Max dared.
He let out a smirk, accompanied by a soft, contemptuous 'hmph.'
And sprung off.
Not because he was in a hurry to prove that Junior noble scion wrong, but to seize the momentary opportunity: the guards had their attention on students trying to sneak a peek inside. With a flourish of his emerald cloak, Max slipped past the velvet curtains and ducked into the backstage area.
One of the guards reflexively reacted to the sudden rise of the curtain behind them. With only their sense of touch and vague view of the fabric entering their vision, they were unable to determine if it was an intruder or someone within.
Close, but easy.
Max stood still, surveying the surroundings.
The backstage was busy and a mess; props, costume racks, and busy students rushing to prepare for their cues. Small orbs of light bobbed along the ceiling, illuminating various workstations where last-minute costume adjustments and makeup were underway.
"Hey! You there!"
Spoke too soon.
A person standing still without a word in a busy time like this had made him stand out.
"This area is restricted! How did you get in here?"
"I went in."
"What?"
Ignoring her, Max grabbed a nearby mask from a costume rack and dove behind a large set piece depicting a mountain range. He weaved between startled stage hands, mumbling apologies as he made his escape.
"Stop that student!" a guard called out, but in the chaos of the ongoing performance, her command blended with a dozen other shouts and orders being thrown around.
In the corner of his vision, he saw a rack of elaborate costumes being wheeled toward what appeared to be a changing area. With a rough slide, he slipped behind the rack, using it as a moving shield.
The costumes, heavy with embroidery and magical enhancements, provided cover as he made his way deeper into the backstage area.
The security guard was still searching, checking behind each set piece.
Need a better hiding spot. Or better yet, a reason to be here.
Outside, Junior Carrington stood frozen at the theater entrance, his mouth agape in disbelief.
"Did he actually...? Did that commoner just sneak into the performance?" Junior sputtered, his face reddening with each word.
After a couple of minutes, the commoners had finally caught up. When Junior Carrington saw their disheveled appearances, he became angrier.
"This is outrageous! Unforgivable! Why are you all just standing there? After him!"
"Sir Carrington, where did he go?"
"In there!"
"Where?"
"Are your ears deaf?! In there!"
It took some time for them to realize.
When they did, the five of them gasped.
"You want us to interrupt the show? That's... that's the Eternal Flame performance. Senior Taellon's directing it. If we mess it up—"
"Are you disobeying me?"
Junior Carrington moved his head left and right, before dropping his voice to a dangerous whisper.
"My father is part of the academy administration, so what is there to be afraid of? What you should be all afraid of is what happens if you do not get what I want."
The commoners looked at each other, going through their options.
"We'll go, but ...carefully. We don't want to make a scene."
"Make whatever scene you need to. Just get me that crystal!"
After the five commoners left, Junior Carrington gnashed his teeth.
"And where are those other 3 peasants?!"
Meanwhile, backstage, Max was thinking quickly. The security guard was closing in, and he could also see backup approaching.
That's when he noticed a cluster of performers applying some fancy makeup. They were clearly playing the monsters and creatures featured in the Eternal Flame legend.
Taking a deep breath, Max strode confidently toward the makeup area, snatching a discarded script from a nearby table. He flipped through it quickly, scanning for any useful information.
"You!"
A sharp voice cut through his concentration.
It was a different security guard.
"I heard word that there is an intruder that slipped in, is it you?"
He looked suspiciously at Max's cloak. However, because of the mask and other adornments that Max had grabbed along the way to blend in, he wasn't sure.
Max turned slowly, purposefully keeping the script visible in his hands.
"Final costume check."
Max adopted the stressed tone of a stagehand.
"Director Taellon sent me to make sure the transformation sequences are prepared. We've had some... technical difficulties with the illusion crystals."
The man's suspicious expression didn't waver, but doubt crept into his eyes.
"I don't recognize you from the production team."
"I'm from the Illusion Department. Specialist consultant. The regular effects coordinator had a magical accident this morning and is unable to attend here in time. I was called in as an emergency replacement."
He gave him a confidential look and lowered his voice.
"Between you and me, the director's a bit paranoid about the performance. This is his big chance to impress the faculty."
The security guard hesitated.
"I should verify this with the director."
"I mean you could. But I heard he's in final preparation with the lead actor."
Max pointed upwards.
The security guard looked up.
There was a clock.
"And curtain for the next scene goes up in less than fifteen minutes. I'm sure he won't mind the interruption."
A threat.
The clock showed it was close to curtain time.
The security guard's resolve visibly wavered.
It was really awful timing.
"I'll be checking back," he warned, though his tone had softened. "And if I find out you're not supposed to be here—"
"Sure sure. I'll be right here, making sure everything runs smoothly."
As the guard reluctantly backed away, Max raised his head, revealing his smirk.
He'd bought himself some time. Looking around, he spotted what appeared to be the special effects station. There was a table with vials, crystals, and small cauldrons emitting colorful smoke.
And when I say right here, it doesn't necessarily mean I won't be moving around.
He approached the table and began examining the contents.
The bottles appeared to be paired with small magic-inscribed crystals and were labeled with effects like "Dragon's Breath" and "Smoky Mist."
Since this is part of a stage performance, they must be using crystallized illusion magic combined with alchemical enhancers to create physical effects.
Max picked up one of the crystals, feeling the magic pulse gently against his palm. The craftsmanship was fancy.
Slowly, he began to think back to the novel, remembering the principles behind it.
"Don't touch that!"
Max turned to find a frazzled-looking student rushing toward him. The young man wore the distinctive purple trim of a third-year student, and his robes were stained.
"My bad."
Max carefully placed back the crystal back on the table.
"Just admiring the work. Mixing crystallized illusion with physical alchemical stuff... not too shabby."
The student paused, surprise replacing his annoyance despite seeing Max now starting to continually poke the crystal with his finger.
"You... understand the technique?"
Not really.
Max nodded with a casual shrug, falling easily into his role.
"The combined manifestation allows for both visual and tactile effects, right? Clever way to enhance the audience experience beyond pure illusion."
The tension in the student's shoulders eased slightly.
"That's exactly it. Most people just think we're throwing colored smoke around, but there's real magical theory behind it."
He extended a hand.
"Larry, third-year, specializing in practical illusion applications."
"Max."
He shook the offered hand, startling Larry as Max gripped him as if sizing him up.
"I'm filling in for the effects team today. Last-minute arrangement."
Larry frowned.
"Nobody told me we were getting help."
"Emergency situation. I'm supposed to assist with some things and make sure everything goes as planned."
Before Larry could question him further, a commotion near the main stage entrance caught their attention.
A tall, handsome young man with golden hair and confident posture strode in, his costume gleaming under the backstage lights. Even in the dim lighting, his features were classically heroic—strong jaw, bright eyes, and an earnest expression that radiated justice.
They could hear them praise him for his performance.
Apparently his name was Lucan, and he was the Hero of the performance.
Max couldn't help but stare; a strange sense of recognition washed over him.
Is he one of the named characters from the novel? The name does ring a bell, but I can't really remember.
Unable to get rid of the nagging feeling from the back of his mind, he quickly ended the conversation with Larry.
"Well, I will see you around. I should introduce myself to the lead. Make sure we're coordinated for the effects during his big scenes."
Max approached Lucan when he was alone.
The actor noticed Max's approach and turned with a welcoming smile.
"Hello there! Are you part of the production? I don't think we've met."
"Probably not. Just came here. I'm consulting on the special effects sequences. Your performance is critical to making those moments work."
Lucan's eyes lit up.
"Really? I've been working hard to time my reactions to the illusions properly. It helps that the enhancers make the illusions feel tangible, but there's still a clear difference from the real objects. The audience needs to believe in the danger, you know?"
"Yeah I hear you."
Max slung an arm over Lucan's shoulder, acting as if they were the best of friends.
"Your passion for the role is obvious."
He paused and closed in.
"...But how far are you willing to go to make this performance truly memorable?"