Chapter 101: Meeting a friend
Afterward, I slowly walked to the inn’s window.
Night had already taken over the City of Distant Wind.
Only a few lights remained lit, while the cold wind swept through the empty streets, carrying the damp scent of vegetation.
I crossed my arms.
— Let’s organize this...
I closed my eyes for a moment and began analyzing all the information I had gathered.
According to Larsy, the area affected by the strange phenomenon was not that large.
An entire forest had completely withered, animals were displaying abnormal behavior, and some people were simply disappearing.
None of that seemed to indicate a threat capable of destroying an entire city.
If the description is accurate, then perhaps it is only some corrupted magical organism... or a creature that feeds on human beings.
My mind worked quickly.
Even creatures of that kind usually left very obvious traces.
If it were truly just a lesser demon or some magical parasite, a Level 2 acolyte would be more than enough to deal with the situation.
But...
That conclusion depended on a single thing.
That the information was accurate.
I had learned long ago that the greatest mistake a mage could make was to trust other people’s accounts completely.
I rested my forehead against the window frame.
I still have a year and a half to complete this mission...
There was absolutely no reason to rush.
It would be far better to send other people first.
Before investigating any anomaly, I needed to build my own foundation in that city.
And above all...
Get in contact with other mages.
Besides that, tomorrow I need to visit an old acquaintance.
My gaze swept over the holographic map projected by the Biochip once again.
Although the City of Distant Wind was far from the great towers, it possessed something far more interesting.
An old magical crystal mine.
The main reserves had been exhausted decades ago, but the place still attracted wandering mages, small clans, and independent researchers.
Where there was mana...
There were always mages.
The Biochip had already confirmed that when we entered the city.
Several energy signatures belonging to acolytes had been detected.
Far more than I had expected to find in such a remote place.
It was perfectly understandable.
Independent mages preferred isolated regions.
The less attention they attracted, the greater their chances of surviving.
Besides, living for a very long time had its inconveniences.
A man who appeared to be thirty years old for fifty consecutive years would inevitably arouse suspicion.
That was why they constantly changed cities.
Changed identities.
Changed lives.
I would do exactly the same.
— Jane.
I didn’t have to call her twice.
A few seconds later, I heard soft knocks at the door.
— Young Master?
She entered wearing an elegant red dress.
When she bowed, part of her fair back was exposed beneath the candlelight.
Her behavior remained impeccable.
— I need you to prepare a gift.
— Tomorrow I will pay someone a visit.
For a brief moment, curiosity appeared in her eyes.
— Dormato will know exactly what to buy.
— Just follow his instructions.
Jane lowered her head once again.
— Yes, Young Master.
She looked as though she wanted to ask something, but remained silent.
After she left the room, I walked to the door.
I raised my hand.
Bluish particles began to appear around me.
Small magical symbols quietly spread across the walls, ceiling, and window.
A simple array.
If anyone crossed that perimeter during the night...
The Biochip would wake me immediately.
Only after completing the installation of the spell did I extinguish the candles.
The following morning...
The sun had not even risen above the rooftops when I left the inn accompanied by Jane.
She carefully carried a small velvet-covered box.
I quickly opened it.
Inside was a refined silver ring.
At its center, a small golden detail drew attention without seeming excessive.
I ran my thumb across its polished surface.
— Was it Dormato who chose this?
Jane nodded immediately.
— Yes, Young Master.
She answered politely.
— According to Mr. Dormato, in this city, a silver ring adorned with gold represents peaceful intentions and respect. It is considered an excellent gift for a first visit.
I closed the box.
It made sense.
Gifts were never just gifts.
They communicated intentions.
Especially among nobles.
We continued walking.
After a few minutes, Jane spoke again.
Her voice came out hesitant.
— Young Master...
I looked at her.
— Are you... going to visit another acolyte?
— Yes.
I stepped a little closer so that only she could hear.
— Another acolyte.
The moment she heard my answer, her shoulders trembled.
The Biochip immediately registered the change in her breathing.
She was nervous.
Very nervous.
Probably because of her former master.
Primou had mentioned that Jane had previously belonged to a mage before being resold.
That had clearly left psychological scars.
I looked at her for a few seconds.
— If you’re afraid, you can go back to the inn.
Without thinking much about it, I gently wrapped one arm around her waist as we walked.
Her body stiffened for a moment.
Then it slowly relaxed.
She raised her eyes to me and forced a faint smile.
— No...
— Jane wishes to accompany the Young Master.
I watched her expression for a few more moments.
She was frightened.
But there was determination there.
— Then come.
We headed toward the eastern part of the City of Distant Wind.
The differences between the districts became increasingly apparent.
The buildings featured refined Gothic architecture, with tall, pointed rooftops.
The streets were paved with large, perfectly aligned stones.
Well-maintained gardens decorated both sides of the road.
Small ornamental fountains filled the air with the soothing sound of running water.
The men and women wore clothing far more elegant than the inhabitants of the commercial districts.
— It seems we’ve found the nobles’ district.
Jane simply nodded in silence.
A few minutes later, we stopped in front of an elegant two-story white residence.
Above the gate hung a discreet metal plaque.
Gold Main Street, Number 67.
I stopped at the entrance.
Then I carefully examined the house.
This was it.
The home of the man I intended to visit.
I approached the front door and rang the small bronze bell hanging beside the entrance.
The metallic chime echoed through the interior of the house.
A few seconds later, I heard hurried footsteps approaching.
The door slowly opened.
A gray-haired man, dressed in an impeccable butler’s uniform, appeared before me.
His posture was as rigid as his expression.
He discreetly looked me over before speaking.
— Good day. May I ask who you are, sir?
— Do you have an appointment with this residence?
— My name is George Gill. I came to pay a visit to the owner of this house.
The butler seemed somewhat uncomfortable.
He lowered his head slightly before replying.
— Sir... as you may know, my master, Lurdot, is a highly renowned scholar.
— His schedule is usually completely occupied every day.
— I’m afraid that...
Before he could finish speaking, a young maid came running down the hallway.
She quickly approached him and whispered something into his ear.
I watched attentively.
The change in his expression was immediate.
The butler straightened his posture once more and gave me a respectful bow.
— Please forgive the delay, sir.
— My master asks that you accompany me to the drawing room.
I nodded silently.
Jane remained just behind me, carefully carrying the small velvet box containing the gift.
We entered the residence.
As soon as I stepped into the main hallway, I realized that the man truly possessed refined taste.
The pale yellow walls were decorated with old paintings, landscape portraits, carefully framed maps, and various works of art that were probably decades, perhaps even centuries, old.
There was no excessive luxury.
No vulgar display of wealth.
Everything conveyed culture.
Knowledge.
History.
The farther we walked, the more obvious it became that this place belonged to someone who valued intellect above ostentation.
A few moments later, we arrived at the spacious drawing room.
My gaze slowly swept across the entire room.
A massive fireplace warmed the space.
Bookshelves packed with books covered much of the walls.
Antique clocks, understated sculptures, and dark wooden furniture completed the décor.
It was elegant.
Quiet.
Comfortable.
Beside the fireplace sat an old man with long white eyebrows and an equally white beard.
His skin bore the inevitable marks of age.
His eyes seemed clouded...
But the moment they rested on me, a gleam of intelligence immediately appeared.
He slowly rose from his armchair.
Then he opened his arms.
— Welcome, my young friend!
I walked over to him and respectfully returned the embrace.
— The honor is entirely mine, Mr. Lurdot.
I stepped back.
— I hope you will accept this small gift as a token of respect for our first meeting.
Jane immediately stepped forward.
She handed the small box to the butler.
When he opened it, it revealed a refined silver ring adorned with small golden details.
— A silver ring...
He carefully picked up the jewel between his fingers.
— I am very fond of this symbol.
— It represents peace, good intentions, and trust.
I nodded discreetly.
Dormato truly knew the customs of this city.
Lurdot turned to the servants.
— Minela... all of you may leave us now.
Then he looked at me.
I immediately understood the gesture.
— Jane, wait outside.
She gave a respectful bow.
— Yes, Young Master.
Soon the butler, the maids, and Jane left the room.
The door closed softly.
Silence filled the room.
Now only the two of us remained.
Lurdot sat down once more.
He gestured toward the armchair in front of him.
— Well...
— I believe we should begin by introducing ourselves properly.
I settled comfortably into the chair.
— I agree.
The old man folded his hands over the head of his cane.
...
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