Seeing Mariah's enthusiastic agreement, Harry couldn't help but smile. One of the main reasons he had returned to this place was to rescue her.
The looming threat of war hung over the region like a dark cloud, with external dangers that could strike at any moment. Inside the manor, Alfie and Reggie were constantly at odds, making it clear that this was no safe haven for anyone, especially not for someone as vulnerable as Mariah.
If she stayed here, Harry feared for her future. It was better for her to leave with him, and honestly, he could use someone trustworthy by his side.
Once her decision was made, Harry handed Mariah some money. "Take this and settle things with your family," he instructed gently. "We need to make sure everything is in order before we leave."
After a brief discussion about what to pack, they made their way back to the hunting grounds, where they could finalize their plans in relative safety.
That evening, a servant from Madam Glinda arrived, his demeanor respectful and professional. "This is what you requested," he said, placing a neatly wrapped box before Harry.
"Such efficiency," Harry remarked, a hint of surprise crossing his face. "Thank you for your hard work. Please extend my regards to Madam Glinda."
Once the servant departed, Harry opened the box. Inside lay a fresh copy of the Knight's Aura Technique. The parchment looked new, the ink still glistening as if it had just been written.
As he examined it, he noticed a note penned by Madam Glinda. "Good afternoon," it read in neat handwriting. Harry felt a brief flash of surprise but quickly refocused on the Aura Technique.
He settled in, spending over half an hour committing the technique to memory. His improved recall surprised him; whether it was due to the Simulation Coin's influence or his travels, he found his memory sharper than ever. Complex concepts that once eluded him now felt easy to grasp.
In his previous life, this level of memorization could have placed him among the brightest minds.
Once he had memorized the Aura Technique, Harry closed his eyes, entering a state of quiet contemplation. He had now accumulated three different Aura techniques. The Gale Aura Technique from Baron Senda's family was complete, while the one from the Cecil family only covered the apprentice level.
He began comparing the newly acquired Technique with the others he had mastered, hoping to identify any strengths or weaknesses that could enhance his training. But soon, he uncovered something troubling.
"Too many mistakes and omissions," he muttered, opening his eyes in frustration. "This is a fake Aura Technique."
While the apprentice section was sound, the knight-level portion was riddled with inaccuracies. If anyone attempted to practice using this flawed technique, they would likely experience no benefits at best or serious harm at worst.
It became clear to him that, much like Reggie, Madam Glinda was also insincere, offering him a counterfeit Technique disguised as legitimate training material. However, this forgery was crafted well enough that an untrained apprentice might not recognize it for what it was.
Harry leaned back, feeling a mixture of irritation and concern. He needed to be cautious about whom he trusted in this web of manipulation and deceit.
By the time you realize something is amiss, it's often far too late.
Madam Glinda probably never anticipated that Harry already possessed a complete Aura Technique. Shaking his head, Harry couldn't help but marvel at the shortsightedness of it all. _What a small-minded strategy._
She was just another player trying to win him over without offering anything of substance in return, seeking to get something for nothing. In fact, her approach was even more underhanded than Reggie's.
But if that were the case, wouldn't she be worried that he might share the Aura Technique with Reggie? Even if Harry couldn't detect its flaws, Reggie certainly could.
Just then, a realization struck him, and he lowered his gaze to the paper in front of him.
The page began to shimmer ominously.
Flames flickered to life, engulfing the paper. As time passed, the fire grew, fueled by an unknown force. Harry instinctively reached out to save it but quickly retracted his hand, recognizing the futility of the effort. This fire wasn't ordinary; it had a strange, otherworldly quality that no amount of water could extinguish.
In moments, the paper was reduced to ashes, leaving no trace of its former self.
Harry let out a quiet sigh, understanding the implications of what had just transpired.
He turned to the door, anticipating the arrival of Reggie's men. It wouldn't be long before they came looking for him.
Sure enough, the next day, Reggie's entourage arrived at the hunting grounds. Reggie himself stepped forward to greet Harry, his demeanor as charismatic as ever.
"Katem, my brother! It's been too long," he exclaimed, embracing Harry warmly.
After the embrace, Reggie pulled back, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm as they began to chat about recent events.
Harry scanned the area, noting Cedric was absent.
Komu, Reggie's top knight apprentice, was a fierce presence and a loyal supporter. If he were here, it likely meant that today's meeting would not end peacefully.
But for now, they maintained a fragile harmony, a façade of camaraderie that Harry was keen to uphold.
"I heard you met with Madam Glinda recently," Reggie said, shifting the conversation.
"That's true," Harry replied, keeping his tone steady. "We spoke just yesterday."
"What did she say to you?" Reggie leaned in, curiosity etched on his face. "I'm eager to know what the two of you discussed."
"Of course, if it's private, I understand," he added, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.
_Sincerely curious, are you?_ Harry scrutinized Reggie's expression, then responded evenly, "We talked about something rather significant."
Madam Glinda had proposed that he marry into her family to forge an alliance.
He relayed everything that had transpired, detailing the conversation without holding back.
As Reggie listened, his expression morphed from curiosity to concern, the gears turning in his mind.
Harry took a breath and retrieved a small box from his cloak. He opened it slowly, revealing the ashes of what had once been a perfect Aura Technique. Some faint writing remained, barely visible amidst the remnants.
"Yesterday, this was a flawless technique," he said, letting the ashes settle. "Now, it's nothing but a memory."
The atmosphere shifted, the gravity of the moment sinking in as Reggie's expression darkened.
Harry spoke calmly, "But I assure you, I had nothing to do with this."
Reggie's brow furrowed, his frustration evident. "So you're saying Madam Glinda was behind this? She must have told me the moment she met with you. It's too quick for you to be caught off guard otherwise."
Harry nodded, his eyes narrowing in thought. Reggie had learned of the Aura Technique yesterday and had arrived here today, which suggested a well-timed leak. Madam Glinda had likely shared the news with Reggie to create tension between them, setting the stage for her own agenda. By turning Reggie and Harry against each other, she could manipulate them both to her advantage.
Reggie's expression darkened. He wasn't the sharpest thinker, often missing the subtleties in complex situations. While he could see the outline of a conspiracy, he struggled to grasp the full implications. The pressure of uncertainty weighed heavily on him; not everyone could remain rational in moments like this.
Harry watched Reggie's reaction with a mix of curiosity and caution, prepared for a confrontation if it came to that. Over the past few days, he had observed Reggie in battle, gaining insight into his strengths and weaknesses. He realized that, if necessary, he could defeat Reggie in a matter of moves.
Fortunately, the confrontation didn't unfold as anticipated.
"I see," Reggie finally said, taking a moment to compose himself. A smile broke across his face, and he clapped Harry on the shoulder, adopting his usual enthusiastic demeanor. "Harry, you're my brother. How could I not trust you?"
"Don't worry. Madam Glinda's schemes won't affect our bond at all. We're brothers, right?"
His cheerful facade was a stark contrast to the tension that had hung in the air just moments before. Harry smiled and echoed the sentiment, the atmosphere around them momentarily lightening.
Eventually, after a lengthy conversation filled with pleasantries, Harry took his leave.
Once he was gone, Reggie sat alone at the wooden table, the jovial mask slipping away. The silence around him was oppressive, and he felt the weight of uncertainty pressing down.
With a sudden burst of frustration, he picked up his wine glass and slammed it onto the table, shattering it into pieces that scattered across the surface with a sharp crack.
From the shadows, a tall figure emerged, it was Cedric. He had been observing the exchange, choosing to remain hidden rather than intervene.
"What should I do, Cedric?" Reggie asked, his voice laced with concern. "Is Harry still trustworthy?"
Cedric remained silent, contemplating the unfolding drama. The rift between Reggie and Harry was already apparent. It had begun with issues surrounding the Aura Technique and deepened when Reggie attempted to arrange a marriage between Harry and Baron Senda's daughter, Alice. That plan had backfired spectacularly when Alice eloped with her lover, leaving both Reggie and Baron Senda humiliated.
The scandal had tarnished Harry's reputation among their peers; after all, it was awkward for a man if his fiancée ran off with someone else. Yet, Harry bore no ill will, he had orchestrated the situation himself.
Reggie, however, could only see the fallout. He felt a gnawing doubt: would Harry harbor resentment over the ruined engagement? The cracks in their relationship were forming, though neither had yet acknowledged them.
Madam Glinda's machinations were only deepening the divide, and Reggie could feel the tension simmering just beneath the surface.