Hikaru stood in front of the Magisterium's towering entrance, adjusting his glasses as he studied the heavy stone doors. The entire structure loomed over the noble district, pristine white walls glowing under the moonlight. High above, a golden sigil pulsed faintly on the main tower—an enchantment designed to detect intruders.
Breaking in was supposed to be impossible.
Hikaru grinned. He loved a good challenge.
The guards at the gate wore polished silver armor, their expressions bored yet disciplined. They wouldn't let just anyone walk through. But Hikaru had already chosen his approach.
He strode forward with confidence, waving a rolled parchment like an impatient scholar. "Finally! Took me long enough to get here."
One of the guards straightened. "Halt. State your business."
Hikaru sighed dramatically. "Please tell me Noa sent word ahead. I swear, if she forgot again—" He clicked his tongue, shaking his head. "Unbelievable. I had to reschedule half the archive retrievals because of her last time, and now this?"
The guards exchanged uncertain glances.
Hikaru pushed forward before they could question it. "Look, I'm here for research clearance. The Arcane Records Division is already expecting me. You really want to be the reason a dozen mages start sending complaints?"
The younger guard hesitated. "Uh… I mean, Noa did mention she had an assistant…"
"See? There we go!" Hikaru clapped him on the back, his expression exasperated. "Honestly, the communication around here is awful."
The second guard frowned. "You don't look like a researcher."
"Yeah, well, I don't look like a battle-mage, either. We don't all get fancy robes and glowing staves, you know." Hikaru adjusted his glasses, then tapped his parchment against his palm impatiently. "Now are we going to stand here all night, or are you going to let me do my job?"
Another glance between the guards.
Then, reluctantly, the first one stepped aside. "Fine. Go ahead."
Hikaru didn't hesitate. He walked past them, shoulders relaxed, keeping his stride even. Once inside, he allowed himself a small smirk.
Too easy.
The Magisterium's halls stretched high above him, lined with towering bookshelves and arcane lanterns that pulsed with a soft glow. Scholars in deep blue robes walked past, some muttering incantations, others flipping through floating tomes.
Hikaru moved like he belonged, taking mental notes as he walked. The archives were supposed to be deep within the central tower, locked behind magical wards and enchanted doors. No way in—unless you knew the right tricks.
He found the entrance easily. A grand archway led to a spiral staircase, flanked by a single senior mage standing guard.
Alright. Plan B.
He slowed his steps, casually glancing at the surrounding area. Three enchanted orbs on the ceiling—probably alarm systems. Two exits. One impatient-looking guard.
Hikaru took a step back, flicking a card into his sleeve.
The moment he did, a loud crash echoed from inside the archives.
The mage jerked his head toward the sound. "What the—"
Perfect.
The man turned and rushed inside. Hikaru followed right behind him, slipping past the doorway before the guard could react.
The moment he was through, he snapped his fingers.
The illusion vanished.
No books had fallen. No disaster had happened. Just a simple phantom trick.
Hikaru chuckled to himself. "Works every time."
Rows of towering shelves stretched before him, filled with scrolls, ancient tomes, and artifacts locked behind enchanted glass. He didn't have time to search aimlessly.
He scanned the titles quickly. Most were standard history records, but then—
A dusty leather-bound book caught his eye.
Erased Histories.
His fingers tightened around the spine as he pulled it free. The pages were delicate, filled with normal records at first. But midway through, the ink changed.
The writing was frantic, scrawled as if the writer had been afraid.
"The Forgotten Ones were not lost to time. They were removed."
"Not by war. Not by death. But by a force greater than both."
"Their names were stricken from the records. Their deeds unmade. Their existence unwritten."
Hikaru stilled.
This wasn't just history.
This was erasure.
Before he could process it further, a cold voice rang out behind him.
"You're not supposed to be here."
He froze.
Slowly, he turned.
A woman stood in the doorway, dressed in white robes with a golden sash. Her eyes glowed silver.
A Magisterium scholar.
Hikaru sighed. "Well," he muttered, "guess my luck just ran out."
The woman raised a hand.
Magic flared.
Hikaru grabbed the book and ran.
The first spell shattered the floorboards behind him, sending parchment flying. Hikaru vaulted over a desk, flicking a card into the air.
[Skill Activated: ♠3 – Shadow Step]
His form flickered. The illusion left behind a fake image of himself running left.
He darted right.
Another spell obliterated the illusion instead.
He reached the hallway—only to find armored guards blocking the exit.
He cursed under his breath. No escape.
Then—
A figure moved at the far end of the hall.
And suddenly—
Smoke erupted from the walls.
The guards coughed as visibility vanished. Hikaru felt a hand grab his shoulder—
"Need a hand?"
Budi.
Hikaru laughed. "About damn time."
Budi twisted his staff, knocking back one of the guards. "I thought you didn't get caught?"
Hikaru held up the stolen book. "I let them think they caught me. Makes for a better story."
Budi smirked. "Sure it does."
More guards poured in.
Time to go.
Budi grabbed Hikaru's arm, reached for his mask—
And in an instant—
They vanished.
They reappeared on a distant rooftop, the Magisterium far behind them. Hikaru stumbled, pressing a hand to his head.
"That teleport thing of yours sucks."
Budi grinned beneath his mask. "You'll get used to it."
Hikaru sighed, adjusting his glasses. Then, he held up the book.
"Alright," he muttered, flipping it open. "Let's see what's so important that someone tried to erase it."
Budi leaned in.
And together—
They turned the page.