Warlock Ch 348. Keep Their Mouths Shut
Damian pulled back the hood of his cloak, shaking off the lingering night air as they stepped into the estate. The grand hall of Cassius' estate was quiet, the soft flicker of arcane lanterns casting long shadows against the marble floors. The faint scent of old parchnt, incense, and magic residue clung to the space—a mixture of Cassius' habits and the countless protective wards layered over the building.
Evelyn and Victoria were already inside, having returned monts before them. Victoria sat on the edge of the velvet couch, legs crossed, absentmindedly twirling a blood-red goblet in her hands. Evelyn leaned against the wall, arms folded, the faint shimr of rune residue still flickering over her fingertips, a sign that she'd been reinforcing the barriers before their arrival.
Damian exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Cedric, Selena, and Alric were there." His voice was calm, but the weight behind it was clear.
Cassius, who had just pulled off his own cloak, gave him a dry look. "And you let them go."
Damian turned to him with an arched brow. "What, you wanted to kill them?"
Cassius clicked his tongue, pouring himself a glass of aged spirit from the nearby cabinet. "At the very least, you should've warned them. Told them to keep their mouths shut."
Damian let out a slow breath, leaning against the table. "They'll co to us soon." He tapped his fingers lightly against the wood. "Cedric knows I saw them."
Evelyn pushed off the wall. "So, what's the play?" Her eyes flicked between them, thoughtful.
Damian shrugged. "We let them co. If we push too hard, they'll feel threatened." His lips quirked. "And let's be honest, we don't need any more people throwing accusations at us right now."
Victoria smirked. "You an besides the fact that we did erase a high council mber from existence?" She sipped her drink, her sharp fangs barely peeking past her lips. "Hardly suspicious at all."
Cassius sighed, rubbing his temples. "I still think you should've said sothing."
Damian tilted his head slightly. "And what would I have said, exactly?" His voice dropped slightly, amusent laced with sothing sharper. "Hey, Cedric, I know you've been spying on . Maybe stop before I actually decide to erase you, too?" He huffed. "Real diplomatic."
Cassius muttered sothing under his breath but didn't argue further.
Victoria's smirk widened. "You could have just chard him. You know, a little seduction, a little mind control…" She winked playfully.
Damian rolled his eyes. "Yeah, no."
Evelyn ignored their bickering and focused back on the issue at hand. "Cedric's not stupid," she said, rubbing a thumb against her bottom lip in thought. "If anything, he's probably more suspicious now."
Cassius nodded. "Exactly why I'm saying you should've shut them up."
"They're already in too deep," Damian countered. "If we killed them now, we'd just prove every rumor true." He pushed off the table. "Besides, Cedric already sees the bigger picture. He knows we aren't the ones pulling the strings on the main ga."
Evelyn's eyes narrowed slightly. "You're betting on his rationality?"
Damian smirked. "I'm betting on his pride."
Victoria laughed. "Oh, that is a bold gamble."
Damian shrugged. "I'm an all-in kind of guy."
Cassius scoffed. "You're a reckless little shit, that's what you are."
Damian grinned. "And yet, here we are."
Evelyn sighed. "So, when do you think they'll co knocking?"
Damian stretched, rolling his shoulders. "Tomorrow morning."
Cassius arched a brow. "That soon?"
Damian smirked. "Oh, definitely. Cedric is the kind of guy who likes having control of the board." He cracked his neck. "Right now? He has no idea what ga we're playing."
Evelyn huffed a quiet laugh. "And you do?"
Damian's smirk sharpened.
"I made this ga."
Cassius leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "So confident."
Damian smirked. "I am."
He flicked his fingers, summoning his system nu into view. A faint shimr pulsed through the air as glowing text materialized in front of him.
[System Status]
Na: Damian Blackthorn
Age: 23
Class: Warlock of Eternal Bonds
Rank: S
Level: 171
Partners: Evelyn Windward (Witch), Victoria Bloodrose (Vampire)
Servants: Fenrith (Three-Headed Wolf), Bloodwing Raven (Blood Raven), Stoneback Golem (Earth Golem), Spectral Serpent (Ghost Snake), Shadow Minion, Mischievous Shade, Agile Wraith, Stalker Phantom, Crimson Devourer
Stats:
Strength: SS
Mana Power: SS
Stamina: S
Endurance: S
Agility: SS
Magic Affinity: SS
XP: 0/200,000
Bond Points: 30
The corner of Damian's lips curled up slightly.
Yeah. He was much stronger now.
The S-rank exam had pushed him to his limits, and his wounds had set him back for a bit, but after healing? He had trained like hell. Cassius' personal training ground, hidden deep in the estate's underground basent, had been his battlefield.
A place where the real trials began.
Hell-tier gravity zones, mana-draining arenas, spell endurance simulations.
Cassius didn't go easy on him.
And Damian?
He didn't want it easy.
He had pushed himself through insane conditions. Fighting with no mana, low stamina, even enduring full-fledged abyssal magic resistance trials. He had fought against his own shadow creatures, creatures stronger than most rank S magi could handle, just to sharpen his skills.
And now?
Now, he wasn't just an S-rank warlock.
He was a warlock who knew exactly how to tear apart anyone who ca after him.
Cassius must've sensed it—the difference in his stance, the confidence in the way Damian moved now—because his smirk faded just slightly.
"I know you're stronger than before." Cassius' voice was casual, but his sharp golden eyes assessed Damian carefully. "A lot stronger. But still you need to be careful."
Damian rolled his shoulders. "I know. I need to catch up."
Cassius huffed. "You're on track to surpass most of the high-rankers at this rate." He shot him a dry look. "That's also why you're a walking fucking target now."
Evelyn smirked, flicking a rune between her fingers. "Not that he wasn't already."
Victoria let out a quiet chuckle, swirling her drink as she leaned against the arm of the couch. "I agree," she mused, eyes gleaming with amusent.
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