Derek was on the ground, he couldn’t fight, he couldn’t move. He couldn’t get up. But his spirit was alive.
Just then, the blood which had bathed the walls and the ground all began moving. They left the place which they had stained and led back to where Derek was lying.
The blood came from all parts and moved underneath his stomach as if his body was absorbing them back.
The golem saw this but didn’t know what to make of it. In its yellow eyes, there was fear.
Derek’s body sucked all the blood completely, the entire ground clean as though it had never been stained.
In that exact moment, a massive surge of red and black energy erupted from his body, tearing through the underground ceiling and shooting straight up through the roof.
The pillar of magic power blasted out of the manor into the night sky, spawning a violent thunderstorm that could be seen and heard a hundred kilometers away.
***
In a dimly lit study surrounded by towering bookshelves, a young mage in a gray robe layered over a red vest and matching tie, sat at his desk studying an ancient parchment. Just then, a sudden flash of light caught his eyes, drawing his gaze towards the window.
Outside, in a distance, beneath the full moon, a crimson beam of magic tore through the night sky casting a blood-red glow.
"What is that?" The young mage uttered, completely baffled by the amount of magic power it was producing.
At that exact moment, the door to the study burst open and a younger mage wearing the same attire dashed in.
"Captain Raymond, there’s an emergency!" The younger mage uttered as he tried catching his breath.
"What is it Greg?" Raymond asked, his voice calm and warm.
After catching his breath, Greg rose and was about to speak when his gaze landed at the window, seeing the beam at the distance.
He pointed at it. "That’s... That’s the emergency. Something is happening at the lower town of the kingdom."
With long blonde hair and magenta colored eyes, Raymond turned back to the window and gazed at the crimson beam. "Have you contacted other captains?" He asked, calmly.
"Yes. They are being informed as we speak." Greg responded wholeheartedly.
"That’s good. And the Magus King?"
"W-We haven’t reached him yet!"
Raymond heard this but didn’t respond. His eyes narrowed slightly focusing on the horizon where the beam had pierced the sky. If I’m correct that’s the direction of Valley Town. I heard a blessing ceremony was held there. Did someone lose control? No, that’s not possible. Even still this magic power... it’s too cold.
"Captain?" Greg watched Raymond as he sank into his thoughts but was still waiting for his orders.
Hearing his call, Raymond turned around and commanded. "Send out every available first class and second class spellweaver to go and see what is going on. If it is a threat against the kingdom we would take more action. For now I want reports on the situation, onsite!"
"Yes sir!" Greg responded and left the study almost immediately.
After the young mage departed, Raymond turned back to the window, only to discover that the crimson beam had already vanished into the night.
"What the hell?"
...
Night gave way to dawn as the sun rose bright and shining. Its rays streamed through the window and illuminated the room washing over Derek’s face.
The light woke him up, and his mind immediately raced with a single question... where am I?
"You sure caused a lot of damage at my home didn’t you?" The voice of an elderly man flew into his ear as he quickly turned around and got to his feet.
Across him, an elderly man with white hair and eyebrows was seated cross-legged on a black chair against the wall, calmly smoking a cigarette while dressed in a dark suit jacket and trousers.
"What’s the rush?" The man uttered as he blew a potion of smoke out his mouth.
"W—Who are you? Where am I?" Derek surveyed his surroundings and saw that he was in a small room less than the size of the his previous living room.
This man who is he? And what happened to the place?... He checked his body and found no injuries nor any scars.
"Don’t worry, you are in perfect shape. I found you on time, but it wasn’t as if you needed my help anyways. You were fine the moment I met you. You had even taken down the golem I made." The man chuckled in amazement.
Made the golem? Is he saying that I killed it? From what I can recall it was me who was almost at the brink of death... Derek focused his gaze at the old man who seemed rather calm for his age.
"You said I caused a lot of damage in your home. What do you mean by that? Are you the owner of that ancient manor?"
The old man took a drag of the cigarette before blowing smoke from his nose and mouth. Then he crushed the ember against the wall behind him to put it out.
"It doesn’t matter now. It has already been destroyed. At least I was able to get you out of there before those mages came snooping around. We are at my second home in the main town." The man gazed at Derek as though offended about the destruction of the manor.
"Then again I can’t truly blame you. I never expected you’d have gotten a blessing and be able to defeat the golem. Did you learn about the blessing ceremony from Agatha before coming here?"
Derek was taken aback when he heard the name the man called... Agatha? That’s my grandmother’s name. How does he know that? Who is this old man? And is he saying he knows me?
"You don’t have to think about it too much. You are Derek, right? You came looking for me at the manor?"
No way. How does he know all that? Is he reading my mind?... Derek was more confused than ever.
"How do you know my name?" Derek asked, curiously.
The man raised his eyebrows, then shook his head slowly. "It looks like she didn’t tell you anything huh? Typical Agatha. She kept saying she wanted to keep you safe."
The old man stood up from the chair. "You asked me how I know your name? Well for starter’s that amulet you’re wearing. It was made out of magic stones and was given to Agatha by none other than myself."
Derek stared down at his chest and saw the amulet hanging outside. He raised it up with his right hand and scanned it but saw that it had sustained no damage.
"It’s a family relic that has been passed down through generations. Now it’s yours."
"So you are my?..." Before Derek could complete his sentence, the old man waved his hand as he walked to the door of the room.
"Oh that doesn’t matter. You are here now. That means something must have happened at the other side. Am I right?"
Derek nodded.
"Well, it was only a matter of time before they found out. Well there’s nothing we can do about it now. You should hide yourself, and—"
"I cannot do that!" Derek fired, cutting the old man’s words short. "I cannot stay hidden. I have to go back. I have to save my grandmother. There is a way, right? There should be."
The old man turned around and saw the determination in Derek’s crimson eyes.
A smile played on his face as he mumbled to himself before speaking out loud. "There is likely a way but that’s not something I can provide. You need to find it yourself."
"And how do I do that... Sir?"
The old man placed his left hand on his chin and thought for a while before responding. "There should be ancient documents stored in the royal library. But it would be hidden away because it’s a forbidden spell."
Upon hearing this, Derek didn’t hesitate to ask."How do I get to the royal library... Sir?"
"Become a mage and join the royal academy. Only high class mages can access the royal library. However, I can’t guarantee you’d get the information you seek from there because it could be locked away in secret, or worse, not there at all."
"I will join. I will climb my way to the top and get it. No matter what it takes."
The old man chuckled, "Then you should take the royal academy entrance exam. It’s in a week so I suggest you prepare yourself."
"Are you hungry?" The old man walked out of the room without waiting for a reply, leaving Derek alone in the room.
It’s just as I expected. He can’t see this window hovering before me?