Truth About Fabian Brookes
"Sometimes, you scare me, Lizzie. You have a point, but I thought you'd prefer using a sword since you are the Swordsman Pillar."
"Nah... That's too old-fashioned. But I must say, wielding a sword is much better than using a gun in my previous world. It feels more carefree and relaxing to me. Anyways, I'll leave that thought when it comes time. For now, something is bothering me."
"What would that be?"
"Why is this connected to the twins of Midford? And you told me Minwoo had died, right? So why is he still around? These two things don't add up to the whole thing..." I said, feeling the punch from the alcohol.
"Minwoo being here isn't too surprising since Mavislin can't control who comes out of Euphoria. And Fabian Brookes may be a Mage with the power to turn objects into his dolls by using souls," replied Bryan, downing his fifth shot.
Hang on a second... What?! Since when did Bryan know about Fabian? I thought these past few days was us trying to find out more about the guy, now you're telling me that Bryan knows the truth? Then why did we waste our time then?!
"How did you know that Fabian Brookes was that kind of a Mage?" I asked, instantly turning sober.
"Well, it was implied by Tomoe's investigations and the multiple reports from witnesses. FB was an inactive Mage within the Congregation, so that the Founders wouldn't know much about him. But being inactive in the Congregation wasn't the same as not being in the group."
Now that statement got me very confused... So, like a ghost employee? Someone that doesn't work at the company, but the name is on the employees' list.
"Though I have a faint memory of reading about the guy, it was stated that Fabian Brookes was supposed to be a frontline Mage with Gillian and Z, but he failed the entrance exam. So in the end, the leader of the Congregation asked FB to leave the premises."
"But leaving doesn't mean quitting, as Old Man Pond gave him lists of tasks to do per week to continue having the benefits of being in the Congregation. These tasks were random, from getting a rare jewel to creating an escape route from the Urnsfield Domain to Briton underwater."
"But from what I could see in those files, FB has the power to manipulate souls into non-living objects. It's unethical but effective to create minions or curse those who wronged you. Besides, FB may not sound like it, but he was ranked the same as Raiyen's power level."
Whoa there... You're calling that act 'a bit unethical'?! I dare say it's VERY crooked! Anyone who stuffs souls into inanimate objects isn't clear in the upper deck! And now that Bryan has dropped me that final fact, I'm convinced that I will die in the last fight.
Raiyen's power level may not be as high as the Headmaster's or Mavislin's, but it's still levels beyond my capabilities. So even if I were to stuff myself with a buffet now and go full force on Raiyen, I'd still emerge victorious without losing my life.
Hell, if the Time Mage weren't holding back, I'd be reincarnated to another world! And who knows what will happen when I face the mad puppeteer? If he is smart enough, FB could stuff my soul into a rock for all I know. I shuddered at the thought... But, wait, do I have a soul?
Having Vania in my head makes me think I am some game character but do I have a thing that resembles a soul?
"Notice. I am merely your guide and thus not part of your soul. I am only an advisor and will not intrude on your decisions unless your body is in danger. Your thoughts are yours alone. Your feelings are not controlled by me either," replied Vania.
Phew... That was a relief. That means FB still has a chance to take my soul and chuck it into a doll somewhere, right? Is there anything that could prevent that from happening?
"Notice. The best strategy I've found is not to let Fabian Brookes touch you or activate his Original Spell on you."
That means running and dodging for the whole fight, huh? Great, I now understand why NAPFA, the National Physical Fitness Award, had that 2.4 kilometers run. It's to prepare me for this event. I hate that I failed it. But it's better than having no strategy at all.
"So, how does the guy use his powers? Have you got anything on that? And didn't you say that FB failed the entrance exam to the Congregation? Then how is classed in the same ranking as Riayen's powers?" I asked, quickly downing two shots, one after another.