"Any luck?" Cal asked.

From the glower he received, the answer was no. The Spirit had not been in a chipper mood when he barged in marbles in hand.

It had only worsened since then.

He'd elected to travel straight to it after Ryan had given him the three names. He wasn't going to jump the gun and run them down in broad daylight but he was anxious to get some work in.

"We've not seen something like this before," the Spirit rasped, its bony hands threatening to shatter the orbs in its grip. "You humans, always finding more creative ways to kill yourselves. I wonder if Vinyir would have considered that a form of worship…"

A Vinyir. God of passion. Whether it be the passion of masonry or sailing, Vinyir was the god of it. An unconventional domain for a god, they tended to be more narrow in scope. That may be why it was known as the most, erratic of the gods. Although that was the understatement of the millennium considering his actions resulted in the Fall.

Allegedly.

"You knew him as well? Someone was rather popular," Cal commented hoping to glean more information from a first-hand account.

The Spirit's puppet remained stone-faced.

Perhaps that was too optimistic of him. He moved back to the matter at hand.

"Fine, so those cores are dangerous." He'd not trusted Ryan's statement but it was good to have confirmation. He could have absorbed some of it himself to test but didn't want to risk accidentally draining and breaking the things. It was better to have the Spirit check things out before experimenting. "Any clue what they did to them? What their purpose is?"

The Spirit's form gained life again and it rolled the marbles in its palms, a dour expression on it.

"As harmful as normal cores? In a way, they're worse. The idiots traded the quick and certain death for the long and tenuous."

"That sounds better?" It lined up with Ryan's claim that Gregor would be fine after some rest, as long as he didn't overuse it.

"See, idiots." The Spirit threw a verbal jab. Cal didn't rise to the taunt and the Spirit continued. "Mortals are too susceptible to foreign magic. With regular cores, your average mage will go mad imbuing a single one and it's not a subtle affair. Their madness is displayed to all those around them. With these? It's a slow and gradual process. We would need a test subject but we'd guess that the drawn-out exposure period lets them get acclimated better. Shortly after ingestion, they'll display the usual outburst but those effects should fade and let them blend in with the rest of your lot. Only blend in, the long-term use will still corrupt their mind."

Crazy sleeper agents then.

Joy.

"We won't know how they were created without more invasive tests. They probably won't survive them. As for why? Remember, idiots."

"Yeah, we can be self-destructive sometimes." Cal acknowledged, not pointing out that his race was a going concern while the Spirit's was relegated to the annals of history. "You can keep two out of the three." It would probably gain more insight than he did. "Can you track them?"

"We can't, something about them makes them hidden from us. It will be one of the things we try to figure out."

Of course, it couldn't be that easy.

"And the names I gave you?" It was already monitoring certain places so this should be no great struggle for it.

"Our hands are tied there." It maneuvered its wrist in front of it, to display a thick rope wrapped around them.

Cal didn't give it the satisfaction of knowing he found that a little funny.

"Aside from your budding career as a comedian." Cal didn't know if that was an actual thing in the Empire. They did have actors so it was certainly a possibility. "Is there a genuine reason you can't?"

"We tried." From the exasperation of its tone, that wasn't a lie. "Outside of a few select locations, we see the whole of the Academy. However, following specific people around isn't possible. The restrictions against us, although weakened from their height, are still potent. Recent attempts to circumvent them went poorly. Our creators wanted to limit our ability to interact with you mortals and you've never been interesting enough for us to push the issue."

Cal filed away the reveal that it had indeed been created. He'd already suspected it and, while being a neat tidbit of information, it didn't change anything.

"Okay, so dorms." Cal began to voice his more relevant thoughts. "I can find out where they're staying and you can snoop on them there. I can also wrangle up their class schedules along with frequented locations. Then you can happen to watch those locations. Would that work?"

He was spitballing, having no idea how strict these rules it had to follow were.

"We've never tried something like that before." The Spirit spoke after some thought. "The dorms are off limits. Unless they are actively in breach of the covenant then I can't take measures there. The classes, yes we can do that."

Better than nothing. He'd have to do some leg work but he'd found out Petro's dirty secrets fairly quickly. This shouldn't be that much different.

The topic of restrictions brought his current predicament to mind.

"I'm going to be a bit restricted myself."

All this attention was a nightmare. He was reasonably certain no one had seen Ryan and him visit that particular building but their run around campus had probably been noticed. Then there were the Justiciars showing up. With the duel, avoiding questioning wasn't realistic but he had thought he would be afforded more time. It was only the first day of the week and they'd already showed up on campus.

In an ideal world, they'd all be on the side of humanity and work together to get to the bottom of this mess. Unfortunately, they lived in a shattered world whose denizens managed to pick up the pieces after an apocalyptic event, only to create and foster generational grudges against their own kind.

"Yes, a thank you would be nice." The Spirit tossed him one of the marbles and he deftly caught it. "We could have reported that brat's passing immediately but waited until the first day of classes."

"Wait, this is your fault?" Was it messing with him or was that some sort of obligation it had to fulfill? It would have been nice to have known that ahead of time.

"We can feel whenever a covenant is severed prematurely. If it had happened on campus we might even have had to intervene." The Spirit made a waving motion. "If you want to kill each other elsewhere, feel free. But we still need to report it.'

"Thank you-"

"We could have waited a little longer if we had known you actually made progress but oh well."

This thing was a dick.

"Then if this all goes to shit, don't blame me."

Here lies the school, it died because it hurt itself in its confusion.

As far as consolation prizes, carving that on whatever rubble was left of the walls would be satisfying.

"You worry too much. If they become a problem just get rid of them, that's something you can do right?"

"I can't just get rid of everyone in my way."

"Can't you?"

Maybe? Not all at once and certainly not quietly.

"I'd rather not make a habit of it. Keep some of my humanity intact."

Unlike the Fourth, he didn't off people for the slightest inconvenience. Cal was no saint but he had standards for taking a life. Were they particularly high? It depended on who you asked but he was no monster. That being said, given the circumstances, the Justiciars could fall under his acceptable to murder list. It would be cold calculus but the lives of two imperial stooges fell short compared to a city.

Too bad that dealing with them would inevitably bring in progressively bigger fish. Eventually, he'd start running into people he couldn't easily handle.

With any luck, they'd be as incompetent as his colleagues in the city made them out to be and leave after a day or two.

"Silly thing that. Faster you lose it the less irritating you'd be" The Spirit commented although its attention was elsewhere. "We will be questioned as well in this instance. While we think it would be amusing to pin it on you and watch the show, we'll refrain in consideration of our personal interest."

It must have slept on the wrong side of the bed because it was out to get him today. For the second time, Cal was the responsible one and didn't stoop to its level.

"Can you pin it on someone else?"

The term patsy came to mind. Cal wasn't sure who he'd be willing to throw into the line of fire but was certain there was more than one deserving member of the student body.

"Don't push it. Unlike you humans, we don't make a habit of lying." The surrounding pressure amplified and Cal realized he'd stepped on a touchy subject. "Fortunately, we've got a talent for being obtuse."

"And that's not the same as lying?" Obfuscation or omission equated to the same thing in his book.

Milky eyes locked onto him and a beat reverberated through the dark hall. The sound was disconcerting, it put him on alert.

"We shouldn't have expected you to understand." Its words were accompanied by the pressure relenting. It sounded sullen. "Now will you make us kick you out again or will you find the door yourself."

"It's more of an open entrance than a door…but sure." Cal didn't push any further. It seemed almost sensitive. He couldn't be sure if it was a trick or not but he could have sworn he felt some feeling of kindredness.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Spirits were weird.

————

Cal was a normal student. Who did normal student things like study during the week and get shitfaced over the weekend.

That was the line that went through his mind as he passed the rather conspicuous woman who he was sure had to be a Justiciars. He'd never seen one before but from how everyone seemed to try their best to ignore her existence, he was reasonably confident that woman had the power to arbitrarily decide the fates of people in the Empire.

Her uniform consisted of a dark cloak that concealed her form. As she walked he caught glimpses of her uniform underneath. It was a stark white shirt and form-fitting black pants. A blood-red scarf drew his attention for a moment before his eyes traced up to the mask concealing part of her face. It was the type he would associate with operagoers in his last life and made out of a reflective material that caused his warped face to stare back at him.

Dark eyes met him and he tore his sight away.

They crossed and he managed to convince himself he'd gotten away with it when a clear voice rang out.

"Halt." He took three more steps before deciding to assent. "Callum Ardere." A statement rather than a question, he'd been identified. "You will be answering my questions."

The tone bothered him. It was too matter-of-fact, too authoritative. Cal resisted the urge to give a sarcastic response.

He turned, to face the woman who faced him stock still, he couldn't be sure if she was breathing. The surroundings were buzzing again, he'd thought he'd gotten used to the crowd but this kicked up their activity a notch.

Luckily, he'd already been drilled on to what to say.

"I need to get permission from my House Heir before discussing anything."

It was the equivalent of saying he needed an adult.

"That won't be necessary. My partner is already speaking to her."

Well, that wasn't good. Alice made it seem like that would be the end of the conversation. And this chick was staring at him expecting a response.

He gave one.

"I need to get permission from my House Heir before discussing anything." He drew out each word, putting on a blank face and blinking owlishly before continuing. "She doesn't like me talking to strangers."

Her face didn't fluctuate but her tone grew harsher.

"I understand that but in my capacity as a servant of the Emperor, you can and will speak to me."

Cal tilted his head and his brow furrowed, as if thinking hard.

"She told me not to?"

"Yes, you've implied that," the woman said, her eyes narrowing almost imperceptibly. "I'm instructing you otherwise."

"Father told me to listen to her." Cal followed up, making sure to add a note of emptiness in his tone.

"Do you understand who I am?" She asked rhetorically and a gloved hand brushed against a broach she wore. Golden in color, it resembled the sun. "I represent the highest authority you may ever meet. You will cease your stalling and accompany me for questioning."

"The last time I went off alone with a girl Alice got really mad." Cal shook his head and held up his hands in a helpless manner. "Even her being friends with the girl didn't help so she'd be extra mad if I went off with someone else."

He was grossly misrepresenting the facts for this performance, which he thought was going swell. His plan was founded on two principles. The first was that nobles thought highly of themselves. The second was the pattern of people assuming him to be some manner of imbecile.

The natural conclusion of that was to take 'playing dumb' rather literally.

He withstood the woman's piercing gaze with what he hoped looked like blissful ignorance. It slowly evolved from seconds to minutes. The tension in the air was palpable and she was intent on breaking him with this.

Thankfully, he had a trump card.

Eyes still opened, he entered his trance.

In what felt like an instant his face was inches from a woman with nostrils flared. He yawned while taking a step back.

"Were you sleeping?" The woman spat, her composure cracking.

"I was tired of standing here but it didn't seem like you wanted me to leave." He dialed it back, realizing he'd put it on too thick. "I've been up really late studying. Alice is worried I'm going to fail everything."

The best lies had sprinkles of truth.

"I see," she said, accepting the reasoning. "Follow me, we'll speak to her then."

She didn't wait for his assent and moved forward with purpose. He waited half a beat before following after.

They walked briskly, he was tempted to ask her questions about what being a justiciar entailed. The system came off as draconian to him, it would serve a purpose in a less developed society but the Empire had a strong enough central government to enforce its laws without empowering a single individual to be judge, jury, and, if need be, executioner. It wasn't like they didn't have regular courts either.

It was probably a leftover institution from a previous era; Similar to how the Federation military was able to operate for so long independently of the civilian government.

Facing an existential threat, the Federation had opted to remove any and all red tape from the military apparatus. Fantastic for responding to threats promptly and with extreme prejudice. Decidedly less so for the host country's democratic system.

Accountability?

Hah. What good is that when we the Empire could cross the river at any moment? Or that's how the argument usually went.

The unprecedented era of peace they were experiencing caused that party line to ring hollow.

Cal surmised that the same chaffing was occurring here as well, only with different institutions and different people.

They entered the dorm building and she stopped, waving him forward. He took the lead and led them to his room. That was his genuine intent, he wasn't faking it when he went down the wrong hallway and ended up somewhere completely else.

He backtracked and pretended not to notice the look Miss Justiciar gave him. The balcony was the superior entrance anyway.

After that bump, he located their room and she stepped in front of him giving a series of knocks on the door.

A voice that was not Alice's responded and she swung the door open. Stepping through, he was met with the sight of an older man and Alice having tea. His fake sister appeared composed and she nodded to him in greeting.

"Janice" The man lifted his cup of tea. "I see you brought the younger Ardere here, why don't you both join us for a cup?"

The man's hair was cut short. Streaks of gray cut through its otherwise brown color. He wore an identical uniform to the newly dubbed Janice.

He'd also just offered tea that wasn't his so that wasn't a good start.

They both took a seat, neither drinking the provided tea.

The man took it in stride.

"Lady Ardere and I were discussing your relationship with Petro Lucerna, I'm curious as to Callum's perspective on things."

"I would be as well," Janice answered the question while giving Cal a pointed look. "He refused questioning."

All eyes turned to him. He made a show of turning to Alice and receiving a nod.

"He wants to fight me for some reason. Alice told me no and I told him that but he's rather insistent. Actually, you guys have special powers, right? Can you tell him to stop, it's annoying."

A childish response if he did say so himself.

The man exhaled and Cal took that as a sign of amusement.

"I would not expect him to trouble you any longer. Do you know why that is?"

Alice shifted and he could tell she was withholding commentary. Sheesh, it wasn't like he hadn't been drilled on this.

"No?"

Simple answer, don't offer information without prompting.

Both Justiciars studied him intently before the older rose from his chair.

"In that case, we won't take any more of your time today." The man signaled for his partner and went for the door. His hands grasped the handle and he turned for a final word. "Pardon, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Vincent Promitia, Justiciar serving at the pleasure of his Majesty. We'll be speaking soon."

The door shut, leaving the both of them in silence.

"That went well," He commented to the girl beside him.

She closed her eyes and sighed, taking a sip before responding.

"This was a probing motion." She explained, rubbing her temple. "They don't want to risk alerting us of his passing until they know more."

"Which means they don't have anything," Cal stated, leaning the chair back and balancing it on its hind legs. "Pretty sure I sold my part well with the younger one. Old guy ask anything else?"

"Nothing of consequence." Alice swirled her cup, relaxing her shoulder from their stiff posture. "He wanted to take my measure, unnerve me perhaps. Until they have more our protections as a Count house will protect us."

It was about time his identity did something useful. Then again, it was the reason for this mess in the first place.

"This is far from over." Alice finished the cup before collecting the rest of the set and taking them to the kitchenette. "You'll need to be on your best behavior. We can't give them any openings."

Sadly, that might not be possible. He kept his mouth shut about that, thinking about what was to come.

He had a legitimate way forward now, maybe he'd race the justiciars and see which of them could unravel their mystery first.