The conversation was surprisingly calm, so Cale wondered himself if the memory had such a positive influence on his colleagues. One by one, they asked a variety of questions until Cale finally arrived at the topic of the dragons. He formally introduced Fengari, Chioni, and Velence, and showed the High-Magicians exactly what had happened in the mountains of Sylve and in the Creature Plain. They were shocked in many ways, but compared to Aaron and the Eldest, they remained relatively calm when Cale explained to them that the dragons were not enemies. Probably it was because they were afraid to show their true opinions because there were three true dragons present.

"Can you show me the ships?", Grischa requested after the others had drifted into a small discussion with the elder. They were talking about mana, specifically around the mana of the world and holy mana, which has currently become an issue.

Cale saw no reason not to, which is why he went back to his second life and found himself in Altona after the creatures had turned the whole country into one big creature plane. With large bags on his back, Cale was stomping through the world alone when something large in the sky caught his attention. Wordlessly, he stopped and raised a hand protectively in front of his eyes as the huge ship appeared from behind the clouds.

<"By the three gods, isn't that a ship?">, he spoke to himself. Instinctively, he knew that this construct was the long-awaited news from Sylve, even if it was several years too late. He did not know what the current situation was in Sylve or in Frignez, because this time was almost entirely spent alone in Altona searching for answers. The last people he had encountered were over a year ago, when he had protected them from some creatures.

"Beautiful", Grischa murmured, impressed, also watching as the construct peacefully made its way through the sea of clouds. A few minutes later, after the ship had completely disappeared, Cale dissolved the memory again, causing his friend to ask another question. "You once said recently that you didn't know me for a long time. Then, how did we first meet?"

For a brief moment, Cale considered sparing Grischa this sight, but ultimately decided to comply with his request. He jumped back a few years in this life, shortly after the second wave had hit Altona and his friends had died. Amidst the chaos of fear and death, he spotted Sefra, who appeared among the creatures and in the next moment, with the help of her Igrikum, literally impaled the creatures.

"I saw you near the capital shortly after the second wave attacked. Well, actually I noticed Sefra, because she was my teacher, but that's when I first saw your face", Cale explained calmly, letting his eyes wander to the 1st seat. He stood a little distance behind Sefra, holding Fabio in both hands as he skillfully fended off the attacks. You could see how busy he was with not putting his child in danger while following his colleague.

"And when did we talk for the first time?", Grischa finally replied, which is why Cale let the memory fade and landed in Sylve, more specifically Bellator.

"Not in my second life, but in the third. This must have been a little over two years after the attack. I was with the group in the capital of Sylve, what exactly you were doing here I don't know. I also don't know why Sefra's and your paths diverged, to be honest."

They found themselves in the packed streets of the capital as they watched two men argue loudly with each other. Cale, followed by the rest of the group, had also noticed the noise and were watching the action from a safe distance. But suddenly one of the men raised his fist and slammed it full force against the other, causing him to stagger back. He spat some blood and wiped his cheek before drawing his sword. Instantly, Cale and William jumped in between, Cale holding back the man with the sword while Liam took care of the other.

<"I think that's enough">, Cale reported back, tightening his grip, causing the stranger to drop his weapon and kneel slightly. <"You two shouldn't be causing a scene in the middle of town, there are hundreds of women and children out here.">

<"Who the heck are you? Let go of me right now!">, the man scolded and wanted to hit Cale in the head with his free hand, but Cale reflexively raised his arm and blocked the attack. He stared at the man with an ice-cold stare before stretching his arm backwards, twisting his body once and deftly dropping the intransigent stranger to the ground. With the latter's own arm, he pushed him to the ground, causing him to cry out and give in.

<"I will not repeat myself">, Cale set the tone, staring down at the stranger and then glancing at William's opponent. The latter flinched, startled, and relaxed his stance as he insightfully raised his hand and surrendered. The prince noticed this gesture and let go of him, so the stranger excused himself and disappeared into the crowd. After a while, Cale also let the other one stand up again, who annoyedly tested his arm before grabbing his weapon, uttering some curse words and disappearing as well.

<"What idiots, have you forgotten what's currently going on?">, Aletta spoke up behind them as the gap filled up with people again and everything returned to its original state.

<"Seems so">, William merely commented and joined his friends, so Cale followed him. But when he suddenly felt a large amount of mana, he reflexively stopped and turned around to the back. With his eyes, he immediately searched the source of the mana and landed on Grischa, who to his surprise was also staring at him. Neither of them moved, as if waiting for the other's reaction. After a few moments, Cale realized he knew the face and instinctively guessed that the man a few feet in front of him must be a Magician. <"Caleb?">

<"Go ahead without, I'll find you later">, he quickly replied, now turning his whole body to face him, which the strange mage also noticed. He murmured a few words to the woman next to him, who was holding a child in her hands, before distancing himself from her. Wordlessly, the two men walked towards each other, unaware of what was about to befall them.

<"That was a nice performance, I must say">, was the first sentence Grischa directed at Cale before his eyes skimmed the equipment and lingered on the sword. <"I'm a little surprised. You are a mage, right?">.

<"You have good eyes. Yes, I am a mage, though I try to hide it.">

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

<"Not good enough, apparently. You're pretty handy with your hands, considering how easily you were able to hold back the Anuxer. But why this game of hide and seek?">, Grischa interjected questioningly, causing Cale to just smile unimpressively.

<"Considering the situation, it seemed wiser not to present myself as a mage. In the last few months, people's hatred for us mages only seems to be growing">, Cale explained, letting a skeptical look wander over Grischa. <"I would be much more interested in how you know Sefra. Who exactly are you?">

<"Sefra? Sefra Risztus?">

<"That's right. I saw you together in Exarion some time ago">, Cale replied hypocritically, before a man bumped into him and he automatically took a step to the side.

<"I see. My name is Grischa Vonstetten, I am... I was the 1st seat of the Magistrat.">

Surprised, he looked up at the unassuming man before him and fell silent. Immediately he remembered the name and the events from the past. That the man was alive and here in Sylve, Cale could have guessed. How had that escaped him?

<"Ah! You are... I... by the three gods! That totally slipped by me.">

<"What's your name?">

<"Caleb. My name is Caleb Leuen.">

<"Were you students of the Magistrat?">

<"No, I wasn't. But Sefra used to be my teacher a while back, if that question concerns you">, Cale explained politely, still a little shocked that such a celebrity was talking to him right now.

<"I understand. I'd like to have a little chat, if that's all right">, the High-Magician returned, gesturing with his hand to an alley, indicating to Cale that he wanted some quiet. With a nod, he followed the 1st seat through the crowd and got to the edge before Grischa let mana flow into his legs and elegantly jumped against a wall and landed on the ledge of the house.

<"It really is a small world">, Cale muttered, watching as the High-Magician turned to him expectantly. The sight made him remember his lessons in Frignez, and he too slowly let Mana slide into his legs, lifting one skeptically and following Grischa up on his first attempt as well.

<"Ho? That was unexpected, was that your first time using mana as a fixation?">

<"No, it wasn't. I have to admit, though, that you made it look a lot easier, Sir. I'll have to remember that, it might come in handy">, Cale replied before the two mages jumped onto the roof of the house.

<"You are quick learner.">

<"I hear that a lot">, Cale commented with amusement, coming to a stop next to the High-Magician. The two stood silently at the house's edge for a while, looking down at the crowded streets beneath their feet.

<"I kind of feel like a thief">, Grischa interjected as Cale crouched down and set his heavy backpack down in front of him.

<"A thief doesn't walk around on rooftops, it's way too conspicuous. You're more likely to be out in the streets down there.">

<"You sound like someone who has experience with this">, the High-Magician mockingly interjected, but Cale replied seriously.

<"As a matter of fact, I do. When I was younger, I made a living that way.">

<"You are frighteningly... honest.">

<"Would you prefer if I lied to you?">, Cale brought up, looking at the High-Magician askance. Silently, Grischa returned the look before sighing and running his hand through his hair. <"So, what did you want to talk to me about?">

<"I was just a little curious, it's rare to meet a mage with that much mana these days. I wanted to know who you are and what your story is. Especially since you are not a member of the Magistrat.">

<"I must disappoint you, my life is not particularly interesting. I struggle along with friends from day to day, while trying to understand what in the name of the gods is wrong with the world">, Cale explained truthfully, his statement referring more to time travel and less to why the attacks of the creatures took place.

<"Won't you join the Magistrat then?">.

<"By the gods, no! I really have enough of magic">, Cale shot back, causing Grischa to look at him, dumbfounded.

<"What a waste of talent.">

<"In your opinion, I'm very happy with my current situation.">

<"Still, you certainly have potential.">

<"I know">, Cale interjected, almost a little arrogantly.

<"You could help make a difference.">

<"Yeah... no. I tried and failed miserably. I really don't need to go through all that drama again. I just want my friends to be safe.">

<"I really... can't blame you. I feel the same way towards my family... but... I owe it to them.">

<"Them?">, Cale repeated, somewhat irritated.

<"My colleagues, the other High-Magicians from Altona. They have... died.">

<"My condolences... may I ask what exactly happened?">.

<"We split into two groups during the attack, and... my group... my group was completely caught off guard and by not hearing any sign of life from the others, they will have met a similar fate">, Grischa gave voice in a depressed tone, while his sad eyes lingered on the humans.

<"Not all of them, Sefra is still alive">.

<"What?">, Grischa cried out in surprise, turning his gaze to the mage beside him.

<"Yes, if I'm not completely mistaken, she's in Norgram.">

Stunned, the High-Magician looked at him, causing Cale to briefly consider whether he had said too much. He had not yet met Sefra in this life, so his statement was based only on his experiences in the first two lives. Perhaps he should have kept that comment to himself after all.

<"Are you sure?">

<"I suspect so, I'm not sure. All I know is that she would have to be there.">

<"By the Eldest's beard...">

<"Have you still not been able to make contact? Knowing Frignez, they're desperate to get news, but this far north you're very cut off.">

<"With Winstest, yes, but with Frignez, it's almost impossibe. Crossing Altona is too dangerous and to travel across the sea is simply the more difficult way, even with good preparation. Besides, we don't know what the situation is like around Holy Island.">

<"Ah, yes. Understandable">, Cale quickly interjected before remembering the sight of the dozens of dragons. It was definitely dangerous to be in those waters, that much was certain. <"Still, Frignez needs Sylve and Sylve needs Frignez. Things can't stay on like this.">

<"I know, I'm working on it">, Grischa replied anxiously as Cale stood back up and stretched briefly. He remembered the events from the second life and wondered if anything could be changed if people knew what to do earlier. Back then, after Frignez and Sylve had also been attacked by the creatures, there was almost no spot left on the continent where people could live well. The humans had entrenched themselves in the mountains, and rumor had it that many of them lived on the 21 islands between Sylve and Winstest.

A thought flashed through Cale's mind, causing him to freeze in motion.

Long after the second attack, at the time he was alone on the plains searching for answers in the rubble, rumor had it that Grischa Vonstetten had developed a crystal that allowed long distance communication. At the time, Cale hadn't realized what it was all about, but Sylve, Winstest and Frignez, 10 years after the third wave, had finally been able to talk to each other. He had only heard bits and pieces over the weeks and months, but in time he understood the bigger picture.

<"High-Magician Vonstetten...">, Cale finally raised his voice hesitantly, reaching for his backpack with one hand. The High-Magician turned to him at the exclamation, so Cale extended his free hand to him and raised a finger. <"... I'll give you some well-intentioned advice. Develop a communication crystal based on the creature Derphan and do it in the next six months. Before the next wave surprises us.">