Van Dijk walked purposefully ahead of Ludwig, his long strides making it clear he was deep in thought. His silence was broken as he spoke, his voice steady but with an undercurrent of resolve. “Though it frustrates me that you insist on using metal as your weapon instead of focusing solely on magic, I will not be the one to limit your potential,” he began. His tone was thoughtful, almost as though he were deliberating aloud. “But at the same time, I cannot stand by and let you pick up habits carelessly. If you are set on pursuing the dual paths of sword and magic, then you must commit to both with unwavering dedication. I’ll be sure to inform Joana of your newfound enthusiasm for the blade.”
The gravity of Van Dijk’s words was not lost on Ludwig. He felt a weight settle in his chest, but it was not unpleasant—rather, it was a reminder of the responsibility he bore, not just to himself but to his mentor. Van Dijk’s faith in him was clear, but so too was the warning. The path of both sword and magic was treacherous, and there would be no room for mediocrity.
“I’ll keep your words in mind, Master,” Ludwig replied earnestly, falling into step behind the vampire as they approached the teleportation gate.
The swirling energies of the portal shimmered like liquid light, and as the two passed through, Ludwig felt the familiar pull of displacement before they reappeared in the Black Tower Academy’s teleportation hub. The hub was a cavernous space, its walls lined with runes that pulsed faintly, maintaining the intricate balance required for teleportation magic.
“Master Van Dijk,” greeted a man in an elaborate mage’s robe, standing near the central orb that controlled the formations. His graying hair and sharp eyes betrayed a lifetime of experience, though he bowed his head deferentially to Van Dijk. “It’s always a pleasure to see you.”
“Good to see you too, Silva,” Van Dijk replied with a rare smile.
Silva chuckled. “Trust me, the pleasure’s mine. The gates to Rima were down for most of the day yesterday, and no one bothered to tell me why. I’ve been half out of my mind thinking something catastrophic happened. What was going on?”
“Nothing too serious,” Van Dijk said, waving a hand dismissively. “Just a profane ritual and a few murders. All handled.”
Silva blinked, clearly startled by the nonchalance of the response. “Just a profane ritual and murders, you say? Well, thank the gods it wasn’t something serious like a broken gate.” His sarcasm earned a smirk from Van Dijk. “I take it everything’s back in order, then?”
“Yes, the situation has been resolved,” Van Dijk confirmed.
Silva nodded in relief but hesitated as if deciding whether to say more. Finally, he leaned in slightly. “By the way. Professor Vastion Oda’Roh has been… let’s say, a bit of a problem lately.”
Van Dijk’s expression darkened immediately. “What’s he done now?”
Silva lowered his voice. “After hearing that the boy with you left for Rima yesterday, Oda’Roh announced an impromptu pop quiz for all freshmen in his class. He made it clear it would account for ninety percent of their final grade.”
Ludwig’s eyes widened. “Wait, what? That’s—why would he—?”
“One question at a time Ludwig. You sound like a stammering fool.” Van Dijk advised.
“Oh, don’t play dumb,” Silva interrupted, grinning slightly. “He was targeting you. You and the two students who were with you yesterday didn’t show up for his quiz.”
Ludwig groaned. “I didn’t even know about it! And why me? I don’t even have any real beef with the guy.”
Van Dijk rubbed his temples, his frustration was evident. “What exactly happened between you and Oda’Roh, Ludwig?”
“Nothing,” Ludwig insisted, exasperated. “He asked me a few questions in class, I answered, and he said I’d get full marks for the finals that I don’t even need to attend. That’s it. I didn’t even realize it would cause a problem.”
Silva laughed softly. “Full marks for a few answers, eh? Yeah, that would do it. You bruised his pride, boy.”
Van Dijk sighed, shaking his head. “This is ridiculous. Still, don’t worry about it, Ludwig. As I told you before, you’re exempt from the exams due to our mission. I’ll personally file a report with the dean to ensure there’s no confusion.”
Silva raised an eyebrow. “You? Filing a report? Isn’t that a bit beneath someone of your stature, Master Van Dijk?”
Van Dijk smiled faintly. “Which is exactly why it will have the desired effect. The dean will take it seriously if it comes from me. Regardless of this, inform the Teachers that I’ll be heading to the Bog of Tibari. If I’m not heard of in say seven days, you may come to collect my corpse,” he said.”
Silva stepped back. “Fair enough about the report. But are you sure about this trip to the Bog of Tibari? That’s forbidden land for a reason. I could gather a few mercenaries to assist you if—”
“No need,” Van Dijk interrupted firmly. “I’ve lived for more than seven centuries, Silva. If something out there can kill me, mercenaries would only serve as side dish for whatever it is. This is just a reconnaissance mission. Nothing more.”
The older mage sighed heavily, clearly unhappy with the decision but unwilling to argue further. “Very well. I’ll prepare the gate for you.” He moved toward the central orb, his hands weaving intricate patterns as he chanted under his breath. The runes on the walls flared brighter, and the air hummed with energy as a new portal began to form.
The swirling green gateway stabilized its light casting eerie shadows across the hub. Silva turned back to them, his expression grave. “This will take you to the edge of the bog. From there, you’re on your own. Good hunting, Master Van Dijk.”
Van Dijk stepped forward, pausing only to glance back at Ludwig. “Stick close to me, Ludwig. The bog is no place for complacency.”
As Van Dijk disappeared into the portal, Silva placed a hand on Ludwig’s shoulder. “Boy,” he said, his tone uncharacteristically serious, “no matter what happens out there, stay by your master’s side. It’s the safest place you’ll find in that cursed land.”
Ludwig nodded, swallowing hard before stepping through the gate. The air shifted around him as the portal’s light engulfed him, and the hub behind him faded away.
