Supreme Magus novel Chapter 303

"The vision changed almost a month ago. Why are we doing nothing?" Jirni’s anger was barely contained. It took all of her willpower to prevent it to show on the outside.

"Because based on all we know, it’s likely we are about to face the threat of slave collars, like those the Pontus Household purchased from the missing Alchemist Hatorne." Duchess Distar was disgusted by her own words.

Just like Jirni, she hated feeling helpless.

"Whoever the traitors are, they have managed to slip out of our net too many times. Linjos needs time to remove enough members of his staff to require an official turn over without arising suspicions.

"If we act rashly, we risk alerting them. They would only need to activate the collars to force us to butcher innocents while they escape under the cover of the ensuing chaos.

"We are lulling them into a false sense of confidence, so that our first strike will also be the last." Her hands were clenched so hard they were white, the blood drained from her fingers.

"Easy for you to say. It’s my little girls that live in that death trap, not yours. Why can’t we at least warn them?"

"To achieve what? Spook them? Spook the traitors? We may be wrong about the collars. So far all the security sweeps came out negative." Mirim Distar shook her head.

"It’s not only your daughters who are in danger, but every single student in all the remaining four academies. If you can’t keep your personal and professional life separated, maybe you should recuse yourself from the case."

Jirni Distar knew that Mirim was right and hated her for that.

"How long before we move?" She asked.

"Very soon."

***

Village of Lutia.

Lith considered the idea of becoming an elder brother and an uncle almost at the same time disturbing at best. When during the second month of winter Elina noticed she had skipped her period, Lith knew he had succeeded.

Both his mother and sister were nervous. The former considered her pregnancy like a miracle while the latter was on edge being her first time. Lith was basically on call 24/7, but luckily nothing happened in his absence that Nana or Tista couldn’t handle.

Lith would go back to his village at least once a week, during the weekend to perform a complete check up on both women.

"Everything is fine. Again." Lith snorted.

"I’m so sorry, dear. I didn’t mean to rush you." Elina apologized with such a merry voice it sounded fake, but she was actually sincere. She was just too happy with the good news.

"Do you want to know the gender of the babies?" Lith asked.

"Do you know it already?" Judging by their enthusiasm he had just asked a rhetorical question.

"Male. Female." He pointed at Elina first and at Rena second.

’Ugh. My family so far had bad luck with males. Orpal, Trion, and then me. Let’s hope the little one grows into a better man than us. It doesn’t take much, after all.’ Lith thought.

’How dare you!’ Solus scolded him. Not even reminding her of his body count spared him from a lecture.

Both families didn’t share Lith’s negative outlook on life. They celebrated together until late.

The next day, after the end of the lessons Lith went to Phloria’s room to share the latest news and give her an early birthday present. In a few days, she would turn sixteen, becoming an adult according to Mogar’s standards.

"Congratulations, you must be thrilled." Phloria embraced him tightly. For a moment, Lith lost himself in the delicate fragrance of her hair.

"Not really." He didn’t want to spoil the mood for his family, but at least with Solus and Phloria he could be honest.

"I’m scared at the idea of having another brother. I almost have only bad memories about them." Most of all, he was scared of loving and losing his little brother. Lith was certain he couldn’t take it again.