Chương 85: Real Ryland

Ryland didn't mind revealing himself to the Enforcers. He wasn't sure why they were after him, and he had at first thought that someone had probably complained about the automata. But that wasn't the case. They really were looking for him, as evidenced by that one Enforcer mentioning the search for the "real" Ryland. So, he gladly revealed himself to the Enforcers. After all, it wasn't like he had anything to fear. That said, Ryland was certainly not doing things on their terms.

He didn't wish to disrupt the preparations, not after how stressed everyone already was and not after he himself had done so much to assist things. If it all ended in the Enforcers ruining everything just because he was present, then he'd feel awful about the whole thing. So, for the Enforcers' own good, he had adamantly requested that they needed to meet him in a more secluded area, where whatever they intended wasn't going to disrupt the work elsewhere.

For Ryland could sense that things weren't going to be smooth between him and them.

"Marionys Ryland," said a woman Enforcer.

"Is that really you?"

"Don't you possess a Glyph of Truth or something similar to determine that?" Ryland asked.

"Enforcers are required to possess it. However, we don't wish to rely merely on Glyphs, especially against an entity such as yourself. We have other means of verifying, however. Especially since we've had a lot of exposure to how your fakes tend to work." The rest of the Enforcers all nodded vigorously. Several were rubbing spots all over their bodies, probably where they had been hit by struggling automata.

"And will these other means of verifying cause any issues for the academy?" Ryland asked.

"Really?" He couldn't see it, but he could hear the raised eyebrow behind the Enforcer's mask.

"You're worried about Arcoryx Academy when you're the one being apprehended and about to be subjected to our little test?" Ryland shrugged.

"I have nothing to fear. My only minor worry is the academy being inconvenienced because you all chose to pursue me at this moment in time."

"This is not a game, Marionys Ryland. We didn't choose to pursue you out of whimsical interest. You present a grave security concern for the greatest personage in all of Androvia, and it is our duty as Enforcers to ensure that this security concern is dealt with appropriately."

"And yet, you haven't even determined if this is the real me." A second Senior Enforcer stepped up, rising magic making their cloak rustle.

"Would you kindly be yourself, sub-Academ Ryland?" He appeared a lot more polite than the other one, even if his words had made the rest of the Enforcers all tense up.

"Be myself, you say?" Ryland asked back quizzically.

"Yes. Do what you would normally do in response to this." The Enforcer raised an arm and pointed a finger at Ryland." [Infernal Burst]." A massive fireball glowing white-hot emerged from his fingertip and rushed at Ryland with the speed of the explosion-powered ammunition they used on Realm 29. Bullets. That was what they were called. At the same time, the rest of the Enforcers all threw themselves backwards, clearly looking to not get caught up in the blast radius. Ryland merely waved a hand." [Eternal Bastion].

[Timescape]." His first spell was obviously there to prevent any of the magic from harming him literally. The oversized, overheated fireball exploded against Ryland and sent out a shockwave ricocheting outward. It left him perfectly unharmed. The second spell was for the light and sound and any other distraction the altercation might cause. He had created a wide, bounded field outside of which no one was going to notice anything happening.

Not unless they came close enough to interact with the area directly, and since everyone appeared to be too busy to be doing that, Ryland could rest assured it was fine. Hopefully, Viren and Acrypha had heeded his advice to let him handle the Enforcers on his own. Especially because, now that they had shown they didn't particularly care for Ryland's wish to keep things running smoothly, he also no longer had to heed that wish either. To the Enforcers' detriment." [Dread Grasp]!" another shouted.

A telekinetic spell, going by the brief flash of the Centreglyph of the spell circle that Ryland caught. How novel. It didn't do anything at all. Ryland already had an Inscription preventing any sort of telekinesis from affecting him. Instead of an Inscribed Glyph, it was an Inscribed spell circle, however. One with his Soul Glyph of Aegis as the Centreglyph. The Inscription— [Soul Spike] —created an invisible penumbra around Ryland that countered any telekinesis with force.

As proven by how the caster cursed and retreated when his spell rebounded. Turned out that was just a distraction. Yet another Enforcer was already stepping into the fray, creating a storm of chains from mana." [Shackles of Destiny]!" he shouted. A few more of his companions fired off other spells as though they sought to overwhelm Ryland with their magic." [Rock Golem]!"" [Burning Sunlight]!" Ryland, of course, had effortless counters for it all.

Really, he was reading their circles before they had even formed fully, every Centreglyph registering in his mind before the chains, the golem, or even the beams from each of the spells respectively could materialize." [Alchemic Reconstruction]," Ryland incanted." [Soul Seat]." The chains cocooned Ryland with the speed of lightning. But no sooner had they surrounded him than [Alchemic Reconstruction] melted them and reformed them into a metallic humanoid figure.

One who connected to Ryland's soul itself with [Soul Seat] before immediately crashing into the other spells cast in his direction. Both the huge rock golem that tried reaching Ryland and the various beams of compressed sunlight were smashed apart by the metal figure in mere blinks.

Of the few beams that made it past, they were simply stopped by the earlier cast of [Eternal Bastion]. The Enforcers trying to attack just stared. He couldn't see their expressions through their masks, but their postures were stiffer than puppets with their strings cut. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Several were looking around tensely at the bounded field erected by [Timescape].

They eyed how everything beyond the boundary of the time-bounded field appeared to be petrified. A few appeared to be building up their courage to interact with said boundary.

"Is that proof enough?" Ryland asked. The first Enforcer, the woman who had flung the chains more recently, nodded.

"I believe that's sufficient proof of your identity. The real question is whether that's also evidence that you will resist our intention."

"Which is?"

"Apprehending you." Ryland deliberated for a long moment. He looked behind him, and though [Timescape] prevented him from seeing anything normally, he was able to make out everything he needed to with the help of [Omniscience]. Everything was seemingly flowing much better. For all that the Enforcers had tried to make a mess of things, there were far too many automata out there.

Better yet, all of them were working quite well under the stewardship of High Academ Sedian, after the advice and initial commands that Ryland had left for them. But the fact that Ryland was having to go through this much effort just for the most inept of interruptions caused by these Enforcers didn't sit well with him at all.

"I am highly disinclined to agree with your demands," Ryland said.

"Especially when you've been nothing short of disrespectful." He tried to keep his voice from getting too harsh, but some of it leaked in anyway, making the magic around them pulse so much that the world beyond [Timescape] wobbled in a way it really shouldn't. Several Enforcers wobbled too, though theirs were more in fear than anything Ryland did. The first Senior Enforcer, however, remained undaunted.

"We understand," she said.

"But consider this—we also have what you seek." Alaric was constantly holding himself back from trying to take a peek at the preparations for Arcoryx Academy's hosting of the Prime Minister. So many functions, so many little events and celebrations, all for a man who hadn't come to the greatest city of his nation for nearly half a century. To some, that fact might seem unfathomable. A practical head of state not visiting the arguable capital of his nation? Unthinkable. Yet, there was a good reason for it.

One of the main policies behind Arcoryx Academy's rise as the arguably premier magical institution in the entirety of the Accorded Realms was its security. One that ensured political entities visiting the academy for whatever reason would be as limited as possible. Harmony was the key word of the Accords.

And to preserve that harmony between all the Realms that sent their brightest and most promising youths to Arcoryx, they needed the guarantee that no Realm would pose any threat to their next generation, political or otherwise. The reality, of course, was a little bit different. Arcoryx hosted not just the brightest but also the ones with the most backing. The children of the richest and most powerful came here not just for their studies, but to form connections and build bridges with others of their class.

This was an undeniable facet of all institutions of the highest tier. Yes, the arrival of the dignitary from Rhel had set things a bit astir. But even Yulkaviel was officially here as an ambassador from the Rhellian School of Arcane Arts as much as he was an actual, political personage. But more than anything, Alaric needed to ensure that the reception of the Prime Minister went without any hitches. None whatsoever.

"…so you see, Headmaster," the Grand Enforcer himself was saying.

"It is imperative that you drop your protections for the time being. Temporarily, at the very least." Alaric sighed.

"I don't think your threats are as effective as you like to think they are, Grand Enforcer."

"Oh, come now." For someone who was Primordial-ranked just like Alaric, for someone who was in charge of one of the most feared arms of the Royal Court, the Grand Enforcer sounded far too wheedling. Almost whiny.

"You're seeing things entirely incorrectly, Headmaster."

"Am I now?"

"Think of it this way. We're trying to assist you with the inevitable consequences you're undoubtedly about to face." Alaric stared at the masked man flatly. Unlike the rest of his subordinates, his mask was pure black, with eye slits covered in what appeared to be diamonds. So ostentatious.

"Consequences, is it?"

"Well, yes," the Grand Enforcer groused, like he couldn't believe Alaric was being purposefully dense.

"We've noted a flood of incidents at the academy now. We aren't blind. The worst of which was the presence of Calamities. Here, at Arcoryx Academy. So many people are so concerned for the safety of their children, you have no id—""I believe, as the Headmaster, I have quite the idea." Alaric wasn't lying. The incidents involving Calamities had been very well contained, mostly thanks to the involvement of Ryland, whose presence was what had called down the Calamities in the first place.

In fact, none of the Academs save Tyra—and Folis, who was now detained with severe measures—were aware of them either. Which meant the only source of any rumours or anything of the sort that could have alerted the parents had come from elsewhere. Like the Enforcers, for instance.

"Regardless," the Grand Enforcer went on with zero shame.

"You need our help to ensure that things don't get any worse, Headmaster. Surely, you aren't rejecting our benevolent assistance?" And that right there was what Alaric hated about the Enforcers. They were rotten right from the top. Right to their core. But if he didn't agree, then he was putting a whole lot of things in jeopardy.

"I don't understand why you even came to me," Alaric said truthfully.

"It isn't as if I have the authority to stop the Enforcers from doing what they need to."

"You had a great deal of authority during the theft of the Vestige."

"Did I now? I let your Enforcers trample all over the academy. I allowed them to interrogate students, even. Mere children. Under my care. Do you have any idea of the amount of restraint I showcased?" His guest opened his mouth to reply, but Alaric went on anyway.

"Maybe I should tell these parents how the Enforcers grilled their precious children?"

"I think it would be wise for us to calm down," the Grand Enforcer said.

"Calm down? You don't understand. All I've been doing is for your benefit. Surely you've heard what happened with the Oracle. What chance, pray tell, do you have?" Alaric stepped back.

"Frankly, I don't care what happens to you or yours, Grand Enforcer. The worse you act, the worse consequences you draw upon yourself."

"It's settled, then. We are free to proceed."

"You've already been proceeding. Even this meeting is just a distraction to prevent me from acting." Alaric looked squarely at those diamond-crusted eyes.

"But mark my words, if anything happens to the academy, my Academs and I will not merely stand aside." The Grand Enforcer's sigh was muffled by his mask." Nothing will happen to Arcoryx Academy. All will be well. That's what the Enforcers are hard at work ensuring."

"If you say so." It seemed people were insistent on trying to impose themselves on things they really ought to be staying far away from. Well, they'd learn their lesson soon enough. And knowing their target, Alaric was at least assured that Ryland wouldn't let anything happen to Arcoryx Academy either. Ryland pursed his lips.

"Are you even aware of what I seek?"

"It's certainly a curious item," the first Enforcer said.

"The oddest necklace I've ever seen. It resembles pictures of blood vessels in my old schoolbooks to an excruciatingly detailed degree. The thing about it, though, is that it's supremely magically dense. You can feel it too, can't you? Amplifying the Prime Minister's aura to such an impressive level…" Well, that proved the Enforcers had at least some inkling about what was going on.

Although, Ryland himself hadn't assumed that the piece of himself would not only be with the Prime Minister, but it would also be the item being used to create this aura they had all felt for the last day or two.

"How do you know about it?" Ryland asked.

"Who told you?"

"I'm afraid we're not at liberty to reveal that," the first Senior Enforcer said. She tilted her head just a little.

"To a careful observer, it's not hard to figure out once you connect the dots."

"Would you kindly deign to come with us, Marionys Ryland?" the second Senior Enforcer asked.

"You'll find the answers you seek rather easily, I believe." How tempting. Here were the Enforcers, offering him a clear-cut path to a piece of himself. After all they had done to "apprehend" him." [Omniscience]," Ryland intoned. The Enforcers tensed further at his magic, several staring at how one of his eyes disappeared into a rift. A raised hand from the woman prevented any of them from acting. It didn't take long for Ryland to find what he was seeking.

There was indeed a "necklace" of incredible power strung on a strange pole near where the Prime Minister of Androvia was located. Unfortunately, because it was near him, Ryland's intrusion activated over a dozen wards and alarms. Right that moment, however, he didn't particularly care about subtlety. Not when it had already been violated several times over by the Enforcers. The High Warden appeared as Ryland ended [Omniscience].

"There," he said. He looked oddly like he was tired of minding children that weren't his own.

"I've brought the last of them. And ensured they were no longer harassing any of the automata." He was indeed followed by a trio of Enforcers who had their heads bowed a little in embarrassment.

"High Warden Rother," Ryland said. The man straightened.

"Can you ensure that the academy is well protected while the Enforcers are dealing with me?"

"Well, my duty…" Ryland arched an eyebrow.

"…is to ensure all of Arcoryx is safe and protected, including the academy."

"Good," Ryland said. He turned to the masked Enforcers. Sometimes, he really wondered how much the mask truly emboldened them.

"Lead the way. Just watch out for the boundary of [Timescape]. Stepping through a field of time is… not a pleasant experience for the uninitiated."