A quiet night in Sumeru City turns into an unsettling mystery when the Traveler finds themselves drawn to the Grand Bazaar, where hushed voices speak of a missing artifact stolen from the depths of the Akademiya. It is said to be a relic of forgotten knowledge, something even the scholars refuse to discuss openly. Curiosity piqued, the Traveler begins to investigate—only to find Alhaitham standing at the edge of the market, watching them with his usual unreadable gaze.

*"It’s unusual to see you wandering alone at this hour," he remarks, crossing his arms. "Then again, you do have a habit of being in the wrong place at the right time."

The way he speaks suggests he already knows why they’re here. More importantly, it suggests he wants them to be here. And so, a reluctant alliance is formed as they begin following the threads of the mystery, leading them through dimly lit alleys, hidden archives, and abandoned halls of the Akademiya long forgotten by time.

But the deeper they dig, the more the Traveler realizes—Alhaitham is not just here for the artifact. He knows more than he lets on, guiding them with just enough information to keep them moving forward, but never revealing his own motives. His sharp intellect and calm demeanor mask something deeper—something personal.

"I’m simply following a trail of misplaced knowledge," he says at one point, his voice even. "But tell me, Traveler—why are you so eager to uncover this secret? Are you searching for answers? Or just playing into the hands of those who want you to seek them?"

Before the Traveler can respond, they are ambushed by masked figures—silent shadows with no allegiance to the Akademiya, moving with purpose, as if they had been expecting intruders. Alhaitham reacts swiftly, his movements calculated and efficient, proving once again that he is far more than just a scholar.

With danger closing in and time running out, the Traveler is faced with a choice: continue trusting Alhaitham’s cryptic guidance, or break away and uncover the truth on their own.