Sophia hummed and sipped on a cup of tea she had on her desk. After that, she said, "Did you learn how she crossed the wall? To reach Rank 7 at such a young age is no easy feat."
Marzin snorted. "So says the lass who reached it in her early twenties."
Sophia nodded. "Right. And because I'm saying it, it's even more impressive. Marisa is not even 20 yet... No, she is barely an adult, is she not? Yet she crossed it already? Did she have some grand epiphany?"
Marzin shook her head. "No. None of that. It appears to have just been a fortuitous encounter."
Sophia blinked. "A fortuitous encounter that grants a whole mana circle? Not just a mana circle, but one at Rank 7?"
Marzin shrugged. "It appears so. My dear granddaughter refuses to provide the details, but that seems to be the case."
Sophia clicked her tongue. "Of course it would be. Some are born with all the luck in the world..."
"And some are born with all the misfortune in the world. Such as that Alexander Smith, no?"
Sophia paused.
Marzin stared at her, quietly pulling out a cup of tea for himself from thin air. After taking a sip, he said, "I do not know much of that young man's history. But the little I was able to find showed that he suffered a great deal."
Sophia sighed. "You searched the archives?"
"What little I could." Marzin frowned. "It is rare for one so young to have records redacted. Even more so for that to be of a seemingly unremarkable commoner... and for it to have been done so well as to seem to be simply a victim of misfortune."
Sophia shook her head. "Alexander is... special."
"Oh, of that I have no doubt." Marzin nodded. "But he is also an unknown. One who has been entangled with the Imperial Princess and my granddaughter, as well as that Lionheart's son. So I have but one question for you, Light of Wisdom." His emerald eyes crackled and he said, "That young man... What is he, truly?"
Sophia hesitated. "...I only found out recently after Elio did some digging. But I'm also not the sort to give out personal student information, Old Man. You know this. What I can and will say..." She sighed. "...Alexander is a young man who attained a miracle after surviving hell. And all I want for him is to succeed and have as normal a life as he can."
Marzin was quiet. Then he said, "I understand your sentiments. But you know that will be impossible. With what that young man has accomplished, the moment he steps foot onto the world stage as a Hero, he will become a target. Moreso than he already is as the young princess's beau."
Sophia sighed. "I know. But Elio and I are doing our best to help him."
Marzin's eyes widened. "That Gate obsessed maniac took interest in helping someone else for once?"
Sophia crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. "Look. As much as I... 'enjoy' talking with you, Old Man, I am busy. Is there anything you truly needed to discuss with me, or was this just a social call?"
Marzin stood up and warped his chair away. After that, he said, "I suppose I have been quite rude. Then..." He adjusted his robes and gave Sophia a serious look. "I will leave with a parting gift."
Sophia straightened in her chair, looking serious too. "Yes?"
"...Be wary during the Winter Solstice Ball. A few mages have vanished from our tower without a trace, and there are rumors of some dabbling in dark arts and unknown energies." Marzin frowned and said, "I have no proof. But considering how pivotal such an event is..."
"...Something will happen there." Sophia clicked her tongue. "It's been twice now I've been warned. You and Elio... and I feel something will happen as well." She rapped her fingers on the table and said, "...Should I just call it off...?"
Marzin narrowed his eyes. "Even Elio believes something will occur? Then... should I deploy some of my disciples for security?"
Sophia let out a frustrated sigh. "I don't know. There is danger lurking. I can sense it. Elio can see it on the horizon. But as far as we both can tell, nothing is wrong in the academy or the empire. Elio believes that Demons may be involved somehow, but it's just a baseless intuition..."
"Demons?" Marzin rubbed his chin. "Those mythical creatures?"
Sophia shook her head. "Formerly mythical creatures. Apparently, the Empire has been dabbling with 'dark arts' as well in secret."
Marzin's eyes sharpened.
Sophia sighed, looking all too weary. "For now, I would appreciate if you just kept an eye out. I will... do as best as I can, as always. But." She hesitated and stared at Marzin. "In case the worst occurs..."
Marzin stared into Sophia's eyes and nodded. "Worry not. This old man is invested in the next generation of heroes as well. And don't be so quick to throw your life away." He chortled and said, "You're not quite so old yet. There's still a chance to start a family with that golden blockhead."
Sophia blushed and chucked her paperweight at Marzin.
Marzin laughed and vanished into thin air. But even as he did, his voice echoed out, solemn. "Be on your guard, Light of Wisdom."
Sophia stared at the empty office and sighed. "You don't need to tell me twice, Grand Sage."
A piece of paper fell onto the floor.
Sophia glanced at it and frowned, rereading the notes on it by Elio.
> 90% likelihood Evelyn has been infected by the demonic energy.
> 100% likelihood Isaac Frostblade has come into contact with demonic energy.
> In the worst case scenario...
Sophia sighed and swept her hand out, burning the paper into ash.
"...Let us hope it does not come to that, and that your protegee can resolve it after all, Leo..."