Gunmage-Chapter 284: Three floors to freedom

Once Isolde’s shadows had been successfully lured away, Sela and Mirelle—now dressed in garb similar to what Lugh was wearing—were ready to move.

Their clothes were plain indoor wear meant for male residents: light brown, soft, and slightly undersized. The plan had been simple, but effective.

They would strip out of their all-black ensembles and hand them over to Lugh’s clones.

They had heard of it before, but seeing it firsthand was another matter.

It was more than a little unnerving when the clones—silent and expressionless—morphed and shifted, transforming perfectly into the girls’ very likeness.

Sela didn’t dwell on it. She took the liberty to change quickly, unfazed, moving with the brisk efficiency of someone who’d done this before.

The only minor issue they encountered was the sizing.

Sela had chosen to keep her undershirt, slipping the smaller pants on over her legs with a mild grimace. Mirelle, on the other hand, had no such luxury.

She wore the outfit as-is, shirt slightly tight, pants just a little short. She knotted the hem of the top at her waist, baring her abdomen, and still she was complaining.

"These clothes are so... plain. I can’t let anyone see me like this."

"Shut up. You’re not going to a fashion show,"

Her sister chided.

"But still."

"Would you rather we leave you behind?"

Mirelle pursed her lips, visibly annoyed, but said nothing.

"Okay then. We move."

The words barely left Sela’s lips before she sprinted to the window and leapt out. Mirelle followed immediately after.

They dropped all three floors, bodies arrowing downward before the wind around them stirred unnaturally. With precise bursts of air magic, they cushioned their fall, their descent completely silent.

Lugh frowned as he looked down from the open window.

He was far from being able to do that. The most he could manage with wind magic was a short, temporary speed boost—and even that was only because Emrys had once used it as a favored trick.

Nothing in his arsenal was either effective or efficient enough for what they had just done.

With a soft sigh, he climbed over the ledge, hands gripping the sill tightly as he scanned the wall below, eyes searching for protrusions or support. Something—anything—to descend safely.

Selaphiel’s aggressive whisper reached him from below.

"Are you serious?!"

Considering she was three floors beneath him, sound magic had definitely been applied. Lugh made a mental note to ask her to teach him the spell first thing in the morning.

His descent was slow. Painfully so. Every movement deliberate, every inch earned.

About halfway down, he spotted a large rock embedded in the ground below. A thought occurred to him. Remembering the text he’d been reading earlier that night, he reached out.

The ground began to tremble.

With an exertion of force control, the stone slab ripped itself free, the earth cracking and rising as if a poltergeist—an unusually buff one—were carrying it upward.

Lugh stepped onto the floating slab, then slowly lowered himself to the ground.

Sela’s voice greeted him first.

"Neat trick. But slow. And inefficient."

Lugh shrugged.

"Well, I don’t know any Von Heim magic."

She scoffed.

"Which is a problem. Considering that you’re going to participate in the Selection."

The Selection, huh?

Lugh’s gaze turned murky.

Mirelle cut in quickly.

"Sorry to interrupt, but we really gotta go. Like, now."

They nodded in sync. Under Sela’s expert lead, they began to slink through the shadows of the estate.

Their movements were smooth, precise, and quiet—reminding Lugh of a time long ago when he had done something similar.

He asked,

"Hey, do you guys know about any underground libraries in this place?"

Both turned toward him, curious.

"Old, rusty mechanisms. Secret chamber kind of place,"

Lugh clarified.

All three halted behind a thick line of shrubs, crouched low as a patrolling guard passed by, footsteps crunching softly over gravel.

Once the guard disappeared into the distance, they resumed their movement.

"There are a lot of secret underground chambers in this house,"

Sela said quietly.

"I can’t even count how many I’ve found."

At this point, Mirelle added,

"There’s one rule I’ve noticed though."

"What?"

Both Lugh and Sela asked at once.

She splayed her arms dramatically.

"If you can find it... then it’s probably not that important."

Sela tilted her head thoughtfully.

"Hmm. Now that I think about it, you’re kinda right. I’ve found records, ancient novels, documents... but nothing truly important."

Lugh raised a brow.

"And what exactly qualifies as ’important’?"

It sounded like nonsense. Ancient records and rare documents sounded important enough to him.

They seemed to read his mind.

Mirelle smiled.

"Oh, you know. Things like forbidden spells."

Selaphiel chimed in,

"Or cursed weapons."

"Cursed weapons?"

Lugh echoed.

Both nodded with unsettling ease.

"You can also find hidden treasures. Or alchemical vials,"

Sela said.

"Not that I’ve seen one. I’m talking off rumors here."

"...I see."

By now, they’d reached an obscure part of the perimeter wall.

Though massive, the estate walls had no significant defensive measures. Anyone foolish enough to trespass Von Heim property was either insane... or dead. Usually, it was both.

That said, a beastkin had once infiltrated during Isolde’s assassination attempt. Not only had they gotten in, but most of the estate’s major enchantments had mysteriously been disabled at the time.

Now that Lugh thought about it, there was no way that wasn’t an inside job.

He hoped Selaphiel would get to the bottom of it. Otherwise, someone was going to have a dead relative on their hands.

The spot they had picked for escape had no active arcane wards. It was blanketed in thick greenery—roots and vines dug deep into the stone, splashing the once-white wall with uneven strokes of green.

An artificial groove ran across the middle of the stone surface, subtly embedded for foothold.

Lugh glanced at Selaphiel.

She caught his look and explained,

"I don’t normally use this place, but my usual exits are probably being monitored."

"Okay then. Ladies first."

Sela gave him a dry look, then approached. With a swift step, she planted her foot in the groove and vaulted upward, clearing the wall with deceptive ease.

She was definitely the most athletic of her sisters.

Mirelle followed, struggling just a bit, but managing to make it over.

Lugh followed suit. His body had been artificially sculpted into peak condition—it was more a matter of balance and muscle control than strength.

Fortunately, the phantom years he’d spent as a graceful elven swordsman solved that problem.

He too vaulted over, landing softly.

It was his second official visit to the world outside.

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