Ascension Of The Failed Mage

"What's he doing?" Trevor Netherlore whispered in his office after being informed of the development.

When he was told about the intruder by one of his informants in the security team, he had assumed it was one of the people that were sent to capture Ciara, but to think it was Noir himself that had been caught in the act.

"I didn't take him to be the kind of man to be so reckless... or is he up to something again?"

There were so many questions going on in his mind. After the humiliating defeat he suffered at the hands of the dark knight, he had been on the low, barely making progress with his work.

"I'll just observe for now... and see how it goes."

*******************************

"What do I do? What do I do?" Ciara mumbled to herself in a panic.

She had suddenly appeared in her room after Noir snapped, unable to do anything for him.

"No, at this rate he's going to be arrested and tried. I have to do something!" Ciara screamed within the expanse of her room.

'B-but, he teleported me away for a reason, right? What if I only make things worse by going to see him? What if he's just trying to protect me again... am I... am I getting in his way?'

The conflicting thoughts of her desire to help Noir and also not to be a burden or hindrance to him made Ciara nearly go insane.

She was still recoiling from the chilling experience she had just gone through, but Noir's situation was at the forefront of her mind.

And so, as she deliberated on the matter, sleep caught up to Ciara and she dozed off on her bed, giving in to the exhaustion that had been welling up within her for some time.

*********************************

Noir sat alone in the dark cell he was placed in. According to what he knew, unlawfully entering the institute was a serious offense. He was also someone who had a mysterious identity and past. The security department had called for those he revealed to be associated with him, so that would give him some credibility.

However, even Galand and Lorna didn't know much about Noir, to begin with. Ciara could have made a slight difference since she was the Duke's daughter, but he didn't want to involve her.

Things were too complicated to stir waters even more. Plus, Noir had a plan of his own, a way to resolve the issue once and for all.

'If everything goes well, I'll be able to kill two birds with one stone...'

"Hey, you have some people here to see you." A security guard said, bringing Noir out of his thoughts.

He began hearing hurried footsteps. They belonged to two people, making Noir somewhat guess who they were.

'So Ciara isn't here. Good.'

Galand and Lorna appeared on the other end of the bars. The looks on their faces depicted worry. Lorna was still in her servant outfit, while Galand was in a more casual outfit.

"I see. You came as soon as you heard." Noir smiled, looking at the friends he had made through Ciara.

Well... to a certain degree they could be called that.

"Sir Noir! Are you okay?" Lorna asked, her innocent face showing worry.

"We'll find a way to get you out of here soon, don't worry," Galand said in a quivering voice.

Noir had to admit, having these people care about him so much... while it was somewhat sweet, it was naive.

He had intentionally caused the whole thing. Why would he want to leave at this point?

"It's fine, you guys. It means enough for me that you came, but that's enough. You guys shouldn't do any more than this."

Lorna and Galand were surprised that Noir had said this.

"B-but, how can we?"

Noir nodded slightly, giving Galand a knowing look. The security officers were definitely eavesdropping on their every conversation, so Noir was limited in what he could say.

"I'll be fine. Just let things run their natural course."

"I-I understand," Galand said, getting the message.

Lorna, who was still oblivious of the whole thing stared at Galand with a surprised look.

"Galand, how could you-"

"There's really nothing much we can do. Lorna, let's trust the process... Okay?"

At this point, Lorna's eyes met Galand's, making her nod.

She understood as well.

"What can we do for you, then?" Galand asked, turning back to Noir.

Noir smiled. They were finally making sense.

"Please look after Ciara. She'll explain her situation to you, so make sure she's alright."

Galand and Lorna nodded instantly. There wasn't much to be said after that.

"Please be well," Lorna whispered.

"I always am. Take care of yourselves too..." Noir nodded.

And so, the two left, not even long after they had entered.

"You have some pretty decent friends. It's a shame you dragged them into this mess." One of the security officers around commented, glaring at Noir as though he was a scumbag.

"Well, I'm not so sure about that..." His voice trailed as he smiled lightly.

'Tomorrow is going to be quite the eventful day.'

*********************************

The next morning, when Ciara woke up the first thing she thought of was Noir. Quickly springing up from her bed, her eyes darted around to seek out her next course of action.

Brush

Bathe

Dress up!

Ciara quickly, yet thoroughly went through the processes, and before long she was done. Now donning on her outfit, she opened the door outside her room, only to find two people waiting for her.

"Hello, Ciara."

Ciara was stunned, if not downright petrified to see both Galand and Lorna standing in front of her room.

"W-wha-?! What are you two doing here?!" Ciara exclaimed.

"We came here to see you," Galand stated.

"It's about Noir" Lorna added.

Hearing this, Ciara let the both of them in so they could talk in detail.

For them to have heard of the matter, it must have been quite serious. Either that, or Noir specifically called for them.

"So, please guys... Tell me what happened. What's going on with Noir?"