Inside the dome, silence filled the air.
Everyone's eyes were on him — and his, on each of them. The aura surrounding him radiated authority and gravity. Then, in a firm voice that reached every corner of the chamber, he spoke.
— Before we begin this meeting, I want to confirm something. — His gaze moved across them one by one, observing every flicker in their eyes, every subtle trace of emotion. He wanted to be sure that everyone stood on the same page.
— I believe I shouldn't need to repeat myself, but... I will anyway.
Tension spread across the room. Each of them tried to grasp the way their leader spoke, acted, and measured them.
— Do you understand how serious our objective is? Do you understand that if anything goes wrong, the consequences could be severe?
Luneth rose from her seat and replied solemnly:
— Veyrath, I fully understand that our actions must be carried out with caution and precision, so that we may avoid any problems caused by negligence or distraction.
Everyone followed her lead, declaring one by one their understanding that everything here would be handled with absolute seriousness. Their auras and willpower filled the room, making the air heavy as steel and sharp as a blade.
— Good. I won't touch on this matter again, since I trust Freya's judgment and choices. Now, let's begin. Luneth, please. — He gestured toward the open area below the seats.
She nodded and descended the steps with composed, elegant strides. Reaching the center, she adjusted the papers, ensuring everything was in order. After confirming, she lifted her gaze to the six seated around the chamber and began.
— First, let's review our main objective. Our ultimate goal is to discover, gather evidence, and capture the infiltrators of the terrorist group Wanderers of Vengeance. To achieve that, we'll proceed through several stages. Understood?
— Understood! — they answered in unison.
— Good. Now listen carefully to our first course of action.
— First, we'll analyze the logistics of the entire academy. We'll study every possible area, chart an operational map, and memorize all routes and potential hiding or escape points. If you discover any hidden areas, report them immediately through your communication rings.
Kaelith raised his hand, waiting for permission to speak.
— Speak, Kaelith. — Luneth allowed, and he asked:
— Why do we need to study the academy's structure ourselves? Wouldn't it be easier to get the map from the Headmistress? She probably already has one.
Before Luneth could answer, Sevran spoke in her stead.
— There's a great difference between seeing something drawn and seeing it for yourself. Maps aren't always one hundred percent accurate — sometimes they overlook places that, for us, could be crucial. It's essential we familiarize ourselves with the academy's terrain. If the infiltrators attempt to flee or establish hidden bases, we must already know the land by heart.
Kaelith nodded, now understanding the reasoning.
— Sevran is absolutely right. This way, we won't need to constantly consult maps and can act faster when the time comes. — Luneth reaffirmed.
— Anyone wishes to add something?
Silence answered her question.
— Very well. Now that we've covered the first step, let's move on to the second.
— After completing this phase, we'll need to blend in among the academy's students — from all years. The infiltrators may not be limited to the first year. We must be certain of every possibility. Interact with everyone — commoners, nobles, extroverts, introverts, the strong, the weak... absolutely everyone.
— Because sometimes, what we think poses no threat... is actually the greatest danger of all.
— You'll then write weekly reports and leave them in the designated location I'll provide. Stay alert. If you feel watched or followed, report it immediately. These reports must never fall into the wrong hands.
Velra raised her hand. Luneth nodded for her to proceed.
— If we fail to approach or socialize with the suspects, what should we do then?
— A fine question. If the individuals leave no openings for contact, observe them from afar. Those will likely be our most suspicious targets. But do not let them notice you. Silentia will take the lead in surveillance — one of her main roles is espionage. Proceed with moderation. Should they act suspiciously, alert us through your ring, and we'll decide the best course of action.
— Any other questions?
None came.
— Then we move to the next topic — missions outside the academy.
— Outside the academy?! — everyone exclaimed, except Veyrath and Luneth.
She was about to answer, but he spoke first.
— I'll explain, since I was the one who designed most of this plan.
She nodded and fell silent.
— Since all suspects on the list are nobles, obtaining evidence will be three times harder. So, during holidays and breaks when students return to their estates, we'll follow them — discreetly — and uncover what's happening within their domains. The truth is, it's not just the students... the heads of their houses might be involved. Their children are merely their puppets. Now you understand the scale of this? Moreover, we may occasionally need to travel to other regions — to gather intel, meet informants, or negotiate with potential allies.
Their eyes widened as the weight of his words sank in. They had thought their involvement would end at the academy walls... but they had underestimated how deep this ran.
— As our leader said, our operations won't be confined to this place. Sometimes we'll need to move beyond it — to retrieve information, resources, or anything that helps us purge the rats hiding within these halls.
— Now, onto the penultimate phase. Once we've gathered all necessary information and confirmed our targets, we'll craft a detailed step-by-step plan to capture them.
— And once we've captured the infiltrators?— asked Umbra, turning toward Luneth, who looked to Veyrath as if requesting permission.
He nodded.
— Proceed. — His voice was cold, devoid of emotion.
— Once we've captured them, we'll hold them in custody and inform the Emperor. From there, two paths may unfold. First: the Emperor might send soldiers to transport them to the capital's prison. Or... — she sighed softly — we might receive the order to execute them here, within the academy, to prevent the Empire's citizens from learning of the traitors.
The sound of throats swallowing filled the air.
Veyrath noticed their unease and spoke again — his tone cutting, merciless.
— Hmph. Why those faces? This should've been expected. — His words struck like a hammer.
He continued, cold and relentless, ensuring the truth sank deep.
— What do you think would happen if the public discovered that many of the nobles — their so-called "betters" — were nothing but vile, corrupt filth, manipulated by traitorous vermin?
Heads lowered. Silence weighed heavier. Only Silentia, Sevran, and Luneth remained unshaken, as though this was all natural to them.
— I warned you, didn't I? We're not here to play games or act like heroes. What we do here will often be cold, ruthless, and absolute.
— Do you think we can deal with criminals like these with kind words and moral speeches? I truly hope none of you are that naïve. Otherwise... I'll be deeply disappointed — disappointed that you feel compassion for the very scum plotting within these walls.
— Let me be perfectly clear.
— I'm not the kind of man who pretends to be a "hero of justice" just to be admired. Frankly, I couldn't care less about what others think of me. The only opinions that matter to me are those of my family... and those within my circle.
— But there is something I do carry with me — something I expect all of you to uphold as well. There is a thin line between right and wrong. And once someone crosses it... well, I'm not the forgiving type.