[Imperial City — The Column — Day 21]
Viktor arrived with a box.
The size of a suitcase, made of dark wood, with the kind of lock used by someone who knows that what they are carrying requires specific care.
He placed it on the third‑floor table.
He opened it.
Documents.
Folders separated by name.
Seals that the team recognized as official from the Celestial Academy — not cheap forgeries, the kind of work that required contacts that cost.
"Two weeks," said Viktor. "The Circle did what it could."
He began distributing.
---
Alex first.
Identification document.
Exchange student admission letter.
A fabricated academic history from a region remote enough that no one could verify it directly.
"Exchange student," said Viktor. "Specialization in magical control systems — specific enough to justify your level of knowledge, obscure enough that no one asks detailed questions."
Alex read the history.
"Registered level."
