Enshrouded in the gloom, Aline lingered in a forsaken corner. Since Arkarr’s downfall, he alone had eluded capture. Days turned to nights as he flitted from one refuge to another, now hidden in the shadowy recess of a derelict abode. In the waning moments of Arkarr’s clash with the Paladins, Edmond’s identification ability ensnared him, leaving his identity exposed. The Paladins were now relentless in their pursuit. Even sustenance became a luxury hard to come by. Rising, he peered through the window.

“Arkarr, the fool,” he muttered under his breath, “I warned him of his inferiority to a B-rank Paladin. But his arrogance kept him from seeing reason. ”

His eyes methodically scanned the room, searching for anything out of place. Every corner, every shadow—he couldn't afford to miss a single detail.

“I need to figure out a way to get out of this city,” he muttered, the weight of his predicament clear in his voice.

He stepped away from the window, the outside world teeming with guards and watchful eyes. Moving to the far corner of the room, he leaned against the wall, folding his arms as he let his thoughts take over.

‘To leave, I’ll have to go through the city gate, but they’ve already got my information. The guards would recognize me.’

His lips curled into a knowing smirk.

‘Good thing I have my transformation ability. All I need is the right target. I could become a commoner, blend in easily... but the guards always ask too many questions at the gate.’

He frowned for a moment, calculating, then his grin shifted, a new idea forming.

‘But they wouldn’t dare stop a paladin. The young paladin from earlier… he was easy enough to fool once, and I’m certain I can fool him again.’

Straightening up, he felt a surge of confidence. He began pacing, the details of his plan coming together as he moved. His footsteps were quicker now, driven by determination.

‘I’ll need a flawless plan—one far better than Arkarr’s clumsy attempts.’

…

Leo opened his eyes. Today was Wednesday. A tingle of anticipation coursed through him at the thought of patrolling alongside Captain Edmond. The past two days he immersed himself in rigorous training, honing his mana control and perfecting the illusion spell. He had managed to activate the most distant crystal, yet synchronizing all of them remained a challenge. The illusion spell, too, was on the cusp of his grasp. Rising with renewed vigor, he steeled his will.

‘Today, I will master the spell before I join the patrol.’

Eager to absorb every shred of knowledge, to render himself indispensable, he delved into the basic illusion book—its contents echoing Lavi’s teachings. Slipping into his exercise garb, he set out for a jog. Despite a modest income of seven gold coins, life’s necessities often seemed just beyond reach. Fortunately a lot of his stuff came from the association, like the very clothes that now he was using, ready for the day’s exertions.

Thirty minutes into his return, Leo stepped through the living room and into the shower. In the past month, he was a lot faster in his schedule, and today, as he came out of shower, refreshed, the house still slumbered, his mother’s breaths a gentle rhythm in the quiet. He slipped into his work attire, the fabric familiar against his skin.

As he came back into the living room, the aroma of breakfast greeted him; his mother, now awake, stood by the stove.

“Good morning, mom,” Leo greeted, settling at the table with a soft clatter of cutlery.

“Morning, sweetie. You’re on your feet earlier with each passing day,” she observed, a note of warmth in her voice.

“I’m just getting used to my daily schedule,” Leo replied, his tone light.

She approached, bearing a plate crowned with two perfectly baked eggs.

“You’ve heard it time and again, but don’t forget, your body also needs sleep. ”

The concern in her eyes was familiar, and Leo met it with an affectionate smile. “I remember, mom.”

With the eggs savored and the morning ritual complete, Leo rose, his spirit primed for the day’s endeavors.

“Mom, do we need more money?” Leo asked, his voice steady, but with a hint of concern.

She smiled softly. “We still have a little left from before. And honestly, things aren’t as expensive as you’d think,” she reassured him.

“Alright, just let me know if that changes,” Leo replied, choosing not to address her comment about the prices.

Stepping into the brisk morning air, he made his way toward the association. Mid-stride, suddenly, the hair on the back of his head stood up, it was a familiar feeling, a harbinger of unseen eyes. Without missing a beat, he activate his blue crystal, he starts to search the surrender, looking for any suspicious things. The sensation ebbed as subtly as it had arrived.

In a matter of minutes, the association’s facade loomed before him. He went straight to Lara’s desk.

“Good morning, Miss Lara. Is the captain in his office?” The crystal’s power lent a tranquil cadence to his voice.

Lara glanced up, her gaze meeting his. “Good morning, Leo. Yes, he’s there, you can enter.”

“Thank you.” With a nod, Leo advanced to Edmond’s door, rapping gently upon the wood.

Leo’s knock was met with a prompt “Come in” from the other side of the door. He entered the room and greeted Captain Edmond with a respectful fist to his chest.

“Captain, good morning,” Leo said, maintaining his composure.

Edmond offered a nod of acknowledgment. “At ease. What brings you here?”

“I believe I was followed on my way here,” Leo said, his voice steady, aided by the calming effect of the blue crystal.

Edmond’s face shifted between surprise and concern. “You seem unusually calm... and do you have some kind of force that attracts trouble?”

"Well, I already have a lot of experience and this blue crystal to calm me down," he explained, pulling the crystal from his pocket. “Also, I think that people who target us are going after me because I am the weakest here”

Edmond pondered this for a moment. “That’s a reasonable assumption. But don’t worry, after today, you won’t need a shadow to feel safe. I’m sure you’ll appreciate the independence.”

This piqued Leo’s curiosity. “What do you mean by that?”

“You’ll understand by this evening,” Edmond said, offering no further details.

Leo swallowed his curiosity. He put his fist on his chest. “I will leave you to your duties, then.”

With a simple nod from Edmond, Leo exited the office, the door closing softly behind him.

…

Once Leo had departed, Edmond put his index finger on his head.

“Lara, have Peter and Albert come to my office,” he projected his thoughts.

“Understood, Captain,” Lara’s mental reply resonated within him.

Edmond leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin, lost in contemplation. A few moments passed before a knock punctuated the silence.

“Come in,” he commanded.

The door swung open, revealing Peter and Albert, who promptly saluted with their hands over their chests.

“Captain, you called for us?” Albert inquired.

“At ease,” Edmond responded, his gaze settling on Albert. “I need you to head over to the main police station. Ask them to bolster our patrols. If they hesitate, hand them this authorization.” He slid a sealed document across the desk.

Albert accepted the paper, weighing its significance. “Will that be all, Captain?”

Edmond nodded, his mind already turning to the next move in this intricate game of security and subterfuge.

“Yes. and take Gery with you and patrol around here for today.”

Albert's brow furrowed, a mix of concern and suspicion darkening his features. “Captain, has there been another incident?”

Edmond let out a heavy sigh. “Leo was followed again.”

“Again?” Albert's voice was laced with disbelief, quickly giving way to frustration. His fists clenched briefly at his sides, the repetition of the issue clearly grating on his nerves.

Edmond gave a curt nod. “Yes. I suspect it’s the same person who was with the necromancer—the one that fled. We’ve been trying to track him down, but he’s proven hard to catch.”

Albert’s jaw tightened as he absorbed the information. “That complicates things.”

“It does,” Edmond agreed, his tone grave. “Go to the police station first, see if they’ve uncovered anything new. After that, begin your patrol.”

Albert straightened, his hand snapping into a firm salute. “Understood, Captain.” Without wasting another moment, he turned sharply and headed out, his mind already racing with possibilities.

Turning to Peter, Edmond’s voice was firm. “Equip Leo with the following: the Sword of Light, a teleportation scroll, a fireball gem, enchanted handcuffs, two healing potions, two mana recovery potions, and an enchanted bag to carry them.”

Peter’s eyes widened slightly. “Are you certain he’s prepared for such items? The Sword of Light, in particular?”

Edmond’s confidence didn’t waver. “He’s capable. Ensure he’s equipped before we set out.”

Peter saluted. “Understood, Captain.”

As Peter exited, Edmond let out another sigh.

…

The library clock struck eleven as Leo, surrounded by towering shelves of books, mulled over the intricacies of the illusion spell he was determined to master. His concentration was absolute, he was doing his work between the bookshelves, until Samuel’s voice pierced his focus. Puzzled, Leo made his way to the front desk where Peter stood waiting, an unusual expression etched on his face.

“Mr. Peter, good morning,” Leo greeted, masking his curiosity. “Is there something I can assist you with?”

Peter’s gaze was earnest. “Good morning, Leo. It’s time for your patrol preparations for today.”

Leo’s brow creased in surprise. “Preparations? But my duties here in the library…”

Samuel interjected with a reassuring tone. “Your work here can wait, Leo. You’re efficient and well ahead of your tasks.”

With a glance at Samuel’s encouraging nod, then back to Peter’s expectant look, Leo acquiesced. “Very well, Mr. Peter. lead the way.”

Peter led the way to the storage room, with Leo trailing a few steps behind. As the door swung open, Leo’s gaze was immediately drawn to the array of items laid out on the desk, among which a gleaming sword stood out, its craftsmanship begging for attention.

“Start with this,” Peter said, handing over a bag of unassuming size to Leo.

“This is an enchanted bag. It might look ordinary, but it’s designed to hold more than it should. Just clip it onto your belt.”

Leo accepted the bag, inspecting its interior and exterior, which appeared no different from any regular bag.

“How does this differ from a normal bag?” Leo inquired, his curiosity piqued.

“You’ll see soon enough,” Peter assured him, as he gathered two sets of potions—two healing and two mana—and placed them before Leo.

“Stow these in your bag. The blue ones are for mana replenishment, and the red for healing. They won’t fully restore you, but in a pinch, they’re invaluable.”

As Leo placed the potions into the bag, they vanished from sight, prompting a look of bewilderment to wash over his face. Peter, noticing the confusion, offered a reassuring smile.

“Try reaching into the bag and focus on the healing potions,” he instructed.

Leo hesitated for a moment before doing as Peter suggested. To his amazement, a healing potion materialized in his grasp. Peter took this opportunity to clarify.

“The bag is layered with enchantments. Firstly, it’s much larger on the inside, but an enchantment compresses it externally without compromising its internal capacity. Secondly, there’s a concealment charm at the opening, rendering the contents invisible. Lastly, it’s imbued with a retrieval enchantment that summons the item you need, provided it’s within.”

Leo examined the bag with a newfound appreciation, “It’s like a computer program”

“Did you say something?” Peter asked, his attention momentarily diverted by his inventory.

Caught off guard, Leo quickly dismissed it. “No, it’s nothing.”

Peter methodically laid out a set of handcuffs, a scroll, and an orange gem on the table, each item meticulously placed for Leo’s inspection.

“These handcuffs are imbued with a mana suppression enchantment. They’re effective on anyone lower than ranked B, completely inhibiting their mana usage. For those above rank B, the time it takes to break free ranges from a mere second to a full minute, depending on their power level,” Peter explained, his tone indicating the seriousness of the tool.

He then gestured towards the scroll. “This is a teleportation scroll. In a dire situation, it can bring you back here. But remember, there’s a three-second delay from activation to teleportation, so timing is crucial.”

Leo nodded, absorbing the information as he placed the items into the enchanted bag. His hand then gravitated towards the orange gem, its fiery hue catching the light.

“This gem holds the fireball spell, capable of being unleashed five times. It’s rated at D rank in terms of power,” Peter continued, watching Leo examine the gem closely.

Finally, Peter presented the sword, its blade emitting a faint, golden glow. Leo reached out, the sword’s handle fitting comfortably in his grip. An unmistakable energy coursed through the metal, resonating with Leo’s own mana.

“Is there an enchantment on this as well?” Leo asked, feeling the sword’s latent potential.

Peter locked eyes with him, the gravity of the moment reflected in his gaze. “No, the Sword of Light is more than it appears. It’s a formidable weapon, not just for its physical blade but for the magic it wields. It is a magic item”

“This isn’t just any sword; it belonged to an A-rank Paladin, a veteran of countless skirmishes. Upon his passing, the sword itself ascended to the status of a rank-C magic item,” Peter clarified.

Leo’s eyes widened slightly. “A magic item? I’ve only read about such things.”

He recalled the passage from the book: ‘Magic items are living things.’

Peter nodded, “Yes, it channels your mana to manifest three distinct spells. The first coats the blade in radiant light, capable of harming creatures of shadow. The second conjures a sphere of light, akin to a fireball but of pure luminance. And the third spell is for healing, which I assume needs no introduction.”

As Leo processed this, another line from the book surfaced in his mind: ‘All magic items bear a cost.’

Meeting Peter’s solemn gaze, Leo’s voice was tentative. “And the drawback?”

Peter let out a weary breath, the weight of his next words hanging in the air.

Peter’s tone took on a grave note as he explained the sword’s perilous side effect. “The more you wield it, the stronger the thirst for violence becomes. It’s a blade that can corrupt with an insatiable desire for bloodshed.”

Leo held the sword at arm’s length, its latent menace now apparent. “That’s a heavy side effect for a weapon.”

His gaze shifted back to Peter, seeking understanding. “Why have I been given all these items?”

Peter’s explanation was straightforward. “You are going on a patrol with the captain, if anything happens you need to be prepared for it, also it is for your own protection, you said someone was tailing you right?”

The memory of the morning’s unease flashed in Leo’s mind. “Right.”

He secured the sword to his belt, its length perfectly suited for the discreet sheath at his side.

Peter continued. “Make sure to eat; you’ve got a session with Mr. Han soon.”

Leo nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Peter.”

With his new gear in tow, Leo made his way to the communal kitchen where the aromas of lunch wafted through the air. Frank, Liamond, and Wina were there, engaged in their midday routines.

“Perfect timing, Leo,” Frank called out as he stirred a pot on the stove. “The meat soup’s just about ready.”

Frank was in his element, a melody under his breath as he stirred the simmering pot. The savory scent of his renowned meat soup filled the kitchen, drawing an admiring comment from Wina. “Frank’s meat soup is really delicious,” she declared, her anticipation evident as she watched the soup bubble away.

Frank’s response was a bashful chuckle, his hand instinctively reaching up to scratch his head. “You think so?”

“Absolutely,” Wina affirmed, her eyes never leaving the steaming pot.

Amidst the culinary banter, Liamond settled into the seat beside Leo, his gaze drifting to the kitchen’s bustling activity. “Frank’s passion for cooking is unmatched,” he remarked, a smile tugging at his lips.

Leo offered only a silent nod, his attention momentarily elsewhere. It was then that Liamond’s eyes caught the glint of the sword at Leo’s side.

“That’s not the Sword of Light, is it?” Liamond asked, his casual tone shifting to one of concern.

“Yes, it is,” Leo confirmed, his voice low.

Liamond’s expression sobered. “Remember, only draw it when you have no other choice.”

Leo met Liamond’s earnest gaze and nodded in understanding. “I’m aware of the risks.”

The moment was interrupted as Frank approached with a large pot, its contents steaming and fragrant. He placed it at the center of the table with a flourish and a grin.

“Let’s eat,” he announced, inviting everyone to partake in the meal he had lovingly prepared.