This part of the training was hard.

After all, it had already been more than a year and a half since Kenny had arrived in Springdale. Naturally, there were more than a handful of people who knew him.

It took him almost two months to traverse the main streets of the three districts without anyone seeing or greeting him. Additionally, he had to train under broad daylight.

Although Kenny displayed annoyance and reluctance on the surface, Adam was having quite a lot of fun training.

"Six hours," said the trainer. "You must stand in this public square for six hours."

"Let me guess," Kenny said, rolling his eyes. "I have to do so without drawing attention?"

"…Precisely." The trainer nodded. He scanned the dusk-skinned youth and added, "Failure will not be—"

"Tolerated." Kenny scoffed. "Yeah, I know, I know."

With that said, he turned around and walked away. He was playing the character of a growing teenager with raging hormones, so naturally, he had to display his rebellious nature.

The second phase of the training continued. Days turned to weeks, and weeks turned to months.

Adam understood the purpose of this phase of the training.

It was to blend, not hide.

And the fact that he had to carry out his training without the use of magic made it all the more challenging — and interesting.

Moving naturally through different districts, using elevation, shadows, and noise, without drawing attention, remaining still for long periods of time, and enduring discomfort without breaking focus. These were the things he had to go through.

By the time the second phase of the training ended, Kenny had learned the key lesson:

If it feels like you're sneaking, you're doing it wrong.

The third phase of the training was social masking. The goal was to become forgettable on demand.

Kenny was made to hold short conversations with strangers. The catch was… he had to ensure none could later describe him accurately.

Later on, he had to assume the simple roles of workers in society, such as a porter, a courier, a clerk, etc. He had to carry out these roles for a day, and sometimes for a week, and perform only minimal interactions with others.

During this phase, he was even questioned by his instructor pretending to be a guard, and came out of the exchange without any suspicions.

Adopting simple personas, speaking just enough to be ignored, knowing what questions not to be answered, and avoiding emotional reactions. This was the curriculum of the third phase of the training.

Kenny was evaluated based on people remembering the conversation they had with him, but never remembering him.

The fourth phase of the training included recording observations clearly and accurately, separating facts from assumptions, compartmentalizing sensitive details, and destroying or concealing information properly.

Adding interpretation where none was warranted resulted in failure. And Kenny did fail — purposefully. He intended to come off as a good candidate, not a perfect one.

Phase five of the training was what Kenny had been waiting for…

Combat!

He was trained in hand-to-hand combat, where he quickly gained the attention and praise from several trainers. After all, that was what his persona was based on: a Magus skilled at fighting, but not so much in the arcane arts.

Kenny was even taught to wield daggers — the go-to weapon of most members of this secret order.

However, combat wasn't all that was taught to him during this phase of the training.

Fighting with weapons and fists was only the last resort. He was taught how to resolve problems without escalation, such as preventing a staged meeting from occurring without confronting anyone, or delaying a target's schedule using indirect means such as misdirection, delays, and social friction.

Kenny was taught to sabotage plans without exposing intent, but more importantly… he was taught when to withdraw.

Almost five years after joining the Brotherhood, he was, at last, moved on to the final phase of the training.

This was also the most important phase, and it was conducted by none other than the Agent who sponsored him.

"You must protect the Brotherhood's secrets at all costs," Lebu said with a solemn look on his face.

Across from him sat Kenny, who had grown considerably in height over the past few years. He had also matured a lot. The youthful look on his face was replaced by something much… deeper.

"I understand, Magus Potts." The youth nodded.

They were currently in Kenny's new apartment in Trade Ward. He had long since moved out of the apartment he shared with Kori and Pang.

Today was the day he had completed all of his training.

He had to go through torture training and endure extended questioning without volunteering any information. This was the shortest phase of the training, but also the hardest.

"Unlike some of the barbaric factions of our organization, we do not believe in making our spies swear a mana oath," the Agent continued.

In the years since infiltrating the Twilight Brotherhood, Adam had come to learn that Lebu Potts was indeed an ally. He was part of the Preservationists, the faction that was once under the leadership of Gerald Acadia, and one that Berger was also a part of.

Once the most powerful faction within the secret organization, it was now barely surviving. It was constantly under pressure from the other factions, and it barely received resources.

"That said, I'm proud of your training results, my boy," Lebu continued, his voice filled with praise and approval.

"Now that you've completed the basic training, you will be taught advanced assassination methods," he added. "Rest assured, training isn't all that you'd be doing as you have in these past years. You can also take part in missions now."

"Yes, I understand." Kenny nodded.

Seeing his demeanor, Lebu chuckled. "You're no longer the brash youth that I found in the Sea of Green. You've grown into a splendid young man, and not to mention... a brilliant spy."

Kenny offered a sincere smile. "Thank you, Magus Potts… for everything."

The Agent then offered the youth two scrolls.

He pointed at the first one and said, "That is a gift from me. It contains information about a Rank 1 spell. You should know by now how difficult it is to acquire spell models. So treat it with care, and do not share it with others."

Kenny nodded, a grateful smile on his face.

"This one," Lebu began, pointing to the other scroll, "contains detailed information on our network of drop boxes, hidden caches, and safe houses in Springdale."

The youth nodded.

"Now." Lebu smiled faintly. "Any questions?"

Kenny deeply looked at the Agent, a solemn look on his face. At last, he asked in a grim voice, "What of the girls I found all those years ago? What has happened to them? And…"

His eyes flashed with suppressed rage. "Why is Baron Veyne still not behind bars?"

Lebu heaved a long, helpless sigh and nodded. "I'll explain everything to you."

He paused, his lips curling into a bitter smile as he added:

"Come, let's take a walk…"

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