After speaking with Arthur, it was time to talk with the professors, but before that, Vantias and Youtab were in the room, talking with each other.
Youtab interlocked her fingers and, with a thoughtful tone, said:
"Now we have better information. To put it briefly—someone inside the academy held a grudge against Elizabeth and killed her. It could be anyone, but our current suspect might be Arthur. Even though the chances are slim, we should at least consider it as a possibility."
Vantias nodded in agreement, then looked out the window and said:
"Hm…"
Youtab paused for a moment before asking in a questioning tone:
"Is something troubling your mind?"
While staring outside, Vantias thought:
"I was only able to glimpse the future for a short time… countless possible outcomes, but only for a brief span. And the only reason I joined the organization… was one thing."
—"Vantias!"
But Vantias's mind was still occupied, and he continued thinking:
"The choice of which path I'll walk has already been set…"
He then looked at his hands and thought:
"These hands are destined to be stained with blood… countless lives will be lost for the sake of my selfish goals. Is it truly worth it?"
—"Vantias!"
Startled, Vantias jumped, realizing his mind had drifted away. Flustered, he said:
"Ah… yes! Sorry, I was distracted. What were you saying?"
Youtab sighed and said:
"I was saying, while we investigate Elizabeth's killer, we must not forget the murders committed by the cult in the past."
Vantias nodded in agreement and replied:
"Yes, I think the same. But as I said before, you and I alone cannot take on the cult. Waiting is our best option… though, I want to ask you something, if I may."
Youtab glanced at him curiously, and after a brief pause, Vantias hesitated before saying:
"Do you know why the academy was chosen by the cult? There must be a reason they targeted this place."
Youtab's face paled. She lowered her head and remained silent for several minutes, deep in thought. At last, with a hesitant and uncertain tone, she said:
"I don't know if I should tell you this or not… it's classified information. But since we're partners now, I'll share it with you. Actually—no, better yet, I'll take you there myself. You'll understand more clearly."
The answer I've been searching for is here… I couldn't figure out what it was, but when I asked the orb who my greatest ally would be, it only showed me the academy. Vantias thought.
Then he looked at Youtab.
"It could be anyone or anything within this academy. But at the very last moment, I saw only a vague image. Hopefully, it will lead somewhere."
He slowly opened the door. Youtab stepped out first, and Vantias followed behind. In a calm voice, he asked:
"Shouldn't we get permission from the headmaster before going there?"
With an expressionless face, Youtab replied quietly:
"There's no need. Agents of our organization stand above the academy's laws. We only need to be cautious—what lies beneath is far more dangerous than you can imagine."
A frown spread across Vantias's face, his heart pounding so loudly he could hear it in his ears.
What could possibly be kept down here? A monster? A demon?
They walked slowly through the academy halls. Students cast side glances at them, whispering in hushed voices. Anxiety and unease were etched on their faces—especially now that yet another student's death had been added to the list.
The academy's surroundings were filled with flowers, bathed in a gentle light, while the cold autumn breeze brushed against their faces, stirring their hair.
After several minutes of walking, they reached a basement entrance and began descending the spiraling stone steps.
With each step, Vantias's anxiety grew heavier, pressing down on his mind like a mountain. He decided to say nothing until they reached the place where that thing was kept.
The flames of torches lit their way, but shadows loomed in every corner. Soon, they arrived at a massive stone gate, carved with strange, unknown symbols.
Two young guards, though weary and indifferent-looking, quickly took a combat stance upon seeing Vantias and Youtab. One of them shouted suspiciously:
"Why have you come here?! Don't you know what lies within? Leave immediately!"
Youtab pulled out her insignia from her coat and showed it to them. Their expressions instantly shifted, becoming more cautious and respectful. One of them said:
"Even if you're royal special agents, you're not permitted entry here. Not just for your sake—but for everyone's."
Youtab's face remained neutral as she said coldly:
"I am a rank-two agent. That means I stand above the law of this nation. By decree of His Majesty and the kings before him, any agent of rank one or two is granted absolute authority—unless they intend harm to the royal family."
Shock and a hint of fear crossed the guards' faces. They quickly bowed their heads and said:
"Our apologies… you may enter. But keep at least a hundred meters away from it."
Though a bit relieved, Vantias's fear lingered. His emotions wavered between hope and dread as he thought:
"I didn't know the organization held such influence… if a rank-two agent wields this much authority, just how powerful must a rank-one be?"
The guards slowly pushed open the heavy stone gate. A cold wind rushed out from within, sending chills down Vantias's spine. Even Youtab's face betrayed unease as they stepped inside.
Before they passed through, one of the guards warned:
"If either of you becomes afflicted, the other must kill them immediately. But if both of you are corrupted, the gate will never open again… so, good luck."
Vantias froze in shock at the guard's words, glancing at Youtab, but she continued walking without a word.
Blue-flamed lanterns lit their path. Before them stretched an endless underground hall—but in the center, on a small pedestal, was an object.
Vantias's fear deepened as he asked Youtab:
"What did they mean by 'afflicted'? And what exactly is being kept down here?"
They stopped about a hundred meters away, a red line marking the boundary they must not cross.
Youtab spoke quietly:
"Do you see that object?"
Vantias looked closely. Suspended in the air was a book—its cover bound in dark leather, with a glowing blue gem at its center. It was restrained by countless chains, while sealing talismans inscribed with runes floated around it in constant motion.