“White Mandrake. A bar of Cinnamon. Lavender. Blue dart frog venom, and lastly...” With a flourish, Haddock took out a plant from his pocket. “Stillmajik Chamomile!”

He held the chamomile out to the despondent Alicia, hoping to entice her with it. Alas, his efforts were for nought—the melancholy girl remained fixated on the floor, interrupted only by the occasional hiccup that betrayed her recent tears. Thus, an awkward atmosphere enveloped Haddock; whereupon he cleared his throat and embarked upon the alchemy.

He lit a fire, and a warm glow illuminated the room as he boiled the frog venom in a round glass vessel. As it simmered, he deftly mashed the White Mandrake and Lavender using a mortar and pestle, savouring the fragrant aroma that filled the air. The cinnamon was ground to a fine powder, and when the poison reached a certain temperature, a modicum of red powder, known as "Splitting Dust," was added. A milky white liquid–a protein from the venom–appeared over the yellow precipitate. He carefully strained the mixture through a glass sieve, amalgamating the resulting white liquid with the mashed mandrake and lavender, and slowly incorporating the cinnamon powder. His voice dropped to a whisper, reciting age-old incantations while stirring the potion with practised skill.

Last touch. The Grand Magus added a liberal amount of his favourite ingredient, the Stillmajik Chamomile. The liquid reacted, transmuting in hue and texture with an almost otherworldly grace. Voila! The healing elixir stood now perfected!

With the potion in hand, Haddock approached Alicia and knelt beside her. “Miss Alicia, here is the elixir. Drink it.”

A subtle and reassuring pink elixir. Albeit concocted from venom, the perfumed aroma of Lavender and the warmth of cinnamon subdued any doubts about its dangerous temptations. Without a moment's hesitation, the lass gulped every drop down in her throat. The effects were immediate, and she could feel her emotions growing even more chaotic after drinking the great Grand Magus' concoction.

“Just hold it, Miss. It’s like taking medicine,” innocent Haddock said.

“It’s better to take the healer’s prescription medicine,” she replied.

“Yet not as potent as magic potions.”

The Grand Magus erred not. Alicia's taut muscles gradually relaxed. A comforting warmth spread through her body. The soothing blend of lavender and cinnamon had worked their magic, but the strange, bitter taste of the Stillmajik and the frog venom lingered in her memory.

“How are you feeling now?” Haddock endeavoured to ease the room's atmosphere once more.

But the banal chatter grated on Alicia's nerves. “What think ye?”

“You’re still dismal. Silly me. I apologise.”

They sat alongside each other, again lost in awkwardness.

“Do you think Orb is better kept with the Magisterium instead?” A sudden awkward inquiry from Alicia.

“But that’s your right. Orb has chosen you.”

“I’m sure there will be someone else who can take my place if you gather all the magicians in all Camelot.”

“Or should I just give it to Roma?”

“If that’s your decision. After all, I dinnae think you would just hand over Orb just like that.” The girl pondered. “Perhaps you can give it a try, too."

“I can’t control Orb.”

“You just need to mingle with Orb more, I guess,” Alicia suggested. “Surely Orb will allow synchronisation with you after a while.”

Haddock gave a small chuckle. “Young lady, such is not the modus operandi. And really, what’s with all those questions? Are you on the verge of forsaking your magehood?"

A question that sufficed to seize the lass' conscience for a moment. She sighed. She then pulled out Orb from the bag. “I… I dinnae ken, sire. I think I was too pompous, thinking I could do anything as long as Orb was with me. And look at me, it has not been two weeks since I made yon promise, and I’m already giving up like a washout I am.

Orb let out a melancholic hum, and the girl suddenly felt the urge to weep again. She clutched it fervently to her bosom.

"I know that my life will not be safe," Alicia said again. "But it’s difficult to accept the fact that those who want to kill me are part of my own flesh and blood. Am I really that weak, sire, even though I’ve been through the same thing a few times before?”

Haddock just nodded, concerned. He gently pressed the girl’s shoulder. “Life as a mage… is not a simple matter. No matter how strong you are, you will always find yourself in depressing times. But that is not a weakness, dear. You are not weak. In fact, you are steadfast enough to live until now. You are still struggling with life. What is that if it’s not proof you are a sound person? The deeds of your kinfolks will never be justified, no matter if they abide by the established norms of pure magical lineage. Those laws hold no value. And downright foolish.”

Alicia removed her glasses and wiped away the moisture that had gathered there. “I always thought that all the people in this world were the chosen ones. The Superiors. It is said that the Divine chose and redeemed our ancestors from the sinking primordial realm–the old world. It was as if he saw something in them, that they and their descendants could create a new, better life in the new world. They and their posterity would be prepared to protect the new world from malicious forces, to keep it from drowning like the old one. But is it true? Was everyone in this world chosen? Am I chosen? Because I think we drowned this world ourselves noo. Nonsense. I can’t stop that kind of thing.”

“Who still holds stock in such a fable? Let me guess, it must be your mother.”

“Mama told me that almost all the time. It’s etched in her brain.”

“Your mama was only attempting to kindle the flame of perseverance within you. Although I must admit, it's a bit of a morose and unkind tactic, a motivation based on a fallacy.”

Alicia turned to him in surprise. “You’re mean! I thought you had a good rapport with Mama!"

“Of course, we did and still do!” said Haddock. “Your mother, Barthie, and I have always been truthful with each other. We've had our share of disputes over it, but that's what holds us together. We understand each other well. Not much different from your friends outside the room, right?”

“Fair enough.” Alicia’s response was curt.

The Grand Magus suddenly thought of something. Something related to her he found in the library. “Even so, don’t forget. You may suffer, but you are never alone. And you are wrong, miss. You were chosen by Orb, so you are the chosen one. No facts can refute that, for there is no such."

Alicia turned her head towards the Grand Magus. A glimmer of the sun pierced her heart. She marvelled at how every word he uttered inspired her. She even wondered why a man as impressive as the Grand Magus, with his dashing looks and rhetorical ingenuity, could remain unmarried in his thirties. Surely he must have wed and borne children long ago; there was no way he could have been too busy for romance, for after all, he often skipped work.

Yes, she overheard that trivia from his subordinates.

See? The Grand Magus has a point. You're not alone. I am here. I choose to be by your side, Orb affirmed.

A sigh of regret from Alicia. “S-sorry for lamenting in front of you Orb. Sometimes I forget about your majestic nature as an Arcane source. Sounds pathetic now when you're thinking about it." she tightened her embrace even more.

Don't mind my nature, Alicia. You have accepted me into your circle. I'm more than an Arcane source to you. I'm your friend. And friends lend an ear to one another.

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

Orb's purr slowed her heartbeat. Haddock witnessed her constant mumbling with her private Arcane source and how he just could not stop wondering or marvelling at it. Never had he seen Roman monks interacting with the Divine Grace flowing through their bodies.

"Uhm, Your Honourable?" Alicia turned her gaze to Haddock. "W-why… why do you still believe that I’m the chosen one?”

Haddock smirked. “Because as you know, I just borrowed some books from the national library…”

“Uh, aye, I can see that towering pile on your desk.”

“And there’s one that explains it all so clearly! Well, it’s rather odd looking for magic books there when you should have the most complete wizarding resource in the Magisterium’s library!” Haddock instead babbled out of context. “But that's beside the point. The important thing is that I have something to tell you, but only if you still want to become a magus.”

One could tell that the Crimsonmane lady was captivated by Haddock’s offer, but the tinge of despondency obscured her decision.

Orb represented her to answer. Alicia will be a great magus! Tell her now, she's pure curious! it sang while moving its single white eye up and down.

A faint smile graced Alicia's lips as she heard it, nearly chuckling. “W-what is that about?” she asked the Grand Magus again.

Haddock with his bulging mien administered a mild shock to the bespectacled girl’s right wrist–the wrist marked from a larger sting, the sting of Arcane might. Alicia jumped in her seat.

“Grand Magus!”

“Just a small sting, just a small sting. There's ample healing elixir left.” Haddock pointed to a glass vessel full of a nasty pink potion.

“That’s the sole reason I want to avoid being electrocuted again!” she said. “What did you find? Tell me!”

Out of the blue, Bartholomew Strongbark ruined the two’s soon-to-be-lived conversation with an awful look on his face, a harbinger of dire tidings. “Something is happening!”

Alicia's and Bartholomew’s eyes met each other. The girl understood the wizard’s cloudy eyes. “It’s related to me again. What is it this time?"

“It would be nice if Haddock and I discussed this one-on-one,” proposed Bartholomew.

“If it’s about me, I have the right to know! Grand Magus, I beg of you.”

“Haddock, come on–”

“It’s all right,” Haddock said. “What’s that?”

Bartholomew sighed in resignation. “The MP, Donar Crimsonmane, and his son were attacked by a group of masked wizards in his flat.”

“W-what?”

“I knew it was not a good idea.”

“Oh no, no, no, no, not them! Oh, not them!” Alicia’s panic attacks returned. She tugged at her hair and paced.

“Alicia, calm down,” Haddock implored.

“No, I cannae calm down!” Alicia then turned back to Bartholomew. “Where? Where are they now? I have to see Papa and Leith! Please tell them they’re alright!”

“They’re safe for now, young lady, Divine Mercy,” the Grand Magus’ Right Hand explained.

“Then why are they still not here?” The giddy Alicia could not trust Bartholomew’s assurance just like that. “Grand Magus, let’s go pick them up right away! Let’s go!”

Having said that, she rushed out of the door in a hurry. Orb in her arm chastised her, Alicia, slow down!

"I can't! I need to see them!" she replied as she put Orb back in her bag. She met Nadine and Gilmore, but she ignored their presence. She continued to rush down the stairs.

“Alicia, wait! Where are you going?” Nadine and Gilmore went after their best friend.

“My papa! Leith! They were attacked too!”

“They were, too?” Gilmore responded. “By the same person?”

The lass did not reply. She kept on stomping her feet until she reached the lobby of the first floor, and a pair of giant doors were in front of her. Alicia was preparing to depart from Skycastle, with a consideration she had not even contemplated—how she would descend from Skycastle back to Earth. Haddock seemed sluggish in responding to her request, and freefall was even crossing her mind as an option. Of course not as the first one, silly.

People saw Alicia acting erratically and running. It was not an unnatural phenomenon for the strange girl in the air castle to behave like that. What was unnatural was the sudden appearance of a sizeable yellow crack in thin air, growing bigger by the second. Alicia, whose glasses were fogged or eyes too teary, failed to notice the strange crack in front of her and had to be yanked away by Haddock on his enchanted broom.

“All standby!” The reverberation of Haddock invited all wizards from all corners of the castle to converge and circle the strange crevice in the centre of the horizon.

Alicia, who had just woken up, saw the magicians on her left and right tense up as they faced the fissure. “What happened?”

“You, young lady!” Haddock, approached her. His face sure looked unfriendly. “Are you mad? Can you not control yourself a bit?”

“Papa and Leith are still out there! Why didn’t you hurry–”

“Look in front of you! Can’t you see that crack of light in the middle of thin air? Can you think of what might happen if you hit it recklessly?”

It was a slap that sent her back to the mortal realm. It was only then that she could perceive a strange phenomenon resembling an unusual rift in the middle of nowhere. A surge of shame coursed through Alicia's veins. “I… I’m sorry, Grand Magus.”

Haddock caught both of the girl’s arms. “You should be sorry!” He then sighed as he added, “Hear, young lady. If you wish not to be a bother, then no more hysterics and impulsive behaviour while you're under my care. If you can't manage your panic, even with the Silent Divine by your side, it can only bear witness to your own foolish demise!"

“I a-apologise, Grand Magus. I am a fool and reckless. I’m just worried about losing Papa and Leith...”

“They don’t have Arcane might like you, but your father and brother are wizards, Alicia. They have lived as magi. They shall experience this, and know what to do at such times. As for you?” Haddock pointed at her. “You don't exactly strike me as a wizard. There’s still so much for you to learn.”

A second slap for Alicia. Even though he had just given her an inspiring speech, Alicia’s reckless actions put the Grand Magus’ patience to the test. Alicia was speechless, so she decided to leave with her head lowered.

“Now let us see what kind of odd banter this is!” Haddock walked closer to the crack than any other wizard. The crevice expanded and became more distinct, then shattered into shards like glass! It left a vast hole with an irregular shape, showing a strange setting, and a band of strangers as well. A portal connecting spaces between the wizards and the castle entrance. A few individuals were yet to grasp the purpose of the door.

Pairs of strangers emerged from the other side. The unfamiliar faces did not represent one ethnicity or race. Some hailed from the east, some from desert regions, and even a few familiar European faces were among them. Their garments differed from those of the dapper and elegant wizards. Their bodies were draped in simple attires full of bandages and ties of cloth, several layers in abundance. They wore bracelets, amulets, and other accessories, foreign to the eyes of the Europeans. From their restrained temperament, they looked like a group of isolated monks.

A Magisterium mage whispered to another. “Aren’t they…?”

“Sorcerers? Yes, they appear!” replied another wizard.

“But they are not like the Roman ones.”

“Because they’re not Romans.” Haddock quelled the brief debate. Those suspected of being the sorcerers lined up. Europan mages' wands were already glowing into their vision, but they remained composed, idling, seeming to wait for a potential leader.

After the last individuals emerged from the portal, the ground trembled with loud thuds. From behind the dim backdrop of the portal, a green leather boot treaded itself onto the glowing castle floor tiles. The wizards were still frozen, wondering who would come through next. The tension just heightened with each echoing footfall. Even the Grand Magus Haddock could not fool himself as the hairs on his nape shuddered. There was a thick magical aura in this person.

A middle-aged man, with a thick beard and flowing hair, revealed himself to the crowd, still mounting a tight stance. He did not look too different from the others, but his commanding presence and the way he carried himself marked him as their leader. His arms were folded behind his back, and he was flanked by three young individuals who acted like his bodyguards. It seemed absurd to see youths escorting him instead of the other way around. Despite his foreign appearance, the leader of these monks bore distinctly European features.

Like patching a broken wall, the bespectacled guardian sealed the portal. The sorcerers had all gathered, sixteen of them in total. The leader of the sorcerers was standing right in front of the commanding wizard. Haddock's countenance transformed, implying his familiarity with the individual.

“You know...,” Haddock started the conversation, “if you come out of goodwill, you could have used the front door. Bring as many followers as you want, we will serve you with a whole heart.”

The man looked back. “I see,” he said, “if we do that, it’s for the highest possibility, you will throw us out of the sky.”

The wizards moved to corner them. Haddock, still calm, raised his hand to keep them in place. “Who am I talking to right now?”

“Ah, Your Honourable the Grand Magus. I know you, I know you know me.”

“Everyone knows me, correct. But not everyone knows you.”

“You want me to introduce myself so you can embarrass me in front of your good men?”

“Oh, no. I’m a gentleman. I don’t speak ill of other people.” Haddock paused for a moment. “Not in public.”

The man looked around him. He scanned everyone in the office one by one. His vision instead penetrated the crowd, finding Alicia Crimsonmane’s figure riveted in the back, anxious. Confusion swirled in her mind. Then, the man revealed his identity.

“Greetings. You should already know who I am. You adore me, draw me on your building murals. I am everywhere.”

The mages of the Magisterium began to ask one another what that chatter meant.

“But that’s fine. I shall clear up your memories again,” he added. “I am… known by many epithets. I am… a Servant of the Pendragon Dynasty. I am… The Advisor of the Round Table. I am… The Traitor. The Mad Hermit of the Caledonian Forest….”

The room was slowly filled with wonder and incomprehension. Some had guessed–including Alicia, the most knowledgable of magic–and they felt this person was spouting the most ridiculous baloney they had ever heard. The middle-aged man had not even finished his introduction, let alone said his name.

The man stared at the awkward bespectacled Crimsonmane. “I am the Founder of the Magisterium of Arcane Plane! I am the First Grand Magus!”

“Yon person's insane,” Alicia muttered.

“I am Lailoken!”

“He’s absolute insane!”

“And the world once called me Merlin, the Earth’s Greatest Magus!” []