The two weeks since Stephen arrived at Cedric's house had brought about profound changes in his life. During this time, Stephen had learned most of the basic magic practices; he could now teleport, change the location of objects remotely, levitate them, and perform other simple spells. Cedric showed him special attention, fulfilling even his smallest requests as if they were royal commands.
Despite missing his family, Stephen didn't complain about this new lifestyle. He relished feeling valued and receiving special treatment in this house. However, there was a price to pay: he couldn't leave without Cedric's permission, thus cutting off his contact with his family. This passionate yet restrictive experience stirred conflicting emotions in his emotional world.
"The elemental magic still hasn't surfaced. We should have seen it by now," Cedric said, sipping his tea. His voice cut through the atmosphere of the room, sending shivers down Stephen's spine. He raised his head to focus on Cedric. Cedric's thoughtful yet noble appearance, with his piercing blue eyes and darker-than-night hair, created an aura around him; mysterious and handsome at the same time.
Cedric's presence, wealth, and perhaps a noble past could be felt even as he sipped his tea. Placing the empty teacup gracefully on the table, he exuded not only luxury but also refinement and grace. In that moment, an air of mystery and luxury seemed to fill the room.
"How will it manifest then? Do I need to do something?" Stephen asked eagerly, his eyes locked on Cedric's face.
"I should have sensed it, or you should have accidentally performed such magic. It's usually revealed through the latter method," Cedric replied, and a weighty silence filled the room, carrying the potential secrets of their conversation.
"So, how do I perform magic then?" Stephen boldly inquired, trying to catch any clues on Cedric's face.
"There are neutral and element-specific spells. What you've learned are the neutral ones," Cedric calmly replied. With these words, Stephen felt like a whole new world had been unveiled to him; he could sense the excitement of stepping into the depths of magic.
After this dialogue, a strange silence fell over the room. As the silence lingered and merged with the slowly darkening atmosphere, it cast a pall over the air, creating a sense of gloom. This lingering silence enveloped Stephen's thoughts like a mysterious curtain, leaving him somewhat intoxicated.
The silence was broken by the sound of the servant picking up the empty teacup from the table. As the cup was moved, momentarily disrupting the silence, the mystery within the room seemed to intensify. Stephen wanted to break the silence once again, using this opportunity. He had many questions about his real family, but every time he broached the subject, Cedric would deflect with strange and mysterious answers.
Stephen decided to break this silence for the second time. He tried to gather his courage, but indecision stood before him like a wall, blocking his progress. In that moment, there was not only silence but also uncertainty in the room.
"You've seemed rather pensive lately. Is something troubling you?"
This guy is really reading my mind... Though taken aback, he also felt somewhat wary and even afraid of him.
Looking surprised, Stephen said, "Yes, I had a question for you," his internal conflict showing on his face.
"If it's been troubling you so much, it must be a big question," the tension in the room increased, emphasizing the depth of the questions.
"Yes, it is. Once again, it's about my real family. What connection do you have with my family, and when will I be able to search for them?"
"The problem is, I don't know my connection either," Cedric's answer deepened the mysterious atmosphere in the room, leaving Stephen to ponder.
"If you don't know, why are you helping then?"
"I'm trying to uncover some hidden pages of my past, just like you."
Stephen's guess was correct. Cedric had once again given a mysterious and incomprehensible answer. For a few seconds, he looked at Cedric. This answer did not fully satisfy his questions, and perhaps this man was deceiving and using him. Maybe that's why he wasn't allowed to leave. Stephen studied Cedric's expression; it was calm and relaxed, but that didn't mean he was trustworthy.
Perhaps this calm expression was used as a mask to hide something. This thought raised more doubts in Stephen's mind. He suddenly realized he wanted to end the conversation and go to his room, but he still remembered that his second question had been evaded. As he tried to uncover the truth with Cedric's answers, the mysterious atmosphere in the room intensified even more.
"And what about my second question?" Stephen asked eagerly, his eyes fixed on Cedric with determination.
"The answer to that question will be determined by fate, my child," Cedric replied calmly. His ease was troubling to Stephen.
"I believe in choices rather than fate," Stephen's response reflected his determination and belief, signaling a hint of conflict within the atmosphere of the room. Stephen's eyes carefully tracked every expression on Cedric's face.
"Then make your choice, Stephen," Cedric said, standing up. After taking a few steps, he turned back and added, "I'm going to read. If you need me, you know where to find me," then he headed upstairs.
During this time, Stephen had already made his choice. In the silence left behind by Cedric's departure, an atmosphere of decision lingered in the room. The determination and uncertainty within the room intensified the tension of the moment, causing Stephen to ponder his future and his inner struggle.
"Since you say make a choice, I will. I'll find a way to escape from this house and search for my family."
Feeling indebted to Cedric for his excessive kindness, Stephen was burdened by the guilt of not being able to keep up with the favors bestowed upon him. Perhaps, if he found his family, they could help Cedric with his past. Filled with hopeful thoughts, Stephen quietly began to climb the stairs, determined to quickly search Cedric's room. And finally, he found it.
He cautiously opened the door and entered. He started rummaging through the drawers quickly, and discovered a locked one. As he prepared to cast a spell to unlock it, the thought that Cedric might have protected this drawer with magic occupied his mind. It seemed successful in magic. However, surprisingly, the drawer opened easily without resistance. Stephen reached out and touched his ring, instantly finding himself outside.
He turned back in surprise and looked at the window of the house. There was no sign of Cedric, or so he thought. He left from there feeling relieved, while Cedric watched him from afar with a satisfied gaze. Behind this departure, the effect of the mystery and magic-filled moment in the room would linger within Stephen for a long time.
As he left the house with cautious steps, he carefully scanned his surroundings. He also put on his ring just in case; perhaps it was a search for inner reassurance. However, as he progressed, he heard screams coming from a distance. He ran towards that direction quickly, his heart pounding with excitement and concern.
As Stephen approached the source of the screams, he encountered a few familiar faces; Aina and Agnes were there. Aina wore a worried expression, while Agnes looked bewildered. As he neared the source of the screams, he saw a scattered crowd in turmoil.
While Stephen's eyes focused on the familiar faces' expressions, he tried to make sense of the chaotic scene around him. This unexpected encounter and the events unfolding around him opened the doors to a new mystery awaiting him.
"Ralph, you've cast the spell in the wrong place!" shouted Agnes. These words echoed in Stephen's ears, further intensifying the tense atmosphere and highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
"I could have created a monster from the earth and vines if Aina had helped!" Stephen felt a fear of the complexity and loss of control of magic with these words.
Who are they fighting against?
"Aina is currently protecting the others. Try to do something on your own!" Agnes' guiding voice attempted to bring some order to the chaotic scene. With these words, Stephen found himself amidst the magical conflict, surrounded by tension and uncertainty.
He examined his surroundings more carefully. When he tilted his head up slightly, he noticed a demon-like woman. Her clothes were torn, in red and black tones, exuding a somewhat seductive aura. She had demon-like horns and wings resembling bat wings. Her eyes were red, and her hair and skin were completely black.
It was as if the monster had sensed Stephen's gaze. Instantly, she turned her head towards him and, upon seeing Stephen, shouted, "Master!" With this word, all the people there turned their astonished gazes towards Stephen. Agnes and Aina's astonishment was more pronounced than the others. Suddenly, Stephen found himself at the center of the magical world around him, and this demon-like creature not only caught his attention but also amazed the people around him.
"You filthy thief! Weren't you caught?" Agnes shouted angrily as she was about to throw a fireball towards Stephen, but Aina swiftly flew towards her and intervened.
"Please, stop, Agnes," Aina said, extending her hands in a calming manner, almost pleading.
However, Agnes's anger showed no signs of subsiding. "Why should I stop? There's a reward for catching that kid. I can't miss this opportunity," she retorted sharply. Agnes's gaze was filled with a mixture of determination and ambition.
Tension reached its peak around them. Stephen stood amidst the events like a stranger, trying to comprehend the atmosphere of the magical conflict surrounding him. Despite Aina's efforts to calm her down, Agnes, still seething with anger, cast a glance towards Stephen. This situation created even more uncertainty about the path he would take in this mysterious world around him.
"Did you hear what that monster called him? Master, Agnes, master..." Aina pleaded. Agnes was shocked, saying in disbelief, "How can someone like him be a master?"
Aina pointed towards Stephen and said, "It seems he has fallen into a bad state, look..." With these words, the people around began to look at Stephen with even more suspicion.
Just then, the demon threw a fireball towards Stephen. Agnes swiftly flew towards him, creating a shield of fire. In an instant reflex, he was protected from the effects of the fire. Agnes's quick intervention provided a moment of relief in the chaotic atmosphere around them. He now felt safe.
"Chosen ones, protect the master from the monster!" Agnes shouted loudly. The people who were fleeing in fear had now stopped in their tracks, watching this moment with curiosity. Some whispered and talked amongst themselves, casting glances towards Stephen. He felt uncomfortable under their gazes. However, suddenly, there was a burst of light. The light was so bright that people had to reflexively close their eyes.
When Stephen opened his eyes, he found himself standing next to a young man with brown hair and hazel eyes. The surroundings had changed to a neat and calm area, as if the brightness of the light had erased the traces of the chaotic moments before. Stephen realized that this young man had teleported them.
"What happened to that monster?" Stephen asked in astonishment.
"Forget about it; it's just a minor enemy for us. We'll take care of it," the young man replied confidently. Then he added, "By the way, let me introduce myself. I'm Harry."
"I'm Stephen. Nice to meet you," Stephen said, starting to feel a bit more relaxed amidst these sudden and mysterious events. It felt like stepping into a second world, and this blond young man might be a guide. This encounter sparked curiosity about what adventures awaited him in this magical reality.
A smile appeared on Harry's face after hearing Stephen's response. "Your name is the same as his. It's an honor to meet you," he said.
Although Stephen didn't understand why he said that, he decided to respond with calmness. "So, what do we do now? I actually wanted to help them too. Maybe the Justice Sword would come in handy."
"You need training to use the Justice Sword, but don't worry, you'll learn soon," Harry reassured him with calm confidence. Meanwhile, the magical atmosphere around them created a student-mentor relationship between the two. Stephen was eagerly waiting to learn everything he encountered in this new world.
Stephen didn't quite understand the sudden formality, but he decided not to question it.
"Well then."
"If you allow me, I'd like to take you to where you need to be," added Harry, with a confident demeanor like a guide.
"Of course. I wouldn't want to stay here for long personally," said Stephen, thinking there was still much to discover in this new world.
Expecting to teleport, he closed his eyes. He awaited the moment when he would move towards their destination under Harry's guidance, influenced by the magical energy around him.