Supreme Warlock System : From Zero to Ultimate With My Wives

Warlock Ch 249. I'm Just an Apprentice

Cassius snorted, stabbing a piece of food with his fork. "Yeah, right. Next party, I'll make sure everyone gathers around you instead. Let's see how you like it."

Damian placed a hand over his chest, feigning shock. "But I'm just an apprentice, Master." He said the last word with a mocking lilt, his grin practically splitting his face.

Evelyn choked on her non-bloody drink, laughing as she quickly set it down to avoid spilling. "Oh, please. You sound so pitiful when you say it like that."

Cassius rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of amusement in his expression. "You've got jokes now, huh? Just wait."

"Oh, no, anything but that," Damian said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "How will I ever survive?"

Cassius smirked, shoving the last piece of food into his mouth. "You've been surviving just fine by flying under the radar, kid. Enjoy it while it lasts."

"Kid?" Damian raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a mock pout. "Cassius, do I look like a child to you? Because I'm pretty sure I've saved your ass at least three times already. In the past though."

"Three?" Evelyn chimed in, sipping from her glass. "More like once, and even that's debatable."

Damian threw his hands up in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. Next time I'll let you handle the big bad all by yourselves while I sit back and take notes. Sounds good?"

Evelyn rolled her eyes, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "You're insufferable."

"I know," Damian quipped, earning a soft laugh from her. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as his gaze wandered over the now-thinning crowd. The party was finally starting to wind down, much to his relief.

Cassius stood, stretching his arms over his head. "Well, I'd say we've done enough mingling for one night. Can we leave now, or is Victoria planning some grand finale we have to stick around for?"

"I doubt it," Evelyn said, setting her glass aside. "She's made her point. I think we're free to go."

"Thank the gods," Damian muttered, standing as well. "This feels like the longest party in history."

Cassius chuckled. "And here I thought you liked the quiet life."

"Quiet, yes. Pretentious, no." Damian adjusted his cloak, glancing toward the exit. "Let's get out of here before someone ropes us into another round of meaningless small talk."

The walk back to their quarters was quiet, the grandeur of the ballroom giving way to dimly lit corridors and the soft hum of distant voices. The trio moved in comfortable silence for a while, the evening beginning to settle in.

"So," Cassius said eventually, his voice breaking the quiet. "Think the senators are convinced?"

Evelyn shot him a sideways glance. "Convinced of what? That we're not a threat or that Damian's not who they think he is?"

"Both," Cassius said simply.

Damian shrugged, his hands stuffed into his pockets. "They're suspicious, sure. But I don't think they know enough to act. If they did, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now."

Evelyn nodded, her expression thoughtful. "But we need to be careful. They'll be watching us more closely from here on out."

"Let them watch," Damian said, his tone casual but with an edge of determination. "If they want a show, I'll give them one."

Cassius chuckled. "Spoken like a true showman."

When they finally reached Cassius's quarter, Damian all but collapsed onto the nearest couch, letting out a long, exaggerated groan. "I don't think I've ever been this tired without actually fighting something."

Evelyn sat down beside him, leaning back with a tired sigh. "At least in a fight, you know what you're up against. Tonight felt like walking through a minefield."

Cassius dropped into a chair across from them, his expression unusually relaxed. "You get used to it. Nobles and politics—it's all just another game."

"Yeah, well, it's not a game I enjoy playing," Damian said, running a hand through his hair. "Give me a sword, a spell, or a monster any day."

Evelyn glanced at him, her expression softening. "You did well tonight, you know. Kept your head down, played the apprentice role perfectly."

"Thanks," Damian said, his lips twitching into a faint smile. "But let's be real—I'm not exactly cut out for this whole 'pretend to be harmless' thing."

"Good thing you don't have to do it alone," Cassius said, his tone lighter now. "We've got your back."

Damian leaned back on the couch, letting out a soft chuckle. "Yeah, yeah, I know. Still, I'm getting a little tired of playing the harmless apprentice while you two soak up all the glory."

Cassius raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You're tired? Try being the one who actually has to talk to those insufferable nobles. Where's my thank you?"

Damian rolled his eyes dramatically. "Thank you, oh wise and noble warlock, for shielding me from the horrors of small talk. Happy now?"

"Not quite," Cassius said, leaning back in his chair. "Now, can both of you get out of my place? You've got your own rooms."

Damian laughed, standing and offering a hand to Evelyn. "Fine, fine. Come on, Evelyn. Let's go make some noise in my room, sweetheart. We need to keep someone from getting any rest."

Evelyn blinked, then smirked as she slipped her hand into his. "Oh, absolutely. I'm sure Cassius would just love that."

Cassius shot them both with a deadpan look. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

Damian raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "Why not? You're afraid you'll hear us?"

Cassius snorted, shaking his head. "No, genius. Because there are still a lot of people here, and some of them happen to know Evelyn and Kaelan used to have… an intimate relationship."

Damian froze for half a second before huffing and crossing his arms. "Right, right. That too. Fine! I'll hold myself." He glanced at Evelyn with a mock pout. "Guess the noise-making will have to wait."

Cassius rolled his eyes. "Great. Now that we've settled that, can I please get some peace and quiet?"

"Yeah, yeah," Damian said, waving a hand dismissively. "We're leaving, grumpy."

He turned to Evelyn, tilting his head toward the door. "Come on. Let's leave the old man to his brooding."

Cassius snorted, his voice following them as they walked out. "I heard that."