Chapter 275: 275:The False Delivery II

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The message also mentioned Kel locking himself in the back room. Only people familiar with the shop knew that the back room could be sealed from inside.

It mentioned the old storage road.

John had used it twice when bringing metal supplies without attracting attention.

The details made the message believable.

That was why John disliked it.

Fizz read the paper from beside his shoulder.

His ears slowly lowered.

"Gael is hurt?"

John did not answer immediately.

He looked at the delivery boy.

"How long ago did this happen?"

"I do not know. The woman gave me the note near the western market and told me to run."

"Where was she standing?"

"Near a closed cloth shop."

"Was she injured?"

The boy shook his head quickly. "No. She looked angry."

That also sounded like Orna.

John folded the message.

Something remained wrong.

Not one detail.

The entire thing.

If the shop had been attacked badly enough for Gael to be seriously wounded, Orna would not leave the others to find a random delivery boy. She would either come herself or send Edda, who knew how to move through the city.

But the message said Edda was missing.

That explained why she had not come.

Kel was trapped.

Gael was wounded.

The trap had answers ready for every question.

John looked at the boy again.

"Did the woman tell you to wait for a reply?"

"No. She only said to make sure you received it."

John handed him a small coin.

The boy took it quickly.

"Go."

The boy bowed and left.

John watched him until he disappeared around the end of the corridor.

Fizz moved closer.

"We are going."

John closed the door.

"Yes."

Fizz looked toward the folded paper in John's hand. "You think it is real?"

"I think someone wants me to believe it."

Fizz's expression became serious.

"That sounds like no."

"It also might be true."

John placed the message on the desk and studied it again.

He did not have enough information to ignore it. If Gael was truly wounded and the shop was under attack, every minute mattered.

He also could not rush out blindly.

John opened his bag and checked what he carried. Mana stones. A short knife. Two healing bottles. The blacksmith gloves he used when handling hot metal. Snake's protection token.

The gun remained hidden inside the system storage because carrying it openly through the city would create more questions than protection.

Fizz watched him.

"What is the plan?"

"We leave, but we assume the message is false."

Fizz nodded slowly. "Good plan."

"We do not enter the shop from the front. We do not follow the exact path written here until we know why they want us there."

Fizz pointed at the message. "It says old storage road."

"I noticed."

John folded the paper again and placed it inside his coat.

He reached inward and touched the connection to Nyx.

She responded immediately.

Her awareness sharpened.

John did not summon her. He only made sure she was awake.

Then he looked at Fizz.

"Stay alert. No flying ahead. No shouting. Do not chase anyone unless I tell you."

Fizz placed a paw against his chest.

"I am always alert."

John looked at the sugar crumbs still stuck behind one of his ears.

Fizz wiped them away.

"Now I am always alert."

Before leaving, John headed toward Snake's tower.

He did not like the delay, but Snake had told him to report before leaving the academy. Ignoring that warning after receiving a suspicious message would be foolish.

The academy halls were already filling with students. John moved quickly without running. Fizz stayed beside his shoulder, quieter than usual.

Several students watched them pass. The gossip about John and the White family had not weakened overnight. If anything, it had grown. John heard his own name twice before reaching the central stairs.

He ignored it.

Snake's office door opened before John knocked.

Snake stood near the window with one hand behind his back. His hat leaned slightly toward John as he entered.

"You are leaving."

It was not a question.

John held out the message.

Snake took it and read it slowly.

His expression did not change, but his eyes sharpened when he reached the final line.

"Orna's writing?"

"It looks like hers."

"Looks?"

John explained the details. Gael wounded. Edda is missing. Kel trapped. The old storage road. The copied shop mark.

Snake read the message again.

"This is either very convincing or very dangerous."

"Both."

Snake handed it back.

"I will send two academy guards with you."

"No."

Fizz turned toward John.

Snake's brows rose.

John continued, "If the shop was attacked because of me, academy guards may turn it into a larger matter. I do not want the shop surrounded by officials."

Snake's voice became firmer.

"You may be walking into a trap."

"I know."

"And you still refuse protection."

"I am not refusing protection. I have the token."

Snake looked at John's coat where the token was hidden.

"The token is not a shield."

"It is enough."

Snake remained silent for a moment.

John understood that Snake could order him to stay. As headmaster, he had that authority. But Snake did not use it.

Instead, he walked closer.

"If the message is false, the enemy knows enough about Fizz Holdings to copy private details. That means someone has watched your people for days."

John nodded.

Snake placed one hand on his shoulder.

"Do not let concern make decisions for you. Confirm what you can. Leave the moment the road feels wrong."

John's eyes met his.

"I will."

Snake's hand remained there for a brief moment before he removed it.

"Activate the token before the fight becomes serious."

Fizz lifted one paw.

"We are excellent at leaving before fights."

John looked at him.

Fizz corrected himself. "We are improving."

Snake stepped back.

"I can still send someone to follow at a distance."

John shook his head.

"No. If this is about the shop, I will handle it."

Snake looked unhappy, but he finally nodded.

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