Gareth (Alexander) and Revol walked down the corridor.

As they turned the corner, they came face-to-face with a figure cloaked in dark fabric, his face obscured by a simple, featureless mask.

Revol’s eyes narrowed as he stopped abruptly.

Without hesitation, he nodded in recognition.

“Judge Heidrick...”

The cloaked figure inclined his head slightly,

“Revol. Gareth.”

Revol motioned for Gareth to remain silent for the moment, sensing that Heidrick had something important to say.

Heidrick’s gaze shifted between them,

“There’s something you need to know about Ares. He’s not what you think he is.”

Revol tilted his head slightly, his curiosity piqued.

“What do you mean...Judge”

Heidrick folded his arms, the movement slow and deliberate.

“Ares is not a real human being. He is a magical construct.”

The words hung in the air for a moment, as if time itself had paused to absorb the revelation.

Gareth’s eyes widened slightly, and Revol took an involuntary step forward.

“That’s impossible,” Gareth said.

“e’ve been around him. His power, his presence—he’s too... real.”

Heidrick didn’t react to Gareth’s disbelief.

“You felt his power, yes. It’s substantial, comparable to a peak-level three mage. But that’s precisely what makes this revelation all the more unsettling. A construct of that level, with that kind of strength... it’s unprecedented.”

Revol narrowed his eyes, his mind already racing.

“How do you know this, Judge Heidrick...?”

Heidrick reached into his cloak and pulled out a small, faintly glowing crystal.

“This.” He held it up, the soft light illuminating his masked face.

“It’s a detector attuned to trace magical constructs. I used it while observing Ares during one of his interactions with the lower levels. The crystal responded only to him, not the others in the room. That kind of reaction is unmistakable.”

“Truth to be told, my power is enough to see what he is as it is...”

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“But the crystal just made my thought and feeling real and proven.”

Gareth crossed his arms, his expression skeptical but cautious.

“Let’s say you’re right. How is it possible for a construct to function at such a high level, to exhibit such autonomy? Constructs are tools, nothing more. They follow commands—they don’t act like Ares does.”

Heidrick’s voice took on a slight edge of intrigue.

“The answer lies with Sylas Sylind. I believe he’s responsible. Ares wasn’t created by ordinary means. This is the work of a creative mage.”

Revol rubbed his chin, his expression grim.

“Sylas...”

“If Ares is a construct and what we can say about others with him...”

Gareth tapped a finger against his arm, his thoughts clearly racing.

“This changes everything. Ares’s presence on the lower levels, his interactions with the organizations... If he’s a construct, then his actions are entirely driven by Sylas’s agenda. We’ve been watching the puppet, not the puppeteer.”

Revol nodded slowly.

“And Sylas’s agenda is anything but simple.”

“If Ares is a construct, then Sylas has created something that can operate without the limitations of a human—no fatigue, no personal ambitions, no mistakes.””

“It is not that surprising, as such spells existed.”

“But I have never seen a level three peak mage creation with such behavior and actions...”

Gareth’s gaze darkened, and he glanced at Heidrick.

“What’s your take on this? How do we use this information?”

----------

Heidrick’s mask turned slightly, as if he were considering Gareth’s question carefully.

“Knowledge is power, Gareth. Knowing what Ares truly is gives you leverage. The key is to decide when and how to reveal it—or to keep it hidden and use it to outmaneuver Sylas.”

Revol frowned.

“And if Sylas realizes we know?”

Heidrick shrugged lightly.

“That depends on how you play your cards. If Sylas is the creative mage behind Ares, he’s already several steps ahead of most of us. But even the most brilliant tactician has blind spots. Exploit them.”

“If Sylas is smart enough and knew that I have been in contact with Ares.”

“It is more than likely that he would think that I have enough power to understand and notice what Ares is in reality.”

“So, it would be better to assume Sylas knows that Ares is revealed.”

Gareth took a deep breath and then started to speak.

“For now, we keep this between us. If word gets out, it could destabilize everything. Ares’s reputation as a peak-level mage is part of what keeps the lower levels in check. If people learn he’s a construct, it could create chaos—or worse, make Sylas move prematurely.”

Revol nodded in agreement.

“But we’ll need to monitor Ares more closely. If he’s a construct, there might be signs—weaknesses we can exploit if necessary.”

Heidrick stepped back slightly,

“Remember, constructs are bound by their creator’s will. If you want to understand Ares, you have to understand Sylas. And that is no small task.”

Gareth’s eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening.

“Sylas is a step ahead, but this might be the advantage we need to catch up.”

Revol glanced at Heidrick.

“Anything else we should know... Judge?”

Heidrick shook his head.

“For now, that’s all. But tread carefully. Sylas is not one to underestimate, and neither is what he creates.”

With that, Heidrick turned and disappeared down the corridor, his cloak trailing behind him like a shadow.

Gareth and Revol stood in silence for a moment, the weight of the revelation settling over them.

“This could change the entire game.”

Revol finally said, his tone somber.

Gareth nodded, his expression grim.

“It already has.”