Chapter Ninety-Three: The Ring of Truths and Lies

Andy ultimately packed up his stall and followed the slightly plump young man back to the outer court’s Disciplinary Division. Just as they left the market, a figure slipped out from the shadows—it was the Queen’s Secret Guard from the Council.

He had been observing Andy’s actions from the dark these past few days, curious as to how Andy could have so many supplementary books for sale. He had even gone to the academy library to check Andy’s borrowing records, only to discover that Andy had only borrowed some basic tomes on witchcraft, most of which were freely available at the academy. As for the books related to those Andy was selling, Andy hadn’t borrowed a single one.

Clearly, Andy wasn’t copying and selling materials by breaking into the academy library, nor did he possess the technical skills for such a feat—something the guard had also investigated. Thus, he concluded that Andy must possess several original manuscripts, either inherited from his mentor Stein or obtained through some stroke of fortune, allowing him to transcribe and profit from them.

The Queen’s Secret Guard watched as Andy and the Disciplinary Division member vanished, recalling who the slightly plump youth was: the very receptionist from the outer court division whom they had consulted days ago about Andy’s dossier. Seeing him escort Andy away, the guard realized it must be related to their earlier inquiry, and hastened to report to Andre, the Council’s leader.

Not long after, the Disciplinary Division Director received a message delivered by Andre’s envoy. At the time, the Director was deep in conversation with his capable assistant Byron. Upon reading the message, the Director sighed softly.

“What’s wrong, Director?” Byron, tall and handsome, inquired.

“See for yourself,” the Director replied, handing Byron the letter. After reading it, Byron laughed, “So that little fat fellow is causing trouble again. Everyone in the Division knows he’s a lapdog of the Clark family.”

He then suggested, “Should we replace the supervisor in the outer court? Letting him run amok like this can’t be right.”

The Director merely smiled, noncommittal, for he had his own considerations. The academy’s foremost concern was the upcoming contest for the next Dean, and Hilary Clark was a leading contender. At such a critical juncture, it was unwise to offend anyone from their faction. If they gained power, and he had crossed them, he would suffer when the reckoning came. Thus, even when their actions became excessive, the Director turned a blind eye.

However, their behavior had lately become so blatant it drew the Council’s attention. Now, the Director could no longer ignore it. So, he dispatched Byron to assess the situation. That way, should anything happen, he could lay the blame on his subordinate and remain untouched by scandal.

Byron, for his part, didn’t overthink it. He assured the Director he would handle matters properly—never wronging the innocent, nor sparing the guilty. Byron had joined the Division two years prior and quickly earned a reputation as its famed detective, rising swiftly to become the Director’s right hand. Especially during interrogations, Byron possessed a unique talent—no lie escaped his keen gaze. He knew his ability stemmed from the silver ring he wore.

This ring, called the Ring of Truth and Lies, could discern whether a person was speaking truth or falsehood. When truth was spoken, it remained still; when a lie was uttered, it vibrated lightly on his finger.

Thus, Byron built his reputation as a detective with hawk-like precision.

Byron soon arrived at the outer court’s Division branch. Entering, he found the atmosphere tense and fraught. A bald, delicate-looking young man lounged without decorum atop a desk, tossing a glowing red fireball up and down, while Duke, the slightly plump youth, led the branch members in nervous vigilance.

“What’s going on here?” Byron barked as he entered.

“Lord Byron, you’ve come at the perfect time! This thug has disregarded Division law, daring to attack enforcement officers. Arrest him at once!” Duke exclaimed, as if grasping at a lifeline, his accusation dramatic and impassioned.

Byron’s ring vibrated minutely...

A wave of distaste washed over Byron. He asked again, “What’s happening?”—this time directing the question to Andy.

“Hmph! What’s happening? I came here in good faith to cooperate with your investigation. The moment I arrived, you slapped magic-suppressing shackles on me, and forced me to sign some ridiculous confession. Your Division’s methods are something to behold!” Andy replied, disgruntled.

This time, Byron’s ring remained still. Following Andy’s gesture, Byron glanced at the floor and spotted the shattered remains of the magic-suppressing shackles. His brow twitched.

These standard shackles were extremely sturdy; once locked, a mage’s powers were suppressed. The fragments on the floor were clearly torn apart by brute force. From this, Byron deduced that Andy possessed at least the physical strength of a peak knight.

He inwardly marveled—no wonder the staff had met their match. He then asked, “What offense did he commit?”

A Division member answered, “Lately, he’s been selling numerous manuscripts in the capital’s supernatural market. We suspect he cracked the library’s materials, then copied and sold them.”

The ring was motionless, and Byron nodded. At least the Division staff hadn’t entirely lost their principles.

“Have you compared the library’s borrowing records with the list of manuscripts he’s sold?” Byron, experienced, quickly pinpointed the crucial issue.

The Division members exchanged uncertain glances. At last, Duke bit his lip and said, “We did, but…”

“You shut up!” Byron, feeling the ring’s vibration, roared at Duke. The force of Byron’s presence made Duke involuntarily step back, swallowing the rest of his words.

When no one else spoke, Byron turned to Andy. “Did you ever crack the library’s books?”

Andy, pleased at Duke’s discomfort, was caught off guard by the question. He paused before answering, “Obviously not. You brought me here on trumped-up charges without any proper investigation.”

The ring remained still. Byron now grasped the situation, but continued, “Where did you get the manuscripts you’re selling?”

“They’re family heirlooms! Satisfied?” Andy replied with an amused smile.

Byron’s ring vibrated energetically. He didn’t care about Andy’s answer anyway. As long as Andy hadn’t violated academy regulations by cracking library books, it was enough. The origins of Andy’s manuscripts were irrelevant to the Division.

“All right, you may leave,” Byron said, ignoring Duke’s disgruntled expression and releasing Andy outright.

Andy hadn’t expected things to resolve so easily, but seeing an opportunity to leave, he wasted no words, hopped off the desk, nodded to Byron, and made for the exit.

“Wait!” Byron called before Andy could step outside.

Andy turned back in confusion, only to see Byron pointing at the shattered shackles on the floor. “You’ve damaged a Division alchemical item. Compensation: one hundred mana stones. Pay up!”

Andy paused for a moment, then retrieved the mana stones from his dimensional pouch and placed them on the desk he’d just vacated, muttering, “Fine, consider it charity for beggars.”

Byron’s mouth twitched, and the ring hadn’t vibrated at all!