"You will teach me?" Kyran looked at Nolan incredulously.
Nolan's eyes narrowed, "What's with that unconvinced look? You think I'm not good enough?"
"No, just... I heard if a mage finds another senior mage to teach them, then that person becomes his master..." Kyran's voice trailed off.
A vein snapped from Nolan's forehead.
"Who wants to be your master! I don't want to have an uncouth kid as my disciple. I am only teaching you because I owe– because you're Cade's son. If not, why would I even bother?" Nolan snorted.
'Besides, with that legendary badge, your status meant you can also take in a disciple if you wanted. Although it only recognizes your combat attainments, not magic.' Nolan thought.
Kyran sighed in relief, "Okay. That's good."
"Why you little–." Nolan swallowed the curse he was about to say. This kid got some nerve to annoy him even with his magic ready to pounce him anytime.
In spite of that, Nolan secretly approves of Kyran's attitude. If Kyran had not enough grit, even if he was Cade's son, he would sell him out, to the Royal Army.
"What will you teach me then?" Kyran asked eagerly.
With a sigh, Nolan withdrew his magic and walked over to Kyran. He returned the container and said, "No need to rush. We'll start the lessons after we leave the forest."
"We're still in the forest?" Kyran asked as he took the container and stood up.
"Why? Where do you think we are? This domain is created in space with the use of my innate magic, once we leave, we'll be back in the forest."
"This is space magic? But I thought your magic was the black mist."
"You ask too many questions. Anyone can use other magic, as long as they know how to draw its source. And what black mist are you talking about? Do you think my magic is as crude as mist magic?"
"It's not?"
"Of course not. Only an idiot would think I have 'mist' magic. There are even those who think I have shadow magic! Idiotic morons."
=========================
At an inn at Aeren Town.
The idiotic moron sneezed.
"Hmm. Is someone talking behind my back?" Silas wondered as he wiped his nose with a handkerchief.
Gage raised his eyebrow, "It's probably just the cold. Such a wuss."
"Shut up. Go rest first. We still have a lot to do tomorrow," Silas retorted.
"Yeah, whatever."
With that, Gage and Silas both left the inn's common room.
=========================
Back at Nolan's domain.
Kyran frowned.
At first, he also thought Nolan's magic was either mist or shadow. But he could not figure out how Nolan's magic can solidify and possess strength that could even pierce bones.
Did it have something to do with the calculations added to the magic array? However, Nolan said his magic was neither mist nor shadow.
Then what kind of magic was it?
Nolan also did not need the use of arrays, making his control over his magic seemed flawless.
Kyran wondered if he would achieve that level. It would be nice if he did. That way, it would be easier for him to 'escape'.
A thought suddenly popped into Kyran's mind.
"Wait. If we're still in the forest, how come you can use your magic without the four-colored ruin array reacting? Or are we being attacked by the array outside your domain? No, wait, earlier the array seemed to have weakened, is it why you can use magic?"
Nolan was surprised. Because of Kyran's attainment in military school, he already had an idea of his combat sense. What he did not expect was that Kyran's sense might not be limited to physical combat.
One of the requirements to be a good mage was having a good memory. But, remembering and understanding was an entirely different thing.
Earlier, Nolan only gave a brief idea of what the Four-colored Ruin array could do, but Kyran was able to remember it and even predict certain conditions that would affect its effectiveness.
If this kid really learns magic, Nolan could not help but look forward to his future. Of course, Nolan also feared his growth. After all, the Dark Sage, who shared the same magic as Kyran, was also a promising mage, but he went down the wrong path.
'No. There was never a right or wrong path. There is only the path you choose. Even the Dark Sage's reasons for doing what he did was still being questioned till this day.'
"Good. You have a good memory. Then let's have a short lesson. Did you remember the tier level of the Four-colored Ruin?"
"Fourth tier."
"That's right. Meaning, the array will only detect magic up to that level."
"So if your magic is above the array's level then it becomes undetectable. That makes sense."
"Yes and no. The limit of magic level that the array would not be able to detect is at least one level above. If the magic that was used in the array is more than one level above, then the array will be destroyed."
Kyran contemplated for a moment before looking at Nolan questioningly.
"Is the level of your magic above the limit of the array?"
Nolan was surprised at Kyran's question, "Why did you ask?"
"Well, if you can destroy the array wouldn't it be faster for us to leave?"
"To answer your previous question, yes, my magic is waaaaay above it."
"Then –."
"Stop. I will not do anything as troublesome as destroying the array."
"Why not?"
"Are you kidding me? Why would I expose myself to those Royal Army guys? Do you think mages that could easily destroy an array are common? Even a lousy four-tier array? It's not. Those big asses from the Royal Army keep tabs on mages like me."
Kyran mulled over Nolan's words and said, "So if they linked you to me, they would think that you are going against them."
"Exactly. At least you're smart enough. I don't blame you for not knowing about the affairs of mages and the Royal Army, but eventually, you'll understand these things. Seriously, why did Cade not tell you anything?"
Kyran sighed. That was exactly the question he had in mind. Even at the military school, any news related to the affairs of mages, the Royal Army, the Combat Hall, etc., was being controlled.
"Okay. Now that's settled, I'll tell you the plan."
Kyran was surprised that Nolan already thought of a plan. He wondered if Nolan already predicted this outcome when he 'caught' him earlier.
"We go out. You face the co-creator of the array. Beat him up, then we escape. Clear?"
Kyran felt cheated. He almost admired him for nothing!
"Why do I have to face him? Wouldn't it be faster if you do it?"
"Idiot, if I do that then what would you do? Those guys are after you, why would I work on your behalf?"
'This uncle...' Kyran was speechless.
Then he remembered Nolan's words.
"Wait, 'face the co-creator of the array? There was a co-creator? Then, I better look for the creator first before the co-creator, right?"
"No need. I already killed the other guy, just take care of the other one. Don't worry, there will not be a third guy, I'm sure of it."
Kyran froze. Nolan talked about killing some guy like he was just talking about the weather. It reminded him how dangerous this man was.
"What? Cat got your tongue? I'm sure you've killed too, while you were escaping and used your magic."
'I did,' Kyran thought, feeling a little nauseous. He actually tried not to think about what happened to the people caught in his magic. But he had to face it sooner than later. His situation would not allow him to be sympathetic to his enemies. Even his clan's future was unknown in their hands.
"Alright," Kyran agreed.
"Then let's go. I'll hide while you deal with him."
"First, we need to find him."
"Nah. Right at this minute, he'd probably reach our location."
"Huh? Did you plan this?"
"Of course. I made sure to go back near where I killed the other guy. Knowing the Royal Army, they have each other's coordinates so it is easy for them to find the last place their men had been."
"Go back to the place where you... Why would you do something as –?"
"Why not? It's better to let them think that you killed the other guy," Nolan gave a thumbs-up sign.
"You –."
"They can't know about me, remember? Trust me. Right, earlier I told you otherwise. Whatever. I'll explain more after we deal with this okay."
"Can't you just tell me now?" Kyran asked in frustration. Frankly, while his wounds from when Nolan attacked him were healed, Kyran was still mentally exhausted.
While most people would think that talking and sitting were enough to recover your mental strength. Being around Nolan to talk to and sit with, had the opposite effect. Just being in his presence was very exhausting.
"No. I'll undo my domain now," Nolan ignored Kyran as he covered his head with his cloak.
"Wait –."
Nolan was immediately covered in black mist and his domain started to crumble.
Kyran cursed under his breath. He really could not keep up with Nolan's unpredictability.
[Just do what you have to do, I'll back you up if needed.]
Kyran heard Nolan's voice in his head.
"How'd you do that?"
[Seriously kid, you ask too many questions. And don't respond when I talk to you. People might think you're talking to yourself.]
"Then how should I respond? Do I just think and you'll read my mind?"
[Are you an idiot? Read minds... hahaha... That's not how it goes. Anyway, focus! I sense a few auras coming.]
"Wait, few auras–?"
Kyran suddenly appeared in the forest. He immediately noticed that he was pretty close to the cave where he and Nolan met.
'Here?'
"Was it you?"
A woman's voice suddenly spoke behind.
Kyran barely dodged the small knife that was aimed at the back of his neck and jumped to the left. After regaining his balance, he turned to look at his attacker.
With the help of the moonlight, he saw the back of a woman with lush reddish-brown hair wearing a green uniform. She was holding a knife in her left hand.
'A woman?' Kyran frowned.
The woman turned and looked at Kyran.
"Humph. You're pretty quick."
[Oh boy. Didn't expect the co-creator to be a woman. Aren't you lucky?]
Black lines appeared on Kyran's face.
"Damn you," he cursed at Nolan.
"What?" the woman glared.
"Ah, no, that's–."
[Hahaha. Idiot.]
"Shut up!"
The woman's face turned livid. "You're right. There's no need to talk. You'll tell me everything eventually."
Yellow magic array appeared and circled, starting from the woman's feet to her knees.