Hikaru adjusted his glasses as he strolled through the bustling streets of the capital, the stolen book tucked safely under his coat. The weight of it pressed against his ribs, a reminder of just how much trouble he and Budi were already in. The Magisterium wouldn't let this go.
Good.
He didn't want them to.
The best way to uncover a hidden truth? Make the people hiding it panic.
Budi walked beside him, blending into the crowd effortlessly, his mask now replaced with a simple hood. "So what's the plan?"
Hikaru flicked a card into the air, catching it between his fingers. "We make a mess."
Budi snorted. "That's always your plan."
Hikaru smirked. "Because it works."
They stopped near the central market square, where merchants shouted over one another, selling goods from all across the kingdom. It was a perfect public stage.
Hikaru casually pulled out the book—not enough to be obvious, but just enough for anyone watching to notice. Then, with deliberate ease, he leaned against a fountain and started flipping through the pages.
If the Magisterium—or anyone else who knew about the Forgotten Ones—was keeping an eye on him, they would react.
And when they did?
Hikaru would be watching them right back.
Minutes passed.
Nothing.
Then, just as Hikaru was about to suggest a more aggressive approach, Budi murmured, "Don't move."
Hikaru didn't react. "Talk to me."
Budi's fingers twitched slightly. "Far left. Hooded figure, pretending to buy fruit. Been glancing this way too often."
Hikaru casually turned a page. "How sure?"
"Eighty percent."
Hikaru glanced toward a clothing stall across the square. A woman, dressed in a deep blue hood, was pretending to inspect fabrics—but her attention was clearly divided.
Interesting.
Now, time to see how deep the rabbit hole went.
Hikaru suddenly closed the book loudly, stretching his arms. "You know," he said just a little too loudly, "this would be so much easier if I could read the full text."
Budi played along, tilting his head. "What do you mean?"
Hikaru made a show of flipping the torn section of the book. "I mean, someone clearly ripped out the most important part. Too bad no one knows where it is."
Silence.
Then, the hooded woman twitched.
Bingo.
She turned sharply and disappeared into the alley.
Hikaru grinned. "Hook, line, and sinker."
Budi adjusted his mask. "You're enjoying this too much."
Hikaru smirked. "Come on. Let's go meet our new friend."
And with that, they followed the trail.
The real game had just begun.