Supreme Warlock System : From Zero to Ultimate With My Wives-Chapter 246: Familiar

Warlock Ch 246. Familiar

"He's… interesting," Ralvek said, his tone measured. "I've never seen him before and there's something familiar about him, wouldn't you agree?"

Lenira's eyes narrowed slightly. "Familiar? How so?"

Ralvek shrugged, his expression one of casual indifference. "Perhaps it's just his demeanor. Or maybe it's the way he carries himself, as if he's used to being in the thick of things. Either way, I can't help but feel like we've seen his kind before."

Aria resisted the urge to clench her fists. Instead, she forced a small smile. "You're overthinking it. He's a warlock—brash, confident, and a little reckless. That's hardly unique."

Ralvek tilted his head, studying her closely. "You seem very certain of that."

"I've dealt with his type before," Aria said smoothly. "And I've been in this game long enough to recognize a man trying to prove himself. That's all he is—someone who's taken an opportunity and run with it."

Lenira leaned in slightly, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "But why would Victoria elevate someone like that? A warlock, of all things."

"She needs them," Aria replied, her tone firm. "Varak and Seraphis weren't trivial opponents. It makes sense that she'd turn to outsiders with unique skills to handle the situation."

Ralvek smirked, clearly enjoying the exchange. "And yet, there's more to it, isn't there? Victoria doesn't act without layers of intent. What do you think her endgame is, Aria?"

Aria met his gaze directly, her voice steady. "I think her endgame is exactly what she said—to ensure stability and protect her position. Overanalyzing it will only create unnecessary paranoia."

Ralvek chuckled again, a low, knowing sound. "Unnecessary, perhaps. But paranoia has kept us alive this long, hasn't it?"

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"Careful," Aria said lightly, though her eyes were sharp. "Paranoia can also blind you to what's right in front of you."

Ralvek inclined his head, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. "Touché."

Lenira sighed, waving a hand dismissively. "Fine, fine. Let's leave it at that. But mark my words, Aria—Victoria's little 'heroes' will stir the waters. And when they do, I hope you're ready for the ripples."

"I always am," Aria said simply, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Ralvek and Lenira exchanged a glance before stepping away, their conversation shifting to something more mundane. Aria watched them go, her mind racing. They were suspicious, but that was nothing new. The question was, how far would their curiosity push them?

Her gaze returned to Damian. He was still laughing with Evelyn and Cassius, seemingly unaware of the silent war waging around him.

'Stay out of their sights, Damian,' she thought, her heart heavy. 'For both our sakes.'

Damian leaned casually against a nearby column, swirling the dark red liquid in his glass with an air of disinterest. Outwardly, he looked calm—relaxed even, laughing at something Cassius had said a moment ago. But inside? Inside, he was anything but.

"Please tell me they've left," Damian muttered under his breath, keeping his eyes fixed on the swirling liquid and not daring to glance toward Aria or the senators. "And that Aria's not staring at me anymore."

Cassius, still slumped in a chair and playing up his earlier nausea, shot a quick, subtle glance toward the group that had been scrutinizing them moments ago. "Yeah," he said, his voice equally low. "They've left. I think. Not sure about Aria, though."

"Great," Damian deadpanned, his smile frozen in place as he let out a quiet sigh of relief. "Just great."

Evelyn, perched elegantly on the armrest of Cassius's chair, raised an eyebrow at Damian. "They know it's you, don't they?"

Damian shrugged, keeping his tone light despite the knot forming in his stomach. "Suspicious? Yes. But knowing? No. If they knew, they'd be attacking me right now, regardless of Victoria's protection."

"Good point," Cassius said with a faint smirk. "Senators don't exactly wait for an invitation when it comes to eliminating threats. Looks like Victoria's plan worked, though."

"Yeah," Damian muttered, glancing toward the center of the ballroom where Victoria was still holding court. "I guess."

Evelyn's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "And that's why she invited them here. She did it on purpose—to draw their attention, to make them focus on her protection."

Damian nodded, his lips tightening. "Makes sense. If I'm under her shield, they can't make a move without declaring open war. She's playing the long game."

Cassius let out a low whistle. "Smart. But risky. If they figure out the truth…"

"They won't," Damian said firmly, though even he didn't fully believe his own words. "Not unless I screw up."

Evelyn opened her mouth to say something else, but before she could, Cassius straightened slightly in his chair, his expression shifting. "Oops," he said with a wry grin. "Incoming. Aria's on her way."

Damian stiffened, forcing a calm expression onto his face as his mind raced. "Oh, great," he muttered. "Just what I needed."

"Prepare yourself," Evelyn said, her voice half amused, half concerned. "Here comes trouble."

Damian adjusted his posture, schooling his expression into one of polite curiosity as Aria approached. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Cassius lazily straighten in his seat, his usual stoic demeanor giving way to a faint smirk. Evelyn, meanwhile, kept her gaze level, her fingers lightly tapping the armrest as if she were suppressing the urge to conjure a spell.

Aria stopped a few steps away, her regal presence impossible to ignore. "Good evening," she greeted, her voice smooth and cool. Her sharp eyes flicked between the three of them before settling on Cassius. "Cassius."

Cassius inclined his head slightly, his tone casual but carrying a hint of sarcasm. "Lady Aria. What a surprise to see you mingling with us."

Damian bit back a grin, lifting his glass to his lips to hide his amusement, pretending to sip it. Evelyn shot Cassius a subtle warning glance, but he ignored it, leaning back in his chair with an air of nonchalance.

Aria's lips twitched ever so slightly, though whether it was amusement or irritation was hard to tell. "I couldn't resist the chance to meet Victoria's esteemed allies," she said, her gaze drifting briefly to Damian before returning to Cassius. "It's not every day we see someone of your rank working with an apprentice and a witch."