- Wells this isn't going to be easy.
After receiving the assignment, his father told him to get ready to leave tomorrow. He tried to ask for more details, but he received the same response.
'Read the files.'
Once he returned to his room, he began to read the files. They only contained the minimal amount of information about each case, but it was enough to get a good idea of what it was about.
The first one was a kidnapping incident. This one is on a territory on the south of the kingdom, it looks like the victim was a son of a noble.
'Now this is troublesome'.
The second task was in the neighborhood kingdom of Merak. A catacomb belonging to a vampire was discovered in one of its territories.
'The search party dispatched by the territory governor hasn't returned after three days, so now they are commissioning mercenaries to explore it'.
Catacombs are elaborate underground chambers, manly used as workshops by vampires during the vampiric war.
Their uses varied from storage to prisons, now abandoned and filled with dangers, they contain the knowledge and equipment used by the now extinct bloodsuckers.
Of course, not all catacombs belong to vampires, mages of the past also built them as a way to preserve their legacy, leaving all their life's research and knowledge for future generations to discover.
Lastly, they can also surge because of natural phenomena. Though how exactly happens it's still uncertain, except for the fact that those types of catacombs are where artifacts are mostly found.
'And my task is to steal a blood crystal.'
He read the rest of the files to see if there was any additional info, but nothing useful.
In the end he decided to prioritize the catacomb exploration, since he had to steal an object and the expedition party was departing in a few days, there was no guaranteeing if the crystal was going to be there if he missed the timing.
'The exploration should take long. I can solve the kidnapping incident on the way back'.
With a clear goal, he summoned Elise. The maid on standby entered his room.
- You called young master?
- You're coming with me to shop for supplies, so get ready.
**
Luke and Elise rode the carriage through the well paved roads of Alamut, their destination: the shopping district.
Elise who was hesitant, finally gathered the courage to ask.
- Young master couldn't have you sent me to procure the items?
It wasn't an unreasonable question, she was confident that she could buy whatever he needed in a day, allowing him to spend the rest of the time training.
Luke pulled out a small badge from his pocket, throwing It to Elise.
-This is…
Luke nodded confirming her suspicions.
- Yes, it's a badge that represents one's affiliation to the royal magic corps.
Luke decided to accept the king's proposal after careful consideration. Support for the royal family was too good to pass on, even if it meant going against his father's goal.
Once he got a positive response, the king gave him some gifts, the badge was also one of them.
He explained that only official members were allowed to posses it, but he was making an exception for me due to the nature of our agreement. Of course, there are restrictions due to Luke not being an official member but nothing he already expected.
Elise handed the badge back to Luke.
- But how are you going to use this? I am sure there are no branches of the magic corps here in the duchy.
Luke lips curled into a smile.
- Don't worry, his majesty, informed me of some key branches hidden through the kingdom.
*Knock knock.
- Looks like we are here, let's go.
They exited the carriage at the driver's signal.
Contrary to the district in the capital, Alamut's shopping district was less lively and diverse, however it did not dull its lively atmosphere.
Stores on both sides of the streets, selling products related to magic research, the carriages carried goods across the wide roads, the citizens waked happily with both hands full of bags.
Due to the city being the central point for magic research, a great number of stores sold many products related to the research. Whether it's a prototype magic item released by an amateur researcher, or herbs for potion making, everything was possible to find here.
Luke and Elise walked without any worries. He wore a simple with white shirt along with black pants and brown shirt, he also wore a white fedora to hide his silver hair. While Elise wore a dark green blouse with a long black skirt.
**
After a few minutes, of walking, they parted way on a for way street, with Elise going to procure some items Luke had previously requested while he looked for the royal mages branch.
As he went deeper into the street, the magic stores started to dwindle, being replaced by shops selling more general products.
'This is it'.
He stopped in front of what it looked like a watchmaker store.
Despite it's humble outside appearance,its was actually the royal branch he was looking for.
The bell ringed as he entered the shop.
The inside could only be described as cozy and antique. Various types of watches where exposed on wooden shelves covered by glass panels, a lager counter made of oak stood at the end of the small store.
As he approached the counter, an old man greeted him with a smile.
- Hello young man how can I help you?
Instead of answering, Luke simply placed the badge on the counter. As the old man picked up, the smile disappeared from his face.
He took a quick glance at it before returning it to Luke
-Follow me.
He quietly followed the old man to the back of the store.
Once they reached the end of the hallway, the old man pressed a switch on the wall, revealing small orb on the side. Injecting mana in specific pattern, the wall on side slinked, revealing a secret staircase.
-Down there the manager is waiting for you Sir Argenti.
With a simple nod he went down the stair as the wall behind him lifted back up.
At the end of the stairs,he found a iron door with the same orb the old man used to open the passage upstairs.
'so they rely on mana for verification,no wonder the he didn't bother to check if the badge was real'.
He injected mana into the orb,it flashed blue for a few seconds before turning green, unlocking the door.