Infiltration's Kiss

Arthur, in the meantime, had slipped away unnoticed, taking full advantage of the cover Cecilia and the Knights had created. The Tower's labyrinthine halls were deceptively quiet, but Arthur's every sense was alert.

He moved swiftly, his footsteps silent on the polished floor, his presence masked by Nolan's lingering mana. Each step brought him closer to the Tower's archives, a place he had scouted briefly before. He activated Mind's Aegis again, splitting his consciousness into streams as he processed everything he saw.

Runes in the walls. Surveillance technology in the corners. Arthur cataloged it all, each detail adding to his mental map of the Tower's defenses.

The archives were quiet, a faint hum of energy radiating from the glowing interfaces. He approached a console, his fingers hovering over the touch-sensitive surface as he initiated a search for files related to the Paladin of Void project. The encryption was formidable, but Arthur's Mind's Aegis gave him an edge, allowing him to analyze and decipher the layers of protection.

Arthur's search hit a snag. The one file he had located earlier was locked behind a mana-encrypted barrier, requiring Maximus's signature to access. It was a level of security he had anticipated but hadn't fully planned for yet.

He exhaled slowly, stepping back from the console. The first steps of their plan were progressing, but there was still much to be done. For now, he focused on mapping the archives, noting potential vulnerabilities in the system that could be exploited later.

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Back in the lounge, Cecilia sipped her tea delicately, her gaze drifting between Maximus and Lucas. "Elder Maximus," she said casually, "your reputation precedes you. Arthur speaks highly of your mentorship."

Maximus flushed slightly at the compliment, his pride evident. "Your Highness is too kind. Arthur is an exceptional apprentice. His creativity in alchemical theory is… unparalleled."

Cecilia's lips curled into a small smile. "It's good to hear that he's thriving under your guidance. But tell me, Elder, how do you see alchemy evolving in the next decade?"

As the conversation continued, Cecilia kept Maximus engaged, watching closely as he drank his tea. The potion's effects were subtle, designed to work over time, each dose gradually preparing his mana signature for Luna to capture. There was no immediate change, no indication that anything was amiss. That was the beauty of Priscilla's design.

As the tea session concluded, Cecilia rose gracefully, thanking Lucas and Maximus for their hospitality. "This has been delightful," she said, her voice warm and sincere. "I look forward to seeing more of the Tower's wonders."

Maximus inclined his head, still basking in the glow of her praise. Lucas, meanwhile, escorted her back toward the demonstration room, oblivious to the layers of manipulation woven into her visit.

Cecilia's mind, however, was already on the next step. Arthur was working in the shadows, and she had successfully delivered the first dose. There was more to do, but for now, the pieces were falling into place.

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After the day's orchestrations concluded, I returned to my room, letting the tension of the Tower's endless corridors and watchful runes melt away. The subtle hum of mana conduits resonated in the walls, a reminder that even in solitude, the Tower of Alchemy was never truly silent. I leaned back in the chair by the window, staring out at the glittering skyline of Avalon.

Not long after, a soft knock broke the quiet. I glanced toward the door just as it opened, revealing Cecilia, now dressed in a casual crop-top and skirt that still somehow managed to exude an effortless elegance. Her golden hair caught the faint light as she stepped inside, closing the door with practiced grace.

"Can we talk here?" she asked, her crimson eyes locking onto mine as she took a seat next to me on the couch.

"It's secure," I assured her, a small smile tugging at my lips. "You did brilliantly today, Cecilia."

She tilted her head slightly, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Of course I did. You didn't think I'd fail, did you?"

I chuckled softly. "Not even for a second."

The Tower's security was formidable—an amalgam of cutting-edge technology, ancient artifacts, and rune arrays that wove a nearly impenetrable web. Yet, cracks existed in every fortress, and I had spent years honing the tools to exploit them. Mind's Aegis, with its capacity to amplify my thinking to an almost superhuman degree, had allowed me to master the intricacies of this advanced world's cybersecurity. Coupled with the knowledge from my previous life, it had become a formidable weapon in my arsenal.

Still, today's success wasn't just a product of preparation. It was Cecilia who had executed the plan flawlessly, her intelligence and poise transforming a complex operation into a seamless performance.

"So, what do you think?" Cecilia asked, shifting closer. She rested her head against my shoulder, her tone soft but probing.

"It's possible," I said, meeting her gaze. "Challenging, but possible."

The Tower of Alchemy's defenses were indeed daunting. The structure itself was a marvel of engineering, its walls composed of reinforced alloys and fortified by layers of intricate runes etched with the blood of powerful mana beasts. Ancient-grade artifacts were woven into its foundation, creating a fortress that could withstand even the assault of Immortal-rankers.

But the beauty of fortresses wasn't in their strength—it was in their vulnerabilities. And I didn't need to tear the Tower apart to achieve my goal. Subtlety would succeed where brute force would fail.

"Cecilia," I said, "keep administering the doses. Slowly. We need his mana signature fully prepared before we act."

She nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "I'll have Nolan sneak in one dose tonight," she said. "Then two more before Monday. I don't want to drag this out any longer than necessary."

"Sounds like a plan." I leaned down and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "You're incredible, you know that?"

Her cheeks flushed faintly, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she tilted her head up, her gaze steady. "You know," she said, her voice soft but teasing, "it's been a while."

Before I could respond, she grabbed the collar of my shirt and pulled me closer, her lips pressing firmly against mine. For a moment, the world outside—the endless calculations, the looming dangers—faded away, replaced by the warmth of her presence and the steady rhythm of her heartbeat against mine.