"Don't risk it! You should have realised why I refused to meet them. We're as frail as insects in front of them. A snap of their fingers is all it takes to annihilate us." Shepard hurriedly advised, unwilling to see the ghost die. Even an arcanist could only tremble in fear when faced by an archmage.
"I know," Adam started, his resolve unwavering before adding, "But I need it. Please organise the next meeting."
"No! Vivian is the kindness of the three." He answered, pointing at Julius. "If the boy is in this state after meeting her, you can be sure you won't survive the next meeting!" He firmly refused, his eyes releasing grey smoke, echoing his perturbed emotions.
"Shepard, help me. Idon't have much time left," Adam said earnestly, resolved to negotiate with the archmage despite the risks.
Witnessing his resolve and afraid he would do something stupid if he refused, Shepard fell into deep thoughts.
He dreaded being targeted after setting the meeting. That's why he instantly deactivated the Gate. But refusing the request carried its own risks.
After all, he accepted the forbidden magic circle. Adam only needed to report him for the archmages to visit his living quarters. Of course, he could get rid of the duo to protect the secret, but then what? Vikram witnessed everything, and considering their relationship, he would investigate their disappearance.
He found himself stuck between the hammer and the anvil.
After a moment of silence, he finally said, his voice solemn and full of gravitas, "Promise me you won't provoke that man."
Adam scratched his head, a wry smile crossing his face. 'Is it even possible?' He thought in amusement before promising.
"He'll likely see you tomorrow," he remarked, his tone grave. "But mind your manners and demeanor around him. He's a highly arrogant man commanding an empire swiftly expanding in the south."
He shivered, remembering the man's piercing blue eyes during their last encounter. He seemed to peer straight into his soul.
"No matter what, never mention my name. I don't want to see that man ever again!" He exclaimed, swiftly turning into smoke and darting towards the academy's second tower.
'So, that's where he lives.' Adam thought. He always wondered where in the academy Shepard spent his days.
Under the bewildered gaze of the students, he floated to Julius' room, carrying the boy on his back and making them believe he was flying.
As he opened the door with his mage's hand, Arun swiftly glanced in his direction with a smile until he saw the unconscious Julius floating.
Before he could panic, Adam swiftly wrote, using his mana, that he was sleeping .
The boy took a moment to calm down, gazing at Julius' body floating to his bed. Then, understanding his friend wasn't in danger, he opened his mouth and excitedly said. "My father delivered your items. He also enchanted my necklace. I can now see and hear you, too!"
Adam gazed at the snake's eye embedded in an intricate golden chain hanging around Arun's neck with a smile as the boy retrieved the four magic artefacts.
"Tell me if they fit your requirements. I'll return to my training in the meantime." Arun said, his eyes determined. The promise of learning Adam's technique fueled his resolve to improve his control.
Adam nodded, approving the boy's dedication, then checked the items with his mana, activating them to see their effects.
After a thorough examination, he understood that all the items were of the rare rank! However, their effects were lacklustre, as the shrewd Vikram probably gave him the worst ones in his possession.
Summoning his mage's hand, he picked one of them, a beautiful silver pen and a stack of paper from the desk's drawer.
After today's meeting, he understood that his approach was wrong. After all, why would a mighty archmage ask something from an acolyte?
He had to offer the man something enticing or see today's conclusion repeat itself.
That's why he reluctantly decided to share Elena's mineral transmutation ritual. After all, contrary to her legacy, he doubted it would be deemed forbidden knowledge... Well, he hoped it wouldn't.
Then, injecting mana into the pen, he focused on remembering the ritual's steps and process.
The pen came to life as it suddenly wrote what he thought faithfully on the paper in ethereal ink.
'Who would have thought the seemingly useless artefacts could be helpful?' He mused, gazing at an empty bottle, a colorful hat, and a brush with a shrug.
He didn't really care about their use, anyway. He just needed them to be mana-neural and functional for his ritual.
It was already the middle of the night when he finished his work. He had taken his time to choose carefully what to share. Why would he include Elena's tips and deep explanations about its working, for example?
He nodded after reviewing the information with a smile. He included everything to make the ritual functional but omitted anything that could make it easier or possible to alter it without extensive studies.
Then, he closed his eyes to pass the night training and reading in the dream place.
Julius woke up the following day, startled to see the familiar room. He quickly woke his big brother up and asked him what had happened.
After catching up on the events and learning they would meet someone much more dangerous that evening, his brows furrowed.
"Can't we give up on this ritual and try after we are stronger?" He asked, unwilling to take more risks. Vivian's presence left a deep mark on his young heart. He didn't understand how she could exude such life force as a mage and wondered if she trained her body before dismissing the idea.
Body cultivation was a dead end, with tier three being the highest level achievable.
"I can't. I need to complete it before you turn thirteen." Adam answered shortly, not entering into the details.
With a sigh, Julius shook his head, unwillingness covering his features.