Chapter 68: Suspicious Because He Rubs Me the Wrong Way.

Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Suspicious Because He Rubs Me the Wrong Way.

For the rest of the day, Draven couldn’t get Selmar’s words out of his head.

Even though that noble had an unpleasant personality, his earlier threats had proven he was willing to use his family’s influence to harm other people.

’But what connection could he have with those mercenaries?’

Draven recalled that they were experienced fighters who used specialized magical tools, so it didn’t seem like a cheap group.

’It must have cost quite a bit of money.’

The Velgrimm family belonged to the nobility of Aster, but Draven didn’t know the real extent of their economic and political influence.

’I guess I’ll have to look into them.’

Fortunately, the academy had a fairly extensive library, and some of its sections contained information on the major noble families of the continent.

Draven decided to take advantage of an opportunity.

"Are you going to the library?"

Taliah looked at him with curiosity.

"Yes, I’m heading over there."

"To study?"

"Exactly."

The girl smiled.

"Then I’ll come with you."

Draven stayed still, and Taliah raised an eyebrow.

"What’s wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Don’t you want me to come with you?"

"Of course I do."

"Perfect."

Draven let out a small sigh.

’Again.’

However, this time he didn’t need to escape from her, since he could investigate the Velgrimm family without revealing his true intentions.

After all, looking up information on noble families wasn’t particularly suspicious.

"Let’s go."

They both entered the library, which occupied several floors.

Its shelves held books related to magic, history, politics, geography, and numerous academic disciplines.

There were also sections dedicated to noble lineages, so Draven headed toward one of them while Taliah walked beside him.

"What are you looking for?"

"Information."

"..."

"About what?"

"About the noble families."

Taliah raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

Draven shrugged.

"I realized I don’t know much about some of the families from Aster."

"That’s true."

The young man looked at her.

"You could have denied it."

Taliah smiled.

"But that would be a lie."

Draven sighed.

"Thanks for your honesty."

"You’re welcome."

They found the corresponding section, at which point Draven began reviewing several records and, after a few minutes, located information on the Velgrimm family.

’Here it is.’

The document contained a general description of their position within the nobility, as well as mentions of some properties, commercial relationships, and political ties.

Draven began to read.

The family owned lands and held stakes in various economic activities in Aster, so their influence was considerable within certain noble circles, though it was far from reaching the prestige of families like the Valdegrim.

’That explains why Selmar brags so much about his father.’

Draven continued reviewing, and some documents mentioned commercial relationships with foreign companies.

Among them appeared businesses dedicated to the transport of minerals and magical materials.

’Interesting.’

He searched for more information, and several of those companies operated in different countries, but most of their activities were related to conventional trade.

He found no direct reference to mercenary organizations.

’Nothing conclusive.’

Draven kept reviewing, but Taliah, who had been looking for some books related to combat techniques, returned shortly after.

"Did you find what you were looking for?"

"More or less."

The girl looked at the document.

"The Velgrimm family?"

Draven looked up.

"Do you know them?"

Taliah frowned slightly.

"A little."

"What do you know about them?"

"They’re a noble family with a certain amount of political influence."

"I already read that."

"Then what do you want to know?"

Draven remained thoughtful.

"Do they have relations with Konia?"

Taliah raised an eyebrow.

"Konia?"

"That’s right."

"I suppose some of their commercial activities could be related to that kingdom."

Draven leaned in slightly.

"Do you know which ones?"

Taliah shook her head.

"I don’t know the details."

"I see."

The girl looked at him with curiosity.

"Why are you so interested in that family?"

Draven smiled.

"After what happened with Selmar, I thought it would be convenient to learn a bit more about them."

Taliah frowned.

"Are you still thinking about that idiot?"

"I’m just curious."

"Draven."

"Yes?"

"It’s not worth it."

Taliah crossed her arms.

"Selmar is a show-off who uses his family’s name to intimidate other students."

"I noticed that."

"But you shouldn’t worry too much about his threats."

Draven raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

Taliah smiled slightly.

"Because if he tries to harm you using his father’s influence, he’ll have to explain it to mine."

Draven stayed still for a few seconds.

’Ah.’

He remembered the imposing presence of Fenrick Valdegrim and then imagined Selmar trying to justify his behavior in front of him.

’That would be pretty entertaining to watch.’

However, that conversation also reminded him of something important.

Selmar knew about his ties to Taliah and surely knew that he maintained a close relationship with Zenash.

’But that doesn’t prove he’s connected to the mercenaries.’

Draven looked at the document again.

The Velgrimm family had economic resources and also maintained commercial relationships with some foreign companies.

However, none of that indicated that Selmar had anything to do with the mercenaries.

Besides, the mercenaries knew far too specific details about his abilities.

’How would he have gotten that information?’

Even if he could hire someone to investigate him, that didn’t necessarily explain how the mercenaries managed to prepare such a precise strategy overnight.

Draven closed the document.

’I don’t have proof.’

Taliah looked at him.

"Are you done?"

"For now."

"Then let’s go."

"Where?"

The girl smiled.

"I want to buy some desserts before we head back."

Draven raised an eyebrow.

"Desserts?"

"That’s what I said."

"For you?"

"For us."

The young man smiled.

"That sounds pretty good."

Taliah seemed satisfied.

"Then let’s go."

Draven put the document back in its place and, as they left the library, continued thinking about Selmar.

’I suppose I should keep him among my suspects.’

After all, he had reasons to hate him, and his family possessed enough resources to investigate a few possibilities.

’Although, honestly...’

Draven recalled Selmar’s unpleasant expression once more.

’I think I’m mainly investigating him because he rubs me the wrong way.’

A small smile appeared on his face.

’Well, that’s not a bad reason to distrust someone either.’

When they left the library, the sun was beginning to set.

Draven walked beside Taliah while she talked about the desserts she wanted to buy, but his thoughts briefly returned to Calenne.

’Lansholt Calenne...’

He remembered her performance that afternoon.

The girl had perfectly maintained her facade of a shy student, even when Selmar and his companions tried to intimidate her.

Draven knew that Calenne had reasons to hide her capabilities, since the Sovereign’s Eyes were an extraordinarily rare ability and, for the first time in history, that power was split between two twin sisters.

’Her sister...’

Draven slowed his pace slightly, and Taliah continued walking for a few seconds before noticing he had fallen behind.

"Draven?"

The young man didn’t answer immediately, since he had recalled an important event from the videogame, one that was directly related to the Lansholt family.

’Wait...’

Draven began mentally calculating the time that had passed since his enrollment at the academy, and his expression turned serious.

’It’s already close.’

In the video game, there was an event that could completely change the development of Calenne’s story and, under certain circumstances, the girl ended up becoming one of the most dangerous villains in the game.

Draven remembered the name of that event perfectly.

’The Lansholt Clan Incident.’

And the most worrying part was that, according to the original chronology of the video game, it should take place within two weeks.

"Draven."

Taliah came back toward him.

"What’s wrong?"

The young man stayed still.

’Damn.’

He had been so focused on investigating the mercenaries that he had completely forgotten about that event, so Draven slowly directed his gaze toward the academy buildings.

’I have to remember exactly what happened during that mission.’

Taliah frowned.

"Draven, are you listening to me?"

The young man looked at her again.

"...Yes."

"Then what’s the matter with you?"

Draven remained thoughtful for a moment and finally smiled slightly.

"Nothing, I just remembered something important."

Taliah raised an eyebrow.

"What is it?"

Draven looked at the academy once more.

’Lansholt Calenne.’

His smile slowly disappeared.

’What is she planning to do?’