Chapter 31: Veil of Deception

  "What is it that you want?" Kintovar questioned. She remained cool and composed.

  One of the two hooded mages spoke up. "We want to make a deal, Dr. Kintovar. We have information and resources that could be of great benefit to you in your mission. In exchange, we wanna be your allies in dismantling the Magic Academy's power structure."

  "What kind of information and resources do you possess? And why would you choose to offer them to me?"

  The first hooded mage, the one who had initially spoken stepped forward, though her hand gestures revealed a hint of nervousness. "We've…been monitoring the activities of the Magic Academy for some time and well, as for why we're offering our assistance, uh…let's just say we have our reasons."

  The second hooded mage bumped their arm against the first, their movements sharp and deliberate. "Stop looking so damn nervous, damn it," she hissed, her voice gruff yet restrained, a blade dulled for diplomacy. "You’re supposed to be the speaker here."

  The first mage swallowed hard and tried to straighten up. A faint smirk crept onto Kintovar’s face. She reached into her coat pocket slowly to pull out a small firearm. She began to twirl it around her finger.

  The mages flinched. Kintovar tilted her head. "This all sounds rather fishy," she said cooly but with sharp undertones. "Tell me, what makes you believe I’d trust a pair of hooded strangers who sneak around the forest following me around and then spewing half-baked reassurances?"

  The first mage squared their shoulders. "Look, we get it," they said in a rush. "We’re mages with the Academy, yes. But we don’t agree with their methods. Not with their decision to… to kill off those with no magic, or to hunt you down like this."

  Kintovar raised an eyebrow. The first mage glanced nervously at their companion, who gave them a curt nod.

  "We’re not here to trap you or trick you," the first mage continued. "We have proof—evidence—that we’ve opposed their actions. We risked our lives to get it so, if you just give a chance…" They hesitated and spoke slightly lower. "We need your help just as much as you might need ours."

  Kintovar narrowed her eyes. "You’re saying you’re traitors to the Academy, then?"

  "Traitors," the second mage growled and finally stepped forward, "or maybe just the only ones with a damn conscience left. Take your pick."

  A beat of silence stretched between them. Kintovar smirked, but it was cold. "And what’s stopping me from shooting you right now and handing you back to the Academy as trophies?"

  The first mage tensed again, but the second barked a low laugh. "You’re curious. You’re wondering what we know. After all, you did read our letter, didn’t you?"

  Kintovar’s eyes glittered with interest now, though her face remained inscrutable. "You’ve got ten seconds to make me care, or you’ll find out how expendable I think you are."

  The hooded mages nodded in agreement, and the first one reached into her cloak, producing a small device. She handed it to Kintovar, who examined it carefully.

  "What you hold is a list of high-ranking members within the Magic Academy," the first hooded mage explained. "It includes their names, positions, and secret dealings. This information could prove invaluable in your efforts to dismantle the academy's power structure."

  Kintovar continued to study the device. The second hooded mage added, "We've also know where several Mana Extractors are. “

  The first hooded mage spoke once more "Dr. Kintovar, we seek to free the world from the tyranny of the Magic Academy. We believe that your leadership and expertise can make that possible. Will you join us in our fight?"

  Dr. Kintovar listened to the hooded mages' proposal with a hint of intrigue; however, her face became terrifyingly neutral to the hooded mages. "Assuming I accept your assistance and succeed in my mission to steal the Mana, what are your plans for the future? What will you do when I leave this island and make my way to the city with the stolen energy? This island will lose all of it's power, and without any power, you won't be able to survive."

  "We've considered the consequences of our actions," the first hooded mage replied. "Once the Mana is stolen, we plan to leave this island as well. Our network extends beyond this place, and we have allies who share our goal of dismantling the Magic Academy's power structure."

  Then the second one stepped forward. "Dr. Kintovar, please take us with you to the city," she said with conviction. "We may not have the same goals and all that, but ya see, our common enemy is the Magic Academy, So…."

  The first hooded mage added,"We know the risks and are willing to face those alongside you. "

  Dr. Kintovar listened to their proposal and their commitment to the cause carefully and stared at them. The forest was eerily quiet, save for the rustling of leaves which made the cloaked figures appear uncertain as they waited for her response.

  "You girls have come a long way, I’ll give you that," Kintovar said finally. She tossed the device in the air lightly and caught it again. "But unfortunately for you, most of this is information I already have."

  The first hooded mage took an involuntary step back with her hands fidgeting nervously.

  "I know where the Mana Extractors are," Kintovar continued. "In fact, I’m headed to one right now." She held up the device. "The only thing of value you’ve given me here is this list of Elite Mages. That’s new."

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  The first mage let out a startled squeak, while the second hissed a curse. Kintovar slowly aimed her small gun at the two mages with a smirk. “That doesn’t mean I’m not a fan of your dedication. This little meeting is proof enough of your betrayal. But let me be perfectly clear—" She leaned forward slightly and dropped her tone to a dangerous whisper. "It’s not enough."

  The first mage’s breathing became shallow and the second clenched her fists.

  Kintovar tilted her head. "If you’ve truly turned your backs on the Academy, then you’ll admit this: technology deserves a place in this world. It’s not the evil they claim it to be. It’s not inferior to magic."

  The second mage flinched. The first mage’s mouth opened, but no sound came out.

  Kintovar cocked the gun with the metallic click loud within the forest. "You have three seconds to convince me."

  The second mage stepped forward abruptly and met Kintovar’s icy gaze with a made up face barely visible under her cloak. "You think we’re afraid to say it? Fine! Technology deserves a place in this world. The Academy’s fear of it is their weakness. It’s what’s kept them blind to their own corruption."

  Kintovar raised an eyebrow. Her gaze shifted to the first mage, who swallowed hard before nodding rapidly.

  "Technology isn’t inferior," the first mage stammered. “The Academy’s wrong to fear it and kill scientists."

  The silence that followed was only broken by the distant chirping of crickets.

  Finally, Kintovar lowered her gun and spoke just a smidge softer. "Not bad. You’ve passed the first test. Barely." She slipped the gun back into her coat, folded her arms and tilted her head slightly. ‘No hesitation, ‘she thought. ‘A little fear, sure. But fear alone doesn't equal deceit. These two might actually mean what they’re saying.’

  Kintovar’s lips curved into a sly smile. The, she said, "You claim you’re willing to fight for my cause… but tell me, are you willing to die for it?"

  The hooded mages eyes widened beneath their cloaks. "W-What?!" the first mage sputtered.

  "You heard me," Kintovar said calm, almost too calm. Without warning, her hand darted into her coat and she produced a smaller, sleeker gun."But actions speak louder than words."

  Without warning, Kintovar pulled the trigger twice....

  BANG ! BANG!

  The impact was sharp enough to knock them backward. They collapsed onto the forest floor. They braced for the pain of death… but none came.

  Instead, a faint thunk-thunk echoed as two rubber bullets bounced harmlessly off their cloaks. The two then struggled up slowly to their knees.

  Kintovar stood over them with an amused grin. She twirled the weapon lazily in her hand. "Congratulations, You passed."

  The second mage glared up at Kintovar with her face pale. "You… you could’ve killed us!" she spat while clutching at her chest.

  "That’s the point," Kintovar replied with a shrug, tucking the gun back into her coat. "If you’re not willing to stare death in the face for this cause, then you’re not ready to fight alongside me. Simple as that."

  Kintovar crouched down, leaning close enough that her piercing gaze was all they could see. "I needed to know if you were serious, and now I do." She rose back to her feet. "Looks like you’re willing to die for my cause after all. Impressive… though I’d recommend keeping that fear in check next time. It could get you killed for real."

  Dr. Kintovar placed her hands on her hips with a faint smile lingering while she eyed down at the hooded figures. Her gaze sharpened toward the first mage. "Sybil," she said.

  The first mage froze. Though her face was hidden beneath her hood, the way her shoulders stiffened gave her surprise away.

  "And you," Kintovar continued, shifting her piercing gaze to the second mage. "Becky."

  Becky jerked her head up with her mouth agape. "W-What? How the hell—?" she stammered. "We never told you our names!"

  Kintovar chuckled and took a step closer. "Of course you didn’t. But names are such… useful things, don’t you think? I’ve been studying the two of you for a while now."

  Sybil exchanged a wary glance with Becky. “Studying us? What do you mean?"

  Kintovar’s smirk widened. She began to circle them slowly. "Your movements, your patterns, the way you speak. Every word you’ve said, every little nuance in your voices. You’ve tried to mask yourselves behind cloaks and formality, but…" She stopped and pointed a finger directly at Becky. "At least one of you isn’t very good at it."

  Becky scowled and crossed her arms. "Yeah? What’s that supposed to mean?"

  Kintovar smirked. “You’re always the one propping Sybil up when she falls. Always trying to push her to stop hesitating. Subtly, of course. A nudge here, a word there, a glare when you think she’s stalling too long. "

  Kintovar continued with her eyes raising up to the sky momentarily. "I’ve been preparing for this moment since the day I was imprisoned by the Magic Academy. I knew that there were people in their ranks who didn’t agree with their so-called righteous rule. People like you. And believe me, while I suffered in that hellhole, I made it my business to know them—every potential ally and possible traitor."

  Becky stared up at her wide-eyed. "Wait, does that mean…"

  Kintovar nodded and spoke with satisfaction. "It means I’ve been waiting for this very meeting. Here you are, standing before me, my new allies!" She raised her hands eccentrically.. "You’ve confirmed my suspicions! You might actually be useful."

  Sybil’s spoke shakily. "You… you really prepared for all of this?"

  Kintovar’s faint smile returned, though this time it was sharper. She moved her hands behind her back. "Of course I did. I can’t expect chance to work in my favor. If you want something done right, you must have it planned yourself. Now, get up."

  The two mages scrambled to their feet. Kintovar adjusted her sunglasses and began walking deeper into the forest.

  "Let’s go," she called over her shoulder. "If you’re truly ready to fight for this cause, it’s time to prove it. There’s much more work to be done."

  Becky and Sybil hesitated for a moment before following her.

  Meanwhile, Roselle, Risebelle, and Runebelle moved swiftly through the Mystic Forest and approached the next target—a Mana Extractor in another forest clearing which came sight of into view.

  Roselle noticed the absence of mages guarding the Mana Extractor. She turned to her sisters with a hopeful smile. "It looks like we might have an easier time with this one," she said. "I can take it out from here with my cannon!"

  However, before she could make a move, Risebelle placed a hand on Roselle's. "Wait, Roselle. Don’t be too hasty. This could be a trap.”

  Risebelle, Roselle and Runebelle exchanged glances among themselves. Finally, Risebelle spoke up. "I think we should approach the Mana Extractor, but keep an eye out for any hidden guards. We can't afford to take any chances."

  With their plan decided, the inched towards to the Mana Extractor and used the surrounding bushes to make a stealthy approach.

  There was no signs of any guards, no energy felt around the surrounds nor any signs of a trap. The sisters had managed to get close to the Mana Extractor without any immediate reaction.

  Despite the apparent lack of danger, Risebelle whispered to her sisters, “It’s strange that there are no guards here. Roselle, turn around and be ready with your cannon in case something unexpected happens. Runebelle, keep an eye on our surroundings."

  Roselle turned around to watch for signs of anyone while Risebelle aimed her cannon at the Mana Extractor. With a fierce look in her eyes, she pulled the trigger and expected a powerful blast that would destroy the device.

  However, to her surprise, there was no explosion. Instead, a faint shimmer surrounded the Mana Extractor and the shot passed right through it.

  Risebelle stepped back. "It's a fake!" she exclaimed.

  Suddenly, a barrage of light energy attack caught Risebelle by surprise. They struck her in the back with so much force that it sent her tumbling to the forest floor. She let out a pained cry while being sent flying back far into the forest.

  Roselle and Runebelle turned in alarm. Their eyes grew wide and both shouted, “RISEBELLE!”

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