In the world of sorcery, breakthroughs were a daily occurrence. The World Association of Sorcerers (WAS) had revolutionized the field by integrating technology into sorcery. Sorcerers were now ranked in a hierarchical grading system, with 1st grade being the pinnacle of power, and 9th-grade being the least
Code Weber, a 17-year-old 9th-grade sorcerer, stood in a dimly lit alley in Warsaw, Poland. His eyes scanned the shadows, wary of potential threats. He'd been robbed twice that week, and his pockets were almost empty. His tattered clothes hung loosely on his body, as he staggered to move.
A man in black armor approached him, and he had a 5th-grade sorcerer badge placed on his chest. He had a thick black hair which fell to his shoulders, and a simple, but slightly muscular build. "Hey, Code Weber!" he said with a smile. Code expected trouble, as he was popular for his debts, but the man's friendly smile calmed him.
"I'm Ran Cowell," the man said, extending his hand. Code shook it, his grip firm. Ran's smile never wavered. "I have a mission offer for you, Code. A mid-class demon has been detected in Lodz, and we need a team of 16 sorcerers to deal with it."
Code's eyes narrowed. 'Hmm, a mid-class sorcerer? That should earn me a lot, even though I'm a 9th-grade.' He thought to himself.
"What's in it for me?" Code finally replied.
Ran's tone turned serious. "We'll pay 1% of the mission's profit."
Code frowned at this reply.
'One percent?! That's too low! I can't go on a mid-class mission and take just one percent!' Code exclaimed in his mind.
Ran noticed Code's frown, and immediately, he smirked.
"Did you really expect a 9th-grade sorcerer like you to command a high price?" He exclaimed, almost drawing everyone's attentions.
Code sighed, resigned. "Alright, I'll take it." Ran laughed and said, "Tomorrow, 2 pm at Lodz."
However, as Ran left, his words kept resounding in Code's head, reminding him of his weakness.
***
The next day, Code boarded a train to Lodz, feeling uncertain about the mission. He had barely enough money for the fare, let alone food or unexpected expenses. As the train left Warsaw behind, Code wondered what lay ahead.
He thought back to his struggles as a 9th-grade sorcerer. The countless rejections, the humiliating encounters, and the label of failure that came with being a low-ranking sorcerer. But Ran's offer had given him a glimmer of hope – a chance to prove himself and turn his life around.
As the train rumbled on, Code gazed out the window, watching the cityscape give way to rolling hills and countryside. He took a deep breath, trying to push aside his doubts and focus on the mission ahead. He had to succeed – for himself, for his future, and for the chance to prove that even a 9th-grade sorcerer like him could make a difference.
Little did he know that things were about to get bad.
***
As Code stepped off the train, Lodz's nice air enveloped him like a slap in the face, carrying the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the scent of industrial smoke. He looked around, and saw the bustling crowds hurrying to their destinations with purpose. Code's mind, however, was already ahead, fixated on the mission.
He called a taxi and gave the driver directions to the forest, following Ran's exact instructions. The taxi wound its way through the city streets, passing by old buildings with worn facades and old shops that seemed frozen in time. Code watched the scenery unfold, his thoughts consumed by the task at hand – the nagging sense of uncertainty, the thrill of the unknown.
As they left the city behind, the scenery shifted to rolling hills and dense forests that seemed to swallow the road whole. The taxi driver chatted idly, but Code's responses were monosyllabic, his focus solely on the mission ahead. After what felt like an eternity – 30 minutes ticked by in a blur – the taxi dropped Code off in front of the forest.
He paid the driver, his eyes scanning the surroundings as he stepped out into the cool shade of the trees. The forest loomed before him, its towering trunks like warriors guarding a secret world. Code took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation coursing through his veins.
Ran and the other sorcerers were already gathered near the trees, their faces set with determination. Ran nodded curtly as Code approached. "Right on time," he said, his voice low and serious. "Let's get started."
The group began to introduce themselves, each showcasing their unique skills and strengths. Code hesitated, feeling a surge of embarrassment wash over him. "I'm Code Weber," he muttered, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "I'm good with a dagger." The group's reaction was polite but skeptical – Kael's raised eyebrow said it all.
Finally, the mission started, and they ventured into the forest. The trees seemed to close in around them, casting long, scary shadows that stretched and twisted in the fading light. Code walked alongside Elara, a healer with a gentle touch, his eyes darting nervously between the trees. The group's formation remained tight, with sword users leading the way and sorcerers scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger.
The forest grew darker, the shadows deepening into ominous pools that seemed to writhe and twist on the ground. Code's heart pounded in his chest, his senses on high alert. Something was off – he couldn't quite put his finger on it, but his intuition was screaming at him to be cautious.
Ran's voice cut through the silence, his tone low and commanding. "Let's move." The group nodded, their faces set with determination. Code's anxiety spiked as they pressed on, the trees growing taller and the underbrush thicker, like nature itself was conspiring against them.
And then, suddenly, they emerged from the trees. A vast, open plain unfolded before them, stretching out to the horizon like an empty canvas. And in the center of that plain stood a colossal castle, its towers reaching toward the sky like giant's fists, its walls imposing and foreboding.
A collective gasp echoed through the group, their minds reeling with shock and fear. What was a castle doing here, deep in the heart of the forest? The question hung in the air, unanswered. Code's eyes were fixed on the castle, his heart racing with a mix of fear and curiosity – a sense of wonder that he couldn't shake.
Ran cleared his throat with a nervous jerk, the sound echoing through the oppressive silence. Fear had etched deep lines on his face, and his voice was barely audible as he spoke. "What's this castle doing here?" He forced himself to sound steadier, trying to shake off the creeping dread. "We have a job to do. I can sense the demon - it's close."
The sorcerer beside Dane spoke up, his voice shaking. "Have you lost your mind? We're no match for that thing!" Ran's eyes darted around the group, his gaze lingering on each face before moving on. "I know it's a risk, but we can't back down now." The sorcerer's face reacted in a mixture of fear and disgust. "Our lives are worth more than some mission! You're insane if you think we can take on this demon and win."
He spun around, taking a step back before a dark, malevolent force seemed to coalesce around him. The air seemed to ripple and distort, and the sorcerer's body began to twist and contort in ways that defied human anatomy. His screams were abruptly cut off as his head burst apart in a gory explosion, showering the surrounding area with blood and bone fragments.
***
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