Chapter 73: The Cloak and the Craft
Sebastian reached into his desk and pulled out a long, dark cloak.
The fabric shimmered subtly under the dim light, shifting as if adjusting itself.
With a flick of his wrist, he handed it to Nero.
"Put this on." he instructed.
Nero draped the cloak over his shoulders.
Almost instantly, it conformed to his frame, the fabric tightening just enough for a perfect fit.
He ran his fingers over the material. It was sturdy, yet surprisingly light, woven with subtle enchantments.
He pulled the hood over his head, noting how it cast a shadow over his face without obstructing his vision.
Sebastian smirked at his reaction. "Curse breakers don't just deal with dangerous artifacts, lad. We also deal with people. Jealous people. Powerful people. Many of whom don't take kindly to us handling their precious little secrets. That's why most of us work under assumed names and keep our real identities hidden. The ones you see working openly? They're just the front. The real work happens behind closed doors."
Nero nodded, absorbing the weight of his words. "So, secrecy isn't just a precaution. It's survival."
"Exactly." Sebastian leaned back, resting his elbows on the chair's armrests. "Curse breaking is more than just cracking runes and dispelling enchantments. Our work rotates between three main tasks."