CHAPTER 124: CHAPTER 124: AURUS’S LABORATORY

Once alone with Algheron, Drael slowly turned, his tone once again sharp and cold.

"A vice-director can also be expelled. If you use your authority to sate your personal rage again, I will do it myself."

Algheron didn’t respond. His hardened face hid more than anger; there was pain.

"Or did you forget that your son died for defying Agis?" Drael continued. "If you have something to claim, do it like a man. Talk to him. Look the one you hold responsible in the eye... but don’t take your fury out on a boy who is just discovering the world."

Algheron’s eyes darkened, but again there was no response.

"Don’t forget your place, you are no longer above anyone..." Drael said one last time before leaving the interrogation room.

After leaving the guards behind and moving along the path they had indicated, William stopped; it was as if he had forgotten something important, something was missing.

"Wait... Damn it, I almost forgot!"

Angel observed William’s strange actions and, now with her new body, was curious, as she couldn’t read his thoughts as before.

"Lost again?"

"No. It’s just that... during the tour with Neri, I expected her to show us the laboratories. Aurus told me I had one assigned, but she left the tour so quickly that I didn’t have a chance to ask her."

"Why do you want to go to the laboratories?"

"If I’m right, mages must be extremely careful in their research, both because it can be very dangerous and very secret. That might be the best place to empty my gray energy."

William’s words impressed Angel, who couldn’t believe she had overlooked such a simple detail.

William turned around and walked back to the restricted area. The two guards were still at their post. Seeing him return, they became nervous, wondering what this kid could want.

"Is something else happening?" the woman asked, frowning.

"Yes, I was looking for the alchemy laboratories. My master told me one had been assigned to me, but I didn’t find it when I arrived at the academy."

The younger guard crossed his arms.

"Apprentices don’t have their own laboratories. Everyone uses the common laboratory in the east wing’s blue tower. It’s a shared space where they can practice under supervision."

The woman, however, looked at him more carefully.

"What level is your master?"

"Level 2."

They both looked at each other for a moment. Then she said:

"That changes things. Mages have their own private laboratories, but only those of level two and above, or those who have made notable contributions to the academy. Do you have the laboratory number?"

William shook his head.

"No. But they gave me these symbols to open it."

He pulled out a small fragment of runed paper that Aurus had given him. The guard took it, read the symbols... and her face changed instantly. Her eyes narrowed, surprised.

"These... these are level two access seals. This type of authorization is only given to mages who have achieved notable accomplishments."

"Accomplishments? Like what kind of accomplishments?"

"Developing a new alchemical formula, modifying stable magical structures, hunting A-category beasts, or surviving more than three documented lethal encounters..." She paused, looking at the seal carefully. "Did you know this gives you access to one of the private complexes?"

William was silent for a few seconds.

"I knew it was good... but not that good."

She returned the paper with a small smile.

"Follow me, I’ll show you the way."

She turned and started walking. Her attitude had made a complete 180-degree turn, leaving William stunned for a moment. Her figure, too, was hard to ignore: wide hips with a hypnotic sway. William, still a bit astonished by the revelation, couldn’t help but glance away for a moment.

Angel scoffed in her head.

"Your concentration is admirable. I should give you a medal."

"I’m analyzing... her posture," William replied, smiling to himself.

The young guard walked beside them in silence, clearly noticing the scene, but saying nothing.

After several minutes through hidden corridors and magical elevators, they arrived at a distinct area: black stone walls with gold filigree, air dense with refined mana. In the background stood a three-story mansion, with crystal windows, alchemy emblems on the facade, and a subtle protective aura covering it like a veil.

"Here it is," the guard said. "This laboratory is yours while you are in Black Rock. No one else has access."

William turned to her, still shocked.

"And how can I get back here without violating access rules?"

"You can link the coordinates with your necklace. Lend it to me for a moment."

The female guard said, extending her hand. William took off his necklace and handed it to her.

The guard took William’s necklace, held it between her fingers, and, as she wrote with the enchanted quill, glanced over her shoulder at him, a half-smile playing on her lips.

When she finished, she returned the necklace along with a small folded note. William took it on reflex, and as he unfolded it, he read the following:

"Assigned destination: Private Laboratory 074.

For future... visits, just say my number: 9-47.

Don’t forget that if you need help with your experiments, I also have experience with... dangerous mixtures.

—Sigrid :)"

William looked at her. She had already turned, walking with that same provocative sway in her hips, but she raised her hand and threw one last comment without turning around:

"You know how to find me."

Angel burst into laughter in her mind.

"Was that a technical note or an indecent proposal?"

William smiled wryly, putting the paper away without answering.

A soft silence enveloped him.

Angel whistled in her mind.

"Wow... not bad! See? It’s not all suffering."

They explored the place. The first floor was spacious: an elegant kitchen, a living room with luxurious armchairs, and an enchanted fireplace that maintained a cozy atmosphere. On the second floor was an extensive storage room, with empty shelves ready for vials, scrolls, and rare minerals. On the third floor, several bedrooms, probably for assistants, and a main room with a view of the inner garden.

But the best part was underground.

A reinforced door led them to the true laboratory: walls covered with runes, insulation against magical inspections, sound barriers, and a workbench with enchanted circles engraved in pure silver.

"This place is built to withstand level two spells without collapsing," Angel said, impressed. "And without risk of anyone outside detecting it. It’s like... a magical research fortress."

William ran his hand through his hair and let out an incredulous laugh.

"To think that a few months ago I couldn’t even cast a fireball?"

Angel laughed with him.

"Now you have your own headquarters."

"No...," William murmured, looking around. "I have my lair."