Chapter 413

Chapter 413: Assassination

The Minister of Finance, Rogier, sent his butler to demand Demon One and Demon Two—those who dared to discipline his precious daughter. His indulgence toward his daughter exceeded even Mrs. Ada’s expectations.

“Rogier actually brought troops! Has he gone mad? Could he truly intend to assault the academy?!”

Ada’s face darkened instantly after hearing the guard’s report.

However, Rogier remained the Minister of Finance, not a commander of the kingdom’s army. The forces accompanying his butler were merely part of his private mansion guard, numbering just over a hundred.

Relying on such private soldiers to confront the entire Magic Academy was a fool’s dream. Thus, Ada understood perfectly well that the butler’s aggressive arrival with soldiers… aimed not to challenge the academy, but to demonstrate Rogier’s unwavering resolve to take the “culprits.”

Had it been other students, it might have been tolerable—after all, they were all noble offspring. Even if taken, Rogier wouldn’t treat them too harshly; at least… their lives would be spared.

But Demon One and Demon Two were different. Their commoner status meant unimaginable consequences if captured.

“Don’t worry. The academy will dismiss Rogier’s butler and soldiers. Remain here within these walls.”

After murmuring reassurance to Demon One and Two, Mrs. Ada took Hank and followed the guard toward the academy gates.

Some time later,

Rogier’s butler departed with the soldiers.

Though the academy’s protectiveness left the butler scowling, he seemed to have anticipated this outcome. Without further dispute with Ada, he snorted coldly and withdrew.

“They just left? How dull… I’d hoped for a chance to fight.”

Upon learning of the retreat, Demon Two pouted.

“Even had fighting erupted, it wouldn’t have fallen to you. Hank alone could have annihilated all hundred soldiers from a distance.”

Magic Rainbow shook her head.

“But this won’t end here. Why would Rogier dispatch men so fiercely to demand us, only to retreat abruptly?”

“What do you imply, sister?”

Demon One’s expression shifted slightly.

“You’ve guessed it too, haven’t you? Precisely—if we can covertly track them with Stealth Ants, they can certainly strike at us from the shadows.”

Magic Rainbow smiled faintly, showing no trace of tension.

“If we remain confined to the academy these coming days, they might send assassins to infiltrate and target us.”

“Using assassins against us? Hmph.”

Demon Two echoed the cold sneer.

Had the Class A Guild President of the Adventurer’s Guild attempted their assassination, he might have slightly wounded them—but the likelihood of actually killing them remained vanishingly small.

…

That night,

Magic Rainbow was somewhat surprised: the adversary refused to wait even days. Failing to seize them by day, they sent infiltrators that very night.

Naturally, they might have prepared this contingency—ready to launch the assassination immediately should daylight efforts fail.

Perhaps fearing larger numbers might cause mishaps, only three assassins were dispatched this time.

The three slipped into the academy under night’s concealment.

They exchanged a glance.

“At this hour, the targets must already be asleep. This time, resolve it swiftly—no unnecessary actions. Understood?”

The leader, clad in black with a mask obscuring his entire face, said coldly.

“Relax, this isn’t our first time doing this sort of thing. Heh heh. Besides, we’re dealing with a few female mages. As long as we close in while they’re asleep, killing them will be no harder than killing ordinary folk.”

“Not only is this task simpler than our last few, but the reward is exceptionally generous. Tsk tsk, truly fitting of a noble lord—such lavish payment.”

The other two men in black replied casually.

“Fools! What have I told you before?!”

The lead assassin’s voice turned sharp with anger.

“Every mission demands unwavering focus—not a moment of carelessness! While mages *can* be easily dealt with at close range, remember where we are: the Kingdom’s foremost Magic Academy! Even if we eliminate the targets, we cannot afford loud disturbances. One misstep, and we might perish on this mission. Do you comprehend?”

“Ah… apologies, boss. We were wrong.”

“We’ll maintain absolute vigilance for the rest of the task.”

The other two assassins lowered their heads in acknowledgment, though inwardly, they remained unconvinced.

As Class B assassins, their past targets had included formidable members of the human race and heavily guarded dignitaries. For this mission—even the leader agreed—failure seemed unthinkable.

“Good. Now, you’ve all memorized the routes?”

“Of course. We’re no novices; such errors are beneath us.”

“Excellent. Split up. I’ll handle the female teacher. You two eliminate her nieces.”

“Yes!” “Yes!”

With that, the trio dispersed.

Clad head-to-toe in black, they activated a skill to suppress their presence, merging seamlessly with the night.

Their movements were swift, footsteps producing only faint whispers on the ground—inaudible unless one stood nearby.

Moments later, the leader traced the map and intelligence provided by the client, arriving first at the building where Magic Rainbow resided.

Seizing an instant when the two gate guards were distracted, he vaulted upward. His steps were feather-light against the wall as he slipped through a half-open window on the second floor.

*Tap. Tap.*

Two soft sounds echoed as the assassin landed inside a second-floor room.

Darkness enveloped the space, but with the skill Night Vision, he could discern the outlines of furniture—a study.

The target resided on the third floor…

Without hesitation, he pressed his ear to the wall, listening intently.

Silence.

He eased the study door open.

The hallway was empty.

Relief flickered within him as he moved swiftly and silently toward the staircase.

Yet, just as he advanced, in the blind spots of his vision—

From ceiling corners, wall crevices, and other patches of shadow, darkness began to extend.