The atmosphere inside the office grew taut with silence.
"Do you suspect I stole something from there?" Bairon questioned.
Barbara fixed her gaze on Bairon. "Ajani discovered during an inspection of the magus tower's treasury that you've killed over two hundred dark magi in the past six months. How do you explain this?"
A wisp of a smile crossed Bairon's face.
If such an achievement could damn him, Rueel Chief Steward and his illegitimate son Lawrence, who were always more hostile towards him, would have thrown him into the specialized prison for magi a long time ago.
"Madam, I suggest you flip through some history books," Bairon said. "Since the establishment of the White Tower, there have been few magi to accomplish this feat, but they do exist. They've each left a brilliant mark on history, and it wouldn't be hard to find them."
"Are you boasting?" Barbara asked.
Bairon shook his head, "No, I'm merely stating facts."
Confronted with Bairon's composure, Barbara took a deep breath. "Half a month ago, the White Tower unexpectedly learned that a piece of spell equipment uniquely suitable for dark magi emerged in the ruins of the Shadeveil Mountains."
"The dark magi of the Eastern Archipelago are getting restless."
"To prevent that equipment from falling into the wrong hands, Ajani, as a Son of the White Tower, took on the task of going south to the Shadeveil Mountains to deal with the matter."
No wonder there seemed to be a never-ending stream of dark magi recently, Bairon thought to himself.
"What do you suppose she found there?" Barbara looked at Bairon, her eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint.
Bairon recalled his days guarding the Shadeveil Mountains. "Dense jungles, perpetually howling packs of wolves, and the occasional rabbit that would spring out of the underbrush."
At Bairon's lack of cooperation, Barbara let out a disdainful snort. "She saw nothing. The spell equipment vanished!"
"Perhaps the intelligence was flawed, or maybe the item had already been taken by a dark magus," Bairon countered. "In either case, you can't condemn me. There are hundreds of pathways to the Shadeveil Mountains, even within Trent Province. I'm responsible for guarding just one, and I'm legally entitled to leave my post during holidays."
Barbara's expression soured. "The intelligence could not have been mistaken; the White Tower has high-level informants in the Eastern Archipelago."
"Has any magus infiltrated the Arbitration Court?" Bairon inquired.
Barbara looked surprised. "You seem to be well-informed."
It appears the White Tower knows of the Eye of Judgment's existence, Bairon thought, breathing a sigh of relief. "I came across the information accidentally."
"Don't dig into what you shouldn't," Barbara chided, before realizing something and glaring. "You've sidetracked me! I'm the one interrogating you!"
Bairon scratched his nose awkwardly.
"I'll be straight with you. If you have the missing item, hand it over now, and I assure you the White Tower will not pursue the matter," Barbara said, reigniting a long, slim cigarette meant for ladies.
"You're a genius. Had Rueel not concealed information about you, you would be at the White Tower now, contending for the title of Son of the White Tower," she continued. "Of course, if you wish to join our magus academy, I warmly welcome you on behalf of the headmaster. So don't squander a bright future over petty personal gain."
She took a long drag, exhaling a smoky sigh, then waited for Bairon's response, the room heavy with the mingled scents of tension and tobacco.
"May I inquire as to what the item in question is?" Bairon asked.
"It could be a magus ring, a staff, a Legacy Scroll, or some natural substance with a Magic Circuit," Barbara responded. "You've guarded the entrance to that relic for a long while; you should know that its spell field is warped in ways incomprehensible to mortals. Anything could have been generated within it."
As she spoke, Barbara's eyes suddenly shifted to Bairon's right hand. "You have two magus rings?" Her eyes narrowed.
"Is there a problem?" Bairon's face remained impassive.
"To my knowledge, because of their unique construction, each Battle Magus can only wear one magus ring to store Mindergy," Barbara extended her hand, pointing to one of the rings. "Take it off and let me see it."
When a magus first joins a magus guild, they are provided a magus robe and an opportunity to buy a magus ring at a cost.
They are cheap and standardized, ideal for magi who have just awakened their bloodline.
Barbara immediately recognized which ring was issued by the magus guild and which was not.
The one she pointed at was unmistakably the Ring of the Dark Tower.
"Madam, your request is inappropriately intrusive," Bairon said gravely. For a Battle Magus, a magus ring is akin to a second life.
"Don't be so tense," Barbara chuckled. "This is an academy, not the guild where you've previously been. Among magi here, disputes generally arise only over academic matters; otherwise, things are quite harmonious."
"In that case, let's address it after I join the academy," Bairon replied.
Barbara flicked ash from her cigarette, letting out a soft laugh. "You should know, even if you pass the exams, there's still a chance you could be filtered out."
Bairon frowned. "Because of the intense competition this year?"
"That's not really it. It's a long-standing prerogative of teachers at the magus academy to choose students whose personalities align with theirs. Wouldn't you agree?" Barbara concluded.
"I won't be applying to the Botanical Department," Bairon shook his head.
It struck him as odd that while the magus guild generally categorized magi into four types—Spatial, Elemental, Temporal, and Soul—the academy had over twenty different branches.
However, considering that the Equity Scale had once granted him a "Flesh" spell scroll based on Strength, he wasn't too surprised.
"Whichever department you apply to, it won't matter. I'm the headmaster's daughter," Barbara chuckled.
After a moment of silence, Bairon remarked, "You're not much better than Rueel."
"It's not the same. His dishonorable actions are to ensure his illegitimate son inherits the magus tower, while I act in the interest of the White Tower," Barbara retorted. "Besides, you need not be too offended. If the inspection turns up clean, I'll provide you with suitable compensation."
"Just give me information on curing Greyscale," Bairon requested, slipping off the dark Ring of the Dark Tower and placing it on the table.
Barbara set her cigarette on the table's edge and picked up the ring, examining it meticulously.
She then channeled a stream of Mindergy into it and exclaimed, "You actually possess a spatial ring? How extravagant!"
A spatial ring is a type of magus ring used to store non-living things.
Such rings are generally costly, their practicality limited mainly to making travel more convenient by allowing one to carry furniture.
For a Battle Magus, every gold coin should be spent on enhancing one's abilities.
A spatial ring, valuable mainly for making domestic travel easier, naturally wouldn't make the cut.
"It's a spoil of war," Bairon retrieved the ring, sliding it back onto his ring finger.
Old John had once said, "When the Ring of the Dark Tower doesn't wish to be discovered, it won't be."
This was the second time it had proven true—the first time was in the White Tower.
Bairon let out a sigh of relief.
"Your suspicion has been temporarily lifted, but once Ajani returns, she will want to re-examine you," Barbara said, picking up her slender lady's cigarette once more.
Bairon offered no response, simply fixing his gaze on her.
"Oh, about the compensation—" Barbara began, but was interrupted by a figure bursting into the room.
"Bairon Stewart!" The man locked eyes with Bairon and conjured,
"Fireball!"
A fireball materialized in his hand and launched towards Bairon.
"Don't move," Barbara whispered to Bairon.
With a tap of her cigarette holder on the desk, an inconspicuous potted plant in the office burst into yellow blooms, which sprayed a black liquid.
The liquid and the fireball collided, both disappearing, leaving behind a puddle of black sludge on the floor.
"Are you attempting parlor tricks in my office, Mr. Padorn?" Barbara questioned.
The intruder was none other than Darwin Padorn. "He is suspected of murdering my brother, Dave!" Darwin accused, pointing at Bairon.
Bairon's brow furrowed.
He had been prepared for the Padorn family to come after him.
After all, Dave Padorn's body had never been removed from The Death Ship, and it was only a matter of time before they found out he died at sea.
But this turn of events likely had Frank's fingerprints all over it.
Bairon's eyes darkened.
Taking a drag from her cigarette, Barbara stared directly at Darwin. "Tell me, where are you right now?"
Darwin hesitated, stepping back, "This is your office."
"This is the Provincial Alliance Magus Academy," Barbara corrected him. "If you wish to accuse someone of murder, you should be in the Civic Hall."
"Are you protecting him?" Darwin challenged.
"Yes, I'm protecting him. But at the same time, I've also saved your foolish life," Barbara inhaled deeply, exasperation clouding her features.