After Mervyn finished speaking about the competition, Lupos turned to leave, desperate to do any kind of physical activity that could help get rid of his growing bloodlust. However, his path was blocked by a smiling Lucio. "Good luck in the competition - as your better I will take the responsibility upon myself to look out for your well being."

"How generous." said Lupos flatly in a sarcastic manner. "Hmph of course," said Lucio completely unaware of the sarcasm "after all I am one of the Illio family and a future Lord. My cousin was also a student here before his tragic death along with my uncle in a hunting accident two years ago." Lupos paused for a minute, a hunting accident two years ago? That sounded familiar.

"Lucio," he asked cautiously "What was your cousin's name?" Lucio looked pleased at the interest "I'm pleased to know you're taking a notice of your betters, my cousin's name was Elias Varet." Lupos laughed aloud "What,what is it?" asked Lucio who was slightly disconcerted with Lupos's reaction.

"Well the funny thing is I had the pleasure to meet your cousin around two years ago. Now that I think about it you're very similar." Lucio smiled "Of course, one day I'll be as great as he is!" Lupos smiled remembering the sniveling coward who begged him not to kill him "I'm sure you will be." he said with an evil grin.

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Meanwhile, Jormugand was still slithering throughout the school looking for more information, before he grew tired and decided to get some sleep in the roof above an empty classroom. He had just settled down when he suddenly heard the door open and the hurried footsteps as two figures walked in. The same two figures who were addressing Mervyn.

"So have you found out anything more about the summoner's identity?" asked the smaller figure too the larger one. "Yes," said the larger one "it took a while but I found that the main cause of the magic pulse involved dark magic, meaning both the summoned creature and the summoner have dark magic, which narrows down our suspect list." the smaller figure nodded.

"Do we know if the summoner is one of us, a member of a nobles house sent to monitor the headmaster?" The larger figure slapped the smaller one. "You fool, do not utter such words aloud, you never know who may be watching."

Sure enough, right above them Jormugand was laughing. If there was distrust against the headmaster it could be used against him. Jormugand was just about to leave and report back to Lupos when he heard the figure speak once more. "Pass on the message to master Illio that we have identified the second spirit to be an earth griffon."

The smaller figure gasped in response. "Are you sure? You know the consequences should you be wrong." The larger figure nodded and the two stood in silence. "Should we pass on the news about the mysterious summoner?" asked the smaller figure.

The larger figure paused then slowly shook his head. "No we are only here to find out the headmasters weaknesses any other information is irrelevant." The figures both nodded and once more disappeared into the shadows, not noticing the quiet laugh Jormugand gave as he smiled and made his way back to see Lupos.

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Lupos was sitting in a clearing in the woods with Fenrir, waiting for Jormugand. The snake had suddenly contacted him with an excited voice and asked for meet up in the clearing after lessons. After two minutes of waiting the snake slithered into the clearing.

"Luposssss I have found out some interesssting news." Lupos smiled at Jormugand "What is it?" the snake laughed "the nobles are conspiring against the headmaster and the two trusted spies meant to be searching for you are secretly employed by the Illio family."

Lupos looked at Jormugand in surprise. "Does that mean Lucio is also better than he's letting on?" Jormugand shook his head "not that I'm aware of, the spies are under the control of the head so the son probably knows nothing."

Lupos smiled "this is good news, it means we can use the two sides against each other. Did you find out anymore information?" Jormugand smiled smugly "yesssss, in fact I have discovered that Mervyn's second spirit is an earth griffon."

Lupos' eyes widened, although, he had faith in both Fenrir and Jormugand, a match against a holy eagle and an earth griffon may even provide problems for them, not to mention the other two spirits and Mervyn himself.

Thinking about the upcoming competition Lupos made his choice "OK, Fenrir, Jormugand before the competition there will be a week's break to train and visit family. During that time we will infiltrate Illio's home and steal any useful information they have regarding Mervyn. We will also summon a third spirit, any questions?"

The two spirits shook their heads. "Very good we have one week until the break and two weeks till the competition. We will train until then, let the nobles arrogance at not hiding their spies be their downfall."