𝐎𝓥𝐞𝗅xt.𝑪𝑶𝗆
The Alter group was a large organization consisting of people from different worlds who now resided in the world of Pagna. This secretive group operated behind the scenes, manipulating events while storing away items they deemed world-changing.
Raze had believed that, after a recent event, the Alter group wouldn’t allow any survivors. However, the situation had turned out better than he could have imagined. Everyone who had witnessed the event, or at least the use of powers, had been gathered in the Red Brigade’s main room: Sonny, Safa, Simyon, Kron, and Elder Yon. Those who had seen such events unfold and weren’t in that room had already perished.
Raze was surprised by how forgiving the Alter group seemed, sparing the lives of those who had witnessed the events. They were informed that they would now become part of the Alter organization, with no choice in the matter. Each of them would be field agents, similar to Raze but with even less access to information about Alter, including the fact that it was composed of otherworlders. Charlotte had explained to Raze that having eyes and ears everywhere was advantageous, and situations like this arose now and again.
After the meeting, the others were sent back to their base. The Red Brigade Clan needed to reorganize, and the others needed time to recover. Simyon, in particular, had been sleeping the whole time and had yet to wake up. He had collapsed shortly after Himmy had arrived in the courtyard.
Raze, however, was called into another room where Charlotte wished to speak to him privately. She had a warning regarding the others becoming field agents for Alter.
“If you continue to stay around these people, and if they ever leak a word about what they saw or magic to others, and Alter finds out about it, then you will be given the order,” Charlotte explained.
There was no need for Raze to ask what the order was; he knew it meant he would have to get rid of them. What surprised him, though, was Charlotte keeping a secret about the sealed earring. He had heard Himmy ask for it, and he was sure she would have seen it on Simyon at the time. Maybe not with all the commotion going on, but when Himmy asked where the sealed ring was, and asked Charlotte as well, they both stated that they didn’t know. Raze was tempted to ask, but in the end, he didn’t have to.
“You really saved us a lot of trouble back there,” Charlotte said, with a big grin on her face, and she had both hands behind her back, which made Raze a little nervous.
“Honestly, you’re a great mage, one that’s clearly talented, and I think it would be good if I stayed in contact with you. I think it’s best if we stay close and work together. Even in Alter, things aren’t completely safe, so it’s good to make our own allies outside of it.”
With an organization the size of Alter, it was a given that they would have problems, especially with those tempted to steal items from them. So he understood, especially since he was one of them.
Moving her hands from behind her back, she handed him a light green-colored crystal. It was thicker than the yellow-colored ones Raze had before. The moment the crystal touched his skin, he knew exactly what it was.
“That’s a level 2 power stone,” Charlotte explained. “It’s up to you how you want to use it. Get someone to grind it into a Qi pill and use it to advance your core and cultivation. Or use it to increase the magic in your core, or you can even sell it.”
“If you want my advice, it’s always best not to rely too much on one attribute as a mage, and based on the color, you should be able to tell.”
Raze did know; it was not just a level 2 power stone but a wind attribute one as well. If he were to consume this into his mana core, he would finally be able to produce wind spells just like Charlotte could. The attribute points would start low, but it was a start and meant he could use other spells besides dark magic and perhaps stop creating cursed items.
“There’s no such thing as a free lunch,” Raze said.
“Just take it. I already told you, I owe you for the mana potion you gave me earlier, and this is to build our relationship. I know you’re going to become a special mage, and I want you to remember that I was part of that process.”
It did make Raze wonder if maybe this was the reason why she had kept the earring a secret.
“We’ll be leaving this town; we have orders to work on something else. We’ve been here a while, and haven’t really solved anything, so they want us back. Anyway, it’s up to you what you do next. I think you’ll benefit a lot from the academy, and if you don’t join, don’t worry; when we need you, we’ll be able to find you.”
Raze had successfully obtained a crystal out of the situation. He wouldn’t absorb it just yet because he wanted to head back to Safa and Simyon first to see the results of the earring. Meanwhile, Charlotte had gone off to join Himmy, and the two of them were leaving the place in a large carriage.
“You seem to be quite interested in that mage. Was there something odd about him?” Himmy asked.
Charlotte didn’t say anything for a while; she was staring out of the carriage, looking at the trees passing by.
“You know I’m one of the newest Alters from Alterian,” Charlotte commented. “Well, you see, that mage used Dark Magic. Honestly, it’s not an attribute that many have, and that includes me. But you see, back on Alterian when I was there, there was a very dangerous mage that used Dark Magic, someone who went by the name Dark Magus.”
Just thinking about it, all the hairs on her body stood up tall.
“And you think this kid could be the Dark Magus?” Himmy asked.
“Ha!” Charlotte laughed. “That’s impossible. The Dark Magus would be an old man, and if someone like him did come into this world, I’m not sure anyone could stop him from doing what he wanted.”