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Chapter 3

Waluge Continued his solitary walk through the streets of Bolton as his mind raced with thoughts of the recent string of murders plaguing the neighborhood. Each victim had met a gruesome fate, their lives snuffed out in the dead of night only to be discovered the following morning, bearing disturbing wounds.

The latest victim, Sharon, had been a young lady who had just had a heated argument with her friend before her disappearance. The discovery of bite marks on her body. Although to Waluge it still wasn't clear if there was a specific reason for the Murders or if there was only a single person doing these murders as he hadn't seen the bodies of the other victims.

As he pondered the details of the case, a chilling realization dawned on him. The evidence pointed towards the involvement of a mage, someone with the ability to manipulate puppets.

Waluge's steps slowed as he noticed Detective Derrick up ahead, his weary demeanor evident even in the dim light of the street lamps. Despite the fatigue etched on the detective's face, Waluge greeted him with a smile as he approached.

"Good evening, Detective Derrick," Waluge said, his voice laced with a bit of amusement. "You look like you've had quite a day."

Detective Derrick returned the greeting with a faint nod, his eyes betraying a mixture of exhaustion and disbelief. "It's been... eventful, to say the least," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of resignation. "I never thought I'd find myself investigating cases involving magic."

"No matter, that is what makes life so exciting," Waluge replied, his tone carrying a sense of determination. "The mystery that one must solve, no matter what obstacles lie in their path. Besides, it's not every day we get to delve into the realms of magic and intrigue, wouldn't you agree, Detective?"

Detective Derrick let out a weary chuckle, his exhaustion momentarily lifted by Waluge's enthusiasm. "You have a point there, Waluge," he conceded, a faint glimmer of amusement flickering in his eyes. "Although I must admit, it's a bit unnerving to think that we're dealing with someone who can wield magic. Makes me wonder what else is lurking in the shadows of this city."

Detective Derrick's weary eyes met Waluge's as he leaned in, his voice filled with curiosity. "Tell me, Waluge, what exactly is magic? How does it work?"

Waluge's gaze drifted into the distance, a faint hint of nostalgia coloring his features. "Well that depends on who you ask detective. To me though.... Magic is taking a thought and making it real. Taking a lie and making it the truth. Telling a story to the universe so utterly, cosmically perfect for a single, shining moment.. the world believes that a dead man is alive."

Detective Derrick listened intently, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten as he absorbed Waluge's words. There was something captivating about the way Waluge spoke, a blend of wisdom and mystery that drew the detective in.

"But Seriously magic is just another form of Science or a Subject one has to study." Waluge continued, his voice soft yet compelling.

Detective Derrick nodded, his interest piqued. "So, it's like a science, but one that delves into the unknown?"

"Exactly," Waluge affirmed, his gaze returning to the detective. "Magic is the exploration of the unseen forces that shape our reality. It's about understanding the fundamental laws of the universe and bending them to our will, whether through rituals, spells, or sheer force of willpower."

Detective Derrick furrowed his brow, contemplating Waluge's words. "But how does one learn to wield this... magic? Is it something that anyone can tap into?"

Waluge shrugged, a wistful smile playing on his lips. "Well, I suppose any one can learn Magic as long as they have the time to study it. But being born in a long line of Mage family has its advantages."

Detective Derrick, after exchanging pleasantries with Waluge, adjusts his bowler hat and straightens his coat, indicating his need to depart. "I'm afraid I must be off, Waluge," he says with a slight tip of his hat. "Personal matters require my attention, and time is of the essence."

With a brief nod, Detective Derrick bid Waluge farewell and disappeared into the bustling streets, leaving Waluge once again to his solitary musings.

Alone amidst the lively vendors and bustling crowds, Waluge took a moment to ponder his priorities for the day. With a list of tasks looming over him, he decided to start by visiting the local library to research more about if there were murders like this before.

As Waluge passes by the dimly lit alley, his senses sharpen as he catches sight of a troubling scene unfolding before him. A man, his face contorted with rage, holds a woman at gunpoint, the metallic glint of the firearm catching the faint light of the gas lamps. The woman, dressed in foreign attire, stands still with a look of boredom as she talks in an unfamiliar language.

As Waluge looked at this scene he hesitated as on one hand this was none of his business but maybe if he helped this woman she might pay him.

Within a second his decision was made as he body immediately heated up as mana started to circulate throughout his body, to some this would have been painful yet to Waluge this was normal because this was what it meant to be a Wizard.

The Formula was immediately ready to fire off a Spell but just as he was about to fire a Spell, The distance was about 100 meters, something unexpected happened.

With a sudden burst of movement, the woman sprang into action, her body a blur of fluid motion as she closed the distance between herself and the man with astonishing speed. Her movements were almost ethereal, a testament to her impeccable skill and agility.

As she drew closer, her foot lashed out with precision and power, connecting with the assailant's torso with a resounding impact. The force of her kick was palpable, sending shockwaves rippling through the air as the man was lifted off his feet, his body propelled backwards with incredible force.

Time seemed to slow as the man hurtled through the air, his trajectory altered by the sheer momentum of the woman's strike. With a sickening thud, he collided with the nearby building, the sound echoing through the alleyway as bricks and mortar crumbled under the force of the impact.

Waluge watched in astonishment as the woman swiftly incapacitated her assailant with incredible speed and strength. His heart raced with a mixture of awe and caution as he realized he had stumbled upon someone possessing extraordinary abilities, perhaps even magical in nature.

Keeping his presence concealed, Waluge observed the woman cautiously, intrigued by her capabilities yet wary of her potential motives.

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As the woman swiftly disappeared into the shadows, leaving behind the unconscious assailant, Waluge's mind buzzed with questions. Who was she? Could she be a Demi-Human?

A Demi-Human is a being that is half-human and half-mythical creature, blending the traits and abilities of both species. These hybrids can inherit a wide range of characteristics depending on their lineage, from the celestial grace of angels to the fiery power of dragons or the dark allure of demons.

The origins of Demi-Humans vary widely, with some born from unions between humans and mythical beings, while others may be the result of magical experimentation or divine intervention.

But regardless of how they were perceived, one thing was certain: Demi-Humans possessed abilities far beyond those of ordinary mortals. Whether it be superhuman strength, heightened senses, or the power to manipulate the elements, their talents were as diverse as they were awe-inspiring.

Continuing on he made his way to the Local Library as he finally made it to his part time Job as a Librarian.

As Waluge stumbled into the local library, Tracy's disapproving glare greeted him like an unwelcome friend. He offered a half-hearted apology for his tardiness, knowing it wouldn't suffice but hoping it would at least pacify his boss momentarily.

"Late again, Waluge?" Tracy's voice dripped with frustration, her arms crossed over her chest in a gesture of annoyance. "Honestly, I don't know why I bother with you sometimes."

Waluge shrugged, a lazy grin spreading across his face. "Hey, better late than never, right?" he quipped, not bothering to hide his lack of remorse.

Tracy sighed in exasperation, her patience wearing thin. "Just get to work," she muttered, shaking her head in resignation.

Despite his lazy demeanor, Waluge begrudgingly dragged himself through the tasks assigned by Tracy. With each begrudging step, he shuffled books around, albeit with minimal effort and attention to detail. He assisted patrons with a lackluster enthusiasm, offering half-hearted answers to their inquiries.

Tracy's constant reminders and occasional stern glances were enough to keep Waluge on track, albeit barely. He knew that despite his inclination to procrastinate, he couldn't risk losing his job, especially in such a cozy environment where he could escape the hustle and bustle of the outside world.

So, with a resigned sigh and a lazy shrug, Waluge complied with Tracy's instructions, albeit at a snail's pace. He may have been lazy, but he wasn't completely incompetent, recognizing the importance of fulfilling his duties, even if it meant begrudgingly doing so.

While he did his job Waluge also looked into the various Murders around the City that had been taking place by talking to Miss Tracy, While she was serious she seriously had a lot of Gossips.

As Waluge lazily went about his tasks, Tracy couldn't resist the opportunity to share some juicy gossip she had uncovered during her time at the library. With a mischievous twinkle in her eye, she leaned in closer to Waluge, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

With an exaggerated sigh, Waluge turned to face her, his expression a masterclass in feigned interest.

"Hey, Tracy, what's the latest scoop?" he asked, his tone dripping with faux enthusiasm as he played along with her gossip session.

Tracy's eyes lit up at Waluge's feigned interest, eager to share the juicy details with her lazy coworker. "Oh, you won't believe it," she exclaimed, leaning in closer as if sharing a scandalous secret. "It turns out, all the recent murder victims – Michael, Jake, Helen, and Chris – were all about to get hitched!"

Waluge's ears perked up at the mention of gossip, his lazy demeanor momentarily forgotten as he leaned in closer to hear Tracy's tale. "No way, really?" he exclaimed, his curiosity piqued despite himself.

Tracy nodded eagerly, relishing in the opportunity to share the latest tidbit of information with her lazy coworker. "Yes, indeed! It seems like there's a serial killer on the loose with a vendetta against soon-to-be-married couples," she continued, her voice tinged with excitement.

As Tracy regaled Waluge with the details of the murders, he couldn't help but feel a surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins. Unknowingly he had started to smile this was the thing he was looking for Great.

As Waluge listened to Tracy's gossip, he couldn't help but wonder how she managed to gather such detailed information, especially considering Detective Derrick's struggles in the investigation. It dawned on him that Tracy's connections to the upper echelons of society might be the key.

Tracy, the eldest daughter of a noble family, possessed a certain charm and grace that made her well-suited to navigating the intricate webs of high society. Standing at about 1.65 meters in height, she exuded an air of elegance, her slightly curly brown hair framing her delicate features. Her pale blue eyes sparkled with intelligence and mischief as she regaled Waluge with her latest findings.

Dressed in a stylish Coman Vestoria-styled dress, Tracy commanded attention wherever she went, effortlessly blending sophistication with an insatiable curiosity. It was no wonder that she was able to uncover the juiciest gossip and insider information, her connections and charm opening doors that remained closed to others.

As Waluge mulled over Tracy's revelations, a sense of anger stirred within him due the privileged Upbringing of Tracy. He clenched his fists tightly, struggling to keep his emotions in check as Tracy continued to share her findings.

Deep down he knew logically speaking compared to the world his upbringing had been honestly better then a lot of people he had food, education even to some it extent parental love and logically speaking he shouldn't even be feeling this.

This was one thing he hated about himself he was getting to emotional over everything.

As the gas lamps flickered to life and cast their warm glow upon the cobblestone streets of Victorian-era Bolton, Waluge and Tracy hurriedly completed the closing rituals of the library. With the fading light of dusk signaling the end of another day, they worked efficiently to tidy up the shelves, extinguish candles, and secure the doors before nightfall.

Tracy let out a weary sigh, her gloved hands smoothing down the folds of her skirts as she glanced at the ornate clock on the mantle. "At last, closing time," she remarked, her voice carrying the weariness of a long day's work.

Waluge nodded in agreement, adjusting the cuffs of his coat as he stifled a yawn. "Indeed, it's been quite the busy day," he replied, his breath forming wisps of fog in the chilly evening air.

As they prepared to depart, Tracy paused by the tall windows overlooking the dimly lit street outside. "It's growing late," she murmured, her gaze lingering on the shadowy figures moving past in the lamplight. "I trust you'll take care on your way home, Waluge.

Waluge offered her a reassuring smile, his fatigue momentarily forgotten as he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry about me, Tracy," he said, his tone gentle yet firm. "I'll be fine. Besides, I've got some unfinished business to attend before calling it a night."

"And we quite literally have to go the same direction for some time." Waluge continued.

As Waluge and Tracy made their way through the deserted streets of Bolton, a sense of unease settled over them like a heavy blanket. Despite the late hour, the absence of any other pedestrians was unsettling, especially considering the bustling nature of the city during the daytime.

Tracy's footsteps faltered slightly as she glanced around, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "This is... unusual," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper as she quickened her pace to catch up with Waluge.

Waluge's senses sharpened as he scanned the dimly lit alleyways and deserted thoroughfares, his instincts on high alert. The thick fog that had begun to creep in only added to the eerie atmosphere, shrouding the streets in a veil of mystery and uncertainty.

At that moment he noticed detective Derrick who was a few meters in front of them and was running towards them.

"Good evening Detective. Are you alright?"

"No, something feels wrong." Detective Derrick remarked, his voice tinged with unease as he surveyed their surroundings.

Suddenly, Waluge's keen senses picked up on a faint sound in the distance, a soft rustling that seemed to echo through the empty streets. His heart raced as he realized that they were not alone, that something or someone was lurking in the shadows, watching and waiting.

From the darkness, a figure materialized from the shadows with an otherworldly grace. The woman, her long black hair billowing around her like a cloak of darkness, stepped into view, her presence commanding attention despite the muted stillness of the night.

Dressed in foreign attire that hinted at a distant land and culture, she exuded an air of mystery and intrigue. Her neutral expression betrayed nothing as her piercing gaze fixed upon Waluge, prompting the question that hung in the air like a lingering spell.

"Are you a Mage?" she inquired, her voice soft yet carrying an undeniable weight of significance. Her words hung in the air, laden with curiosity and a hint of something else—perhaps recognition or expectation.

Waluge, caught off guard by the sudden appearance of the enigmatic woman, responded with a playful glint in his eye, "Oh, you caught me! I'm actually the world's worst magician. Would you like to see a disappearing act?" His words carried a jesting tone, an attempt to divert the conversation with humor rather than delve into the seriousness of her inquiry.

As the enigmatic woman prepared to respond to Waluge's jest with a thoughtful expression, her lips parting to utter words that hung on the edge of anticipation, the air crackled with tension. But before she could speak, a sudden disturbance shattered the fragile calm of the night.

From the murky depths of the alleyways, a chorus of low growls echoed ominously, sending a chill down the spines of all who stood witness. The woman's eyes widened in alarm as her gaze darted towards the source of the disturbance, her expression shifting from curiosity to apprehension in an instant.

The Chimeriac Dogs emerged from the shadows with an eerie silence, their presence heralded by the low growls that rumbled from their throats like distant thunder. These otherworldly creatures were a sight to behold, their forms a grotesque fusion of various animal parts stitched together with unnatural precision.

Their bodies were sleek and sinewy, reminiscent of wolves, yet adorned with fur of a deep, iridescent black that seemed to absorb the scant light of the surrounding street lamps. As they prowled closer, their movements were fluid and graceful, betraying the lethal efficiency with which they stalked their prey.

Each Chimeriac Dog bore a twisted amalgamation of features, their faces a grotesque mosaic of snarling jaws, sharp teeth, and gleaming eyes that glowed with an otherworldly intensity. Some sported the horns of a ram, while others boasted the scaled tails of serpents that lashed out with deadly precision.

Their claws were long and razor-sharp, glinting menacingly in the dim light as they flexed their talons in anticipation of the hunt. From their backs sprouted leathery wings, reminiscent of bats yet possessing a sinister elegance that belied their deadly purpose.

As the Chimaeric Dogs encircled their quarry, their collective growls echoed through the alleyway, sending shivers down the spines of all who bore witness to their sinister presence.

Everyone waited with baited breath for the debacle to begin.