In the courtyard of the Royal Capital Mage Academy, the stone paths were damp with the morning mist, reflecting the runic glow of the Mage towers.
Ryo wove his way through the students heading to the academic buildings.
'Lord Velin's instructions replayed in his mind.'
'It sounded simple enough.'
'The academy always had its share of the disillusioned.'
His first target was an assistant instructor in the alchemy department, Marco.
Rumor had it that Marco possessed unique insights into elemental transmutation, but after offending his mentor—a member of the academy council—he had been relegated to guarding the low-grade materials warehouse.
Ryo waited a long time at the warehouse entrance before he finally saw Marco emerge, carrying a ring of keys.
"Master Marco." Ryo stepped forward with a slight bow.
Marco stopped and sized Ryo up. "Who are you? I don't remember seeing you in my class."
