John returned from the botanical garden as usual, the sun dipping below the horizon, painting the sky with streaks of fiery orange and deep purple. Today, his efforts had yielded nothing. Not a single shimmer of a basic bubble, the telltale sign of a rare elixir, graced his workspace. Disheartened, he noted that even Senior Nevaeh didn't show up. Whispers he'd overheard on his walk back confirmed his suspicion - a traitor purge was underway within the Order.

"Thank heavens my past is clean." No one had even come to ask him questions. John sighed, a sliver of relief snaking through his apprehension. Becoming a traitor was unthinkable, yet so was hunting them down. Caught between loyalty and potential bloodshed, a tightrope walk he wasn't eager to take.

Forbidden Harmony, their supposed haven, was a dark conclave, branded a pariah by the wider magical world. A single traitor could easily be a high-ranking member of a righteous tradition, making their capture a betrayal that could have dire consequences. At the very least, it would extinguish any hope he had of ever leaving the dark side.

Pushing the unsettling thoughts aside, John turned his attention to the herbs growing in his small yard. These were basic healing elixirs, replenishing mana but lacking the potential for the coveted bubbles. He yearned for the day his plants would shimmer with success. Unfortunately, high-grade herbs were impossible to apply for and too expensive to purchase.

John finished tending to his elixirs and was about to head inside when a soft female voice called out, "Johnny."

He turned to find Nevaeh standing on the doorstep, her pale face illuminated by the moonlight. She wore a simple robe of deep blue, cinched at the waist with a silver cord. Her eyes, usually sparkling with mischief, were clouded with worry.

A knot of unease tightened in his stomach. They'd always met at the botanical garden, making her presence at his residence highly unusual. "Welcome, Senior Nevaeh," John said cautiously.

"Can we talk inside?" Nevaeh requested with a sweet smile.

No. A voice shouted inside of him. His intuition screamed that something was amiss. But refusing her request would only make things worse. "Of course," he replied, ushering her in.

Once inside, Nevaeh's demeanor shifted. Her previously calm expression turned serious. She locked eyes with John and spoke, her voice sultry. "Johnny, can I trust you?"

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Before John could respond, she shook her head as if correcting herself. "No, I should have said that I can trust only you. John, after years of observation, I believe you don't truly belong to the Forbidden Harmony."

John's heart lurched. Was she accusing him of being a spy? Or was this some elaborate trap? Feigning confusion, he lowered his head and stammered, "Se... Senior Nevaeh, I've grown up here. This is the only life I know."

"I understand," Nevaeh said, her gaze unwavering. "However, I believe this dark place isn't the right fit for you. Your temperament aligns more with the righteous path. The Order of Eternal Dawn, for example, boasts a ten-thousand-year legacy and commands respect worldwide."

Nevaeh leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Johnny, I know you yearn for good. This is your chance to escape the darkness and embrace the light. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity."

John stared at her, dumbfounded. Was Senior Nevaeh... really a traitor? And she's trying to pull him in with her. This unexpected revelation left him reeling.

"Yes, John," Nevaeh confessed, her voice tinged with urgency. "I'm an elite disciple of the Order of Eternal Dawn. My mission here is complete, but I was discovered at the last moment. Left with no other choice, I turn to you, dear. I need your help hiding what I acquired and sending it back to my school."

"This can be your ticket in too, Johnny," she continued, her voice dipped to a velvet caress in his ear. "There will be rewards for both of us. But I fear my time is short, you can take my share too." Nevaeh declared, a steely resolve flickered in her eyes, a willingness to face death with dignity. In that moment, Nevaeh seemed willing to sacrifice everything, simply asking for John's assistance in smuggling the object out.

John's heart pounded in his chest as he met Nevaeh's gaze. Her eyes, filled with a desperate plea, tugged at his conscience. John found himself captivated by the raw sincerity in her eyes. Though a part of him believed her, a larger part screamed caution. What if this was a trap?

"Johnny," Nevaeh pressed on, her eyes searching his, her warm breath tickling his ear, "understandably, you have doubts. Here's a proposal: I'll leave the item with you. If I perish, the choice to report me or not is entirely yours. I wouldn't dream of dragging you down with me."

Reaching into her bosom, she produced an emerald pendant etched with an intricate pattern. Its very presence radiated an aura of power, a clear indication of its extraordinary nature.

John frowned. Accepting the pendant meant inviting trouble. If not, Senior Nevaeh might silence him. Will this elite disciple from a righteous school be as ruthless as disciples from the Dark Order?

John's mind churned, torn between his instincts and the undeniable allure of Nevaeh. The subtle scent of lavender and sandalwood clung to her, a calming fragrance that momentarily eased John's anxiety.

"Johnny?" Nevaeh bit her lip and looked at John in a pitiful and delicate expression, exuding a fragile beauty. For a fleeting moment, he felt compelled to trust her.

Just as he was about to reach out, reason reasserted itself, whispering that something wasn't quite right. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him. Without hesitation, John cast his magical power on Nevaeh- "Daily Identification!"