Gabriel's success was his own success since he had already made a deal with him in exchange for the Ring of Apophis. As soon as Gabriel returned, he had to give the Eye of Osiris to him.
Not only did Gabriel have the eye of Osiris now, but he also had more Numens since he had robbed the entire academy. Lambard had already decided to make more deals with Gabriel in exchange for those precious items. He was prepared to give as much money as Gabriel could ask or even deal in other ways.
"Maria, today is a happy day." Lambard spread his arms, feeling the wing. " It deserves a feast. It deserves a celebration! Start preparing for welcoming Gabriel and Lira. Those two are our dear friends now. We need to show them our sincerity."
"I will handle everything." Maria agreed before she left.
"Gabriel... The heir of Karyk. You really achieved something I didn't expect you to achieve. Your future prospects... They are really impossible to see at this point. I wonder what the future holds for you, but whatever the future may be, it'll certainly be quite interesting... I am eager to see what it will be... How far can you reach before you fly too close to the sun?"
****
Gabriel stood near the glass door, looking at all the commotion at the academy. It was as he expected. Even though the fire had died down, the academy was still in uproar, all the Dorms were sealed, and all the students who were roaming outside were being instructed to go back to their rooms right away.
Other than the teachers and the guards, no one was allowed to be out in the open.
Eliana was going back to the castle to send a message to the Dean of the Academy about what had happened. The other teachers stayed behind, keeping Elora and the Head Priestesses company, or rather to keep an eye on them.
Elora walked on the soft grass, lost in deep thought.
She had managed to achieve success in the auction at City of Abaddon, spending way beyond what she should've spent, but she didn't care even if the Church of Water bled money. She had managed to outbid all the other representatives from various Churches.
It was very important for her to buy the Map of the Lost City from Lambard. She succeeded as well. Now there was only one thing she needed... That's why she came here directly from the City of Abadon. Unfortunately, before she could get to the artifact she needed, everything was stolen...
In the last one week, she had lost so much. She lost a Head Priestess, which was embarrassing, especially when Ruyi left the Church while accompanying her. In other words, Ruyi was killed by a Dark Mage from right under her nose, and she couldn't do anything. And how a dark Mage had robbed the Academy of Elements as well.
She was certain that it was related to the Church of Darkness, which was really bad news for everyone. If the Church of Darkness returned, they were certainly going to gain more strength and influence with each passing second. They were also going to be hungry for revenge.
Also, it was slightly harder than last time as well. Last time, they all knew where they were going to find the Dark Mages. They knew where the Church of Darkness was established and where the Ruler of Darkness was going to be.
All the Holy Priests had ambushed the Ruler of Darkness together, finally managing to kill him and all his supporters, but now...? Now they didn't even know where they were going to find the enemies.
Last time, the Dark Mages were in the open, but now the Dark Mages were hiding in the shadows, attacking their enemies when they wished and how they wished. Fighting an enemy like that was always hard, especially now.
Last time, all the Churches had ambushed the Ruler of Darkness together, but now the new Ruler of Darkness was ambushing them while becoming stronger.
Lost in her thoughts, Elora kept walking, not realizing how far she had walked. Ultimately, she ended up near the Dorms of the House of Light.
****
Gabriel stood near the glass door, looking out. Through the glass, he noticed Elora walking, being accompanied by Head Priestesses.
"I was right... It's her." Seeing Elora with his own eyes, he confirmed his suspicions.
Unfortunately for him, Elora also sensed something. She felt as if someone was looking at her. And it wasn't a gaze she recognized. She raised her head, glancing toward the window.
There was nothing she could see, even as she looked up.
Gabriel had moved aside at the right time. He stood with his back against the wall, still holding the cursed letter.
Elora lowered her head before she continued walking, losing herself in her thoughts again.
There was only one person who could see through his illusion in the academy at the moment, and it was Elora.
Gabriel walked to the bed and stopped looking outside. Not as if he could change the outcome of what was happening. He had finished what he was here for. Now all he needed was to leave.
He lay on the bed, finally realizing the letter was in his hand. However, he didn't send the letter back to his ring. He just gazed at the folded letter, quite curious about what was written in it.
There was a possibility that he could read it since he had the support of a Grimoire, which could counter the effect of a Numen on his soul, but he wasn't sure if the effects were definitely on the soul. He didn't know if the Grimoire could protect him if the letter's curse affected his body.
It was certainly a risk for him... A risk that he seriously thought about. He could see what was in the letter by just unfolding it. He even felt as if the letter was calling on him to open it... attracting him and his mind…
