"How sure are you of this information?" Sylvana asked urgently.
"I can't say that I am one hundred percent sure, but I think it's urgent enough to warrant security measures, fast," Alex replied.
He didn't know whether his actions had already altered the course of events, but he was certain that this couldn't be left alone. Ignoring it felt like willingly walking toward disaster with his eyes closed.
"We need to tell this to Mom, quickly," Vanessa said. She knew exactly what kind of people attended that academy—and what kind of people would become targets if something happened there.
"You're right, Alex. Take us out of here. We're going to the palace, right now," Sylvana said.
Alex did so, and the moment they reappeared at their previous location, Sylvana broke space with her fist and dragged reality itself aside, taking them directly to the teleport hall. From there, they moved without delay to the palace, straight into the Queen's office.
"Oh? What brings you three here so urgently?" Alicia asked. This was the first time she had spoken directly with Alex.
"Hello, Majesty," Alex said, giving a short, respectful bow.
"Alex, tell her what you just told us," Sylvana said.
Alex relayed the information once again, carefully choosing his words and leaving nothing out.
Alicia's expression hardened almost immediately.
"I don't know if you fully grasp what you're saying," she said slowly, "but the mere mention of this could place the entire continent on alert. So I'll ask you plainly—are you certain about your information?"
"Majesty, I'll answer you the same way I answered Sylvana. I'm not one hundred percent sure," Alex replied evenly, "but the potential consequences alone justify at least a tightening of security."
"Yes, but we can't place an entire academy on high alert over a rumor," Alicia said.
"Then how about we do a cover operation?" Vanessa suggested.
Alicia turned her gaze toward her daughter. "Go on. I'm listening."
"We head there covertly and look for loopholes in the academy's security—weak points, blind spots—then reinforce them so they can't be exploited," Vanessa said.
"Interesting…" Alicia murmured.
"While you're there, you can also look for corrupted students, teachers, staff, or officials," Alex added. "They would need inside information to plan an attack. Otherwise, they'd be acting blind."
Alicia nodded, clearly agreeing with his reasoning.
"But how do you propose doing all that without raising suspicion?" she asked.
"I can answer that," Sylvana said. "We'll go there as temporary teachers next year. Alex said the attack is planned within four years, so we still have time."
"That would place you three directly inside," Alicia said thoughtfully. "A reasonable approach."
"Three?" Alex asked, only now realizing he had been included in that count.
"Yes, three," Alicia replied sharply. "You didn't think you could say all that and then walk away, did you?"
"In my contract, it's only stated that I provide information," Alex said. "Not that I personally take part in operations."
"So?" Alicia countered. "Vanessa is going. As her aide, you're obligated to assist her to the best of your ability. That's in the contract, isn't it?"
Alex clenched his jaw.
'She's right.'
"Why does helping the continent upset you?" Alicia asked. "Shouldn't you be volunteering for this?"
"I have things I want to protect more than this continent," Alex said.
Alicia raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what would you sacrifice the continent for?"
"My family," Alex replied without hesitation.
That answer genuinely caught Alicia off guard—and she found that she respected it.
"Alex," Vanessa said carefully, "do you remember asking us to find an academy for your sister?"
Alex looked at her sharply, urgency rising in his eyes.
"It was the Royal Academy," Vanessa continued. "We sent a formal invitation yesterday. It should have arrived by now."
"Shit… How did I not hear about this?" Alex muttered.
"These invitations are delivered personally," Vanessa explained. "The courier would have been looking specifically for Evelyn, or your mother."
Alicia folded her hands together. "It seems you're personally involved now, Alex. So tell me—what will you do? Break your promise, or help us prevent a possible attack? And I emphasize possible—you might end up doing nothing at all."
She paused before adding, "You'd also have the opportunity to attend the academy yourself. Given your level, you'd enroll as a student—and serve as Vanessa's teaching assistant."
"Why would Vanessa be a teacher?" Alex asked.
"She might be," Alicia said, glancing meaningfully at her daughter. "If she reaches Grandmaster. Otherwise, she'll attend as a student as well."
Vanessa stiffened under her mother's gaze.
"Well, since I don't have much choice, I'll join," Alex said. "But first I need to heal my illness. It shouldn't take more than two or three months."
Alicia nodded; she already knew about his Mana Leakage Syndrome.
"Since you brought it up," she said smoothly, "would you be willing to make the potion for us as well?"
"As always—if you bring the herbs, I'll make it," Alex replied.
"Then we'll discuss pricing later. Preferably in mana crystals," Alicia said.
"I'll trust in your reputation and let you decide," Alex replied. He already had plans involving mana veins during his travels.
"How interesting," Alicia said, clearly amused.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave," Alex said, bowing before turning to go.
"Oh, but where are you going?" Sylvana asked lightly. "I still haven't beaten you today."
Alex froze.
Vanessa straightened instantly.
Alicia laughed softly. "You really are as entertaining as Sylvana said."
"I'll be heading to the arena, then," Alex said. "See you there."
After he left, Alicia turned to Vanessa.
"How long do you intend to stay at Master level?" she asked. "We've been feeding you mana crystals for twenty-five years, yet you still call yourself busy."
"Not again, Mom…" Vanessa groaned.
"Yes, again," Alicia replied firmly. "Danger is approaching, and one day I may not be there to protect you."
As mother and daughter spoke, Sylvana's eyes lit up.
"Hey, Vanessa," she said.
"What?" Vanessa replied, already exhausted.
"Are you really okay with Alex surpassing you?" Sylvana asked casually. "Because at his current pace, he might. Without training at all, you'd need another twenty years just to reach Tier Three with only mana crystals."
"And if he stockpiles crystals," she added smoothly, "he could reach Grandmaster in that same time. Especially since, unlike you, he didn't use crystals at Tier One."
Vanessa fell silent.
'How can I stop him from doing something reckless if I'm weaker than him?'
She didn't want to be left behind.
"If I train seriously…" she muttered.
"Then you could reach Grandmaster before the academy deployment," Sylvana said.
Vanessa exhaled sharply. "Fine. I'll do it. And I'll finally be free from this confinement."
She turned and headed for the arena.
After she left, Alicia looked at Sylvana in disbelief.
"I can't believe that worked," she said. "I should give that boy a medal."
She had learn that method of persuasion, and she planned to use it as well