Chapter 174: The Reunion Before the Storm
Chapter 174: The Reunion Before the Storm
Before Evelyne could react, the woman at the door pulled her into an embrace.
"Evelyne!"
The familiar, cheerful voice left no room for doubt.
Evelyne stood motionless for a moment before slowly exhaling.
"Master..."
Calista Veyne held her a moment longer, then stepped back with a bright smile.
"Is that all I get after all these years? A single word?"
"It’s been a long time," Evelyne replied.
"A long time? You barely send a proper message, and greet me as though we’ve only been apart for a week."
"You could have visited."
"I could have. But then I wouldn’t have been able to surprise you."
Evelyne shook her head faintly.
Some things never changed.
"Come inside, Master. We shouldn’t have this conversation in the doorway."
"Ah, there it is. You finally remember your manners."
"Would you prefer to remain outside?"
"Absolutely not. I’ve traveled all this way, and I intend to be properly entertained."
Calista swept inside, and Evelyne closed the door behind her.
Years had passed since they had last met in person, but the familiarity between them remained.
Calista had been Evelyne’s master during her time at Ambrose Academy, personally guiding her and helping her refine her abilities. She had already been Headmistress then, though their teacher-student relationship remained a secret known only to the two of them.
After settling onto the sofa, Calista glanced at Evelyne.
"So, Duchess, how have you been?"
"Busy. And you?"
"Exhausted. Managing an academy full of young geniuses is a thankless job. Give them power, ambition, and too much confidence, and they’ll turn an ordinary day into a disaster."
"Sounds familiar."
Calista narrowed her eyes.
"Was that directed at me?"
"Would you like it to be?"
"How cruel. I’ve barely arrived, and you’re already bullying your master."
Evelyne’s lips curved faintly as she poured tea for them both.
"Speaking of which, have you told Andras that you were my master?"
"Of course. I thought it would be interesting to see his reaction." Calista accepted her cup. "I expected surprise, perhaps a few questions. Instead, he barely reacted at all. He listened, acknowledged what I’d said, and moved on."
A quiet laugh escaped Evelyne.
"Don’t laugh! My disappointment is genuine."
"I’m sure it is."
"You could at least pretend to sympathize."
"Your acting is convincing, Master."
"Thank you."
"That wasn’t a compliment."
Calista stared at her for a moment before laughing.
For a brief moment, the years between them seemed to disappear.
Then Evelyne settled into the opposite chair.
"How is my son doing at the academy?"
Calista nearly stopped with her cup halfway to her lips.
"Wait. Are you actually worried about your son?"
"What kind of question is that?"
"The kind I’d never have expected to ask you." Calista studied her with amusement. "The Evelyne I remember was fiercely independent and rarely worried about anything she couldn’t control. I never imagined our first conversation would revolve around your son."
"People change."
"Apparently."
"I’m his mother. Of course I’m concerned about him." Evelyne took a sip of tea before adding, "You wouldn’t understand. You don’t have children."
Calista’s expression shifted.
"Oh?"
"And how would you have a child when you don’t even have a partner?"
Calista pressed a hand to her chest as though she’d been struck.
"Evelyne! How can you say such a thing to your own master?"
"Really, Master. Your acting hasn’t improved at all."
"Perhaps I should have found a partner years ago. Then I could have raised a child who’d visit me occasionally and ask about my health."
"That sounds suspiciously like a complaint."
"It is."
"Then find someone to complain to."
Calista stared at her for a moment before bursting into laughter.
"You really haven’t changed as much as I thought."
"Neither have you."
"Unfortunately for everyone around me."
Their laughter faded into comfortable silence.
Calista glanced at her cup, then looked up again.
"By the way, your son certainly made an impression during the entrance examination."
Evelyne’s interest sharpened.
"Did he?"
"Oh, you have no idea." Calista shook her head, an incredulous smile forming. "I could tell you every detail of what he did during that examination, from the moments he chose to sit back and observe to the opportunities he exploited when everyone else was too busy fighting. And the incident with Elaria Sylvanis? That alone would have been enough to make him memorable."
Evelyne listened without interrupting.
Calista continued, recounting Andras’s decisions, his unusual approach to the competition, and the reactions his actions had provoked among the other participants. She described how he had taken advantage of the examination’s rules rather than competing in the way the academy had expected, and how his confrontation with Elaria had become one of its most talked-about moments.
By the time she finished, her expression had settled somewhere between amusement and disbelief.
"Honestly, I’ve seen plenty of talented young people enter Ambrose Academy. But your son has a particular gift for making people underestimate him right until the moment they realize their mistake."
Evelyne considered that.
It hardly surprised her. Andras had never been one to follow expectations simply because others considered them proper.
"Did the academy object to his methods?"
"Not formally. He stayed within the stated rules, even if he stretched their spirit to the limit." Calista shrugged. "Some students dislike him for it, but they have little grounds to complain."
"Then the examination served its purpose."
Calista looked at her.
"Most mothers would be more concerned to hear that their son had caused such a stir."
"Most mothers don’t have sons like mine."
Calista laughed softly.
"Fair enough."
She took another sip of tea, but her expression grew more serious.
"Have you heard about the dungeon incident?"
"Yes. Andras told me about it."
"Then you know he and Romeo Ravenhart were pulled into an unknown dungeon during combat training—and that Andras returned alone."
Evelyne nodded.
"I heard a portal appeared without warning and swallowed them both. I can’t imagine what Count Ravenhart and his wife must have felt when their son failed to return."
Her gaze lowered to her cup.
"If Andras had been the one who didn’t come back..." She paused. "I don’t know how I would have endured it."
Calista’s expression softened.
"I understand. Romeo was the heir to House Ravenhart. His disappearance has left many questions unanswered."
"Has the academy discovered anything?"
"Nothing conclusive." Calista hesitated. "Some have wondered whether Andras knows more than he’s told us. He’s the only one who returned, after all."
Evelyne met her gaze without the slightest change in expression.
"And you suspect him?"
"I suspect the circumstances. That’s not the same as accusing him." Calista set down her cup. "I won’t condemn a student without evidence."
"That seems reasonable."
Evelyne said nothing more.
She knew exactly what had happened.
She kept her face completely still.
Calista watched her briefly but did not press the subject.
"At least he’s progressing well at the academy. His talent has drawn the instructors’ attention, and he’s proving more capable than many expected."
"Is he causing trouble?"
"Not the kind I can’t manage."
"That isn’t quite an answer."
"It’s the only one you’re getting."
Evelyne gave her a knowing look.
Calista grinned.
"Your son is intelligent, observant, and remarkably difficult to read. I’m curious to see what he’ll become."
"Potential alone doesn’t determine a person’s future," Evelyne replied.
"No, it doesn’t."
They spent the next hour catching up, exchanging stories about the academy and the responsibilities that had kept them apart. Calista complained about troublesome nobles and overconfident students, while Evelyne shared a few carefully chosen anecdotes from her years as Duchess.
Eventually, Calista glanced at the clock.
"We’ve been talking for quite a while."
"You were the one who insisted on being entertained."
"And you’ve done an excellent job."
---
Far from the Imperial Capital, a trading post near the Empire’s border continued its ordinary business.
Merchants negotiated beneath faded awnings, caravans waited for inspection, and guards watched the road with the boredom of men who had spent too many hours at the same checkpoint.
Nothing about the place suggested that twenty demons had gathered there.
They had entered in separate groups, disguised as merchants, travelers, hired guards, and minor traders. Their documents had been prepared in advance, and a minor noble named Lord Corvin Merrow had arranged for local officials to overlook any irregularities.
Corvin was drowning in debt and hungry for influence. He believed he was helping merchants with powerful connections secure favorable passage.
He had no idea what they truly were.
Inside a secluded storehouse, the demon leader studied a rough map of the border region.
"Have all groups crossed?"
A subordinate bowed.
"The northern groups are already inside. The remaining caravans will pass through over the next two days. The officials have been paid, and the alternate routes are ready if needed."
"And Corvin?"
"He remains unaware. He believes the payments are for legitimate trade."
"Good. A man who can be bought rarely asks what he’s selling."
The leader tapped the map.
"Once inside, the groups will separate and follow their assigned routes. No unnecessary violence. No displays of power. We have no reason to attract attention before the operation begins."
"And if the humans discover us?"
"Then we adapt. Until then, we remain exactly what they expect to see."
Later that day, another caravan reached the checkpoint.
A guard inspected the documents, glanced at the cargo, and turned toward the official responsible for authorizing passage.
"Everything is in order," the official said. "Let them through."
The guard hesitated, then stepped aside.
The caravan rolled into Valtharyn.
The remaining groups crossed under similar circumstances. Questions were dismissed, discrepancies overlooked, and coins quietly changed hands.
By the time the last caravan entered the Empire, the demons had accomplished what force alone might have made far more difficult.
Human greed had opened the door for them.
---
That evening, the demon leader received confirmation that every group had entered the Empire.
"Maintain your cover. Await further instructions. No one acts before the signal."
The demons dispersed, each group heading toward its assigned destination.
Their mission had only begun.
One of their own was already inside Ambrose Academy. She moved among the students without immediately attracting suspicion, observing their routines while helping prepare for the planned attack.