A forced silence descended on the hall...
Richard's expression was equal parts amused and glum. He knew exactly what he was talking about...
The man dressed in the outlandish garments chuckled,
"Seems like I've managed to ruffle a few feathers. However! I will be answering no questions, so keep them to yourselves!"
With absolutely rude words, the orientation began...
The stage lights went off, and a dim illumination spread out from the man's garments. His grin looked a bit more sinister...
"What does it mean to be a sorcerer?"
"To vanquish Demons and Devils... Or to wield magic as a weapon and instrument..."
"But I say it is none! Listen, you naive fools! To be a sorcerer, means to become evil! To oppose the natural order, and to betray your humanity!"
Words of unrest floated in the crowd. By now, it was obvious they were all getting uncomfortable. How couldn't they be? This situation was bound to make them feel this way. However, those strong enough to make it here weren't going to act out just because of a few words.
However, Richard took the obviously crazy man's words in a different light...
'To be a sorcerer is to become evil, to lose your human nature...'
What do those words mean?
Richard frowned, 'Is he trying to say one should abandon morality? That doesn't sound like a very good idea, does it?'
Doing his own research, Richard had found something very important. The more one lost oneself, the easier it is to succumbed to the wiles of a Devil or other Eldritch entities.
What this man was suggesting was the exact opposite. Rather than resist, why not just give in?
It seemed incredibly foolish. However...
At the same time, it was brilliant!
Richard's eyes sparkled.
The man cleared his throat once he was done with his mad tirade,
"You should all know the rules by now. Remember them well and act within their limits. I shouldn't have to tell you the consequences. However, also remember this! Those who act within the walls of the box are destined to remain within it for an eternity and then some..."
Silence engulfed the hall...
Some tried to consider his words genuinely, while most were either disturbed, confused, or had simple lost interest in the ramblings of a mad man.
And then, there were the exceptions...
"Fascinating..." The boy seated beside him, Gregory, let out a deep breath he must have been subconsciously holding.
Richard was curious, "What is fascinating?"
Gregory turned to him, a wry smile on his face,
"Well, I think that's a very interesting take on the border between humanity and Devilhood, or Demonhood, depending on what side of hell ones looks at."
It was Richard's turn to be fascinated.
'Is this dude stupid?'
However, he said nothing, merely staring at him with a curious smile.
Gregory cleared his throat,
"The Demons and Devils, regardless of how we may view them, are living beings with minds and thoughts of their own. They are controlled by some primal desire, or some harrowing corruption. No..."
His face became more serious,
"Everything they do, every soil they corrupt, every life they devour... Every evil they commit is because they desire power. And from this desire, their will is born."
Richard nodded, "So you are saying that it would do a sorcerer more good than harm to emulate the path of the nightmares of hell."
Gregory shook his head, "Quite the opposite, really..."
Richard narrowed his eyes, 'This guy...'
Gregory shifted in his seat slightly,
"Rather than embrace the paths of evil, why can't each human create their own path. Nothing is the limit with magic. The power is within our own hands. One just has to be brave, no... Insane enough to take it!"
Richard was now completely amused. Never would he have expected such a thing from this innocent, naive looking boy.
"Then are you insane, Gregory?"
Gregory smiled, "Maybe just a little..."
Richard shook his head, then chuckled. At the same time, the crazy man was done with his speech.
"Alright, in that case, and without further ado..."
With an exaggerated bow, he greeted them all,
"Kids... Welcome to the Circle."
***
Walking through a large corridor with a tall ceiling, all one thousand new recruits stared at the runes that adorned the walls.
Runes, the language of power, truth, and madness... Staring at it put strain on the mind and soul, so most tried to limit what they could see, or simple remove their gaze entirely.
Following the crowd, Richard listened to Gregory's incessant chatter with a soft smile. Inwardly though, he was thinking of numerous ways to kill the boy, or at the very least, get him to shut up.
Eventually, theya rrived at their destination. Standing on an elevator platform was Baxter Rigborne alongside two other people who seemed to belong to the upper echelons of the Circle.
A young looking woman that had a heavy caking of make-up on her face, making her resemble a poorly out together porcelain doll. Her clothes were unnecessarily flashy and provocative, filling one with an odd discomfort rather than passion or desire.
The other was a figure clothed in a black robe. Gazing into the darkness nestled within the robe, one wouldn't be able to tell what exactly it was that donned the robe on.
Baxter himself was dressed simply in a suit that highlighted his muscular build, with a pair of white Sorcerer Gloves on his hands.
All in all, he looked the most normal by far out of all three.
Looking at him, theyr eyes seemed to meet for a split second, but then again, it could have been a coincidence.
Richard smiled to himself...
"Welcome, young Sorcerers." Baxter began...
"Frown now on, you all have a duty. A duty to protect our world from the creatures of hell. The moment we fail, the rest of the earth is doomed as well. Remember this..."
Baxter's manner of speech filled them with courage and valor, but Richard could tell he was going through the motions, although he was very good regardless. Richard highly doubted he could pull the same off.
Once he was done with his speech, Baxter stretched his arm forward, and with a flash of light, a scroll made from the skin of an unknown creature appeared in his hand.
"You all will be placed into groups where you shall act within the boundaries of. Each group will possess its own responsibilities. Some will be designated to keep order in the Cities, some will be appointed other tasks..."
Then it came time to begin...
As there were a bit more than a thousand names on that list, it was only natural ot would take some time to call out all the names.
After an hour, Richard finally got to hear his name,
"Richard Bane, Celine Rigborne, Dwayne Vagabond, Gregory Ludwig, and Umbra... You all belong to the South Lepton Advent Squad."
Richard's smile because a bit forced. Meanwhile, Gregory's eyes lit up.
Regardless of the effect of his words, Baxter continued emotionlessly,
"Your job description; control the activities of Sorcerers and otherworldly beings in the southern region of the City within reasonable means. More details will be provided later."
Richard scratched his cheek. Alongside this chatterbox, he also had to deal with the Rigborne princess and two others. He had never heard of these names before, so he knew that things were definitely going to be interesting.
Whether that was to be a good or bad thing was not up to him to decide. After all, fate always had a way of playing tricks on people...
Richard calmly turned to face the static Gregory,
"Looks like we are in the same squad."
He seemed confused for a moment,
"What do you... Wait a minute! Could you be-?!"
Richard sighed internally, "My name is Richard Bane. Nice to meet you."
Gregory's face paled a bit, "By Bane, you mean... That family, right?"
Richard nodded softly. Gregory's face paled even more...
"D-damn... Then are the rumors true?" Gregory leaned in and asked, his eyes narrowed cautiously.
Richard pulled back, "What rumors?"
Gregory completely forgot his fear and now seemed eager,
"You know... The rumor that you all worship Devils and make sacrifices to them! So, do you?"
Richard hesitate for a while before smiling, a sly look flashing in his eyes,
"Yes, it's true."
Gregory seemed taken aback that Richard would admit such a thing, especially a gathering of Sorcerers.
"Then..."
Richard continued, "Not only that, but we also eat human flesh, are involved in the drug and organ trade business, and have burnt down multiple orphanages. I think that's about it..."
Gregory could finally tell that someone was wrong. He gritted his teeth,
"You... you're just playing me, right?!"
Richard smiled, "Took you this long to figure out?"
Gregory sighed. Just as he was about to say something, Richard cut in,
"However, this one isn't a rumor."
His eyes turned dark as he stared Gregory straight in the eye. Sensing something dark and ominous dwelling in the depths of Richard's soul, Gregory almost took a step back. His heart immediately sped up, and his mouth dried.
Despite having a calm, relaxed smile on his face, to Gregory, Richard was the very personification of malevolence...
Richard's word seemed dto cut through the haze of fear,
"Tell me, dear Gregory... Would you like to meet my Demons?"