Chapter 679 (2/2)

His finger tapped the wooden frame of the window. Were there perhaps more benefits to being in the Hall of Stances than Randidly assumed? There certainly was an air about the place… the vibrancy and strength of the images that lay below Randidly were palpable. He had no doubt that he could gain a lot from staying here.

However, that could wait until the week was over, and only the final 20 remained. Then there would be more chances to peruse the images.

Long before there was a knock on the door on his door, Randidly heard the footsteps approaching. They were light and soft, but the time between each step was very precise. Shaking his head, Randidly prepared to see Azriel.

After knocking once, she opened the door. To his surprise, her face was serious as she considered him.

“What is it?” Randidly asked.

“Your first match… is against Helen.” Azriel said quietly. She seemed to be watching him very carefully for his reaction.

Inwardly, Randidly was somewhat annoyed. That would make things complicated between himself and Helen, especially if-

Then Randidly blinked. With a laugh, he shrugged. “Alright, that’s fine. By the way, where is Skarch?”

Azriel pursed her lips. “Your reaction is unusual. One of you will not pass this trial. Although I admit your emotional fortitude has increased, it is honestly not for you I worry. Helen will-”

“It’s fine, Azriel.” Randidly interrupted in a tired voice. There was a lot to investigate, and he was already far behind on what he believed he should be doing. He didn’t need more pointless worries to distract him. “It will work out.”

“I believe I could mimic her Skills to a satisfactory extent if you would like to practice spar,” Azriel added.

“Thank you, but that won’t be necessary.”

This finally seemed to annoy Azriel. “You do realize she held back in the past. Her abilities have been honed to a killing point. I have no doubt that this three months only polished that. She has the capabilities to beat you. Kill you, even.”

“Then I suppose it’s time I give her the chance to demonstrate that,” Randidly growled, shooting Azriel a glare. “Now, where is Skarch?”

*****

Aiden Darke and Selfia sat in a room opposite where Randidly and Azriel stood. Darke’s face was creased with a frown.

“You can find nothing?” He asked.

Selfia shrugged helplessly. “He doesn’t match the description of any known agents. It was confirmed that he obtained some information from one of the previously established breeding farms, but he holds none of their traits. So, therefore, he obtained their methods by luck, or-”

“Or he knows enough to have sought them out,” Darke finished grimly. His gaze pierced through the polished wood of their walls, and the walls of Randidly's room, as if to finally see the truth of the man. Randidly Ghosthound was an enigma. Before appearing along with Shal in the Regional Tournament, it was like the kid didn’t exist.

Because of course, the spear-user Randidly Ghosthound didn’t exist. Which was why he was called.

“Just watch for now.” Darke closed his eyes. “Disguises we have dealt with before. After the tournament is over… we will simply have to retire Mr. Ghosthound and gather the truth from his broken flesh.