Chapter 16 — The Meeting
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Classes ended. The halls dimmed as twilight came.
The North Plaza — a secluded section rarely visited at night — waited ahead.
The moons hung high, casting silver halos through the open archways.
The air carried a subtle chill, mixed with faint aromas of flowering mana vines.
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Cyrus arrived precisely on time.
His steps were soft, deliberate, but inside his gut whispered again:
> He's been waiting here.
Like before.
Always one step ahead.
He scanned the area — no visible traps, no movement.
But Cyrus trusted his instincts more than his eyes.
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From the shadows, Adrien stepped forward.
Same calm smile. Same distant, almost unnatural composure.
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"Evening, Cyrus."
His tone was relaxed, casual — too casual for the game they played.
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Cyrus replied, his voice controlled, neutral.
"Evening," he said in a calm tone, "you do have a talent for timing."
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Adrien chuckled softly, hands in his pockets.
"I simply... know how people like you think."
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Cyrus' eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
"That remains to be proven."
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Adrien's gaze glinted under the moonlight.
"You'll have all the proof you need… once you enter the Hollow Vault with me."
He extended a small data crystal forward.
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Cyrus didn't take it immediately.
Instead, he studied Adrien's face — every twitch, every breath, every slight pulse of his aura.
> No fear. No anxiety. As if he holds all cards.
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"You still haven't answered my earlier question," Cyrus said, voice cool.
"How do you know what I search... what I plan... before I act?"
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Adrien's smile grew faintly amused.
"Let's just say… I've read this story before."
His words hung there — an impossible statement, one that carried no logic in this world.
But still… no lie detector in Cyrus' mind triggered deception.
He was telling what he believed to be truth.
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"You want me to trust you," Cyrus said in a steady tone.
"That requires far more than riddles."
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Adrien tilted his head slightly, voice softening.
"Then consider this dungeon… a small step toward understanding."
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Cyrus stared at him for a long moment.
His gut screamed that Adrien was dangerous.
But part of him — the curious, cold strategist — couldn't resist this challenge.
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"I will consider it," Cyrus finally said in an unreadable tone.
"But know this — once I step forward, I control the pace."
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Adrien smiled faintly.
"That's exactly why I chose you."
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The wind stirred. The plaza emptied once again.
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End of Chapter 16