Chapter 180

Maxi flipped through the parchments with trembling hands. There was no mistaking it: this was the rune draft she had destroyed herself.

She looked up at the elder in bewilderment. "W-Why do you have this, Master Calto?"

"I got it from Landon," he said with his usual indifference.

"B-But Master Landon gave the draft back to me."

"He gave you a copy, not the original draft you submitted," Calto replied, pressing his temple. "Before presentations, head mages test submitted runes to prevent mishaps from overlooked flaws. The draft you hold now is a simplified version of your rune's core. Rest assured, the Tower does not have the entirety of your golem rune."

Maxi quickly thumbed through the pages. Though only part of the rune was there, any mage proficient with magical devices could deduce its function. She eyed Calto suspiciously.

"I told Master Landon I had no intention of presenting this, so why… did he give this to you?"