In the middle of the Iron City in the inner area, there is a massive ancient stone palace standing there like a small fortress. Soldiers equipped with swords, bows, and shields patrol around it as if in a war. Inside the palace, there are numerous decorated halls and rooms. In one of the rooms, a 14-year-old boy is peacefully sleeping on a wooden bed.
The door of the room opens, and a girl enters along with a boy. The girl has silver hair and a face full of emotions, dressed in white pants, a cloak, and a shirt of the same color. She appears organized and strict, unlike the boy who looks like an outsider in his shabby clothes and messy brown hair.
"It seems he'll wake up soon," the boy says as he looks at the sleeping Leon.
"Did Maurice say anything?" the girl responds with a stern tone.
"Why are you asking me? Go ask him," the boy smirks mischievously as he gazes at the girl.
"I've been with him..." The girl's expression turns disapproving and frowns in protest.
Leon opens his eyes and finds himself in a white stone room, elegant and unfamiliar. He wonders if he has moved again. This is the second time he finds himself in an unfamiliar place.
He looked around and found two people staring at him with strange looks. Suddenly, he remembered an old man breaking into his house, then losing consciousness. 'Have they kidnapped me? But I have nothing, just a silver piece and some coins.' He became cautious, sitting on the bed, and inquired, "Who are you? Are you with that old thief?"
"Be careful with your words when describing him," the girl said, biting her lip and answering coldly.
"Hahaha, what a precise description! He truly is a thief. Even the king of Lyra's kingdom wouldn't dare say that," the boy put his hand on his stomach, laughing.
"What's so funny, for hell's sake!" the girl shouted at the boy and turned to Leon, "Because you woke up, follow me. I'll take you to Maurice."
'Who is this Maurice? Damn, why did they bring me to this place?' Leon looked at the boy, feeling a sense of familiarity. 'Wait, isn't this the boy I met in the inner city garden?' Leon was surprised to meet the bar boy again.
He didn't think much, only glanced deeply at the boy, and rose, starting to follow the girl out of the room, realizing there was no chance to escape, as the place seemed windowless like a fortress.
Outside the room, there's a long, silent corridor with a wooden door at the end. The girl tapped the door quietly and gestured to Leon, "Choose your words carefully when meeting Maurice."
'It seems she's worried about me calling him the old thief.' After a few seconds, a voice came from inside the room.
"Enter," a weary voice sounded from within.
Leon entered the room, which appeared like a large library or scientific research facility. Behind a desk sat an old man with silver eyes and thick eyebrows, reminiscent of the intruder into his home. Before speaking, the girl closed the door, leaving only him and the old man inside.
"Come, have a seat," he gestured with his hands towards a chair next to the table.
Leon sat up and looked at him warily, "Who are you?"
"Don't worry, I wont hurt you. My name is Maurice, and I am a wizard, and these two children are my apprentices."
Leon was shocked to learn that he was a sorcerer. 'No wonder I couldn't escape from him earlier. I felt like I was stuck to the ground.' While Leon was still stunned by the revelation that magic existed in this world, Maurice spoke, "The reason I detained you is that I sensed a powerful soul in your home."
Maurice looked at Leon with Strange looks , 'That spirit is strange, and even I in the integration stage could not understand it. I checked his information, but he seems to be a normal child, and even Fred with his special talent, did not find anything.'
"What do you mean by a powerful soul in my home?" Leon asked in surprise.
"I don't know the nature of that soul, but there are some dangerous sorcerers who destroy cities or kill citizens. So, we need to investigate. If we find nothing in you, I'll release you within a week."
Leon nodded, "Alright, if you find nothing, you must release me."
'In reality, I can't do anything. I hope they release me after their investigation. It's also a chance to meet a sorcerer, which is what I've been looking for,' thought Leon, looking at Maurice with a determined gaze.
Hesitant, Leon asked, "C-Can you tell me where I can learn magic or maybe teach me?"
"Hoho, well, I can accept you as my apprentice," laughed Maurice.
Leon's eyes widened at the easy acceptance, realizing that sorcerers were considered almost mythical in this world, with limited information available.
"I usually don't accept those without inherent talent, but you're in the awakening stage, meaning you're partially a sorcerer," smiled the old Maurice, looking at Leon.
Awakening stage??", Leon's eyes widened.