"So he's gone, huh? I did not expect him to leave this town just like that. Especially when he finally passed the test." Mark said with a frown. "More importantly, he did not even say goodbye. That guy, he really is a handful," he added.
They both visited William's house after the test was over. William did not stay even for a minute longer and left without a word after shocking everyone with his transformation magic.
Hannah stayed silent. She just stared at the letter that William left for her. Mark understands his sister's feelings. She had been the one that had cared for William the most among their peers. Since he is a Void Mage, they are the only ones that actually befriended William. They are his only friends.
And to leave them just like that without even saying anything hurts their feelings.
"That bastard. Once I catch him, I will roast his ass." Mark declared. "Oh, wait. He can transform into that beast and negate my fire spells. What a pain! It wouldn't be easy defeating him in a spar now." He added when he realized what William can do now that he has acquire unique magic of his own.
"Let's go," Hannah suggested and hides the letter in her pocket. "Are you not going to read that? It must be really important, you know?" Hannah shakes her head at her brother's question. "I can't bring myself to read it yet. If it's that important then he should have told me personally. I will not accept anything that comes from a letter."
Mark felt it, the anger behind his sister's words. Hannah seldom gets angry and most of the time, she doesn't show it but people will just naturally feel it.
Knowing her, Mark silently followed behind her on their way back home. "This feels a bit different than her usual anger. I wonder what could be the contents of the letter." He thought to himself.
It was only natural to be curious. Hannah is the only one that had received a letter from William before leaving. His curiosity is slowly eating him away but there is nothing he can do, his sister is the one holding the letter. All he can do is wait till she tells him about the contents. "I wonder where that bastard has gone to."
"Why? Why did you suddenly leave?" Hannah asked herself. She clenched her fists hoping to get an explanation soon. "Maybe the reason is in the letter?" she assumed and gazed at the pocket where she inserted the letter. "William, you idiot." Her eyes slowly teared up while thinking of William.
"Are you sure about this?!" a man jolted off his seat after hearing the news. "Yes, Tower Master. I confirmed it with the ones that went to witness this year's test. All of them said the same thing." Atlas, the Red Tower Master's assistant confirms.
The news about William using unknown magic spread like wildfire and surely enough, all of the Tower Masters are not only shocked but also confused. It has become the talk of the region and not long after, it reached the kingdom's capital as well as the other regions.
"We should send our men there to recruit that person. We cannot let the other towers get to him first." Flam Hellbourne said as he wears his coat and prepares to leave when his assistant informs him about something. "I have already done so knowing that you will scout that person, Tower Master."
Flam is surprised. Atlas is his most prized assistant in the Red Tower. His quickness to make the correct call earns him the Tower Master's favor. "Good work! As expected of Atlas! With that, we will have that person under our wing! I can't begin to imagine the look on those old geezers' faces once they heard this! KUHAHAHAH!"
Atlas looks at his master worriedly. It was evident that there is something that he had not told the Tower Master. And seeing how enthusiastic his master is, he doesn't want to reveal it just yet only to spoil his mood. "What should I do? I'd be buried in flames if I tell him now, would I?"
Sweat ran down his face in fear of his master's wrath. As the head of the Red Tower, Flam is known for his impatience, thus branding his disciples as such by the people.
"Uhm- Tower Master. There is something that I want to tell you." He said weakly.
Flam immediately felt Atlas' worry. He only acts like that when there is something that he fears Flam would do and the Tower Master is well aware of it. "What is it, Atlas?"
"About the scout that I sent, they have returned and gave me a report."
DUN!
Atlas felt a sudden surge of murderous intent. It is so thick that the pressure made Atlas feel like his entire body is being pierced by needles. "Do tell me," Flam said calmly, but for Atlas, it sounded like a threat.
"Mommy! Please help me!" his soul screamed for help. In his eyes, the enthusiastic Red Tower Master has turned into a devilish flamehorn, a giant fiery beast covered entirely in flames. A magical beast that lives near volcanoes.
"I don't want to die." He murmured. "What was that?"
Every second their conversation lasted, Atlas felt his lifespan getting shorted. That is how terrifying Tower Masters can be.
"H-He l-left the town right after he took the test."
Atlas stood there in shock, his master has completely turned into a demon in his eyes after hearing his report. "Grandfather, I'm going to cross the river today." And then, Atlas blacked out in shock.
THUD!
"What is wrong with him? He is dependable but he always faints. Does he have anemia?" Flam wondered to himself. He is unaware of what he has done to his assistant. It was just natural for him like breathing. He has been like that ever since he became a mage, it has become a part of him without even realizing it.
"Damn it! Did those old geezers get to him first? Freaking flies fast at catching the scent of food! TCH!" he clicked his tongue and then grabbed Atlas like a rag and toss him on the bench.
Despite being that unruly, the Red Tower Master is not only known in the kingdom but the neighboring kingdoms as well. His magic is impressive but that also goes for his appearance. His bulky build will make anyone unfamiliar with his appearance mistake him for a thug.
SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!
"Hey! Atlas! Wake up! This brat-" he slapped Atlas multiple times but that proved to be pointless, he is knocked out completely, and the slaps just added to his condition. "Fuck! I guess I'll just have to go to that town myself." He said to himself as he closes the door behind him after leaving a note on the table for Atlas to read later.
"Damn old geezers! I'll give you all an earful for snatching someone from my region!"
His voice made the mages on the same floor mistake it for an alarm and they all stood still. Flam saw them and tilts his head in confusion. "What the hell are they doing?" he asked himself.
All of them are on the edge after seeing the Tower Master walking out of his office, it was not the usual time that he gets out.
"We greet the Tower Master!"
FLAP! FLAP! FLAP! FLAP! TSSSSHHHH!
"I guess this is as far as I can go," I said to myself. My body feels so heavy that I can't even walk properly. The veins on my body feel like they are about to explode. This must be the effect of using that magical beast's mana nature.
"At least it has gone past the limit compared to last time," I said to myself.
It turns out that fully transforming myself completely into a magical beast will drain a large amount of my mana reserves, it is akin to using a cluster of spells three times. The only problem is that the pain and the recoil comes in a whole package. Because of that, I am currently immobilized in a mountain range that I am not even aware of.
"Damn, I should have memorized the map first before leaving. You're quite stupid William." I roasted myself because it's true.
I'm happy that I was able to pass the test this year at last. But it did not feel as fulfilling as I imagined it to be. I feel empty even after acquiring this unique magic. "Is there something that I missed?" I asked myself and then turned in the direction of the town.
"I hope you are all well when I return. Hannah, did you read my letter? I hope you do, and I am sorry." I grit my teeth.
It was for the best. There is something that I must find. Until then, "I will just have to see you in my dreams."
In the meantime, Hannah could not help but read William's letter. Tears run down her face as she read the words one by one. "William, hik! You idiot!" she mumbled while crying.