Chapter 258: Karan Town "I’m just her student," Azel said, pouring himself another cup of wine. The Empire’s wine tasted far better than the drinks he had back on Earth. "Why would a student need to marry his professor?" "I feel like I’ve heard these words before." Stella Duvraine smirked over her cup. "That was exactly what Mynes’s father said." Azel blinked. Wait... what? Did she really seduce her student? Suddenly, he understood exactly where Mynes got her personality. He took another sip of his drink. "I see it runs in the family," he muttered. "Besides," Stella continued smoothly, "aren’t you interested in our runes?" With a flick of her finger, a glowing symbol formed in the air. The rune shimmered gold at first, then deepened into a soft blue. Its shape was made of curved lines wrapping into a circle, like vines coiling around a moon. Azel watched, fascinated with the unique design. The rune spun lazily in front of him and it looked so beautiful he couldn’t help but marvel what kind of rune it was, was it something that could help in battle? [Rune Name: Nullification Rune] [Rune Description: Used in an enclosed space with your lover. Ensures no sound escapes the room.] Azel nearly choked on his wine. ’She can’t be serious.’ Stella smiled at him. "I’ll let you draw it out if you’d like." "I’ll pass," Azel replied quickly, setting his cup down. His mission was done, wasn’t it? He’d come here to help the Principal handle the nobles, and he’d done just that. Surely, he could go home now. He turned toward Mynes. "The mission’s over, right?" "Actually, I called you here for another thing," Aldric cut in. Azel froze mid-motion, the small hope of freedom was instantly snuffed out. ’Oh, come on,’ he thought miserably. ’Can’t I go one day without getting dragged into another job?’ "You’re owing me a mission," Aldric said simply. Azel stared. ’He still remembers that?!’ It had been more than a year ago! Didn’t this man have an empire to run? "I am?" Azel asked slowly. "Yes." Aldric set down his glass. "You were supposed to take a mission for me before... the second Empress passed away." There was nothing Azel could do but nod, maybe it would be a simple mission. "I’m sure you’re aware that Naelia and Ira are off training," Aldric continued. "Yes," Azel said. "You sent them away." "There’s been a disturbance in that region," Aldric said. "The local guards have reported hearing howls at night and seeing a figure moving through the woods. They engaged the culprit recently but it’s not just an animal. It’s a wolf in the form of a man." Mira, sitting nearby, frowned slightly. "A Beastman?" Aldric shook his head. "No. They thought so at first. But this one killed some of the guards and vanished. It doesn’t fit any known tribe pattern. It’s also wild and powerful, That’s why I’m sending you, Azel." Azel raised a brow. "Can’t you send someone more experienced?" "You underestimate yourself." "I mean," Azel said, trying not to sound disrespectful, "you’re asking a student to deal with something that killed trained guards. That sounds less like confidence and more like a death wish." Aldric only chuckled softly. "Don’t exaggerate, we both know you’re more powerful than regular border guards. This is a small town, not a battlefield. The place is called Karan Town. It’s mostly military and it’s an outpost on the edge of the Empire near the frontier. It should probably just be a rogue Beastman." "Karan Town?" Azel muttered. The connection hit him instantly. The Keyhole to Lycas is right around there. ’I can already see how they managed to get exterminated.’ Still, he nodded. "Alright. I’ll go." "Good." Aldric smiled slightly. "I’ll assign a teleportation mage to take you there." He turned to Principal Dorian Astralis. "I assume the Academy will stay closed for now?" "Yes," Dorian said, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "The reconstruction alone will take quite some time, and we still haven’t replaced our Spellcraft instructor." Aldric gave a slow nod. "Then it’s settled." Stella rose from her seat, smoothing her elegant crimson dress with Mynes at her side. "Stay safe, son-in-law. The borders aren’t for the weak." Azel resisted the urge to groan. He turned toward Mira as she stood. She gave him a faint smile, one corner of her lips lifting. "When you get back," she said, "we’ll talk." Then she left, following Stella out of the hall. Grand Mage Trisha bowed politely and departed next, leaving Azel with just Aldric and Dorian. Aldric looked at him with that same commanding calm. "Would you like to go now?" Azel exhaled slowly. "Sure. Let’s get it over with." ... Azel blinked as he found himself standing at the edge of a dusty town. "This place smells like gunpowder," he muttered, coughing lightly. "Well, it is a military town, I guess that’s valid." He rubbed his neck, glancing around. The teleportation mage had vanished, he didn’t even have a chance to recruit the guy. Azel walked a few steps forward, boots crunching on gravel. He could hear noises in the distance... they sounded like voices but this place felt very deserted. He adjusted his sword on his back. ’Alright, first things first. I’ll find the local guards, ask about the attacks, and figure out what this thing actually is.’ He thought, then he would find Naelia. He turned down a narrow path between two wooden buildings. And then he heard something clink, it sounded like a bottle tipping over. He turned. A man stood a few feet away, tall and rough-looking. His hair was unkempt and his face was completely shadowed with stubble. He wore a dirty vest, pants stained with oil, and in his hand... a pistol. "Hand over all your money and I’ll let you pass!" the man barked. The gun trembled just slightly in his hand, but he covered it with a grin. Azel stared at him. ’I’m being robbed?’