Alex appeared before a familiar door—massive, adorned with delicate carvings and a plaque that read “Director Elizabeth.” He knocked lightly.

  "Come in," came a calm voice from inside.

  Alex carefully opened the door and stepped into the spacious office. The air smelled of fresh paper, ink, and a hint of lavender perfume. Elizabeth, as always tastefully elegant, sat at her desk. Upon seeing her nephew, she stood and gestured for him to take the chair opposite her.

  "I'm glad to see you, Alex," she said warmly. "Make yourself comfortable."

  As the young man sat down, she walked over to one of the cabinets, opened it, and took out an elegant bottle of red wine and two glasses. Alex watched her with a light, almost teasing smile, and catching his glance, Elizabeth sighed with mock sternness.

  "Your body needs to relax before tomorrow's raid," she explained, pouring the wine. "And what better way than with a sweet red wine?"

  "If someone saw the Academy Director getting a student drunk..." Alex drawled, "you might lose your position."

  Elizabeth pouted slightly as she poured the drinks.

  "First of all, I'm not drinking with just any student, but with my nephew. Second, I know very well that you're no child. Therefore, nothing illegal is happening. And third—you could've just said, ‘Thank you, dear aunt,’ instead of sitting there showing off."

  Alex took the glass and said with a playful grin, "Thank you, dear aunt."

  "Oh, that's much better," Elizabeth replied with a satisfied smile.

  The glasses clinked together, and both took a few sips. A soft, warm silence followed, broken by her gentle question.

  "So, how did today’s training with Fenrix go?"

  "Good," Alex replied, placing his glass on the table. "It was another round of one-against-two duels."

  "And who were your opponents today?"

  "Rogan and Celia."

  "And what’s your verdict after the matches?"

  Alex grew slightly more serious.

  "They're improving with each session. What really stands out is how much their teamwork has progressed. In battle—especially real battle—teamwork means far more than just strength or technique. I learned that during the war. I saw firsthand what happens when there’s no coordination... and what kind of advantage it brings when there is."

  Elizabeth spoke with a soft but sincere warmth in her voice.

  "I'm glad to hear that each student is becoming stronger after training with one of the Directors. But I also see your personal impact on their growth, Alex. You’re not just their commander—you’re a true friend to each of them. Your advice and support mean far more to them than you might realize."

  Alex gave a modest shrug and replied, "All I can do is offer guidance and be a worthy sparring partner. The rest is up to them."

  Elizabeth smiled, took a few more sips of wine, and added with quiet satisfaction,

  "Every day, you speak more and more like a real commander. It’s... inspiring."

  Her wine glass touched her lips again, but this time her gaze grew more focused.

  "And now—onto something more serious. Astarion managed to dig up some information about Duke Lorenzo de Carvalho. Not as much as we’d hoped, but..."

  Stolen story; please report.

  Alex, noticeably more serious, leaned forward slightly.

  "I’ll be glad to learn whatever we’ve got."

  "According to what Astarion found, all the orphanages under the 'Ray of Hope' foundation across the continent have indeed come under the duke’s control. But… not entirely. There's another contender—Duke Gornorax Brungard. Rogan’s father."

  A look of genuine surprise immediately appeared on Alex’s face. "Wow..." he breathed out.

  Elizabeth nodded.

  "Yes. However, Gornorax's chances are quite slim. All the official documents list Lorenzo as the legal owner of 'Ray of Hope.'"

  "Then what is Gornorax trying to achieve?" Alex asked, pensively squeezing his glass.

  "The previous owner was a close friend of his," Elizabeth explained. "And, if Gornorax is to be believed, he would never have willingly handed over the rights to those institutions... especially to someone like Lorenzo. The man has... let’s just say, quite a tainted reputation."

  Alex fell silent for a moment, letting the information sink in. Then he looked his aunt straight in the eyes.

  "What exactly did you mean by 'tainted reputation'?"

  Elizabeth set her glass down and answered in an even, but cool tone.

  "There are rumors that Duke Lorenzo is involved in slave trading. Humans, elves, spirits, beastfolk—they’re the easiest to capture, and they make up the bulk of his 'merchandise.'"

  Alex frowned slightly, gripping his glass a bit tighter.

  "If I remember correctly, slavery has long been banned, hasn’t it?"

  "Your memory serves you well," Elizabeth confirmed. "Slave trading is officially outlawed across the entire continent. Which only makes slaves more valuable. Black markets, underground auctions—they still exist. And believe me, many are willing to pay insane sums to obtain even a single slave."

  Alex grimaced, lowered his gaze, and quietly but firmly said, "You don’t need to continue. I get it..."

  He lifted his eyes, now burning with fury.

  "So that’s why he wants 'Ray of Hope'... He plans to start trafficking children."

  His magical aura suddenly began to expand, becoming dense and oppressive. The space around them seemed to grow heavier, and the glasses on the table trembled softly.

  "I’ll kill that bastard myself!" Alex growled in anger.

  "Alex!" Elizabeth’s voice rang out.

  The young man flinched, turning his gaze to her. He saw her slightly leaning forward under the pressure of his aura. Alex immediately regained control, stabilizing his mana, and with noticeable regret said, "Sorry, Aunt..."

  "It’s all right," she replied gently, straightening up fully. "Your anger is entirely justified. But... you’ll have your chance to deal with Lorenzo. Perhaps even very soon."

  Alex looked at her intently, his voice focused. "I’m listening closely."

  "In two weeks, on Wednesday, there will be a grand celebration at Lorenzo’s gaming house for his birthday," Elizabeth began. "Entry is open, but there’s a condition: a ‘small’ contribution — just two hundred gold coins. It will be a masquerade. All the guests will be wearing masks."

  "A two-hundred-gold entry fee and a mask..." Alex repeated, crossing his arms over his chest. "That won’t be a problem. Is there anything else I should know?"

  "According to Astarion’s intel, there’s likely an underground chamber beneath Lorenzo’s gaming house where the slaves are being held. If you manage to catch him red-handed and expose everything — believe me, no one will ask questions if he… dies under mysterious circumstances."

  Alex smiled grimly. "I see where this is going."

  Elizabeth gave him a serious look. "How many people do you need for this mission?"

  Alex raised an eyebrow in surprise.

  "People? I can handle it on my own. You yourself said just a few minutes ago that I’m not a child anymore."

  "This is a different situation," she replied firmly. "And even knowing the strength you possess, I won’t let you go alone."

  Alex sighed heavily and smirked. "Then maybe you’d like to join me on this little escapade?"

  "Gladly," Elizabeth replied without hesitation.

  Alex’s mouth fell open. "Wow… That’s not what I expected to hear."

  Elizabeth smiled slyly. "It’s been a while since I’ve taken part in something quite so… thrilling. Besides, this will be my first mission alongside my nephew. I’ll get to see how you handle obstacles outside of the dungeons."

  Alex raised his glass with a smile.

  "I won’t disappoint."

  "I have no doubt," she replied, clinking her glass against his.

  They both took a sip, after which Elizabeth refilled their glasses.

  Alex, setting his glass on the table, turned his gaze to Elizabeth. "How did your talk with Father go?"

  Elizabeth paused in thought, then her face lit up with a warm smile. "It went quite well. I’d even say… perfectly." She took a sip of wine and sighed with relief. "It’ll take a long time before we can truly call ourselves a family again… but the foundation is laid."

  Alex nodded with a smile, and Elizabeth continued:

  "And thank you, Alex. For inviting me to your celebration. You knew the risks — and still, you did it."

  "Oh, come on," Alex replied lightly. "I couldn’t not invite you. I knew I was making the right choice. And I’m glad it all went just as I hoped."

  Elizabeth smiled gently, watching him with clear pride.

  "Did he… tell you anything? After our conversation?"

  Alex shook his head slightly. "No, he didn’t. But to be fair… I didn’t ask either. It was enough for me to see that after meeting with you, he looked… a little happier."

  Elizabeth fell silent for a moment, staring into the glass in her hands. Then she looked up and said:

  "I’m glad to hear that."