The Academy's morning air carried autumn's bite as Raelian crossed the central courtyard. Helena von Kessler emerged from the Enchantment Theory building, their eyes meeting briefly.
He caught the calculating look in her violet eyes before she continued toward the library.
She's thinking about yesterday's class. Good.
But Helena would wait. Professor Blackthorne was his priority.
The Advanced Combat Magic building's third floor buzzed with pre-class energy. Raelian knocked on Professor Blackthorne's door, ignoring curious stares from combat students.
"Enter, if you must," came an irritated voice.
Professor Lyanna Blackthorne sat behind a chaotic desk covered in papers and magical implements. Early thirties, auburn hair pulled back practically, green eyes holding the sharp intelligence of someone who'd survived dangerous situations.
*Former freelance investigator. Left after a case went wrong. Still has underground contacts.*
"Raelian Voros," she said without looking up. "Third son, mediocre grades, no combat training. You're either lost or need something unrelated to magical education."
"I need to learn investigative techniques for exposing corruption while protecting sources."She looked up, eyebrows raised.
Remarkably specific. And dangerous.
"The kind involving forged documents and innocent people being destroyed."
"Investigating corruption at your age is excellent preparation for ending up dead."
Only if done poorly. You have the skills I need to do it properly.
What makes you think I'd help with what sounds like a personal vendetta?
The hook.
Three years ago, you investigated the Merchants' Guild corruption case. Perfect investigation, Irrefutable evidence, Brilliant presentation. Should have resulted in mass arrests and major reforms." Raelian paused. "Instead, it was quietly buried, your findings sealed, and six months later you left investigative work entirely."
Blackthorne went very still. "How does an Academy student access sealed case files?"
I don't have files. But I have excellent memory for patterns and connect seemingly unrelated information well. Your case failed not because of poor investigation, but because corruption went higher than anticipated—high enough to bury even perfect evidence."
"You're suggesting I help you avoid my mistakes?"
I'm suggesting we attack corruption strategically rather than directly.
Present evidence to their enemies instead of corrupted authorities. Make it so publicly undeniable that even corrupt officials can't ignore it without destroying their own credibility.
Ding!
The cerulean panel materialized before his eyes:
╔══════════════════════════
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║ NOTIFICATION ║
╠══════════════════════════
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│ Social manipulation successful! │
│ Target: Professor Lyanna Blackthorne
│
│ Interest Level: 10% → 35% │
│ │
│ New skill acquired: │
│ Investigation Techniques (Basic) │
│ │
│ Achievement Unlocked: │
│ "The Right Buttons" │
╚══════════════════════════
══════════╝
Blackthorne drummed fingers thoughtfully. "Hypothetically, what timeline are we discussing?"
"Eight weeks. Maybe ten, depending on evidence positioning requirements."
Theresa's disgrace happens in exactly nine weeks and two days."Tight timeline for complex investigation. What support structure do you have?"
"Father's funding expanded academic pursuits, including political documents and connections. Professor Whitmore's providing guidance on governmental procedures. And I have unusual talent for anticipating people's actions."
"You understand that if this goes wrong, anyone helping becomes complicit?"
"Which is why I'm asking for training, not direct involvement. Knowledge transfer with plausible deniability for everyone."
"And in return?"
"When corruption is exposed, you'll have proof your investigative techniques work perfectly with proper strategic support.
Your reputation rehabilitated, demonstrating systematic corruption can be defeated with the right approach.
"Blackthorne smiled—not pleasant, but genuinely interested.
"Three conditions. Never mention where you learned these techniques.Regular progress updates—I want to know if you're about to do something catastrophically stupid.If this goes sideways, you take full responsibility and make clear I was never involved."
"Agreed. When do we start?"
"We start with you explaining exactly what corruption you're investigating. I need specifics for useful guidance."
"A high-ranking Church official is planning to fabricate heretical evidence against someone posing a political threat to his ambitions. The target's innocent, but he controls the investigation, witnesses, and documentation. He's done this before successfully."
Church corruption.
Blackthorne's expression darkened. "Significantly more dangerous than secular cases. Church officials have protections and authorities civil corruption doesn't deal with."
"Exactly why I need absolutely unassailable evidence positioned through channels the Church can't control or suppress."Blackthorne pulled out a leather notebook.
"Eight weeks. Church corruption. Forged evidence and bribed witnesses. This will be interesting. And probably illegal in several different ways."
The best plans usually are.