Not comprehending how this card would identify him, Apolo proceeded to carefully put it away and wasted no time in grabbing the next parchment from the box.
Even before reading the message, a smile had formed on Apolo's face upon seeing the wax seal used at the top of the document. The seal was an exact copy of the man with arms outstretched to the heavens inscribed on the family ring and thus symbolized that this was a confidential document for Apolo's eyes only.
Apart from the wax seal, the parchment was currently completely blank, making it look like any ordinary piece of parchment ready to be used at any moment. However, Apolo knew that the concealed content of this document could mean the difference between living in fear of having his ring stolen throughout his life or beginning to live a life of opulence like any great mage in the capital.
With trembling fingers due to anticipation, Apolo used the nails of his hand to remove the wax seal placed on the document, revealing a small silver needle hidden underneath. Noticing it, Apolo proceeded to pick up the needle, and with his hands trembling with greed for the hidden information, he pricked his finger where the gold ring was "coincidentally" located, causing a small drop of blood to begin forming in the wound. With extreme delicacy, Apolo allowed the blood to accumulate until the drop was large enough to fall on its own onto the blank document.
Contrary to what should happen with any ordinary paper, the blood didn't stain the document but instead went through it as if it didn't exist, disappearing from Apolo's sight. Immediately, red letters like blood began appearing on the document, revealing the hidden content.
> "Dear nephew:
>
> I'm sending this message as I've come to accept the fact that my time in this world is coming to an end and the reunion with my dear brother is drawing closer. Therefore, tonight I've decided to ponder on what I could leave for our family and how I can encourage more young ones to be like me and embark on the arduous path of a mage on their own initiative. After much reflection and meditation, I concluded that this task would be impossible for me. I based this on the unfortunate fact that the ecosystem in the castle encourages more young boys eager for the world's recognition and not thoughtful youths brimming with curiosity about the world.
>
> You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
>
> That's why I decided to reframe my thoughts for a few weeks. The big question during these solitary nights where illness has been my only trusted companion was how to make these young adventurers turn this city into their own playground of adventures. And that's why I eagerly await you to receive the fruit of my effort, my final legacy, and my great inheritance.
>
> When you open the package, you'll notice an incredibly unique artifact, created by the only mage in this empire who tried to rival the ingenuity of the White Town and more importantly, an artifact created by your dear uncle. This unparalleled artifact has the unique ability to conceal half a person's face, so that young adventurers can always escape their troubles without being remembered by their enemies. I hope you enjoy my gift and put effort into protecting the combative spirit that has always distinguished us from all the other kings of this empire.
>
> Yours truly, your old uncle, Tea of the Black Forest"
Apolo, nearly tearing up from disappointment, glared angrily at the silver mask in the box. Not only was the artifact not designed exclusively for him, but he thought the mask was some kind of magical artifact, and as he began to read the letter, that idea grew stronger.
But due to the irony used at the end of this letter, it seemed like it was just a jest left by one of his ancestors before dying, and considering there had only been 4 mages in his entire family, this inheritance was a tragedy! Nevertheless, his grandfather or someone in the family had taken care to modify the mask so that it fit him perfectly, so there was an unusual effort to make this joke work, creating some doubts in Apolo.