Oblivoros sat atop a massive boulder overlooking a barren expanse of land. Jagged clouds churned above him as lightning cracked across the sky, illuminating the silhouettes of masked demons gathered below. Each bolt cast fleeting shadows that stretched and twisted across the ground.
"Nerevrax seems to have passed… hmm," Oblivoros murmured, resting his chin against his knuckles.
"I've confirmed that Ramon has not returned. So the culprit must be the royal Valter spoke of… interesting."
He lifted his gaze toward the storming heavens, violet light reflecting faintly in his eyes.
"I wonder, Ramon… what exactly have you planned?" he said quietly. "Your summon appears to be traveling alongside another mage. But if it were truly you, Nerevrax wouldn't have lasted even a second. Which means this boy is someone else entirely."
His lips curved slightly. "Are you guiding him for your own purposes?"
A demon floated upward from the gathering below, standing upon a massive, jagged bone as if it were solid ground. A featureless mask hid his expression.
"My lord. Orven has returned. He brought a witness."
"Good. Send him here."
Oblivoros leapt down from the boulder, the impact shaking the earth beneath him.
Orven stood waiting below with Finnan beside him. The boy looked small beneath the towering demons and darkened sky.
Orven rested a hand on Finnan's shoulder and gave him a light push forward. "Go on, kid. This is my boss."
Oblivoros's gaze settled on Orven. "What happened to Nerevrax?"
"Nothing too dramatic," Orven replied casually. "The cocky brat got overconfident. The soul mage defeated him using swordplay after another mage helped wear him down."
"Only swordsmanship?" Oblivoros asked. "What of his summons?"
Orven turned his head slightly. "I didn't see any of it myself. Finnan, did the white-haired elf use summons?"
Finnan hesitated, memories of the battlefield resurfacing. The shattered remains of the blood crow. The spectral horse. The dust elemental lingering behind the fighting.
"T-There was a giant red crow, but it was defeated. He also had a horse… and some strange wind creature."
"That's all?"
Oblivoros fell silent, thoughts churning.
Then the boy must rely heavily on swordsmanship. Those summons alone amount to little. But another mage was present… If he required assistance, his true strength is difficult to measure.
A grin slowly spread across Oblivoros's face.
Interesting. Ramon, it seems you've dragged out quite the toy for me to observe.
"Boy," Oblivoros said at last, turning his attention fully to Finnan. "Would you like to join us? The demonic kingdom has languished for years. We intend to restore its former fearsome reputation. A world where demons are once again respected… and feared."
Finnan swallowed, glancing nervously toward Orven.
Orven simply winked.
"Yes!" Finnan said suddenly. "If it means I can become stronger, I'll join!"
Oblivoros gestured to the side. One of the masked demons stepped forward, holding out a smooth crystal that faintly glowed.
"Place your hand upon it."
Orven lowered the crystal to Finnan's height. Finnan hesitated for only a moment before pressing his palm against its surface.
The crystal flared with brilliant yellow light. An image of a radiant sun formed within it, spinning slowly.
Oblivoros burst into laughter.
"HAHAHAHA!"
Ramon, you truly are cursed by fate. This child wields light magic. And his hatred is aimed directly at your pawn.
Lightning streaked down from the sky as the crystal's glow fractured into countless rays, scattering into vivid bands of color. The night sky was painted in brilliant hues, forming a radiant arc above them.
"Whoa…" Finnan whispered, staring upward.
"Congratulations, Finnan," Orven said quietly. "You wield the light that blesses the world. The sun itself answers to you."
Oblivoros watched the spectacle with keen interest. "A beautiful power indeed."
***
Marina had been traveling for over a year.
There were no concrete clues regarding Cecilus's whereabouts, but she learned one important thing along the way. She wasn't the only one searching for him. The council had deployed trackers as well.
Fortunately, the sketches circulating through towns bore little resemblance to her current self.
"I must've grown a lot…" Marina muttered. "I'm almost fourteen now."
She glanced down at her reflection in a shop window. Compared to two years ago, she was nearly a head taller, her features sharper, more mature.
Marina sat on a bench, staring at a mission request.
"Green-haired elderly woman. Noble family requests capture for questioning," she read aloud.
"What could she have done to anger nobles?" Marina wondered. "Still… tracking her might help sharpen my skills. Maybe it'll help me find Cecilus eventually."
She noted the last reported sighting. A dense forest.
"Not exactly ideal for an old woman," she said, standing. "But it should make tracking easier."
After purchasing preserved food from the market, Marina set off along the main road toward the distant forest.
***
At the forest's edge, Marina pressed her palm against a tree trunk.
The bark trembled as roots surfaced, weaving through soil like serpents. They surged forward in waves, plunging deeper into the woods.
Her eyes remained closed as she focused, sensing life through the roots. Searching.
She withdrew her hand.
"…Failure."
She's deeper inside. Or I missed her. Self-teaching myself on how to use my powers really has its downsides, doesn't it?
Marina stepped into the forest, pushing through thick moss and towering trees. Hours passed before the sun dipped low.
Exhausted, she stopped and began preparing camp.
She placed her hand on the ground. Wooden pillars erupted upward as surrounding grass and trees faded to grey, their life siphoned away. A simple cabin formed around her.
Sweat dripped down from her brow.
Sweat dripped from her brow.
"At least sleeping will be easy tonight," Marina said with a tired chuckle.
She entered the cabin and collapsed into rest.
***
"Good morning!"
Marina jolted awake.
"Wha—who are you?!"
Rubbing her eyes, she froze.
An elderly woman with green hair stood inside the cabin, smiling warmly.
"You came to me?" Marina mumbled.
"What nonsense," the woman laughed. "I saw a cozy little house and decided to visit. Why would I seek you out?"
Realization hit Marina. She straightened and raised her fists.
"You! I was hired to capture you! Come quietly!"
She tried to summon vines from the cabin's walls.
Nothing happened.
What? Why isn't my magic working?
"Is this what you intended, child?"
The cabin exploded into splinters as thousands of vines erupted from the earth. Trees surrounding them drained of color.
Marina screamed as vines wrapped around her limbs, binding her tightly and suspending her in the air.
"H-How…?"
"It's been a long time," the woman said thoughtfully, approaching. "I never expected to meet another creation mage in this life."
She's a creation mage… and she's far stronger than me.
"Please! Let me go!" Marina pleaded. "I won't bother you again!"
The woman grabbed Marina's face, examining her closely.
"You're quite young," she mused. "Pretty too. Though not as lovely as I was in my prime."
She smiled. "Tell me your name. Perhaps your story will earn you mercy."
"My name is Marina," she said quickly. "I only took the job for money."
"Hmmm… very well," the woman said. "Today is your lucky day. I'll spare you, but there's a price."
"Huh? What kind?"
"You will serve me for one year. My name is Anwyne. But you may call me Master."
Marina hesitated. "Is there… really no other option?"
"You insolent brat!" Anwyne snapped. "Here! You have three seconds to chose. One… two—"
"Wait! I'll do it!" Marina shouted. "I'll serve you!"
Anwyne raised her hand. The vines dissolved into green dust. Marina fell heavily to the ground.
"Ow…"
As Marina pushed herself upright, a chilling realization settled in.
Wait… did I just become a slave again…?