19 Chapter 19
"You are pretty clever. That's correct. That's why I said only you can do it!" Lira agreed.
She sent her Book of Darkness back into the necklace around her neck as she stood empty-handed before Gabriel, who hadn't stopped eating the apples throughout the conversation.
"Okay, I understand that I can get inside the city, but aren't you forgetting something important?" Gabriel asked. "According to you, the Ancestral Staff of Darkness is kept in the Academy of Elements under a secure exhibition. And only the students and teachers there can enter the academy."
"That's right, but how hard is it to get admission to the Academy for someone like you? You are a Mage of Light. All you need to do is hide your Emblem of the other element, and you can get in. It's not like you need to study there."
"There are two flaws in your logic, Lira. Firstly, even if I go to the academy, I won't get admission. The Head Priest of Church of Light has banished me from the Academy of Elements. I can never get admission there."
Gabriel talked about his past and how he was to be selected in the Holy Church of Light before being pushed off the cliff. He also talked about hearing of his banishment.
"And even if I could, by now, the Head Priest has probably already been informed about my Awakening of a Dark Element. My wanted poster would be everywhere before long, starting at the Academy. And secondly, my other element, even if I hide it from plain view, can't it be sensed by the other mages, especially the Mages of Light and teachers there?"
"Those aren't actually flaws, you see." Lira smiled. She was slightly happy that he wasn't outright refusing her anymore. Since they were talking about flaws, that meant there was a possibility of him agreeing.
"Firstly, about your banishment. That's easy. All you need to do is make sure no one can recognize you, and that's the easiest part. I can help you with that. No one will know who you really are. And secondly, you are entirely wrong. No one can sense what your element is unless you use it."
"That's why the Mages of Light don't hide their Symbol of Light. They want everyone to see and know how special they are. The only way someone can sense your element is through your aura, but a mage only gets an aura after becoming an advanced Mage. You aren't at that level yet, so you don't need to worry about it."
"That's why you can easily get inside the Academy of Elements. So far, everything you stated hasn't been an obstruction. The only problem with the plan is the actual stealing amidst the security, but I have an idea for that as well. As long as you agree, I promise we can pull it off successfully!"
"So, are you in?" Lira reached out her hand to Gabriel. "Together, we will make the world a better place... A better place for us!"
Gabriel gazed at her but didn't reach out his hand. "The world-changing stuff doesn't matter to me. Tell me how I'll actually benefit from this plan other than all the future stuff. If I succeed, you'll get the Ancestral Staff. If I fail, I'll be killed. You have no losses in this entire plan, and I have no benefits that I can see."
"In the end, it seems more and more like you're using me as a pawn. Why should I do anything?" he asked in response. " If I want to change the world, why won't I go with my initial plan of becoming stronger so I can do it myself? Why will I depend on you?"
No matter how much this plan made sense for him, he didn't care about it in the end. As long as he felt like he was being used, he didn't want to agree to it.
Lira started placing back and forth as she scratched the back of her head in frustration. Even after trying to convince the guy so much, they were back at square one.
"Fine! Tell me what you want in exchange for your help?" she ultimately asked, glaring at the young man.
"After you get me the Ancestral Staff, I will do any one thing that you ask, no matter whatever that may be! You wanted benefits; what more benefits can I give? You feel like you're being a pawn, but I'm willing to be a pawn too, all for my goal! So tell me, what do you want in return for your help?!"
Lira had been waiting for an opportunity like this for a long time where she could recover the Ancestral Staff and complete a set with the Grimoire of Darkness so she could bring out its full strength. Now that she was so close to it, she was so desperate that she was willing to do anything for it!
"You want me to kill your enemies? I'll do it! You want me to bring you wealth? I will! You want me to help you plunder cities? I will help you! No matter what one thing you ask, I will do it!" she declared. "As long as you agree to help me retrieve the Ancestral Staff that belongs to us Dark Mages!"
Gabriel was surprised at the determination of Lira. She was actually willing to do anything for him? Didn't that imply...
He observed her expressions as he asked, "Anything anything? No matter how absurd my demand may be?"
Lira didn't know why but she felt slightly worried from the tone of the young man. Just what was he planning to ask her.
'He is a man, and all men are like that! Of course, he will ask for my body! But if it's for my goal, I am ready!' she thought as she gulped down, clenching her fist.
She nodded. "Anything!"
"Fine. I will help you as long as you promise to fulfill my one demand after that," Gabriel finally agreed since there really was something he couldn't miss out on at this point. An opportunity like this doesn't come often.
"What is your demand?" Lira asked, even though she had already guessed what it might be.
After a brief pause, Gabriel took another bite from his apple as he told his demand.
"What?! Are you crazy?!" This time, it was Lira's turn to be shocked. She had assumed his demand, but even in her dreams, she couldn't have expected how crazy his demand was going to be!
The ball which was in Gabriel's park before was now on her field. The decision rested on her as she incredulously stared at Gabriel.