handcuff that peeled Levin’s arms away from his face and locked them behind his back. Maintaining the single-handed seal, Kodan raised his hand up, controlling the restraints to rise and forcefully pulling Levin up from the ground.

Levin shifted onto his knees as he was yanked up by the wrists, and Kodan reached his hand out to seize Levin by the hair, pulling his head backwards as the handcuffs stopped in place. Levin grunted from the pain, closing his eyes to hide from Kodan's drilling glare.

"This can be over whenever you want, Levin," Kodan said as he tightened his grip. “You just have to tell me what I want to know.”

“I don’t… don’t have anything you want,” Levin said with ragged breath.

“Oh, is that so?” Kodan said, releasing Levin’s hair from his grip and his hands from the rune. “Well, why didn’t you say so?”

Levin slumped down onto both knees, hands held aloft, his strength drained. Levin could do nothing but wait in tense silence while the battlemage stepped back to the front of the cell and rustled through the folds of his robes.

“Here we are,” Kodan said, pulling something out.

Levin craned his neck up, struggling to focus his vision on Kodan’s hand. A glint of silver caught his eye, and Levin gasped, looking down at his chest, and finding one of his most precious possessions missing.

“The Chensu Clan medallion,” Kodan said, turning the object over in his hand. “An interesting thing to own.”

“Give that back,” Levin cried weakly. “It’s not yours.”

“But it’s not yours either, yes? It belonged to Kirima. A girl killed by Amaq, the same man that disappeared while investigating you earlier today. Fancy that.”

Levin’s strength ran out completely, and he sagged weakly. He couldn’t even find anything to say.

“These medallions are similar to our identity tokens. Not something to be given away lightly. So how could you have it, unless you were with Kirima the night she died? Could anyone except her partner at the mines possess this?”

The central rune array’s restraints held Levin up even as he tottered on the edge of consciousness. Kodan peered in close, examining him, then backed off.

“Staying silent, then? Well, no matter.” Kodan opened the cell door and stepped out, then turned back to look at Levin.

“Fortunately for you, torture is not my specialty. Unfortunately for you, the Academy has a mage who greatly enjoys that line of work. I believe you two will be getting acquainted soon.”

The door slammed shut behind Kodan. Levin’s restraints released, and he collapsed to the floor in a limp heap, the pain of the day’s beatings combining with his Chaos Sickness to overwhelm his body. Silence settled down on the Inuvik jail like a smothering blanket.

Levin’s only comfort was his Y-Link, and the soaring landscape beneath Cho. But even that would soon be gone, after Cho flies out of range to deliver his message to Mei and Uki. He had gone without Cho’s comforting presence before, but this time was different.

This time, Levin felt truly alone. All he could do was wrap his arms around his knees and trust that Mei could rescue him.

***

The doors to the rear chamber of the Smoke Hall swung open for Captain Kodan, and he strode in. Above Kodan, multicolored flames danced in decorative braziers along the pillars that lined the chamber, illuminating the three raised thrones at the back.

However, the centermost seat was empty.

A short, heavy-set man followed Kodan in. He had a pockmarked face, the scars taking on a red color that almost matched the bright red battlemage robes he wore. The vast majority of the mages at Inuvik Academy were at the early stage of the Wisp rank, but this man was one of the few at the late stage. He was Poa, one of Kodan’s four battlemage lieutenants.

“Only three now that Aiyame is gone,” Kodan thought with a frown. “Without her and Amaq, the Academy only has four mages at late-stage Wisp left. And with Lord Panai heavily wounded, our Academy is in a precarious situation.”

Kodan and Poa kowtowed to Lords Eliya and Hann as the doors swung shut behind, pushed together by the central rune array.

“I didn’t expect to see you, Lieutenant Poa,” Hann said.

“Apologies for not transmitting ahead, Lord Hann,” Kodan said. “In Magus Amaq’s absence, I nominate Lieutenant Poa as interim chief of security during this time of emergency.”

“Approved,” Eliya said, waving a hand dismissively. “Let’s get to the main topic.”

“Thank you, Lords Magi,” Poa said, and the two rose from their bows and knelt down on pillowed seats before the two lords.

“Captain Kodan, did the boy have anything to say?” Eliya asked.

“I’m afraid not, Lord Eliya. However, I can say with confidence he is guilty. The circumstantial evidence is there, and his reactions confirm it. As such, I recommend we allow Magus Gwain some time with him.”

“Yes, I suspected it might come to that. I had hoped we might preserve our unique Chaos specimen, but it’s far more important to find and eliminate enemies of Inuvik. I approve your request. Let us see what Magus Gwain can extract with his methods,” Eliya said.

“I object,” Hann said. “It’s too dangerous to do that on the bearer of a Chaos Source. We should be disposing of him entirely instead of keeping a ticking time bomb inside our walls.”

“Ridiculous, Magus Hann. Before Silla’s attack yesterday, you yourself stated you had made no progress deciphering the Lethridge counter-ink. This boy is currently our only means of finding those plotting against our Academy, and you wish to simply toss him out?”

“That was yesterday, Magus Eliya. I have made a small breakthrough this time.”

“‘Small?’”

“I can confidently say that the perpetrator of the Lethridge attack would have required a direct sample of the rune’s ink to brew the counter-ink. It was likely through some form of transformation technique. But because of that requirement, the central rune array is safe. It will not be possible for an intruder to get that far under our noses.”

Eliya nodded. “That is small, but it is also relieving. Lieutenant Poa, I’m placing you on guard duty at the central rune array. Use your battlemages to keep a rotating watch at all times.”

“Yes, Lord Eliya,” Poa said, tipping his head.

“But I still see no reason not to interrogate Levin, Magus Hann,” Eliya said.

“I have no objection to interrogating him. But Magus Gwain’s methods are too risky. If the runes engraved in the boy’s body become damaged, it could release the Chaos energy inside him. A reaction like that right in the heart of the Academy could give the Great Clans the chance they need to strike. If he is unwilling to talk, we should strike a blow at our enemies by disposing of him.”

“We can let Magus Gwain interrogate him outside the campus, then. Surely you can see that simple execution is the least efficient choice here?”

“No! Not execute, dispose! We have records of previous Chaos wielders unleashing massive blasts of Chaos under the wrong conditions. Under no circumstances can we allow such a disaster to occur within the bounds of the central rune array!”

Eliya frowned. “I have read some of those reports too, Magus Hann. Those disasters were caused by complete Chaos wielders, but this boy does not possess Bolt yet. He could cause a minor incident at worst.”

“You underestimate Chaos. If that ‘minor incident’ gets into the Force Distribution System, the whole central rune array could break!”

“And what are the odds of that? You would throw away our only lead over a million-to-one chance!”

“If you really must torture him, take it beyond Mount Inuvik,” Hann said with an air of finality.

But Eliya’s frown only deepened. “It will be too easy for a Chaos wielder to flee outside the central rune array! Not to mention that would mean exposing ourselves to the Great Clans, the Mage Hunters, and the unknown runesmith. We would be playing right into our enemies’ hands!”

“I will not permit any serious harm to him under my rune array!”

Kodan sighed to himself. The Academy really was weakening. Lords Hann and Eliya often disagreed, but Lord Panai was always there to make a final decision. Now, Kodan felt that responsibility fell to him. But he'd have to be a bit more creative about it.

“Excuse me, my Lords,” Kodan said, interrupting in a moment of silence between the two.

Both looked at him. Captain Kodan held similar rank and authority to the two Lords, but being stared at by two Smoke ranks was enough to make any Wisp rank’s hairs stand on end. He cleared his throat.

“We have reports that the Grinn Clan is currently making a move on the Chensu. This may be the perfect moment to stage an offensive.”

“Oh? You didn’t mention this,” Eliya said.

“The reports just came in.”

"Explain."

"We're working to confirm the details, but the Lord of the Grinn Clan is heading towards Imiq City personally. I believe it would be possible to dedicate a large force to the issue of Levin without jeopardizing ourselves," Kodan said.

"Then there should be no issue conducting your business outside the central rune array, Magus Eliya," Hann said.

"Wait…" Eliya stroked his beard. "I have a better idea now."

"Please don't start another fight right after I offered a solution," Kodan thought. Then he immediately chastised himself for being disrespectful.

"First, we have Magus Pilip complete the process to engrave Bolt onto Levin."

"What!?" Hann exclaimed. "You want to give a traitor even more–"

"Second, we take him over to the Lillwu Clan."

Hann fell silent. Kodan was surprised, and immediately began thinking the idea through.

“I imagine, Magus Hann, that simply threatening to toss the boy into a Lillwu Chimera pit won’t have any risk of triggering a reaction?”

“Indeed, as long as it is only threats. Only death and extreme duress have been known to cause a reaction, about one in five times according to our records. What exactly triggers it in those instances is still not fully understood.”

“Then we will threaten him into talking. And if he is truly unwilling to cooperate, he can fulfill his original purpose as a weapon in service of Inuvik Academy."

“There’s no guarantee we can cause a Chaos reaction in the heart of the Lillwu Clan, even if he is devoured by Chimeras…” Hann mused. “But a full Chaos wielder should still be able to put up a fight before entering those beasts’ stomachs.”

“Right now, the Grinn and Chensu won’t be able to interfere,” Kodan thought to himself. “So even with Lord Panai injured, the risk of a counterattack is low.”

“The boy was always intended to be a weapon against the Great Clans. We should at least get something out of our investment,” Eliya said.

“Very well. I support this plan. We can both press him for information and utilize our Chaos resources. I presume you will be going yourself, Magus Eliya?” Hann said.

"Indeed. It has been a long time since I’ve last seen Mumik Lillwu. I imagine it will take a bit of persuasion to make her agree to our plan,” Eliya said with a chuckle.

“How many of our forces should we deploy?” Hann asked. “Captain Kodan, what level of power does the Lillwu currently possess in the Wisp rank?”

“I believe half our forces will be more than sufficient, Lord Hann. Thirty early- and mid-stage Wisp ranks is more than what the Lillwu Clan possesses,” Kodan said.

“I agree, two battalions will be enough,” Eliya said. “Captain Kodan, I’d like to bring yourself and Lieutenant Vulle. Prepare the battlemages to sortie. Tell them the war for Trurok has begun! If Magus Pilip is ready, I would like to depart on the morrow. It will take four days minimum to travel to the Lillwu, after all, and time is of the essence.”

“Yes, Lord Eliya.”

“Very well. You both have your orders. Dismissed.”