“So we can almost be absolutely sure that there is nothing in Meloria. At least not on the main islands,” Qiman reported.

  “How about Quemer?” Arlen asked, “Anything new?”

  Qiman gave a wry smile and answered, “The family has sent out people to investigate, of course. But it will take a while before we hear anything. But I wouldn’t get my hopes up. If he was truly taken to Quemer…”

  Arlen understood, of course. Quemer was huge. The sapi had control over a much larger area than on Shiora. If that was all, there might be hope, but Quemer was home to much stronger mages. He had heard that Heavenly Light might even have people stronger than the Pure Soul stage there, something he didn’t even know was possible in this Age.

  Finding and taking Adion back from a place like that seemed impossible.

  Let’s hope he still is on Shiora. Otherwise, it will all be up to him in the end.

  “Let’s focus our efforts on Shiora,” Arlen said, “I’ll take your reports to the Academy later, so we don’t cover the same area twice. But there are still a few small islands in the Shattered West, right? He might have been taken there.”

  “We can send our people there next if you want,” Qiman said, “But it might be difficult. The Melorian Nobles don’t like it when ships from other powers sail around that area.”

  “Who cares what they think? Will they dare complain when we have the Academy behind us?” Arlen questioned.

  “Probably not,” Qiman admitted, “I’ll pass the word.”

  “Thank you for your hard work,” Arlen said.

  “It’s no trouble at all,” Qiman said with a smile, “Besides, you're paying us well enough. It wouldn’t do to complain.”

  “Good,” Arlen nodded.

  Qiman was a relatively young Diamond mage from the Appos family. Arlen had a fairly amiable relationship with the family ever since the auction where he sold the Elixir of Life. No one seemed to know it came from him still, making him trust the Appos family somewhat when it came to doing business.

  So when he felt he couldn’t sit still while Adion was missing, he turned to the Appos family to help.

  He knew the Academy was searching for him as well, of course. But having more people looking couldn’t hurt. He had to do something, after all.

  “Master.” Arlen turned his attention to Marli, who had just stepped inside his study.

  “What’s the matter, Marli?” Arlen asked.

  “You have a visitor,” Marli responded.

  Arlen knew it couldn’t just be anyone, or Marli wouldn’t have stepped inside to let him know.

  Arlen tried to sense the auras in the mansion and noticed the visitor straight away. A Diamond mage who seemed a little familiar, but he couldn’t place him.

  “Sorry to end it so abruptly, Qiman,” Arlen turned to Qiman and apologized, “Do you have everything you need?”

  “It’s nothing to worry about, Soft Soul Remori,” Qiman said politely, “I had nothing more to report anyway. I’ll be on my way then.”

  “Let me know if anything comes up,” Arlen instructed.

  “Of course,” Qiman said with a smile.

  “Please show Diamond Qiman out, Marli. You can escort our new guest to my study afterward,” Arlen said.

  “Yes, master,” Marli said with a bow. She gestured for Qiman to follow her outside and left the study.

  It didn’t take long before she returned, this time with a middle-aged man in tow, and Arlen could finally put a face on the aura he had felt.

  “So it’s professor Jergell,” Arlen said with a friendly smile, “What brings you over?”

  Arlen couldn’t help but be slightly nervous. He knew Jergell was part of the team organizing the search for Adion.

  “I won’t beat around the bush,” Jergell said with a smile, “We have found a hidden outpost of Heavenly Light. We still don’t know if Adion is kept there or not, but there is some hope.”

  “Really?” Arlen asked, getting up from his seat. Even if it wasn’t much, it was the best news he had heard since Adion had gone missing.

  “Really,” Jergell confirmed with a smile.

  “Where is it? Have we secured it?” Arlen asked.

  “I’m afraid the information is rather recent, so I don’t know much yet. I was sent to inform you before I could hear all the details. But a team is currently being put together to take down the outpost. If you want, I can take you to the Tower. The Headmaster has said that he will make time for you,” Jergell said.

  “Then there is nothing more to say,” Arlen said, “Let’s go!”

  Jergell seemed slightly surprised as Arlen rushed past him out into the hallway, but he was quick to follow.

  “Did you get here on a carriage?” Arlen turned his head back to ask.

  “Yes,” Jergell answered, “It will be more convenient if we travel in a carriage from the Academy.”

  “Alright,” Arlen nodded.

  It didn’t take long before the two were on the road, traveling as fast as traffic and laws would allow.

  Arlen had a hard time sitting still in his seat.

  If Adion could truly be found…I need to stop Appos from sending people to the Shattered West. I’ll hire as many people as I can to secure this outpost.

  I should go as well. I don’t want to leave the safety of my family in strangers' hands.

  The carriage entered the Academy after a brief inspection at the walls. Even if Arlen was traveling with a professor, protocol was strict in these times. Every person seeking entry had to be identified, and every carriage had to be searched through without exception.

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  Arlen could even feel the aura sense of a Soul mage as he identified himself, no doubt checking for any signs of deception.

  Luckily, we were able to bypass the line. Otherwise, it would have taken forever.

  Arlen and Jergell continued at a fast pace inside the Academy, making their way to the Tower of Cyalis.

  As they got close, Arlen couldn’t help but get a little nervous, not only from possibly finding out information about Adion but also from meeting the Headmaster.

  He had met the man a few times before, but that kind of presence wasn’t something you could get used to. A Pure Soul mage was the absolute peak of power even back in the Fire Phoenix Empire, as far as he knew. Not to mention that the Headmaster carried the title of Sage.

  It was someone worthy of utmost respect.

  And somehow, my grandson ended up being the disciple of such a person. Not that I can say he’s unworthy. Adion is simply a monster.

  The carriage arrived at the Tower soon enough, and Arlen followed Jergell inside.

  Isn’t it a bit inappropriate to show up empty-handed? I should have brought something.

  Unfortunately, there had been no time to think. And even if there was, Arlen didn’t think he had anything that could interest the Headmaster.

  Except for the pills and elixirs Adion had left behind, but those didn’t belong to him.

  “Are you ready?” Jergell asked as they arrived outside the Headmaster’s office doors.

  “Absolutely,” Arlen nodded.

  A guard opened the door without heading inside to check with the Headmaster, which surprised Arlen.

  I suppose a lot of people have been coming and going. If it’s a known face, there is no need to check.

  Jergell stayed outside while Arlen entered the office. He spotted the Headmaster behind a desk further inside the room. A large window behind him lit up the room. The open space and a few luxurious couches made the office seem more like a reception area than an actual office.

  “Headmaster Vermon,” Arlen spoke and bowed down low.

  “Arlen,” The Headmaster looked up from his papers and put away his pen. He looked at Arlen with a somewhat tired smile and spoke, “No need for any formalities. Come and sit, and I will fill you in.”

  At those words, Arlen’s nervousness disappeared, and Adion’s situation was all that occupied his mind.

  “What have you found? Are there any signs of Adion?” Arlen asked before even getting to his seat.

  “No signs of him,” The Headmaster said, shaking his head, “But there is some hope.”

  “Please, tell me,” Arlen urged, now sitting opposite the Headmaster.

  “Yesterday evening, I received word that one of the teams we had sent out looking for Adion had contacted us from the eastern coast of the Saba Desert through a series of touban connections. Are you familiar with the touban?”

  “Of course,” Arlen nodded. He had come to learn a lot of things since he joined the Nobility, “Isn’t that your invention, Headmaster?”

  “I’m afraid I can only take credit for one of the main runes involved. I had some help with the rest,” The Headmaster said with a wry smile, “No matter. What they informed us of was quite interesting. They had received a tip of a suspicious dock at the coast of the Saba Desert. They decided to check it out and set sail.

  “Once they got there, they went to shore and started questioning the people there. We had two professors at the Diamond stage, and there weren’t many mages around, so they decided on a rather forceful approach. Soon, they learned that the whole area was under Heavenly Light’s control.

  “They quickly surmised that the docks weren’t their main base of operations. They probably had a base further inland. Afraid that that place could house Soul mages, they decided to quickly grab a few confirmed Heavenly Light mages and retreat.

  “Once back on their ship, they started extracting information from the prisoners, and they found out that, indeed, there was a base of operation further inland. The prisoners didn’t know what kind of place it was, as they were all only Bronze mages. But they told us that the base held at least one Soul mage, which means that the base is not unimportant.

  “After gathering a few more details, they started asking about Adion, as locating him was their main mission. Unfortunately, those Bronze mages knew nothing of any Adion Remori.”

  “But that doesn’t mean he isn’t there, right?” Arlen asked, “It seems to me that a base in the middle of the Saba Desert would be the perfect place to hide someone like Adion.”

  “Indeed,” The Headmaster nodded, “That’s not all. When pressed, two of the Bronze mages reported that they had seen a ship arrive almost two months back with several powerful mages. They hadn’t seen anyone being brought along against their will, but they didn’t get a good look at the entourage either.

  “In my opinion. That ship could very well have been the one that Heavenly Light sailed away on two months ago. And that ship probably had Adion on it.”

  “Then we must go there immediately,” Arlen said in a loud voice. He was convinced Adion was kept at that hidden base.

  “Of course,” The Headmaster said with a heavy nod, “But don’t be too disappointed if it ends up being nothing. We don’t have any actual proof that Adion is there, after all. It’s all speculation.”

  “I know. But I believe he is there. I feel it in my gut,” Arlen said.

  “I have the same feeling,” The Headmaster said with a slight smile, “So tonight, a team will set out in our fastest ship. Whether Adion is there or not, they will find out.”

  “Who are you sending? Will they be enough?” Arlen asked.

  “Don’t worry, four Elders at the Hard Soul stage have volunteered to go. I don’t believe Heavenly Light can spare that kind of manpower on a base in the middle of nowhere while fighting a war in the Valis Kingdom.” The Headmaster said.

  “Good,” Arlen said with a firm nod, relieved that the Headmaster seemed to take this as seriously as he did. “I would like to join the Elders on this trip, if it’s not too inconvenient.”

  “Are you sure?” The Headmaster asked slowly, “There will be other Soft Soul mages joining, along with at least a hundred other mages. Your joining wouldn’t be making much difference.”

  “I’m sure,” Arlen answered, “Now that I finally have a clue, I can’t just sit still and wait for a report. I want to take part personally.”

  “I can understand that,” The Headmaster said, “I find myself itching to go. Unfortunately, that’s not possible, or the Academy will be vulnerable.”

  The Headmaster thought about it for a while before giving a firm nod, “Very well. I won’t try to convince you, as that would be hypocritical. I’ll add you to the list of people going. Do try to be careful, though. This trip will almost certainly involve fights against other Soul mages, and you don’t have any experience in this area. If Adion comes back to find you dead after looking for him, I’m afraid it would weigh too heavily on him.”

  “I’ll make sure to come back in one piece,” Arlen said. He didn’t want to leave his grandchildren behind before they were strong enough to stand on their own in the world.

  “That’s reassuring to hear,” The Headmaster said, “Now, I’m afraid I am very busy at the moment. I’ll have someone sent to your place once all the details have been hashed out.”

  “Of course,” Arlen said, standing up.

  “Do try to keep this a secret as much as you can,” The Headmaster cautioned, “I understand you’ll need to explain your absence to Ailera and Aiden, just make sure they understand not to tell anyone else.”

  “I understand,” Arlen said, “Thank you for everything, Headmaster. I’ll take my leave.”

  “I’ll see you before you set out tonight. Make sure to prepare well,” The Headmaster said as he waved Arlen off.

  This…is good! Finally.

  Arlen felt how his steps seemed lighter. He tried to control himself, so as not to give anything away in case someone saw him.

  Should I tell Aiden and Ailera the truth? It might just make them worry.

  And nothing is confirmed yet. Giving them false hope would be cruel.

  They should focus on their studies in peace.

  After going back and forth on the matter for a while, Arlen decided he would come up with an excuse for his absence. He could tell them the truth when he came back. Hopefully, he would return with Adion, and nothing would matter anymore.