Lizard's Tail (4)

'He did this?'

Jonathan looked around the area. Most of the walls and windows were destroyed. He also caught a glimpse of the Valian before he blew him away.

Though Jonathan knew that Sebastian was no longer the person he used to be, he still felt it strange. He was no stranger to battle, he could roughly grasp how strong the Valian was, and he knew about their unique characteristics.

To defeat an adult Valian, one needed to be a Caster at the very least. The one Sebastian faced was particularly strong, even among the Valians he had witnessed.

'At the very least, he's comparable to a new Magus.'

That's what Jonathan felt was strange. Sebastian was able to be on par with a Magus-level enemy and exhaust them? It was unbelievable. It had only been a year since he began training.

Even Jonathan had only recently become a Magus. Though he had confidence in being able to defeat the Valian, he was a Magus. In the end, though Valians were strong, Inheritors were stronger.

However, an Apprentice? Jonathan would've laughed that statement off had he not witnessed it for himself.

Though Jonathan wanted to ask Sebastian questions, there was no time for that.

"Sebastian, move out of the way. We'll be purging the halls."

Sebastian nodded and quickly jumped out. He canceled the impact of his fall using flames.

"It's safe to proceed, my lord."

A man in a cloak appeared beside Jonathan and said.

"Very well."

Jonathan pointed at the hole in the wall and shot out a flame. Then, he used both hands and separated them. The flames went in different directions through the halls and any of the Lizard's Tail were turned into ash.

...

"A Magus?! Crap…"

The Valian managed to barely hold on to his life after being hit with Jonathan's flames. Several parts of his body had burns.

"They arrived way too early, what the hell?"

The Valian cursed.

"We have to leave."

A woman holding a staff appeared right beside the Valian.

"What about the item?"

"It was taken from us. Most likely by that boy who fought you."

"Tch. He's an interesting fellow, but that makes things more annoying."

"I believe that the boy is the one the lord is looking for."

The Valian turned towards the woman in disbelief.

"You serious?! Then, we need to capture him!"

"Fool. Now that the reinforcements have arrived, we have no chance of doing so."

"At times like this, I really hate that you have no combat prowess."

"There's a downside to everything."

"I get it already… Go ahead and teleport us."

"Nn."

The woman tapped her staff on the floor.

"———."

Beneath the two of them, a symbol covered by a circle made of light was created. The circle stayed and illuminated them for a few seconds before they vanished. They left their allies behind without any hint of remorse.

…

"..."

Amy rubbed her wrists. They were all rescued without any problems.

"Where is Sebastian?"

"Sir Sebastian? He's already outside."

"?"

Amy frowned. She hadn't seen Sebastian in the gymnasium when she looked around, did that mean he was confined in a different place?

She walked over to one of his classmates.

"Was Sebastian captured alongside you?"

"Y-yes… He was seated around the middle of our class. He just suddenly disappeared and we hadn't realized until we were rescued."

That could only mean one thing, Sebastian managed to escape the enemy's grasp with none the wiser.

'We weren't able to use our abilities, does that mean his stigma still worked?'

It was a favorable happenstance. However, Amy felt one more strange thing about the situation.

'Gilbert Walt isn't present.'

Not just him, none of the Walt House's direct line were present. None of his cousins nor his uncles and aunts who taught as professors.

Though there were still students affiliated with the Walt House present, none who hold the last name of 'Walt' were captured.

That could only mean that they hadn't chosen to take the exam or that they escaped before the terrorists had taken everyone hostage. Either way, that meant that they knew of the attack and prepared for it accordingly.

'That bastard…'

Amy had suspicions before, but now she was certain. The Walt House was working with someone behind the scenes. And, they were related in one way or another with the incidents that Sebastian had been dragged in.

'If it's really true…'

Amy took a deep breath to calm the anger swirling in her chest.

'...then I'll wipe the Walt House off of existence.'

…

"How were you able to do it?"

Jonathan confronted Sebastian. Though they weren't in a private place, there weren't any people in their vicinity and their voices were drowned out by the noise.

"That was a Valian. I've faced a few of them before and each time, they gave me quite a bit of trouble. However, you…"

"Soul Weaving, is father familiar with the term?"

"..."

Jonathan gave Sebastian a look.

"Where did you hear about that?"

Save for the house heads, the existence of Soul Weaving should be concealed. The royal family was also privy to the information and the king himself could even use it.

If commoners learned of how to use Soul Weaving, then everyone would learn about it. And in the slightest chance that one with ill intentions could use it, then crime would become even more prevalent.

"I can use it."

"I see."

'If he can use it, then it makes sense.'

He was able to contend against the Valian. With his Soul Armor, it was possible. However, this meant that Sebastian's soul was immensely powerful.

'An Apprentice with a soul that can contend against a Magus.'

In the end, Sebastian was his son. There were only benefits to him getting stronger. Jonathan decided to let the matter go.

"Do not tell anyone else. I'm the only one who saw you in that form."

"Yes, father."

Jonathan nodded and waved his sleeve as he turned around and left.

—You'll have to inform Markus Luna eventually too.

"I'm sure there'll be chances during the trip to the summit."

Though it was unfortunate, he couldn't inform his father everything. Unlike Markus, he isn't involved in any of the matters regarding the Sage. If Sebastian told him anything, it would endanger his life and the entire house.

There were powers that could force a person to say the truth and powers that could wipe memories. As long as those existed, Sebastian couldn't carelessly tell his secrets to anyone.

"Sebastian!"

"Amy!"

Sebastian got up from his seat and embraced Amy who had ran towards him.

"Were you hurt?"

Amy shook her head and then leaned on his chest.

"I'm fine. Other than the binds, there wasn't anything done to me. But… Sebastian, we have to move quickly."

"I know."

"The Walt House wasn't present among the hostages."

"..."

Sebastian bit his lip. If he hadn't been present and was unable to take what Lizard's Tail were trying to get, he was afraid of the consequences. If the Walt House really have something to do with this…

'Then our emnity is irreconcilable.'

Even if they weren't the ones to turn Ptelea into a vengeful being. Even if they weren't the ones who tried to kill Balanos.

"I'll go hand over what the terrorists were trying to acquire to my father. Let's talk with Lord Luna after this."

"Nn."

Sebastian released Amy and then walked over to Jonathan.

"Father, this was what they were trying to get."

"Where did you find this?"

"In the principal's office."

Jonathan knit his brows. He took the orb from Sebastian's hand then turned around.

"Well done. I'll handle the rest."

Once Jonathan left, a man wearing the House of Luna's emblem approached him.

"Sir Sebastian Sol, Lord Markus is looking for you. He's in the carriage."

The man stepped to the side and gestured at the lone carriage at the side.

"I'll go."

After receiving his confirmation, the man left. Sebastian gestured for Amy and the two of them entered the carriage together.

"Lizard's Tail. Who knew that some third-rate bandits would be able to procure weapons?"

The weapons that they held were infused with energy. Each shot fired off a fast beam of energy that could pierce through a human's body quite easily.

"Not just that, they brought an item that invalidates the abilities of anyone below a Caster."

Most of the professors in the school were only Adepts. Not even a handful of the teachers—including the principal, were Casters. And coincidentally, only one Caster had entered the school today.

"A professor was killed, most likely by the Valian that Jonathan had fought. Though I may sound a bit paranoid, but don't you think this case is also related to you?"

Markus pointed at Sebastian.

"This time, their goal was different."

"Hm?"

Markus retracted his hand and listened.

"They were looking for an orb located in the principal's office. I've already handed it over."

"Ah, yes. I was wondering about that as well. How were you able to contend against the Valian? According to Jonathan, the Valian was of Caster-level, and possibly even Magus."

Amy's eyes widened as she turned her gaze to Sebastian.

"It's my trump card."

"I see."

Markus shrugged. If Sebastian didn't have any intentions of telling him, he had no need to press him.

"I suppose you don't know about what the orb can do?"

"I don't."

"Mmm… I'll go and ask Jonathan about it later."

"Umm… Father."

"What is it?"

Markus turned to Amy.

"The Walt House wasn't present among the hostages."

"A few weeks ago, Gilbert Walt applied for a leave from the exams due to some business in his house. The same leave was given to most of his relatives."

"I believe that they're related to this attack."

"You're accusing a major house of conspiring with terrorists?"

"Yes."

"Fair point."

Markus chuckled. To become a major house, not just the world above, even the underground had to be controlled.

Even Markus had cooperated with Blue Rose quite a number of times already. Cooperating with terrorists to get an item was strange, but it wasn't impossible.

"Unfortunately, they would brush this off with coincidence. Jonathan, that dolt had killed the terrorists in the building after determining that they were only disposable pawns. The Valian that had gotten away is the only one with knowledge, that's what was determined."

Markus held up his index finger and made a solemn expression.

"One month. We have roughly a month to figure out the perpetrator behind this case. So, my bodyguard, I have a job for you."