Chapter 197 - Intruders

It’s almost dark. I should meet up with Shindo. Adion thought as he looked up at the sky. The sun had already gone down, but it would still be an hour or so before it turned completely dark. 

Adion walked down one of the commercial streets in Gekon, looking at the people who passed him by. He wasn’t sure if he hoped to see someone look at him in recognition or not, but he felt he should at least make an effort. He still hoped someone from the Academy would be around.

But if someone from Heavenly Light recognized him, he needed to be aware so he could make a move on them before they sent word of his presence in town. 

Adion didn’t believe there would be someone stronger than a Silver mage stationed in a town like this, so he was confident in killing them.

Looks like I won’t have any luck, though. 

Adion continued walking toward the south gate of the town, where he and Shindo had decided to meet up. 

As he passed a jewelry store, he couldn’t help but pause when he saw a necklace placed on a bust through the window. The necklace stirred something in Adion, and he soon saw the necklace change slightly, while the bust of wood was replaced by skin.

“Interested in a necklace for your lady, young master?” A man with a friendly smile called out to Adion through the door of the store.

Adion snapped out of his thoughts and replied with a smile, “Not today, I’m afraid.”

I seem to have already bought one. 

But I guess I should buy something for Sell before we meet again. I’m sure that’d make her happy.

Adion continued walking on slightly lighter steps. This was already the fifth time something in his surroundings triggered a small memory. Even if it was just a glimpse, and couldn’t compare to the details he remembered when he was painting, Adion was happy for every little bit of memory he regained. 

Maybe I could try to paint that necklace later and see what happens. It would be nice to remember more about Sell.

I’ll do that tomorrow morning.

Adion soon spotted Shindo waiting for him by the closed gates.

“They aren’t allowing people to pass,” Shindo said with a helpless sigh.

“I figured that might be the case,” Adion said, “They didn’t let us pass here on the way in, after all.”

“Then why did you want us to meet here?” Shindo asked.

“Let’s find somewhere more private, and I’ll explain,” Adion said, leading Shindo to the side.

If I teleport us through the wall, I can’t have any eyes on me. 

But I should probably teleport us to the top of the wall first in order to get a good overview of our way to the outpost.

“Why are you carrying so much luggage with you?” Shindo asked, staring at Adion's backpack, “Come to think of it, you never leave it behind. Do you have something valuable on you? A treasure from Heavenly Light?”

“What are you on about? I just like to have my things with me. What if someone takes it? Or if I need to escape suddenly?” Adion said.

“Seems awfully inconvenient,” Shindo muttered.

Adion took a closer look and noticed that, besides his sword, Shindo only had a small pouch tied to his belt. 

“I left most of my rations on the senba,” Adion argued, “But I wouldn’t want to be without my painting materials if we end up having to get away quickly.”

“You really like to paint, huh?” Shindo asked.

“It’s quite nice, yeah,” Adion said, looking around for anyone who could see what he was about to do. Using his eyes, aura sense, and sphere of space mana, Adion was confident no one was around.

He turned his attention to the other side of the wall, making out the surroundings and people there.

It should be alright. 

The wall wasn’t very high, so Adion could feel a good bit of it. 

That watchtower seems to be empty. That’s convenient.

“What are you doing? Do you really have a plan?” Shindo asked.

“I’ll teleport us to the top of the wall, and then we’ll take it from there,” Adion answered.

“You’ll…what?” Shindo asked, confused.

“I’m not actually a fire mage, I’m a space mage,” Adion revealed with a light grin.

“Space mages actually exist?” Shindo asked, his mouth open in shock.

“You know something about space mages?” Adion asked with a raised eyebrow.

“How…” Shindo seemed to have a meltdown from too many questions to ask.

“Alright, you can ask all you want later. Don’t resist,” Adion instructed as he stepped close to Shindo and took hold of the space the two occupied. Shindo did as asked after a moment of hesitation, and Adion switched the place of the two with the space in the watchtower.

“Incredible,” Shindo muttered as he looked around in awe. 

“It’s quite convenient,” Adion said, “With my teleportation, getting in and out of that outpost shouldn’t be difficult.”

“Can you teleport so far?” Shindo asked.

“Not quite,” Adion answered as he looked out toward the outpost. 

If I only move by teleportation, it will probably take four or five times to reach the outpost. 

It would be better if we could run there, but there is no way to take cover. I’m sure they’ll see us coming.

“I think I might have to teleport us underground,” Adion said, “I will be pretty tired by the end of it, though. And I need to have enough Will to get us out again. Do you have any idea how we might be able to get close without me teleporting us?”

“It’s pretty dark, we won’t be easy to spot,” Shindo said, “Even if they are keeping watch, I’m sure they aren’t expecting someone to run up to the outpost. They should be relying on their defenses to stop any intruders.”

“Maybe,” Adion said. The outpost already had a wall even more impressive than the one they were standing on. 

With defenses like that and a base filled with powerful mages, it’s possible that they are overconfident. At least, they shouldn’t be expecting trouble coming from our direction.

“Let’s try running for the majority of the way then,” Adion said, “You should be able to help us move with your wind, right?”

“A little,” Shindo said, “I estimate it won’t take us more than a minute to run that distance.”

“Good enough,” Adion said, “If we are discovered, I’ll just teleport us away. Seeing us disappear, I’m sure they’ll think they were dehydrated and hallucinated. No one would suspect the truth.”

“I’ll try to keep my aura sense active to see if anyone has their eyes on us. You just focus on running as fast as you can and be ready to teleport,” Shindo said.

“Okay,” Adion nodded, “Make sure to be close to me, or I won’t be able to take you with me.”

“Right,” Shindo said. 

“Let’s go,” Adion said, grabbing hold of the space they occupied and teleporting down to the ground below, just behind an abandoned hut.

Adion and Shindo looked around quickly. Not feeling anyone around, they both nodded toward each other and took off running.

Adion felt the wind pushing him on from behind, making him move almost twice as fast.

Impressive! I really need to figure out a way to learn wind magic. Someday, I might even be able to fly.

Adion didn’t focus his attention on anything but running and moving his sphere of space mana along with him. As soon as he could feel the area beneath the outpost, he needed to be ready to move.

Adion’s heart beat furiously as he felt that they might be discovered any second. Even moving at the speed he did, he couldn’t help but feel that he was moving too slowly.

Please, don’t notice us.

Adion turned to his side and saw Shindo’s serious expression, looking toward the outpost, scanning for guards. 

After what felt like an eternity, but in reality was less than a minute, Adion finally felt something other than sand in front of him. 

That’s stone! And…Air!

Adion waited for a few more seconds, scanning to make sure no people were around, before gesturing to Shindo that it was time. 

Grabbing hold of his partner in crime, Adion teleported them down below ground.

As soon as they arrived in the dimly lit corridor with surprisingly smooth walls, Adion and Shindo tried to hide their aura as best they could while feeling for any other presence nearby. 

I hear people talking! 

Before he could sense anything else, he heard voices. 

Staying here is no good. 

Adion pushed his space mana down below, deeper into the structure they were in, searching for a more private place.

Two floors below, no one seems to be around. It should be good enough. I have plenty of Will left to get out in case we’re discovered.

Adion once again grabbed hold of the space around him and Shindo, and teleported once again.

Arriving two floors deeper, Adion couldn’t hear anyone this time. He spread out his space mana and didn’t feel anyone around. 

“No one seems to be around,” Adion said in a low voice.

Shindo nodded in agreement and whispered back, “Let’s slowly explore this place.”

Adion nodded and the two took a few careful steps while examining their surroundings. 

“I didn’t feel any Soul mages, but they’re not easy to sense if they want to hide, so be careful,” Shindo advised.

“I know,” Adion said. 

They stayed close to each other as they made their way down the hallway. Adion could feel that there was a large room, almost like a grand hall, further ahead. He also took the time to explore the floor above and below. 

The floor below seemed to be the bottom floor. Adion couldn’t feel anyone down there, but he knew there were people on the floor above him. He didn’t dare use his aura sense on them, however. If they were much stronger, they might notice something like that. 

“What is this place?” Shindo asked in a soft whisper, “This couldn’t have been the work of these people. It would take them years to dig out a structure like this.”

“Wait until you see what’s further ahead,” Adion said.

Shindo didn’t say anything, but he gave Adion a curious look and hastened his steps slightly.

“This is…” Shindo said in awe as the two left the hallway to arrive in a much more well-lit room. Torches were places all around, probably the work of the people from the Empire. The ceiling was dozens of feet high, giving the room a majestic feeling.

“A ruin,” Adion whispered. He knew that something like this had to be a structure left behind from the Age of Wonder.

Adion and Shindo looked at each other and smiled. Even if this place was found to be completely empty, a ruin was still fascinating.

The smooth floor and walls had a few cracks but otherwise seemed well-preserved. Adion saw a few doorways on the side of the grand hall where they were standing, and he couldn’t help but want to run and explore every single one.

Adion and Shindo made their way into the doorway closest to them. 

Unfortunately, there was nothing there to see. Just a small room that could have been used for anything. 

Either time has erased every trace of whatever was left behind, or the Empire has already moved everything they found to a safe location.

“It’s possible everything they found has already been moved,” Shindo said, sharing Adion’s thoughts, “They probably have that place surrounded by their strongest mages.”

“Let’s check the other rooms, but you’re probably right,” Adion said, feeling it was a shame he wouldn’t find an ancient artifact for himself. But something like that wouldn’t be left unguarded.

They got out to the grand hall again and checked the next room, but it was the same situation there.

“Damn,” Shindo said, “Not even a broken chair or something? I’ll make the Empire show me what they found eventually.”

“Ho-” Adion was just about to answer when he heard something.

“Did you hear that?” Shindo asked.

Adion nodded and closed his eyes to focus on his sphere of space mana.

No one is here…But I can’t sense further than 400 feet, and it is a little unclear at that distance.

Wait! Once again, Adion heard something. 

It was getting louder.

Footsteps.

“Damn,” Shindo cursed and ran out of the room to check.

And just then, Adion felt a Diamond mage’s aura approaching. He felt through his space mana how someone was flying in their direction at a ridiculous speed.

We need to leave!

Adion ran out after Shindo, preparing to grab him and teleport away.

As he left the room, he saw Shindo staring at the end of the grand hall where a Diamond mage had just burst in, along with a furious wind that put out all the torches, leaving the room in darkness. 

“Intruders!” A cold voice sounded.

Adion felt that the Diamond mage was far too dangerous to risk fighting. He hurried to Shindo’s side to teleport away as he felt the Diamond mage fly toward them.

“Well, shit,” Adion heard Shindo’s voice. Right after that, the dark room suddenly lit up for a split second in a bright white light. 

Along with the light, a thunderous sound shook the floor he was standing on.

Adion stared with wide eyes as a bolt of lightning hit the Diamond mage in the chest, making him fly back in the opposite direction. 

Gold?

Shindo’s aura was unmistakenly that of a middle Gold mage. 

But even with a confused mind, Adion didn’t hesitate. He grabbed hold of Shindo and teleported to the floor below as the one above them was now in a state of panic, with mages running to and fro. 

Arriving on a slick floor almost 200 feet below where they had just been, Adion stared at Shindo and questioned, “You’re a Gold mage? And what was that? Lightning?”

“Well,” Shindo muttered awkwardly, “I guess I lied. But I came clean the same day as you did about your space magic, so we’re even.”

“But how?” Adion asked. Shindo was only a month or two older than Adion. Something like age couldn’t be faked, no matter how good his aura control was.

“How am I so awesome?” Shindo asked with a grin, “Let’s talk about that later. Do you think you can get us out?”

Right. 

Adion forced himself to hold on to his questions for now and focused on getting out of this situation. But as he spread his space mana around him, he couldn’t help but frown.

There was no floor below him, and the floors above him were packed with enemies. He also couldn’t feel any sand behind the walls, only rock. 

Maybe if I am quick enough with the next teleportation…

But suddenly, Adion stopped and looked to the side. His space mana behaved strangely.

Adion walked a bit further into the hall, which was similar to the one they had just escaped from.

“Adion?” Shindo asked, following closely.

“There is something strange here,” Adion said, stopping to look around him. He poured out more space mana from his core to try to get a sense of what was happening.

“What are you doing?” Shindo asked nervously, as the previously dark room slowly gave off a gentle light from the floor they were standing on.

This feels a little familiar? What is this?

Adion now felt the area around him less and less, but instead, he felt something else. It was as if he was at two places at once.

It’s like I’m teleporting.

A loud crash alerted Adion that his pursuers would be there any second now.

Whatever!

Adion pushed all the mana he could from his core down into the floor below him. The runic patterns lit up from the mana and guided them through the formation he was standing on.

“Adion!” Shindo called out in a slight panic.

Just as the injured Diamond mage appeared at the end of the hall, Adion and Shindo turned to look at him. 

One second later, they disappeared.