The following morning when Wisteria woke up, he quickly gathered his thoughts as he recollected the events of the previous night.

It was hard to believe how much his relationship with Sylvan had changed in just one day. He felt calm, and no longer afraid for his life.

Someone knocked on the door.

"Wisteria," It was Sylvan's voice, "Are you awake?"

"I am. You can come in!"

Sylvan opened the door.

"Good morning." Wisteria smiled as he buttoned up his shirt, his hair disheveled.

"Good morning," Sylvan turned his head to a side, as if averting his gaze. "Breakfast is set, so whenever you're ready, head down to the dining room."

"Alright."

Sylvan turned, about to close the door.

"Sylvan---" Wisteria called, "Are you going to join for breakfast?"

"No, but my grandmother should be there soon."

"You should join us..."

"..." He shook his head, "She's not in the best health condition. Even a little exposure to my Mana could threaten her life."

"... I still think you should join us... I don't mean to meddle, but your grandmother seems to really miss your company. I can set an extra barrier around her if it makes you feel better..."

"..." Sylvan thought for a moment, "Alr--."

---Beep, beep--- Beep, beep--- Beep, beep---

The sound of an alarm went off.

Sylvan opened his palm, a translucent image hovering above a rune on his palm, "Wisteria, do you know these people?"

Wisteria inspected the projection of around ten individuals, recognizing one of them----

The Sage, Oleander, was standing in front of Sylvan's gates!

He instantly regretted his decision to stay over.

"I do..." Wisteria replied, feeling apologetic, "I'll head out now. I'm very sorry for the disruption..."

"It's not your fault." Sylvan reassured, "I'll walk you to the portal."

Amidst the silence of the Dark Forest, the new visitors's quietly whispered among themselves.

"Necromancer!" Oleander boisterous voice propelled, "Release the young man at once!"

Suddenly, the gates opened with the same crunching and cracking sound of bones. And from the golden portal, a black haired young man walked out.

"Hi, everyone..." Wisteria forced a smile, the gates closing behind him, "What are you doing all the way here?"

"Wisteria!" Oleander called out, rushing to his side, "Are you okay? What did he do to you?"

"I'm fine... We fought a little and I managed to escape, so we can turn back now."

"No." Oleander's usual nonchalant demeanor was nowhere to be seen as he gritted his teeth, "That man has crossed the line!"

"Oleander, there's no need---"

The Sage stepped forward, gently pushing Wisteria away from him. He built a mass of Mana into his hand and shot it towards the gate. Following suit, the other sorcerers joined in the attack. The moment their spells touched the gates, the crimson runes crawled towards them like a snake. As it got closer, the runes grew longer in length enough to envelop all ten-plus sorcerers.

"..." Wisteria watched from the outside of the entrapment.

"Young man," Oleander's voice propelled, "Help us break the spell from the outside. This rune is preventing us from activating Mana form the inside!"

"... uhh" Wisteria hesitated, "I, uh, I overused my Mana not too long ago... I don't feel very well... Though, I think if your killing intent simmers down, the rune might deactivate on its own. How about we all calm down a bit?"

"That's fine. Rest." Oleander turned his back to him, then crouched on the floor.

He must be writing a counter rune. It should be fine, if it's Oleander.

But what will he do once they are able to get out?

"Wisteria," Sylvan's voice whispered.

Wisteria looked down at his wrist glowing gold, and quickly hid it behind his back. He ran towards the tree farthest from the gates with the excuse to 'rest' in order to distance himself from his rescuers.

Once he was far enough, Sylvan continued, "I don't think they're going to leave without a fight. I'll indulge them a little, if that's okay with you?"

"Can't we just tell them the truth?" Wisteria raised his wrist to his lips as he whispered back.

"No. My reputation is anything but good. Your position as Sage Successor will be jeopardized."

"... But you'll be fighting more than ten people in addition to the Sage... What if you get hurt?"

Sylvan's soft chuckle tingled, "Don't worry. I think the only person who could fight against me and win is you. I can tell."

"..." Wisteria couldn't hide the small grin on his face. "If you say so. But also don't hurt them too much."

"Alright."

And as he gave a word of confirmation, Wisteria saw the gates crack open again. Sylvan stepped out of the golden portal, wearing his white cape over his shoulders.

"N-Necromancer!"

"Vile transgressor!"

"What bad taste to put a spell like that over his face..."

"We have to eliminate him as soon as possible! No one's lived peacefully since he appeared!"

Wisteria pursed his lips as he realized that he would have agreed with those words prior to that day.

Shortly, Oleander dripped a few drops of blood onto the runes he scribbled on the floor and activated the counter spell----- shattering Sylvan's entrapment.

"How dare you hold him captive!" Oleander shouted, "We leave you alone despite your transgressions, and yet you choose to show such disrespect---- What do you have to say for yourself!?"

"Hmph." Sylvan sneered, "And who do you think you are to determine what's right or wrong. In the end, you old people make rules only to enrich yourselves. You didn't bother coming after me because there was no merit to you."

As Wisteria watched Sylvan and Oleander commence an exchange of blows, he remembered Sylvan's threats on their first meeting. No wonder Sylvan seemed flustered by his lack of fear to his death threat. Everyone, even himself, had been quick to deem him as an intimidating enemy to defeat. Sylvan must have grown used to using threats like that as a habit...

All of a sudden, his attention was drawn back to the two combatting sorcerers. On one side, Oleander gathered a colossal sphere of Mana into his palm, which continued to grow as his aides poured in their Mana into the charged attack. On the other side, Sylvan activated several rune inscriptions all around his body, while building two large spheres of Mana into each palm.

"Isn't this escalating a bit too quickly!!??" Wisteria said to himself, propelling himself forward.

Only once Sylvan and Oleander had released their attacks against each other, did they realize that Wisteria had placed himself in the center of the battle field!

"WISTERIA!!!" Sylvan's and Oleander's voices were overpowered by the noise of the incoming attacks. To Wisteria's relief, Oleander didn't hear Sylvan call out his name.

Wisteria gathered a large amount of the Sacred Tree's Mana into his arm, the colorful energy coiling around his limb. As the attacks approached overhead, he shot the powerful, clean Mana into the air. The strong pressure collided with the incoming attacks, which were dragged into the sky, destroying every tree on its path.

The long overdue rays of morning sunlight gently descended upon the Dark Forest's ground. The entrance to Sylvan's domain was no longer eclipsed by the shadows, a sight Wisteria would have liked to celebrate.

However, his arm, which remained stretched above his head, ached and burned. The sleeves of his shirt have been completely pulverized, while patches of skin dangled down from his arm, revealing the rosy color of his flesh.

"!!!!" Sylvan's body tensed for a second before he took a few steps forward, but stopped immediately by the sound of Wisteria's voice.

"Don't!" Wisteria used the little Mana left in his body to transmit his voice to Sylvan, "I'm okay. With this, they'll have to leave you alone... I'm sorry. I caused destruction around your house again..."

"That's fine, just, stop using your Mana!" Sylvan's voice quivered, "You could die from Mana exhaustion!"

"Alright. And I'll be okay, so don't worry---" Wisteria turned his head slightly, attempting a smile.

Unable to hold on, Wisteria's body began to fall forward. If it wasn't for Oleander who was quick to catch him, he would have landed painfully on his face.

"..." Oleander's face darkened, "We're leaving."

"Yes, sir." His aides replied in sync.

Oleander shot his eyes at his opponent, threatening with his glare. Sylvan's expressionless face watched as the sorcerers activated their teleportation spells and left.

Underneath his white cape, his fist tightened. Trembled.

Sylvan walked back into the portal, then into the dimension of the bricked tower and dark ominous clouds. He walked up the spiraling flight of stairs to the highest floor of the tower, then entered the only door in sight.

And within that room was only one thing--- a black mirror.

"My dear Sylvan," Someone said from the mirror, their identity indistinguishable for their voice had been altered, "How did you like my gift?"

"Gift?"

"The girl, of course!" The voice chuckled, "Wasn't she perfect?"

"..." Sylvan sighed, "So it was you."

"Hm? Why do you not sound happy? She has the exact type of Mana that you need. What's the problem? Don't tell me you grew a conscience after getting this far, no?"

"..." Sylvan thought for a moment, "Don't drag that girl into this anymore. I'll think of another way."

"..." The voice hesitated for a few long, uncomfortable seconds, "Then, enlighten me. What's your plan?"

"I don't have one. But I'll think of it myself. You don't need to concern yourself anym----"

"YOU UNGRATEFUL BRAT!" The voice spewed.

Sylvan sighed again, "I didn't mean it like that. I am grateful for what you've done for me. But we've tried everything to the point that there's no other alternatives left. So, I don't want to waste your time."

"That's why I sent you the girl!"

"Yes, I appreciate it. But I'm not going to use her."

".... Alright, then~" The voice said lively through their teeth, "But if you change your mind, you know what to do."

The black mirror fell silent.

Sylvan sighed one more time before heading out of the room, closing the door behind.