"What an interesting boy! I didn't imagine that using a spell to find your traces would bring me to see such a spectacle. What do you say Don, do you think it would be good material for an apprentice?" He said the figure that was slowly revealed from the shadows. Marlon saw how she wore a violet tunic with designs of what seemed to be leather in the area of the arms and chest, creating an extravagant but sublime clothing, with a touch of beauty in the combination of colors.
"Hey, what are you looking at? You know, I don't like men, much less so young" said the strange figure dressed in lilac as she frowned and gave a playful smile to Marlon.
Marlon remained silent.
"Well, I guess I should introduce myself. I am Lazarus Farmenes, level 2 mage, and this here is my butler Don." When she mentioned his name, Don stepped out of the darkness and waved.
"My lord, in answer to his question, this boy has strength that exceeds the capabilities of a mortal of his physical constitution and also appears to have a ruthless mind and an insatiable appetite for knowledge. If he asks me, it is a very good option to become an apprentice magician." Don kept looking at Marlon, while he gave a sign of approval.
Marlon understood the situation he was in. He was in the presence of a magician. A legendary subject. One of those who were at the top of this world. He had only heard of them in stories in the tavern. These stories told how magicians were the true rulers of this world, while normal people could not compare to them. It is as if we are not the same species, although it is evident that wizards are purely human in appearance. Maybe that's why, Don told himself, normal people had the status of mortals.
"Well, it's already decided, you're coming to my wizard tower. Just a month ago I sent my subordinates to recruit good seedlings, the last ones they collected barely survived. "Humans are weak, so we need them to at least become apprentices." Lazarus said with a hint of helplessness in his voice.
Marlon was speechless. Everything that had happened to him today was scandalous. First that thing in his house, then... "True!! Sir, I like the idea of learning magic, but I can't leave my farm, at least not like this. I need to take care of a problem that recently appeared, because if I leave I can't sell the farm with something like that on it." Marlon was lost in thoughts of him.
How much will all the land cost? He had never thought about selling it, but it wouldn't be a bad idea. The area is safe, he had never heard of bandits in the area before, although travelers who passed through the town spoke about them frequently...
"If you mean the pig that started mutating on your farm, don't worry about it. It is unusual but not entirely unlikely to happen. If you want to take it you can do so, I will grant you that as a gift since I see potential in you."
So that's what happened!! One of the pigs started to mutate and ate the others!!
"Wait, you said I can take it?" Marlon frowned. What good would it do me to take that farting ball of meat with me? he thought.
"Believe it or not, kid, that thing is quite valuable. A non-magical creature mutating into a magical creature is good material for experiments. Usually magical creatures have been in the planes of existence for generations, seeing one that mutates today, although not impossible, is very rare. They usually evolve into species of animals never seen before, although they share characteristics with mutated magical beasts of the same ancestor. That monkey whose head you crushed, for example, is of the Mungus species, but on the entire western continent alone there are at least 11 other native variants, not counting the variants that come from other continents or planes and are loose in the nature because of something experimented by some magician or because they escaped from captivity." The butler said, clarifying Marlon's doubts.
"Like I said, you can take it. That thing was created on your farm, so it has a link to you. It would be a waste to let her die of starvation. Even if you don't like the beast that comes out as a pet, you can always use it in your experiments, or eat it. "The magical evolutions of pigs are usually very tasty."
"By the way, I wouldn't sell that ring you found if I were you." Don said.
Marlon put his hands in his pocket.
"True, it's something the apprentices in the Lazarus tower would kill for. When we arrived we heard you talking about selling the ring at the market. "I almost broke my illusion spell of laughter," Lazarus said in an amused tone.
"My lord, do not be so modest before the mortal. "I couldn't break the spell for something so simple."
"Where's your sense of humor? Bah! I'm bored. It's time to go".
"Wait sir, I know wizards are amazing but how do you know where my farm is and how you found me?" Marlon said, thinking that something here was very strange.
"I heard about your farm in the local town, I mainly went to see if they had any left of the star fruit wine I provided at the tavern. When we arrived I immediately noticed the magical energy of the pig. If it had been another time and another place, I would have simply taken the egg and taken the wine. "I would like to say that is exactly what I did, but I couldn't find the wine anywhere." Lazarus said in dismay.
"Wait, you have my pig? And also, did he break into my house?"
"And? I have the power to do it. Who's going to stop me, Felicia? "That bitch wouldn't dare offend me because of mere mortals."
The territory surrounding the town of Farnia, including Marlon's farm, belongs to the wizard Felicia's wizard tower. Usually the apprentice in charge of the area travels to the designated towns to collect taxes. Although mortal gold is of no use to wizards, towns produce food and products that apprentices trade in the various towers, so some wizards protect territories near their towers as long as these territories produce apprentices, materials, and supplies.
"Likewise, I never gave you the power to decide either. When you enter the tower, you will know even better what I am talking about. In this world, the strong eat the weak, and only the weak who are useful are protected by the forces."
Saying this, the wizard Lazarus made a sign with his hands. The next moment a light began to rise from the ground.
"Well, it's time to go."
"NO. WAIT!!"
The light blinded Marlon for a moment, and the next second he opened his eyes.
"SHIT, AT LEAST THEY WOULD HAVE LET ME SELL THE FARM!!"