The possibility of the imperial family to sending word was something I had long since considered inevitable, after all such a major shift in the powers of the underworld wouldn't go unnoticed by them.
'I half expected to go and find a platoon of royal knights sent alongside the letter '
Thankfully it seems it didn't reach that point, arriving at my office I sat down and proceeded to cut open the letter to see its contents
...
' To the distinguished Head of Arcane,
Following the recent events that happened at the capital multiple shifts occurred all around the empire one such shift seemed to have appeared at the centre of the arcane estate.
Fortunately, it seems no losses were incurred as you have ensured the safety of the people and their happiness that being said the imperial family shall continue to look upon you in case of any other complications that may occur '
...
Reaching that point I stopped right there as I proceeded to toss the letter to the side, there was more to it, but it all basically meant more and less the same thing
' We won't interfere considering the circumstances but remember that we are always watching, is what they are saying '
" Considering how things could have ended this felt like a light slap on the wrist "
" Indeed, I was already preparing the carriage assuming that you would be summoned to the capital
I guess even they don't want to cause any more friction with the underworld "
" Right, seeing as how we are the only reason order was re-established in the underworld; they must be reluctant to pull anything that may cause a relapse in the market "
'Though they might act all clean the black market is still a necessity that they can't do without the purge the whitehearts did already became a reason for increasing tension anything else could be the cause of an all-out war'
Looking at Abert I continued
"For now, what we have to do is make it so that the black market is indistinguishable from the arcane family solidifying our family as a core part of the empire's underworld so that way we won't be pushed around by the major powers "
The plan is to continuously integrate the arcane family with all the inner working of the market creating connections and being a key intermediary between all the different forces that exist that way not even the even the imperial family could get rid of us easily.
There is only a month and a half left before the true beginning of the novel begins and by then I will make sure that entirety of the underworld comes to know about the arcane name.
.....
The following month could be called nothing less of an endless cycle of work and training, with the constant meetings and negotiations with the different forces of the underworld causing an endless stream of paperwork to enter my office.
On the other hand, with Alberts help I finally managed to break through to next rank and increasing rapidly reaching mid D rank putting me above the average level of the cadets at the academy.
-----------------------------
status
Name: Nicholos Arcane
Gender: Male
Titles: Head of The Arcane / scoundrel of the noble circles / The Greatest lord of Arcane
Stamina: D
Strength: D+
Intelligence: B
Willpower: A
Mana: D
Mana sensitivity: D
Charm: C+
Mana Reserves: 500 / 500
Elemental affinity darkness: Darkness
skills:
Darkness coating
The ability to coat yourselves in darkness to increase power, speed, durability and stamina
short term shadow teleportation
The ability to teleport 5m from where you are standing at any direction
Shadow Manifestation
The ability to manifest the shadows in a physical form you see fit
------------------------------
Having been trained under Albert for the past three months I was able to improve my control over both pure and normal mana which caused my explosive growth not only that I was able to learn new fighting techniques and even a new skill.
" Is something wrong master? "
" Hmm, what?" I said finally snapping out of my daze
" It is just that you have been staring into nothingness for a while now "
" No there is nothing wrong I was just distracted " I explained trying to push down the rising heat on my face
" I see, well then, I should inform you that the teleportation gateway is ready we should be called upon any second now "
Moving forward I stood before a circular shaped gateway made with obsidian black coating with golden runes written all over its frame, looking at it, it was truly a sight to behold.
' There is only few of these personal gates in the entire empire It is a privilege allocated to only the highest of nobility with one other being placed in the academy '
Right now, I was on my way to a meeting with none other than the headmaster of the imperial academy, having already sent a request a few weeks back I was informed that the meeting has been scheduled for today which explains why I am dressed up in a full-on suit.
' Well at least I look good, rocking a black suit with purple markings it reflected greatly with my black hair and amethyst eyes, and well despite being an extra Nicholos had a rather nice face '
'Truly the face is the most important piece in fashion' remembering a novel I had once read I could only lament on how true these words where
" It is time master "
Looking ahead I found a massive whirlpool of mana straightening my back I took a deep breath and walked right through
Reaching the other side, I looked around to see myself inside a greenhouse filled with all sorts of plants recalling the familiar description I turned my head to the corner where a table was with an old man with white hair and a long beard sitting on one of its sides.
Looking at the simple figure I bowed my head slightly and spoke with as much courtesy as I could muster
" I greet the headmaster of the academy and the guardian of the empire "
Looking at me the old man, no the grand mage Merlin smiled slightly before signalling the seat before him
" I heard you wished to speak to me but considering all the trouble you went through to come here how about a cup of tea "
To make things clear there was no such trouble but seeing that he had suggested it himself I could only nod along