Masteria Online: Shattering the Dark God's Grand Scheme-Chapter 43 - Afton In Containment

A knock at the door interrupted them.

Lady Windmere entered with Lord Windmere, who was in his fifties, yet still moved like the knight he was. His weathered hands bore the calluses of decades spent wielding his blade and shield, and his posture remained ramrod straight despite the years that had passed since an incident forced him to retire.

"Ah, Young Lumi." Lord Windmere said with a warrior’s directness. "I hope my son hasn’t monopolized too much of your time."

"Not at all." Lumi said, rising politely. "Your son is an excellent student. A few adjustments to his training regimen and I believe he’ll surprise his instructors." He could see the barely concealed pride in the father’s eyes, and Lumi only barely suppressed his smile.

"He’s incredible, Father! Lily said enthusiastically, practically bouncing with excitement. "He fixed my integration problem in minutes! He explained spell theory in ways that actually make sense! You should have seen how he demonstrated the mana flow patterns. It was like watching one man conduct an orchestra!"

Lumi played it off humbly, raising a hand to deflect the praise. "I merely provided personalized guidance. Sometimes a fresh perspective is all that’s needed to illuminate what was already there."

The parents exchanged glances, and Lumi could read their thoughts clearly in their microexpressions. They thought this connection was too valuable to let slip away. They’d likely discussed this exact scenario, what to do if their son encountered someone of importance who held interest in him.

"You must visit again," Lady Windmere said warmly. "Lily has so few peers who understand his struggles. Having someone of your caliber to discuss matters with would be invaluable." She paused, studying Lumi’s reaction. "The other young lords his age... they lack the depth of understanding you’ve demonstrated."

"The honor is all mine, I am only at a First Rank class, after all." Lumi said, allowing himself to be sufficiently modest. "Though my time on Herene is limited. Perhaps we could establish a means of correspondence? I believe the communication crystals work even across the continent?"

"Of course!" Lord Windmere produced two small crystals from his pocket with ease. "A matched set. They’ll work almost anywhere in Masteria, barring magic interference. Please, take it. Consider it a small token of appreciation for your time today."

Lumi accepted graciously, his fingers tingling as they made contact with the crystal’s surface, knowing the "small token" was worth several tens of thousands of gold. "You’re too kind. Lily, I expect updates on your progress."

"I will receive them." Lily promised eagerly. "Thank you, truly. This has been..." He couldn’t find the words.

"Educational for me as well." Lumi said sincerely, and he meant it. Teaching Lily had actually helped clarify some of his own understanding, forcing him to articulate concepts he’d begun to take for granted. "Your questions made me think about fundamentals I’d begun taking for granted. Sometimes the student teaches the teacher."

As they moved toward the door, their footsteps echoing softly on the polished marble, Lady Windmere made her final move. "Oh, I nearly forgot!" She produced a small wrapped package from seemingly nowhere, the silk wrapping bearing the Windmere crest. "A small gift. Our estate produces a particular type of mana crystal that aids in magical recovery. Nothing special, but perhaps useful for someone who practices as intensively as you clearly do."

Lumi accepted the gift with appropriate gratitude. The Windmeres were making an investment, and he would use this benefit to its fullest.

"You’re too generous," Lumi replied, tilting his head respectfully. "I simply offered a bit of guidance to a friend’s friend."

"That guidance that may well make the difference in the trials." Lord Windmere said seriously. "We don’t forget our debts, Master Lumi. If you ever need assistance, House Windmere remembers its friends."

...

As Lumi left the estate, he allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. Lily Windmere was now firmly in his orbit. That was a future powerhouse who would remember him forever. Moving on, he would use the communication crystal to let him guide Lily’s development, ensuring the young man reached his potential faster than in the original timeline.

Right now, he had a puppeteer to break, and that task required his full attention.

He made his way back to the palace, noting the increased guard presence with professional interest. Clearly it was part of Divan’s or Azir’s arrangements. Regardless, it showed just how seriously the situation was being taken.

Divan was waiting in his office, no longer alone. Two figures in deep black robes flanked him, their faces hidden by masks that drank in the light around them. The air around them rippled with shadows, the darkness was literally coiling and uncoiling. The temperature in the room had dropped noticeably, and Lumi could feel the weight of their dark auras pressing against his consciousness.

Lumi understood well that this wasn’t a mere show of power or posturing. It was the effect of one of their buffs, likely a manifestation of their specialized training rather than conscious intimidation.

"Punctual." Divan noted approvingly, consulting a timepiece that materialized in his palm before vanishing again. "These are Wardens Chen and Yates. The two specialize in mental magic, both protecting against it and detecting its use. They’ll ensure our prisoner doesn’t attempt any tricks during questioning."

Lumi knew that wasn’t the whole story. In fact, magic wasn’t their specialty. But he wouldn’t point any of that out.

"An honor." Lumi said with an appropriate bow. The wardens didn’t respond, but he felt their magic brush against his mental defenses. He offered no resistance, allowing them to verify he harbored no hostile intentions.

"Your companions have been informed." Divan continued, shuffling through papers on his desk. "Most are with Novice Knight Gabriel, who seems quite eager to show them around."

"Gabriel is a very good person," Lumi said, warmth in his voice as he thought of his friend. "He’ll keep them out of trouble."

"One hopes. Your friend Lena was asking if she could ’pet the buildings because they look fuzzy.’ I’m not entirely sure what that means."

"Neither does she, usually." Lumi admitted with a slight smile. "Shall we begin?"

"One moment." Divan studied him intently, his pale eyes searching for something. "You’ve been busy this past hour. Visiting House Windmere?"

There was no accusation in the tone, just curiosity mixed with professional interest. Lumi saw no reason to lie or otherwise make up a new different story. "Young Lord Lily has potential. I heard of him from Marcus Yelland, so I offered some training guidance."

"Hmm." Divan processed this information. "You’ve been building connections with nobles. The Windmeres are good people, if somewhat ambitious. Their son truly has potential?"

"Significant potential." Lumi confirmed. "With proper guidance, he could go far."

"Interesting. Well, let’s see if your insight into people extends to breaking them down as well as building them up." He gestured to the wardens, who moved onwards. "The interrogation chamber is prepared. Remember what we talked about. The wardens will intervene if necessary."

"Understood."

They proceeded through corridors Lumi hadn’t seen before, descending into the palace’s secure areas through passages. The decoration grew bare as they descended, all the beauty giving way to function. There wasn’t even an attempt for elegance.

Finally, they reached a heavy door marked with containment runes. Divan placed his hand on a recognition panel. The door swung open, revealing the interrogation chamber beyond. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

There were multiple rooms. Divan led them to a specific room where Afton was held. A single chair sat in the center, surrounded by a ritual circle designed to suppress magical abilities. Recording crystals floated above recording at all times. Six guards stood at attention outside the cell, monitoring at all times.

And in the chair, bound and hurt, sat Afton S. Crow.

The puppeteer clearly couldn’t move beyond the chair, his body held in place by both physical and invisible forces. The suppression circle held him more firmly than any chains, its power radiating outward in waves. His expensive robes were gone, replaced by simple prisoner’s garb.

Stripped of all else, he looked exactly like what he was. A thin, nervous man in his thirties with delusions of grandeur and hollow eyes.

His eyes tracked to the door as they entered, widening as he recognized Lumi. Fear, hatred, and confusion warred on his face, the emotions cycling through his expression.

"You!" he spat, his voice cracking with rage. "Come to gloat, boy? To see what you’ve reduced me to? Why are you even here!? You captured me, I’ll admit it, you captured me. But what does that have to do with you being here!?"

He trembled in anger, then cursed directly. "Fuck off!" He looked past Lumi and at Divan behind him. "Aria Knights! Is this your idea of a sick joke? To humiliate me before torturing me!?"

Lumi stepped into the room under everyone’s watchful eye. He kept his movements calm as he gave a gentle smile to Afton.

"Hello, Afton." Lumi said pleasantly, a smile forming on his face. "We have so much to discuss."