Three days of Professor Blackthorne's investigation training had given Raelian exactly what he needed: systematic approaches to evidence gathering and source protection. More importantly, every detail from the novel remained accurate. Cardinal Matthias was following his predicted patterns, and the timeline to Theresa's disgrace held steady at seven weeks, four days.
Perfect.Everything proceeding as expected.
The Academy library's third floor provided ideal cover for his next recruitment phase. Helena von Kessler sat in her usual spot near the tall windows, following the exact routine described in the novel. Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, same table, same materials.
*Time to disrupt that routine productively.*
Raelian selected a table within her sight line, spreading out political theory texts alongside casual reading. The strategy was simple: demonstrate intellectual depth and wait for her curiosity to overcome noble pride.
Helena lasted exactly twenty-seven minutes.
"Raelian Voros," she said, settling across from him with fluid grace. "We seem to keep crossing paths lately."
"Helena von Kessler." Raelian looked up with mild interest. "I hadn't noticed. Though we do frequent the same academic areas."
Her violet eyes narrowed slightly—she'd expected nervous stammering or obvious interest. Getting casual competence was recalibrating her approach, exactly as the novel described.
"Your performance in Enchantment Theory has been remarkable," she continued, testing angles. "Professor Aldric mentioned you've been asking graduate-level questions."
"Knowledge builds on knowledge," Raelian replied, making notes. "Once you grasp underlying principles, advanced applications become logical extensions rather than mysteries."
Helena leaned forward, lowering her voice. "That's not how magical education works. Most students spend years on basic applications before attempting theory. You're doing theory first."
"Most students don't have compelling reasons to accelerate their studies." Raelian met her gaze directly. "I do."
Ding!
╔══════════════════════════
══════════╗
║ NOTIFICATION ║
╠══════════════════════════
══════════╣
│ Target: Helena von Kessler │
│ Interest Level: 15% → 25% │
│ Status: Actively investigating │
╚══════════════════════════
══════════╝
"What kind of compelling reasons?" Helena asked, genuine interest replacing calculation.
According to his meta-knowledge, Helena's psychology centered on intellectual pride, competitive nature, and deep insecurity about never earning her father's approval.
"The kind requiring understanding how power genuinely operates rather than how textbooks suggest it should." Raelian closed his book deliberately. "When you master a complex enchantment, what happens next?"
"I demonstrate it to professors, receive excellent marks, and advance to the next lesson."
"And then?"
Helena frowned. "Then I continue through established curriculum."
"Exactly. You excel within a system measuring academic achievement. But what happens when you face problems that system wasn't designed for? When textbook solutions don't work because reality operates differently?"
Now the practical hook.
"Consider this scenario," Raelian continued, producing blank paper. "You discover someone in authority systematically destroying innocent people through false evidence. Official channels are corrupt, direct confrontation means suicide, and time is limited. How do you solve that with enchantment theory?"
Helena stared at the paper, then back at him. You can't.
That's a political problem, not magical.
Exactly.
"Which means mastering magic without understanding politics leaves you powerless when it truly matters." Raelian leaned back
. "I'm not studying for better grades, Helena. I'm studying because knowledge without practical application is just expensive entertainment."
Silence stretched as Helena's analytical mind processed his revelation. Raelian observed her systematically reassessing everything she'd assumed about him.
"That scenario sounds remarkably specific," she said finally.
Careful territory, but manageable.
"Does it? I thought it sounded like standard corruption—the kind that happens constantly but rarely gets addressed because people prefer comfortable illusions."
Helena's eyes narrowed with speculation rather than suspicion. "You're implying specific knowledge of such corruption."
"I'm saying intelligent people prepare for probable scenarios rather than hoping problems solve themselves." Raelian began gathering materials. "But if you prefer standard academic competition, I understand. Not everyone has temperament for practical applications."
Challenge her pride while providing an exit. Force her to choose engagement.
"Wait." Helena's hand moved toward his arm, then stopped. "What kind of practical applications?"
"The kind requiring intelligence, strategy, and absolute discretion," Raelian replied, settling back. "Where one mistake destroys everyone involved, but success exposes corruption harming innocent people for years."
Helena studied his expression for deception. Raelian maintained calm confidence, neither pushing nor retreating.
"Hypothetically," she said carefully, "what would someone need for such applications?"
*Exactly as predicted.*
"Someone with advanced enchantment skills, political connections through family, and intelligence for strategic rather than reactive thinking." Raelian paused meaningfully. "Someone like yourself, actually."
**Ding!**
╔══════════════════════════
══════════╗
║ NOTIFICATION ║
╠══════════════════════════
══════════╣
│ Critical threshold achieved! │
│ Helena: 25% → 40% interest │
│ Status: Considering participation │
╚══════════════════════════
══════════╝
Helena's breathing shifted—deeper, more controlled. The physiological response of important decision-making, exactly as the novel described.
"This corruption you mentioned," she asked. "How theoretical is it really?"
"Theoretical enough that discussing it openly would be catastrophic. Real enough that ignoring it lets innocent people suffer while guilty parties prosper."
"And you believe you can address it?"
"I believe intelligent people working together accomplish what individuals cannot." Raelian held her gaze steadily. "The question is whether you want to contribute to solutions or remain part of the system enabling problems."
Helena rose abruptly, moving to the window overlooking the courtyard. Students moved below in predictable patterns—safe, structured, ultimately meaningless for genuine influence.
*Following exact decision-making process from the novel. Perfect.*
"If I were hypothetically interested," she said without turning, "what would next steps involve?"
*Victory confirmed.*
"Research. Careful investigation of specific individuals and activities. Building evidence that survives scrutiny while maintaining absolute secrecy about our involvement."
"How dangerous?"
"Extremely hazardous if discovered. Essentially zero risk if handled properly."
Helena turned back, violet eyes holding new intensity. "Timeline?"
"Seven weeks, four days."
*Theresa's disgrace, exactly as predicted.*
"That's remarkably specific."
"Effective plans usually are."
Helena returned to her chair, expression focused and determined. "I want real details. Not hypothetical scenarios—actual information about what we'd investigate and how."
"Tomorrow evening. Abandoned astronomy tower, eighth floor. Bring advanced enchantment texts and knowledge about evidence preservation."
"Why there?"
"Privacy, sound dampening, excellent sight lines for detecting observers. Also, we'll need space for certain magical demonstrations."
Helena nodded, already planning. "What do I tell people about suddenly spending time with you?"
"Nothing. Let them assume whatever—romance, study group, politics. Assumptions are more believable than explanations."
"Seven weeks, four days," Helena repeated. "What happens then?"
"Justice," Raelian said simply. "Or we fail and pretend this never happened."
Helena gathered her materials with newfound purpose. "Tomorrow evening then. Don't disappoint me, Raelian Voros."
"I wouldn't dream of it."
As she left, Raelian reviewed the successful recruitment. Everything had proceeded exactly as the novel suggested. Helena's psychology, response patterns, even timing had matched expectations perfectly.
*Phase two complete. Seven weeks, four days until Theresa's disgrace. Plenty of time to execute the perfect counter-strategy.*