Velvet continued speaking, as Doireann knelt next to Lox. "What a sudden turn of events! You just stabbed him!"

Doireann looked at Lox's wound, checking how much was damaged. It wasn't lethal, as long as she hurried to the hospital. She grabbed Lox, raising him, and then...

And then they happily went their merry way to the hospital! Everyone was happy and alive!

Can you imagine, now?

"Where are you going?" Velvet said, humming as she walked to the middle of the road, spinning the closed umbrella with her hand, blocking their way. "Are you in a hurry? I wasn’t done talking."

Doireann grit her teeth, making several signs.

"Now, now... there's a certain mistake on your part. I wasn't the one who stabbed him, was I?" Pressing the umbrella's tip on the ground, Velvet grinned. "The bad bad very bad stabber was you!"

Doireann knew how hypocritical that sounded, but both of them knew she was right. Velvet had no backing who could ‘avenge’ her if she got killed, but Lox did.

That was one of the benefits of belonging to a mage family.

"Relax, I'm not such a heartless monster, I know how to negotiate." Velvet leaned on the umbrella. "For starters, hand over everything valuable you carry. You said I could keep all the spoils, right?"

Doireann opened her mouth, so angry she wanted to curse Velvet out. Even so, one of her arms was busy helping Lox, so she was unable to curse her as good as she wanted.

Lox coughed blood, speaking softly. "Just give her what she wants... She figured out who you are, I'm sure of that."

Velvet chuckled. "Right. I wanted to make it some kind of big reveal, but anyhow..." With a mocking gesture, a one handed half curtsy, she said. "Nice to meet you, Doireann Phorella."

Even when she wanted to take full credit for that deduction, part of it was thanks to Hasdrubal himself. He was the one mentioning the Phorella in the first place, and Lox’s connection to them. Velvet simply connected the dots when Doireann didn't give her her full name, just offering to help her against a mage supposedly stronger than both of them.

Mages who confronted enemies leagues over their own were either arrogant or stupid, and died soon. For someone part of the Queen's Selected group, a mage like that would be a joke.

So, for Doirann to suggest teaming up with Velvet, without fully trusting her enough to say her full name, to defeat Lox was a very, very weak ploy.

Once again, Velvet barely gave them time to plot anything too elaborate, entering Hasdrubal’s class just before it started, so it wasn't all their fault.

But, did that really matter? Whether their plan failed or not, losers were losers and winners were winners. And losers weren't the ones who took it all.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

Velvet almost wanted to rejoice in front of Doirann's surprised face when she said her full name. So she did. "You can think it over as much as you want, but thoughts won't stop a bleeding."

Doireann grit her teeth, but, slowly, unclasped her and Lox's bracelets and wallets, tossing them to Velvet's feet.

Without waiting for her reaction, Doireann dragged Lox towards the forest's exit.

Only for Velvet to cross their way again.

"Now, now. I did say that was for starters. Did you really think I was going to let you leave after backstabbing me without roughing you up a bit?"

Velvet took a step forward, just for them to take a step back.

"Oh, but don't worry. I know you need your arms to communicate, so I won't break them."

“Clear? So, run, run, because you won’t be getting a head start.”

…

Finally, Creftalia was done. Well, actually, Dianthus was the one who was done, releasing her from her unfair captivery.

The only remaining work was going back to the Marine Spring Palace, writing some papers about what she discovered and then she could finally rush towards the kiosk before it closed or ran out of stock.

Dianthus was walking behind her, directed to the Palace too, but since he had promised to not ask her for more work, she wasn’t in a hurry to lose him.

Reaching the First Tower, and then the entrance to the pocket dimension, Creftalia skittered towards the Palace’s entrance, only to open it and…

Realize that there were too many people for the time it was, and that they seemed to be in the middle of a discussion.

She saw Winter, Nebura, Doireann, Igern, Cormac, Parthalan and Dianthus, who somewhat had arrived before her. Nebura had a few scratches, but Doireann looked way worse, more roughed up and with a bandaged leg.

“Um… What happened?” She asked, not really wanting a full history, just to show some sympathy.

“Velvet happened.” Nebura said, applying some ointment to her burns.

Doireann added, not moving from where she was seated.

“How? She awoke like five hours ago…”

“Five hours too many.” Nebura said, grimacing. “And she still has the replicator.”

Dianthus laughed, receiving some mean spirited stares. “Wow, really? She woke up and chose violence just like that? And three of you got beat up and ransacked along the way? Hahaha! Oh, I would be so ashamed of myself if that was me.”

Doireann said, receiving a few nods agreeing with her suggestion.

Even Igern raised his head slightly, clearly interested too!

Clearing her throat, and being the only official mage in the room, Winter stopped the infighting. “Now, now, let's focus on the important things. Velvet has now half an Esca, and not only that, the shield replicator is in her hands.”

So disappointing… I should’ve made a better offer during the Selection. I knew Velvet was worth nurturing, and still lost her to Ceres… Winter sighed, feeling dejected.

“Huh, of all the things you could call her, a hard worker is the most appropriate.” Dianthus said, looking at his gloved hands. “No wonder she is already at Half Esca level. Creftalia, you should take note.”

Stopping right before the exit, Creftalia cursed Dianthus. Why are you bringing me to the spotlight, you traitor?!

“Do… do you want me to murder a dozen mages in cold blood, drink devil’s blood, provoke a self-loss of control and throw myself in a three day coma?”

Nebura flinched a bit. Velvet did what now?

“You forgot to beat three mages upon waking up.”

“Don’t listen to Dianthus, you don’t have to do that.” Winter said, massaging her head. That being said, you could put in a bit more work. I know you’re trying to flee from this conversation.

“Focus on the important matters.” Winter continued. “The shield replicator. After that, you can wait a few days before trying anything.”

“Why wait?” Dianthus said, to everyone's discontent. “Are you so afraid of her taking some devil’s blood?”

Doireann said, before putting her hand on the table to get up.

“Hold your horses. Why don’t you first listen to my plan about how to get the replicator thing back?” Not waiting for anyone to accept hearing his offer, because no one was willing to, he spoke, loud and clear, so that everyone was forced to understand his words nonetheless. “Well, Creftalia here did guarantee me that Velvet liked Igern, so,” ignoring Creftalia sudden panic stricken face, he continued. “I suggest we send him to negotiate.”

“I did not say that!” She screeched, cursing every moment she exchanged words with the damned Chosen One.

Dianthus opened his mouth to add something, but he was unable to, a cold, ice spear traversing his head.

“We should keep trying. Maybe someday it will work.”