Ellie had barely left the guildhall when the news reached her ears. A murmur passed through the streets of Greymire, carried on the lips of traders and travelers, slipping between the cracks of the town's daily rhythm.

“Did you hear? The Lorthraine Mage Academy sent someone here!” a merchant exclaimed to a customer.

“An investigator!” The customer’s eyes widened. “Can you believe it?”

Lorthraine Mage Academy—its name alone struck a chord of fear and reverence—had sent someone to Greymire. Not just an emissary or a messenger, but an investigator. A mage of the highest rank—second only to the elusive Archmage herself, tasked with uncovering mysteries and testing the limits of power.

“Who do you think they’re looking for?” Another passerby glanced around nervously.

“Doesn’t matter.” The first shook his head. “If they’re here, it can’t be good.”

And they had come because of her.

Ellie felt the earth tilt beneath her feet, a sickening lurch that made her vision blur for a moment. Her body, already tense with the weight of her new unwanted reputation, seemed to lock up entirely.

“Ellie, are you all right?” Kaedin stepped closer.

“It’s just… I can’t believe this is happening.” She tried to steady herself.

It wasn’t enough that she was trapped in the guild’s expectations; now, the most prestigious magical institution in the land of Lorthraine had taken notice. She felt like a rabbit caught in a snare, each day tightening the knot further.

At least the mages of Lorthraine weren’t as stuffy as Velsorin’s; their academy thrummed with laughter and creativity, vibrant murals decorating the walls and colorful robes replacing the oppressive formality of tradition. Here, mages celebrated magic as a joyous exploration rather than a solemn duty.

“Come on, we need to figure this out.” Kaedin urged, concern etched on his face.

The investigator arrived quietly, with no fanfare or announcements. She appeared like a shadow slipping through the door of the guildhall, unnoticed at first. Her presence, however, was unmistakable once she made herself known.

“Is that the investigator?” whispered a voice from the crowd.

Her robes were a swirl of vibrant colors—deep purples, emerald greens, and flashes of gold—flowing together like a painter's palette in motion. They were far from the simple, dark garb worn by more traditional mages, but no less powerful.

Woven into the fabric were intricate, shifting patterns of stars and constellations, each twinkling thread a silent testament to her connection with the Academy. The designs moved with her, an ever-changing map of the cosmos, speaking in an unspoken language of magic and authority. Her eyes, sharp and clear, carried the weight of someone who saw through illusions and the masks that people wore.

“I’ve heard stories about her,” murmured another guild member. “They say she can see right into your soul.”

Ellie watched from the corner of the hall, her heart sinking further into dread with every step the investigator took. The guildmaster, Hargrave, was already moving toward her, his face lit up with excitement, his booming voice filling the hall.

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“Welcome, welcome! It’s an honor to have the Academy here in Greymire. What can we do for you today, Mage—?”

"Seren," the investigator replied, her voice calm and measured. She barely spared Hargrave a glance before her eyes swept across the room, as if she were looking for something—or someone.

The smile on Hargrave’s face widened, oblivious to the tension creeping into the hall. “Yes, Mage Seren! We’ve heard of your work. Brilliant stuff. I assume you’re here about Ellie Liddell?”

At the mention of her name, Ellie felt a cold knot twist in her stomach. She wished she could melt into the shadows, vanish before Seren’s gaze could fall on her. But it was too late.

"Ellie Liddell." Seren’s head turned slightly, her eyes narrowing with curiosity. "Yes, I’ve heard the reports. Impressive… if true."

The air in the guild seemed to tighten, as if the whole room held its breath. Ellie’s pulse pounded in her ears. She forced herself to remain still, though every fiber of her being wanted to flee. Seren’s gaze was sharp, too sharp, as if she could peel back layers of pretense with just a glance. Ellie felt naked under that stare, as though all her fears, her doubts, her accidental triumphs were laid bare.

Hargrave, of course, was oblivious to the undercurrents of tension. He clapped a hand on the bar and gestured grandly toward Ellie’s general direction. “She’s the real deal, no question about it. Took down a dungeon beast that’s been terrorizing the region for years. No incantations, no grand gestures. Just power. Pure and raw.”

Ellie’s skin crawled. Power? She had tripped over a stone and triggered a cave-in. But how could she explain that to someone like Seren? Someone who would test her, who would know the truth the moment she failed to produce anything close to the magic they imagined?

Seren remained still, her face unreadable. "I will need to speak with her directly," she said at last. Her tone was polite, but there was no mistaking the command beneath the surface. "There are… certain details that need to be clarified. The Academy does not rely on hearsay."

Hargrave nodded enthusiastically, already moving to summon Ellie. "Of course, of course! She’s right over—”

But Ellie was quicker. She stepped out from behind the pillar she’d been hiding near, her face pale but composed. “I’m right here.”

Seren’s eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, Ellie felt pinned in place. It was like standing before a vast, unmoving sea—a depth that hid countless secrets, waiting to be uncovered. Seren’s gaze was not unkind, but it was unwavering, patient, and unrelenting.

"Ellie Liddell," Seren said again, her voice quiet now, almost too quiet for the noise of the guildhall. "I’ve come to see the truth behind the stories. I hope you won’t mind indulging me."

Ellie swallowed hard, feeling her throat close up. She could sense the entire hall waiting, watching. Every word she spoke felt like a thread in a web she could no longer escape. If she refused, it would only confirm the suspicions growing in Seren’s eyes. But if she agreed… she had no idea how long she could maintain the facade.

“I—” Ellie began, then stopped. What could she say that wouldn’t unravel everything? That wouldn’t cast her into an even worse situation than the one she was in?

Hargrave, grinning like a proud father, cut in before she could speak. “Of course she’ll show you. Just let us know what you need, and Ellie here will demonstrate whatever it is the Academy wants to see.”

Ellie’s stomach twisted into knots. A demonstration? What was Hargrave thinking?

Seren smiled faintly, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “A simple display will suffice. Nothing too… taxing. Just enough for me to understand the nature of her power.”

The words were calm, but Ellie felt the weight behind them. Seren wasn’t asking for a show. She was asking for proof.

“I’d be happy to… assist.” The words felt like stones in her mouth. Inside, panic clawed at her chest. She needed a way out, something that would keep her from exposing the truth—but nothing came to mind. Her thoughts were a chaotic swirl of fear and desperation.

Seren nodded, a flicker of interest in her eyes. "Then let’s begin."

Ellie felt the floor tilt again beneath her feet, the world narrowing to the moment before her. She had no idea how to get through this. And as she prepared to step forward, to face the investigator’s scrutiny, one thought echoed in her mind:

She’s going to see right through me.