___ House Ravenshire War room ___
The walls of the room were lined with shelves filled with scrolls, parchments, figurines and other times. The windows were sealed shut and the room was lit by torches and the extravagant chandelier hanging above the center table.
And on this table was a map—a map of what was once the Gyro empire in its full glory.
Our focus was on the territory beyond the northern walls.
"This is Winterholm, a land once considered part of my family territory half a millennium ago until we were pushed back by the Knolls. Thanks to the sacrifice of your uncle, Prince Tyron Emberfall, we were able to capture castle black, which will serve as the starting point of our campaign."
Even now, Lucian only spoke to Leo and acted like we didn't exist. While we were all made to stand here, he briefed only Leo as if he was the only one present.
There is a limit to stupidity a man can tolerate. I simply turned around and headed towards the door. By the time my hand touched the door knob I heard Lucian yell with a voice filled with contempt.
"And where do you think you are going?"
I glanced over my shoulder first before turning to meet his gaze.
"Are you stupid or something?" I asked.
Buzz!
Lucy, Leo and Lucian were taken aback. Even the indifferent Klien couldn't raise an eyebrow at my comment.
"What did you say?" Lucian hissed while curling his fist.
"If you will address only the prince then you might as well send only him. When you and your family are done acting stupid, you will address me properly."
As if in response to my words the room temperature fell rapidly as ice began spreading along the walls.
Snap!
With a snap of my finger the entire room was engulfed in darkness and countless spikes shadow tendrils emerged, threatening to impale Lucian from all directions.
"Your family is important but we anomalies are of greater value than your lineage combined can ever achieve. Kill me and find out if the empire won't burn you alive for killing a mage with a potential your entire family has never been able to produce in all its centuries of existence!" I hissed.
I may be of peasant bloodline but I'm officially recognized as a member of the Blackwood. As a talented mage from a noble family, not even the count family can kill me without a fair trial and even if there is a trial over this dispute, the empire will not kill an SS+ rated talent for someone whose talent isn't up to S class.
Lucian knew this as well as I did. The anger he felt being spoken to in this manner by a peasant made his body quake but he couldn't do a thing. He could only grit his teeth and stare daggers.
"Now withdraw your magic, address me properly and send me out of this shithole you call your home, I came here to fight not watch nobles display stupidity."
Buzz!
Lucian took a step forward, his pale face turned bright red with anger but that was all he could do. He can rage and clench as hard as he wants but he can't do a thing. Even if Klien or Lucy was the one who did this in my place he still wouldn't be able to do anything.
Once one's talent is greater than yours, you have lost the right to bully them. The empire favoured the strong over the weak regardless of bloodline.
Why would they risk losing grand magus level peasants over a noble who may not make it beyond the earth realm?
I withdrew my shadow and as expected the fools withdrew his eyes. If we clashed now he would have won easily but he couldn't touch me.
"Pussy." I cursed under my breath before returning to the table.
It took Lucian a few seconds to calm himself before he continued.
"In preparation for your arrival we have blustered Castle Black forces and supplies. Currently there are 4000 active personnels. 3000 are soldiers, ten earth realm masters and the remaining 990 are made up of support staff, doctors, alchemists and every other thing you need." Lucian explained but it was Leo who frowned this time.
He shook his head while glaring at the castle black figurine on the table.
"What are our reserves here?" He asked.
"Thirty thousand soldiers." Lucian hurriedly responded with a bow and the frown on Leo's face loosened slightly.
From the look on his face it seemed like he was expecting casualties. As expected of a foolish prince who thinks everything is going to be a head on battle.
"What role do we play in all of this?" I asked and Lucian squinted.
He seemed reluctant to talk and I glanced towards the door which turned him pale.
"This is your first expedition so you won't be fighting on the front lines. Your team will act as support and casting origin spells for the team from the safety of the back lines." Lucian answered begrudgingly.
My eyes flickered slightly with excitement. Origin spells could be cast by any magus regardless of elemental affinity but most times it needed multiple people to cast.
This was a normal thing on the battlefield but it felt exciting for me because I finally got to touch an origin script and see the difference between origin spells and my spells.
What makes it so special?
I believe if I get the chance to see it, I may be able to understand the secrets behind it and incorporate that into my death magic.
"How are we going to get there?" Lucy asked and a cocky smile spread across Leo's face.
"Spatial magic!"
____
Behind the Ravenshire home was a sight you would only see in history books. An elevated circular stone platform with towering 10 meter tall pillars—each bearing pulsating sigils.
We walked up the stone stairs to get to the platform, stunned by the circular carvings beneath our feet.
"This is a teleportation array?" Lucy sounded skeptical but Leo nodded.
"Many think the empire is ruled by the emperor, however the Grand magus holds a position as important as the royal family. He is said to have lived for nearly a thousand years due to his dual anomaly of four star elements; space and time." Leo explained with an unusual gleam in his eyes.
This was the first time I was seeing him excited about something outside Lucy. I guess he adores the grand magus that much.
"All the teleportation arrays are set up by him." Leo added.
At this point I wasn't paying attention to their conversation, my attention was on the six mages gathered at the six cardinal points in preparation to send us off.
Standing at the foot of the wooden staircase were Count Ravenshire and his family. Lucian still glared at me and even Edric wore a nasty look so I guess word had already reached him and he wasn't pleased.
"Fuck you too." I shrugged and looked away.
{Do you think it's wise to infuriate the most influential people in this part of the continent? One move and they can have these soldiers set you up on the battlefield.} Lin warned.
"That explained why this fool is jumpy." I glanced at Leo who was all smiles even though we were heading to a dangerous place.
I was tempted to walk over and ask what's funny but our time was up.
The carvings and sigils brightened with a strong influx of mana from the mages powering the array.
Buzz!
Two silver magics appeared, one beneath our feet and the other at top of the towering pillars. Bright silver light escaped the two arrays, completely filling my vision.
When the light faded the clear sky above was gone, filled with jagged stalactites illuminated by bright green torch ones scattered across the cave.
Here there was no platform, just towering pillars that kissed the high ceilings of the cave. It was spacious, sizable enough to fit a hundred men at a time.
Even without being told I came to understand where we are. We were in a cave within castle black!
"It worked?" Klien spoke for the first time, with a slight hint of disbelief in his eyes.
Lucy was just as excited and smiled at my direction but I simply rolled my eyes.
Rumble!
The cave suddenly began trembling as a section of the wall, allowing natural light to filter into the room. Standing at the entrance was a hulking figure of about 6'7'' ft in height. With his body blocking the sun, his figure was dark and it was difficult to make sense of his physical features.
The man walked in and the darkness blended with the light, allowing us to get a better view of his appearance. He was bald and his head was riddled with scars that made Lucy flinch.
He was missing his left eye but didn't cover the eyes or even close it, he always left the empty eye socket open for all to see. However I had to admit, his dangerous look suits the thick beards on his face.
Currently he was dressed in plain clothes and had his hand wrapped on his chest. Strangely I couldn't feel any form of mana on him yet, I was certain if I attacked him I would be dead even before I knew it.
"Welcome to Castle Black, I am Hugo, the High Thaumaturge overseeing this operation." Hugo said to us before turning his attention to Leo and giving a small bow.
Mages who chose to avoid the life and struggles of nobility join the military where they will be respected. After a special six months training they are given the title; Spellblade—which is the equivalent of a captain.
The next rank was called; Arcanist—equivalent to Major rank. High Thaumaturge follows next which was the equivalent of a colonel and finally; Magister Primus which was equivalent to the General rank.
However, even though a Magister was the equivalent of a general, he possessed more power, respect and authority in the army. Same went for the other ranks as well. Someone like Hugo would have a colonel in this place taking orders directly from him.
{Notice how his name is just Hugo?} Lin chuckled.
No last name meant he came from a peasant bloodline and despised anything noble, so he decided to join the military. All ranking officers are given homes in the empire capital, an escape from the horrifying memories their homeland gave them.
And that was the only place nobility influence could not reach. A place I would love to go to when I get the chance.
'It's just as Professor Brighton said. All civil positions are filled up by nobility, forcing mages without background into a military career or the less glamorous career of an adventurer.' I shrugged.
I watched Leo nod casually before walking toward the exit. Lucy flung to him like a parasite, leaving behind Klien and I.
I cupped my fists and respectfully bowed in greeting.
"Derek, adopted son of House Blackwood." I said and Hugo's eyes flickered with surprise before shifting to Klien who just gazed at him with a strange interest.
"It's good to see people like me who maintain their values even after achieving success. It's a pleasure to meet you." Hugo stretched out his hand and I shook it.
"Follow me." He said and walked towards the exit and Klien hurriedly followed like he was the one spoken to.
"Is he in love or something?" I couldn't help but ask.
However, Lin ignored my question and responded with a question of his.
{Is this your plan to survive the potential Ravenshire set up?} Lin asked. {You know, all this would have been unnecessary if you simply ignored him?}
"Ravenshire? Hmph! They don't have the balls to make a move. I'm doing this because of what I can learn from him."