"Doom and I were born of the same parents on the same day," Poison began, before Robert interjected.
"In other words, you're twins?"
Poison responded with dry amusement, "One could say that." He continued, "Anyway, Doom and I were the first-born sons of our father, whom everyone respectfully called the Oldfather - I never knew his real name, though." Poison's voice had a hint of nostalgia. "Under our father's rule, around four thousand years ago, we oversaw a golden age of magic and prosperity that would come to be known as the Age of Sorcerers. It was a time of great wonder and innovation, when magic was at its peak. During his reign, we were wealthy, powerful, and revered, and aside from our father, we were the only God wizards of our time."
Robert whispered a hearty "Wow." Then Poison continued. "Yeah, my father was a ninth-rank God wizard - he was this close to becoming a true god! And we were all following in his footsteps. I had several siblings, each of whom specialized in a different elemental magic. I mastered Earth magic, while my 'twin', known to you as Doom, was a Fire magic virtuoso. Each of us had our own strengths and weaknesses, and we all worked together to protect our beloved world, Kreete. We faced and defeated numerous beasts and powerful foes, but that streak ended one day," his voice turned somber as he continued.
"Normagog, a mysterious, solitary wizard of immense power with no traceable origin, rose up against the Oldfather's rule. He was a dangerous adversary, and we knew that he posed a serious threat to Kreete. Normagog's ultimate goal was to bring to and end the practice of wizardry, which he saw as a perversion of true magic. 'Artificial magic,' he called it. But we had no idea just how far he would go to achieve his goals. Anyway, after the battle that followed, our father's death, and Normagog's disappearance, Doom's behavior shifted - his actions, his words, everything. He began advocating for Normagog's ideals, saying that it would be of great benefit to Kreete. The events that followed during the Age of war strengthened his resolve. Alarmingly, Doom revealed to me that he planned to use the Ancestor seal not to defeat Normagog, but to manifest his vision of a perfect world - believe me, humans ain't gonna like em. But..."
Robert interrupted, "And you told me the Ancestor seal was to seal your soul in the 'unconcious zone,'" he said with a hint of accusation in his mind voice, "and I really fell for it."
Poison chuckled and said, "I thought you weren't ready to know that I possessed you to kill someone that could kill the Oldfather. I just know that Doom has some stupid plan or Normagog has influenced him in a way. But searching for the seal has already become an unspoken competition between the both of us. The rest of our siblings, along with Xolomon and Sierah, are doing everything they can to find the seal too. The consequences of Doom's success would be catastrophic, and we must stop him at all costs. If we could prevent Doom from achieving his goal, Kreete will be spared from the consequences of his nefarious intentions."
Robert's brows furrowed, "What makes a perfect world so 'nefarious', anyhow?"
"Hate to break it to you, kiddo, but the 'perfect' world Doom intends to bring about isn't quite the paradise you envision," Poison replied. "Picture this, a world where progress comes to a screeching halt, replaced by raw nature in all its uncensored brutality. No human civilizations, no room for invention or advancement, just predators, prey, thriving plants, circle of life, and scavenging for survival. Essentially, imagine the early ages, but this time, add large ferocious beasts with peculiar abilities to the picture and no wizards to keep them at bay. He simply wants... pure nature."
"Damn!" Robert exclaimed quietly.
"Yup," came Poison's solemn affirmation.
With a note of playful skepticism in his mind voice, Robert asked, "And how do I know you're not plotting your own perfect world too?"
"Are you kidding me?"
"I'm joking, but this is crazy! Poison, maybe it's time for you to find another posterity to continue this journey. I'm not ready to face your brother, and someone who took out the most powerful wizard ever. I remember reading myths in the library that said the Ancient King became so powerful that he had to leave Kreete for the world of the gods," Robert said. "But now you're telling me he was killed, and I'm supposed to face the very same person who killed a god? That's completely nuts!" Robert laughed quietly, though his smile was more of a grimace than a genuine expression of amusement.
"C'mon kid, don't you want to avenge your great great great great great great great great grand pa?" Poison implored.
"This is just crazy!" Robert thought back, shaking his head in disbelief. "And how come history remembers your father as the Ancient King and not the Oldfather, like you call him."
"Inaccuracies, kid," Poison replied. "Most likely a mistranslation of old languages. That blonde archeologist thought that Ancestor souls were trapped in 'Cursed chambers', stupid."
Instructor Sedgwick's voice broke through their metal conversation. "That's the end of class for today," he announced, "Remember to prepare for magic beast day next week's Saulday. If you need to take time off from school to obtain your beast, make sure to get permission from the authorities. Have a great day, everyone!" With that, Instructor Sedgwick exited the classroom.
The class ended, releasing the Lightning students into the bustling school compound. Some, joining their friends from other classes, formed lively clusters around the school compound, their laughter and chatter filling the air. Others headed towards the brown edifice that had piqued Robert's interest earlier.
Robert's thoughts, however, remained intertwined with the revelations that Poison had shared as he proceeded to walk out of the classroom; knowing Poison, Robert had no doubt there was much he was yet to be told. Just as he stepped through door, Robert caught sight of a familiar face watching him enthusiastically - it was Zack, the idiot who had laughed and mocked Alexander after the debacle at the Lightning class!
"You jerk!" Robert snapped, grabbing Zack by the collar. "Why did you laugh and make fun of Alexander? And what were you doing spying on the Elite Lightning class? Don't you ever go to your own classes?" He shook Zack roughly.
As the two boys bickered, the other students passing by glanced at them with a mix of curiosity and confusion. It was an unusual sight to see two students arguing in the middle of the hallway, especially when one was gripping the other by the collar.
"I'm really sorry," Zack said with a sheepish smile, "I didn't mean to upset anyone. It's just that I had already mastered the practical that was being taught in my class, and I happened to be passing by on my way to my room to work on a project when I saw the commotion in your class. I know it sounds bad, but anyone else in my position would have laughed too - the students who were electrocuted looked so silly!"
Laughing uncontrollably, Zack continued.
"As for Alex, I thought the two of you had some sort of conflict, so I thought it would be funny to tease him on your behalf. Sorry if that upset you. Oh, and by the way, I'm here to remind you not to fight Parker. It's really not worth it."
Robert chuckled derisively, releasing Zack's collar. "To be honest, I had forgotten about Parker, but now that you mention it, I can't let him get away with hurting you. Plus, I'd like to practice today's spell." He said with a determined look on his face.
Zack waved his hand resignedly. But his smile quickly rebounded. "I have to say, the way you used an Earth wall spell to block Suzy's failed lightning spell was really impressive," he said admiringly. "But there's one thing I don't seem to understand, how were you able to cast an Earth spell, when you're a Lightning wizard? Don't tell me it's your magic beast cus it's simply not possible for a contracted beast to be more powerful than it's master. And your Earth wall easily blocked Suzy's spell, which means it was probably at least a seventh-rank Common spell. But you're only a first-rank Common wizard which proves that you couldn't have used a beast's power to cast that spell, and I don't even know if you have a beast," Zack pressed, eager for answers. "So how did you manage it? There has to be an explanation!"
Ignoring Zack's questions, Robert pulled out two gold coins and tossed them to him. "Take me to the garden," he said, "and show me where to find Parker."
Zack's eyes lit up as he caught the gold coins, greedily pocketing them. Robert watched, amused by the boy's blatant avarice.
"You still haven't answered my question," Zack said, grinning playfully, "but I'll figure it out eventually. Just you wait - you'll be sorry you ever crossed the genius that is me!" Winking, he turned and led the way to the garden.
As Robert followed, Poison's apprehensive voice echoed in his mind. "You're seriously not planning to use my power to take on someone, are you?"
"It'll only take a moment, and no one will ever suspect I've got an Ancestor soul," Robert thought back.
"Be careful, kid."
_
The garden was a tranquil oasis, where the trees were covered in a canopy of lush green leaves, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. A pond glistened in the center of the garden, its surface dotted with peculiar, animated, yellow flowers that looked like water lilies, reflecting the warm evening sunlight like a mirror. Butterflies flitted about, settling upon flowers lining the winding path to a charming gazebo, where the sweet fragrance of peculiar blooms hung heavy in the air. The soft murmur of students' conversations wove a soothing harmony, like the subtle plucking of a harp. Birds sung in the distance, completing the garden's peaceful scene.
Tucked away in a corner of the garden, near a lush wall of stunning green flowers, a charming pair stood enthralled in a whispered dialogue. The boy, dressed in a stylish black jacket, and the girl, resplendent in a sky-blue robe, stood deep in conversation, their fingers intertwined in a tender gesture that betrayed their deep connection. The scene was picturesque, until a boy wearing a stripped dark-blue uniform entered the scene, accompanied by another boy with blonde hair and gold coins in his hand. The new arrivals seemed to disrupted the peace of the garden.
"That's him, right there," Zack said, pointing to the boy in the nice jacket.
Robert's voice boomed through the air. "Hey, you!" Everyone turned to look at him. However, upon realizing it was merely the newcomer, recognizable for consistently wearing high school uniforms, who, earlier, had caused someone to be suspended, they promptly turned away and resumed their activities. Robert stood there, feeling foolish and ignored.
"Hey, you in the cool black jacket!" he called out, but no one so much as looked his way. He was treated like a ghost.
Frustrated by the lack of response, Robert felt his anger building. Purple magic energy began to gather at his fingertips, but still no one took notice. The magic wave that spread through the air, a telltale sign that a spell was about to be cast, went ignored by the other students. He could hear whispers about the incident at the Lightning class, connecting him to Suzy's suspension.
Robert chuckled wryly, his voice taking on a firm unwavering tone. "Listen, I know you're all ignoring me on purpose. Maybe it's because of my uniform, or my rank, or because you think I'm responsible for someone's suspension, without even knowing what actually happened. But if you hear KRAACK!! and feel a lightning spell coming your way, just know that I'm talking to you."
He threw his arm forward, sending a jolt of electricity arcing through the air towards the guy in the cool black jacket - Parker, who was talking to a girl wearing a sky blue robe.
As the lightning streaked towards him, Parker shifted his attention to it and merely smirked. Just as he was about to counter with his own spell, the girl in the sky blue robe erected an ice wall, which shattered into a million pieces as the Lightning arc spell hit it.
The girl's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Robert, incredulous that a spell from a first-rank Common wizard like him could shatter the Ice wall that she, a third-rank Common wizard, had constructed - a feat that should have been beyond his capabilities!
"Just so you know, my power amplifies any spell you cast, which means they're two ranks stronger than they would normally be," Poison explained. "That's why your Lightning arc was so powerful - it had the strength of a third rank Common wizard's spell, even though you're only first rank."
"Wow, I don't need to use your power, then," Robert thought, feeling a sense of relief.
"Parker's in the fourth rank," Poison added, a note of concern in his mental voice.
"Damn it!" Robert thought, dread sinking in.
The girl's piercing voice drew his attention. "You absolute scoundrel!" She exclaimed angrily. "Why the hell would you attack Parker like that? Are you out of your mind?"
"I was only seeking justice for my friend, Zack. Your boyfriend assaulted him over a misunderstanding," Robert retorted, his voice laced with indignation. "You should step aside, I don't want to hurt you. You're way too pretty for that." Lightning crackled across his body, accentuating his words with a show of power.
"If you want to get to him, you'll have to go through me first," the girl declared, an icicle forming in her outstretched hand.
"Isa, you don't have to do this," Parker interjected. "I can take care of him myself."
"Don't worry about me, love," she said calmly. "I can handle him." Her eyes flashed with confidence. "He's still in the first rank; he's hardly a challenge."
Robert snorted. "Can we just skip to the part where I kick your boyfriend's butt?" He said impatiently, tapping his broken gold watch and feigning annoyance. "I've got better things to do than stand around listening to this lovey-dovey garbage."
Zack suddenly interjected. "Why don't you two team up and take him down together?" He suggested with a smirk. Robert glared at him, his eyes wide with disbelief and reproach.
Zack patted Robert's shoulder. "You'll be fine, bro," he whispered with a mischievous tone. "I believe in you." He took a few steps back, a sly smile playing across his lips. Memories of Robert's Earth wall spell led Zack to suspect that something was peculiar about him, suggesting a hidden advantage – perhaps a secret trump card. This trump card, Zack believed, had enabled Robert to merit the Elite lightning class on his second day in school, cast a spell that the instructor hadn't taught, and even wield a Mystic Earth spell with ease. This led Zack to believe that Robert could effortlessly handle Parker and his girlfriend, which explained Robert's confidence in fighting Parker. Moreover, why not kill to birds with one stone? Isabel wasn't someone he liked either; he viewed her as Parker's manipulative partner.
"But that would be a two against one," someone in the small crowd of students watching the confrontation said, and the crowd murmured in agreement.
"Don't worry, love, I've got this," Isabel repeated resolutely.
Parker conceded. "Alright, fine. But make sure to leave a souvenir." He winked at her, before flashing Robert a look that said he was a dead man walking. Parker knew Isabel all too well - she was hot-headed and ruthless.
The crowd of onlookers quickly backed away, giving the combatants plenty of room to fight.
"You gonna use that icicle you've been waving around, or what?" Robert taunted, a cocky grin spreading across his face. But before he could finish his sentence, the icicle came flying towards him, aimed straight at his face.