Hugo abruptly lifted his head, startled by a strange surge of energy. He strode to the window, flung it open, and scanned the scene outside.
As the frigid air poured in, the Council members investigating the mansion looked toward their Commander standing by the window.
“Commander, what is it?” one member asked cautiously, noting Hugo's unusual expression.
Hugo, eyes sharp as he focused on the sensation that had just brushed his awareness, replied,
“Did you not feel that just now?”
“Pardon? Feel what, sir?”
The member’s face was blank with confusion, clearly unaware of what his superior referred to. His response deepened Hugo’s uncertainty over the fleeting but intense signal he had detected.
Moments earlier, Hugo had sensed an incredibly powerful energy unlike anything he'd felt in the area before. But it had lasted only an instant, so even he couldn't be certain of what he’d perceived.
He tried to sharpen his senses, to feel it again—but the energy that had rattled him for a second was already gone.
After staring out the window for some time, Hugo finally spoke.
“...Forget it.”
As he stepped away from the window, the Council member quietly shut it, cutting off the icy air.
Hugo stood with his back to the window, arms crossed, fingers brushing his chin as he pondered the sensation that lingered uneasily in his mind.
It had been faint but shockingly dense, an energy that flared up and vanished before he could even locate its source. Stranger still, none of his highly trained subordinates in the vicinity had reacted.
While Hugo remained deep in thought, the investigation team tore down part of the Count’s study wall. Hidden inside were contracts and transaction ledgers exposing Count Servia’s and the Delberg Merchant Group’s illegal monster trade.
A sealed safe also contained a large supply of magic stones produced from Quamare.
With evidence piling up, Hugo set aside his unease about the energy and shifted his focus to the unfolding investigation.
When a subordinate handed him documents believed to be ledgers and contracts, Hugo flipped through them, eyes narrowing. The signatures of Count Servia and the grand master of the merchant group were present—but not that of Delberg’s chief grand master.
“Pulling the same stunt again... Filione Delberg.”
Hugo clicked his tongue in disapproval, handing the contract back to the investigator. The subordinate sealed the documents and carried them to the evidence collection area.
Count Servia and all his staff had been arrested and sent to the Council’s Northern Branch. His mansion, stripped of its owner, still hid traces of their illicit dealings.
Perhaps reflecting the Count’s cowardly nature—or perhaps simple-mindedness—the contracts and ledgers had been stuffed into the walls. Now, the investigation team was tearing down walls and ceilings, scouring for more evidence.
Arms crossed, Hugo watched the scene, then asked the investigator beside him,
“There was a fire mage involved. Status?”
“Not yet located, sir. But traces of a teleportation tool were discovered in the Count's residence. Judging by the depleted mana and the fact he wasn’t found near the border zone, we’re certain he remains inside the territory.”
“I see... He was impersonating Leonardo Blaine. His exact capabilities are unknown, but he may pose a threat. Report to me the moment he's found.”
“Yes, sir!”
****
The man impersonating Leonardo Blaine had briefly blacked out from the blow—a level of pain he'd never experienced before. He awoke abruptly, sitting up, hand to his numb jaw that tingled rather than throbbed, his expression dazed. Blood dripped from his lips—he must’ve bitten his tongue on impact.
As he lifted his head, spitting bloodied saliva, the brown-haired man who had struck him stood nearby, glaring down with a fierce grin.
Fully conscious now, the mage clutched his aching jaw, staggering to his feet like a man seizing, then backed away.
“Wh-Who the hell are you?!” he demanded, his voice slurred by pain.
The brown-haired man tilted his head, incredulous.
“Who am I? Hey, that’s my line. Who the hell are you, impersonating someone else for kicks?”
He kicked aside broken planks as he stepped closer. The fire mage’s lips quivered in fear as he shouted,
“S-Stay back! Do you even know who I am?!”
“Do I need to know? Hah, I can tell—you’re someone who's about to be caught.”
The man’s words made it clear—he knew the mage wasn’t Leonardo Blaine. Exposed, the impersonator clenched his teeth with an audible grind. Judging by this guy's attitude, he’d planned to humiliate him from the start.
No longer willing to be toyed with by this unknown opponent, the mage pressed his hands together, stretching them forward, chanting,
“Fire Spear!”
A glowing magic circle bloomed in his hands. Fiery spears burst forth, flying straight toward the brown-haired man.
But in an instant, the man dodged with a light, almost lazy twist of his body—faster than the eye could follow.
The spears sailed past him, slamming into the heap of wooden planks «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» at the back with a deafening crash.
The impact collapsed the planks, igniting the warehouse in fierce flames.
The impersonator's eyes widened in disbelief—the man had evaded effortlessly.
Turning to glance at the growing fire, the brown-haired man sighed.
“Are you an idiot? You trying to announce to the world ‘Hey, I’m here~’?”
“You bastard!”
Infuriated by the mockery, the mage lunged at him, throwing a punch the moment his back was turned.
But as if he had eyes in the back of his head, the man slipped aside effortlessly.
The mage unleashed a flurry of blows, throwing his whole body into the assault, but the man weaved through them, reading every move with ease.
He looks ordinary, but his movements...
No matter how many punches he threw, he couldn’t even graze the man’s clothes. Exhausted, breath ragged, he slumped back.
The brown-haired man gave him a pitiful look.
“If I were you, I’d save my strength and run.”
“Shut up! Shut that damn mouth!”
Despite his bravado, he knew it was suicidal to burn energy against someone who only dodged while he himself was nearly out of mana.
He considered fleeing—but the fire grew. Outside, voices murmured, drawn by the smoke. His anxiety flared.
Noticing his panic, the brown-haired man met his eyes and grinned ominously.
The mage’s heart dropped as the man shouted loudly for all to hear,
“Leonardo Blaine is here!”
The impersonator’s face drained of color. He glared at the man, hissing under his breath,
“What the hell are you doing, you lunatic?!”
“Save me! He’s trying to kill me!”
Clank, clank—
“Is there someone inside?!” came voices from beyond the door.
The young man beamed, clearly enjoying himself, and shouted again,
“Yes! I’m trapped here with the fire mage—help me!”
Boots pounded on the door as the people outside tried to break in.
The impersonator lunged at the crazy bastard, aiming to silence him—but the man dodged nimbly, his performance even more convincing.
If caught, the mage would face charges of illegal monster trafficking, fraud, and attempted murder. Desperate, he made his decision.
“Damn it... Air Expansion!”
Heat surged—the air inside swirled into a small whirlwind. Flames engulfed the warehouse walls. Using the expanding air pressure, the mage leapt, smashing through the ceiling window.
He tumbled outside, hit the ground hard, but ignored the pain. He bolted through the alleys, the warehouse collapsing behind him with a crash.
Back inside, the brown-haired man stopped his cries for help, watching the window the mage had escaped through. Flames licked closer, but he remained unfazed.
From his pocket, he pulled a cigarette, lighting it with the dancing fire. One hand in his pocket, he took a casual drag.
Smoke curled toward the broken ceiling, blue sky visible beyond. He exhaled slowly, smirking.
“Idiot.”
