Born into a poor family with a remarkable gift for magic, the only true enemy of Allen's ambition-filled heart was the lack of resources. So, he didn't hesitate for a moment when one of his acquaintances offered him the chance to become Zackael Windsor's lackey to obtain the resources he so desired.
He completed numerous missions throughout his life as a lackey.
This ranged from espionage to assassination, including beating up a few nobles who didn't know how to keep quiet in Zackael's presence.
His mastery of the [Space] element granted him teleportation magic far more advanced than Merlin's, thus giving him unparalleled freedom in his movements.
One day, unexpectedly, he was tasked with befriending Michael, his master's twin brother. He didn't know what to make of this mission but also couldn't refuse it.
Thus, a few days after Adall's birth, Allen did his best to enter Michael's inner circle. From that moment on, he became a spy tasked with gathering and transmitting information about the father and son.
So, when he learned of Jason and Martin's plan to send Adall to his uncle Merlin using his teleportation magic, he made sure to inform Zackael.
In return, Zackael entrusted him with the mission of preventing it from happening by any means necessary. Refusing Martin and Jason's collaboration request would be too suspicious in their eyes.
Moreover, they could simply turn to another skilled teleportation magician to restart their plan. So, he decided to accept the request from his supposed friends, Jason and Martin, while ensuring to change the transfer coordinates during the activation of the spell.
He was confident enough not to get caught in the act.
After all, it was his magic that would be used. He naturally mastered it better than anyone else.
What he hadn't anticipated, however, was the intervention of an external force strong enough to completely shake his confidence in his teleportation spell.
But should he mention this existence to his master? Wouldn't he be perceived as incompetent by the latter? Besides, would he believe it?
"Your Grace, things went wrong during the transfer. Merlin's power was greater than expected, so I couldn't send him to the agreed-upon location."
In reality, the connection was never established with Merlin's magic circle; the external force had taken control of the transfer long before that happened.
So, the power of the 9th circle magician had no bearing on what had happened, but Zackael knew nothing about it. And Allen intended to take advantage of his ignorance.
"So, where did you finally send him, Allen?"
"It's..."
He stuttered for a moment, then quickly swallowed saliva to calm himself.
He was reaching the most difficult part of the discussion. Even though he had loudly proclaimed in front of the others that he had no idea where the young boy had been sent, he could at least theorize a possible, albeit vague, location based on the amplitude strength of the connection and his numerous experiences with the spell.
Unfortunately, the place he theorized was the worst possible outcome not only for Adall but also for himself.
"Where did you send him, Allen?"
Zackael repeated his question once again, leaving Allen no choice but to answer.
"Your Grace, it was... on the Black Continent."
Vroouwmm!
The atmosphere inside the room suddenly became heavy.
Zackael unleashed a vicious murderous intent on every square inch of the room. The pressure from the murderous intent of the 10th circle magician, which Zackael had recently become, was unbearable for Allen, an 8th circle magician.
Already on his knees, he almost lost consciousness instantly but somehow managed to resist. Zackael's angry voice resounded at that moment.
"I did ask you to prevent Adall from contacting Merlin and that damned dragon who serves as his guardian knight. But I never asked you to send him to certain death. So, how did you end up sending him to the Black Continent?"
"I beg your pardon, Your Grace! I assure you it wasn't intentional. I..."
Bouumm!
Tremors were felt throughout the office at the explosion of a powerful magic spell.
"How dare you block my way?"
"Kyaaaaaaaaah."
"What's happening?"
"Watch out!"
Bouumm!
"Are we under attack?"
"Someone is trying to forcefully pass the guards to reach the patriarch's office."
"Who would do such a thing?"
"It's Mistress Axelle."
"Tsk!"
Zackael cursed when he realized, thanks to the voices booming outside the room, what was happening. His sister Axelle had returned earlier than expected from her trip.
"These damn traitors didn't fail to inform her too. Leave now, Allen. And you better report to me instantly on any new developments in this matter."
"Understood!"
Allen disappeared from the scene as if he had never been there, the moment he finished replying. He was quite pleased with Axelle's appearance since she inadvertently cut short their secret meeting, thereby sparing him a good deal of his master's nervous breakdowns.
In fact, he was so eager to leave that he forgot to inform Zackael that Merlin was also returning home.
This oversight was the seed planted that would soon blossom into the scene that would be dubbed in the newspapers as the battle between the brothers for the Windsor throne.
After Allen left, Zackael did what was necessary to regain his usual mood. It was true that his sister's unexpected return was a problem. But, whether he liked it or not, it would have happened sooner or later. So, he had already prepared himself a little.
"I think it's time for me to assert myself as patriarch to the rest of the siblings."
With these words, he swung open the doors of his office wide and walked serenely towards the source of the noises he heard.