Magic Life in the Empire

Cyril spent this time watching over Morpho and Rhamn interact when Rose, remembering something, jerked her head up.

"Right, what happened to Leo Arken? Cyril, earlier he was glaring at you with such ferocity, like he wanted to kill you. Is there some story?" Rose shook off the oppressive atmosphere, not mentioning anything about the warning.

Cyril noticed that too, of course; one had to be blind not to.

After the incident, Leo didn't try to approach Cyril; all he managed was to glare at him from a distance. "Like a coward he is."

His face looked worse than ever, with dark circles under his eyes full of malice. Sooner or later he might try to do something unwise.

"There is" Since he was directly asked about it, Cyril decided not to hide this incident. "While I was shopping, I noticed Cedric and Leo going somewhere..." he told most of the story, including how Morpho helped.

Everyone listened with interest; they didn't expect someone from their class would do a kidnapping just to satisfy his petty pride.

"Their family is indeed shady; you should be careful in the future." Rose had a solemn expression. "At least he is not going with us to the Tower."

While Edmund had a similar reaction, Myra had a slightly different one. Cyril could swear he saw something sparkling in her eyes.

"It's a good thing you were there, Cyril. Indeed, one can't sit still if they want to defeat evil." She crossed her arms and nodded her head a few times with a smile.

She looked quite happy about something, even a bit nostalgic?

After they talked a bit more, they soon disbanded.

They were still students, and everyone was busy with their own things; there was plenty to do.

Cyril returned home to continue studying the collection of books he brought from the library on Rose's recommendation.

After only an hour or so of study, someone knocked on his door.

"Who is so rude to interrupt our alone time?" Rhamn didn't appreciate being disturbed. She liked to study; not only could she stay close to Cyril and help, but it was also incredibly interesting to learn new things.

Cyril got up from the chair with Morpho sitting on his shoulder and opened the door.

Standing outside was Edmund, with whom he just met. He had some private business, it seems.

"Hey, can we talk outside?" There was something bothering him, and it showed.

Obliging to his request under Rhamn's protest, he went outside to a deserted place behind the dormitory.

There was another person there, it turns out—Rose. They both had some similar concerns.

"About Myra. Is she part of 'Lapis' or something?" Edmund didn't waste his breath and got straight to the point.

"It's obvious she is no ordinary student, and there is nothing wrong with hiding secrets, I think. But if she is a part of a terrorist group, it is important for us to know before we do something we might regret." The conversation earlier scared them more than Cyril thought. "They are right to be suspicious; I am surprised it took them so long."

They knew that Cyril was privy to a little bit more, so they asked him in hopes of getting a satisfying answer.

"Honestly, I am also not sure if she is entirely truthful with me, but I don't think Myra is from 'Lapis.'" Cyril was earnest in saying this. He doesn't fully trust her with everything, but there is a certain gut feeling he has about her.

Hearing his fast response, Rose and Edmund stood still for a few seconds, looking into his eyes with scrutiny.

"Fine. I guess we can wait and see. What do you say, Rose?" It didn't take much to convince him.

Despite the short time, they became friends with Myra, so they gave her at least some leeway. Rose, especially, wanted to see her as innocent.

"I trust Myra; she won't harm us." With their doubts cleared for now, the two went back to their respective dormitories.

Since Edmund advanced to class II, he now lived in a different building than before. This time it was a bit closer to the castle itself.

Saying goodbye to the two of them again, Cyril went back to his room to continue his studies.

But before he could even reach his door, he already encountered someone else wanting to talk. "Are you kidding me?"

This time it was Cedric standing right before his room, fruitlessly knocking on the door.

Out of the corner of his eyes, he noticed Cyril, and with a big friendly smile, he turned to him.

"Great timing, I almost wanted to give up and find you tomorrow." He scratched his black hair and gave a small laugh. "It's not too late for that."

"We need to talk to you about something. Let's go to the park. What do you say?" He inquired with a hopeful look.

Upon hearing the word 'park,' Morpho flew up from his shoulder and circled Cyril a few times. She really enjoyed her time there.

I still have time today. Since Morpho was clearly in agreement, Cyril decided to accept this invitation.

Thankfully the park was close to his dormitory; he won't spend too much time going back and forth.

They quickly reached the meeting place where they met Anna, who was waiting there with a stoic face.

This time she carried her chestnut hair in a ponytail, which gave her a more youthful look. Her previously pale face now had a bit more color to it.

Cedric enthusiastically waved with his whole arm when they came closer, before speaking in a happy tone.

"See? He agreed, It's nothing scary." He meant to say it in a reassuring tone, but his words only caused her face to darken.

The corner of her lips twitched before she quickly composed herself and continued holding an expressionless face. "Hah! She must be dying of embarrassment daily with such a friend."

"Alright, we are all here." Cedric didn't see any issues. "As you might have expected, the reason we called you here is because of Leo Arken." After making sure no one else was around, Cedric started talking business.

"If you are worried about me, then don't be. I can help myself." Thinking it might be Cedric's 'good guy' syndrome flaring up, Cyril interrupted him before he could say anything else.

While the Arken family was indeed influential, Cyril wasn't afraid of making enemies out of them.

Cedric had a bitter smile on his face. "Am I that obvious?" But soon he cheered up and continued, "It's a good thing that I am not done."

He put his palms together in front of him and bowed slightly.

"We need some more help from you, please!" He assumed a begging pose. "I know I am being shameless, but I can't think of anyone else. Plus, you already offended Leo, so why not do it again?"

Anna, to his side, bowed as well and said in a quiet voice with difficulty, "Please."

"Oh wow, it must be important if she is willing to go that far." Rhamn said in a sarcastic tone and continued, "But it should be quite fun, don't you think?"