3. Argus, the Idea King: Hey, Haiwu Uplan!

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The execution under Principal Akmond’s command was truly impressive. When Dick woke from a bizarre and kaleidoscopic dream, he immediately noticed a furtive figure cloaked in a hood approaching. Judging by the silhouette and the sword and shield he carried, it was none other than Vice-Captain Maldran of the Academy Guard.

Dick was quite pleased with this level of efficiency—no wonder Akmond managed to get things done. Setting aside personal charm or notions of good and evil, this principal was meticulous to the point of perfection.

Of course, this was only natural. Being a good person requires a kind and somewhat naive heart, but to rise and thrive in the realm of villains demands much more. Exceptional execution is merely one of the essential foundational qualities.

Have you not noticed? Superheroes each have their quirks, but supervillains are absurdly multifaceted—truly masters of virtue, intellect, physicality, aesthetics, and labor.

Without a few doctoral degrees in your arsenal, you wouldn’t even dare to lift your head at a gathering of villains.

This principle holds true even in the more extraordinary universe of Azeroth.

In short, after Dick struggled to sit up and wash his face, the hooded figure knocked and then pushed open the door. He was wrapped so tightly that only his eyes were visible. This getup would be quite fitting for an assassin’s interview, but the problem was, this happened to be the exact time when tens of thousands of students at the Arcane Academy were attending early classes!

While everyone else shuffled toward classrooms, clad in their uniform robes and still half-asleep, this man’s outlandish attire seemed to broadcast, “I’m on a secret mission.”

Sigh, truly the epitome of the Academy Guard’s reputation: rigid and inflexible!

No wonder Old Master Sachir, who was rallying forces for a coup, deeply despised us soldiers. Your bluntness brings shame even to me, the nominal captain of security.

Yet Maldran did not see anything wrong with his behavior. Upon seeing the severely injured Captain Diakm, he was startled and hastily removed his hood, then spoke in a somewhat stern tone:

“The principal’s secretary informed me to come here, saying there was an important matter to report, but you look like this...”

“Cough, cough.”

Dick coughed a few times, gesturing to the bandages around his neck to indicate a throat injury that prevented speech. He then staggered over to the desk, picked up paper and pen, and began writing.

All the while, Maldran stood watchful and suspicious, clearly lacking the zeal expected of a trusted aide.

The reason was simple: Maldran was not Dick’s confidant at all!

Their relationship was cold and purely professional, maintaining only a veneer of respect after working together for over thirty years. They never shared a drink or went fishing together, no private moments at all.

Dick had deceived Akmond regarding Maldran.

As for why thirty years passed without any camaraderie, it wasn’t because Dick was bad at socializing—he was simply an “air-dropped” leader.

More than thirty years ago, when Akmond took office as principal, he transferred Dick from a subordinate education institution in the Krokuun Governorate, a remote frontier of the Eredar civilization, to the headquarters of the Arcane Academy as head of security. This was a favor and a way to place his own people in key positions—a normal personnel adjustment after a leadership change.

Dick was a typical mediocre figure who rose through nepotism.

But the problem was that Maldran had diligently served at the Arcane Academy for hundreds of years, and the security captain position should have been his by right.

Though the guards mostly upheld the teachings of the Holy Light and didn’t fuss over personal matters, expecting Maldran to be friendly toward Dick after having his position snatched was too much.

Another reason was that while thirty years is half a lifetime for humans, it was barely a day or week for the Eredar.

The Eredar were immortal!

Even in the “Dark Portal” official history, no Eredar had ever died of old age before Dick’s arrival.

They had wandered among the stars under the prophet Velen’s leadership for between thirteen and twenty-five thousand years. Maintaining a sophisticated civilization over such incomprehensible timescales was only possible thanks to this extraordinary racial gift.

More than twenty thousand years for the Eredar might be just two or three generations.

So the question arises: if ordinary humans cannot form deep friendships with strangers in just a week or two, the coldness between Dick and Maldran is perfectly understandable, isn’t it?

This was Dick’s current predicament.

Nearly a thousand guards at the Arcane Academy obeyed his orders, but only to the extent of command compliance.

Without confidants, whether launching a countercoup against Sachir or confronting Akmond, he had no assurance. He couldn’t, like some coup-plotting “sticky-fingered” president, declare martial law without troops or authority—that would be suicide.

But Maldran was a core figure within the Academy Guard, bound not only by position but also by personal charisma and influence. That was why Dick insisted on having him here.

With a swift motion, Dick handed the written note to Maldran, who furrowed his brow upon reading.

The content was straightforward: the most renowned arcane leader in Argus had defected to demons, developing a cult intending to carry out a “cleansing purge” in the capital’s Makarei district. The current academy leader, the principal and one of the Eredar’s arcane heads, was aware of this and prepared to restore order.

But how to interpret this development?

Maldran’s first thought was that Captain Dick might have been bewitched. He regarded him with a peculiar look, hesitating whether to summon the academy priests to examine his mind.

“What use is a deputy guard captain like me for such a grave matter?” he thought. “If true, shouldn’t you be going straight to the High Council and mobilizing forces to quell the unrest?”

Dick shook his head and wrote another passage, which made Maldran gasp even more.

He slammed the paper on the desk, written in jagged Eredar script, and whispered sharply:

“Are you insane? Forget Sachir for now, why ask me to secretly report to the High Council? Do you think Principal Akmond is untrustworthy?”

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What a question to ask...

Dick gave Maldran a look of silent disbelief.

Akmond had installed me, a nepotistic nobody, over you on the third day of his tenure as security captain, taking away your hard-earned post after centuries of service. And now you ask if Akmond is trustworthy?

And you, the “victim,” are the one asking? How do your brains work... or have you replaced thinking with muscle under the Holy Light’s call?

Dick sighed, then wrote a few more lines—not persuasion, but an order:

“This matter is urgent and significant; if you cannot handle it, I dare not bear the blame.

Sachir and the Awakened Cult’s coup attempt is absolutely real. Your family resides in Oronar City; it is natural to bring them here for protection once you know. Akmond will not doubt this, but rather see it as your resolve to stand for justice due to family and duty.”

As Dick wrote, Maldran read and nodded thoughtfully.

Indeed, regardless of Akmond’s potential faults, once Sachir’s coup began, Makarei’s capital would descend into chaos. Oronar, the capital’s busiest district, would be the epicenter of the conflict. Protecting family was deeply ingrained Eredar morality.

Seeing Maldran’s nod, Dick continued writing:

“Akmond is a commendable educator and a capable mentor, though his personal virtue has long been criticized by colleagues. As a veteran of the Arcane Academy, I doubt you haven’t heard such rumors. Even setting aside good and evil, Sachir’s sonlike mentorship of Akmond is well known.

The Enlightened entrusted Akmond with the academy’s system, symbolizing his political succession.

Yet the son now plots to ascend atop his mentor’s and foster father’s skull.

I am one of his spies embedded in the Awakened Cult.

You should understand the gravity of my words!

Maldran, I am not asking you as a private individual to trust me. This concerns the futures and safety of tens of thousands of academy students.

Sachir has loyalists here, and Akmond has his own confidants. Should conflict erupt, innocents will be caught in the crossfire. Akmond will wait for concrete evidence before acting, essentially wagering the academy’s reputation and students’ lives on his career.

As guardians of the Arcane Academy’s security, we must judge for ourselves on duty and morality.”

By now, Maldran’s expression shifted.

The old Eredar, with a few chin tendrils, hesitated, examining this “mediocre” superior through subtle eyes.

After a few seconds, he lowered his voice:

“We had suspicions but no systemic evidence.

Years ago, several captain guards reported that the ‘Stellar Biology’ instructors added ‘demon’ as a special category. Recently, ‘Dark Magic Defense’ tutors began teaching warlock spells, claiming these evil-appearing spells greatly enhance students’ emergency skills.

Most tellingly, the cleaning arcane golems at the academy’s ‘Otherworld Summoning’ classroom often found strange sacrificial and summoning traces.

I recall the Enlightened’s grand lecture on ‘Fel and Demons’ from over a decade ago. I vividly remember his display of demon summoning and fel magic before the High Council, claiming it as a breakthrough after Eredar arcane stagnation.

He argued that if the Eredar accepted the Light as faith a thousand years ago, why not study fel as knowledge?

The wise High Council rejected his proposal.

They deemed demons and fel too dangerous to compare with the benevolent Naaru and the Light’s guidance. Such perilous knowledge should not spread widely in Eredar society.

I agree, yet these years’ academy clues make me suspect that Sachir, driven underground after the backlash, still harbors dark ambitions. His passing the leadership to Akmond was a ruse.

Your information perfectly confirms my suspicions. A storm looms over the Eredar.”

Maldran paused, then said:

“I will follow your orders to travel to Oronar and use family connections to report to the higher-ups. However, I reserve judgment on your accusations against Principal Akmond. A man’s private virtue does not necessarily correlate with his professional ethics or skills.

At least in my observations, Akmond has performed competently in education.”

Dick exhaled in relief.

Despite severe injuries, he wrote again:

“I do not ask you to agree with me, only to report this to trustworthy superiors.

But I have one request: you and your family must keep this secret.

You know that if Akmond discovers his ambitions leaked prematurely, my fate will be grim.

It may even endanger you and your kin.

My request for secrecy is not mere lip service, Maldran.

Akmond has friends in Makarei’s political circles; you acting as my ‘messenger’ is a great risk. If leaked, both of us bear heavy responsibility.

I hope the other side will send a trusted emissary to speak privately. I have more evidence that Akmond is untrustworthy.

In fact, I judge Akmond to be a greater threat to the Eredar than the fel-crazed Sachir.”

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“In any case, please proceed with utmost caution!

Additionally, I need you to publicly hold a simple ‘memorial’ for me in the academy as my deputy, officially announcing my death to deter the Awakened Cult’s pursuit. Do you have someone trustworthy to entrust this to?”

Hearing Dick’s written request, Maldran realized the matter was indeed more complicated than he thought.

Yet as a guardian of the Light, keeping his oath was a virtue, and Dick’s reasoning made sense.

As protector of the Arcane Academy, maintaining order and student safety was paramount.

This was absolutely essential.

The Arcane Academy’s headquarters in Argus held the prestige of all top-tier universities combined at East University. A major attack here would inevitably alert the High Council.

Even the merciful Eredar would respond with ruthless force, causing mass job losses and reputational damage.

After brief reflection, Maldran whispered:

“Academy’s current Chancellor, Lady Virala, is a close friend of High Councilor Velen. Though an outstanding arcanist, she shares Velen’s devotion to the Holy Light. She has abided by the Naaru’s edicts for years and is a trusted sister to us.

The academy’s grand librarian and senior tutor Talana, my classmate and close friend, can connect us to Lady Virala.

Also, as academy guards, we control some arcane sentinel golems.

If necessary, our loyal brothers, led by the ‘Guardian’ Quarim, those iron golems can serve as defenders and riot controllers.

Oronar City’s municipal council commands an elite thunder-elephant cavalry, patrolling the plains between the city and academy. Their captain, warrior Volusk, thrice champion of the Jedani Tournament, graduated from the Academy Guard School and is trustworthy.”

“Hm, these forces should suffice to defend the academy.”

Dick considered, then wrote:

“Then you will coordinate secretly. Ensure communications remain covert from Sachir and Akmond.

Understand this is for safety.

Lastly, your trip home to fetch your family must follow official procedures and report leave, to maintain trust with the principal.

During your absence, I need several trustworthy people for security. I cannot use the principal’s arcane staff, so please recommend reliable candidates.”

“Leave it to me,” Maldran nodded firmly. As a senior guard, his execution was swift. Upon grasping the gravity, he resolved to depart immediately.

Dick watched the old guard preparing to don the “assassin outfit” again and helplessly stepped forward to stop him.

Brother, we’re dealing with secrets here; please keep it low-key when possible. Don’t make things harder for us.

After Dick’s explanation, Maldran finally realized how disastrous his conspicuous behavior was. He looked momentarily embarrassed and awkwardly added:

“It’s probably because we guards aren’t as skilled in disguise as the assassin order’s rangers... I might be too engrossed in knightly novels, sorry for the embarrassment.”

Having said this, he saluted Dick with the formal guard’s subordinate-superior gesture, took his gem-encrusted warhammer and shield, and strode out.

Dick sighed and returned to his room.

The first step of the plan was accomplished smoothly.

Maldran, this sincere guard, seemed unlikely to cause problems. Next was to see if he could rally the real assistance Dick needed.

This was why Dick had invited Maldran as his aide.

Dick was a rustic from Krokuun, friendless in a metropolis like Makarei, but Maldran was true old Makarei—a noble of the proper Eredar flag. Though he had been deputy guard captain for centuries, it was due to his high personal standards and disdain for favoritism.

Their family had dwelled here since the legendary “Ancestor Wizard Ogurei” led Eredar ancestors to find the Atama Crystal relic in Makarei’s mountains and founded the city.

Do you understand what it means to be Old Money, rooted in the capital for tens of thousands of years?

When Dick asked him to help contact influential figures who could resolve the crisis, Maldran hesitated only briefly before agreeing.

Remember, this involved a coup!

Those capable of handling such matters effortlessly must rank among the top ten power brokers in Eredar civilization—far more esteemed than Akmond, the small upstart.

Moreover, when Dick sought counsel, Maldran rattled off names from the academy’s power circles like a menu, proving that though disdainful of backdoor dealings, he had a thorough grasp of affairs.

At least he knew far more than Dick, a history buff but clueless about details.

With such an ally secretly aiding him, Dick’s confidence in his plans grew considerably.

Having clarified the forces at his disposal, he felt reassured. While waiting for the upper echelons to send a trusted envoy, he needed to heal his body and investigate why his guard skills were sealed.

A paladin unable to heal himself...

If Akmond heard this, he’d laugh till his teeth fell out. Can the “Holy Spear” Dick endure such humiliation?

Absolutely not!