Published at 14th of June 2026 6:14 am

Chapter 183. To the FBI

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I could see Ophelia looking at me with a deep frown as I brought my finger closer to the staff. The moment I did that, one of the tentacles came alive and extended itself toward my finger.

Thats kind of disgusting, my apprentice commented.

Its weirdly hypnotic, though, I said, moving my hand away as the tentacle moved back into its resting spot at the top of the weapon.

I had removed my attunement from my previous staff a few hours before and could now feel my connection to the new weapon. It was a fascinating construction. The whole staff was made from black wood, with carvings going along its entire length.

The bottom had a decorative clawed hand that actually allowed the staff to stand upright. When used, it looked slightly strange as the hand was not much larger than the staffs circumference, while the staff itself fit comfortably in one hand.

Carvings of strange shapes, reminiscent of faces, went the entire length up to its top, or crown, as the mages called it. In the middle was the leather handle allowing it to twist into a bracelet, acting like the scabbard of a sword.

The crown was the most fascinating part. It was made of black tentacles twisting around a geometric objectmany cubes nested inside one another. Thankfully, they were small enough, so it wasnt obvious to the naked eye that they were floating inside one another. The cube was held up by the main, thickest tentacles, while smaller ones held crystals, allowing spells to be stored.

As for the cube, it was an eldritch artifact. Thankfully, the tentacles holding it, while they couldnt be made to let go, could be adjusted to cover most of the shape. If fully shown, the geometry would immediately seem strange, and any observer would swear that even though the cubes were clearly inside one another, they were also all the same size.

The strange hexahedron was sort of an arcane focus, but for eldritch magic. It made controlling the abyss easier, but its most interesting use was that the energy could be made to flow from it, as if the artifact had a separate connection to the void. While I still had to use the contract to call on the power, its source was moved from inside me to the crown, making mutations less likely. The staff was still connected to my soul, and I still needed to connect with the energy to cast anything, but I could now focus on guarding my spirit and mind, and not worry about my body as much each time I cast.

Aside from that, the cube had a very strong space attunement, helping with spatial magic, and a minor mind attunement, although at the cost of the death-magic attunement of my old staff.

I put the last crystal into the extended tentacle, which eagerly grabbed it, and, settling into its resting position, it turned back to wood. I then moved the tentacles to cover most of the cube in the middle and let the staff stand next to me.

Thats fascinating to look at, I told Ophelia, seeing the artifact stand without a wobble. I was still not sure how it did that without any obvious magic use.

Before Ophelia could comment, we both watched in fascination as Sally approached the artifact and then, after sniffing it, closed her teeth around the handle. The staff stayed still, as if locked into the space around it, as the dog pulled on it.

Now THATS fascinating to watch, Ophelia commented, looking at the scene.

Hmh. I gave a groan of agreement, not sure of my feelings about the ancient weapon being used as a chew toy.

The familiar didnt like staying as a spirit. As a creature of flesh, it had a natural instinct for, well, existing. The only issue was that she would switch her form at random, usually looking like a normal dog, only to suddenly grow a pair of eyes or a tentacle. Another issue was that she would sometimes speak unprompted, which was a no-no around normal people, at least for now. But when in the storage, the creature was out and about.

Before I could do something about her slobbering all over my eldritch artifact, my phone rang.

Looking at the caller, I smiled.

Hello, I greeted Rey.

We got back on the case, the policeman started, wasting no time on details.

Well, thats great.

And the case has been moved under an FBI supernatural department. We got an agreement for you to come on as a consultant. Once there are some results, the FBI is willing to open its knowledge base to you.

I smiled wider.

Thats great news. But I want that in writing

We will send you an email with the documents.

I dont have an email, I cut in.

You did go to college.

Im not in college anymore, so I dont have a college email. And how do you know I went to one? Doing some background checking? I asked in a playful tone.

Obviously. You think the FBI wouldnt check you out before they approved you? Rey asked back without hesitation.

Well, I guess not.

We will forward you the documents after you set up an email, and we can get started.

I agreed, and the call ended. After receiving the documents, I sent them to QShar for his lawyers to review and ensure there werent any legal tricks.

And the next day, the documentation was ready and signed, and I was on my way to the FBI.

The building wasnt very impressive, looking an awful lot like a repurposed school.

Rey, Josh, and Filip stood in front of the entrance, and I greeted the three the moment I got out of my car. Before we could talk, the door opened, and a man I did not recognize walked out.

Welcome, he greeted. My name is Elias, and Im the director of this FBI division. You will either be working with us or consulting under my supervision. So lets get you settled in, he said with a calm smile.

I looked him over and could immediately tell one thinghe was a mage, not a very powerful one, most likely not trained very well, but I could sense magic in his aura. Aside from that, another thing that caught my eye was a bone earring, which was an artifact spreading something akin to a barrier around the mans mind. Mind artifacts like those were rare.

We went in and got cleared through security. The building had a large open office room with desks arranged in even rows, attended by personnel hurrying around. Deeper, more rooms were visible in the corridor. Aside from a lot of electronics, nothing really jumped out at me. And most of all, I sensed no magic, no barriers or runes. It was just a normal office to my senses.

We were led into a private office with Director in Charge written on the door, and the units name missing.

Please settle yourselves in, Elias said, pointing to a few chairs as he sat down behind his desk.

So, to begin, from what I understand, you were let in on what our division actually iswhat we do.

Supernatural Investigation Division. Yes, we got the documentation. Filip nodded, and the rest did the same.

I didnt get anything, I spoke up, looking at the three.

The documents I received were all legal, but there was no information on the division itself.

Well, Mr. Samuel, Elias said, from what I understand, you are just a consultant. Filip will be reinstated in our division. Mr. Rey is currently being reassigned to us from the L.A.P.D. You we dont know anything about. For all we know, you could just be a very good charlatan.

Is Josh joining too? I asked, ignoring his comment.

Josh has a long history as a consultant, which makes his clearance high enough. You will have to prove yourself a trustworthy asset to receive any documentation, Elias said.

His voice was even and strong. He was informing rather than discussing.

I smiled.

Well, I believe my payment was made pretty clear. Im interested in information, the very thing you are denying right now.

But you didnt do anything for us yet, did you? Elas asked.

I shrugged lightly, half curious where he would take it.

Okay, I said. Im all ears.

Thank you for your understanding, Elias said. All four of you will be assigned to the Veiled Man case

Veiled Man? Filip echoed, before giving the man an ironic smile. Dwayne got into my notes, did he?

Well, we believe the nomenclature is quite fitting. And while your notes are enlightening, we prefer the real thing.

I dont doubt it, Filip answered.

So, Elias continued, while we work on the case, as you are now our assets, we would like you to help with other cases we might have in the meantime.

Wait. Filip raised his hand. I was under the impression that I was being reinstated only for that case. Its the first time Im hearing anything about other work.

We cant just give you the badge back and have you sit around, can we? That badge comes with a responsibility. You know that.

I frowned, looking at him. It was hard to get a read on what was going on inside his head. He was clearly hesitant, to the point of sweating, as if he were being asked a life-or-death question rather than a job-or-no-job one.

II He struggled.

Come on, Josh urged him on. We worked a few cases already. Whats the difference? This time youll have a real badge, Josh finished with a chuckle.

Well, thats the problem, Filip whispered. Fine, he finally agreed.

Good, Elias said. So let us get you settled in, shall we? he asked with a smile.

After the four of them left Eliass office, he sat back down, exhaling loudly. Only after he got confirmation that they had left the building did he call for his assistant. A beautiful woman carrying a bow on her back entered. She then closed her eyes and concentrated for a few seconds. Once done, she began to survey the whole place. Throughout the ritual, Elias sat still, and only once she nodded did he speak.

Thank you, Flora-ntiss, Elias said, and the woman bowed lightly.

Thats a mouthful, Dwayne commented as he entered after the woman, watching her.

Yeah, good thing you dont know her last name, Elias chuckled. So, did you get anything?

Thats not how it works. Its not like I could get much through a camera feed.

Then give me your first impressions. What kind of man do you think a real-life wizard is? Elias asked.

Dwayne thought for a few seconds before answering. Well, there are no obvious signs or patterns in his demeanor. He looked curious, but not stressed. No obvious reaction to a challenge to his authority. He didnt try to take control of the conversation either. He did seem curious. Overly curious, Dwayne finished.

Overly curious?

Well, like a child on a field trip. He had that same expression when Filip hesitated. He is observant, but his demeanor is just like that of someone looking around for some fun. Its hard to read what hes thinking.

Is he a psychopath? Any red flags I should know of?

If we could guess that from a single impression, half the cases would be closed by now. Dwayne let a smile flicker on his face. Psychos arent cold-blooded killers from dramas. Most are easy to anger, and they wouldnt let you challenge their position like that.

Most-likely-not-a-psycho-killer is a good thing.

Not a classic case, at least. I wouldnt celebrate too early.

So you got something?

No. Its just he gives me the creeps, Dwayne finally said.

Elias nodded lightly, not commenting on the mans evaluation.

Keep digging. Find someone close to him. Check out his family. There has to be something about a man wielding magic. And make sure you dont leave any paper trail.

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