Robert followed Manhawk and Mr. Currie out of the office and towards the school gate. He could feel the curious stares of the other students as they watched him leave, and the teachers' stern admonishments to pay attention to the lesson.
"Why is it so important that I attend a magic school anyway?" Robert asked. "To be honest, I think I'm pretty magical already," he added, a small proud grin playing on his lips.
Manhawk chuckled softly. "While your Ancestor soul is indeed powerful, you're still developing the ability to fully harness its potential," he explained. "Attending a magic school can help you unlock your full potential, and also teach you to use your power in a safe and responsible way. It's not just about becoming more powerful, it's about learning to control and direct that power. A magic school can make you stronger, and perhaps one day, you would be stronger than I am."
Robert's mind flashed back to the huge fireball Manhawk had created the other day. The memory sent a chill down his spine. The thought of being even more powerful than that was both thrilling and terrifying.
"So, are we taking the school bus? Or did you bring Goldie? Or your huge three headed leopard creature?" Robert asked, unable to contain his excitement. His mind raced with visions of soaring above the school grounds on a majestic white bird or a large three headed beast, with the students watching in awe. That would likely rake in every student's pocket money for Tom and Zarie - perhaps he could request a commission.
The two men shared a laugh.
"Robert," Mr. Currie began, "I know powers can be fun and all, but it's important to remember that just because the Magic Council has allowed wizards in Axille to use magic more freely, it doesn't mean you can flaunt or use them recklessly. There are still rules and regulations to follow, for your own safety and the safety of others."
"Then how are we going to get there?" Robert asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
Manhawk smiled and raised his hand. His silver ring glowed, and a scroll appeared in his hand.
"By reading a scroll?" Robert asked, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
"No, no, no," Manhawk said, shaking his head. "This is a teleportation scroll, created by magic technologists."
Robert looked at him with a puzzled expression. "A what?"
Manhawk patted him on the shoulder. "You've got a lot to learn, kid."
They left the school grounds and proceeded to the outskirts of the deserted street that stretched out beyond the institution. Axille was a small town located in the city of Heiss. It had a sparse population, most of whom were either Magic enforcers or ordinary natives. The number of people living there had steadily declined as more and more people sought opportunities in other parts of the city. The town had a deserted, run-down feel to it. Many of the houses were in disrepair, with boarded-up windows and peeling paint. Only a handful of homes looked well-maintained, their yards neatly manicured and their windows sparkling clean. The streets were mostly empty, with just the occasional car passing by. It felt like a ghost town, devoid of life and activity.
"Axille seems like a ghost town," Manhawk remarked. "There's hardly any sign of life in this area, except for a few rats and raccoons. I think it's time to teleport you to Heiss Magic School, Robert." The two men took a step back, creating some distance between themselves and Robert. "Once you arrive, ask around for a man called Dean Siege. He'll help you through the enrollment process." Manhawk handed the scroll to him. "Break this when you're ready to go."
Robert cautiously examined the object. "I don't know," he hesitated. "Is this thing safe? I mean, the scroll is glowing and it's giving off this weird light I've never seen before."
Manhawk looked at the scroll and then back at Robert. "Uh, yeah, it's totally safe," he said, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. "Just give it a try."
"I'm not so sure," Robert said, fidgeting nervously. "Are you sure it's not going to do something crazy?"
"Just break the scroll Robert," Manhawk said with a tinge of impatience in his voice.
"Okay," He said and shut his eyes and then...
There was no then.
With a shaking hand, Robert broke the scroll in half. The scroll crumbled into tiny particles of silver and gold dust, then disappeared with him in a flash of bright light. He felt a rush of wind, and everything around him began to spin. The world blurred around him, and then, suddenly, everything went dark.
No sooner had Robert departed than Manhawk let out a weighty sigh. "That young man's a real piece of work." The two shared a hearty chuckle. Turning to Mr. Currie, Manhawk extended his hand. "Thank you for your help, Charles," he said, shaking his hand. "I must return to Guagazl and brief the Superior Wizards. I'm grateful for your assistance."
"All in a day's work," Mr. Currie replied good naturedly.
"Would you like a ride back?" Manhawk asked.
"No, Stevenson. I'll love to have a look around," Mr. Currie replied. "It's been a while since I've been here."
"Alright," Manhawk replied, reaching into his pocket and retrieving a small golden feather. As he held it up, it began to grow in size, shifting and changing until a large bird appeared. "Goldie!" he called out, and the giant white bird with a golden beak swooped down to meet him. Manhawk leapt onto its back, and with a powerful beat of its wings, they were airborne. They soared up into the sky, leaving a trail of shimmer and a gust of wind that nearly knocked Mr. Currie off his feet. Within seconds, Manhawk and Goldie had disappeared from view.
The street was once again silent and still, the only sign that anything had happened was the dust swirling in the wind.
Mr. Currie scowled as he watched the bird and its rider disappear into the distance. "What a fool," he muttered. "It's a wonder he's achieved such renown."
As he spoke, a faint, ruby-red glow emanated from his skin, which suddenly began to shift and writhe, as if its very fabric was in flux. Within seconds, he was no longer the blonde and thick bearded Mr. Charles Currie, but a handsome man in his thirties, with a neatly trimmed beard and immaculately coiffed black hair.
The man examined his form with a suave smile. "Manhawk's more careless than I thought," he said to himself, smoothing out the dark red and black robe that had mysteriously replaced the police uniform he had been wearing. "I'm shocked... I thought I'd have to break a sweat, but nope, my Shape-shifting spell was a cakewalk. He must really trust this archeologist."
Scoffing, he shook his head and pulled out a phone. After dialing, a pleasant female voice answered, "White Claw, successful?"
"As always," he replied. "Now, we just need to know that every evening, just after dusk, he'll be on his way to the magic school in Prixeo - Heiss Magic School. All we have to do is figure out his usual route and ambush him."
"The Blood Master is pleased to hear that," the voice said. "Join me at Vantge to receive your reward. Well done."
"Thank you, Blood Mistress," White Claw said, bowing his head in respect. He pocketed the phone and looked around for a taxi. He didn't dare use his magic beast for transportation - the Magic enforcers would be all over him in no time. And when they discover he was a member of the Black Fraggers that would mean a fight, which would only lead to more trouble than it was worth.
Just as he was deliberating his next move, a scruffy-looking raccoon scurried over and began sniffing around his feet. "Vile creature," White Claw snarled with utter repulsion. With a swift gesture, he unleashed a "Blood extraction" spell, his 6th rank Mystic power draining the animal's life force with merciless efficiency.
The raccoon's terrified yelp echoed through the silent street as blood streamed from every orifice. After a few agonizing spasms, the poor creature collapse and laid still, its body now a crumpled heap in a pool of its own blood.
_
Guagazl in Comset, the same continent Heiss city is located but in the north.
Manhawk arrived at the Magic Council's headquarters, a towering cylindrical edifice located in the center of the city of Guagazl. Its polished stone walls were covered in intricate runes, glowing with a faint blue light. Wizards walked back and forth, their robes of various colors indicating their respective departments. A few tourists snapped pictures, their eyes filled with wonder at the spectacle before them. In the upper chambers, arguments and debates echoed through the halls, the voices rising and falling like waves crashing against a rocky shore. As Manhawk drew closer to the tower, he caught sight of a man with a thick beard and blonde hair approaching him rapidly. "Wait a minute," he thought, perplexed. "Charles? I left him in Axille. How did he get here before me?"
"Mr. Stevenson! I've been searching everywhere for you," Mr. Currie said with a smile. "Are we still on for Axille? We don't want to miss meeting that young man with the Earth Ancestor soul."
Manhawk's eyes narrowed with intense confusion. He quickly detected Mr. Currie's aura, triggering a profound realization. The person standing before him was, indeed, Archeologist Charles Currie. But then, it struck him - if this was genuinely Mr. Currie, posing such an unusual query, it implied two possibilities: either Mr. Currie was playing a trick or the individual who had accompanied him to Axille was an imposter, probably employing a Blood shape-shifting spell or potion to mimic Mr. Currie's identity. His instincts, honed by experience, pointed to the latter as the probable explanation. If that was the case, then it indicated that someone was aware of Robert's enrollment at Heiss Magic School, someone who knew about Robert and his Ancestor soul, someone who potentially wanted to harm him, possibly the Black Fraggers.
"Damn it!" Manhawk cursed, his thoughts racing. Mr. Currie observed him warily. After a brief pause, Manhawk's gravelly voice broke the silence. "We've got a problem. I've been tricked."
Mr. Currie's face twisted in confusion. "Tricked?"
"Indeed, by an imposter," Manhawk replied, massaging his face as he struggled to hide his anxiety. "The individual took your shape and followed me to Axille. I fear they might be a member of the Black Fraggers."
Mr. Currie's eyes widened with disbelief. "Uhh... shouldn't you give orders to secure the area?" He asked, his voice steady despite the gravity of the situation.
"No, if they're bold and smart enough to pull off a deception like this, they've likely escaped by now," Manhawk said, before suddenly exclaiming, "Damn it! This is my fault. I let my guard down completely." He stroked his goatee, his face clouded with anger and frustration.
"Once again, Mr. Stevenson, I strongly recommend assigning a security detail to the boy, however small and discreet it may need to be. He'll need it," Charles Currie suggested calmly.
But Manhawk's face turned an even deeper shade of red. "Currie, you keep underestimating those bastards!" He clenched his teeth, his voice strained. "I do not need to keep reminding you that the Black Fraggers aren't your everyday criminal organization. They don't go around robbing banks or trafficking drugs or stealing candies from babies... Those savages are terrorist masterminds capable of reducing ENTIRE cities to rubbles! No security detail can guarantee Robert's safety from those monsters - they'd surely get to him one way or another, with tactics that'll leave you stunned. And as I've said before, I trust the Ancestor soul to protect him. Those things are wiser and more powerful than you think. But perhaps you're right, some protection is better than none," he paused, collecting his thoughts. "I think I know what the Black Fraggers are planning. Send a message to the Wizard Protector assigned to Solar Springs High School."
"Greene?" Mr. Currie inquired.
Manhawk nodded curtly. "Yeah, she'll need to keep a closer eye on Robert and the school as well. Have her report for briefing as soon as possible. And, instruct Stacey to compile and submit to me a comprehensive dossier on Robert, focusing on his personal relationships and family connections." And with that, Manhawk turned and began to make his way to the top floor of the building, where he knew the three Superior Wizards were waiting.
As the light from the scroll faded, Robert found himself in a fantastical environment. He stood in front of a school unlike any he had ever seen before. Instead of students in normal school uniforms moving about, the students here wore robes of all different colors.
Some were doing things that seemed impossible - warming their lunch by conjuring a flame in their hand, conjuring leaves and flowers to dress another girl, water flowing from their bare hands to fill a bottle, and even creating snowballs from thin air. Another boy was charging a phone by sticking the charger in his nose, and electricity crackled around his head. One boy was causing the wind to blow, and the girls' skirts flew up in the breeze, earning him yells and curses... making objects float in mid air, shape shifting into the person beside them, controlling sand particles... The students were all doing things that seemed like magic - like actual magic! Robert was awestruck, his eyes wide with wonder and confusion. What kind of place was this?
A minute passed before he managed to tear his gaze away from the incredible scene around him. He glanced around, searching for someone who looked approachable. He spotted a group of girls huddled together, and one in particular caught his eye. She had a blue hair and was absolutely stunning. Impulsively, he took a deep breath and walked over to the group.
"Hi, girls," he said, nervously clearing his throat. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but could you tell me where I can find Dean Siege?"
Before he could get an answer, two boys approached the group - one was plump and gangly, the other tall and skinny with glasses.
"Piss off, pal!" Glasses guy snapped. "She's already taken. Go find someone else to flirt with, unless you wanna get on Alexander's bad side. Now scram!" How dare this random guy in a stupid high school uniform approach Alexander's girl? He didn't even have any magic aura. Who did he think he was?
Robert was taken aback by the boy's aggressive tone. He had always thought of guys who wore glasses as timid and studious, not like this guy who seemed to have an attitude that didn't match his appearance. Was this really the same boy he had seen just a moment ago?
"Cheril, he's just trying to find Dean Siege," the blue-haired girl said, her voice calm and clear.
"His office is on the fifth floor," the chubby boy said gruffly. "Now get lost."
Robert ignored him, simply glancing over at the boy called Alexander, who sat nearby. Alexander looked back at him coolly, his silver hair shining in the sunlight, his chin raised. He seemed utterly unconcerned by Robert's presence.
"Don't mind these kids, son," Poison's deep voice echoed softly in his mind. "They've just become Common wizards, and they think it makes them hot stuff. But you sure picked the wrong group to ask for direction."
Robert turned and quietly made his way to the stairs, choosing not to utilize Poison's power to deal with the boys. Among them, Alexander, who allowed the other two boys to bother him, stood out the most. Despite the group emitting magic waves, the strongest among them appeared to be a 5th rank Common wizard, while Poison's Earth magic already resided in the Mystic realm. If Robert had lost his temper, the consequences could have been dire, as he possessed the capability to inflict severe harm upon all present with ease. Fortunately, Robert was level-headed and chose to avoid confrontation.
"But you have to admit, Alexander is quite the looker," Poison mentioned.
"Quiet Poison, I don't want these guys to think I'm losing it if I respond to you out loud," Robert thought, making his way up the stairs.
"Oh, yeah sure," Poison replied grumpily.