The next day,
"Hey did you hear that there is going to be an execution today?"
"Yeah I did, apparently it's some lackey from the Dark Legion being beheaded today."
"I definitely want to go see that."
Students gossiped about the news of the execution. In the back of the class, a girl with long, light-blue hair and another with short, scarlet red hair listened on silently.
"An execution? That hasn't happened for a while," the blue-haired girl remarked.
"Apparently Big Sis captured the guy, she must've been so mad when she had to deal with trouble on her vacation. Hah, I'd kill to see that reaction," the red-haired girl added.
These two were Freya and Aden respectively. The two of them along with Titania are all daughters of the Duke Josiah Clarimont, one of the most powerful men in the empire, both in politics and strength.
"Hey Freya, we should go watch the execution too. I bet Big Sis will be there too," Aden enthusiastically suggested.
Freya just shook her head, "I have better things to do than watch some commoner be beheaded."
Aden just frowned at Freya, "Boo, you're such a buzzkill. You're going to have to go anyway."
Freya just rolled her eyes.
[I doubt anything interesting will come from this.]
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"Get up scum, your death awaits!" the guard shouted at the boy sleeping in his cell.
Rubbing his eyes and yawning, Ryan just looked at the guard.
"About time, I've been waiting. Could you be any slower?"
The guard could feel a vein pop, but decided to keep his cool.
"Just come with me."
"Ok."
Ryan flipped back up and followed the guard enthusiastically. The boy's smile made the guard extremely uneasy, but he didn't linger on the thought for long.
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Ryan was being escorted onto the execution platform, but instead of being strapped to a guillotine immediately, he was told that he would be interrogated publicly.
Sitting on the other end of the interrogation table was Detective John, a C-Rank Essence Mage known for his insane information-gathering skills.
Ryan sat down quietly and just casually glanced at the crowd below. The execution platform was quite high up, preventing anybody who didn't have magic from getting away. The execution was broadcast to those below through the use of Enigma Orbs.
"Ryan Akhtar is your name, right?
"Yeah, that's me."
"You've been accused of treason and associating with the Dark Legion."
Ryan was a bit surprised but finally realized why he was there. He may be naive, but he wasn't dumb. He would be used as a scapegoat for their failure to capture that white-haired guy.
Ryan wanted to deny it immediately, but a thought came to mind. They're not going to listen to him no matter what he says, so he might as well have a bit of fun before running away.
"What's the Dark Legion?" Ryan feigned ignorance.
Detective John slammed his hands on the table, "Don't act dumb with me, you and the rest of the city know you're a member of the Legion!"
"And where's your proof that I'm even affiliated with them?"
Detective John held up an Enigma Orb, "This."
The Enigma Orb glowed blue, projecting a video of Ryan talking with shady individuals, Ryan saying, "We the Dark Legion will kill the emperor and take over the Empire."
Ryan was shocked, they could create fake videos to frame you whenever they wanted. This place is fucked.
"Anything you have to say for yourself?"
Ryan just sighed, [I guess joining the magic academy will have to wait.]
"Silent huh? Guess that proves it, my job here is done," Detective John announced, getting giant applause from the crowd.
"Detective John does it again," a nobleman proudly stated.
"With him and the Imperial Mages, we can all rest easy," another noblewoman added.
Edward just stood behind the two, clenching his fist. Titania just patted him on the back.
"Don't try anything stupid Edward, the lives of those you love will be in jeopardy."
Edward just remained silent.
"I don't see why Emerald Knight is so mad, that kid is just disgusting scum anyway," Freya rudely stated, promptly getting chopped in the head by Titania.
"Just stop talking."
"Yeah, Emerald Knight might kill you for saying that," Aden teased.
On a random rooftop, Rowan could be seen watching the execution broadcast amused.
"Wonder what face he'll make right before he dies."
The two other men just facepalm.
Ryan just looked at the applauding crowd with disgust, just how many more innocent people were dealt with this way? He tried to look around for Edward, but couldn't locate him anywhere in the big crowd.
He wanted to hate them, but he couldn't. They probably don't even know how corrupt this place is.
Ryan was escorted onto the guillotine. His head and hands were strapped into the guillotine. The Emperor then walks to the front of the execution platform.
"My subjects, today we gather to witness the execution of Ryan Akhtar. This boy had planned to commit high treason and must be sentenced to death." The emperor then turns to the boy, "Any last words?"
Ryan sighed and smiled. "No need, I have other plans."
A gust of wind flows through the execution platform. Ryan quickly twists his body, breaking free from the restraints before running towards the edge of the platform.
"Stop him!" The emperor shouted at the executioners, but they weren't able to do much as Ryan quickly knocked them out with a few kicks.
The crowd erupted into chaos, but once they caught sight of a few Imperial Mages flying towards the scene, they managed to calm down a bit.
The Imperial Mages surround the boy, pointing their weapons and staffs at him.
"Stand down, you won't win," one of the mages warned.
Edward watched the conflict with anger in his eyes, with Titania holding him down to prevent him from doing something stupid.
Rowan watched the spectacle even more amused, "Their little spy sure is impressive, he must've planned this all along."
Ryan just stood silently while looking at the Imperial Mages surrounding him. There were about 5 of them, 2 C-rank, and 3 B-rank mages.
Ryan just stuck his tongue out, "Sorry, don't have time to fight you guys."
Using wind magic, Ryan accelerates towards one of the C-rank, ramming them off the execution platform before jumping off after them. The other mages followed closely behind him, but they were unable to use their attacks without risking the safety of the civilians below.
Ryan catches up with the falling C-rank, using his body as a stepping stone to jump onto a nearby building.
Looking back at the mages above, Ryan teased them.
"Come and catch me," Ryan stuck his tongue out before hopping into an alleyway.
At this moment the crowd erupted into chaos, a criminal had just escaped execution and was on the loose.
After seeing Ryan disappear out of sight, Edward sighed a breath of relief. He patted his chest proudly stating, "That's my apprentice."
Titania pulled on Edward's ear, "You dumbass, go capture him already!"
"Let go of me, you witch!" Edward whined.
Aden just looked at the two bickering and laughed. She was about to say something stupid to Freya but noticed that the girl had already disappeared.
[Where did she go?]