Casual Heroing, Chapter 240

WHAT IS AEMILIANUS HIDING?! 🧙🏻‍♂️🧙🏻‍♂️🧙🏻‍♂️

Next chapter comes out on February 19th!

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Chapter 240 - Dark Secrets and Misunderstandings

"With my hand? Wait, we’re going to check this just by using my hand?" Joey's voice broke the silence, his eyebrow arching in question as he eyed the small, ornate knife Lisith had produced resting close to his palm. The blade gleamed ominously under the lantern light.

Lisith, the Vanedeni woman, nodded solemnly, her red eyes locking onto Joey's with an intensity that seemed to pierce right through him. "I need a drop of your blood," she explained, her voice steady and calm. "A simple cut on a finger is enough. Just smelling a health potion will close the wound right away."

"And this is to check for a [Hero]’s lineage…?" Joey's voice trailed off, his gaze shifting from the knife to Lisith's face, searching for answers in her stoic expression.

"I cannot reveal more unless the ritual is successful," Lisith replied, her gaze never wavering. It was clear from her tone that the stakes were higher than Joey had initially thought.

Joey hesitated, his mind a whirlwind of uncertainties. He had no idea where Magister Mulligan was, and the thought that his disappearance could be tied to some Vanedeni ritual was unsettling. Yet, standing there, under Lisith’s gaze, Joey felt a resolve solidify within him. This might very well be his best shot at uncovering the truth.

"Ok," Joey said finally, exhaling a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. He felt his heart thumping in his chest as he braced himself for the sharp sting of the blade.

Lisith's movements were precise and careful as she made a small cut on Joey's thumb. The blade's touch was cold, and the cut, though shallow, sent a sharp jolt of pain through his thumb. Lisith then cut her own thumb with the same careful precision in her movement and pressed their thumbs together.

For a few heartbeats, Joey stood still, his gaze locked on their joined thumbs, waiting for... something. Anything. But as seconds ticked by, the expected reaction failed to materialize. The tension in the air seemed to thicken, heavy with anticipation and unanswered questions.

"Is that it?" Joey couldn't help but ask, his voice laced with a mix of disappointment and confusion. The ritual, if it could even be called that, seemed anticlimactic, devoid of the dramatic revelations he had half-expected.

"Our blood is not reacting," Lisith finally said, her voice carrying a note of finality. She released Joey's thumb, stepping back as if to put physical distance between the outcome and herself.

"What does that mean, then?" Joey asked, his gaze shifting from their now-separate thumbs to Lisith's face, seeking clarity in the wake of the ritual's apparent failure.

"That your master didn’t perform the ritual," Lisith replied, her expression unreadable. "But that’s as much as I can tell you, Joey Luciani," Lisith added, her words marking the end of their inquiry into the depths of the Vanedeni traditions and leaving Joey with more questions than answers.

…

Lucinda approached Augustus with a cautious step, her heart pounding slightly at the prospect of confronting him. The evening air was fragrant with the scent of the Valeria estate's blooming flowers and the Flora Sanguinis. But not even the beautiful sights and smells could calm her nerves. Augustus stood by the entrance, his figure silhouetted against the lantern light, a cup of wine in his hand. His eyes, when they met hers, were filled with anger.

"Hey," Lucinda greeted, trying to infuse her voice with a warmth she wasn't entirely sure she felt.

"What do you want?" Augustus's reply was sharp, his voice carrying a shrill edge that made Lucinda wince.

"I just wanted to say I’m sorry that you had to come all this way just for me to say no again, Augustus. I care about our friendship," she said, her words sincere despite the awkwardness of the situation.

"You embarrassed me in front of [Archmage] Titus. He might even demote me among his disciples!" Augustus's frustration was palpable, his grip on the cup tightening as he spoke.

"I’m sorry," Lucinda repeated, her expression softening. She understood his disappointment, but her resolve held strong. "However, my choice is final. I don’t want to come to the Nine Towers Academy and leave my family behind. And, as you’ve seen, Joey attracts plenty of [Archmages]. I’ll be fine, Augustus."

"But why?!" The desperation in Augustus's voice was unmistakable. "You know you could train at the Nine Towers and become an [Archmage] yourself one day, Lucinda! I know your talent!"

“Didn’t you hear what I just said?” Lucinda frowned.

But even then, a flicker of temptation passed through Lucinda's mind. The possibility of realizing that dream – albeit not her current one – was tantalizing. It had once seemed impossible, and now, they were fighting to have her. It would be a lie to say that she did not consider it in the slightest. For a moment, she allowed herself to imagine what life at the Nine Towers Academy would be like, feeling the allure of the path not taken.

But then, she shook away her fears, her resolve steeling within her. "I don’t need the Nine Towers Academy to become an [Archmage]. Here… I’ve learned more magic here, Augustus, than from all the notes and explanations of the spells you gave me. Even with those, I couldn’t have mastered [Fire Whip] without spending many more months on it. Instead, I learned much more through… well, as you know, I can’t tell you all of it. But Joey’s the reason I mastered the spell, Augustus."

Lucinda's voice grew stronger as she spoke, the confidence in her decision coming through her tone. "And I’m sorry if that hurts to hear, but this is the best choice for me. I’ll repay my debt to you, but what I owe is not nearly enough to justify me coming to the academy just to make you and [Archmage] Titus happy."

Her words hung between them, a final statement that left no room for further argument. Lucinda met Augustus's gaze squarely.

“However...” she began.

...

Joey made his way back to the group, weaving through the throngs of guests who mingled in the Gens Valeria’s garden, their laughter and conversations a soft murmur under the night sky. The garden, bathed in the gentle glow of lanterns, was alive with the vibrant energy of the Day of Blooming celebration. Yet, Joey's mind was elsewhere, consumed by the sight of Lucinda speaking to Augustus.

Approaching Clodia, Joey's gaze lingered on Lucinda and Augustus, and a frown creased his brow. "Where's Lucinda?" he asked, although he already knew the answer. Clodia pointed in the direction he had been looking.

"Why's she talking to Augustus?" Joey pressed, his voice laced with concern. Clodia, unaware of the tension between Joey, Lucinda, and Augustus, simply shrugged. "I'm not sure. She mentioned she needed to speak with him about something."

Joey's mind raced with what she could be discussing with the man. He was pretty sure about Lucinda’s resolve and her not being interested in the Nine Towers anymore, but... was that it? Had she lied?

This talk with Augustus cast a shadow of doubt over Lucinda's intentions. A part of him couldn't shake off the suspicion that Lucinda might be reconsidering her decision to stay in Amorium instead of pursuing her studies at the Nine Towers Academy. Despite his efforts to remain detached, Joey couldn't help but worry about the influence Augustus might have on her decision.

But before Joey could probe any further, Lucinda returned, her expression unreadable. "What did Augustus say?" Joey asked, striving to sound casual yet failing to mask the undercurrent of suspicion in his voice.

"We had some unfinished business, and I just took care of it," Lucinda replied, her words vague and evasive. Joey's suspicions deepened. He struggled to give Lucinda the benefit of the doubt, knowing her ambition and dedication to her craft all too well.

The conversation was abruptly interrupted by Clodia. "Joey, my mother will be here tonight," she said, her tone neutral.

"Good for her," Joey responded, his words tinged with sarcasm. "She probably needs a little bit of entertainment after failing to scam someone for the first time in her life." His disdain for Marcella's attempt to undermine their business was palpable.

As the group resumed their mingling, Joey scanned the venue, his attention momentarily diverted from Lucinda and the unresolved questions that hung between them. It was then that he noticed the absence of a familiar face.

"Where's Aemilianus? Wasn't he here just a minute ago?" Joey asked, his gaze sweeping over the assembled guests. The sudden disappearance of Aemilianus, who had been an integral part of their group just moments before, added another layer of mystery to the evening's unfolding events.

…

In an ornately decorated room within the estate of the Gens Valeria, Aemilianus stood on his feet tensely. Across from him, seated leisurely with a cup of tea in hand, was [Prince] Brutus, his demeanor calm and measured. The lanterns reflected off the two men, flickering slightly before any of the two broke the silence.

"[Prince] Brutus," Aemilianus began, his voice steady. "I came here to seek allies, perhaps even friends, among those who understand the complexities of our world. Not adversaries who resort to blackmail and threats."

Brutus raised an eyebrow, taking a slow sip of his tea before responding. "Oh my, a friendship with a Human? Especially one who's just arrived in Amorium?" His tone was mocking, the insinuation clear. "Considering the... let's say, unconventional fields you've been dabbling in, Aemilianus, one might think you prefer your business dealings to be of a certain... murky nature."

Aemilianus's jaw tightened, a flash of anger in his eyes. "My interests are my own, Brutus. I am a student of magic. That is all. And let's not pretend we don’t know what this is.” Aemilianus wagered a finger back and forth. “We had a deal. My end is taken care of. But you want to involve my family? Threatening to burn down our estate?" His voice grew colder.

Brutus merely smiled, a predatory grin that spoke of confidence in his position. "Some secrets are too volatile to be allowed into the open, my dear [Archmage]. And as for your Human friend, Joey Luciani, his moral compass seems to be quite... rigid. How do you think he'd react if he knew the full extent of your recent activities?"

Aemilianus's stance hardened, his gaze locked into Brutus. "You underestimate both him and me if you think intimidation and threats will sway either of us. He's more capable than you know, and my loyalty to those I consider friends is not so easily compromised."

"Ah, but there lies the rub with this so-called new friend," Brutus continued, unphased. "Imagine the fallout if the Royal Guard were to 'discover' evidence of your misdeeds planted within your father's castle. A bastard threatening the Royal Family based on outlandish rumors, and who’s also siding with a Human? How quickly do you think the noose would tighten around your neck and perhaps even around the necks of your beloved family?"

The mention of his family struck a chord within Aemilianus, a raw nerve that Brutus had expertly targeted. Despite his strained relationship with them, the bond of blood was not so easily severed. The thought of them in danger because of him ignited a fierce protectiveness.

"Listen closely, Brutus," Aemilianus stepped closer, his voice a low growl. "I may not cherish the politics and machinations of our kind, but make no mistake—my capabilities should not be underestimated. Harm a single hair on my family's head, and I'll make sure the retribution will be merciless. All those incapable fakes, even those who called themselves [Archmages], died because of their own incompetence. There’s a reason why I’m the only survivor. And if you think you can kill me just like that, you better order your henchmen to do it now. Otherwise, touch my family and your loved ones will not be spared from my wrath."

Brutus watched him, his smile never wavering. "Threats, Aemilianus? Is that all you have?"

Aemilianus's eyes narrowed, the intensity of his stare unwavering. "It's not a threat; it's a promise. I've walked through shadows you can't even fathom, Brutus. And as for Joey Luciani, keep your schemes away from him. He's off-limits."

The air between them crackled.

“Your father would be so disappointed, my dear. He’s not fond of Humans, unlike you.”

"Open your filthy mouth about my family again, Brutus," Aemilianus's voice was icy, "and I'll target all the people you love. All of them."

With those final words, Aemilianus turned and strode out of the room, hopefully reminding Brutus to consider the consequences of underestimating the [Archmage] of Shadows.