Royal Institute of Magic: The Shadowseeker (Book 2) by Victor Kloss Page B

living ancestor of an original director,” Charlie said. “Which makes sense, as we know you're descended from Michael James Greenwood, the original Spellsword Director.”
    “It makes sense, but we already knew that.”
    “I'm not done yet,” Charlie said, looking affronted. “Frederick Von Lipzig writes that the Guardians have unparalleled access to the very heart of the Institute.”
    “What does that mean?” Natalie asked.
    “He doesn't say exactly. But he does say that the original directors were involved in the design and architecture of the building. ‘Only a Guardian truly knows the secrets of the fabled Royal Institute of Magic building.’ Lipzig's words, not mine.”
    Nobody spoke for a minute.
    “That is interesting,” Ben said, eventually breaking the silence. “The question is – did Lipzig say whether it was a truth, a myth or a legend?”
    “He says it's most likely a bit of all three,” Charlie said. “Which isn't that helpful, I know.”
    “Well, it's a lot more than we knew before,” Natalie said. “I think we should research this Frederick Von Lipzig fellow, and also see if we can find some early drawings of the Institute to see if it holds any secrets.”
    “Good idea,” Charlie said, nodding a little too vigorously.
    Ben didn't respond. Natalie had triggered an idea that made his heart leap. He slapped the table, making Charlie and Natalie jump, and leaned forwards, nearly spilling his tea.
    “What if Lipzig is right? What if Guardians can access the building's secrets? What if there are areas that only they can get to?”
    “That's a big 'if', but go on,” Charlie said.
    “My parents,” Ben said. “Nobody can find them, right? What if all this time they have been hiding in the Institute?”

— Chapter Eleven —
Unusual Chores
    Nobody spoke for a full minute. Charlie broke the silence, dabbing his cheeks with his napkin. “It's a long shot, but if true, then – wow. How would we find these hidden architectural nooks and crannies?”
    “With Ben,” Natalie said, a smile playing across her pretty face. “He's also a Guardian. If there are any secrets in the Institute, Ben should have access to them.”
    Ben's excitement didn't quite match Charlie’s and Natalie's. “How would I do that? I hardly know my way round the Institute.”
    Neither Charlie nor Natalie had an answer.
    A sudden popping sound made them all jump, and the noise of the café rushed back into their little table.
    “The spell has expired. I guess that's meeting adjourned,” Natalie said.
    Ben was tempted to ask for another silencer spell, but they were getting several dirty looks from other customers waiting for their table.
    “I need to get back home,” Charlie said, glancing out the window. “My parents will suspect something if I'm not home by five.”
    “I'll come with you,” Ben said, and Charlie gave a grateful smile. Ben had a feeling his friend might feel envious if he stayed to hang out with Natalie at the Institute. “My grandma will be expecting some more milk.”
    As they said their goodbyes, Natalie ran a critical eye over their clothes. “Charlie, though I love your colourful fashion, make sure you're wearing something a little more casual tomorrow.”
    “What does that mean?”
    Natalie smiled. “Wear something you don't mind getting dirty.”
    Charlie gave a worried frown as they left and headed down the hill towards the Dragonway. “Why did she have to leave us with a warning like that? Now I'm going to be worrying all night.”
    “Relax,” Ben said, slapping his shoulder. “We're probably just going to be doing something that's going to wreck our clothes a bit.”
    “That's supposed to relax me?” Charlie asked, giving him an incredulous look. “That would mean we're going to be doing something that involves physical exercise, which isn't exactly my strong suit.”
    Ben stopped listening to Charlie's worrying, and he barely noticed when they arrived at the Dragonway,