The flickering candlelight illuminated the stern face of Marcus Daves, the high mage and battle commander of the Stormborne clan. His fingers gripped the letter in his hand tightly, crumpling it slightly as he reread the report from his informant.
It was exactly what he'd asked for—at least on the surface. The report confirmed that his son, Miles, had indeed gone to Aurelia School of Magic today, and that a massive heavenly phenomenon had occurred shortly after, a magic surge unlike any he'd seen before. But as he read further, his mind raced. This was no mere coincidence. Something was wrong.
With a heavy sigh, Marcus reached for a crystal ball, his fingers tracing the intricate runes carved into its surface. A soft glow began to emanate from the orb, and a familiar voice crackled to life within it.
The Informant's Voice (crackling through the crystal):"Marcus, I'm here. What is it you require?"
Marcus Daves (in a low, commanding tone):"You better speak quickly, and speak truthfully. I've read your report, and if I find one lie in it—one detail that's false—I will hold you accountable for it. You understand the consequences of that, don't you?"
His voice turned icy and threatening, carrying the weight of someone who had the power to make or break lives with a single word.
The Informant (hesitant, but trying to sound confident):"No, no lie, sir. I swear to you, everything I reported is true. I—I swear it on my own life!"
There was a brief pause, and the sound of hurried breathing came through the crystal ball. The informant's tone was uneasy, fearful even. It was clear he knew the gravity of the situation and Marcus's reputation.
Marcus Daves (his voice cutting through the air like a blade):"I hope so. If I find even the smallest discrepancy, it will be your last mistake."
He waited a moment, letting the silence hang in the air like a threat before continuing, his tone hardening. "Now, tell me exactly what's happening. Where is my son right now?"
The Informant (his voice wavering slightly):"Your son, Miles, is still at the school. The situation is… tense. The school itself has erected a magical barrier, one used by middle level clans. It's been up for some time now, but there's an attack… a magic eagle. It's level 50, and it's trying to break through the barrier with everything it's got. The creature's wild—furious, even."
Marcus Daves (narrowing his eyes, his jaw tightening):"A level 50 eagle? It's powerful, but not strong enough to break the barrier alone. What else?"
He gripped the edge of the desk, his fingers digging into the wood as he listened intently, his mind racing with calculations and contingencies. This was no ordinary event. The barrier wasn't just a defense mechanism it couldn't attack.
The Informant (his voice trembling slightly but trying to remain calm):"I—I'm not sure what's causing the barrier to hold or how long it will last, but I can see the eagle attacking from a distance. It's relentless. The barrier is strong, but the beast isn't giving up, sir."
The informant paused, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "I—I'm in the area. I'm near the school right now, hidden in the trees. I can see the barrier, and… the scene is chaotic. Something big is happening, Marcus."
Marcus Daves (leaning forward, eyes burning with intensity):"You will to set up a warp point near the school, now. Before the eagle breaks through, you understand? I want to be able to get in there quickly, and I need to know exactly what's going on. My son is in that school, and whatever this is, I won't stand idly by."
His voice softened ever so slightly, the strict tone still sharp but with a hint of concern hidden beneath. "You're to tell no one that I'm coming. I'll make up some excuse to the clan. I'll say I'm going to investigate the phenomenon myself. They'll believe that."
The Informant (nervous but quickly complying):"Understood, Sir. I'll set up the warp point immediately. It'll be done in minutes. You'll be able to get through before the eagle has a chance to breach the shield."
Marcus Daves (his voice firm but resolute):"Good. Don't fail me. I don't care how you do it, but do not let anything go wrong. I need to get to that school, and I need answers. You've been useful so far—don't make me regret trusting you."
The Informant (swallowing his fear):"I'll do it, Sir. I'll have the warp point ready in a few moments. You'll be able to get to the school safely."
Marcus Daves (with a final, commanding tone):"See to it. If there's anything else you learn, anything at all, you report to me immediately. And remember, the consequences for failure are dire."
Inside Aurelia School – Underground Office
The underground office was dimly lit, the air thick with anticipation and an undercurrent of fear. The shield surrounding the school hummed ominously, a constant reminder of the looming danger outside. Miles and Maria stood together, a tense silence hanging between them. Maria's expression was a mix of worry and concentration as she watched the magic barrier outside, still vibrating from the impact of the eagle's attacks.
But suddenly, there was a flicker on the magic surveillance screen that Maria had been monitoring. A small red light blinked, then a series of symbols appeared, like a warning—something was happening at the edge of the school's magical barrier. Maria's eyes snapped to the screen.
"Wait, what is that?"
The screen switched from static to a live feed of the area outside the school, showing a figure cloaked entirely in black, kneeling on one knee, just outside the barrier. The figure's presence alone seemed to distort the air around him. His posture was calm, almost as if he were waiting, but the sheer energy surrounding him sent a chill down Maria's spine. She recognized the spell immediately.
"No... It's a warp point."
She quickly activated the screen to zoom in on the figure, her hands moving with practiced ease, but her mind was racing.
"A warp point? Is that… Is that who I think it is? Is the Mayor and Governor coming through?"
Miles asked, confusion and alarm creeping into his voice. After everything that had occurred, he thought it might be them—arriving to protect him, maybe even bring help—but this… this didn't feel right. There was something about the figure in black that made him uneasy.
Maria didn't answer immediately. Instead, she leaned forward, her face tense. She watched the screen as the warp point began to glow brighter, more intense. The figure in black seemed to focus on something in the distance for a moment before taking a step forward.
"No, Miles… this is not the Mayor or the Governor."
Her tone was so serious that Miles could feel the gravity of her words even before she continued.
"It's outstanding that you know about such a rare spell. A warp point like that isn't just for any mage to use. It's a high-level magic, one that requires tremendous resources and a very specific set of skills to even attempt, especially when the caster isn't a space element user." She glanced at him, her expression darkening. "The Mayor and Governor may have their resources, but a spell like this… they couldn't afford to use it for something like this."
"Then who's coming through? If it's not them, then… who?" He didn't have to wait long for an answer. Miles asked, his anxiety growing.
Maria Jane (watching the screen intently, her breath catching):"I don't know… But I'm hoping whoever it is, they're an ally."
The figure in black stepped forward , the magic of the warp point intensifying for the last time. A moment later, the feed showed the person fully stepping through the portal. But just as the figure's face started to come into view, the screen flickered, the light turning to a harsh, dizzying white static that filled the screen in blinding flashes.
Miles Daves (grabbing her arm, urgency in his voice):"Miss Maria, what's happening?! What was that?!"
Maria stepped back, eyes wide in shock, her face pale. The feed crackled, then shut off completely. The screen now showed only a warning symbol flashing, a red error message indicating a magical overload.
Maria Jane (whispering in disbelief, her voice shaking):"No… No, this can't be happening…"
Her mind struggled to process the rapid sequence of events. The moment the figure had entered the warp point, the magic barrier had strained, the magical overload so immense it had caused the screen to crash. Whatever or whoever had come through… was more than just a simple mage. It was someone powerful, someone she hadn't expected.
Maria closed her eyes for a moment, fighting the fear that rose in her chest. Her hands clenched into fists. She felt a strange, oppressive weight in the air around her, a tangible force that seemed to be pressing in on them. She had been expecting trouble, but this was beyond anything she had anticipated.
"Someone exceeding the level of 100 has arrived and I… I think it's someone from the capital."
Her eyes finally met Miles's. They both knew what that meant. The capital wasn't just a city; it was the heart of political and magical power. For someone from there to come here, through a warp point like that—it meant only one thing. It wasn't an ally coming to help them—it was an agent of power, someone sent with an agenda.
"Miles… we're in deep trouble."