Return of the Runebound Professor Chapter 944: The Worst Partners

Noah sat back in his chair, watching the battles wage on in the arenas below.

It had been hours since this stage of the tournament had begun. He’d been keeping an eye on their arena, but he still hadn’t spotted anyone else he recognized. There had been quite a few battles. Though he hadn’t quite kept track, many had lasted for less time than the timers leading up to them.

Lee, Brayden, and Fist all went up for their respective fights. None had any real trouble. They all returned roughly in the same shape that they’d departed, victorious.

He didn’t get called up a third time that day.

By the time the sun dipped below the edges of the arena and darkness started to creep into the sky, the tournament finally started to slow down for the day. There were a few more battles held in the dying light before the arenas emptied out and Baun’s somewhat annoying calls went silent for several minutes.

Then his giant face re-appeared above the arenas in a flash, nearly startling Noah out of his chair.

“That will be all for today!” Baun’s voice boomed through the stands. “Thank you all for your attendance thus far, and I hope you’ve enjoyed yourselves! Make sure to visit a few of the tournament sponsors and contributors as the day draws to a close. There’s still a great deal of time to relax and enjoy Aqua Terra before we get the excitement started back up tomorrow! As for the competitors… don’t you worry! The best part of the day still awaits! And that is for competitors. Not just those of you who won.”

“Huh,” Brayden said. “Everyone? That’s a bit odd.”

“Makes sense,” Noah said. “Some people might have been impressive enough to get attention from recruiters but just ended up in a bad matchup. It was never just about winning.”

“Good point.” Brayden nodded thoughtfully. Then a grimaced passed over his features. “Though I do get a sneaking suspicion that this means we’re about to have to—”

“So get yourselves ready for a party!” Baun called, accompanied by an exasperated sigh from Brayden. The mustached announcer continued, unaware and unperturbed. “We’ve changed a few things up from last night. Don’t worry about anything getting stale. Instead of a masquerade, tonight’s celebration will be a far more standard one. Come as you will — we don’t care! And, as always, keep an eye on those around you. Never know who might want to talk.”

“Gods, I hope they don’t,” Brayden said, pinching the bridge of his nose. “This is going to be such a hassle. Don’t suppose there’s any chance that we don’t actually have to go if we don’t want—”

“As before, attendance is mandatory,” Baun said.

“Fuck,” Brayden said.

Noah chuckled. He clapped the larger man on his shoulder. “Don’t look so put out. Nobody is going to try any shit at least. Just use it as an opportunity to eat some good food and keep an eye out for the others. Maybe we’ll be get lucky.”

A meow came from between Noah’s feet.

They all looked down at Mascot, who was chewing on something. Noah blinked. Then he looked closer. It seemed to be a severed finger.

“Where did you get— actually, never mind,” Noah said, shaking his head. “You planning on coming to this thing, Mascot?”

The white cat gave him an unimpressed look that made it abundantly clear exactly what he thought of the upcoming dinner. Noah sighed. Then he ruffled Mascot’s fur.

“Yeah. Fair enough. Probably for the best. I figure you’d probably cause a bit too much trouble if you came along, eh?”

Mascot hacked the digit he was chewing on up. It landed on the floor with a splat. All of them looked down at it.

“Is that—” Brayden started.

“Yes,” Noah said. “Everyone have all ten?”

Lee looked down at her hands for a second. Then she checked her toes. “Yup.”

“Then don’t worry about it,” Noah said.

Mascot disappeared.

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Fist choked on her own saliva. She pounded a fist against her chest, then thrust her finger at the space where Mascot had been.

“Why do you have a magic cat?”

“No questions,” Noah said. “Mascot doesn’t like them.”

Fist stared at him for a second. Then she glanced around the room as if expecting to find the fluffy white cat hiding somewhere hiding in wait to pounce. “Seriously?”

“Somewhat,” Noah said. “I wouldn’t worry too much about it. That never goes well. Just don’t pay him too much mind and make sure he’s fed. Little bugger’s been gone for a long time. I want to pamper him a bit.”

“Right,” Fist said slowly. She looked as if she wanted to say something else, but thought better of it.

“Great,” Noah said. “By the way, while we’re at the dinner tonight, you mind trying to chat with Mordred? I’d like to know where things stand, particularly on finding anyone interesting or worth being aware of. Every round of fights is probably going to get a whole lot more difficult as the weaker mages are filtered out.”

“Yeah,” Fist said, shaking herself off like a wet dog before giving him a sharp nod. “I’ll touch bases with him. He’s a bit busy at the moment, but he should have everything worked out for you soon.”

“I appreciate that,” Noah said. And, before another word could come out of his mouth, a shimmer of energy cut through the air behind him.

A green portal snapped into being.

They all turned to look at it in surprise.

“Already?” Fist asked.

“No,” Lee said. “My badge didn’t activate.”

“Neither did mine,” Brayden said. “They singled you out. Another fight?”

“That’s not how it looked when the badge activated for a fight,” Lee said with a frown. She squinted at the portal. “Why is this here?”

“This one’s for me,” Noah said. “I’ll see you all at the banquet. Probably. Just keep an eye out, yeah?”

Lee sent him a concerned look. Her nose scrunched. “Be careful.”

“I will be,” Noah promised.

He exchanged a quick nod with Brayden.

Then he stepped into the portal.

The world shifted in an instant.

Noah was standing in Vivian’s room once more. The Prophet sat before him, her fingers interlaced in her lap. That answered the question as to who had called for him. Shadows curled unnaturally in the corner beneath the desk, making it clear that the two of them weren’t alone.

“Spider,” Vivian said as the portal closed behind him.

“Vivian,” Noah said, giving her a small nod of greeting.

“I take it you’ve already deduced why you’re here?” Vivian asked.

“It wasn’t a hard guess,” Noah said. “The Apostles?”

Vivian nodded. “Yes. We’re going to be seeding the dining halls soon. I will be arranging to ensure that you are near the Apostles. After that, I just need information. See what you can find. They’ll have to let something slip at some point. Even a small hint will help me figure out what their relationship with the Truthseekers is.”

“Are you so sure?” Noah asked with a frown. “I mean, I agreed to do this, so I will… but I really don’t see them as stupid enough to just go around telling random people their plans.”

“The Apostles were arrogant to come directly here,” Vivian said with a grim smile. “I am certain they’ll be confident enough to let their guards down… especially when I am out of the picture.”

“What’s that mean?” Noah asked.

“The Apostles and Truthseekers are almost certainly waiting for something to incapacitate or otherwise distract me,” Vivian replied. She crossed her arms in front of her chest and leaned back in her chair. “They aren’t stupid enough to try something big right in front of me. So I’ll give them the opportunity they want. Force their hands.”

“You’re going to leave?” Noah asked. “Are you sure that isn’t just going to be giving them exactly what they’re hoping for?”

“I don’t know what it is they’re hoping for,” Vivian replied with a shake of her head. “And it’ll be impossible to know until they move. Orlen is too damned insane. There’s no way to read his motives before seeing them in motion. At least this creates a higher chance that the fight will be on my terms rather than theirs.”

Noah grunted. “Well… I’ll see what I can do. Don’t hold your breath. I don’t think the Apostles are going to let me tag along, even if everything goes up in flames.”

“That,” Vivian said sharply, leaning forward until their eyes were level, “will not be happening. I expect you to use discretion.”

Noah stared at her.

“Seriously?”

“Yes,” Vivian said.

“You’re leaving making sure the Apostles don’t go tearing everything down around them… to me?”

“No,” Vivian said. “I am not that stupid. I am saying that I want to make sure don’t go tearing everything down. This tournament will still be going when dawn comes tomorrow, Spider. And I will not allow my authority to be challenged at any point during that time. You will ensure that whatever happens, happens quietly.”

“That’s a tall order,” Noah said.

“Which is why you will not be doing it alone,” Vivian said. “You will have assistance.”

“Really?” Noah asked. “Who?”

The air warped. All of a sudden, there was a man standing beside Vivian. He was clad in black and gray rags, with a massive bandage-covered sword slung over his shoulder like a baseball bat.

“Oh, no,” Noah said. “This guy? Really? He gives me the creeps.”

“He is capable. But you will have more than the Executioner at your side.” Vivian nodded to the shadows at the corner of the room. They twisted up, forming into the rippling form of a woman. “Maria will aid you as well.”

Noah stared at the darkness for a moment. Then he looked back to Vivian.

“Can I swap them out for literally anyone else?”

“No,” Vivian said. She gave him a charming smile. “You cannot. These are the strongest assistance that I can give you.”

“Great.” Noah sighed. “This is going to be a fucking shitshow.”