News of the newest play by the renowned writer Olga had already made waves throughout the Empire. After a lot of changes, the name of the play was finalized to; [The Enigma of Midnight Manor].

At the back of the theater, Leon stood by as he watched all the seats slowly start to fill.

"There's so many people attending."

There was a certain tension hanging at the back of the stage.

Having worked for the past week to ensure that the project would flow well, all the staff and cadets were eagerly awaiting the final results of the play.

Would their hard work pay off?

"From what I've heard all the seats have been sold. That's over two thousand seats. It's crazy."

"Oh my god! Look over there! That's Jayce Milner from the Black Hound Guild!"

"Ah! That's Clara from the Thorn Roses Guild!"

"I see more! There's so many big shots attending today...!"

Most of the nervousness came from the important figures that were attending today's play.

Glancing around, Leon could see that most of the important members of the major Guilds were present.

Because of how many important figures were present, security was tight. Not that it was required since everyone present could defend themself.

Unfortunately, what they didn't know was the fact that while they could indeed defend themselves, the same wasn't true for the cadets.

Thankfully, it didn't seem like anyone was a target.

The only target as of right now was Julien who was getting ready to start the play.

'.....He'll probably attack soon.'

Most likely just after the second Act. While his target was Julien, his real goal was Aoife.

For that reason, he was probably waiting for the right time to interfere.

"I should get ready."

Their target was rather strong. Leon didn't think he'd be able to defeat him alone. However, with Julien, the situation might just turn out differently.

Either way, he had a goal in mind in all of this.

Turning his wrist, Leon checked his watch. Sensing that it was about time, he quietly left the premises.

He had a place to be.

***

The noise at the theater was starting to quiet down as the play was set to start in the following minutes. Sat the very front were three individuals.

"What do you think? Do you think this play will get a five-star?"

"I'm not sure, but I have faith in Olga."

"We'll see about that."

Dressed in formal attires, they were none other than the critics in charge of assessing the play.

"I've heard that they have several immature cadets participating. I know that this is a criteria proposed by Haven, but to be so confident in having it judged today..."

One of the judges shook his head.

"I don't know whether she's bold, or just delusional."

"Hah, who knows? I've heard that one of the performing actors is quite talented."

"Again with that nonsense? You've been in the industry for as long as I have. You should know very well that it's just standard bullshit to drive the publicity. I can bet you 100 Rend that he's probably just above the mediocre threshold. Don't get your hopes up."

"If you put it like that..."

Expectations were rather mixed. While on one hand, the judges believed that the play was going to be great, they didn't have much faith in the 'super rookie' that was spread all over the news.

"Please disregard the fact that the performers are mere cadets when evaluating. If they happen to make mistakes, ensure to document them accordingly."

This was a serious evaluation.

They weren't going to let the fact that rookies were playing affect their judgment.

"....."

Sat a few rows just above them, and overhearing the evaluation from the critics, Delilah cocked her head slightly.

Today she was in her usual form, and while seated down, she could feel the gazes of all those around her wander to her.

"What do you think about what they said? Do you agree with them?"

Seated next to her was a handsome man with well-polished features and green eyes. He was the current Vice-Leader of the [The Order of the Silver Seraphs], one of the fifteen major Guilds.

He was about her age, and while he wasn't as powerful as her, he was someone who was held in high esteem.

Looking at him, Delilah shook her head without saying anything.

"Haha? So you think the performances of the rookies will be good?"

"...."

Delilah didn't say anything again.

In all honesty, she didn't know. Would Julien even be a great actor? Sure, he was an emotive mage, but displaying emotions was different from influencing emotions...

There was also Aoife.

Was her acting going to be great? Glancing to her side where a familiar yellow-eyed figure sat, she leaned back on her chair.

Atlas Megrail.

It was rare for her to see him attend such gatherings. However, given that his niece Aoife was performing, perhaps he decided to take his time to watch.

Delilah wasn't sure.

He was a hard man to read.

"Personally, I agree with them. We're talking about some of the best actors in the entire Empire. How is it possible for mere cadets to compete with them? I think they'll be carried by-"

His words ceased abruptly as the theater's lights flickered off, plunging the surroundings into darkness.

"It's starting."

"Quiet down."

Swooosh!

The curtains spread, and the stage lights flickered open, revealing the insides of a bakery.

Tok

A lone footfall shattered the silence enveloping the surroundings as a figure clad in a brown jacket and top hat strode in.

Following right behind him was a man wearing a gray undervest and squared-frame glasses.

Joseph and his assistant had made their appearance.

[Huaam.]

Yawning, Joseph, who Darius was playing looked around. His voice was crisp, and audible for all to hear.

[Uh... This is where she worked, is that correct?]

[Yes, this is the bakery.]

There wasn't much dialogue to start with, but the audience was already drawn by the start of the play. There was something about the acting, and the sullen atmosphere surrounding the bakery that made one wonder what exactly was happening.

[Emily Stein.]

Fixing his glasses, the assistant unfurled a piece of paper from his breast pocket as he leaned his head back to get a better read.

[The owner's daughter. According to the details, she seems to have vanished sometime yesterday.]

[Ah, uh, yeah... I see.]

With a subtle nod, Joseph surveyed the surroundings, idly tracing his finger along the surface of the bakery, staring at his finger in the process.

With a lazy expression on his face, he ruffled his hair before his eyelids partially closed.

[Place looks clean...]

Perhaps used to the sight he was seeing, the assistant looked around before seriously muttering.

[There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the place. The crime likely occurred outside of the bakery. Should we...]

[Give me a second.]

Covering his mouth and letting out another yawn, Joseph dragged one of the wooden chairs back and sat down.

[.....Huu, I'm getting too old for this. Elbert, how about you survey the bakery for evidence while I take a na... Ehhh, recover my energy.]

[....]

Adjusting his glasses, Elbert opened his mouth but held his words back and nodded. He went on the leave the stage, leaving Joseph the only one remaining.

With his back facing the audience, he stared ahead.

No one could truly make out his expression. It was hidden from all to see.

[Emily Stein.]

The only thing they could detect was his voice. A change occurred in the audience when he spoke. There was a sudden change in tone, his voice no longer sounding lazy, but extremely serious and hoarse.

It served to build tension as the lights of the stage flickered and darkness enveloped the surroundings.

Cli Cla!

[Dissapeared yesterday.]

In the darkness, Joseph's voice continued to echo.

[Baker's daughter. Was looking for missing equipment.]

His words, though soft, gently reached the ears of all the audience present as a strange tension suddenly gripped the surroundings.

[What a problematic scenario.]

Cli Cla!

The light turned back on, and all audience held their breath at the sight that greeted them.

Still sitting on the wooden chair with his back turned against theirs, the entire surroundings had changed. No longer was he in the bakery. He appeared to be in the middle of a long alleyway.

But the most glaring thing about the surroundings was that...

"Gray."

It was all gray.

Delilah found herself immersed in the play.

But if that wasn't all, standing right before Joseph was another man. With his back similarly facing the audience, he stood tall, staring at the end of the alleyway.

There, a figure appeared.

Wearing simple clothes and an apron, her beauty couldn't be hidden as she instantly captured the attention of the audience.

Her expression was one of helplessness as she moved forward, towards Joseph and the man that stood before him.

For some reason, the audience found themselves frowning at the scene...

'No, you shouldn't go to the man.'

'He's dangerous.'

Even though he had done nothing, and had just stood there the entire time, the audience felt a strange tension coming from him as Aoife moved to him.

Unknowingly, Delilah found herself leaning forward a bit.

She wanted to get a better look at the scene.

[Ah, excuse me! Do you perhaps know if any shops are still open where I can buy some parts for a broken mixer?]

The moment she spoke, everyone held their breaths.

For some reason, there was something about her voice and tone that made everyone forget about her looks. She truly seemed to have embodied her character.

[....]

The sound of heavy breathing echoed out as some of the audience members swallowed under the tension that gripped the auditorium as they all looked at the mysterious figure.

Each second that ticked felt stifling. Almost as if someone was trying to reach for their throat and choke them.

That was until he finally spoke.

[.... You're looking for a replacement?]

Despite not being able to see his face, just from the sound of his voice, the audience felt themselves holding their breaths.

What sort of expression was he making? How did he look like? Does he kill her?

With just a few words, he managed to bring forth many questions in the minds of the audience.

The play continued.

[Yes, I am.]

Aoife naively nodded her head with a strange glint in her eyes. One that contained excitement and hope.

Such an innocent sight...

[I know, yes... I know of a place.]

It only served to add to the tension that the mysterious character brought.

[You do...?!]

[Yes, please go straight. If you just keep going there, you can find it.]

[Thank you so much!]

Facing the audience, Aoife crossed the man and Joseph before disappearing.

[....]

Yet again, silence gripped the surroundings as all eyes fell on the mysterious man. At the moment, everyone was wondering the same thing.

What sort of expression was he making?

They didn't need to wait for long to find out. Gradually, he turned his head to face the audience, revealing his features.

".....!"

Many held their breaths at the sight that greeted them. His appearance bordered perfection, with a visible jaw, and well-

maintained hair. His hazel eyes shone with a strange intensity that drew the eyes of all present, creating a suffocating atmosphere.

And yet...

Despite his flawless appearance, none of the audience members found it within them to admire it.

With an unfocused gaze and lips that flickered from a smile to neutrality, several of the members of the audience felt their skin crawl.

"....."

If anything, his appearance added to the chill his gaze gave.

[R-red...]

He quietly mumbled as his head lowered to meet Joseph's as he raised his head to meet his gaze.

[....I want to see it.]

Cli Cla!

The surroundings turned dark.