Chapter 14
Troy shook his head, clearly disappointed by the results of his attack. "All that bragging, and he couldn't even handle a single spell of mine," he said, his voice laced with disdain.
The silence that followed was deafening. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath, as if processing what had just transpired.
Blaze, still chained to the boulder, was too stunned to feel embarrassed. His mind raced as he activated his CHAOS Eyes, eager to see Troy's true power level. Yet, to his utter disbelief, the only thing that appeared was a blurred-out mess—except for Troy's name. That alone was enough to send chills down his spine.
"What the hell…?" Blaze thought. Is he so strong that even my Chaos Eyes can't analyze him?
Kaito, still trying to wrap his head around what had just happened, turned to the others. "Which phase do you guys think he's at?"
Lucas, rubbing his chin, offered a guess. "Probably the Alky Phase. Only someone at that level could pull that off so casually."
"I think it should be the Formation Phase," Akira chimed in.
"Eh, just because he's strong doesn't mean he's that powerful," Lucas argued.
The power hierarchy of Tenebrous had always been clearly defined:
Foundation Phase: The beginning stage where one harnesses their mystical essence.
Collection Phase: When an individual becomes a full-fledged wizard and refines their control.
Alkan Phase: Wizards awaken the true nature of their magic core, entering the realm of Junior Wizards.
Alky Phase: The transition into Intermediate Wizards, where control and refinement take precedence.
Origin Phase: A major milestone where Senior Wizards emerge, possessing immense magical power.
Formation Phase: The realm of King Wizards, capable of commanding great forces.
Overlord Phase: Known as Sage Wizards, rumored to possess limitless mystical essence.
Venerable Phase: The Emperor Wizards, a level only a handful have ever reached.
Sovereign Phase: The Legendary Wizards, of whom only two in recorded history have attained.
Blaze had barely begun his journey, still at the Collection Phase, yet here stood Troy—untouchable & unreadable.
Deciding to just ask directly, Blaze sat up and asked, "What phase are you at?"
Troy looks at him, stretching his arms, he said. "Origin Phase."
The group froze.
Before anyone could react, Troy suddenly crouched, entering a sprinter's stance.
"Wa—!" Nephis started, but it was too late.
A gust of wind blew past them as Troy vanished into the distance, moving so fast that he left behind nothing but a fading silhouette.
Nephis groaned, massaging her temples. "There goes our only lead to the Wizard Knight School. Now how the hell are we supposed to get to Central City?"
Blaze, still recovering from his earlier humiliation, simply sighed. "One step at a time."
Upon returning to Mussel City, the group expected cheers and praise for taking down the infamous Iron Clad Bandit. Instead, they were met with skeptical stares.
"Ha! Kids these days and their tall tales," an old merchant scoffed.
"Yeah, they probably just found his old hideout and are making stuff up."
The doubts persisted until a group of scouts discovered Iron Clad's lifeless corpse on the outskirts of the city. The moment word spread, the city erupted in celebration.
Thorne, the city leader, declared a grand feast in honor of the young warriors.
The night was filled with laughter, music, and more food than any of them could handle. Blaze, being the new crowd favorite, was handed endless plates of meat and ale, much to his horror.
Lucas, grinning, leaned over. "They really like you, huh?"
Blaze, struggling with a plate the size of his torso, sighed. "At this rate, they'll like me to death."
The festivities stretched late into the night, and for the first time in a long while, Blaze felt at peace.
The next morning, the group prepared to leave, only to find Kaito and Akira following them. As they transverse the forest Lucas couldn't help it anymore.
Lucas groaned. "And why exactly are you two coming with us?"
Kaito stretched, yawning. "We're also going to the Wizard Knight Academy, so why not tag along?"
Lucas narrowed his eyes. "Then explain why Blaze and I are carrying all the supplies while you two are just standing there looking pretty."
Kaito raised his hands, showing off his slim, delicate arms. "You see, unlike you brutes, I am fragile. If I carry heavy stuff, my arms might snap."
Lucas twitched. "Oh, so now you're weak? I thought you were a big shot."
Kaito grinned. "No, I'm a genius."
Lucas, already at his limit, clenched his fists. "You little—"
But before he could continue, Kaito unleashed a barrage of insults that shook Lucas to his core.
"You're as useful as a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest."
"Your brain must be on vacation, permanently."
"If I had a coin for every time you said something stupid, I'd be richer than the Divine Missionaries."
Lucas's face turned red, his body trembling.
Blaze, sensing the inevitable disaster, casually stepped away. "Kaito… you do realize Lucas doesn't know the meaning of jokes, right?"
Kaito's smug grin faltered. "Wait, you mean—"
Lucas cracked his knuckles.
"Wait, wait, WAIT! IT WAS A JOKE!"
A few moments later, Kaito's screams echoed through the entire forest.
Blaze, sipping some water, shook his head. "I warned him."
In a distant land, far beyond the White Continent, where light feared to tread, a burly figure sat upon a throne of blood.
His deadly red mask gleamed in the dim light, the glowing crimson orb beside him pulsing with eerie energy.
A black-cloaked figure entered, five red stars imprinted on his attire. Kneeling, his forehead touched the cold stone floor.
"My Lord," the figure began. "Our agents sent to claim the Ultimate Weapon have… failed."
Silence.
The air grew thick, suffocating.
The man's fist clenched, sending out a pulse of raw energy that made the very walls tremble.
The figure gulped before continuing, "It was last seen at the White Continent."
The masked man's eyes gleamed through the darkness.
Another moment passed before the kneeling figure added, "If you had sent me instead of those lowly agents, we wouldn't have failed."
The temperature in the room plummeted.
The masked man's voice was cold and sharp. "Reeze… It seems you've lived too long to speak so freely."
Reeze immediately bashed his head onto the floor, blood splattering across the stone. "Forgive my stupidity, my Lord."
The masked man leaned forward, his presence like an abyss.
"Infiltrate the White Continent. Find the Ultimate Weapon. And if anyone stands in your way… erase them."
Reeze bowed lower. "It shall be done."
As he left, the masked man turned toward the crimson orb, his voice barely a whisper.
"The Lord's wish must be fulfilled."
The shadows grew deeper, and the air turned deathly still.
To be continued.
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