The sun had already set by the time Lucas returned to the History Building.
From the outside, the building looked like any other academic structure on campus. Tall stone walls, dim lights in the windows, and the quiet atmosphere of a university facility after hours.
But Lucas knew what was hidden beneath it.
A secret magical society.
The Hermetic Order of the Blue Rose.
As he walked through the entrance hall, he could already feel faint traces of mana in the air.
"Looks like the meeting already started," he muttered.
Lucas moved toward the hidden passage that led down to the Order's chamber.
The moment he entered the underground room, he saw several initiates already standing near the ritual circle. Candles burned around the stone chamber, their light flickering across ancient symbols carved into the floor.
Standing at the center of the room was Edward Coventry.
Lucas stepped forward and joined the other initiates.
Coventry glanced at him briefly.
"You're late."
Lucas shrugged.
"By a minute."
Coventry didn't respond to the comment.
Instead, he raised his hand slightly.
The room fell silent.
"Tonight," Coventry began calmly, "you will begin learning real magic."
The initiates straightened immediately.
Lucas crossed his arms, listening carefully.
"Magic," Coventry continued, "is not simply about power."
He slowly walked across the ritual circle.
"It is about control."
Lucas noticed how the mana in the room subtly responded to Coventry's movements.
The Grand Magus wasn't even casting a spell, yet magical energy flowed around him naturally.
"That level of control…" Lucas thought.
Coventry stopped walking.
"The Order exists to preserve magical knowledge," he said.
"And to ensure it does not fall into the wrong hands."
Lucas wondered briefly who the Order considered the wrong hands.
But he already knew the answer.
The Knights of Saint Christopher.
Those werewolves were the Order's greatest enemies in the world of The Order.
Coventry raised his hand again.
A glowing orb of blue energy formed above his palm.
"This," he said, "is a simple mana construct."
The energy sphere hovered in the air, perfectly stable.
"Most beginners struggle to maintain a spell like this."
Lucas watched carefully.
His Mana Flow Control skill allowed him to understand what Coventry was doing.
The Grand Magus wasn't forcing the mana.
He was guiding it.
Coventry looked toward the initiates.
"Now you will try."
Several students stepped forward nervously.
One by one they attempted to create small mana constructs.
Some succeeded.
Others failed.
When Lucas's turn came, he calmly raised his hand.
Mana gathered immediately.
Instead of forming a large sphere, Lucas compressed the energy tightly.
A small, bright orb appeared above his palm.
Perfectly stable.
Several initiates looked surprised.
Coventry studied Lucas with interest.
"Mana Compression," he said quietly.
Lucas shrugged.
"Just experimenting."
Coventry's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You learn quickly."
Lucas didn't respond.
Behind him, the system activated.
Ding! Skill Progress Increased — Mana Flow Control Lv.3.
Lucas hid a smile.
His control over mana was improving rapidly.
Coventry dismissed the other initiates and gestured for Lucas to stay behind.
Lucas walked forward.
"What is it?" he asked.
Coventry looked directly at him.
"You've adapted to magic faster than most initiates."
Lucas crossed his arms.
"I've always been a fast learner."
Coventry ignored the casual answer.
"There is potential in you, Lucas Hale."
Lucas had already heard that phrase several times.
But coming from Coventry, it carried more weight.
Coventry turned slightly, looking toward the symbols carved into the ritual chamber floor.
"The Order is entering a difficult time."
Lucas remained silent.
Coventry continued.
"Our enemies are becoming more active."
Lucas knew exactly who he meant.
The Knights of Saint Christopher.
The same group Lucas had encountered in the forest.
Coventry looked back at him.
"If conflict comes, the Order will need capable members."
Lucas tilted his head slightly.
"And you think that could be me?"
Coventry smiled faintly.
"I believe you will play an important role."
Lucas didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he thought about something.
Randall's warning.
Be careful of the Order.
Lucas looked back at Coventry.
"Maybe," he said calmly.
Coventry studied him for a moment longer.
Then he nodded.
"You may go."
Lucas turned and walked toward the staircase leading back to the surface.
As he climbed the steps, the system spoke again.
Ding! Quest Progress — Path of the Wolf: 20%.
Lucas blinked slightly.
"That increased?"
He hadn't even interacted with the Knights tonight.
Then he realized something.
Understanding the Order was also important.
If he ever wanted to approach the Knights of Saint Christopher…
He needed to understand their enemies first.
Lucas stepped out into the quiet hallway above the chamber.
The campus was peaceful again.
But Lucas could feel it.
The hidden tension between two powerful factions.
The Order.
And the Knights.
Lucas walked slowly toward the dorm building.
And somewhere in the back of his mind, the same question continued growing stronger.
If the time comes…
Which side will I choose?