02 | Sorcerer

A SINGLE CONCRETE PATH led from the mansion to the garden’s gated entrance, framed by a pair of towering oak trees. After entering the forest garden, Hiram and his parents followed a path winding through beds of colourful flowers and lush greenery.

  Finally, they reached a clearing in the middle of the forest garden, where Hiram's birthday party was taking place. He felt excited. But he also still felt that bad premonition.

  He looked around nervously, but the clearing was well-lit. There were a few trees with leaves of vivid green, and bright flowers of every colour and size were all emitting their own light.

  Even the roses emitted a weak crimson light, while the other flowers and their green leaves had a luminescent sheen. Meanwhile, the glowing white flowers reflected the moonlight and cast a bright light over the clearing.

  Scents of the flowers, roses, jasmine, lavender and others, wafted through the air like incense. Everything was in bloom, swaying in the gentle breeze. The colours were so vibrant despite the darkness of the night. It comforted Hiram.

  Then as they approached, he saw well-dressed guests engaged in cheerful conversations while some admired the flowers and trees surrounding a pond. Some guests enjoyed the many lavish dishes and desserts, the likes of which can only be made with the bountiful resources of Alardice. Some of the guests were drinking wine, while some of the youngsters played hide and seek.

  Upon their arrival, the Master of Ceremonies announced their presence. "Let us welcome His Excellency Lucius Crestmore, Governor General of Alardice and Her Excellency Talia Manawis-Crestmore!" he said. "But let us not forget why we're here today... to celebrate their son's twelfth birthday! Let us all welcome Hiram Manawis-Crestmore!"

  The guests cheered in unison.

  Hiram followed his parents as they met the guests – making small talk, introductions, catching up – socializing. Everyone was having a grand time, talking merrily as the sounds of melodious laughter filled the air.

  A trio of elderly gentlemen then made their approach.

  “Son, come and greet your elders,” said Lucius, smiling at him.

  "Mister Yamamoto, Mister Fletcher, and Lord Manawis. Thank you all for coming," Hiram said and bowed to the trio.

  Despite being happy to see those who have given him guidance over the years. He must act with formality and grace to not embarrass his parents.

  “Don’t ever bow to me, boy,” said Hamili, his grandfather. “The Manawis never bow.”

  “Stop your lecturing, Hamili,” said Asahi Yamamoto before looking back at Hiram, offering him a nod. “I appreciate the gesture Hiram. It’s nice to see you again.”

  “Hey, Hiram,” simply said Louis Fletcher.

  The six of them then found an empty table and sat down. Hiram sat between his mother and father while the three elderly gentlemen sat before them.

  “Hiram, I heard you're studying to become a wizard?” Louis said.

  Hiram nodded in affirmation as a servant came out to serve them wine.

  Hamili thanked the servant and asked him to leave the bottle. "We'll serve ourselves," he said. The servant nodded and went on his merry way.

  Hiram filled his cup with water and said, “It's the only aetheric path for non-sorcerers like me, Mister Fletcher." While he spoke with a level tone of voice. There was a hint of disappointment. Both of his parents were sorcerers, and he greatly looked up to them. They were his sources of inspiration. He wanted to become a sorcerer just like them.

  But becoming a wizard was his only option. The universe sees not his pleas.

  Louis reminded him, “But a path with unlimited possibilities. Wizards can even learn an unlimited number of spells, unlike us.” He poured himself and others some wine while adding, “High Sorcerers and below can only learn five. While even Grand Sorcerers can only learn ten.”

  Hiram nodded. A limited arsenal of spells is the biggest disadvantage of sorcerers compared to wizards. And sorcerers can only learn spells using spell tomes – a very limited commodity. Thus, not all sorcerers are fully armed with spells. It is rare, even for second-realmers, to have five spells. They'd be lucky if they could acquire even two basic aetheric spells.

  On the other hand, wizards rely on memory and experience to cast their spells by manipulating raw aether. Even then, spellcasting is not the main priority of wizards.

  They are, first and foremost - academics and researchers. Secondly, they are masters of Arcanecraft.

  Asahi thanked Louis for the wine and offered his own thoughts. “The average Grand Wizard – not that they're average in the first place – can also single-handedly defeat a group of Grand Sorcerers alone,” said Asahi.

  But Hiram also already knew that.

  “Indeed,” said Hamili before picking up a chicken leg and placing it on his plate. With a reassuring voice, he added, “Also... without wizards, there wouldn't be sorcerers or spell tomes in the first place. So, even a first circle wizard is already worth more than a handful of Grand Sorcerers.”

  Hiram recalled back Hamili's tale of legends when he was little. Wizards basically created sorcery and its path of cultivation. In addition, they created spell tomes that sorcerers used to combat the Blight. Wizards were far too outnumbered against the ancient threat. After all, there were – and still are – only a few people that could become wizards.

  It is said that without wizards, Inar would have already been covered in darkness by the Blight.

  “It is the most prestigious occupation,” Hamili said. “And you have shown great potential to become a Grand Wizard. Didn't the University of Edith offer you a scholarship?”

  Indeed, despite such a young age, he is already close to becoming an expert in a few fields, much to his parents' joy. But even with this potential, it would still take him a century to become a Grand Wizard. The difficulty of studying the aether simply could not compare to other fields

  Hiram looked at his own reflection on a silver plate. “Becoming a wizard is a calling,” he reasoned. “Many end up forsaking their family and friends to pave a path for humanity. I cannot just do that.” While he respected wizards, he simply had no inspiration to become one.

  “—wish I was a sorcerer too,” muttered Hiram to himself, but it was still loud enough for the others to hear.

  “Dear,” Talia whispered with a worried look.

  “But I understand that everything has a price,” said Hiram and looked around the table. “It’s arrogant for me to chase something I’ll never achieve... because everything has a price,” he said as he looked at Hamili. “Even sorcerers pay the price.”

  Hiram added, “In the House of Crestmore and Manawis, I am that price – the Forbidden Union's price,” he said and narrowed his eyes as he recalled his studies.

  A sorcerer can link their soul to a non-sorcerer with a ritual called the 'The Union.' This allows sorcerers to share their lifespan with a non-sorcerer, which disappears upon the death of either the sorcerer or their link. A soul can – sorcerer or not – only do the Union once. Thus, the Union has become a universal cultural custom attached to marriage.

  The Forbidden Union is a term borrowed from the Union. For some reason, two sorcerers must commit to the Union if they want a child. However, despite the Union, it is still nigh impossible for them to birth a child.

  When Hiram studied the phenomenon, he found that there were no explanations. Even scholars are left stumped.

  The children of two sorcerers are also found to be fragile and susceptible to diseases, and many end up dying young. Thus, the term Forbidden Union was coined. It isn't that the union between two sorcerers is culturally forbidden. It is only as if the universe forbids it.

  Thus, many sorcerers who want to form a family usually marry non-sorcerers instead.

  That's why, while his parents are both gifted sorcerers, the world’s gifts always have a price. Such is the price and balance he spoke of – of that being himself. A price he had come to accept.

  Lucius and Talia had awkward smiles painting their faces but made no comment. Lucius subtly looked down as if in deep contemplation.

  But Hamili was not ashamed to raise his voice.

  “You don’t know shit, boy!” said Hamili and slammed the table, surprising Hiram. “Your mother almost died giving birth to you!”

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  “Dad!” Talia stood up and called out. “Stop!”

  But, Hamili did not stop. “If she were not a Sorceress of Blood, she would have died with you! Have you seen how much she fuckin’ struggled to keep you alive?!”

  Hiram pursed his lips and looked down - ashamed. He forgot... that many pregnancies of sorcerer parents result in stillbirth... and the mother's survival is abysmally low.

  But his parents still took the risk. Even if he did not have the potential to become a wizard, his parents still loved him very much. They never forced him to study.

  He understood that he was the personification of their everlasting love, and he just spat at that. Why didn't he consider their love for each other – their love for him? Why did he say such a damnable thing? Why didn't he consider the price they also had to pay?

  “Father, enough,” Lucius pleaded. “Please. Let’s not ruin the moment.”

  Again, his grandfather did not even spare his parents a glance. But he did lower his voice when he noticed the other guests looking at them – perhaps curious of the commotion. Hamili nodded at them before shifting his gaze back to him. “The reality is much more cruel than that of your studies and statistics, boy.”

  “After you were born, your mother was comatose for two months,” added Hamili, and when Lucius and Talia were about to interrupt again, he raised his hand, not giving them a chance to speak. “No one knew if she was ever going to wake up.”

  Hiram looked at Talia, widening his eyes. “Mom, I –” He did not know that. Why have they never told him? No... he should not blame them.

  But before his mom could address him, Hamili said, “Do not interrupt me when I talk, boy.”

  “Do you know what Talia said when she finally woke up?” said Hamili, but it was a rhetorical question, so Hiram only bowed his head, realizing how his words must have hurt his parents so much.

  “–is Hiram okay?” Hamili said with a whispery voice. “That’s how much your parents love you, Hiram... Damn the Forbidden Union. Do not ever call yourself the price... You are the fruit of their marriage and love.”

  Silence filtered through the air. No one knew what to say. He did not know what to say.

  Talia simply sat back down as her eyes turned misty.

  Hiram could see in her eyes what he thought was... guilt. When he saw that – he felt a stab of phantom pain.

  "Perhaps it was selfish for them to dream of a family, and perhaps it was not. Perhaps their joy at your potential to become a great wizard was a joy born out of their guilt. Perhaps their love was selfish indeed. As you said... only pain and suffering await the child of two sorcerers. Isn't that right?" Hamili said.

  Hiram avoided his gaze. "That's not what I meant," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

  “Now, now, Hamili,” Louis said with a laugh before pouring cups of wine for everyone.

  Asahi also tried changing the topic. “It’s good weather tonight, isn’t it?"

  Hamili drank wine as the table went quiet. Even with the distant sound of the party, the silence at the table was louder.

  “Hiram,” Talia and Lucius finally said at the same time, breaking the silence. Talia then held his hand.

  “Mom... Dad... don’t apologize,” said Hiram and looked up at his parents, shaking his head. “I’m sorry,” he said and gritted his teeth as he prevented himself from crying.

  “Oh, my dear child,” Talia said with a sniff before tightly embracing her son.

  Lucius looked at them and smiled as he ruffled his hair.

  Asahi and Louis also smiled at the sight. Meanwhile, Hamili only harrumphed before taking a sip of his wine.

  “Mom, I can’t breathe!” Hiram complained, feeling awkward at the display of his mother's affection.

  Talia lightly laughed before removing a wooden box of intricate designs from her purse. “I have a gift for you,” said Talia and placed a silver necklace around his neck, embellished with a stone that looked like a diamond.

  Unable to hide his excitement, he removed his mask of maturity and stoicism. It didn't matter anymore. He loves gifts. “A soul stone?”

  “Yes, dear. While it’s not as rare and expensive as a diamond, it stabilizes your soul and keeps the bad dreams away,” Talia said with a smile.

  He grinned and embraced his mom. “I love you, mom!”

  “Ha! Look at that stupid grin,” commented Hamili when he looked at Hiram.

  Hiram just stuck his tongue to his grandfather, and the table laughed. “Come here! You foolish twat!”

  “Dad! Language,” Talia scolded, but Hamili was already chasing Hiram. The other guests laughed as they watched him and his grandfather.

⁂

Lucius frowned after his son and Hamili were out of sight. There is a piece of information that only wizards and a few Grand Sorcerers like him know.

  It is a common assumption that the child of two sorcerers are born core-less. But, in fact, they are born with a dormant soul core. Wizards theorize that the dormant soul core is what causes those children to be susceptible to diseases.

  Awakening the dormant soul core is possible with a soul stone as a catalyst.

  In the history of Inar, those who successfully awakened their dormant soul cores became extremely powerful sorcerers. These sorcerers are called the Awakened.

  An Awakened Grand Sorcerer is equal in combat strength against even a Grand Wizard. Thus, an Awakened Grand Sorcerer is also above in strength compared to the average Grand Sorcerer. The only match to the Awakened are those born with peak-rate soul cores – which are even rarer.

  However, the resources required for the awakening process, aside from the soul stone, are extremely difficult to acquire. Not to mention the risks that come with it.

  Even after having the necessary materials, the awakening process only has a dreadful 10 per cent rate of success.

  So, while his family and his wife's families are both wealthy, he did not dare risk his son’s life. He could not.

  Failure of the awakening process means death.

  This knowledge was accidentally revealed to Hiram when he was younger, but he and Talia made him forget. They knew their son... he would do everything to awaken his dormant soul core despite the risk of dying.

  “I’m sorry, Hiram,” whispered Lucius to himself.

⁂

The night went on, and Talia led a group of ladies on a tour of the forest garden, marvelling at the various flowers and plants.

  Hidden in plain sight, Cyril watched Talia's every move. He waited for the right moment to strike.

  He noticed that Talia's group was escorted by a squad of Imperial Civil Guards led by just one High Sorcerer. "Only one," he said with a smile. "Good."

  As he followed, Talia's group soon found themselves at the northwestern corner of the forest garden, where the soft glow of fireflies illuminated the rows of flowers that were in full bloom.

  The sound of a nearby waterfall also soothed his ears, and the pond, which was filled with koi fish, seemed to shimmer under the starry sky. How pretty... and a shame that the sight will soon be ruined.

  "Where's the Governor General?" he asked an assassin standing beside him.

  "He remains at the clearing. We are ready whenever you are, Second Apostle," said the assassin, whose name he already forgot. Not that Cyril cared. The assassin will probably die anyway. A necessary sacrifice.

  Cyril nodded his head and asked, "Are the other three Apostles in position?"

  "Yes, Third, Eight, Ninth, and Tenth Apostles are all in position," responded the assassin, whose name he still could not recall. Not that it was important.

  But he did sigh at the mention of the Apostles. The Order of Sicarius dispatched five of their ten Grands for the assassination. It would have been overkill, but their targets are both Grands – Grands with advanced elements at that.

  Not to mention, Talia is a Sovereign-candidate. Someone with a peak-rate soul core too. But he did not plan to face her head-on. That would be foolish. It's practically suicide.

  “Send the signal - we begin," Cyril said as he shook off his thoughts. It doesn't matter. The price is huge, but the rewards will be worth it.

  He still wondered how that lowly organization managed to find what Sicarius could not. He admired their luck... but also found it annoying. If they had found it first, Sicarius wouldn't have needed to come to such a backwater colony so close to the Uncharted Lands.

  Then in multiple locations of the forest garden, he watched smoke flares exploding in the sky, signalling the beginning of a bloody night. Cyril smiled.

⁂

When Talia saw the flares, a feeling of dread washed over her. She turned to Lady Miriam, who asked in a panicked voice, "Lady Talia! What's going on?" Talia ignored the question and instead yelled, "Hurry! Bring them to safety!"

  The Imperial Civil Guards and their leader, High Sorcerer Lyrion Knight, hesitated. "How about you, Lady Talia?!" said Lyrion.

  "I'll be fine," she hissed.

  Then a group of about two dozen assassins rushed toward them from all directions. Lyrion met them with a barrage of spells while the remaining guards clashed with the other enemies with their blades.

  Talia used the opportunity to activate her sustained spell – Blood Enhancement. After a few more seconds, she also activated her other sustained spell – Blood Whip.

  Chaos erupted as screams filled the air, and the guests froze in fear, unable to move. One of the assassins charged toward the guests, brandishing his sharp blade.

  One of the guards pulled out his revolver and aimed at the approaching assassin, but the gun suddenly exploded in his hand, killing the guard instantly.

  Talia's face darkened when she saw that, and she shouted to the rest of the guards, "Don't use guns! They have a pyromancer among them!"

  She then added, "And, Lyrion, bring the guests away! I'll make you suffer if I see even the slightest injuries on their bodies!"

  The civil guards disengaged and grouped up to protect the ladies. As the assassins were about to pursue, Talia brandished her crimson whip against them. “I’m your opponent, you worms.”