Chapter 807: Forced
Aubrey Hall's office was still neat to look at, even though she had plenty of work...
Her day began with the collection of paper or old newspapers and even some copies of police reports, that were preserving tales of hauntings and arcane mysteries. She was able to get connected with the police information because of her connection to the Arcanist Guild of the town.
On the left side of her room, bookshelves were lined with leather-bound tomes on paranormal phenomena, their pages worn from frequent consultation.
Her morning was spent cross-referencing a client's report of spectral apparitions with historical accounts from "Ghosts of the Old Cities" and "Ethereal Encounters".
Notes were scribbled in the margins of her notepad, as theories took shape as she connected the dots between past and present.
Well, she had many other cases, so she couldn't simply focus on the living flesh. She had bills to pay and had to work on cases.
Midday brought a new client, a farmer who spoke of crop circles and lights in the sky. Aubrey listened intently, marking his account against similar cases in "Beast Art's Rituals" and "Elemental Arts' Formation Patterns".
She promised to visit his farm, her mind already cataloging possible explanations.
The afternoon was reserved for the enigma residing in her basement—the living flesh.
Aubrey descended the stairs with nervousness, the memory of the previous night's experiment weighing heavily on her.
The cat, once vibrant and full of energy, now lay listless, its life force seemingly drained by the entity.
She confirmed that the living flesh could really take life force from living beings.
Of course, the cat was already sent to a carer who would try to heal it back.
Anyway, Aubrey's approach to learn more about the flesh was methodical.
Her observations were detailed as she monitored the flesh's reactions from various experiments.
She noted its size, the rhythm of its pulsations, and the ambient energy levels with meticulous care.
The books "Arcane Biology" and "Entities Beyond the Veil" lay open on a nearby table, their content offering insight but no clear answers. She even read ancient books written in Oardic about the Vampires but couldn't find a clue about this living flesh that had uttered the name "Lisa."
As dusk fell, Aubrey sat back, her eyes tired but determined.
"This is vexing..." Aubrey muttered as she felt that she was missing something.
The living flesh was a puzzle, one that consumed life force, but to what end? Her mind raced with possibilities—was it a lost soul, a cursed being, or something entirely unknown?
'If I can't find out what it is, I'll have to consult someone else...' Aubrey muttered as she thought of the Headmaster of the Featherstar Academy. Well, since all the resources of the Vermont Academy had disappeared, they had no choice but to build a new Academy of Dark Arts.
However, the other families disagreed with it and just wanted to teach their own kin... Because of that, the new Academy was built alone by the Featherstar Family without the participation of the other main families of the Dark Arts Factions.
The day then ended with another experiment on the living flesh.
Well, she realized that the living flesh reacts in all forms of Arcane Energy after she tried using various Artifacts that could emit various Arcane Arts.
Nonetheless, the reaction from Holy Energy and the Dark Energy was ways apart. It flinched from the Holy Energy while it seemed excited from the Darkness Energy.
Tomorrow, she would continue her investigation.
***
Four more days had quickly passed, and Aubrey started her morning routine. She thought of having breakfast with freshly baked bread in the corner.
She was even excited today as she was making progress in her investigation.
However, her morning tranquility was shattered as she recognized the emblem of the Holy Arts Faction's elites emblazoned on the white cloaks of the two figures before her.
They didn't seem to be passing by since they were looking at her as if they'd been waiting for her to get out of her office that was protected by numerous Formation Arts.
"Untainted Sentinels," she murmured, a hint of wariness in her voice.
These figures were none other than Teresa and Clare, who had arrived in this two several days ago.
Teresa stepped forward, her tone polite yet edged with steel. "Ms. Hall, we've come for the remnants of the vampire you've taken into your possession. It was quite difficult to sense it with the layers of protection in your office... Is that made by your father?" She asked with an amused tone.
Clare chuckled and chimed in, her words laced with mockery.
"Surely, a Paranormal Investigator of your caliber understands the danger of harboring such... relics. You may have taken an interest in it and brought it in your place, but that should be enough... Just continue with your daily work as a public servant."
Aubrey, of course, didn't like their tone.
Perhaps, if they explained more clearly and kindly, she might consider cooperating with them.
However, she felt that she was being mocked by these two.
After taking a deep breath, she shook her head and squared her shoulders, meeting their gaze.
"I'm conducting important research. That 'relic' is key to understanding a broader phenomenon. I won't hand it over without proper cause."
Teresa's smile was thin, unamused. "This is beyond your pay grade, Ms. Hall. Hand it over, or we'll be forced to take it."
Aubrey's response was firm, her voice rising. "I refuse. And if you attempt anything, I'll file a formal complaint with the Arcanist Guild."
The Arcanist Guild wasn't should not be underestimated as recently, it had become a lot more powerful under the guidance of the new Guildmaster called Merlin. This old man who came out of nowhere was a Half-Immortal and was several times more active than the previous Guildmaster.
Because of that, the Guild became respected by every town and city where it had a branch.
Clare's eyes narrowed, and she took a step closer. "We were hoping to resolve this amicably, but you leave us no choice."