In a certain part of the castle where monsters lounge and drink about, a rumor is circling. The monsters are abuzz with news, as they talk among themselves.
"Psst, have you heard? Sir Gustavius took a human child inside the castle", an imp conspiringly whispered to the monster beside him.
"A human child? Here in the castle? My, how did that thing get here?", ask a surprised succubus, her hands under her chin, squeezing her chest between her arms.
"I reckon that Sir Gustavius bought the child...", answered the ant-like being as it swung the mug of ale in its sharp jaw.
"No, no! I saw it last night, the human was covered in mud when it came here. If Sir Gustavius bought it, then it wouldn't be covered in mud", the kobold contradicts loudly.
"Yes, yes. Also, that child reeks of that hag Merrida's smell...it seems it's an escapee", added the orc, licking his lips while ogling the succubus' ample chest.
"Merrida's child? Then it's from Terra? My...how energizing and delicious it would be. I could advance with just a bite...", a mimic said wistfully, its copied human form salivating.
"Don't take any chances, I think the kid is to be an offering for the lord...", warned the ant-like being to the salivating mimic whose form contorted, revealing its sharp rows of teeth.
"Aah, yes, a delectable morsel like that should be in the lord's table", agreed the succubus and chorused by the others. Humming and nodding as they agreed that such a delicious treat should only be feasted by the lord.
"But, I think Sir Gustavius might have another plan for the human...", intruded the red cap.
"...and why did you think that?", asked a drunk lizardfolk.
"Do you know where the kid stays right now?", rolling his eyes, the red cap asked.
The others grunted uncaringly as they waited for the red cap to continue. Looking around, the red cap resume in a hushed voice.
"It's staying at you know...that room"
The others gasp in unison as they heard this. It's been decades since that room was last occupied and now the human child is staying in it. The implications are quite strong.
"What room?", asked a particularly dim-witted goblin. They stared at the idiot with a deadpan expression. Ignored by the others, the ant-like being kindly answered,
"The room of the former witch of the castle"
The dim-witted goblin gasp, finally understanding what's the fuss about.
"You don't think that Sir Gustavius plans to present the child as the resident witch would ya'?", the imp asks anxiously as it thought,
Damn! Now there's no chance I can nibble a bit of that treat.
"Besides the kid looks like it hasn't become a Magic Aware yet", added the imp.
"Shows to know you're clearly wasn't observant, I sensed the magic in that kid and I'm sure that it is already a Magician", the red cap said condescendingly to the imp.
"Well, at least if the kid is to be the replacement, it has a better chance of advancing with potential and all...", flushing in anger at what the red cap said, the imp retorted disparaging the former witch as he did so, not noticing his companions paling expression. The imp continued on, "besides, the last one isn't even a proper witch yet. Heck! he croaked when trying to advan---grrr..ack!"
A scaled hand reached out from behind him and grip the blue-skinned monster's neck. The monsters in front immediately bow their heads and backed away upon seeing Sarusha Swallowfear, the gorgon leader of Division 1.
Lifting the struggling imp, Sarusha snarls at the distasteful monster.
"What is it that you said?", Sarusha hissed, eyes flashing murder and snakes in his hair hissing in aggression.
"Eeck...", the imp gurgled before its eyes turned white and passed out.
"Hmp...", sneering at the imp, Sarusha tossed the little monster to the wall, leaving a sickening crash.
The onlookers gazed at the meat paste on the wall and at the leaving pissed leader of Division 1. It seems a storm is coming.
-
In the room where the human child stays, a backpack can be seen bouncing around the room. Suddenly, it opens its flap bringing out a white flash and shooting Mateo back in his room. Landing safely on his feet, Mateo wanders his eyes around the room. He sighs in relief when nothing seems out of place.
Passing by a mirror, he now wears a long flowing sleeve shirt and a leather belt strapped with curious-looking orbs and a cardholder with a hundred cards in it. He also wears knee-length shorts and boots. And if one was looking carefully, one can see that his whole attire seems to have runes embedded in it.
He then picks the wriggling featherlight backpack and hefts it onto his shoulders. Noticing the journal, he put it inside his backpack who eagerly gobbled it up and clasped itself close. He then placed the carpet back onto its original placement and walked towards the bathroom. He gazed at the muddy clothes he left behind and uttered a spell.
"Kleini!", immediately white sparkles appeared and the clothes were quickly cleaned. Picking it up and tossing it inside his bag, he roams towards the door and removes the barricade around it.
Looking at the wristwatch he now wore, he saw that it was already noon.
"You can do it, Mateo. You can do it!"
Peering at the door cracks, he saw no one. Heart beating loudly, he then let out a trickling wave of magic. Like a radar, Mateo pinged two creatures coming from the right side of the door.
Based on the outline he can see in his mind, it seems to be an imp and a goblin.
"Are you sure about this? Sir Gustavius has not said anything about the human"
"Tch, didn't you hear? Sir Sarusha is on a warpath. Let's bring the human to him so he can deal with the human himself"
"Oi! But the human is in Sir Gustavius protection right now. If we bring it to Sir Sarusha..."
"Sir Sarusha is the leader of division 1. That's the tactical and attack team of the castle! I'm more afraid of him than Sir Gustavius"
"Well, you're on your own. Court death if you want but I'm out of here", with that the goblin outline hurriedly went away, leaving the outline of the imp in the corridor.
"Tch! Coward", grunted the now alone imp.
Sweat trickling down his brow, Mateo grabs one of the orbs hanging on his belt and held it tightly.
Time to test my new invention!
Bracing himself, he opened the door, surprising the imp, and immediately toss the orb back to the stunned imp. Quickly closing the door, Mateo murmured under his breath.
"Please work...please work"
Hearing nothing, he released a trickling wave and saw in his mind's eye that the imp is now gone. He opened the door and look around, seeing no one. He picked up the orb and peered into it. There inside the orb, he can see a miniature version of an imp. It wasn't moving inside. It seems that his invention works. Though he doesn't know if this orb of his can capture a stronger monster. This orb of his can capture beings, he made it after observing what the stasis runes did to the beasts inside his bag. Granted, he almost used up all the high-level materials while creating this.
Gazing at the orbs hanging at his belt, his eyes turn to the three orbs different from the rest. He etched some additional runes on these orbs. He hopes that this doesn't mess up its function.
Putting the orb into his backpack, he made his way out of the corridor.