As we waited for Caius's return, Fleur leaned back in her chair, deep in thought. The prospects of the event intrigued her. I could see the wheels turning in her mind as she considered the possibilities it might hold for our investigation.

Soon enough, the busy Red Anchor Bar door swung open and Caius stepped inside, his expression filled with exhilaration from his exploration of the Entertainment District.

"Fleur! Eli! Lucas!" he said as he came over, his voice brimming with excitement. "You wouldn't believe the wonders I've seen! The performers, the food, the—"

Fleur chuckled, interrupting his enthusiastic recount. "Caius, save the details for later. We've been discussing what we've found, and it seems like there's very little information going about."

Caius's enthusiasm deflated slightly at the mention of our lack of progress. He took a seat, his face a mix of curiosity and disappointment. "Really? That's surprising. I thought Eli found something."

Fleur looked at Caius, putting her fingers up to her lips as to tell Caius he was being a bit too loud. Others might be listening in.

She leaned forward, her gaze focusing on me. "He did overhear something interesting. This so-called event. I don’t doubt it’s connected to the markets in some way."

Caius leaned in, his interest piqued but cautious. He kept his voice low, mindful of Fleur's warning. "Did we figure out what the event could be?"

Lucas, who had been quietly listening, interjected. "We don't have all the details yet, but it's something happening in secret, invite-only. We think it might be related to the underground markets, but we need more information to be sure."

Caius nodded, absorbing the information. "Invite-only? That sounds interesting. We'll have to figure out how to get in."

"We should definitely inform Darius about this," Fleur said. "He might have some resources or contacts that can help us dig deeper. It's our best lead so far."

“Our only lead,” Lucas sarcastically quipped. "Maybe we can work on getting an invite. If it's exclusive, we'll need to find a way in. I say we continue looking before bringing this to Darius."

Fleur still in thought brought something important up. "This will mean we will be possibly bumping into King again. We’re going to have to stay sharp for this one.”

Caius nodded. "Of course, I'm ready for anything."

As we discussed our next steps, I realized I had the knobby scroll casing lid I had snatched earlier in my pocket. The scroll casing was still securely hidden beneath my uniform. I excused myself, deciding it was an opportune moment to inspect the strange object privately.

"I'll be right back," I said, pushing my chair back and standing. "I just need to use the bathroom."

My companions acknowledged my departure with a nod, and I made my way to the restroom. Once inside, I locked the door and reached into my pocket to retrieve the scroll casing lid. It was still cold to the touch.

Closing my eyes and focusing on the glass bowl in my mind, I searched for the scroll lids past.

I channelled my abilities, my thoughts honing in on the knobby lids' history. As the familiar sensation of water-like energy surged through me, I opened my eyes to the webbed scene, as if looking through a shattered mirror.

Before me, darkness loomed, broken only by a slender sliver of horizontal light that pierced through. It was like gazing into the heart of the night. With a surge of determination, I peered through the slit, letting my eyes finally adjust to the sight before me.

The fractured scene revealed a wooden crate surrounding the scroll casing. Outside of the crate and into the light was a familiar pier, the Leode Pier.

I looked closer, my vision penetrating through the daylight and I saw a fisherman I recognized from a previous encounter. It was the same man I had aided not long ago, a grateful expression etched on his face. He stood on the pier docks, inspecting the crates.

I couldn't help but wonder why an illegal Barros scroll casing would end up in a crate on the pier. The Barros Family was from the Capital, Goldeen, so it was strange for one of their supposable belongings to be this far east in Leode. The puzzle pieces of information began to form a chaotic picture in my mind.

Had the fisherman unwittingly become involved in something greater or some other shadowy dealings? Or was this just a coincidence?

Curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to investigate further, shifting my vision within the fractured scene. As I did, I noticed something that sent a physical jolt through me.

My gaze briefly landed on a figure nearby, someone I knew. I couldn't believe my eyes for just a split second.

My head throbbed with an inexplicable pain, and I unconsciously deactivated my ability, clutching my forehead with my hand.

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But when I returned to my senses, the world around me felt like a surreal nightmare. My skin started to crawl as though millions of tiny insects scurried beneath it. It was a horrifying trapping sensation.

I began to taste blood in my mouth, its metallic tang mingling with the sour acidity of vomit that threatened to rise. The combination was repulsive, and I fought to keep it down.

The pain was unbearable, every nerve in my body was on fire. I felt as if I were undergoing a grotesque metamorphosis, a transformation into something far from human. The agonizing realization gnawed at my mind, that this was the same feeling Jo had described when becoming a Lamentor.

But why? What triggered this gruesome transformation? It couldn’t end like this.

I closed my eyes, desperately seeking refuge from the searing pain that coursed through me. With all my willpower, I focused on the image of the glass bowl in my mind, willing the rapidly swirling water within it to come to a standstill. I needed to regain control, to return to my normal self.

In the midst of the torment, I felt an overwhelming sense of pressure, as though I were deep underwater and the weight of the ocean bore down upon me. Every moment was agony, and the seconds stretched into an eternity.

And then, as suddenly as it had begun, it ceased. The pain receded, leaving me gasping for breath as I clung to the edge of the proverbial abyss.

For a moment, I remained huddled in the bathroom stall, trying to catch my breath, sweat beading on my forehead. I realized that I had to make a firm resolution: never again would I look at that figure using my abilities.

To never look towards myself.

After composing myself and splashing water on my face, I made my way back to the team.

Rejoining Fleur, Caius, and Lucas, I found them discussing our next course of action. We exited the dimly lit, bustling bar to the vivid and came back to the pink-hued district outside. It was like crossing into a different world.

"Lucas is right. I think it's best we continue our investigation," Fleur suggested. "We have a lead, and we need to gather as much information as possible before reporting back to Darius. But let's be discreet and blend in with the crowd. We don't want to draw attention to ourselves."

She went to continue walking but turned again to speak. “Lucas and Caius, you'll form one group. Elias, you'll be with me."

Lucas and Caius exchanged a look before nodding in agreement. It seemed they were just as content with the arrangement as I was. The prospect of being paired with Fleur was pleasing to me, mainly because it meant I wouldn't have to deal with both Caius and Lucas.

Fleur gave a reassuring smile to Lucas and Caius. "Good. You two cover the northern part of the Entertainment District, and Elias and I will take the southern area. We'll meet back here at the Red Anchor in let's see… another two hours."

We watched as Lucas and Caius strolled away, disappearing into the crowd that thrived in the Entertainment District. Once they were out of sight, it was just Fleur and me.

Both Fleur and I walked around the southern area, listening out for anything relevant to the information I had heard before. It was our only lead yet it now gave us something to look for.

“Eli,” Fleur said looking forward as we pushed through the crowds of on-goers. “You have to remember that in this line of work, subtlety and discretion are your best allies. The ability to blend in and remain unnoticed is crucial."

Descracincy is something I had tried to put into practice, yet I wasn’t yet adept at. Hiding around a corner to listen in on people the alley before just came naturally but I know I could do better. Fleur had been in this field for quite a long time so I wouldn’t be against picking up some things from her.

She continued, her voice low, "Keep your steps quiet. Avoid drawing unnecessary attention. The more unassuming you appear, the less people will remember your face. Though don’t try too hard or that’ll make you more obvious of suspicion."

I took her advice to heart, adopting a more cautious gait as we ventured further.

She smiled, a reassuring expression that showed her approval. "Good. And another thing. When using your abilities, be careful not to reveal any signs of it. Keep your emotions in check. A sudden surge of power or a bloodthirsty aura can give you away."

As an Arcanist, it was essential to keep our abilities concealed, especially in public settings. I had already been using it in public, though seemingly concealing it well. Maybe I was making quicker progress than I thought.

“Understood,” I replied towards Fleur. Her experience was evident, and with my lack of skill, I was more than willing to learn.

We continued walking through the district, our senses finely tuned to any traces of information. However, the lively crowds around us seemed more preoccupied with their own revelries and indulgences which after our investigation earlier wasn’t surprising, to say the least.

After what felt like an hour of eavesdropping, Fleur began to alter course, leading us towards the underground market secret entrance that I knew of.

Fleur aware that I knew where we were gave me a warning. “It might be a bit riskier, but people here are more likely to be more talkative about relevant topics. Stay close and be prepared for anything."

She was right. This was a riskier path, but it might provide us with more valuable information. One could assume more arcanists would frequent this area and be more in the know about what goes on within the underground market circles.

As we approached the market entrance, the felt slightly thicker, the pink hue slightly duller, the district atmosphere more clandestine.

The entrance was still well-concealed, a seemingly ordinary door nestled between two larger, more extravagant establishments. Apart from the obvious guards, posing as regular loiterers, it was basically non-existent.

We stood there for a moment, observing the entrance from a distance, deciding on our next move. Fleur's eyes darted about, her mind undoubtedly calculating the risks and opportunities.

Just as we were about to decide our next steps, both Fleur and I instinctively shrunk into the crowd, attempting to blend in with the bustling sea of people.

The figure towering over two meters dressed in his perfect white suit and black tie, with his immaculate cascading white hair, came the enigmatic King, out from the entrance to his underground markets.

His presence was still as imposing as the last time even at a distance, but also due to the aura of power and arrogance that surrounded him. King was a man who exuded confidence and authority, and his attire only added to his mystique.

Behind him came his two white-masked and trench-suited bodyguards. As they left the underground markets, the crowd seemed to part, as if granting him an unspoken passage through the masses. It was a testament to his influence and dominance in this secretive world.

Nestled in the crowd, both Fleur and I made a knowing glance towards each other.

If King was out of the Market, who was making sure everything was running smoothly? Did he have someone behind the scenes?

“He’s never usually out,” Fleur uttered under her breath, just loud enough for me to hear. “This timing is too perfect. What is he up to?”

The rare sight of King's absence from the underground market raised more questions than answers. It was a golden opportunity for us, a chance to move through the market without his watchful eye.

Fleur, with her usual confidence, led the way toward the concealed entrance. The guards stationed there recognized her, a nod of acknowledgment passing between them, and they allowed us to pass unimpeded.

As we stepped down the stairs and into the dimly lit underground market, I couldn't help but feel weary. I had been here before, yet this wasn’t a place to take lightly.

Fleur leaned closer, her voice a whisper as she cautioned me. "Elias, just act like a regular shopper. We don't want to draw attention to ourselves."

Following Fleur's advice, I did my best to blend in with the other shoppers, appearing as if I were there for a simple, routine purchase of materials. The market was a labyrinth of stalls and vendors selling a wide array of exotic items, many of which were used by arcanists in their rituals.

I moved through the stalls, occasionally inspecting various materials, both to maintain my facade and to gather supplies that could prove useful for the rituals I intended to undertake. While I was browsing, my ears remained attuned to the conversations of those around me.

As I examined some ritual components, I overheard a conversation between two shoppers who were standing nearby.

"I heard there's a new supplier," one of them mentioned.

The other raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Any idea who it is?"

His companion shook his head and began whispering, clearly intent on keeping their conversation discreet. "Not a clue, but they say King's been making some changes. It could be connected to that. A new supplier could mean new opportunities. We’ll just have to find out next week like the rest."