A connection magician needed three things to establish a spell. An initial connection with the target, mana, and proximity. If the target was far away the spell would weaken.

I'd sent Amanda straight to the caster.

A ripple of fear spread throughout my body.

"Are you okay?" Bob spoke.

He reached out a hand toward me comfortingly, then pulled it back when he saw my expression.

This wasn't the time for comfort. I needed to act.

“I’ve made a mistake.” I turned to him hurriedly. "I apologise, but I'll have to put our talk on hold."

I was already tapping away at my texting regent before he could reply.

Contacting Amanda was my first priority.

‘The connection spell wasn't the Gesti. Possibly the nobles. We’ll teleport to you. Where are you?’

I held the regent in my hand, waiting for a reply. Amanda usually forgot about her regent, replying to minutes or hours after a message was sent.

No replies came through.

Worry cascaded through my skin and across my heart, mingling with the fear.

[Meditation.]

I took a deep breath. As much as I wanted to let my emotions take control, I knew that they weren't helpful. The only way to help Amanda was to get to her.

I sent another message, this time to Gerial.

‘We need a portal to the Koshima hospital.’

I didn't know where in the hospital she was. Alexis had been hidden from prying eyes, his location known only to the staff of the hospital and Amanda.

Last time I had visited him, he had been guarded behind a door that was a portal. He might not even be within the hospital itself.

Gerial’s replied instantly.

‘Done.’

‘We’re in the hotel corridor. On our way to you.’

‘Portal arriving in 5 minutes. It will appear wherever I am.’

Gerial’s replies brought a wave of relief. Even if we didn't know where Amanda was, we should be able to find her with his help.

There was a movement at the corner of my eye, and I raised my head. Bob had a grave look on his face, gathering bits and pieces of the situation from what I'd been saying to him.

“Where is the relay?" He asked me.

His expression was serious, and his tone low.

"The what?" I gazed at him.

Bob gestured at little Bob and himself. Mana poured out around him, gathering in the air.

“Your friend was being controlled. If the target is out of sight, a connection magician needs another needs needssource of mana near their target to form their spell. We call this the relay.” He crossed his arms. "Is your friend a connection magician?”

I paused.

“She’s not.” I thought over his words.

What he was describing was the events that happened to Roxxy.

She hadn't been casting any spells, but her mana was being used up.

"Then she's not the relay.” Bob frowned. “They still established a connection with both at some point, one with the target and then a secondary one with the relay. That means they had to get close to them and cast their spell.”

My mind raced as I thought over his words.

Bob wasn't the enemy I’d thought he had been, but he was still a highly skilled connection magician. Or golem.

His advice and skills would be invaluable to me.

"I think I know who it is. If I bring her here, can you find a connection between her and the caster?” I held up my texting regent. “She's on her way now.”

Bob nodded his head and raised his hand.

There was a quick pulse of magic.

“I already allowed your friend through the teleportation blockade I set up.” He gestured at the surroundings. “They're allowed to teleport directly here.”

I nodded and sent a message to Gerial.

‘Bob says you can teleport straight here.’

As I waited for my friends to appear I thought over the events that had occurred.

Somehow, someone had managed to establish a connection with both Roxxy and Amanda, tying them in a spell.

Bob himself had said that required direct contact. Or at least they needed to get close. Even then, the connection magic was weakest when Amanda was further away from the caster.

That was why they needed Roxxy to provide the mana.

When had the caster gotten to them?

"What do you need to make someone into a relay?” I asked Bob.

His mana was pulsing through the air as he set up the teleport spell. Unlike the portals, these were only short range.

“Proximity when you initially cast a spell on them, and a guarantee that they will be near the target when you want them to be.” Bob frowned. "Also, a lot of preparation is needed.

It's not something you do on the spot, you need the relevant skills, and the relay should ideally be connected to the target. You also want your target and relay to be oblivious to the spell's existence until it's already cast.”

I didn't know what skills the nobles held in their repertoire.

The Koshima nobles were well known. Their names, their allegiances, even their ages and personal information was known by their associates. The only part of their lives that they kept a secret were their skills.

It was rude to ask for skill information, and even if it wasn’t, everybody would still hide theirs.

A memory floated up to my mind.

It was the recent conversation I'd had with Roxxy.

The Koshima nobles had insisted that she come to the meeting.

This was why.

She had been brought in by Hutton’s household, the Strand family.

The same household that had directly attacked Amanda.

They’d needed her there to cast the spell on her. She was the only person in their circle that they knew was close to Amanda and not hospitalised.

"Is it possible that the caster could connect to Amanda without meeting her? Through Roxxy?” I saw his blank stare. “She's the girl being used as a relay.”

"A relay doesn't transmit spells. It only makes use of the target’s mana.” Bob shook his head. “The spell had to have been in place on the target already, or it wouldn't work. You're looking for someone that’s met your friend.”

Amanda had made a point to avoid the noble families ever since the monster attack. She was staying inside a safe house to avoid them.

She wouldn't have come into contact with any of them on purpose.

Even if she had, she would've mentioned it.

"Your friends are coming through.” Bob turned to the side.

I followed his gaze, but my mind was racing to put the pattern together. There was only one time I could remember where Amanda had come into direct contact with a noble.

Our arena match.

Hutton’s grandfather, Master Strand, had cast magic on Amanda when he had attacked her in the arena. She’d been forced to stop moving, and then the magician had prepared a different attack, but Gerial had grabbed him at the last moment.

I’d thought Gerial had stopped the spell.

What if he hadn't?

What if Master Strand had cast a spell and it had laid dormant inside Amanda, activating periodically but only working when Roxxy was around.

There was a bright flash of light in front of me and I covered my eyes.

“Andross!” A voice broke through my thoughts.

Gerial, William and Roxxy had arrived. The bright flash signalling their arrival disappeared, revealing three worried expressions.

William nodded at me; his eyebrows furrowed in thought.

“Gerial has caught us up.” He moved beside me. “We don’t need to predict the movements of the perpetrators. We only need to reach Amanda before they do.”

"The portal is going to arrive any minute now.” Gerial strode towards me. “But I don't know where Amanda is. It'll only take us to the front of the hospital.”

It hadn't been long since she’d left.

Who had she gone to visit first?

"She’s either with her mother, or Alexis.” I checked my texting regent. “She hasn't responded to my messages.”

Bob turned towards the group and clicked his fingers. There was a shift in the mana around me. William and Roxxy flinched as the spell was cast and I looked at them in alarm.

What had he done?

"Who are you?” Roxxy turned her attention to Bob.

I realised what had just happened. He’d gotten rid of the spell that made people ignore his presence.

William eyed the man warily and sent me a questioning glance.

"Guys, meet Bob. Bob, this is William and Roxxy.” My foot tapped against the ground impatiently. “Bob is a highly skilled connection magician.”

The portal couldn't get here fast enough.

William narrowed his eyes as he took in Bob’s appearance. He wasn't fooled for a second.

“You're the relay?” Bob examined Roxxy.

“Relay?” Roxxy frowned. “What's that?”

I looked at her curiously and she blushed. Bob gave her a quick rundown and she listened intently.

“I came to Koshima instead of the connection academy for a reason.” She pursed her lips. “Now that decision is coming back to bite me.”

Bob propped up his chin with his hand and looked at Roxxy thoughtfully.

“If you're connected to the caster, I might be able to link the portal straight to them. Finding people is my specialty.” He turned to me. “We could find the source of the problem with a single leap.”

"Not recommended.” William immediately interjected. “It's Amanda we want, and we don't know if these people have prepared portal blockers. If they see us coming, then they might take drastic measures.”

I nodded in agreement.

"Is there any way for us to find Amanda and go straight to her?” I asked Bob.

The golem looked at us and a flash of concern croSsed his features.

“Not her.” Bob gestured at Roxy with his thumb. “If she's being used as a relay then sending her straight to your friend could trigger a more powerful spell. Especially since she’ll be closer to the caster.”

He was right.

Unless the caster was with Amanda right now, they couldn't activate any spells.

"However, they have already established a connection with the target, which means they can find her." Bob stared at me. "We can do that as well.”

“How long will that take?” Gerial’s voice broke out from beside me.

Bob’s expression didn't leave much hope for my imagination.

"Establishing a connection will take a few minutes. Especially if the target isn't here. It'll be a once off spell, and the mana consumption… I may need the aid of your manapool, Roxxy.” He turned toward the girl and she nodded.

"What if we get there too late?” I asked.

"We have to pray to the divines that isn’t the case.” His words sank like teeth into me.

"What do I have to do?" My tone was firm.

No matter what he asked of me, all that mattered was that we got to Amanda before the nobles did.

Gerial shuffle down comfortably beside me, glancing toward me and giving me a knowing look. Bob had the same expression on his face.

"It's impossible to establish a connection quickly without the permission of the gathered parties. To do it quickly, I will need to perform magic on you." He lifted his hand for me to see the mana gathering at his palm. “With your permission, I'll access the connection you already have with your friend.

The stronger it is, the quicker it will be established. And from there I will be able to add this connection to the portal.”

I paused.

He was asking for permission to enter a space of my mind and body not even I could access. I didn't know much about connection magic, but something as intrinsic as my ties to other people wasn't something to be messed with lightly.

This man could take over my body, or implant spells within me similar to the one inside Amanda. I would be giving him access to everything and lowering my defenses at the same time.

"Do you trust me?” Bob gazed into my eyes.

I stared back, going over the conversations we'd had in my head. Everything he had told me today could've been a lie.

I'd never met or heard the name of the man my mother had killed.

This man was asking my permission to perform magic directly on my body. He could be a Gesti impersonator, or a golem sent to gain my trust before betraying me.

A wisp of purple mana lick that my shoes as the portal begin to form beside us.

I had to decide now.

My hand reached out and shook Bob’s, magic spurring to life around me.

“Do it.”

****

Amanda sat alone in a darkened room. The dim glow of her hair illuminating the boy she had come to see. His frail form lay on a pristine white bed, regents thrumming with magic all around him.

It was her brother, Alexis.

"Holy Fue, that thing really did a number on you.” Amanda sighed. “Where's my cute little brother gone?”

She blinked, a faint blush crossing over her cheeks.

"I shouldn't be talking like that. Not to you. I meant to say that you're awesome, and you'll get through this. I've been bad at expressing myself lately.” She laid her hands beside him, careful not to put any pressure on his body. "Sorry, it's been a long few weeks. I just wanted to see how you were, or if you can hear me.”

She waited, expecting a response, but none came.

Alexis was as silent as he had been for weeks. His condition hadn't improved, nor had the conditions of his friends.

“I guess dad hasn't come to see you.” She sighed. “Always worried about our reputation.”

His posture was contorted, curled in a fetal position. Underneath his thin garments his flesh was pockmarked and hollow. It's vitality was drained, and chunks had been scraped out.

A single tear formed at the edge of her eye as she gazed down at her broken brother.

"It truly is a sorry state of affairs for the Mitra heir.” A voice swam across the room.

Amanda's head shot up and she twisted her body towards the sound.

“Who’s there?” She took a step back, bumping into Alexis’ table. “How did you get in?”

The room was isolated from the rest of the hospital. It wasn't a simple lock and key. There was an entire process to enter that only she and the doctors knew.

Finding the room was a trial in itself.

A figure stepped towards her, the glow of her hair illuminating his body. With each step came the tapping of a cane against the floor.

"Dear me. Is that how you talk inside the hospital? There are patients sleeping in here.” The man grimaced. "My grandson is one of them.”

“Master Strand.” Amanda’s eyes widened.

The elderly man chuckled at her expression, but his eyes were emotionless.

"You're not supposed to be here." Amanda clenched her fingers into fists, her skin shifting into flames. “I'll have to respectfully ask you to leave.”

The room lit up with a fierce glow. Amanda summoned her fire claws without hesitation, each one floating in the air around her.

"I do apologise my dear, but I had the opposite intention, and your words won't change that.” Master Strand raised his hand. “I never held any of this against you. I merely needed to get to him.”

He took another step forward, magic gathering around him.

Then it disappeared.

Amanda's body froze, and she stared at him in confusion. Her claws floated limply in the air, not moving at all.

"You're the connection magician.” Her eyebrows furrowed in concentration.

She was trying to break the spell.

“Hutton was the only one of my kin that wanted to follow in my footsteps and the only heir in two generations that could attune to connection.” Master Strand’s voice betrayed a hint of sorrow. “All that progress, gone. His future is ruined. Because of this boy.”

He waved his hand and Amanda's legs stepped aside, the rest of her body following awkwardly.

Her fingers twitched as she struggled against his control.

"How did you get past the guards?” Amanda’s hair transformed into flames.

Heat washed out over the room, causing the elderly man to pause.

When he saw she couldn't do anything else he shook his head and turned back towards Alexis.

“I'm not the only one your brother angered.” Master strand’s lips parted into a cold smile.

He raised his hand and a dagger appeared within his palm.

“I have no wish to savor this moment.” Master Strand held up the weapon. “No more questions. Stay aside. You may close your eyes.”

His every step brought him closer toward Alexis, and within seconds he stood over the comatose boy. There was no compassion in his eyes, or rage. There was only acceptance.

Then he plunged the dagger down.

“NO!” Amanda’s scream pierced through the air.

The sharp tip of the weapon clunk against something.

It wasn't flesh.

Amanda’s voice died down and Master Strand took a step back, his eyes widening.

The dagger had been stopped by a shimmering orange bubble that formed above Alexis’ body.

“Master Strand.” My voice echoed out across the room. "You’ve committed a grave error today.”

The elderly man swirled around, his eyes darting towards my voice. He saw nothing.

There was only empty air where I was standing.

“Who said that?” He held up the dagger.

Around his body connection mana gathered, and I saw it flutter through the air.

It was too little too late.

Power quakedaround the room, each corner emitting pressure and magic beyond what the elderly noble could conjure.

My guards.

"I was worried that we wouldn't be able to get to you in time." I tilted my head towards the man. “To think he would have murdered a helpless teenager in cold blood. I don't want to think about what you would've done to the only witness.”

I could see my guards, all seven bristling with power. Each one was a blur in my vision, invisible to the outside world.

Two stood by Amanda, their swords at the ready.

Three were by my side. They were protecting me even though they knew I could protect myself.

Master Strand had the swords of the remaining two stationed at his throat.

My eyes narrowed. “Do it.”

His eyes widened.

“What—”

The two guards surrounding the elderly man burst with power, their hands disappearing as they moved faster than my mana sense could see. Master Strand crumpled, his body falling to the ground as a flurry of strikes disabled him.

He groaned, the only sign that he wasn't dead.

By the time the authorities were over with him he would wish he was.

After that, Gerial and the Headmaster would have words with the man that had dared to attack a member of their academy.

I took a step forward and my surroundings shifted.

Waves of air brushed over me, cascading downwards as they stripped me of the invisibility that Gerial had cast onto my body.

At the same time the air above Alexis shimmered. Sitting on his pale form was a chubby puffer, wings held out at the ready and twigs clutched in his claws.

Gold.

Throughout the room my guards appeared one by one.

Members of the Church of the Crijik couldn't be seen attacking noble families inside the city. That would cause a whole host of issues.

Thankfully, Gerial had supplied a way to resolve that issue.

"That was terrifying." Amanda rubbed her arm. “Even when I knew you were there, I didn't expect him to be so strong. I thought I'd be able to break out of his spell just by knowing it was there.”

I stepped towards her, my guards moving out of the way.

She looked at the beaten man on the floor and gestured towards him.

“The Strand household is finished. Attacking a noble family and helpless child." Anger flamed in her eyes. "I know that I have to handle this next part alone, but can you at least tell me you got the others?”

"William and Gerial are handling it as we speak." I smiled.

“Good.” Her lips curled upwards. “What a pit donkey.”

“Let’s leave the rest to the others.”

I gave the man on the floor one final glance.

“How do you feel about book fairs?”