Chapter 102: Target Selection and Surveillance
For three days, Renard maintained the facade of diligent preparation while conducting the most detailed surveillance operation of his second life. To any observer, he appeared to be following the ceremony instructions perfectly - meditating with his crystal, practicing breathing exercises, and maintaining the focused demeanor expected of students preparing for their First Circle formation.
In reality, every moment of apparent meditation was actually Thread Walking sessions with Boa, systematically mapping Elder Thomas’s daily routine with military precision.
The elder proved to be a creature of rigid habit, which was both advantageous and concerning. Predictable schedules made planning easier, but someone so methodical might also be more likely to notice disruptions or changes in their environment.
Thomas rose every morning exactly thirty minutes before dawn, beginning his day with personal ablutions in the private bathroom attached to his instructor quarters on the upper level. The bathroom was small, isolated, and crucially - unmonitored by the magical surveillance systems that protected more sensitive areas of the monastery.
After his morning routine, Thomas would dress and make his way to the instructor dining hall for breakfast. He ate alone, reading administrative reports while consuming a simple meal of bread, cheese, and weak tea. His movements were efficient but unhurried, suggesting someone comfortable with solitude but not particularly social.
The breakfast period lasted exactly twenty-five minutes. Then Thomas would return to his quarters to collect teaching materials before beginning his daily rounds through the student areas. He checked on dormitory conditions, reviewed supply inventories, and handled routine administrative tasks that kept the Outer Hall functioning smoothly.
Lunch followed the same pattern as breakfast - solitary, punctual, and focused on work rather than social interaction. Thomas appeared to have few close relationships among the monastery staff, which meant his temporary absence would be less likely to trigger immediate concern.
The afternoon brought more administrative duties, including supervising maintenance work and coordinating with other instructors about student progress. Thomas was thorough and methodical, but his responsibilities were largely routine rather than critical. The monastery could function normally for several days without his direct involvement.
Evenings found Thomas in his quarters, reviewing reports and preparing materials for the following day. He worked alone by candlelight, occasionally making notes in a leather-bound journal that he kept locked in his desk. The isolation continued until he retired for the night around 10:00 PM.
But it was the morning bathroom routine that offered the perfect opportunity for assassination.