Aurelius was dragged in his ignivite cuffs to the growling sage, his feet dragging on the cobbled streets by two nervous commission mages.

  “Hello… Mr… Vennor.” She managed through clenched teeth.

  Aurelius nearly passed out at the sight of the cursing, grumbling and angry woman.

  Yep, here comes the execution… He thought, offering a silent prayer to the deities.

  “Boy, I know that White has already asked for your consent regarding mind magic. But we have a lich on the fucking loose. Do you have anything to say about that?”

  “I… Errr I really don’t know anything more! I’ve said everything that the honourable Quetzalcoatl had revealed to me regarding this incident! Mr. White has already taken me through multiple bound testimonies regarding this!"

  “Kiddo, you and I both know that mind magic is the surest way to confirm that you’re not being a smartass and twisting the truth. For all we know, you’re working with a fae that foolishly named themselves after the Lost God in a conspiracy against humankind.” She snapped, her eyes full of suspicion and threats.

  “I-I know my rights-” Aurelius hiccuped out nervously.

  He didn’t know the ramifications of the commission becoming aware of a divine magic cast on the world by Quetzalcoatl. Furthermore, the magic actively reset the world around HIM! If they sniffed out this horrendous truth, he would definitely be scrutinised under a SCALPLE!

  The sage only glared at him, her eyes radiating an intense ferocity rivaling that of a lion.

  “...What rights could you be referring to exactly… boy…” She growled.

  Aurelius felt faint under the intensity of her glare.

  “I could just look into your mind right now. How does that make you feel? I would probably just be put on probation for a few months… What’s so bad about some paperwork anyway? We’d be exchanging it for the elimination of a lich!” She continued eagerly.

  “Y-You can use mind magic?” Aurelius yelped in horror.

  “I’m a 3 layered water elemental mage. Of course I can use mind magic! What have you even been learning at this goddamn Academy?” The Sage replied, recoiling in annoyance at his ignorance.

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  Right as she was about to completely crumble Aurelius and his resolve in refusing an interrogation by the sage, another softer, elegant voice resounded.

  “It’s not worth it, Yeltz.” She soothed.

  Sage Yeltz glanced back, her glare softening in the presence of her superior.

  “Yes Ms. Livia. I’m aware… I would quite like to keep the ethics board off my back.”

  “And it’s clear that the twerp here is terrified of me… And probably telling the truth from his conscious mind at least… I was just shaking some extra information out of him. The fae wouldn’t use such a… lacklustre pawn in their little games…” The sage replied.

  Aurelius would almost have felt offended at such a dismissive statement. Lacklustre? That was actually quite hurtful! However, the pressure of the darkness pressing against his chest was a more pressing concern.

  Arch Sage Livia, and her evil aura, gave him a hard time to focus given that he had to concentrate on preventing piss from running down his pants.

  Sensing his fear, the Arch Sage smiled sweetly at Aurelius, sending waves of horror down his back.

  “I’ve unfortunately been instructed to check out some possible devil contracts in the Empire. Perhaps I will add to my… collection soon…” The Arch Sage bit her lips in anticipation, exuding a dash more of evil to her already overwhelming aura.

  “Did that fool of an emperor try going around our backs again? Their bloody civil war needs to end as quickly as possible or that cuck might just offer all of his citizens to some scummy spirit soon!”

  The Arch Sage, a woman of few words, smiled more widely, as if anticipating such a horrifying outcome.

  “I’ll have Andrew come over to take over my duties in the kingdom. Get along well with him, Yeltz! Adios!”

  With a snap of her fingers, she started to melt into the shadows, leaving her farewell to the fading winds.

  “Damn that woman. At least seal the devils better… Troublesome to say the least… And fucking Andrew’s coming over? What a nightmare… And she probably expects me to fill out HER cunted paperwork!” Sage Yeltz muttered under her breath with a flurry of curses.

  Her terrible mood was redirected to Aurelius as she twisted her head back from where the Arch Sage had disappeared.

  “C-Can I go off now?” Aurelius whimpered, congratulating himself on not soiling his pants in front of the crowds of commission mages.

  To his absolute horror, his pathetic display earned him the tiniest of smiles more sinister than that even of the Fae Queen Herself.

  “Aurelius, Aurelius. Don’t you know why you’re here?” She asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “You’re bait!”

  “I’m WHAT?” Aurelius squawked in horror.

  “You see, it would be illegal for the commission to search through your memories without consent… However, what would be legal is if we placed the WHOLE Academy under supervision! And we can place YOU specifically on some extra special supervision against the lich!”

  “Only the operations rooms were protected against divinations see… The Fae will very very quickly identify you as having exposed their operations at the Academy.”

  “Essentially, we just need to wait for some Fae assassin to come get you!” She stated in a matter-of-fact manner, almost unperturbed by the contents of her words.

  “T-The Academy? It’s been damaged from your fighting! And the commission is obligated to protect informants!” Aurelius managed in horror.

  “Yes, yes. You’re very well informed on this, boy! But see, the anti-divination paperwork may or may not get through to the right department for… let’s say a few days! And let’s say that the Fae have some efficient processes when it comes to their divinations…” She continued insidiously.

  With some jazz hands, the sage finished with a hearty dose of sarcasm.

  “Essentially–bait.”

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