“what do you mean you will help me learn magic? What is your true goal?” Austin was confused looking at the crazy man in front of him .

“ Exactly what I said. As for why, I am simply looking for enjoyment. Quite sick from boredom of running, hiding, trying to get powerful and rich etc. You see .”

“ What are you running from?”

“ You will know when you are in mage academy kid. Now rest up your training starts tomorrow.”

Leaving Austin all confused Mark went to his bed sleeping comfortably. After thinking about it for some time Austin could not deduce any ill intension and gave up thinking. Instead he replayed the whole battle in his mind again and again remembering how hard it was to kill that man.

It was really unusual how strong that man was the feeling when he was cutting his leg and neck the reason he escaped first attack was not Austin’s lack or practice or big guys reflex. The giant had really tough muscles holding a lot of power cause of which the blade didn’t go through cleanly. ‘fucking magic.. if he was normal man every thing would be taken care of cleanly’ Austin after replaying the battle in his mind numerous times came up with only one conclusion, he had to get that power for himself. Controlling his thoughts Austin went to sleep quickly for training tomorrow.

Same night captain of guards and a Cleric were having a headache searching the battle location till late night. “ Damn did Some one played a prank us by inscribing demon cults mark on the chest” said the captain. “Exactly there are no curses in the body and no magic attack, mana has been used but very faintly. Every thing is wiped clean Maybe traces were erased later? traces of common barrier spell is there but no mana signature. This is definitely not how they kill there victims ” Said cleric.

“The killer has to be a rank 3mage to have mana controls like this or a great assassin powerful enough to overpower this giant . But that doesn’t explain the burns... At least these is some blood in the broken walls I will call the spirit tamer tomorrow let’s just complete the paper work now that we know it’s not work of the cult and just some fucking prank.” said the captain yawning.

_____________

Next morning Austin was receiving guidance on meditation about how he should breath focus in particular points sensitive to mana in human body and where he should focus to feel inner flow of mana. Austin managed to sense mana flowing inside his body and also sense his core.

In this world all beast and humans have core inside them which has colour from red to violet. Cores also decide the rank of a person there power and control of one’s body and mana. In case of a mage, aperients mage have 2 ranks Cause of red and orange cores, mage has 3 rank for yellow, green, blue core, great mage has 2 ranks with indigo and violet core, Finally Archmage with white core.

After some time it was time for opening shop so the training ended there. Austin still practiced meditation trying to sense mana outside his body. There was nothing to do and sit so he also wrote and remember some arcane characters when a beauty holding a cute beast showed up.

“ Hi my name is Vesta a spirit tamer.” She said with a smile holding an orange orb and a cat. Austin was frozen as he recognized the orb,' rank 3 beast core.’ Austin spoke politely “how can I help u mam?” but the words she spoke froze him again.

“ I would like you to come with me out side to meet guard captain and his team out side? It’s about yesterday’s murder case” Vesta said petting her cat.