Chapter 14 – The might of the magician’s guild

The whole city is in uproar on the news of the ice magician going up against one of the major families. Some saw him as a hero of sorts, others think he’s just another bully in town. But none the less, apart from the major families, mercenaries were also hunting Redius down for the bounty.

Redius at this point was back at the magician’s dorm, unaware of the fuss around the city about him.

At this time, the arrival of three elders caused a slight stir in the hall in the guild.

“We request an audience with the Head of the Magician’s guild now.” One of the elderly demanded, his voice reinforced with aura causing stirs within the guild.

The three were the group that had been sent by the Ip family to demand the culprit’s location and identity. Even if they angered the guild, they could still fair well. Only they didn’t know what happened in the household after they had left…

Soon after the slight commotion, the assistant head of the guild Aldos walked out.

“What is this?” he spoke as he walked towards the three in question, emitting his magic power. The three elders were only at the peak of 3rd stage disciple class, they could not help but tremble at the power of a 2nd stage initiate magician.

“We… We are from the Ip family.” An elder said after gathering the courage. “We demand to know the identity of the culprit ice magician.”

“Demand?” Aldos’ eye narrowed as he repeated the word back to them. How many years had it been since anyone challenged the guild…

“Yes. The damage to our family, our children are near death. He must be punished.” Another chimed in.

“And just what do you think gives you the right to walk in here, into our guild and DEMAND anything?!” Aldos bellowed with the full might of his power directed to the three, sending all of them sliding across the floor. Blood dripped from the corners of the mouth.

“You…” they didn’t think that he would attack them so openly. They had yet to fully understand the power of the guild.

“Scram! Before you stay here forever.” His voice seemingly at spoken loudly at their ear caused them to flinch. They got up with their clenched teeth and fist, and reluctantly walked out. On their way back home, they would meet the second group sent to stop them. Regret would fill their hearts.

Back in Redius’ room, he sat in cognia. His eyes opened as he looked around the room, a puzzled look on his face.

“ji!” Ji made a noise as he jumped onto Redius’ lap and looked at him as if to say what’s wrong?

“Nothing…” Redius muttered as he stroked him. For a second, Redius could feel that someone was watching him, but when he expanded his sense field, he couldn’t find anyone who was. Though he did detect tiny traces of another diatis, but he still couldn’t tell who it was from.

In a completely different part of the guild, in the top level of the highest tower, sat a man who also in cognia opened his eyes with a wry smile.

*knock knock*

“Come in…” his voice rasped out. And Aldos came in through the door and shut it behind him.

If anyone was here, they’d be shocked and ask who is this man that requires the greeting of the assistant head of the guild? Must he be…?

“Head Morgan.” Aldos said as he greeted him politely. To which the Head merely nodded in return.

“I have done what you asked and sent the Ip family members away.”

“Good…” the Head’s old voice replied. A slight silence followed as the two remained still, then he began again. “The boy you mentioned… he truly has potential…”

Aldos nodded as he knew that the Head was talking about Redius.

“He could achieve even greater heights. This city is too small for him… It will do us good to befriend him whilst he is still growing…” The Head explained as if it was simple facts.

Aldos a little shocked that the Head would give such praise and expectations to Redius, maybe he really is special… finally he bided the Head goodbye and left the room. The Head merely closed back his eyes as if a statue would and sat unmoving. Silence returned to the room once again.

The person in discussion was currently at the great hall entrance of the guild. He stood before a massive pin board with pages upon pages of notes stuck on it. It was called the Mission Board. It was separated into the categories of the advancements gauging the difficulty of the mission. Some were as simple as helping farmers improve their earth quality, to placing barriers in rich people’s home and lastly for monster gems.

Monsters from level G develops a gem mostly in their forehead which stores their magical power. They can be compared to magician’s crystal inside their body which houses their elements. The monsters were the same. But unlike people, you could extract these gems from their bodies.

These gems proves to be very useful and high in demand, as they could enhance a magician’s power greatly and maintain barriers through the power inside.

Redius looked steadily on the board and finally took down a few notes, most of which was the hide of certain level G monsters. Redius knew that his training had come to a stop, that in order to grow stronger he needed combat, a chance through which he could discover what he was lacking. That was the way it worked, you couldn’t merely advance through all the classes just because you trained. Sometimes, you needed luck. To break through that special blockage in your training. And that was what Redius seeked.

With his missions in hand, he headed outside of the city for the Fohlorne forest, the forest which was divided into the outer rim, inner rim and epicentre. As you went further in, the stronger the monster out. There were rumours that at the epicentre, you could find monsters even stronger than an initiate class magician/knight. But only rumours, no one had returned to confirm it.

The ravine was alongside the edge of the outer and inner rim which housed level H and G monsters respectively.

And so man and ferret, headed together into the monster filled forest.

Unbeknownst to the both of them, the major families and mercenaries from the mercenary guild had informants at every exit of the city. And they had noted the description of Redius and informed all their heads of his departure.

And alongside Redius and ji who left, many followed after their orders were relayed to them. Each had their goals, some wanted him dead, some wanted him alive and some wanted his favour.

The sun slowly crept up behind the hill as different parties travelled towards the fohlorne forest with their own agendas. It was going to be a long, bloody day.

*Author's note - shorter chapter, but the fights coming :)