Chapter 25: Masks and Memories
The night before, Noel stood in front of the small mirror above his desk, staring at his own reflection.
His skin still looked too healthy. His eyes too sharp. No trace of sickness anywhere.
'If I'm gonna pull this off, it needs to look real.'
He grabbed a small vial from his drawer—a minor mana disruptor, something he'd bought weeks ago from a black market stall hidden near the training grounds. Harmless in small doses. Just enough to throw off his mana flow and make him look fatigued.
He popped the cork and inhaled a thin wisp of the misty substance.
Instantly, his skin flushed.
His breathing grew slightly uneven. His pulse quickened in his ears.
He coughed once, chest tightening faintly.
'Perfect.'
He stashed the vial back in the drawer, stripped down, and collapsed onto his bed, letting the disruption work through his system overnight.
Morning came fast—and rough.