The Phantom's Gambit-Chapter 48: Crossroads

Days had passed since the surprise summons by the Mages, and Octavius had finally reasserted control over their shared body. Void, now relegated to the background, lingered around him like a restless specter, his presence a constant reminder of the turmoil that churned beneath the surface.

One would think he was hungry for food, his gaunt form seeming to yearn for nourishment, but it was something far less sinister that stirred his interest.

The students and faculty of the Academy, oblivious to the danger that walked among them, moved past him with careless abandon, and Void’s eyes followed them with an unblinking intensity, his gaze burning with a hunger that had nothing to do with food.

Octavius, on the other hand, was consumed by a different obsession altogether. His mind worked tirelessly, weaving intricate schemes and strategies as he sought to infiltrate the Academy’s inner circles.

He knew that the Chief Mage and Headmaster had already taken notice of him, but he needed to tread carefully, to walk the fine line between drawing attention to himself and arousing suspicion.

The delicate balancing act was a challenging one, with the massive hatred directed towards the faction he had been grouped under, so he wasn’t sure how to pull through.

Unless, he would first have to do something to get everyone to start wanting to communicate with and like his faction better, but the trick was that he didn’t know what at least not yet.

Octavius navigated the bustling corridors of the Academy, his footsteps leading him to the cafeteria where his fellow faction members had already gathered. As he entered, he spotted them seated at a table, a vacant chair awaiting his arrival.

The atmosphere within the Academy had undergone a subtle yet palpable shift since the Mages’ announcement in the grand hall. One of the more noticeable changes was Amy’s newfound presence among the Architect faction, her decision to join them a testament to the evolving dynamics within the Academy.

However, the most striking transformation was the renewed sense of purpose that had taken hold of the students. Gone were the days of complacency and half-hearted efforts. Everyone had begun to approach their practice with a newfound seriousness, driven by the looming threat that the Mages had revealed.

Octavius couldn’t speak for the other factions, but within the Architect faction, the intensity had doubled. Lectures were now supplemented by rigorous practice sessions, with students honing their talents and pushing themselves to new limits. It was a trend that Octavius suspected was mirrored in the other factions, each one driven to excel in the face of the impending danger.

But the danger aside, he was certain their new ambition was also driven by a desire to excel in the tournaments and qualify for the Young Mage Crest, which the Chief Mage had promised to award to an individual who attained certain feats.

Octavius settled into his seat, his plate piled high with steaming food, beside Amy and Otto. The familiar faces of his faction members were a comforting sight, but one person’s absence caught his attention: Erick.

Octavius couldn’t help but feel a twinge of concern that he hadn’t been able to establish a rapport with Erick, despite being in the same faction. It was ironic that he was scheming to befriend members of other factions, yet struggled to connect with someone from his own.

However, as he reflected on Erick’s behavior, Octavius realized that the issue lay not with himself, but with Erick’s own attitude.

Erick’s aloofness and condescending demeanor had alienated him from their faction mates, who had grown weary of his arrogance. Erick didn’t want friendship; he wanted admiration and subservience, which was something no one was willing to offer.

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Octavius pondered the possibility of extending an olive branch to Erick, rather than waiting for him to warm up. Perhaps, with a bit of effort, he could establish a connection with his elusive faction mate.

As he began to eat, Octavius listened in on the lively conversation between Amy and Marilyn. Despite their recent acquaintance, the two girls chatted like old friends, their laughter and easy banter filling the air.

Octavius watched them with interest, observing the way Amy’s eyes sparkled as she talked about her favorite subjects, and Marilyn’s infectious enthusiasm as she shared stories about her own subjects.

The conversation took a sudden turn for the worse when Amy innocently mentioned to Marilyn that the subjects she was being taught were merely basics. The comment was further complicated by Amy’s casual reference to the instructors at her own faction, whom she referred to as professors.

The distinction was not lost on Otto, who felt a surge of frustration and disappointment. He knew that the Architect faction’s limited resources and lack of experienced instructors put them at a significant disadvantage.

Otto’s discontent was palpable, but he wisely chose to bite his tongue, knowing that arguing the point would be futile. He was also mindful of the fact that the few teachers they did have might be taken away if he rocked the boat. So, he seethed in silence, his displeasure simmering just below the surface.

Amy, sensing the tension she had inadvertently created, quickly shifted gears, changing the subject to the upcoming second tournament.

As Amy shared her insights with Marilyn, enthusiastically discussing what they could expect from the upcoming tournament, Erick suddenly appeared, his voice rising in accusation. "What are you really doing here, Amy?" he demanded, sounding hostile as his eyes narrowed into slits.

Amy’s eyes widened in stunned surprise, her face frozen in a mixture of shock and confusion. Before she could respond, Erick launched into a venomous tirade, his words spilling out in a torrent of anger.

"You’re a spy, aren’t you?" he spat, his voice echoing across the cafeteria, drawing the attention of nearby students. "It’s irrelevant for you to talk about the tournament, considering our faction ranked higher. But you’re here, feeding us false information, thinking we’re stupid enough to correct you and give away our strategies."

Amy’s face fell, her eyes clouding over with hurt and embarrassment. Her cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink as she struggled to maintain her composure.

The public dressing-down was humiliating enough, but the fact that her fellow faction members, who had never warmed up to her, were now watching the exchange with interest, made it even more unbearable.

Otto’s face darkened with annoyance as he turned to Erick with a low voice as he chastened him.

"Are you kidding me, Erick? Do you have any idea how much more embarrassing this is for us? We’re already not well-liked, and now you’re causing a scene in the middle of the cafeteria."

Otto seethed out with anger and frustration, as he struggled to comprehend Erick’s reckless behavior.

Meanwhile, Octavius found himself torn. A part of him considered siding with Erick, if only to gain his attention and foster a sense of ease between them. He hoped that by doing so, Erick might open up to him about his allies, the ones responsible for his sister’s tragic fate. The prospect of gaining valuable insight on those behind his sister’s death was tantalizing, and Octavius wondered if this might be the perfect opportunity to break the ice between them.

However, as his gaze drifted to Amy, he hesitated. He couldn’t simply disregard her feelings, not after the way Erick had publicly humiliated her. Octavius was acutely aware that he was the reason Amy had started sitting with them, and he felt a pang of responsibility for her well-being.

As Octavius weighed his options, the atmosphere around them began to shift. The students nearby stirred, their faces turning towards the entrance of the cafeteria. Octavius followed their gaze, and his heart skipped a beat as he spotted Thorne walking towards them.

Their eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, Octavius felt his pulse quicken. He could hear the sound of his own blood pounding in his ears as Thorne began to make his way towards their table, his presence commanding attention.

[Now what?] Void asked Octavius mentally as he watched Thorne approach them.