The Extra Wants Control

The flickering light of a single candle illuminated the dimly lit chamber. Ray, draped in his usual dark robes, leaned back in his plush chair, a faint scowl etched on his face. Kael stood before him, his posture rigid and his face devoid of any emotion. A tense silence hung heavy in the air, broken only by the rhythmic tapping of Ray's fingers on the armrest.

"Someone's in Babel," Kael finally spoke, his voice a low monotone. "An assassin."

Ray's eyes snapped open, a flicker of surprise momentarily replacing the scowl. "An assassin? In Babel? What's the meaning of this?"

"He's targeting the noble children who entered today," Kael continued, his voice betraying none of his internal conflict. "Stalking them, waiting for an opportunity."

A cruel amusement played on Ray's lips. "Ah, so the nobles are sending their cubs into death. How predictable." He leaned forward, his blue eyes gleaming with a dangerous light. "And they will want to play the victim when things inevitably go wrong?"

Kael remained silent, his gaze unwavering. Ray's laughter, a cold, mirthless sound, filled the room. "But to send an assassin? How crude. One would expect the nobles to have a bit more... finesse."

"They likely want to provoke a reaction," Kael stated, "to create a 'valid' reason for intervention. A reason believable cause who'd think a person would harm his/her child willingly?"

Ray let out a snort of derision. "Intervention? Yes they wouldn't dare invade Stonegate without a far more substantial justification. They want to attack but their attack should look justifiable in the eyes of the other nobles."

A question hung unspoken in the air. Kael, ever the loyal servant, didn't hesitate to voice it. "So, what should we do? Allow the assassin to complete their mission?"

Ray stroked his chin thoughtfully, his gaze fixed on a wall adorned with intricate symbols. "No," he finally declared. "We don't want to give the nobles or anyone any real ammunition. Killing a person especially a child on our soil, within Babel... that would be a PR nightmare."

He paused, his gaze locking with Kael's. "Here's the plan. If the assassin attempts to strike, Amber will step in. She'll fabricate a death using her illusions. A convincing one, mind you."

Kael nodded, understanding dawning in his eyes. "An illusion of a student dying? But that will still cause panic, chaos."

"Indeed," Ray said, a predatory glint in his eyes. "The nobles will be terrified, convinced that their children are in danger. But the beauty of it all is, no one will be truly harmed. Also if a student dies I don't know whether the Academy may investigate making this situation even more annoying."

He tapped a finger against the armrest. "Now, the interesting part. Once the illusion dissipates, Kael, you'll let the assassin go. But discreetly, of course. Constantine will be waiting, ready to follow them back to their source."

A slow smile spread across Kael's face, a chilling echo of Ray's own. "Clever, sir. Let the nobles fret and scheme while we use this to our advantage. We'll find out who sent the assassin, their motives, and use that information to further manipulate them."

"Exactly," Ray boomed, a satisfied smirk twisting his features. "This attempt at intimidation will backfire spectacularly. We'll turn their fear into desperation, their anger into a weapon that ultimately serves Null."

He fixed his gaze on Kael. "Remember, Kael, perception is reality. We'll paint ourselves as the protectors, the ones who kept their children safe, even when their own families failed them."

A flicker of unease crossed Kael's mind. Protecting children through deception wasn't a shining example of heroism, but he kept his thoughts to himself. Doubt would only complicate matters. "Understood, sir," he said, bowing his head slightly.

Ray nodded. "Excellent. Now, go and relay the plan to Amber and Constantine. Let's turn this assassination attempt into a triumph."

**************

The air in Babel crackled with a tension far more potent than the vibrant energy of the young nobles. Viktor, a ghost in the glittering throng, moved with a hunter's grace. Kael's chilling message resonated in his mind – an assassin, a pseudo-seven star no less, stalked the halls, targeting the unsuspecting children who reveled in their opulent playground.

Disgust rolled in Viktor's gut. This was a barbaric act of cruelty masquerading as strategy. His gaze swept across the faces around him, searching for any telltale sign, but the careless abandon of the nobles only deepened his unease. These children, oblivious to the silent predator in their midst, were easy prey.

Suddenly, a flicker of movement at the edge of his vision sent a jolt through him. A cloaked figure, shrouded in shadow, melted from pillar to pillar, their movements swift and silent. Viktor's hand instinctively tightened around the hidden weapon strapped to his thigh. This was it. The assassin.

He trailed the figure from a distance, weaving through the crowd like a phantom. The assassin seemed meticulously choosing their target, their gaze lingering on a young girl, her hair shimmering in the warm glow of the chandeliers.

Just as the figure inched closer to the unsuspecting girl, a voice infused with amusement echoed through the hall, shattering the illusion of normalcy. "My, my, what a gathering we have here! Young blood, vibrant energy... truly a feast for the senses."

All eyes turned towards the source of the voice. It was Amber, her crimson dress shimmering as she sauntered into the hall, a mischievous glint in her eyes. The assassin, momentarily distracted, halted his advance.

Amber, ever the performer, swept her gaze over the crowd, pausing when she met Viktor's eyes. A knowing smile played on her lips, a silent message passing between them, a silent agreement.

Viktor seized the opportunity. With a burst of speed, he lunged towards the assassin, his fist crackling with mana. The figure, reacting with lightning reflexes, sidestepped the attack, sending Viktor crashing into a display of exotic jewelry. The opulent clatter served as the starting pistol for chaos.

Shrieks and shouts filled the air as startled customers scrambled back. The assassin, their cloak thrown back in the struggle, revealed a scarred face and eyes devoid of emotion. They drew a wickedly curved blade, its surface glimmering with an unnatural light.

The fight was a brutal dance of steel and mana. Both combatants were pseudo-seven stars, each move a testament to their honed skills and raw power. But Viktor fought not just with skill, but with a righteous fury that propelled his movements. The assassin, however, remained emotionless, a deadly machine programmed to kill.

Meanwhile, Amber wove her own deception. With a flick of her wrist, an illusion materialized – a copy of the young girl that the assassin targeted and 'killed'. The copy, identical in every detail, screamed and collapsed to the ground, clutching a blooming red rose to her chest. The original was knocked unconscious and taken by a shadow to Null.

The illusion was so real, the crimson staining the rose so vivid, that gasps of horror rippled through the crowd. Some people paled, some collapsing in hysterics. The assassin faltered, their eyes widening for a split second in shock and surprise.

Viktor seized the opportunity. With a powerful surge of mana, he unleashed a devastating uppercut, connecting squarely with the assassin's jaw. The force of the blow sent the figure reeling backward, crashing through a display of crystal sculptures.

But victory was short-lived. Before Viktor could deliver the final blow, Kael appeared beside him, his face an unreadable mask. "Enough," he said in a low voice, his voice filled with chilling authority.

Viktor, panting and bloodied, glared at the disappearing form of the assassin. A silent question hung in the air.

Kael, as if sensing his thoughts, spoke. "Leave him. He serves his purpose. someone is already tailing him. We'll find out who sent him."

Disappointment gnawed at Viktor. He had wanted to see the assassin pay for their attempted murder, but Kael's word was law. He sheathed his weapon, frustration simmering beneath the surface.

In the aftermath of the chaos, Amber stood tall, a picture of calm amidst the pandemonium. "It seems," she announced, her voice laced with mock sorrow, "that a terrible accident has befallen us tonight. One of our esteemed guests has met an untimely… demise."

Her words sent a new wave of fear and confusion among the students.

Confused nobles milled about, faces pale with terror. Whispers of "murder" and "assassination" swirled through the crowd, accusations flying like daggers. Some glared at the Babel guards who stood impassively near the shattered remains of the crystal display, accusing them of lax security. Others, overcome with genuine grief, clung to each other, tears streaming down their cheeks.

"Tend to your friends, console your loved ones. Babel will ensure their safety until daybreak." Amber said.

Her words, though laced with a hint of authority that brooked no argument, also held a subtle empathy, a recognition of their fear. The tide began to turn.

Amber, a deep furrow etched in her brow. "It worked. The illusion held. But some nobles may be suspicious."

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