Alan’s face twisted in shock. Last night, more people had died—three A-rank mages! A-rank mages, true practitioners of magic, dead just like that?

Laziel glanced at Alan indifferently. “Their magic was drained dry,” he said. “Their magic sources are cracked. The DarkMage who killed them used brutal methods. As a mage, you know what a cracked source means.”

Alan nodded. As the Arcane Academy’s top student, he knew well. A mage’s magic source was their foundation—like a human heart. If it cracked, death was certain.

Alan’s expression turned grave. Draining magic might not kill a mage, but shattering their source meant doom. His earlier indifference vanished. Now, he burned to kill those DarkMages. Their sins demanded blood. Destroying magic sources? Newdali City’s mages would never forgive it.

“The city lord and the Arcane Academy elders issued a kill order,” Laziel continued. “Newdali City is locked down. The DarkMage bounty rose from sixty to eighty thousand gold coins.” He downed the rum Alan handed him in one gulp.

“Uncle Laziel,” Alan said gravely, “if DarkMages kill A-ranks easily, their power must be A-rank or higher. Only A-rank mages should join the hunt.”

“Hmm. Before coming here, I gathered all our guild’s A-ranks. They’re on standby. The Dragon Guild is ready. Only your Cloud Peak Guild remains.”

Alan flushed with embarrassment. Cloud Peak had just three A-ranks now. The others were training or on missions. This lineup was weak.

“Ahem, Uncle Laziel,” Alan coughed. “Only Haina and I will join. Our guild door is gone—you saw it. The others must guard the place.”

“No issue here,” Laziel replied. “The Academy elders only want young mages for this hunt. Heavyweights like me stay out. That eighty thousand gold? It’s yours to win.” He pushed his empty cup toward Alan. At home, his wife never allowed drinking.

Alan instantly refilled it. “Little Alan,” Laziel grinned, “your guild gained two remarkable girls lately. That child clinging to your sleeve—is she a young werewolf?”

Alan smiled. “Yes, Emma. She’s innocent. Uncle Laziel, please don’t spread this.”

Laziel chuckled, then eyed Bacas Medi. “Little Alan, I’m a wood-element mage. I instinctively hate dark auras. This girl’s aura disgusts me.” His gaze sharpened on Alan.

Alan grimaced. He’d feared this—Laziel sensing Bacas Medi’s dark aura. He’d rambled about DarkMages to distract him, but it failed.

“Uncle Laziel, she’s a DarkMage. I caught her last night in Buye City. But she didn’t kill anyone. Before you arrived, I was asking if she could sense the city’s DarkMages.” Alan revealed the truth. Hiding it from a Grand Magus was impossible.

“Relax, I’m not rash,” Laziel said. “But girl, why glare at that little werewolf?” He addressed Bacas Medi directly.

“I am Alan’s fiancée,” Bacas Medi snapped, unflinching. “That wolf girl sneaks around, stealing my fiancé’s favors. Shouldn’t I be angry?” She met Laziel’s stare head-on.

“Fiancé?” Laziel turned, scrutinizing Alan. Wow. This kid’s courage with women surpassed his father’s—dating a female DarkMage? Are youths this fierce now? Laziel’s face fell, as if wondering if he’d grown old.

Alan facepalmed. “Uncle Laziel, Bacas Medi was set up by my grandfather.”

“What? Set up? So she’s your grandfather’s pick for a wife?”

Alan nodded. “You could say that. But I won’t accept it. My marriage is my choice—no one else’s!”

“Oh,” Laziel relaxed. “If your grandfather chose her, her character can’t be bad. That old schemer has sharp eyes. His judgment is top-notch in Newdali City.”

“Emma is Alan’s fiancée too!” Emma shouted. Hearing Bacas Medi’s claim, she exploded. She’d never give up kind Alan to that woman! Alan was hers—no stealing allowed!

Spurt! Laziel choked, spewing wine. “Cough… cough… What? Alan’s your fiancé?”

Emma nodded fiercely. “Yes! Alan is Emma’s fiancé. Our grandfathers and I signed the contract. No backing out!” She clung to Alan’s arm, baring tiny fangs at Bacas Medi.

Laziel fell silent. After a pause, he gave Alan a pitying look. Surviving childhood with such a scheming grandfather was a miracle. Werewolves? Mating with humans? Different species, their lethal constitution—whoever married one died. Alan’s grandfather was dooming him. That hundred thousand gold debt would fall to Alan’s father now. Poor kid… he wouldn’t last long. Werewolf girls killed anyone who got close.

Suddenly, at the bar, Bacas Medi whirled around, her face grim as she stared outside. “The stench of DarkMages! They’re nearby!”