The Lost King, the Supreme Magus, known by many names, Dio Aethereus, was said to be the greatest ruler. This was for two reasons specifically: pure raw combat power, and an unparalleled aptitude for learning and creating spells. However, when it came to administration and fulfilling his role, he was rather lackluster. To be more precise, he played the role of a deity far better than he did as a ruler.
After his disappearance, the fanatics who obsessed over him grew frantic and desperate. Imagine putting every ounce of trust and faith into a single object, only for it to cease to exist. It was shattering, perhaps it was this world-changing event that led them so far down the wrong path.
There was a difference between people like this and Luna and Drake. The latter were both admirers of his strength and achievements; after all, his legacy was passed down as a Myth. However, those who worshiped him as a deity could no longer cope with the withdrawal. The satisfaction of having an overpowered entity solve every issue with a single snap was never going to return. They yearned for a savior, for someone to sacrifice themselves purely for their sake. Someone who gave themselves up for the greater good.
Thus began their long-standing operation to find a replacement, a substitute for the Lost King. Naturally, this wasn't an easy task, and the fact that another being like him hadn't yet appeared could only prove how rare a talent he was. Nevertheless, they couldn't be considered obsessed without a certain amount of persistence.
"The Sacred Lineage…"
The elf clenched his teeth and banged his gripped fists into the table. The other three Professors in the room could feel the seriousness of the situation. The organization was notorious for its extreme measures. Some of them included kidnapping children and orphans and brainwashing them into doing their own bidding.
However, just that much wouldn't allow them to have the influence they did. There wasn't much information that was publicly available, but there were rumors that these kids, once the brainwashing was done, were forced to identify with numbers. The lower the number, the more potential the individual had to replace the Lost King.
What initially could've been a good idea was tainted by their extremist views. The authorities of the group seemed to have lost their original vision and now had an ulterior motive behind this scheme. Moreover, other than just forcibly identifying the kidnapped children with numbers, these individuals were then brainwashed and spread across the map so that they could infiltrate different focal points and live life as a normal human being, until of course, the moment to strike arrives.
This was all that was known, moreover, this information couldn't be confirmed. Sure, they were suffering fanatics, but that didn't mean they were weak. If they wished to achieve their goal, they had to gather a certain amount of power and influence.
"Do we have any other leads…? What makes you think it's The Sacred Lineage?" Felix asked while massaging her chin. It was one thing to have such a group involved with Hexora, but what if they were wrong? What if there was another entity pulling the strings?
"Our student was kidnapped by the Southern Revolution. I doubt that they are capable of orchestrating any sort of plan. It is a fair assumption to make, considering there is no other precedent for such an event."
"Moreover, based on the information we've received, the Green-tongued Orcs may not necessarily know that they are being manipulated. For all we know, those barbaric fools probably think they're the ones scheming everything,"
It was Andras Golomut, he was in charge of teaching the second-year students an advanced course on the introduction to magic. This primarily involved each student understanding their individual affinities and talents towards specific types of magic.
"I understand your concerns, Miss Felix. We've managed to safely recover our student thanks to the adventurers guild, but moving forward, it would be wiser to assume the worst-case scenario and act accordingly." This time, the one to chime in was the third-year instructor, Rigby Taurus. Other than working as a Professor, he was also a board member of the Adrenian Academic Council. Every single student who entered any school or university on the continent eventually had to answer to this council, one way or another.
"I…suppose so…" Professor Felix stuttered a little while talking, she wasn't entirely convinced, considering how the events unfolded. However, she was with some of the senior-most authorities of Hexora, even if there were seeds of uncertainty, they wouldn't bloom under the wisdom of the institution's finest.
There indeed was a lot at stake. Infiltrating what is considered a top-tier magical institution was no joke. They had to have had prior knowledge regarding the interiors of Hexora. There was another pressing issue, one that called for all their immediate attention.
"Professor Felix, if it would put your mind at ease, you may investigate further on your own," Thyren nodded his head a few times. He was the vice-principal for a reason. Sound reasoning, sharp judgment, and a sense of diplomacy was extremely important.
"With that being said. The most important problem we need to focus on is how the Orc infiltrators managed to disguise themselves, as well as how they gained entry into the campus,"
"It hurts me to say this, and I'm more shocked than disappointed, but it seems we have a mole. To adjust not only their appearance, but their private records, thus allowing them entry, isn't an easy task."
"That being said. Professor Rigby and Professor Andras, you are now in charge of uncovering the variables involved in this situation. Meanwhile, it seems our Principal is back, and extremely furious about the sequence of events,"
The eyes of the other Professors widened. The headmaster or principal of Hexora was no low position. They were on par with the Chancellor of the Lost Supreme Academy. Well, that wouldn't matter much considering their established relationship.
"Time for me to face the consequences of our carelessness," Thyren let out a heavy and exhausted sigh.
"Rest well Sir Thyren," Felix was well aware of the rage of the headmaster, and truly wished for the Elf's safety.
"We hope you stay safe…" Andras spoke before mumbling, "and make it back in one piece…"