Artem exchanged a long look with Redoran, understanding the warning within his words.

Sylas, with his boundless potential and enigmatic motivations, was indeed a wild card—a powerful ally, perhaps, but a deadly enemy if things went wrong.

After a moment, he smiled.

“Well, it sounds like you had quite the adventure. And who knows? If Sylas truly is a force to be reckoned with, it might not be long before his name is known across every realm.”

He raised his glass to Redoran, who met his gaze with a subtle nod.

Eris leaned forward, her curiosity clear as she asked Redoran,

“So, these Frost Elves... What are they really after?”

Redoran picked up his beer, taking a long, thoughtful gulp.

His expression shifted as he set the glass down, a trace of tension in his usually relaxed demeanor. “The Frost Elves,” he began,

“They don’t see themselves as allies of the Third Circle, or of any human faction for that matter. In fact, they’ve always kept a certain distance—disdain, even—for those who seek to understand magic in ways that might weaken their own influence.”

Eris looked intrigued, her brow furrowing.

“But why go to such extremes? Using something as powerful and dangerous as a realm breach to reach the human realm—if what you said is true, that’s a massive risk, even for them. They must’ve known we’d notice.”

Redoran gave a nod, acknowledging the point.

“It’s exactly that arrogance, I think. They believe themselves superior, the purest in their understanding of magic, especially the kind tied to ice and winter realms. They’re fiercely protective of their territory and knowledge. To them, anyone from the Third Circle or any other human-based organization is like an invader, especially if we’re bringing in new mages who might challenge their power.”

Artem, who had been listening with a sharp gaze, interjected,

“Then it was a calculated move, wasn’t it? They thought this intrusion would go unnoticed. But why now? Why break into our realm now?”

Redoran sighed and leaned back, eyes fixed on the ceiling, as he gathered his thoughts.

“They must’ve known something—some potential threat that’s forming here. That’s the only reason they’d take such a bold risk, knowing full well we’d see it as an act of aggression. Sylas might be that threat, or they could suspect the human realm is nurturing more like him.”

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Eris nodded, contemplating this.

“Still, to use something as extreme as a high-level spell, possibly even a forbidden relic... that speaks of more than mere arrogance. That’s desperation, a way to show their dominance by force, no matter the consequences.”

Redoran’s expression grew more serious, his hand gripping his glass.

“They’re aware that their traditional methods won’t hold much longer. With the emergence of powerful new mages like Sylas, their hold is slipping. They see it coming—the inevitable clash where humans begin to match and even surpass them. That frightens them—perhaps even more than they’re willing to admit.”

Artem raised an eyebrow at this. “Then we’ll have to report this to the Third Circle’s leadership without delay. They’ll want to know that the Frost Elves are now openly breaking through realms to achieve their goals.”

There was a brief silence as the gravity of the situation sank in. Redoran glanced at Artem, sensing the weight of his responsibilities.

“You’re right, Artem. The Third Circle should be aware of this incident and how much the Frost Elves are willing to gamble. They aren’t just powerful—they’re willing to take extreme risks if it means securing their dominance.”

Artem stood, signaling the end of their conversation.

“Then it’s settled. I’ll ensure this report is sent to the Leader of the Third Circle immediately. They’ll know we’ve got not only a potential ally in Sylas but a significant threat in the Frost Elves.”

Redoran and Eris nodded in agreement, their faces set with determination.

Third Circle knew that they would also need every ounce of strength and strategy to protect the realms they sought to safeguard.

With a final nod, Artem strode out of the bar, already calculating his next steps.

Redoran and Eris exchanged a look, knowing that the events to come would test the limits of their strength, loyalty, and courage.

-

Redoran settled into his small dorm room, its familiar worn furniture and cluttered shelves offering a rare sense of solitude amid the chaos of recent days.

"A storm is coming..."

"The still sea starts to get shaken from their core."

Redoran thought.

In the end, Redoran knew that the attack on himself and Sylas was just a starting point.

He knew that the balance between realms and organizations always put a stop to the actions of individuals and groups.

But right now, seeing that a realm-breaking event, an ambush of Sylas from a big realm, and a race with a strong background in magic means that things are going to get ugly.

Redoran gave out a cold breath, closed his eyes for a moment, and then walked to his table.

He sat at his modest desk, pulling out a simple, well-worn leather-bound book—a basic diary he had kept on and off for years, mostly recording mundane details or thoughts that only he would understand.

He opened it, flipping past older entries before stopping at a blank page.

With a sigh, Redoran began to write, his pen scratching softly against the page as he put his thoughts down—a simple entry about the events and his musings on how it might all unfold.

After a few lines, he leaned back, surveying his sparse words. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to capture the lingering sense of uncertainty he felt about the future.