The Light in Abyss【OC Story】✵The Eminence in Shadow✵

Chapter 18 - Midnight Cadenza

(Third Person POV)

*blaze*

With the academy now set on fire, the corridors and rooms were all torn asunder by the vicious flames. Smoke filled the hallways and the mahogany that once displayed a vibrant color was nothing but charred in black.

The fire spread in a pattern of the web, spreading out in different directions but originating in one source. And in that said source was the place where the maker of the fire was, setting books and pieces of furniture alight. In a room not far from the great hall, was the Lank Knight himself oiling up more books and papers on the floor. Seeing the pile, he let go of the oil lamp that he had, throwing it into the heap causing a bonfire to erupt.

"Funny getup you've got there."

"What brings you here dressed like that?"

The cloaked man looked behind his back and saw two students he recognized well.

"Good evening, Vice Principal Ruslan." Cadian greeted with a not-so-glad face.

The brothers were both seated on a couch, eyeing the man presumed to be the Vice-Principal intently.

"...I'm-"

"No need to be so secretive. I can tell that it was you from a glance." Cadian hissed. "I have a good read on other people's magic. And I never mistake someone for someone else because of it."

"From a glance huh? Your aptitude for magic deserves praise, Cadian Kagenoh." The old man laughed as he took off his mask, revealing to be the Vice Principal as they suspected.

"You're the one behind this incident then," Cid spoke. "Why would you organize an attack on the academy? You don't strike me as the sort who'd do this for fun."

"And I didn't expect that both brothers with stark differences in skill would be able to figure me out, let alone interrogate me in this burning room." The old man walked over to the couch opposite them. 

He took a seat, the three of them in a deadlocked gaze within the soaring flames. They didn't flinch from the heat nor react to the animosity of each party, that only goes to show how versed they are in their magic resistance skills and aptitude. And with the scene set, the words exchanged.

"Do you want to know? It might take a bit long to explain." Ruslan piqued at the two.

"By all means, explain." Cadian stiffened his gaze.

"Eager, that's good." He commented. "To put it short, it's because I longed to reach for the top. The top I had once reached through my victory at the God of War festival. The very same festival that you are so attentively training for, Cadian. In a sense, you and I are alike, so you should understand me."

"We're nothing alike." The former rebutted hard. "But please, continue."

"I was at the top, Cid, Cadian. I had it all, but then, I was devastated."

"I heard about it, you fell sick so you had to step back." Cid continued.

"That's right. I'd worked so hard to attain glory, but because of an illness, not only did I lose it all, I'd become unable to even fight. Finding a magic cure would've required extensive research and vast knowledge. Then I met Lucrecia, Sherry's mother." The voice in his tone changed. "I started collecting artifacts under the pretext of supporting her research. And finally, I found it." Ruslan pocketed something from his robe, and low and behold, he revealed the glowing artifact that was the root cause of all magic disruption. "The Eye of Avarice. Using this, not only can my illness be cured, I'd have all the fame and riches I desire. Just when I thought I'd reach the top again... oh, that foolish girl." He chuckled. "She wanted to entrust the Eye of Avarice to the country saying that it was too dangerous."