Mayor Sherman leaned back in his chair, his gaze softening as he looked at Luke.
"Understand, Luke, that my intention is not to direct your path," he began, his tone carrying a weight of sincerity. "The will of a mage is his alone to follow. No one, not even a devoted believer, can dictate what a mage should do. But with the revelations of enemies lurking around, it is within my duty to warn you. What you do with that knowledge is entirely up to you."
Luke absorbed the mayor's words, feeling a sense of gratitude for the respect shown to him. The decision was his, and while it was comforting to know that Mayor Sherman wasn't trying to push him into a particular course of action, it didn't make the choice any easier. Luke's mind wandered back to the moment he first arrived in this world, a bewildered stranger with no understanding of the dangers that awaited him. He had only one clear objective: to understand why he was here.
