As we have feared, the monsters had indeed escaped from the auction.

And worse of all it seems that they specifically headed towards our direction.

Getting out of the warehouse that had only one entrance was no longer an option.

The good news was the person I am carrying, although stupid, was a graduate at the academy.

Bad news was- the said person can't even walk properly for some reason!

Did the kidnappers do something to him perhaps?

Well I got no time to entertain such thoughts as our window of escape had completely fallen into the pit.

Growl-!

Numerous undistinguishable noises soon resounded as we were left with no other choice but to fight our way through.

Having no other options left at my disposal, I dropped Rohwaldt onto the ground and picked up his wand.

So basically we are surrounded and the only thing left to defend ourselves with was a staff that a mage like Rohwaldt could summon anytime he wished.

And it doesn't even help much as I can't even use it, while its owner is being a piece of heavy deadweight right now.

As I picked up the wand, one of the monsters launched an attack.

Barely able to react, I clumsily dodged while I stifled my presence timely so as to obscure the senses of the monsters.

It seems to be working but this tactic would only last us for a while until I am completely exhausted.

As I said, it is really exhausting to keep stifling my presence for a long period of time.

But before I could recover, another one decided to strike while the iron was hot thus leaving me flustered.

At my wits end I was about to use the staff as a makeshift sword although that wasn't its original purpose, but what can I do? ITS DO OR DIE DAMN IT!

Making sure to not close my eyes, I stared at the monster's movements and as if in slow motion I deftly raised the wand ready to block its attack.

But then, a barely audible whisper entered my ears as the upcoming monster was blown away by an invisible force.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Focus your mind.” He said without an ounce of hesitation as he supported me from behind, both of us holding onto his staff.

Without looking behind, I already knew who this irritating voice belonged to.

But that immediately caused me to have numerous questions out of curiosity springing up from the depths of my mind.

'When did he get up?' Was one of the questions I wanted answers but we are still in the middle of a life and death situation here so I'll diligently place that thought on the back of my mind for now.

Still cornered by the monsters, I heeded his advice and thus focused.

Regaining my calm I soon remembered one of the spells that he once used, a spell that is perfect for a space as closed off as this.

Having the clear image engraved onto my mind I gathered all of my energy onto the wand.

Little by little I soon started to feel a gush of untainted pure water pouring down on the surroundings.

But that was not all.

Adding further conditions to the spell, I then condensed the energy of the leftover magic from the produced rain.

Thus in turn, the monsters all stood still like brilliantly carved ice sculptures.

Exhausted I feel as though I would instantly pass out, but the fatigue couldn’t hold down my excitement.

‘I... just did magic.’ Belatedly realizing the fact, my body started to tremble, excitement visible from my eyes.

I exclaimed excitedly “I... I did it… Hey I did it right?!”

But as I turned to look around, the presence from behind me had disappeared.

I don’t know if it was just now or if it had already been a while.

But the only thing certain was that the presence that I have vividly felt behind me earlier had now completely disappeared.

“---“ A slight whisper then entered my ears.

Excited, I turn towards the direction of the voice but still nothing.

‘Just now, it must’ve been an illusion or simply an auditory hallucination but I could have sworn I heard a whisper…’

As I try to make my way towards the warehouse’s exit I turn to look back one last time.

“Just where… did he… go…” as if fatigue washed through my body, in an instant I could feel my eyelids closing as I hear noises from outside the warehouse.

The screaming and loud sobs were distant, fire and chaos washed towards the theatre but the most noticeable was a familiar bear-like figure running towards my way.

….

…

..

As I slowly opened my eyes a familiar ceiling greeted my view.

Yet when I tried to move I noticed that in my hands I could feel I was tightly gripping on something.

Raising it up towards my line of sight, I saw that I was holding a book…. A journal, judging by the clumsy handwriting on the book’s front.

As I was skimming through the journal overhead while still laying down, a piece of paper soon fell from the gaps of the book.

[Anyone can do it, even you.

-Rohwaldt]

‘Is what it said’ as the note slowly disintegrates, yet its contents remained deeply etched into my memory.

Putting the journal down, I began to look around the room.

‘Ah… this is the room I was staying at the castle…’ As if making my statement true, Elt and several maids rushed towards me.

My eyelids soon started to feel heavy yet again leading me to a long slumber.

“Call the mages!” Elt’s worried face was the last thing I saw as one of the maids rushed to get a mage.

…..

…