A thousand thoughts whirled through his mind as Lucian forced himself to appear nonchalant, calmly closing the door before walking over to the table.
His left hand remained in his pocket, touching the Ice Avenger ring. His will immediately grew as dense and heavy as that of a knight who had undergone a proper breakthrough.
However, Lucian did not release this aura outwardly — instead, he drew it back inward. Based on what he had sensed earlier, the other party likely did not yet know he was a mage possessing extraordinary powers rather than an ordinary young man.
Lucian studied the letter. Under the aid of this Arcane Magic–simulated willpower, he was calm as ice and snow. Treating it as though it might contain a trap, he used his right hand to carefully break open the envelope and unfold the creased paper inside.
It was an ordinary sheet of stationery. Several rows of words sat upon it, not handwritten — neat and beautiful yet rigid, as if printed.
"Dear Mr. Evans:
We have had the great honor of welcoming Mr. Joel and his family. As long as you cooperate with us in performing a few simple tasks, they will assuredly enjoy a happy, prosperous, and wonderful life. Once matters are concluded entirely, they will return to you safe and sound with wealth that will satisfy you. This is a fair transaction."
"So it is a kidnapping after all — though it doesn't appear to be for ransom," Lucian muttered softly, suppressing the urge to tear the letter to shreds, while carefully scanning it for any clues. "But what exactly do they want?"
Suddenly, the rows of words that had been on the letter rapidly faded, then vanished completely.
In their place, new black characters appeared one word at a time out of thin air, and in short order several new lines of text had formed.
"Mr. Evans, you truly deserve your reputation as a musical genius capable of composing such magnificent compositions. Your composure just now was quite exceptional and most satisfying. Let me repeat — this is a fair transaction and collaboration, not a kidnapping. Of course, if you betray us, you will never see Mr. Joel and his family again."
"This is supernatural power! I absolutely cannot recklessly reveal that I know Arcane Magic — only by keeping that hidden do I have any chance of rescuing Uncle Joel and the others!" As a Magic Apprentice who had already encountered vengeful spirits, water ghosts, and other undead creatures, this level of eerie phenomenon was far from enough to frighten Lucian. If anything, it sharpened his composure. He placed no faith whatsoever in the so-called transaction and collaboration, and was fully certain this was a kidnapping and a threat.
When dealing with kidnappers, the single most important rule was never to believe that the kidnappers would safely return the hostages once their demands were met — corpses, perhaps, but not living people. And so Lucian decided immediately that he would not be coerced by the kidnappers, and began plotting a rescue.
That said, feigning acceptance on the surface to buy time was still essential. Lucian drew two deep breaths, putting on the appearance of someone struggling to stay calm, and said in a low voice: "What exactly do you want me to do? And how can I even be sure you'll guarantee Uncle Joel's safety? Perhaps he and his family are already dead!"
A measure of firmness was also indispensable as a negotiation tactic for ensuring the hostages' safety.
The words on the envelope vanished once more, and new ones appeared:
"What we require is simple — that you fully unleash your musical talent, compose more and more outstanding works, and become Her Royal Highness Princess Natasha's long-term musical advisor. For a musical genius such as yourself, capable of producing such complex and magnificent compositions in three months, this should hardly prove difficult, and it aligns perfectly with your own goals and future path. You see, as partners, we are always thinking of your best interests, Mr. Evans."
"As for Mr. Joel and his family's safety, please rest assured — killing them would serve us no purpose whatsoever."
A flurry of thoughts flashed through Lucian's mind. "Their target is Princess Natasha? Or are they trying to use contact with the Princess to uncover secrets of the Ratasha Palace? Or perhaps, having earned the Princess's trust, they intend to manipulate some dispute over noble succession? I was only invited yesterday to serve as the Princess's short-term musical advisor, and today someone is threatening me through the kidnapping of Uncle Joel and his family. Such swift reaction time — could one of them have been present at the time? Who could it be?"
While deducing the other party's true purpose, Lucian pressed on in an unyielding tone: "Until I can confirm that Uncle Joel and his family are safe, I will consider them already dead and refuse to cooperate with you. You can kill me, but you cannot force me."
The writing continued to change:
"Mr. Evans, I believe you need to understand one thing — you are merely one of many avenues we are pursuing toward our goal. We have numerous other methods. You are not as important as you imagine yourself to be."
Lucian let out a cold laugh. "Then go ahead and kill me."
After this, the writing faded and did not reappear for a long while. It seemed that Lucian's attitude had proven rather difficult for the other party to handle — they had probably assumed that a poor young man with musical talent would not be nearly this defiant.
Time crawled by slowly. After just a few minutes of waiting, Lucian began to have the illusion that the other party had already left, but he clenched his teeth and said nothing. This was a contest of patience.