The streets of Velmoria were never truly silent, even at night. The clatter of distant carts, the occasional murmur of passing guards, and the low hum of taverns spilling drunken laughter into the alleys kept the city alive, even when most of its people slept. Hikaru and Budi moved through the shadows, swift and unseen, their path leading toward the Guild District.
Selene followed at a steady pace, her cloak drawn tight over her shoulders. Her silver eyes flicked between the rooftops, scanning for movement. She was still injured, but her posture remained controlled. Even wounded, she never let her guard down.
Budi exhaled. "So, let's go over this again. We're going to find this Renholt guy, plant some carefully placed truths in his research, and hope he takes the bait?"
Hikaru grinned. "We're not hoping—we're making sure he takes it."
Selene spoke without looking at them. "Renholt was once a respected scholar. He was exiled after accusing the Magisterium of tampering with history. If he finds real evidence…"
Budi sighed. "Then the Magisterium panics. They start chasing ghosts instead of us."
Hikaru flicked a card between his fingers. "Now you're getting it."
The Guild District was quieter than the marketplace but far from empty. Most of the guild halls were locked up for the night, but smaller research outposts—places where scholars and alchemists worked deep into the early hours—still had their lanterns burning.
Hikaru led them down a side street, past a rickety wooden sign that read: RENHOLT'S ARCHIVES – NO UNINVITED VISITORS.
Budi scoffed. "Subtle."
Hikaru ignored him and tested the door. Locked.
Selene stepped forward, her fingers grazing the handle. A faint rune flickered beneath her touch. "It's warded."
Budi frowned. "So what, we break in?"
Hikaru smirked. "Why break in when you can be invited?"
He pulled a card from his deck. [Skill Activated: ♠J – False Identity]
His entire appearance shifted.
Not just an illusion. A perfect imitation. His clothes changed into that of a low-ranking scholar, his glasses disappeared, and his hair became shorter, streaked with gray.
Budi blinked. "Every time you do that, I hate it."
Selene tilted her head. "A Magisterium official?"
Hikaru smirked. "Renholt may not trust strangers, but you know who he does trust? His enemies—because they make him feel important."
Without another word, Hikaru knocked.
The door remained closed for a long moment. Then—metal scraped against wood. The lock shifted.
A gruff voice came from the other side. "If you're with the Magisterium, I have nothing to say."
Hikaru lowered his voice to something older, sharper. "Then I suppose I'll leave. But you may regret it when someone less reasonable comes knocking."
Silence.
Then—the door creaked open.
A thin man with wild white hair and a stained robe stood in the doorway. Renholt's eyes were tired but sharp, flicking over Hikaru's disguise with suspicion.
"Who are you?"
Hikaru smiled. "Someone who thinks you were right."
Renholt narrowed his eyes. "Come inside. But if you're lying, I will gut you where you stand."
Budi muttered under his breath. "Charming guy."
They stepped inside.
Renholt's study was chaos. Scrolls, books, and loose parchment covered every available surface. Ancient texts, half-translated glyphs, and maps of the old world were pinned to the walls. The air smelled of burned ink and candle wax.
Renholt shut the door behind them, crossing his arms. "What do you want?"
Hikaru picked up a piece of parchment from a nearby desk. The writing was messy but familiar.
He exhaled. "You've been looking for them, haven't you?"
Renholt's gaze sharpened. "Looking for who?"
Hikaru met his eyes. "The Forgotten Ones."
For a split second, Renholt hesitated.
Then, before he could react, Hikaru moved.
He let a single page from the stolen book slip onto the table. A page that shouldn't exist. A name erased from history.
Renholt stared at it. His breathing slowed. His fingers trembled slightly.
Then—he laughed.
It wasn't a joyful laugh.
It was the laugh of a man who had spent years searching for something impossible—only to have proof fall into his lap.
He sat down heavily, running a hand through his tangled hair. "They really did it," he muttered. "They really erased them."
Hikaru leaned against the desk. "So. Do you want to prove them wrong?"
Renholt snatched the page, scanning the words with frantic eyes. "This… this changes everything."
Budi shifted uneasily. "You're sure this guy isn't going to get us killed with this?"
Hikaru smirked. "Oh, he will. But not us."
Selene stepped forward. "This is dangerous."
Renholt scoffed. "Good. So am I."
Hikaru grinned. "Then let's make history."
The moment they stepped back into the street, Hikaru knew it had worked.
By morning, Renholt would be shouting his discovery to anyone who would listen. He'd take the bait, and the Magisterium would be too busy suppressing his findings to focus on them.
It wasn't a perfect plan.
But it was a distraction.
Budi sighed. "So, what now?"
Hikaru stretched, flipping another card between his fingers. "Now? We disappear before the city burns."
Selene's silver eyes flicked toward the rooftops. "We're being watched."
Hikaru didn't turn, but he already knew.
Someone was in the shadows.
Someone had followed them.
Budi's voice was low. "Another problem?"
Hikaru smirked. "Not yet."
The air was still.
Then—a flicker of movement.
Whoever was watching them vanished.
Hikaru exhaled.
The game was changing.
And he needed to be ahead of it.