Stormlight Headquarters, Gido, Targarth

  Haider paced circles around his office, muttering under his breath. A bashful grin tugged at his lips, growing wider with every passing second.

  Who would’ve imagined a Grand Dungeon descending on Targarth, of all places? I’m going to be filthy rich.

  He cackled, collapsing onto the sofa with gleeful abandon.

  To hell with returning to Dratol. If I play my cards right, I’ll earn several times more than what I’ve made there.

  His expression soured as he hissed through his teeth. If only I’d listened to Johnathan and bought more land back then…

  Haider pushed himself to his feet and strode toward the window.

  The streets below were chaos. Throngs of people flooded every walkway, shoulder-to-shoulder in all directions.

  “Everyone and their mother crossed the borders in the last twenty-four hours,” he muttered as he spotted guild members marching in formation. “There’s no telling how much this country will change in the coming months.”

  He drifted back to his desk and perched on its edge, reaching for his teapot. “Thanks be to Tess that Varidan rejected my transfer request,” he laughed. “Who knows how much those lands will sell for now? Maybe Emilia will finally go out with me.”

  His laugh grew louder as he poured himself a cup of tea.

  A knock interrupted him.

  His smile faltered. He stood.

  Who could that be?

  “Mr. Haider, are you in?” a pleasant voice called from behind the door.

  Haider’s heart skipped. Emilia. Why is she here?

  He rushed to the door, smoothing his clothes and wetting his lips before opening it with what he hoped was a charming smile. “Emilia, so good to see— you?”

  He froze.

  It wasn’t Emilia, but an unfamiliar youth with mud-brown hair smiling politely at him.

  “Who are you, and what are you doing here?” Haider demanded.

  “I’m a Varidan student.”

  Haider groaned and rolled his eyes. “Why are you only showing up now? An instructor will be here shortly to take you and your group back to Dratol. Ask someone downstairs for directions, some of your peers should already be gathered in the hall.”

  He waved the student off and slammed the door.

  I could’ve sworn I heard Emilia’s voice… Did I imagine it?

  He shook off the thought and headed back to his desk. He had barely taken ten steps when another knock sounded behind him.

  Who now? Don’t tell me it’s another brat.

  Hissing under his breath, he stomped back to the door.

  Should I put up a sign or something? he grumbled as he pulled it open.

  “Huh? You again?” He glared at the same student. “Wasn’t I clear enough?”

  “I never said I came because of the instructor.”

  “Then what do you want?” Haider folded his arms. “Speak quickly. I’m very busy this morning.”

  “I’m here for you to verify the success of my mission.”

  “You should have said that from the start,” Haider muttered, stepping aside. “Come in.”

  The young man entered with a smile. Haider watched him suspiciously while closing the door. I don’t recall ever meeting this kid. Is this our first time?

  “Sit anywhere you like—hey! Don’t touch my cake or tea!”

  Too late. The first thing the student did was drink the tea and take a bite of the cake.

  “I’m sorry,” the youth said. “I assumed they were for me.”

  “Why would they be for you?” Haider snapped, fighting for calm. “What are you waiting for? Bring out your amulet and the mission objective. How else am I supposed to assess you?”

  The young man chuckled. “Pardon me. I got carried away.”

  Haider rolled his eyes, then blinked as an Enchanted Amulet and an ordinary-looking bag appeared out of thin air in the student’s palms.

  Spatial containment? he wondered.

  The youth placed the items gently on the table. “Please, go ahead.”

  Haider approached them briskly. He picked up the amulet, pressing his thumb against it. A holographic display flickered to life.

  [Student Profile]

  [Student 009]

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Year: One

  Level: E

  Current Location: Targarth

  {Mission}

  – Eliminate a Baccarra Queen

  – Retrieve its heart

  Haider froze. His gaze snapped to the relaxed young man.

  It’s him… but how?

  Everyone had heard what happened in Valar—the disappearance of the Valar Pits was hot news. According to the report, only one Varidan party survived. There was never mention of a second group.

  He studied the youth’s face.

  Is it really the same person?

  “Ahem,” the young man coughed lightly. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes? Huh? No. I mean—keep quiet and let me do my job.” Haider snapped and plunged his hand into the bag.

  He rummaged for a moment before pulling out a purple, crystalline heart.

  The heart of a Baccarra Queen…

  His eyes flicked up to the student. How did he escape that disaster? And more importantly, what does he know?

  Haider straightened and set the heart on the table. “You’ve done excellent work. You have certainly passed this mission.”

  “Thank you. I won’t trouble you further.” The student stood.

  “Wait!” Haider thrust out an arm, blocking him. “Why the rush? Relax. Have more tea. You can have the rest of the cake.”

  “I’m sorry,” the youth said, “but I have somewhere to be. Maybe another—”

  “Enough.” Haider cut him off. “How did you leave the Valar Pits? Tell me what happened there.”

  He let out a pulse of oppressive aura, locking eyes with the young man.

  No E-rank could withstand the pressure of a C-rank. Support class or not, Haider was confident he could crush a student.

  The young man chuckled, shaking his head as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

  Haider’s eyes thinned. “Do you think this is a joke?”

  “Of course. Isn’t it?” the youth shot back, sharp and clean.

  “Brat, do you know who I am?” Haider snarled. “I could ruin your life with a single word. Don’t fucking lie to—”

  “How do representatives verify a mission’s authenticity?” the student asked abruptly.

  “What?” Haider blinked at him, thrown off.

  “I asked how you know when a mission’s been faked or genuinely completed.”

  “Are you crazy?” Haider snapped, “why would I tell you that?”

  The young man spread his hands, smiling like a cat who’d tasted cream. “Oh? I thought we were trading jokes.”

  Haider’s breathing grew ragged, fists tightening. He opened his mouth to reestablish authority, but the student cut him off again.

  “Who gave you the right to interrogate me?”

  Haider glared. Words refused to form.

  “Well then,” the student said lightly, “have a great day.” He stepped past Haider, only for Haider to block him with an outstretched arm.

  “I may not have the right to interrogate you, but you still ought to— Where the hell are you going? Will you just listen—”

  But the young man had already snatched his amulet and slipped out of the office.

  “That fucking bastard.” Haider bit down on his lip, glaring at the closed door.

  Let’s see how smug you are when the instructor arrives.

  A little past midday, another knock thudded against his door, what felt like the hundredth.

  “How many of these brats came to Gido?” he muttered, dragging himself over. “Can’t they bother the other branches?”

  This one knocked even harder.

  “I’m coming! Stop knocking, damn it.” He yanked the door open.

  Nothing. Only empty hallways, stretching silent in both directions. Not a footstep. Not a whisper.

  Are those Stormlight punks pranking me again?

  He slammed the door, fuming.

  “You get irritated quite easily.”

  Haider froze. The voice came from behind him—inside his office.

  He spun, aura flaring. Two women sat there casually, as if they’d always belonged. One lounged in his leather armchair; the other sat comfortably on the sofa.

  How the hell did they get in?

  Before he could speak, the first woman addressed him.

  “I’m Arianna Von Fitzgerald,” she said calmly. She gestured to the other. “This is Arlette. We’re from Varidan Academy. I assume you are the Stormlight representative stationed in Gido?”

  Haider forced his tense shoulders to relax. “Yes, ma’am. Haider, at your service. Welcome to Gido. It must’ve been a hectic journey. Allow me to prepare some refreshments—”

  “We appreciate the sentiment,” Arlette said, voice clipped. “But we’re pressed for time. Take us to the students.”

  “Of course,” Haider said quickly. “Valar has turned the nation upside down. They’re gathered in the hall downstairs. I’ll lead the way.”

  The two instructors rose. Haider escorted them through the bustling headquarters. Heads turned as they passed; most couldn’t hide their curiosity, confusion, and maybe a hint of awe.

  Halfway down a flight of stairs, Haider cleared his throat. “Pardon me, instructors. I have a report to make.”

  “If it isn’t crucial, send it to headquarters.” Arlette didn’t slow. “That isn’t why we’re here.”

  “Instructors… I think you’ll want to hear this.”

  Both women paused, exchanging a glance.

  “Alright,” Arianna said. “Speak.”

  “Thank you. I’ll keep it short. A few days ago, an E-rank student came to verify a completed mission. Immediately after, he chose another—one of the hardest rank-E missions in Targarth.”

  Arlette shot him a glare sharp enough to cut granite. “You said short.”

  Haider flinched back. “Right. The point is, he chose a mission in the Valar Pits. And he completed it. Only ten people survived the Valar incident, and he wasn’t listed among them. But he showed up in my office with the mission item. And his appearance had changed drastically since our last encounter.”

  Both instructors’ expressions hardened. They shared another look, this one more troubled.

  “What about his party?” Arianna asked.

  “He’s solo rank,” Haider replied.

  A deeper silence settled around them.

  “Where is he now?” Arlette asked.

  “We’re here,” Haider said as they reached the sealed hall. “He should be inside with the others.”

  “Then open it,” Arlette ordered.

  Haider obeyed, pushing open the carved wooden doors.

  “Point him out,” Arianna whispered.

  Haider scanned the room. His eyes swept rows of Varidan students, but the smug face he sought was nowhere.

  Where the hell is that bastard? Did he leave already?

  “What’s the problem?” Arianna asked quietly. “Where is he?”

  “I-I can’t find him,” Haider admitted. “He’s not here.”

  Both instructors sighed, already dismissing him.

  Arlette stepped forward and addressed the waiting students. “By orders of Varidan Towers, you will all be escorted back to the Academy. Save your questions until we return.”

  She clapped twice. A colorless portal expanded from nothing, humming with silent authority.

  “Proceed,” she instructed.

  One by one, the students filed through. In less than a minute, only Arlette, Arianna, and Haider remained.

  “Instructors, I wasn’t lying,” Haider insisted. “I truly—”

  “That isn’t my concern,” Arlette cut in sharply. “I’ll report it to Varidan Towers. Defend yourself there.”

  She turned away, her attention shifting to a cluster of posters at the far end of the hall.

  “I swear I wasn’t lying,” Haider blurted, voice tight with desperation. “This doesn’t need to reach Varidan Towers. You can confirm everything through the mission reports. Yes—the reports!”

  His eyes brightened as the thought hit him. “The student’s number is 009. Cross-check where his amulet was—”

  “Student 009?” Arlette cut in, her tone sharpening. “Are you absolutely certain?”

  Haider nodded vigorously. “Yes! Positive.”

  “Wasn’t he assassinated?” she muttered under her breath.

  “What?” Haider choked out. “No—no, I definitely saw him. He’s alive. Walking around as if nothing happened.”

  Arlette didn’t answer him. She only turned toward Arianna.

  “You’ve been staring at those posters for a while. What exactly are you looking at?”

  “Hm? Nothing,” Arianna said with an easy smile. “Let’s not keep Dean Hensley waiting.”

  Before Haider could say another word, twin portals unfurled beneath the instructors’ feet. In an instant, they vanished.

  Haider stared at the empty space where they had stood, then collapsed to his knees. “I’m fucked…” his voice cracked. “If I’d known this would reach Varidan Towers, I never would’ve opened my damn mouth.”

  Tears welled and slipped down his cheeks. He didn’t bother wiping them away.

  I have to run. If they dig even a little… they’ll find everything. My other dealings… everything.