Return of the Runebound Professor Chapter 864: Old Memories

Og sipped leisurely from the steaming cup of bitter tea. It ranked nowhere near the finest he had ever tasted. The seating left much to be desired as well. The eatery's tiny chair forced him to crouch awkwardly.

The table dug tightly into his thighs, offering scarcely any space to shift his arm without toppling the unsteady plates laid out in front of him. Nevertheless, the vista was pleasing. He couldn't really blame the restaurant for its limited size.

Finding ample room grew tougher the higher one climbed toward the peak of Aqua Terra. In these upper districts, spotting such a compact eatery proved challenging. At least, it was if someone aimed to stay under the radar.

Not that superior choices were absent. He knew from experience of several much cozier spots mere steps away from his current position. Yet none would have worked. Talent hunters swarmed Aqua Terra at present.

Only one day remained until the Tournament's start. Nearly every major figure in the Coral Empire had already positioned their forces. All eyes watched intently. They awaited promising talents to emerge for swift recruitment. The whole event served as a massive talent grab.

Even Og couldn't risk entanglement in the fray. The top powers held enough might to trouble him greatly — many skipped asking consent when spotting a fitting recruit for their ranks.

Though Og might have relished clashing with the Tournament's mages, a weightier mission had been assigned to him.

The False Heralds remained unready in their forging. None possessed strength to challenge Orlen yet. They made poor sharpening tools for now. But should the Coral Empire absorb them this day, utility awaited.

Og drank slowly from his cup once more. His nostrils flared faintly at the acrid brew. Time hadn't improved its flavor.

Og placed his teacup aside. Details came thinner than desired. It surprised him little that the Truthseekers had bungled nearly everything. They'd located a handful of False Heralds, only to perish in the attempt.

That said, such outcomes defined their role. No blaze endured without consuming some fuel.

Yet smoldering twigs wouldn't suffice to hunt the False Heralds. He'd need to act amid the Tournament chaos. However, the Prophet's sense-scrambling spells cloaking Aqua Terra barred him from succeeding solo.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

A shadow draped across Og’s back.

The shade then slid past. A cloaked figure drew out the opposite chair, settled into it, and tossed back his hood. Plain features emerged, accented by a neat white beard on a blocky face. He bent ahead, folding arms atop the table.

“You’re late,” Og stated. “Sunrise was our set meeting time. The food has chilled, and the tea bites bitterly.”

“Safer that way,” the man countered. “This place's fare hardly merits complaint anyway. Letting it age could even enhance the flavor.”

“It doesn’t,” Og replied.

“Doesn’t it?” The man cocked his head. Then he shrugged. “Irrelevant. My fee?”

Og slid a small pouch onto the table. The informant snatched it seamlessly in one fluid motion. The action flowed so expertly that the pouch vanished before any onlooker could register it.

“Adequate?” Og inquired.

“Marginally,” the other replied. “I've monitored your inquiry. I doubt the findings will thrill you. Scant details exist. The Empire buzzes with activity. Shadowing vague-described targets amid this—”

“Simply relay your discoveries,” Og cut in. “That's all I require. For guaranteed triumph, I'd have sought a superior spy.”

The man's mouth quirked. “None exist. Not for hire, anyway. They're all beholden to various patrons.”

Og nodded slightly. “Then prove your worth. The task wasn't utterly beyond reach. Speak up. What have you learned?”

“Remember, it's mostly rumor compilation,” the informant cautioned, combing fingers through his hair. “I've pieced together what I could. Trends. But trends deceive absent full context.”

“Deciphering falls to me; reporting to you,” Og said. He waved urgently. “Why delay? Payment isn't hourly. Out with it.”

A brief flicker of unease flashed across the informant's face. He cleared his throat before leaning back into his chair. The action appeared casual, yet his posture held no trace of ease. Clearly, something had set the man on edge.

Out of the 5 you asked me to track down, I could only reliably pinpoint the paths of 3.

Three? Og's lips pressed into a thin line of irritation. That's all?

The rest... they've either stayed under the radar or their abilities were too ordinary for me to gather any solid details. Perhaps they reached Aqua Terra. Even so, the city sprawls enormously, making it nearly impossible to follow anyone inside its walls.

Og let out a grunt. Tell me about those 3.

The first one made no effort to conceal his trail. He blazed straight through the kingdom's heart. Folks can't tell if the destruction he left came from a man, a beast, or a terrifying plague. He remains undiscovered so far.

Og struggled to hide further annoyance on his face. He held little regard for that specific False Herald. Indiscriminate killers offered no true value. Only purposeful trials could temper a man into something superior.

And the other two?

Both ended up in Aqua Terra. Tracing their journeys here proved far simpler through the gossip. The Death Mage has provoked the Prophet's wrath. They've unleashed their powers often, but Death Magic stands forbidden in the Coral Empire. I figure she'll eliminate him shortly. Should he wield it inside Aqua Terra... that spells his doom. The fire mage, meanwhile, has mostly kept to himself. Still, a handful of major clashes allowed me to follow his trail. He's in Aqua Terra now.

The informant reached into his pocket and drew out a small piece of paper. He pushed it over the table toward Og.

What's this? Og inquired.

The closest I could get to their positions in Aqua Terra, the man answered. He shook his head. Don't hold high hopes for it. It's just a rough starting spot. Still, in a massive city like this, it's better than zilch.

Og accepted the paper slip. I understand. Thanks. Anything else?

Hesitation lingered for an instant. Then the informant cleared his throat again.

Well... one more thing. It's puzzling me some. You laid out very precise criteria for your targets. But with the 10 you mentioned, did you overlook one?

Overlook? Og's brow creased. No. Why do you ask?

There's another mage who matches what you're after, the informant explained. He could align even better than the 3 I located. He tore a blatant path across the kingdom without hiding at all. No clues on his background exist, yet plenty of attention has already fixed on him.

Og tilted his head slightly.

Who is it? Og demanded. Describe this one.

Well, since you didn't assign me to follow him, I can't say his current spot, but it's a safe bet he's arrived in Aqua Terra.

A name alone suffices, Og stated. Who? I'll pay extra for this bonus intel. I don't scrape by cheating folks out of petty crystals. Out with it.

The informant held back a beat more. Then he shrugged.

He appears to go by the name Spider.