10 The Path

"You don't understand, yes it's a terrible risk to anger Kouki. But, if I can eliminate him or even better get him under my control… he's the encapsulation of almost all the lessons you can learn in the Veiled. If he trained my agents suffice to say world domination would be child's play. So, damn the consequences, all roads will eventually lead to conflict with him. It might as well be on my own terms."

~ Krista Noches, The Director of the Veiled

Kouki

Summoned again to the Grand Councilwoman's chambers and it's no surprise what we'd be discussing.

"Sid breaking into the academy like this is an utter fiasco and obviously changes our stance. We can no longer tolerate the Veiled being out of line!" It's been a while since my ears felt this kind of passion come from the Grand Councilwoman. But like I said, it's not surprising given what went down. This guy just swoops in past all security measures, threatens a couple of students and without any reason leaves behind his purpose for even coming here. Then has the nerve to set an arbitrary deadline for his return. I almost admire his bravery. "Kouki, you wanted the job and now it's yours. What is your plan?"

"It's not very complicated. I'm going to ignore them." The Grand Councilwoman shoots me a look that implies quite a bit of profanity. But it's Kareasa who decides to actually question me.

"Excuse me?"

"Look, the only reason I asked for permission in the first place is because finding Noches is next to impossible. So the only way I'm gonna be able to get to her-"

"Is if you lure her out." Kareasa interjects.

"Exactly. So, you've been playing your roles making me seem like the real threat to her goals and that means I'm marked for elimination. All they're likely waiting for is me to get out in the open away from the academy. But it has to make sense and I have to actually be vulnerable for them to take the bait." The Grand Councilwoman puts her hands in front of her face, taking a moment.

"What's the timeline?"

"The plan will take six months. I prepared for this eventuality and everything I need will be ready in 30 days. Some of the steps are a little shuffled but it's no big deal. I'll leave the academy shortly to serve as the bait for my trap. In the meantime, there's a student that I think has potential and before I go it's important that he be set on the path." The Grand councilwoman raises her head to look me in my eyes.

"What student and what path?" I can't help but smirk.

"Well…. Don't worry about that. Point is the trap will be set."

"Well then, I'll leave it to you."

Good. With free reign to handle this all I really need to do is prepare my ace and give that kid his first lesson. Using my spirit sense, I track him down.