Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 1463: Mission Report

Lebu sat at the table in the hall, legs crossed. Sunlight filtered through the window, casting warm light on his middle-aged face.

Kenny stood across from him, posture tired but attentive. He didn’t follow any formal structure. He only spoke things as they came to mind.

”I followed the Baron for a month,” he began. ”Mostly through the Trade Ward. His routine is clean on the surface. Quite predictable routes, if I’m being honest. He varies only when he’s doing something he doesn’t want noticed.”

He paused, then reached into his satchel hanging on the wall, and unfolded a sheet of paper before sliding it across the table.

”That’s him,” Kenny said. ”Baron Alan Veyne. The carriage is always guarded by six men. Two ahead, two at the sides, and two back.”

Lebu glanced at the sketch, slightly impressed by the boy’s drawing skills, and nodded. ”Accurate.”

Kenny continued, ”Three weeks in, he changed his route. Went to a warehouse in the River Ward. One he owns, but doesn’t use often.”

Lebu nodded. ”Good that you followed him for so long, or you wouldn’t have known about this discrepancy.”

Kenny pulled another drawing, this one rougher, showing a building layout with marks and arrows.

”False shelving at the back,” he said. ”There’s a hidden compartment. I watched him meet another party there.”

Lebu couldn’t help but frown. ”You went inside the warehouse while the target was still inside?”

”...Yes.” Kenny awkwardly scratched his head.

”And neither Veyne nor his associates sense your presence?”

Kenny thought for a moment, then shook his head. ”I don’t think so. No, I’m certain they didn’t.”

The frown on Lebu’s face deepened as he intently studied the youth. A few moments later, he gestured. ”Continue.”

”They were friendly,” said the boy. ”Too friendly, I’d say. They inspected the goods together.”

He hesitated briefly, his brown eyes flashing with suppressed rage, then added, ”There were underage girls in captivity! Caged like animals! The Baron spoke openly. No concern about being overheard.”

He produced another sketch. This one included faces. There were three men, and one of them was circled.

”This one did most of the talking,” he said, pointing at the circled face. ”Probably an intermediary.”

Lebu then flatly asked, ”What happened after?”

Kenny instantly frowned. The Agent’s expression was... unexpected, like he already knew girls were being trafficked.

”Magus Potts, you...” He began. ”Did you know about the girls?”

Lebu deeply looked at the boy for a few moments. Then, he nodded. ”We suspected the Baron of providing prostitutes to pleasure houses in other cities within the Union. We only recently found out. You’re the first to provide us with evidence.”

”...I see.” Kenny nodded after a long pause.

”Now continue,” Lebu urged. ”Why did you say this person was an intermediary?”

”Right. They split after the meeting a week ago,” the boy continued. ”I stayed with the second party. They went to the Forge Ward and met someone else. The exchange was quick. Reporting, most likely.”

Another sketch was produced. This one was less detailed, but distinct enough.

”I followed both parties for another week,” Kenny continued. ”Patterns started to emerge. Same locations. Same timings. No signs of coercion or outside pressure. It was as if...”

”As if what?” Lebu’s eyes narrowed.

Kenny subconsciously gulped. ”It was as if they weren’t afraid of being found out.”

Lebu rapped his finger on the table, a slightly troubled expression marring his face. Almost a minute later, he asked, ”Is that how you felt?”

”Yes.” Kenny nodded.

He retrieved a diary from the satchel and handed it to the man. ”I wrote everything down. It’s... not very organized.”

Lebu sighed lightly. ”That can be fixed.”

As the Agent went through the pages of the diary, Kenny blurted out, his tone carrying righteous determination:

”We must free those girls, Magus Potts! If we are to take action, it should be done immediately.”

Lebu glanced at the youth for a long moment. He then gathered the sketches and the diary and put them away in his storage artifact.

”You did well, Kenny,” he said. ”More than well.”

”What are we going to do about the girls?” Kenny couldn’t help but ask.

Lebu offered a faint smile. ”I assure you, we will get to the bottom of this.”

Kenny reluctantly nodded. ”I-I see... okay, then.”

After a brief pause, he added, ”Do I have the job now? Uhm, I’ve run out of money.”

The Agent ruffled the boy’s wavy black hair and chuckled. ”Be patient, my boy.”

With that, he turned around and walked away.

”Wait, how long do I have to wait?” Kenny asked loudly.

But he received no response. Lebu left, shutting the door behind him.

Kenny paced around the room with an anxious look on his face. He spread his senses outward, noticing Lebu and a few other hidden figures — whom he suspected to be from the Brotherhood — leave.

And then...

Adam dropped his act.

His eyes narrowed, a cold light flashing in them.

My actions should be enough to get me recruited into the Brotherhood, he mused.

His thoughts drifted to Lebu.

Now let’s see whether you’ll be a friend or...

***

It was late into the night.

Kenny slept soundly in his room. Or rather, he pretended to be deep asleep.

If he was right about how the Brotherhood recruited people into their ranks, then tonight was going to be the night the ritual would take place.

And judging by his splendid performance during his initiation mission, Lebu was going to be his sponsor.

Just as he’d expected, he suddenly sensed two individuals approaching his apartment.

The window was cracked open, letting in the muted noise of the Trade Ward below. Kenny’s eyelid twitched for a brief moment — a display of brilliant acting on his part.

The lock turned without a sound. Two masked figures slipped inside, moving with silent coordination. One secured the door, while the other stealthily crossed the hallway and entered Kenny’s room.

Before the boy could fully wake up, a cloth was pressed over his face.

He pretended to struggle, arms flailing around wildly. Inwardly, he couldn’t help but ridicule:

Seriously? A paralytic potion?

He struggled for another moment or two, then went limp.

Fine, have it your way.

The masked figure slung Kenny over his shoulder, then silently retreated.

Moments later, the room was exactly as it had been. Except, no one was inside.

***

When Kenny ”regained consciousness”, he found himself lying on the cold, stone floor of a dimly lit chamber, blinking at the ceiling in a daze.

A stone altar stood before him. Indescribable runes were marked on its surface, giving it a mysterious vibe.

Behind the altar stood two figures wearing dark, hooded cloaks. Despite their attempts to conceal their identities, he still saw right through them. Both were Mana Liquefaction Magi, and one of them was none other than Lebu Potts.

Around the chamber, roughly a dozen more masked men stood in a loose circle, watching in silence. He recognized two of them — Kori and Pang.

On the surface, Kenny appeared scared and disoriented.

But on the inside, Adam sneered as he thought in triumph, Infiltration complete.

The initiation ritual was about to begin!