The interior of the gala was breathtaking. Floating, luminescent orbs cast a warm, golden light over the elites of Solhaven Academy. Ambient, acoustic magic played softly from unseen instruments, filling the air with a beautiful, complex melody that never overpowered the conversation.

Once inside, Rina gently touched Ray's arm.

"Ray, if you don't mind, I saw a few of the senior quartermasters and staff friends I've made near the catering annex. I'd love to go say hi and see if they need a hand."

Ray looked at her, a genuine, proud smile breaking through his stoic facade. He loved that Rina hadn't just remained in his shadow. She had utilized her own skills to build a network within the academy's ‘World of Whispers.’

"Of course, Rina. Go say hi to your friends and have fun."

Ray said warmly.

Once Rina left, Ray together with Svane, Eliza and Lady Esha navigated the room, Ray spotte Kaelen Thorne across the room, looking impossibly sharp in a deep violet gown, though her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

Near the bar, Luke Herrington and Viktor Garrick were holding court. The moment they saw Ray, their expressions changed. Luke just nodded at him, having accepted his defeat in the War-Gaming event. But Viktor was glaring. He still remembered their spar, and he strongly suspected that Ray had coached Darian, as the way Darian defeated him was humiliatingly similar to how Ray did it in their spar. The bitter resentment radiated off him like heat waves.

Viktor raised his crystal goblet, speaking loudly enough for nearby nobles, as well as Ray's group, to hear.

"It is always so quaint when the academy invites the provincial commoners to these galas. Though I suppose it is easier to survive high society when you constantly hide behind the prestige of your betters... or have other people fight your battles for you in the arena."

Viktor sneered.

Ray didn't flinch. In the Ambient Presence, his committee went to work.

Conman: "Classic overcompensation. He is bleeding prestige and trying to staunch the wound by attacking your birthright and alliances. Do not look offended; look mildly amused."

The Charismatic Conman advised, flashing a phantom grin.

Courtier: "He is practically begging to be humiliated. Let us remind him of his own physical failings. Prepare a remark about how the floor of the arena seems to be his natural habitat..."

The Scheming Courtier murmured, sharpening the verbal dagger.

Ray paused, turning to face Viktor with a pleasant, easy smile, preparing to say something, but before Ray could speak, a calloused hand clamped down heavily on the edge of Viktor's bar table.

"Fight his battles?"

A calm, authoritative voice interrupted.

The crowd parted slightly as Darian Varrus stepped forward. The First Level Groups Duelling Champion looked immaculate in his House Varrus formal wear, but he carried the undeniable, rugged aura of the blood and dirt from the arena. Behind him on either side were Kogar and Kima Ramsey, Team SIS looking intimidating with physical power.

Darian stared Viktor down.

"If I recall correctly, Garrick, you spent the last moments of our finals match staring down at the ground as you folded. If you have a grievance with Novice Croft you should defeat me first, I would be more than happy to give you another practical demonstration. Right here. Right now!"

Behind Darian, the massive Kogar cracked his knuckles with a sound like breaking stones, grinning fiercely. Kima simply offered a dark, knowing smirk.

Viktor’s face instantly drained of color. Confronting the Artificer with words was one thing; picking a fight with the Vanguard Champion and his brawlers in the middle of a gala was social and physical suicide.

"That... won't be necessary,"

Viktor muttered stiffly, unable to meet Darian's eyes. He practically shoved his way past his sycophants to retreat into the crowd.

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Eliza hid a sharp smirk behind her fan, while Lady Esha let out a polite, tinkling chuckle of amusement.

Ray was amused with the situation, he hadn't even needed to draw his verbal dagger. He gave Darian a slow, appreciative nod before moving on without breaking his stride.

"There he is! The famous Artificer!"

A loud, boisterous voice cut through the crowd. Jane Starr, the eccentric, vibrantly dressed matriarch of the Starr family, practically dragged her three children over to where Ray was standing.

"Novice Croft! It is an absolute delight. I wanted my children to meet the boy who turned the academy on its head who is also my personal benefactor!"

Jane beamed.

Ray’s brow furrowed slightly in genuine confusion.

Benefactor?

He thought as he is sure this is the first time he has met her, nor had he patronized her children’s kingdom tour.

He opened his mouth to politely ask for clarification, but the Starr siblings were already stepping forward, initiating conversation before he could get a word in.

Dylan Starr, a 3rd-Circle Adept, was charismatic, and wore a jacket lined with silver studs. He clapped Ray on the back with a heavy, rhythmic thump.

"Brilliant showing in the Main Qualifiers, Croft! I watched the War-Gaming finals. You played that tactical board like a percussion instrument. Pure rhythm, no hesitation!"

"You're too kind."

Ray replied smoothly.

Francesca Starr, a 2nd-Circle Apprentice, was incredibly sharp and playfully flirtatious. She leaned in close, her eyes narrowing as she studied him.

"You know, as acoustic mages, we don't just feel mana, we hear it."

Francesca murmured, her voice a melodic purr. She tilted her head, a look of intense curiosity washing over her features.

"But yours... It's unnervingly quiet. Most mages hum or chime. But your mana... it sounds like absolute silence. Like the heavy, breathless quiet right before a thunderclap."

Ray’s eyes glinted. Her acoustic perception was incredibly accurate. She was hearing the terrifying condensation of his use of his innate ‘Aura Suppression’ skill. He has been using this skill to dampen his mana and aether.

Before Ray could answer, the youngest sibling, Krystle, a bubbly 1st-Circle Novice, stepped forward. She was sweet, wearing a bright yellow dress. She looked down at the floor near Ray's boots and giggled nervously, taking half a step backward.

"Your shadow, It sounds very... hungry."

Krystle whispered, pointing a small finger.

From the depths of Ray's inky silhouette, two glowing golden eyes blinked open, acknowledging the little girl's perception, before melting back into the darkness.

Jane Starr laughed, completely oblivious to the magical tension.

"Oh, Krystle, don't be rude! Now, Novice Croft, we are so happy you could attend the gala and I want to…."

"Excuse me."

The interruption was polite, but it carried an undeniable authority. The ambient chatter in their immediate vicinity instinctively dampened.

Ray turned to see Headmaster Andrade stepping through the parted crowd, dressed in imposing, deep-blue formal robes embroidered with silver runes.

Jane Starr’s eyes went wide. She immediately dropped into a deep, flustered curtsy.

"Headmaster Andrade! We are honored by your presence!"

"Lady Jane. This is a beautiful gala. Please forgive the intrusion, but would it be okay to borrow Novice Croft for a moment?"

Andrade said smoothly, though her piercing gaze was locked entirely on Ray.

"Oh, of course! We'll catch up later, Lord Croft!"

Jane agreed instantly, waving them off. Not a single noble in the room possessed the political capital to question the most powerful woman in Solhaven Academy.

Andrade didn't wait for Ray to verbally agree. She turned and walked purposefully toward the grand, arched hallways branching off from the main ballroom. Ray followed closely behind. Svane moved to shadow them, but Andrade gave a microscopic shake of her head. Svane caught this and he stood down and remained in the hall.

The Headmaster led Ray to a lavishly decorated room at the end of the corridor. As soon as Ray crossed the threshold, Andrade pushed the heavy doors shut, throwing the mechanical deadbolt.

She didn't stop there. Reaching into the folds of her robes, she withdrew a flawless, faceted crystal dodecahedron that pulsed with a dense, silvery mana.

Ray’s eyes instantly locked onto the item. In his mind, The Eccentric Scholar came to life and immediately analyzed the artifact.

Scholar: "Fascinating. Look at the sheer density of the runic lattice etched inside that core. Do you remember that standard, commercial-grade sound-dampening crystal Svane used back at The Smelter’s Rest in Iron-Wake City to give us some privacy? That was a mere pebble compared to this. This is a 5th-Tier Dampening Crystal. It doesn't just muffle acoustics; it creates an absolute, localized vacuum against both physical sound and high-circle magical scrying. An incredibly expensive piece of institutional paranoia."

The Eccentric Scholar noted rapidly, his phantom eyes gleaming with intense academic appreciation.

Andrade channeled a pulse of pure mana into the crystal and placed it on the center table. Instantly, a shimmering, translucent dome expanded to the edges of the walls. The faint, melodic music bleeding in from the ballroom completely vanished, leaving them in absolute, deafening silence.

"A week has passed, Novice Croft. I have just returned from the Capital. I wanted to give you an update personally."

Andrade began, her voice crisp and devoid of any pleasantries.

Ray stood tall, his hands clasped behind his back.

"Did my intelligence hold up?"

"Entirely. Sidran Lockyer’s shadow operatives verified the stockpile locations. You were one hundred percent accurate. While a few of your secondary locations were merely transit hubs, the vast majority are confirmed some of the stash, they found Alpha-Class arsenals. My mentor and I are currently coordinating the logistics to execute simultaneous raids on all the secret stashes."

Andrade said, her tone carrying a mixture of triumph and exhaustion.

"That is excellent news, Headmaster.”

Ray said softly. He paused, his golden-flecked eyes narrowing. He chose his next words carefully.

"And the... other matter? Have there been any movements against the Shadow Patron?"