At The Bridge.
Magic — there's a reason it's called that. These days, "Unseen Science" is the practical term used by Thaumaturgists and skeptics who can't accept its unbridled and unraveled nature.
They try to simplify it: a composition of Arcane Knowledge, Magical Operations, and Energy — a force used to manipulate the natural order. But no matter how much mastery one possesses, no one can truly explain what it is, its true function, or how it came to be.
Not even the Magus race.
A Magi once said, "Such a broad and complicated matter — even an eternity wouldn't be enough to unravel it. Therefore, I've come to a single conclusion: It's an Aspect of Existence itself."
I've always been fascinated by Magic. It's what brought Adaolisa and me together. To her, it remains fiction, but to me — it's real. Telling her the truth was what I wanted most. But the supernatural world is a brutal place — a world of power struggles among people capable of leveling buildings or destroying the world outright. I wanted to protect her from that.
Now, I don't think that's possible anymore.
Joshua stood silently, using an advanced spell — [Membrance] — to investigate what had happened here. Alex was nearby. The Major General had already left, leaving the case in the hands of the Defense Agency. The area was secured by both soldiers and agents, keeping the media and curious onlookers at a distance from the investigation scene.
[Membrance] was a spell that allowed the caster to observe past events in a specific area, to a limited extent, based on mastery. Joshua could only see so far — just enough to witness the moment the spell Dark Implosion was used.
As Joshua rewound the scene, his eyes widened in terror, then sorrow... then regret.
He dropped to his knees and began to sob.
Alex immediately noticed and asked, "What's wrong? What did you see?"
Joshua took a moment to gather himself, then reached out and touched Alex's hand — allowing him to see what he had just witnessed. Almost instantly, Alex's expression turned grim.
"Oh, Sara... That's one good agent down. How could this happen — that artifact and all those lives…"
"Joshua," Alex said cautiously.
"I'm fine. Don't worry," Joshua replied, trying to stay composed. "After seeing all that, I'd be a fool to just chase after the killer. No — I have a better plan."
Alex, surprised, asked, "What plan?"
"That spell — it was definitely Dark Magic. But the artifact... it acted as a powerful catalyst. I'm not sure, but it gave me a familiar feeling." Joshua paused, analyzing.
"Uncle Alex, I need a big favor from you."
Alex raised a brow, caught off guard by the sudden request.
. . . . . . . .
Later, a team of Thaumaturgists arrived at the investigation scene.
"You're late," Alex said, clearly displeased.
A woman stepped forward — their leader.
"Supernatural threats happen all the time. And there aren't many Thaumaturgists in this country; we're spread too thin," she explained.
Her name was Sandra Ovie, a Senior Thaumaturgist in the Branch Division.
Alex sighed, muttering under his breath, "Thaumaturgists... If it weren't for the fact that they're so rare and essential in manufacturing Armaments... It's a good thing Joshua got here first."
"Hm? What was that?" Sandra asked.
"Nothing," Alex waved it off. "Anyway — can you do something for me, Sandra?"
She squinted at him, intrigued. "Of course."
"Can you delay the investigation for two days?"
"..."
She paused, then replied, "Ah... It won't be easy, but I can manage that."
"Mind if I ask why?"
Alex's voice turned sharp. "Confidential."
Sandra smiled, amused. "I see. Just don't shoot yourself in the foot. That would be embarrassing — even for you."
Alex grimaced. It was risky. But Sandra was one of the few members of the Agency he could trust. Two days. No more, no less.
He sighed.
I hope he knows what he's doing.