Casper was panting by the time he had reached his destination. Running had never been his strong suit and he hated it with a fiery passion. That is what magic is for. He couldn’t afford to put this off. Too much rode on what happened next and deductions had to be made.

The ban on magic outside of lectures is quite frustrating. Those inane morons just had to keep beating each other’s heads in behind the dorm rooms. Casper thought. Jack was allowed to use magic due to his political status. Besides the professors and alumni, he was the only exception. I wonder if anyone even bothered to let him know that he was an exception.

The rush was worth it though, his target was in sight. “Lillian! Over here.” He called out to her obnoxiously.

She turned around from the spout she was using to wash the bento boxes and gave him a death glare. This surprised Casper, as she did not usually let her true emotions show in public. Spies never reveal their intentions after all. That’s when he noticed the small courtyard they were in had no other occupants. So maybe we are alone.

“Do you want to call over every servant to spy on us? Do you know just how many of them work for the nobility?” She whisper-yelled at him when he was close enough, dishes forgotten.

He did know, several of his fellows were also spying on the nobility through the same method. This just made him more embarrassed. “I am sorry. I was just so riled up by that bullheaded, fool Virtus. What are we going to do about him?”

“That is Viscount Ferrum in public. Do you want to get flogged again for calling a noble so familiarly? Not when you are so close to earning your citizenship? I know you two have had your differences but this is more important than that. Focus on the mission.”

Casper stiffened at the admonishment. She had no idea what that man had done to him. “He is openly spying on the Adjudicator. How are we going to get Jack alone when he is hovering like a momma chicken?”

It was her turn to stiffen. Only for a second as she took a deep breath. “He is the most honorable Magi I have met since coming to the empire. He serves Laura faithfully. Your personal history with him is becoming a hindrance. It has no impact on what we do next. As for Ferrum, I say we recruit him.”

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“RECRUIT HIM!” Casper squealed. What madman came up with that idea? Lillian’s hand shot out and punched him in the gut. He flopped over and did his best impersonation of a dying fish. Disgusted, she stepped on his diaphragm. it was so fast that it took a second for the pain to register.

“You are worse than Arthur sometimes. At least my apprentice knows enough to only need correction once. Do not raise your voice in public, understood?”

Casper coughed a few times before he could respond. The effort felt like gargling rocks but he managed. “Ye..yes. I understand.”

She put on her patent Cheshire grin, pleased with his response. One glance and you knew that she was a cat and that you were her prey. “My apprentice is telling me all kinds of nasty things about our dear Adjudicator. It seems that it was all over exaggerated. He loves to tell tall tales.” She put a finger to her chin in thought.

Casper just guffawed at that. He knew this coming. “Arthur only interacted with him for a grand total of a minute, nowhere near long enough to make a good story. It was strange that Jack was able to sense him coming though. He nearly kicked Arthur in the face when he snuck up on us.”

“Why didn’t you sense him? That is one of your signature spells after all.” She held out a hand to help him up and he gladly took it.

“He taught himself a technique that causes the air he passes through to remain still. My spell detects air currents, so all I sensed was a large blank spot. I thought you taught it to him.” It was an interesting technique that utilized Stagnation. He had been pestering his little brother to teach him the theory for weeks.

“No, we haven’t covered elemental techniques. He should be focusing on his foundation as a Cultivator, not trying to play Magi in a back alley.” Her face lost all joviality and was back to disapproval. At least she wasn’t mad at him anymore.

At this, Casper realized that there were things that she didn’t know, so he held his tongue. Arthur was entitled to his secrets. Family came first after all. “Let us get back on topic. How do we get Jack alone when he is surrounded by imperials that are trying to deceive and spy on him at every turn?” He had been wracking his brain but none of his ideas were going to work.

“Leave that to me. Just be prepared to take him to your father when the time comes.” She stooped to pick up her bento boxes. After that was done, she looked him in the eye. “Oh, I almost forgot. Why did you push him to take care of Aster? You know she is far too fragile to be alone with a stranger. That just seemed cruel to me.”

Casper was incensed. Who does she think she is? Aster's well being is my top priority. “She needed to get out of the downward spiral that she has been going down since her parents died. That requires a fresh environment and people that will not remind you of what you lost. Jack cares about us. You should have seen his face when I took him into the Junction. He attacked Lord Pomp on sight when he learned who he was.”

She was aghast. “He attacked Lord Pomp?”

“Yes, but the coward ran before Jack could even get close.” He sighed. “ it was probably for the best. Jack was just a normal person then. Lord Pomp would have disassembled him if he was a real threat.” It would have been worth it though.

A bell rang in the distance. The first period was over and Casper had to go to his advanced Wind manipulation class and she had to attend to princess Laura. The two bade each other farewell and went their separate ways.