Outskirts of Teljose City
Deep within the primeval woods, a mansion sat like a silent predator, swathed in thick, artificial mists that clung to the damp earth.
To the casual traveler, it was merely an area of treacherous fog, but to those with the sight, it was a fortress protected by interlocking high-grade magic arrays that distorted space and perception.
Lancey Evans stepped through the shimmering veil of the outer perimeter, her heels clicking softly against the polished obsidian pathway. As she entered the mansion's inner sanctum, she was met with a sight that made her breath hitch.
The mansion was teeming with activity, but it wasn't the bustling chaos of a common household. It was a place of cold, military precision. She passed a phalanx of knights patrolling the corridors. Each stood nearly seven feet tall, encased in dark, runic plate armor that pulsed with a faint, rhythmic crimson light.
Lancey flicked her eyes toward a small, shimmering holographic projection only she could see—her Mini-Chip.
[Target Scan: Unknown Saint Knight Strength: 26.7. Agility: 24.9. Vitality: 35.8. Spiritual Force: 19. Status: Signs of recent life force depletion, recently advanced Saint Knight.]
Lancey's heart hammered against her ribs. These were not the common mercenaries or Grand Knights she had seen months ago. These were Saint Knights, the terrifying results of Leylin's research into the Branded Swordsman Manual and his recent bloodline breakthroughs.
They stood like statues, their auras thick with the scent of iron and ozone, offering a level of physical threat that could rival an official Magus in close quarters.
Maids moved silently between the rooms, their eyes glazed with a hint of unnatural focus—acolytes bought from the dark markets or desperate recruits, all bound by soul-contracts.
They were the invisible gears of the mansion, ensuring every detail was perfect for their master.
Lancey adjusted the folds of her loose white robe. The fabric was fine silk, embroidered with the intricate green vine patterns on the sleeves and collar—the prestigious uniform of an official Magus of the Four Seasons Garden.
Despite her status in the outside world, here, she felt like a guest in the lair of a slumbering dragon.
She reached the grand dining hall, the heavy oak doors swinging open to reveal a scene of quiet opulence.
Leylin sat at the head of a long, white marble table. He was the picture of refined power. His new, umbra-phantom hair was tied back loosely, falling over his shoulders like a silken shadow, and his skin held a healthy, translucent glow.
He was currently focused on a hearty meal—a steak from a Level 3 acolyte magical beast, still sizzling and rich with energy-dense juices.
Behind him stood his inner circle: Anna, her expression stoic; Greem and Dexter, their postures rigid and respectful. A few maidservants stood off to the side, ready to pour wine or clear plates at a moment's notice.
Leylin didn't look up as Lancey entered. He didn't even pause his rhythmic chewing.
Lancey didn't dare speak. She moved to a respectful distance and sank into a deep, formal bow, her forehead nearly touching her knees. The silence in the room became heavy, broken only by the clink of Leylin's silver utensils against the fine china.
One minute passed. Three. Five.
Finally, Leylin set down his fork and patted his lips with a linen napkin. The moment he stopped, Anna moved with practiced grace. She signaled the maids, who quickly and silently cleared the table of every scrap of food and finery.
With a subtle nod from Anna, the servants and the guards filed out of the room, leaving only Leylin and Lancey in the vast, echoing hall.
For the first time, Leylin turned his ruby-red eyes toward Lancey. He didn't speak. Instead, he simply released a pulse of his will.
Lancey felt an invisible, irresistible force wrap around her shoulders, gently but firmly hoisting her back into a standing position. Her eyes widened. This wasn't a wind spell or a telekinetic charm. It was raw Spiritual Force Materialization.
To a Rank 1 Magus, spiritual force was a phantom—a catalyst that stayed hidden within the sea of consciousness. But for a Rank 2 Magus, that force became a physical entity, a basic energy particle that could interact with the Newtonian world. It was the definitive line between the predator and the prey. Against such power, a Rank 1 Magus had no defense; it was like trying to stop a tidal wave with a paper shield.
"Master," Lancey whispered, her voice trembling slightly from the proximity to that overwhelming aura. "I have completed the mission. I successfully secured two Black Boa Razors and one Green-Eyed Viper. The acquisition cost was..."
"Good," Leylin interrupted, his voice smooth and cold. "You can ask Anna to transfer half a million magic crystals to you. That should cover the purchase. Keep the remainder as a reward for your diligence."
Lancey bowed again, a flash of genuine gratitude in her eyes. Leylin was a demanding master, and his tasks often pushed her to the brink of death or exposure, but his rewards were always lavish enough to accelerate her cultivation by years.
"Master... I have another matter to discuss," Lancey said, her tone turning grave. "The elders and the Head of the Four Seasons Garden have issued a Level 1 Emergency. All vacations are rescinded. Every Magus is ordered to report to headquarters within twenty-four hours. Those who fail to appear will be branded as traitors and hunted by the Law Enforcers."
Leylin leaned back, his fingers interlacing. "Did Decarte say anything else?"
"Senior Decarte was flustered," Lancey replied, referring to the formidable Potioneering leader she served under. "He didn't explain much, only that the situation is 'complicated' and that I should seek out Martin for details upon my return. But he left me with one warning: War is approaching. There is even unrest among various dark magus organizations like The Thousand Meddling Leaves, Night Crows and Zombies issuing similar orders."
A small, knowing smile played at the corner of Leylin's lips. A few months has passed since his ascension to Rank 2 and he knew the secret plane emergence is fast approaching.
"Do you know something, Milord?" Lancey asked cautiously. As a rank 2 magus, her Master must have eyes and ear far beyond her understanding.
"Decarte is right to be afraid," Leylin murmured. "A war is indeed coming. But it is not a mere border skirmish or an academic rivalry. We are standing on the precipice of the Third Great Magus War."
Lancey's breath caught. "The Third Great Magus War?"
"You must understand the scale, Lancey," Leylin said, his voice taking on a lecturing tone as he shared the forbidden historical context stored within his records. "When compared to the organizations involved in this, the conflict at the Abyssal Bone Forest was a playground spat. Since the end of the Ancient Era, there have been two Great Wars. They didn't just affect Magi; they reshaped the entire South Coast. Empires were erased from the map, and entire species were driven to extinction."
"What should we do?" Lancey asked, her voice hushed. "Should we... should we flee?"
"Escape is an illusion," Leylin replied. "Wars of this magnitude are like gravity; they pull every Magus into their orbit eventually. Unless one wishes to cross the Forbidden Wastes into unknown, even more dangerous regions, we must face it. But for us, this war is not a tragedy. It is an opportunity. We will accumulate resources and information while others bleed. With my guidance, you will break through your bottlenecks while the world burns."
"I see..." Lancey bowed, her resolve hardening. "I shall depart immediately. I will remain vigilant and keep you informed of every move the Garden makes." She paused, a flicker of hesitation crossing her face. "And... about Caesar?"
"You will have your chance to deal with him soon," Leylin said, his eyes flashing with a predatory light.
Lancey's expression turned cruel. Caesar was the Deputy Commander of the Hunting Team—a loyalist Magus of the Garden who despised foreign recruits. He had humiliated Lancey repeatedly, his peculiar and disgusting vertical third eye always watching her with a chilling, murderous malice.
"Yes, Sir," she whispered, already imagining the moment that third eye would finally go dark.
As she turned to leave, Leylin's A.I. Chip scanned her one last time.
[Target: Lancey Evans. Strength: 15.5, Agility: 10.7, Vitality: 17.7. Spiritual Force: 85. Elemental Essence Conversion (Water): 78%.]
She was strong— almost at the 80% elemental conversion which is basic requirements for peak Rank 1 magus.
It was all thanks to Leylin's "Tears of Mary" potions he purchased from Mentor Kroft and brewed it from the vengeful souls provided by Old witch.
Lancey had progressed at a rate that would have been impossible for any average Magus.
Apart from her successful potion master career in Four Seasons Garden thanks to Minichip, she had even built a reputation in the dark magus organization as "Virago," a ruthless plunderer who had already amassed a fortune.
As the doors closed behind her, Leylin stood up and walked to the window, looking out over his foggy domain.
"The pieces are moving," he mused. "It is time to formally establish my organization: The Astral Requiem. But before the first shot is fired... I should upgrade my summon."