Chapter 9: The Broken Pact
In the realm of magic, five prestigious titles are bestowed upon wizards and witches, each signifying a distinct level of mastery:
1] Apprentice
2] Junior
3] Senior
4] Master
5] Grand
Yet, beyond these revered ranks lies a pinnacle achieved by a mere handful of individuals in the annals of history—only five to be exact. Among them, three remain alive in the present era, a testament to their unparalleled prowess—the title of Wizard Supreme.
By way of comparison, an apprentice wizard embarks on the journey of magic, initially delving into a basic repertoire of spells like Flecto, Oparacio, and Gigancio. Their magical proficiency is limited, akin to a novice finding their footing.
As mastery deepens and magical potency grows, they ascend to the ranks of Junior wizard and subsequently Senior wizard. At this stage, they unlock the elusive realm of elemental magic, an arcane lineage unique to each individual.
Following the attainment of Senior Wizard, emerges the esteemed title of Master Wizard, also known as the Wizard Master. Masters, through innovation or refinement of existing spells, wield the power to forge both formidable and delicate magical constructs. Their strength rivals that of the top ten senior wizards in the world.
Then arises the Grand Wizard, transcending into an echelon of power nearly tenfold that of a Master Wizard. With a mere flick of their wrist, they can reduce an entire edifice to rubble, all without uttering an incantation.
Lastly, the apogee of magical might is embodied in the Wizard Supreme—some even dare to liken them to deities due to their unfathomable potency. A mere glance from their eyes can obliterate a small hill. Their strength eclipses even that of a Grand Wizard, standing as an indomitable force, ten times mightier than any other.
While the Master Wizard might pale in comparison to the awe-inspiring might of the Wizard Supreme and the Grand Wizard, they remain a formidable presence in their own right, considering their rarity—only sixty such individuals grace existence.
And to capture such an individual, came the great Enforcers, a hundred of them. Their ranks, not too different from the wizards, five for them: Yellow, White, Black, Red and Invisible.
A yellow-flamed enforcer wields power akin to a Junior wizard, while the white-flamed counterpart can swiftly surpass and overpower a Senior wizard, approaching wizard master levels.
The formidable black-flamed enforcer stands ready to confront even a Master Wizard, going toe to toe.
A red-flamed enforcer: his powers and strength equivalent to that of a Grand Wizard.
And finally comes the Enforcer with the Invisible flames, sometimes referred to as Colorless. It is believed that there exists only one such Enforcer - the leader of all Enforcers: Myumaska, the guardian of graveyards. His strength, unknown, but believed to rival even a Wizard Supreme!
To address the crisis, an assemblage of ninety yellow-flamed Enforcers, bolstered by eight in white flames, and reinforced by two in black flames, arrived.
"Trouble..." Noah muttered under his breath as he sensed the presence of the black-flamed enforcers. Battling even one of them offered no assurance of victory.
Daniel, well-versed in the enforcers' hierarchy, watched the unfolding scene with a steady gaze.
"Master Wizard, Crystopher Noah," a deep voice shattered the night's silence, following the minor tremor caused by their arrival. The words drew Noah's attention.
Before them stood a black-flamed enforcer, draped in an intricate robe that bore a regal yet ancient design—a fusion of black adorned with intricate golden carvings. His scythe was unlike the others', its blade as dark as the abyss.
"We bear no grudge against you, for you are no longer bound by the Devil's Curse," the enforcer's voice resonated.
"However, these two," he continued, eyes locking onto Noah's and then shifting to Daniel, "must be surrendered. They are pawns of the Devil."
Noah's gaze lingered on Daniel briefly before returning to meet the enforcer's steady gaze.
"Should I yield them to you, can I trust that you will depart without causing further harm to me and this place?" Noah's inquiry held a cautious hope.
Daniel found himself taken aback by the question. He now assumed Noah might comply with their demand. After all, as a master wizard, Noah could immobilize Daniel and Lucifer with a mere thought. In this moment of uncertainty, all Daniel could do was offer a silent prayer.
To the surprise of all, Noah lifted his wand, directing it at the enforcer before him.
"Devil's pawns?" Noah's voice held a steely resolve. "They stand far removed from that label."
The enforcer attempted to interject, "Ha... far? They are affected by the curse, and-"
Noah's interruption was swift and unwavering. "Spare me the details of the curse. You're well aware that I have already shattered its hold."
"It isn't hard for me…"
"To help them break free from the curse, just as I did," Noah's command was firm, his tone commanding.
"Sir..." Daniel couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration. In the face of numerous enforcers, Noah's determination remained unshaken.
Respect grew naturally within Daniel's heart, a testament to Noah's unwavering strength.
"Master Noah, both you and I are acutely aware that if a conflict were to ensue, your outcome wouldn't be favorable," the enforcer's words carried a warning.
"I will survive," Noah's response was resolute.
"You cannot kill me. Don't forget about the pact.", Noah said.
And just that one line ended up shunning the Enforcer. Other enforcers now stared at the Black flamed Enforcer in confusion, for silence suddenly started to take over the scene.
Laughter echoed through the tense air.
"Haha..."
"Hahahaha!"
The enforcer's amusement rang out, each chuckle carrying an edge of mockery. His voice surged, resonating like thunder in the distance.
"Were your convictions bolstered by that very pact? The one you yourself shattered!?" The enforcer's words reverberated, carrying an accusatory tone.
Noah's brow furrowed in confusion. "What?"
"Don't you recall? You took a life. An enforcer's life," the enforcer's voice cut through like a blade.
"That was because—"
His explanation was swiftly halted. "Because he attacked you first?"
"Think again," the enforcer's voice dripped with dark satisfaction, "he was there merely to observe. It was your actions that led to his demise. He attacked them, not you. Yet, you chose to strike him down."
"In the end... breaking the pact," the enforcer's sinister grin lingered, barely visible amidst the shroud of his cloak, a chilling contrast to the dark smoke enveloping him.
Noah's eyes widened in sudden realization, his gaze flitting from one enforcer to another, tallying their numbers, as if confirming the hundred-strong presence.
The inevitability of a battle now loomed, a cold certainty that he must confront to save both Daniel and Lucifer. A fleeting thought crossed his mind, a brief temptation to surrender his companions to the enforcers, but it was swiftly quelled. "Don't be foolish," he admonished himself. "You're a threat to them. Surrendering isn't an option, not when the pact is no more."
A smile danced on Noah's lips, an almost maniacal glint in his eyes. "Alright then..."
Silence hung heavy in the air.
"Jrustifo Manifre Sorvo!"
Noah's wand tip erupted in a radiant white glow, the light encircling his head as he directed it toward the enforcers. A sudden brilliance enveloped them, a vast pentagram materializing beneath their feet. The pentagram glowed with an intense white luminescence, its expansive embrace encompassing all one hundred enforcers. The black-flamed enforcers, positioned at the opposite end, struggled against the surging energy, a futile attempt to resist.
The Pentagram of Binding, a potent spell capable of restraining even a master wizard, was unleashed by Noah. Its power prevailed, ensnaring the black-flamed enforcers and their companions alike.
A triumphant grin played on Noah's lips as he gazed at Daniel. "Haha, I am a master wizard. Remember, you've just disrupted my home!" His eyes then shifted to Daniel, urgency evident. "Quick, take my hand. We need to escape."
In the heat of the moment, driven by a bond of respect that had grown between them, Daniel lunged forward, gripping Noah's outstretched left hand without hesitation.
"Sty—"
The incantation caught on Noah's lips, but an abrupt realization tore through Daniel's mind.
"Lucifer!" Daniel blurted out, a sharp reminder of the sleeping figure still nestled on the sofa. An oversight, both he and Noah had neglected in the midst of their turmoil.
"Stynom!"
But despite Daniel's reminder, Noah used the spell immediately after a brief pause, warping away from the place.
.
.
.
Emerging near another banyan tree, the distance no greater than that from their previous hideout, Daniel's eyes remained wide, his gaze flickering between Noah and their new surroundings.
"Sir! Lucifer! We left him," Daniel's voice quivered with concern.
Noah's response was a solemn nod, a silent acknowledgment of Daniel's distress. He had caught the urgency in Daniel's voice just before their hasty departure, but his demeanor held an enigmatic calm. It was as if he was unbothered.
Daniel's voice rose, edged with anxiety, "Sir! Are you listening? Lucifer is back there. We have to return and—"
His words were cut short as he observed a sheen of perspiration on Noah's forehead. He was sweating profusely, similar to earlier which Daniel had overlooked. The sight triggered a pause, concern taking root as he registered Noah's uncharacteristic reaction.
"Sir? Are you alright?" Daniel's question lingered in the air, his gaze unwavering as he detected surprise and confusion etched across Noah's features.
The response came, slightly stammered, "Y-yes, my boy. I am perfectly fine."
"Then, sir, let's go back and—", his words were cut short.
"Consider your own safety, boy, not your friend's," Noah's voice erupted, carrying an unexpected intensity that silenced Daniel.
Daniel gritted his teeth in frustration, grappling with the weight of his predicament. Noah's abrupt change in demeanor left him baffled, and questions raced through his mind like a torrent.
'What should I say if she asks about Lucifer?' The thought gnawed at him.
'Do I tell her he's dead? How do I explain how and why? Should I admit I left him behind, fled on my own like a coward?' His frustration mounted, his hair clenched in his fist as he wrestled with his emotions.
Rising anger surged within Daniel, his resolve to convince Noah growing stronger. "Sir, he—"
Yet, as Daniel attempted to reason once more, he found Noah calmly seated in a chair, fashioned from the very branches of the tree that lay broken on the ground. It was a stark contrast, as if Noah were merely resting.
Uncertainty flooded Daniel's thoughts, momentarily thinking that he must rise and rush back to the forest, to rescue Lucifer.
'But… I'm not strong enough. I can barely fight a Yellow-flamed enforcer. How can I—'
Suddenly, a realization struck him, a piece of the puzzle he had missed. The enforcer they encountered earlier, the one who had confronted them, was of the White-flamed variety—a formidable adversary even for Senior Wizards.
Lucifer, however, had managed to inflict substantial damage, prompting a reaction from Noah. Even without Daniel's intervention, the enforcer would have been defeated within moments.
"Draken Lightning," Daniel muttered to himself, recalling the sequence of events that had occurred prior.
'He used that spell, right?'
He tapped his finger against his lips, deep in thought. 'It makes sense. That spell is of a higher realm. Logic doesn't seem to apply to him. He can perform a spell after just seeing it once—'
Another sudden realization halted his train of thought. 'Wait a second, Vineca fainted before she could even demonstrate the Draken Lightning spell...'
A series of fragmented thoughts raced through Daniel's mind, connecting the dots. "Then how...?"
His eyes widened, a spark of understanding igniting within. "No way..."
His voice grew more fervent, conviction taking hold. "No matter how talented or much of a genius he is, he couldn't have cast that spell unless... you know how the spell looks or works."
Daniel's gaze met Noah's, a sense of revelation dawning as he asked, 'Lucifer... who are you?'