"Now, Mortis," Daniel said, turning back to him, "we need to see what you can do. Show us all your spells. There are training dummies set up over there." He pointed to a row of wooden mannequins at the far end of the courtyard.
Mortis inclined his head and walked towards the dummies. He was acutely aware of the eyes on him, not just from Daniel's group but from other apprentices and magi in the courtyard. He took a deep breath, calming his mind and focusing his thoughts. He knew that he had to show enough to impress, but not so much that he revealed all his secrets.
He began with Shadow Tendril, summoning dark, writhing tendrils that emerged from the ground and entangled the first dummy. The tendrils immobilized the wooden figure, wrapping around it tightly. Mortis released the tendrils, letting the dummy collapse as he moved on to the next spell.
Next, he conjured Inferno Spark, a concentrated burst of fire that ignited the material of the second dummy. The flames spread quickly, causing minor burns and setting the figure alight. Mortis observed the effect, the heat radiating from the burning wood.
He then raised his hand and chanted softly, summoning an Umbral Shield. The shield materialized as a dark, shimmering barrier in front of him. Mortis took a moment to appreciate its protective qualities before allowing it to dissipate.
With a quick flick of his wrist, Mortis launched a Shadow Dart at another dummy. The fast-moving projectile of dark energy struck the target with precision, leaving a dark mark where it hit. He nodded in satisfaction, knowing the spell was both swift and effective.
After that, he summoned a Fireball, conjuring a swirling, incandescent sphere of flames. He hurled it at a group of dummies, and the fireball exploded on impact, engulfing the targets in a fiery blast. The force of the explosion reduced the wooden figures to charred splinters, demonstrating the spell's destructive power.
Then came Ice Shard, as he formed a jagged, crystalline spear of ice in his hand. Mortis launched the shard at a dummy with precision, the icy projectile piercing through the wooden figure and leaving a chilling wound. He saw its potential for direct attacks and creating hazardous, slippery surfaces to hinder opponents.
Finally, Mortis focused his energy and cast Lightning Bolt, a brilliant arc of electric energy shooting forth. The crackling bolt of lightning struck the final dummy with lethal precision, the electric discharge incapacitating it instantly. The lightning jumped to nearby targets, spreading its devastating effects. But even with the devastating effects, the spell was noticeably weaker than fireball because he didn't have an affinity for it.
For the last demonstration, Mortis shrouded himself in Darkness Veil, his form blending into the shadows and making him harder to detect. He moved silently and reappeared a few steps away, the veil dissipating as he dropped the illusion.
He turned back to Daniel and his group, his expression calm and composed. "That's a sample of what I can do," he said, his voice steady.
Daniel nodded, his eyes gleaming with approval. "Impressive, Mortis. You have a diverse range of abilities. You'll be a valuable asset to our cause."
Mortis inclined his head in acknowledgment, but he remained wary. He knew that he had only shown a fraction of his true power, and he intended to keep it that way. He would play along with Daniel and his group for now, but he would never let his guard down.
As the group dispersed, Daniel pulled Mortis aside. "You did well, Mortis," he said. "But remember, we're watching you. Prove your loyalty, and you'll be rewarded. Betray us, and you'll regret it."
Mortis met Daniel's gaze, his eyes cold and unyielding. "I understand," he said. "I have no intention of betraying you and your cause."
Daniel smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Good. Now, let's get to work. We have a lot to do."
Over the next few days, Mortis settled into his new role within Daniel's group. He participated in their training sessions, honing his skills and learning more about his new allies. He observed each member carefully, noting their strengths and weaknesses, and filing away the information for future use.
Rael Thorne was a master of fire magic, his spells powerful and destructive. Mortis watched as Rael conjured flames with ease, incinerating targets with a mere thought. Lira Valen, on the other hand, was mostly a potioneering adept, her potions capable of mending wounds, curing ailments and buffing people. Mortis found her abilities intriguing, and he made a mental note to learn more about her techniques.
Thalor Crane was a shadowy figure, his magic centered around darkness and concealment. Mortis observed Thalor as he moved through the shadows, his form blending seamlessly with the darkness. Aric Draven was a powerhouse, his dual affinity for darkness and fire making him a formidable opponent. Mortis watched as Aric unleashed a torrent of dark flames, the black fire consuming everything in its path.
Mortis spent his nights in meditation, reflecting on the events of the day and planning his next moves. He knew that he needed to stay vigilant, always calculating his chances and preparing for any eventuality. He trusted no one but himself, and he would rely only on his own strength to achieve his goals.
One evening, as Mortis sat in his quarters, he received a summons from Daniel. He made his way to Daniel's chambers, his mind racing with possibilities. When he arrived, Daniel was waiting for him, a serious expression on his face.
"Mortis, I have a task for you," Daniel said. "There's a rank 2 apprentice who refused our invitation to join and fled the academy. Two of our people were sent to capture him and persuade him to join us, but he killed them. We need you to track him down and silence him. Make sure there's no evidence left that could expose our activities."
Mortis nodded, his mind already formulating a plan. "I'll handle it," he said. "Who will be on the team?"
"Rael, Thalor, and Lira will accompany you," Daniel replied. "Take whatever resources you need and ensure this loose end is tied up. We can't afford any more disruptions or exposure."
Mortis nodded again, his mind already working through the details. He knew he would use this mission as an opportunity to further his own goals, exploiting the situation to his advantage. He had no loyalty to Daniel or his group, and he would do whatever it took to ensure his own survival and success.
The following morning, Mortis gathered his team and set out to find the runaway. The first step was to locate the bodies of their fallen comrades, who were last seen chasing the recruit into the forest. As they moved through the dense trees, Mortis kept his senses on high alert, his eyes scanning every shadow for potential threats.
When they reached the edge of the forest, Mortis signaled for the others to stop. He surveyed the area, noting the thick underbrush and the eerie silence. He turned to his team, outlining his plan in a low, steady voice.
"Rael, you and Lira will take the left path," he said. "Thalor and I will take the right. We'll meet at the clearing where they were last seen. Stay alert and be ready for anything."
Rael and Lira nodded, their expressions determined. Mortis led Thalor through the right path, moving silently through the shadows. The forest was dark and foreboding, the thick canopy blocking out most of the sunlight. As they moved deeper, Mortis's senses were on high alert, searching for any signs of danger.
After a tense journey, they reached the clearing. The sight that greeted them was grim. The bodies of their fallen comrades lay on the ground, their lifeless forms showing signs of a fierce battle. Mortis knelt beside them, examining the scene closely.
"He couldn't have gone far." Thalor said quietly, his eyes scanning the area.
Mortis nodded. "We'll find him. Rael, Lira, see if you can find any tracks or clues."
Rael conjured a small flame to illuminate the area while Lira knelt beside one of the bodies, as she attempted to discern the exact events that led to their deaths. Mortis focused on the surroundings, his keen eyes picking up faint tracks leading further into the forest.
"I've got something," Rael said, pointing to a broken branch. "He probably went this way."
Mortis followed the direction Rael indicated, leading the team deeper into the forest. The tracks were faint but consistent, a clear sign that the runaway was trying to cover his trail. Mortis pushed forward, his determination unwavering.
After a while, they came to a small, secluded clearing. Mortis signaled for the others to stop. The tracks had ended, indicating that the runaway had to be close by.
"Rael, you and Lira will take the left flank," Mortis instructed. "Thalor and I will circle around to the right. We'll slowly find and converge on his position and take him by surprise. Be ready for anything."
Rael and Lira nodded, their expressions determined. Mortis led Thalor around the right side, moving silently through the shadows. When they reached their designated spot, Mortis paused, his senses on high alert. He could hear faint sounds of movement, the runaway recruit trying to stay hidden.