The Underground Arena wasn't actually underground.
It occupied the third sub-basement of the old alchemy tower, a section of the academy that had been officially closed for safety reasons decades ago, but In reality, it was a thriving black market where students went for things they couldn't get through official channels. Illegal potions. Forbidden spell books. Enchanted items that violated academy regulations.
And information.
Damian led me through winding corridors lit by dim magical lights. Students we passed either didn't recognize me or pretended not to. Down here, anonymity was currency.
"Marcus's workshop is ahead," Damian said quietly. "Young Master, are you certain about this? These people... they're not honorable."
"Neither am I, apparently. I'm a villain, remember? That's what everyone calls me."
We reached a reinforced door covered in enchantments and Damian knocked in a specific pattern.
The door opened to reveal a young man in his early twenties that is absolutely tired out of his head. Dark circles lay thick under his eyes and he raised his ink-stained fingers to rubbed it. Marcus Voidstep looked up from a workbench covered in magical circuits and half-finished enchantments.
"You're the Ravana kid," it wasn't a question as he said with his tired voice.
"Hadeon Ravana. You're Marcus Voidstep."
"How'd you know about me? I try to keep a low profile."
"I make it my business to know talented people who are being overlooked." I gestured at his workshop. "May I?"
He studied me for a moment, then shrugged. "Your funeral if you touch anything that you shouldn't."
I examined his work as I slowly with Damian.
His works are Impressive and far more advanced than anything taught in standard classes. I point at a particular work of his. "This is a modified stability enchantment. You're trying to layer multiple effects without interference. Not bad at all."
"Can't be done. The magical frequencies conflict."
"Not if you use a resonance buffer." I pointed at a section of his diagram. "Here. Add a tertiary circuit that oscillates between the primary frequencies. It'll smooth the transition."
Marcus blinked. Looked at his work, yhen grabbed a piece of chalk and started sketching. Five minutes later, he sat back. "Holy shit. That actually works."
"You're welcome."
He looked at me for a long time, his eyes shadowed. "What do you want, Ravana? People don't share breakthrough insights for free. I should know that more than most."
I smiled. "I want to hire you. And then I want to offer you a partnership."
His face closed off immeditely. "I don't work for nobles."
"Good. I'm not asking you to work for me. I'm asking you to work with me." I placed the materials I'd brought on his workbench. "I need these enchanted. Specific configuration. I'll pay triple your usual rate."
"Triple?" He picked up one of the crystals. "What are you planning?"
"To survive a fight against an SSS-rank opponent."
Marcus laughed, his laughter echoing through the room but then he stopped when he saw I was serious. "You're fighting Adrian Celestius? Seriously? That's suicide."
"Only if I fight him conventionally." I pulled out a sketch I'd prepared. "I need a tool that can temporarily disrupt holy-attribute magic. Not permanently, just for a few seconds."
He studied the diagram. "This is... clever. Risky as hell, but clever." He looked up. "But this won't win you the fight."
"I don't need to win. I just need to not lose spectacularly." I shrugged.
"There's a difference?"
"A huge one. Losing to an SSS-rank opponent is expected. Losing after giving him a real challenge? That's another thing entirely, it earns respect."
Marcus considered this, his face still full of doubts. "What's the partnership you mentioned?"
"You're going to die soon." Chapter 47 to be precise but I didn't say that out loud.
He froze, going entirely still. "What?"
"In about eight weeks, you're going to try to sell an enchanted weapon to the wrong person. Adrian will heroically stop you. You'll be expelled and arrested. Two weeks later, you'll die in prison under suspicious circumstances."
"How could you possibly know..."
"I have my ways, ways I can't reveal and because I pay attention to patterns. Adrian has a habit of targeting talented people who don't bow to him. You're on his list." I leaned against the workbench. "Unless you join mine first."
In this world, prophetic or seer powers aren't that rare but it's only for the nobility and rich.
[RECRUITMENT ATTEMPT: MARCUS VOIDSTEP]
[SUCCESS CHANCE: 45%]
[FACTORS: You provided genuine help, warned him of danger, offered partnership instead of employment]
Marcus was quiet for a long moment. "Let's say I believe you. What's in it for me?"
"Protection. Resources. Freedom to work on whatever you want." I gestured at his cramped workshop. "And eventually, a proper laboratory funded by the Ravana family."
"In exchange for?"
"Loyalty. Enchantments when I need them. And helping me build something that lasts beyond this academy. How's that for a deal eh?"
"Build what?"
"A faction. An organization. A group of people who are tired of being stepping stones for the upright that only remember to be when it serves them. Let's say, I want to destroy the illusions we all pretend did not exist."
He studied me for the longest time. "You're serious about this."
"Completely." I said in a flat voice.
"You're either insane or brilliant." Marcus said at last.
"Can't I be both?"
Marcus laughed, and a genuine laugh this time. "Alright, Ravana I'll take your commission. And I'll think about your offer."
[RECRUITMENT PROGRESS: MARCUS VOIDSTEP 35%]
[RELATIONSHIP: Curious Neutrality]
[DEATH FLAG DELAYED: Marcus will not be arrested on schedule]
"One question though," Marcus said as he began working on the enchantments. "Why me? There are other enchanters. Better connected ones."
"Because you're the best I've met. And because the best people are usually the ones everyone overlooks." Because you a actually are, if not for your death, you would be the best of the best. But also because I don't Adrian to get anything.
Of course, I didn't say any of that out loud.
"Flattery won't get you a discount."
"Good. I don't want a discount. I want quality." I watched him work for a moment. "How long until these are ready?"
"Four days. Maybe three if I don't sleep."
"Four days is fine. I need you sharp, not exhausted."
He glanced up, surprised. "You actually care if I'm tired?"
"You're my enchanter. Of course I care. Exhausted craftsmen make mistakes." I turned to leave. "Damian will deliver payment in advance. If you need additional materials, let him know."
"Ravana," Marcus called as I reached the door. "For what it's worth? You're not what I expected."
"Good. That's the point."