Ryo wiped down the bar counter with practiced efficiency, his movements automatic after years of the same routine. The morning sun streamed through the tavern windows, dust motes dancing in the golden beams. It had been three weeks since his return from the capital, and life in Millbrook had settled back into a comfortable rhythm.

  Except for one significant change: true to his word, Ryo had begun teaching Anna properly. Each morning before the tavern opened, they worked through increasingly complex magical concepts, no longer limited to the practical tricks he'd shown her before.

  "You're overthinking it again," Ryo said, watching as Anna attempted to create a small dimensional pocket – essentially a tiny space where objects could be stored outside normal reality. "Reality doesn't care about the mathematical formulas. It cares about intent and understanding."

  Anna's face scrunched in concentration. The air between her hands shimmered, distorted, then snapped back to normal with a frustrated puff of magical discharge.

  "But the Academy texts say dimensional manipulation requires precise calculation of spatial coordinates," she protested, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "The Therion Principle clearly states—"

  "The Therion Principle is a crutch," Ryo interrupted, setting down his cleaning rag. "It's what people came up with to explain effects they don't truly understand. Look—" He held out his hand, and without apparent effort, a small pocket of warped space appeared above his palm. "No calculations. Just understanding what reality actually is, and how malleable it can be."

  "That's not helpful," Anna complained. "You can't teach 'just understanding' – there have to be principles, rules—"

  "That's Academy thinking," Ryo countered. "And it's exactly why I was concerned about you going there. They teach methods to achieve effects without teaching true understanding." He closed his hand, and the dimensional pocket vanished. "We'll try a different approach tomorrow. For now, help me get ready to open."

  Turner arrived as they were setting out clean mugs, bringing news from the town.

  "Messenger came through early this morning," he announced, hanging his coat by the door. "Said there's a fancy Academy delegation heading our way again. Should be here by midday."

  Ryo's expression darkened. "Right on schedule. I figured they wouldn't give up after one rejection."

  "Maybe they're just following up on their offer to me," Anna suggested, though she didn't sound convinced.

  "Maybe," Ryo allowed. "But the timing is suspicious. Your one-month trial period is barely halfway through."

  By noon, the tavern was moderately busy with its usual lunchtime crowd. Elena had stopped by, ostensibly for a meal but clearly anticipating the Academy's arrival. She sat at a corner table, perfectly positioned to observe the entire room.

  The delegation arrived with a flourish that seemed calculated to impress. Three figures in elaborate blue and silver robes entered, led by a tall man with a precisely trimmed white beard. Unlike the previous Academy representatives, these individuals carried themselves with the easy confidence of true power.

  "Archmage Thorne," Elena murmured to Ryo as he passed her table. "Head of Dimensional Studies. Those are some heavy hitters they've sent this time."

  Ryo merely nodded, continuing to serve drinks as if the arrival of one of the Academy's most senior members was unremarkable. He let the delegation stand awkwardly by the door for a solid minute before acknowledging them.

  "Welcome to the Crossroads," he called out finally. "What can I get you? The lunch special is beef stew, and we've got four ales on tap today."

  Archmage Thorne seemed momentarily thrown by the casual greeting, but recovered quickly. "Master Ryo, I presume? I am Archmage Thorne of the Royal Academy. Might we speak privately on a matter of some importance?"

  "I'm in the middle of serving lunch," Ryo replied, filling a mug with practiced precision. "Whatever you need to say, you can say it here. My customers are good at minding their own business." This last part was delivered with a pointed look that sent several eavesdropping patrons suddenly back to their conversations.

  The Archmage's lips thinned in disapproval, but he approached the bar, his companions following closely.

  "Very well. I'll be direct. The situation has changed since our last... invitation. We've detected disturbing magical anomalies within the Academy itself. The King has personally requested your assistance in the matter."

  Ryo raised an eyebrow. "And this couldn't be handled by sending a letter because...?"

  "Because," Thorne said, lowering his voice, "we believe there may be elements within the Academy that have been... compromised. By the same entities you encountered previously."

  That got Ryo's attention. He studied the Archmage's face, looking for deception, but found only genuine concern beneath the man's dignified exterior.

  "Old One influence inside the Academy?" Ryo clarified. "That's a serious accusation."

  "Which is why we're here in person rather than sending written communication that could be intercepted." Thorne glanced around the tavern. "Perhaps now you might reconsider a private conversation?"

  Ryo nodded toward the back room. "Through there. Elena, watch the bar for a few minutes?"

  The Knight-Captain nodded, moving smoothly from her table to behind the counter as Ryo led the Academy delegation to the small room he used for private meetings and storage.

  "Anna," he called over his shoulder, "you should join us too."

  Once the door was closed, Thorne's formal demeanor relaxed slightly, revealing exhaustion underneath.

  "The King insisted I come personally," he explained, sinking into a chair. "After your... encounter with Lord Winters and Lady Blackthorn became known, His Majesty recognized your importance. More importantly, he recognized your unique ability to perceive Old One influence."

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  "What exactly have you detected at the Academy?" Ryo asked, leaning against a stack of crates.

  "Nothing specific, which is part of the problem." One of Thorne's companions, a severe-looking woman, spoke up. "I'm Magister Vela, head of Protective Magics. Over the past three months, we've experienced a series of... inconsistencies. Wards failing without apparent cause. Students developing unusual magical signatures. Research taking unexpected directions."

  "And just last week," the third Academy member added, "a student disappeared from a locked and warded dormitory. No magical trace, no disturbance to the protective barriers."

  "That sounds exactly like Old One manipulation," Ryo confirmed. "They can move through spaces without triggering conventional wards. But why come to me? The Academy has hundreds of powerful mages."

  "Because we can't trust all of them anymore," Thorne said bluntly. "Someone – or something – has been influencing certain faculty members. Research into dangerous areas is being quietly approved. Students with particular magical talents are being identified and separated for 'special training.'"

  Anna shifted uncomfortably. "Like the offer made to me?"

  Thorne had the grace to look embarrassed. "Initially, yes, your recruitment was part of our effort to learn from Master Ryo's techniques. But now I fear those efforts may have been... hijacked for other purposes."

  "So what exactly are you asking?" Ryo pressed. "You want me to come wave my hands around your Academy and point out who's been corrupted?"

  "Not exactly," Thorne replied. "We need someone who can recognize Old One influence but won't be immediately identified as a threat. Someone who can move through the Academy without raising alarms."

  Understanding dawned on Ryo's face. "You want me to go undercover. As what? A janitor? A cook?"

  "As a student," Thorne said simply. "A mature student, certainly, but we often get older individuals who discover magical talent later in life."

  The room fell silent as Ryo processed this. Then he laughed – a genuine, incredulous laugh.

  "You want the worldwalker who faced down an Old One to pretend to be a beginner magic student? That's your plan?"

  "With appropriate magical dampening, yes," Vela explained. "We can create artifacts that would mask your true power level, make you appear as a moderately talented but unexceptional student. Old enough to have some life experience, young enough to not raise suspicions."

  "This is ridiculous," Ryo stated flatly. "I have a tavern to run. A town to protect. I'm not going to play student in your Academy because you can't keep your own house in order."

  "The King anticipated your reluctance," Thorne said, reaching into his robes. He withdrew a sealed letter bearing the royal crest. "He asked me to give you this, should you prove... resistant to the idea."

  Ryo took the letter with obvious skepticism, broke the seal, and read silently. His expression shifted from annoyance to concern as he reached the end.

  "The Old Ones are targeting magically talented youth specifically," he summarized, looking up from the letter. "Creating what the King calls 'sleeper agents' within the next generation of mages."

  "Precisely," Thorne confirmed. "And we have reason to believe Millbrook may be targeted next, given your presence here. The attacks would be subtle – not direct confrontation, but gradual corruption of those with magical potential."

  Ryo's gaze shifted to Anna, who straightened under his scrutiny.

  "I'm not going to be corrupted," she protested. "I know what to watch for now, and—"

  "You don't," Ryo cut her off. "Not really. Old One influence isn't always obvious. It can start with dreams, ideas that seem like your own but aren't, small compromises that lead to bigger ones." He sighed, turning back to Thorne. "But I still don't see why I need to play student. Why not just come as a visiting expert or something?"

  "Because whoever is working with the Old Ones would immediately recognize the threat and go into hiding," Vela explained. "We need someone who can observe unnoticed, identify the corruption at its source."

  "And," Thorne added with calculated precision, "it would allow you to properly evaluate the Academy's training methods before young Anna makes her decision about attending."

  Anna perked up at this. "That's actually a good point. You could see if your concerns about their teaching are valid."

  Ryo looked between the hopeful Academy representatives and Anna's increasingly interested expression. He could see where this was heading.

  "You're manipulating me," he accused Thorne.

  "I prefer to think of it as aligning incentives," the Archmage replied smoothly. "You want to protect your student and your town. We want to protect our Academy. The King wants to protect the realm. Our goals are compatible."

  Ryo ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "And how long would this charade need to last?"

  "A month, perhaps two," Thorne estimated. "Long enough to identify the source of corruption and those who have been influenced."

  "I can handle the tavern," Turner's voice came unexpectedly from the doorway. He stepped into the room, not bothering to look apologetic for eavesdropping. "Did it before you came, can do it again. Town needs you dealing with these Old One things more than it needs your ale, good as it is."

  "Et tu, Turner?" Ryo muttered.

  "Just being practical," the older man shrugged. "If these old things are targeting magic users, and Anna's set on going to this Academy eventually, better you go first and clean house."

  Ryo looked around the room, realizing he was being outmaneuvered from all sides. Even Elena, who had slipped in behind Turner, gave him a slight nod of agreement.

  "Fine," he conceded finally. "I'll do it. But on my terms. I maintain contact with Millbrook. I have authority to act if I identify definite corruption. And I reserve the right to leave immediately if I determine my presence here is more important."

  "Agreed," Thorne said quickly, before Ryo could add more conditions. "We can make the necessary arrangements for your arrival next week. You'll need a new identity, of course."

  "Ryo is fine," he countered. "It's a common enough name, and changing it completely would just make it harder to maintain the deception. Just drop the 'worldwalker' part."

  "As you wish." Thorne stood, clearly pleased with the outcome. "We'll send the details for your enrollment in a few days. The term begins next week."

  As the Academy delegation prepared to leave, Anna could barely contain her excitement.

  "I can't believe you're actually going to the Academy! You can tell me everything about the classes, the library, the—"

  "I'm going to root out Old One corruption, not write you a school review," Ryo reminded her, though his tone was gentle. "And you're staying here, where it's safer."

  "Of course," she agreed too quickly. "Absolutely. I'll just... hold down the fort with Turner."

  After the Academy representatives had departed, Elena cornered Ryo at the bar.

  "You realize what you've agreed to, right? Weeks of pretending to be an ordinary student, surrounded by people who would either fear you or try to use you if they knew the truth."

  "I'm aware," Ryo replied dryly, pouring himself a drink. "But if there really are Old Ones corrupting the Academy, someone needs to stop it. Might as well be me."

  "Just..." Elena hesitated. "Be careful. Politics at the Academy make royal court intrigue look straightforward. Students form alliances, professors have decades-old feuds, and everyone's trying to prove they're the most magically gifted."

  "Sounds like every tavern on a busy night," Ryo said with a grin. "Just with more fireballs and fewer bar fights."

  "I'm serious, Ryo. You won't be going in with your full power. The dampening artifacts they'll give you will make you vulnerable."

  Ryo's expression sobered. "I know. But sometimes the best way to find corruption is to look like a target." He glanced toward Anna, who was eagerly telling Turner about the Academy. "Besides, I need to know what she'd be walking into."

  The rest of the day passed in a blur of preparations and planning. By evening, when the tavern was closed and the last patrons had departed, Ryo stood alone behind the bar, looking around at the simple, comfortable space he'd created.

  For the first time since revealing his true nature, he felt a twinge of uncertainty. Not about his ability to handle whatever waited at the Academy, but about returning to a world of politics, schemes, and hidden agendas – everything he'd left behind when he chose the life of a tavern keeper.

  But as he extinguished the lanterns and prepared for bed, he reminded himself why he was doing this. Not for the King, not even primarily for the Academy, but for Anna and the other young mages who deserved to learn without being corrupted. For Millbrook and the simple life he'd chosen, which would never be safe while the Old Ones moved in the shadows.

  With that thought, he began mentally preparing for his strangest role yet: Ryo the ordinary student, rather than Ryo the worldwalker.

  It was going to be an interesting few weeks.