Imperial Capital Asgard, the city that gathered the empire’s authority and glory, was operating as usual.
The people here lived peaceful lives.
In the morning, shops opened on time and began their day’s business.
By afternoon, those with nothing to do chatted about novel things in various places.
Until evening, patrolling guards walked through the streets in neat steps.
The scenery on the streets was as tranquil as ever each day, with no apparent change.
No one knew how many undercurrents were raging beneath that calm surface.
Agatha had no classes today.
She stretched widely and climbed out of her bed, which was piled high with all kinds of tools and recipes.
She scratched her already messy, bird’s-nest-like short black hair and decided to use this rare free time to go to the central commercial district and “stock up.”
She planned to get some new experimental materials and continue her great “liquid explosives” experiment.
“Sigh…”
Just thinking about it made Agatha couldn’t help but sigh.
After all, she wasn’t a genius like Helos.
That little monster had practically turned into a different person since joining the Academy alchemy association.
She restored ancient alchemy at a frightening speed and even found time to “invent” something like a hand crossbow and electric shock bullets.
Even Professor Graham praised her endlessly, calling her a “once-in-a-century prodigy.”
Not even her roommate knew what she was really up to.
A few days ago, she had locked herself in the workshop, researching something even more explosive.
But somehow, the original puppet golem had disappeared, replaced by a golden-haired maid.
Agatha admitted she was a little jealous.
Her own “liquid explosives” research had been going on for a long time, but progress was still slow.
Either incorrect ratios caused violent explosions, or insufficient material purification led to insufficient power.
‘No! I, Agatha, will never give up!’
She slapped her cheeks hard and refreshed her spirit.
After all, she was also one of Professor Graham’s students!
She couldn’t embarrass herself too much!
She spent a whole day wandering the commercial district.
From Dwarf shops selling rare ores to the Eastern Market hawking exotic spices, she almost emptied her pockets in exchange for the heavy packages in her hands.
It wasn’t until evening, when the setting sun dyed the entire city a warm orange-red, that she hummed a random tune contentedly and headed back toward the Academy.
The central commercial district was a considerable distance from the Academy.
That distance could normally be shortened by a windrunner beast stagecoach, but to save money for more materials, Agatha chose to walk.
When she reached the entrance of a familiar alley, she instinctively stopped.
She glanced deeper into the alley.
This alley was a well-known shortcut that could save her at least ten minutes of walking.
Agatha looked at the large and small bags in her hands, then rolled her eyes and made her decision immediately.
Take the shortcut!
After all, with the security of Imperial Capital Asgard, at least in alleys near main roads like this one, she didn’t worry about being stopped by some random weirdo.
This was the Imperial Capital, under the protection of the Emperor!
A smile flickered at the corner of Agatha’s mouth.
‘Right, this is… under the Emperor’s protection.’
With that thought, she didn’t hesitate. She stepped forward and plunged into the deep alley.
The alley was a bit long, flanked by tall building walls that blocked the last light of evening, making it somewhat dim.
But it was very quiet inside, with only the echo of her own footsteps.
Occasionally, a stray cat would suddenly dart out from a corner of piled clutter boxes, letting out a “meow.”
Agatha didn’t care.
She even blew a whistle at a black cat with interest.
***
Soon, Agatha saw the bright exit at the other end of the alley.
‘Great, I’ll be back at the Dormitory soon.’
She even started fantasizing about whether she could convince Helos tonight to help her see if these newly bought materials could be used for “liquid explosives.”
Just as she was full of anticipation and about to speed up through the alley, a figure in a black cloak suddenly appeared slowly at the alley’s exit, as if materializing out of nowhere, blocking Agatha’s way.
“Huh?”
Agatha’s steps jerked to a halt.
She had to take a step back, eyeing this sudden stranger warily.
The person was completely covered in a large cloak, tall in build, his face unclear.
He stood there quietly at the alley entrance, neither advancing nor retreating, like a lifeless statue.
“Hey! A good dog doesn’t block the road!”
Agatha was not the polite type of lady, and besides, she was in a hurry to get back to work.
She shook the packages of bottles and jars in her hands impatiently.
“Mind moving? I’m in a hurry.”
But the figure remained unmoved.
“This student.”
A young man’s voice came from under the cloak.
The voice was cool and calm, yet carried an indescribable sense of oppression.
“This road is closed now. Please take another one.”
Agatha looked as if she had heard the funniest joke.
“Ha? Closed?”
“Who do you think you are? The Imperial Guard? You want to control everything, even how people walk?”
She didn’t believe a word from such a suspicious person.
Besides, if it really were closed, she would have been stopped at the other end long ago.
As she spoke, she tried to go around him.
But as soon as she moved, the figure shifted like a phantom, blocking her again.
“I said, this road is closed.”
The voice was still cold.
Agatha’s face darkened.
She slowly set down her packages and flexed her wrists.
A dangerous light flashed in her crimson eyes.
“Friend, I’m not in a good mood today.”
She said coldly.
“I suggest you disappear from in front of me before I lose my temper.”
“Otherwise, I can’t guarantee that these new ‘materials’ of mine won’t bloom on you.”
But the cloaked figure only slightly raised his head.
Under the shadow of the hood, a pair of bright black pupils flickered with an inexplicable gleam.
He seemed to be sizing up Agatha, his gaze lingering on her Royal magic academy uniform for nine seconds.
Then he let out a cold snort.
“Hmph… As expected. I never thought I’d encounter such a familiar aura so soon after entering the Imperial Capital.”
“Aura?”
Agatha was stunned.
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing much.”
The black-haired young man’s voice grew even colder.
He slowly placed his hand on the sword hilt at his waist.
“Instead, let me ask you—”
“You’re wearing this student uniform. Where are you planning to go?”
He raised his head, the dark eyes hidden in the shadows locking onto Agatha like a hawk.