14 Chapter 14: Torture

Roderick led the injured assassin into an empty classroom at the Argentum Magic Academy, wincing at the man's obvious pain. Thane had already suggested using violence to make the killer talk, but Roderick couldn't embrace such barbaric methods.

"Elara, Thane, please wait outside. I don't want to use violence to get answers. I believe we can find another way," Roderick said, his voice firm and confident.

Elara nodded, understanding Roderick's intentions. Thane, however, frowned but didn't argue. They both left the room, leaving Roderick alone with the assassin.

The room where the interrogation took place was a far cry from the warm, inviting atmosphere found throughout most of the Argentum Magic Academy. The dimly lit chamber held a dark and forlorn aura, seemingly trapped in a perpetual state of melancholy. The once bright walls were now discolored and stained, with patches of mold creeping along the corners. A single, flickering candle on a dusty wooden table cast ominous shadows across the room, giving an eerie, almost ghostly ambiance.

The air was heavy with a palpable sense of despair, as though countless secrets and regrets had seeped into the very fabric of the room. The floor, covered in a thick layer of dust and grime, creaked mournfully with every step, echoing the somber sentiments of the space. The windows, encrusted with dirt and grime, allowed only a sliver of moonlight to filter through, casting a cold, pale glow upon the scene.

Roderick locked the door behind them and turned to face the man, who was slumped in a chair, his wounded arm still oozing blood. The Shadowstalker's bite had caused significant damage, and the cuts on his chest only added to the severity of his injuries.

"Listen," Roderick began, his voice gentle yet unwavering. "I don't want to hurt you. I hate violence, and I don't want to use it. But I need to know who sent you and why. You tried to kill me, and your actions put the entire academy in danger."

The assassin glared at Roderick, his eyes filled with defiance. He said nothing, clenching his jaw to resist the urge to cry out in pain.

Roderick remembered the Magical Academy System and discovered a skill called Lie Detection, which allowed the user to tell if a student was lying. Looking at the man he remembered seeing him participate in Thane`s combat lesson. That meant that he had probably infiltrated the academy as a student, thus the skill should work on him.

He decided to purchase the skill and activate it during the interrogation.

He turned back to the injured assassin. "Unless you want to bleed to death, let's start, the sooner you talk the sooner we can fix you up, okay?" He tried a gentle smile and continued. "So, what about your name? Who are you?"

The assassin hesitated for a moment, wincing because of the pain before answering. "My name is Kael," he said.

Roderick focused on the new Lie Detection skill, and it informed him that the assassin was telling the truth. Satisfied, Roderick continued. "Who sent you to kill me, Kael?"

The assassin looked at Roderick, his eyes narrowing as he weighed his options. Finally, he spoke, his voice strained with pain. "I don't know who sent me. I was given a target – you – and I followed orders. I didn't ask questions."

However, the Lie Detection skill indicated that Kael was lying this time. Roderick didn't let on that he knew the truth and decided to press further.

"C`mon, you want me to believe you didn`t investigate even a little bit? You must have a name, if you don`t, I`m afraid that the healing might arrive later than we both wish for..." Roderick let the end of the sentence linger in the air.

Healing magic had its limits too, if too long time passed before treatment, Kael might never recover full use of the limb, and for an assassin that would be the end of his life.

The assassin hesitated, his breathing labored. He looked as though he was about to resist, but the pain in his arm seemed to win out "I was hired by a man named Lord Varek. I don't know much about him, only that he wanted you dead."

Once again, the lie detector didn`t agree with him though. Roderick kept asking questions, using the lie detector to gain an understanding of the situation. And it leads him to a sudden realization.

"Did you have anything to do with the artifact exploding?"

Kael hesitated before lying again. "No, I had nothing to do with it."

The lie triggered a sudden reaction in Roderick, causing his original soul to flare up and take control of the body. The pain and memories of his past life flooded him, and in a moment of anger, he grabbed Kael's injured arm, pressing hard.

Gone was the meek scholar, the cheerful yet firm ex-student. Back was the war veteran, elite adventured, Ghostblade Roderick. His eyes burning with power illuminated the room like pits from hell.

Kael gasped in pain, but Roderick didn't relent. He focused his newfound magical prowess and conjured a fire spell, cauterizing Kael's wound as a form of torture. The scent of burning flesh filled the room, and Kael's screams echoed off the walls.

"Enough lies, Kael!" Roderick snarled, the pain from his original soul fueling his rage. "Tell me the truth, NOW!" He demanded with a roar.

However, Kael was still defiant, fueled by his pain and anger. He spat at Roderick, his face twisted in a mixture of contempt and agony. "You think that's enough to break me? You have no idea what I've been through!"

Roderick growled a low chuckle. He cast his signature telekinesis, lifting Kael into the air, his body suspended like a marionette. Roderick applied pressure to every inch of Kael's body, simulating the crushing sensation of being at the bottom of the sea.

Kael gasped for breath, his bones cracking and his panic-filled eyes turning red as the veins began popping. He panicked, attempting to squeeze out a scream, but his lungs wouldn`t expand.

Roderick immediately released the pressure, allowing Kael to breathe. He lowered the assassin back into the chair, still keeping him suspended in the air.

Kael began coughing and gasping for sweet air, but as he looked back up, in Roderick`s eyes, his gaze froze him to the bone.

"So?" Coldly asked Roderick, raising his arm, ready to repeat the ordeal.

"Alright, alright!" he cried out. "My true employer is from an opposing academy, the Obsidian Institute. They wanted to weaken Argentum Academy by taking you out. I swear!"

This time, the Lie Detection skill confirmed Kael's honesty.

"What about the artifact?!" Roderick pressed further.

"It was me! They told me how to sabotage it, but I didn`t know what it would do! Please don`t kill me!" The assassin had broken down and was now crying. The detector verified the first sentence, but denied the second.

The man knew that it would kill him.

Roderick`s original soul finally calmed and went back to his torpor-like state, returning the reins to Alex. He took a deep breath to regain his composure, released Kael and the anger in his eyes slowly dissipated.

Nausea assaulted Roderick as soon as the smell of burnt flesh and the realization of what his body had done outside of his control hit him.

"I'm sorry," Roderick said, his voice filled with regret for his actions. "I shouldn't have done that. But you have to understand, the safety and future of this academy are at stake."

Kael nodded, tears streaming down his face from the pain. "I understand. Just... just don't do that again. I'll cooperate."

Roderick nodded, his normal, gentle demeanor returning. "Thank you, Kael. We'll ensure you receive medical treatment for your injuries, but you'll be kept under watch until we can sort this all out."

Roderick opened the door and asked Elara and Thane to rejoin him. He shared the information he had gleaned from Kael and the concerning revelation that an opposing academy was behind the assassination attempt and had the two of them pry out the rest of the details from the much meeker assassin.

Not him though, he felt tired and disgusted. Now he would go rest, and tomorrow he would need to plan.