Wizard Runners

Chapter 23

“You will go tomorrow ?!”

Mr. Joko nodded. “With the attention of the battle in the monastery of Windballad

it has been withdrawn, it won't be long before the Academy sends a new witch,

stronger than the previous.”

“But can't we hide?” Aev asked. “After us

escaping from Landra City, we saw no signs of the Academy for half

the year. Why can't we do the same thing again?”

“Because I killed more than a dozen Academy witches,” said Mr. Joko

plain. “Before, they were just looking for a Student with the Realm

off-limits. Now, they're looking for someone who attacked the Academy,”

Aev frowned. “So there is no way for us to hide?”

“Only, I can hide easily,” said Mr. Joko. “Dan even

if they find me, I'll have a little trouble for

run away. But with you together, it will be much more difficult.”

“If they find us, can't you fight them?” Aev

inquiring. The battle at the monastery is still fresh in his memory, and from what he

having seen him there, Mr. Joko had no reason to be afraid of

The Academy.

“Maybe,” said Mr. Joko. “But if I beat those guys who

looking for us now, more will replace them, even more

stronger than the last. Any win will only attract more

attention.”

“What happened to me after you left? Without your help, I don't

had a chance to escape from them.” The thought is enough to

it makes Aev feel desperate. If Mr. Joko can't guide them to a place

which is safe, what opportunities does Aev own?

“You have two options,” said Mr. Joko.

Aev listened carefully, understanding that what was to be said

Mr. Joko to him probably determines whether he will live or die.

“The first one is to hide alone,” Mr. Joko continued.

“Academy will be looking for me, and you should be able to escape the notification

at least for a while. Using that time, you can

travel to a remote location in the mountains, where the Academy will

have a little chance of finding you. ”

What should I do then?”

Mr. Joko shrugged his shoulders. “Spend a century or two of training, and you

it might be able to become a Master, or even a Grandmaster. At the

back then, you should have had hope of staying alive without my help.”

After thinking for a moment, Aev shook his head. Even spent

years alone on the mountain alone is a terrifying prospect.

Spending centuries of training alone? Even if he survived, he

maybe he'll lose his mind.

“What are other options?” he asked, hoping it would be something

more interesting.

“Another option is to join Shadowflame Society,” said Mr. Joko.

“The Shadowflame Society?” Aev had heard the name before, but

he doesn't know what it is.

“There are four Great Societies in the Empire,” said Mr. Joko. “Masing each

they were tasked with protecting one of the Empire's borders. The Shadowflame Society

is one of these Large Assemblies.”

“Can't the Academy find me there?”

“Even if they find you, there's little they can do,”

answer Mr. Joko. “Big Institution is strong enough that not even the Academy will

dare to offend them lightly. Of course, they won't start

conflict with Shadowflame Society over one Student, forbidden Realm or

no.”

“What is the goal?” Aev asked with a frown. If this Shadowflame Society

as strong as Master Joko had said, surely the man would suggest it more

early – unless there are some big losses.

“The catch, as you said, will it be dangerous.”

“Dangerous?” Aev asked. “But I thought you said I'd be safe from

Academy?”

“The danger will not come from the Academy,” Mr. Joko explained. “For

joining the Shadowflame Society, you must serve across the border

for a year, hunt monsters, bandits, and evil witches. For the most part

of those who joined did not survive the first year of their service.”

Hearing this, Aev gulped.

proceeding. “But training in Institutions is difficult and dangerous, even at the Student level.

And during your training, the Shadowflame Institution will regularly send you

crossing the border, to face even greater danger.”

Aev thought. From what Master Joko told him, it seemed

joining the Shadowflame Society would be much more dangerous than just

hide out.

“Which option will make me stronger?” Aev finally asked.

Mr. Joko smiled in agreement. “Join with Shadowflame Society,

sure is. You will face many dangers, but if you survive, you

will have enough training and experience to protect yourself.”

The decision wasn't easy, and Aev took the time to consider

his choice.

Going into hiding would be a safer option, but he

had to spend years living like a hermit and training

alone. And although her magic abilities will grow stronger, she will

lacking the combat experience he needed to survive if he

he finds himself in a fight he cannot avoid.

Joining the Shadowflame Society, on the other hand, sounds like

almost killed himself. He had to fight bandits and monsters, and cross

the border to the lands outside the Empire. But he will have that experience

he needs to survive. And more importantly, he won't

alone.

With that last thought, Aev made up his mind. “I'll go to

Shadowflame Society,” said.

“Good,” replied Mr. Joko. “That's a dangerous road, but I believe it

that's your best chance of survival. “

“But what about him?” Aev looked at Aang Feng, who seemed to have been

falling unconscious, though his body still occasionally spasm.

“I will give him the option to accompany you or go,” said Mr. Joko.

“But I'll discuss that with him when he wakes up. Now, we have to

preparing some preparations.”

“What preparation?” Aev asked with a nervous look at Mr. Joko. Him

you can already feel that something unpleasant is about to happen.

“First, I have to close your Realm.”

“Close My Realm?!” Aev paled hearing those words. Without his Realm,

he won't be able to draw Essence. And without Essence, he wouldn't

powerless.

“Academy is still looking for Students with forbidden Nature,” said Mr. Joko. “Dan

someone in the monastery would likely tell them about the power of Nature

Your Fire and Wind. You may not meet them, but if

you do, you need this seal to stay hidden,”

Aev nodded reluctantly. He could not blame the man's logic, either,

but now, he was afraid of imagining not having magic.

“I will leave your Shadow Realm without a seal,” Mr. Joko added.

“Using Shadow, you can unravel the seal in your Flame and Wind Realm. Subsequent to

you can do it, you should be able to make it yourself, let you

hiding magic at will.”

“How long will it take? ” Aev ask.

“One or two months is enough.”

“And what about my forbidden Realm?”

“For that, I will use a stronger seal. Reveal that

it might take a few years, but once you do, you

will understand the Shadow seal well enough to hide it from

all except the strongest magician.”

“Alright,” Aev reluctantly agrees, understanding that he doesn't have much

choice in this matter.

He leaned forward, and Mr. Joko put down his fingers

right to the temple Aev. Almost instantly, Aev can feel his connection with

Nature weakens. Just a moment later, the connection was completely gone.

“Now use the Essence left in you,” said Mr. Joko.

Aev did as the man asked, launching several blasts of Fire

and the Wind until he felt the last Essence leave his body. Him

shuddered at the hollow feeling that followed him.

“Now what?” He asked .

“Now,” said Mr. Joko, “we wait for the girl to wake up.”