Seth found himself in a carriage, accompanied by his loyal butler Orion and a Tier 1 peak guard, a guardian assigned to him by his father. Their destination: Darwood's Palace of Alchemy, where Seth was to embark on a long-term mission. The Seven Towers, like any institution, had protocols that didn't allow students to simply leave for an extended period. However, thanks to Seth's established contacts and a nudge from Mage Laraz, the process was smoother than expected. Seth, being a high-grade mage apprentice, was more than qualified for this kind of mission. Long-term tasks like these, primarily meant for students nearing their advancement to official mage status, were often both simple and highly rewarding. So Seth was beyond of a doubt pleased at how convenient it was for himself.
As they reached the palace, Seth couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment regarding the decor. His time at the institution had accustomed him to ostentatious displays of luxury, a stark contrast to the more modest surroundings of Darwood City. The city itself didn't hold much significance in the kingdom, and it showed in the palace's appearance.
They were met by a rather sickly-looking man, Keith Marth, who introduced himself as the branch manager. Keith proceeded to show Seth around the establishment, including his designated workspace. As an alchemist more so one of the only two apprentice alchemist in the branch, Seth's task would involve meeting certain quotas to fulfill his obligations, a rather different role compared to non-alchemists who might be tasked with material collection or guard duties.
After completing his check-in, Seth decided to explore the city he once called home. He strolled through familiar streets, revisiting old food stalls and engaging in conversations with acquaintances and friends he had lost contact with over time. He also used the opportunity to remember his past experiences in this very streets, feeling a sense of nostalgia as he reconnected with his roots.
As daylight began to wane, Seth realized it was time to head back to his temporary residence. With his butler Orion and the guard in tow, they walked through the city streets, the fading sunlight casting long shadows across their path. However, the tranquility of the evening was shattered by a sudden, ominous sensation—a surge of intense bloodlust. Instinctively, Seth activated one of the most recent spells he had learned, Mage's Barrier. A shimmering blue dome enveloped the trio just as a heavy arrow struck the barrier, causing it to quiver under the impact. Seth was taken aback; he understood the strength of his barrier, one of only two spells that utilized pure magika by condensing it into a protective shield. It was a spell used primarily by official mages due to its demanding requirements of mana control and its lack of glyphs. Seth had achieved this spell through intense overdrive sessions and continuous refinement, making it nearly impenetrable to all but official mages. Meaning his assassin was at least a Tier 2 True Knight powerhouse.
The second arrow followed rapidly, and then a third, all aimed at Seth's position. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Orion and the guard covered Seth defensively. Orion quickly manipulated the earth, causing stone to rise, reinforcing the faltering barrier. The barrier fulfilled its purpose by stopping the attacks but was subsequently shattered, leaving them vulnerable to any ensuing onslaught. In a desperate move, the guard shoved Seth out of harm's way, yet the arrow violently struck his leg, eliciting a sharp cry of pain.
"Young master Seth, run!" he shouted Amidist his evident pain.
The situation jolted Seth out of his stunned state, and his expression darkened as he assessed the man who had just saved him. The realization of their peril now crystal clear, Seth sensed another attack imminent. With split-second decision-making, he conjured a fireball that accelerated towards the approaching arrows before detonating on contact, obliterating them. The attacker paused, taken aback by Seth's retaliatory power.
Nonetheless, the threat was far from over. The assassin unleashed three simultaneous arrows, each designed to close Seth's escape routes and carry a deadly payload. Seth, now on high alert, turned his gaze towards the rooftop from which the assailant had launched the attacks. Focusing his magika, he summoned the Fire Lance spell, creating ten intricately designed lances of fire that emanated dangerous levels of heat. With sudden acceleration, they hurtled towards the now fleeing assassin, who had realized the situation was not as easy as he had thought.
Aware of the grave danger, the assailant agilely dodged two of the fiery projectiles with ease, narrowly avoiding another. However, the remaining lances locked onto their target, homing in with deadly accuracy. Realizing that escape was futile, the assassin leaped from his position moments before the lances reached him. In his haste to evade, he failed to evade three of the incoming lances.
Explosions of intense heat engulfed the would-be assassin, engulfing him in a deadly inferno. Chaos ensued in the streets, bystanders fleeing from the spectacle. The nearby city patrol was stunned, their abilities outclassed by the display of power far beyond their pay grade. They were further bewildered when a young mage, with terrifying precision, engulfed the assassin in flames while inadvertently setting a nearby building ablaze.
Seth's focus shifted swiftly as he realized the fire could cause undue harm. With a commanding sweep of his magika, he directed it over the rising flames, extinguishing them promptly. Then, with calculated resolve, he approached the charred remains of the fallen assassin, his mind awash with a tumultuous mix of emotions and thoughts.