As Kai asked that, Magus Elias’s frown deepened. Kai could see the fierceness in his gaze—a predatory look that made his instincts hum with warning. Without thinking, his mana tensed in his core, ready to shield or strike back at the first hint of hostility.

A Fifth Circle Magus might have far larger mana reserves, but Kai had stood at that peak once too. He knew better than most that preparation and intent mattered just as much as raw power. Still, the words that came out of Magus Elias’ mouth lowered his guard, if only slightly.

“Thank you, Arzan Kellius,” Elias said, his frown turning to a genuine gratefulness. “Without you, I’d have gotten out of here missing a limb… or maybe not gotten out at all.” He gave a small chuckle after, shaking his head as he continued, “Kellius, huh? Now that’s a name I haven’t heard in a long while. Let me guess—you’re a Duke of Lancephil?”

Kai gave a small shrug. “A Count,” he corrected.

“I thought the Kellius were Dukes?”

“They are,” Kai said. “But the seat’s empty right now. I’m the only Kellius around… other than a brother, and I’m pretty sure he’s not anywhere near Lancephil anymore… and I didn’t ask you about that.”

Magus Elias let out a slow breath, lips curving into a lopsided smile. “Right. You asked what I’m doing here.” He gave a short laugh, the sound dry and a little mad. “Well… would you believe me if I told you I’m on a suicide mission? Trying to kill as many of these bastards as possible before I die?”

As he spoke, Elias moved to kick the corpse of a weaver that lay crumpled nearby on the cracked earthen platform. The body tumbled off the edge with a hollow thud. But Kai’s eyes never left the Magus. Not for a second.

Elias caught the look and grinned, amused. “You’re too damn wary of me. Relax. I’m out of most of my mana—couldn’t cast a strong spell if I tried.”

“One can’t underestimate a Magus,” Kai said quietly, “even if he’s one step from death.”

Elias barked a laugh. “That’s a great line. I’m stealing that if I get out of here alive.”

“Be my guest,” Kai said, allowing a faint smile. “It’s not original anyway.”

He shifted his footing slightly, not letting the moment drag too long. “But back to the real question. What are you doing here alone? No other Mages around helping you hunt these fiends and weavers?”

He frowned lightly. Every Magus Kai had ever known had at least one apprentice— someone to pass their knowledge onto, someone to fight beside them if needed. It was practically a law among stronger Mages, especially in dangerous territories like this.

Kai himself had been an exception for a long time, having never taken an official apprentice. He had taught a few things to people like Rhea and Amyra, but even now, he wasn’t sure if he could be called a proper master. His path had always been solitary.

Still, when he mentioned apprentices, he saw the brief flicker across Elias’ face — a crack in the man’s put up exterior. The Magus clenched his teeth, his jaw tight. He spat on the floor next to him.

“They ran away,” he said.

“Huh? What do you mean they ran away?”

Elias leaned back slightly, rubbing a hand over his face as if suddenly exhausted. “I came here to deal with the plague,” he muttered. “Once my obligations to the royal family were done, I thought I’d be able to lend a hand. I even had a group with me. Nothing special—third circle Mages, barely enough to not make me look over my shoulder every few minutes just to check if they were still breathing.”

He gave a dry chuckle, though there was no humor in it. “But the moment we sighted a hoard, they turned tail. Said their duties to the noble families they served were more important. Cowards.”

Elias’ lips curled in disgust. “I wanted to kill them then and there. Would have, too, if I didn’t think it’d just add more trouble with those fat, unruly nobles. So…” he shrugged, spreading his hands in a bitter mockery of grace, “here I am. Alone. Taking on hoards. And saved by a man who isn’t even a quarter of my age.”

Kai kept his face neutral at that, but inside, he felt… something at how Elias said a quarter of his age. He’d stake his life that he was at least half the man’s age with two combined lives under him—but guessing a Magus’s true age was dangerous business. Many Fifth Circle Mages could live for centuries if they were careful, far outlasting the kingdoms they served.

“I didn’t think of any Magus as a patriot,” Kai said.

At that, Elias let out a genuine laugh, the sound rasping across the stillness. “Patriot?” he echoed. “I don’t give a rat’s ass about the people ruling the country, boy. But the country itself? That’s different. You don’t live this long without growing some roots… even if you try not to.”

He kicked another stone off the platform, watching it tumble away. “Besides, my reputation took enough of a hit already. People whispered that I ran away during the plague—when in truth, I was shackled by a damned oath to protect the royal family.” He spat the words out, like they tasted foul. “A stupid oath made over a century ago. One I couldn’t break even when it burned me.”

With that, an awful silence covered them.

Kai studied the man, his own thoughts turning. He didn’t know whether to fully believe Elias. After all, Maguses, especially those who lived long enough, tended to see nations as fleeting—sandcastles before an inevitable tide. It was rare for one to stay loyal to anything beyond their own power.

But reputation? That, he could believe. Among all the Magus he had encountered, reputation was one of the few mortal things they clung to with claws and teeth. Pride survived where loyalty did not.

As Kai considered that, Elias turned.

“And what about you?” he asked with his voice edged with amusement. “You asked me what I was doing here but what’s a Count of Lancephil doing so far from his keep? Especially with such an interesting force at your back. Warriors I’ve never seen before and even Church Paladins. Quite the merry band you’ve got.” He grinned. “And from the way you fought and the fact you’re standing here talking to me… I’m guessing you’re their leader?”

Kai barely held back a frown, not at the question itself but at the casual way the Magus referred to his Enforcers as warriors.

He noticed them, Kai thought grimly. It was inevitable.

He hadn’t made any great effort to hide the way his Enforcers used mana. But even so, he would have preferred keeping some cards closer to the chest a while longer.

Still, there was no helping it now. He kept his voice even.

“The plague’s threatening to cross into Lancephil,” he said. “My territory’s close to the border. If I don’t act now, it’ll be my people next.”

Elias raised an eyebrow. “So you’re here to stop the plague, I’m assuming?”

“Yes. That’s the plan.”

The Magus’ lips twitched again. “And how exactly?” He tilted his head, studying him. “And don’t try to lie. The Church forces are moving with you and from what I know of the Church, and I doubt Lancephil is much different, they wouldn’t lift a finger unless they were convinced you had an actual plan.” He folded his arms. “So tell me, young Mage… what’s your grand solution to ending this dreadful plague?”

Kai hesitated for a moment. He wasn’t sure how much he should say. His plans about the treant weren’t public knowledge yet and trusting a Magus he had just met was dangerous, even if the man seemed to be against it too.

But then again… if Elias had been wandering the plague lands for a while, then he would’ve already seen it. The massive, monstrous tree at the heart of it all couldn’t have been missed. So Kai chose his words carefully.

“The way to stop the plague from growing,” he said, “is to kill the treant responsible for it.”

“The one at the center of it?”

“You’ve seen it, haven’t you?”

“Hmm… I tried to kill it once. Got too close, and its damned roots chased me for miles.” His mouth twisted into a grimace. “Left me with a nasty backlash. Took a barrel’s worth of potions to walk straight again.” He gave Kai a long, assessing look. “You’re sure the treant’s the cause of it all? What’s your proof?”

“I don’t have to give you proof. I know the treant’s roots are what’s spreading the plague. I intend to burn it down.”

Elias gave a low chuckle, though there was a hint of respect in his eyes now. “Burn it down, huh? And how exactly do you plan to do that? You aren’t even a Magus. What circle are you? Fourth?”

Kai didn’t so much as blink. “I don’t have to tell you that either.” He straightened his shoulders. “I have plans, Magus. With all due respect to you, I’m not going to share them.”

“And what if I force you?” Elias tilted his head ever so slightly, his eyes looking directly into Kai’s.

In an instant, a spell structure began forming in Kai’s hand, mana snapping around him—but before it could escalate, Elias lifted his hands, palms out, laughing.

“Relax, relax. It was a joke,” he said easily. “I can’t harm someone who saved my life. Even I’m not that much of a bastard.”

Kai didn’t lower his spell entirely but allowed it to flicker into a waiting state. Elias simply grinned wider.

“But, I’m curious. Will you tell me if I say please?”

“No,” Kai said.

Elias shrugged like he expected nothing less. “Then I suppose,” he said, “I’ll have to come with you and see it in action myself.”

“You’re aware that Lancephil and Vanderfall aren’t exactly on friendly terms.”

“I’m aware,” Elias said with a wave of his hand. “But you yourself said it, didn’t you? Mages are above countries. And more importantly—we’re in the plague lands. If I tried anything stupid, it’d end badly for both of us.

Elias stretched his arms forward and gestured at Kai.

“You came to talk to me alone. Either you’re brave… or skilled enough to defend yourself until your force gets here. Either way, as a sane man who doesn’t want to get fried by a bunch of angry Paladins and strange warriors, I’m not about to pick a fight. Besides, I’m interested in you.”

“Interested?” Kai repeated.

Elias chuckled. “Yes, interested,” he said easily. “It’s not every day you see a young Mage leading a force into a plague zone — a plague that has made countless Mages run away in fear. Even ones closer to me in power.” He stretched his arms overhead, joints cracking slightly. “Last time I met a Mage who felt worth knowing was… thirty years ago, I think. You’re the first one since.”

Elias gave a small shrug, as if that explained everything. “So let me come with you — for my curiosity and for our shared hatred of every dead mana-creature crawling over this land.”

Then he simply stood there looking perfectly content to just wait for Kai’s answer.

Kai deliberated inwardly for a moment, expression giving away nothing. In his head, he was rethinking everything Elias ever said. Unfortunately, this was a decision he couldn’t take alone. “You’ll have to wait here. I need to discuss it with my second-in-command.”

Elias grinned. “Feel free.”

Without wasting time, Kai turned and flew back toward his forces, the wind rushing past him. Killian was already waiting—standing a little apart from the others, who had begun glancing and whispering, a few even pointing toward Elias still standing calmly on the cracked platform.

Kai landed lightly beside Killian, ignoring the watching soldiers. The knight turned toward him immediately, his sharp eyes studying Kai’s face.

“What happened there?” Killian asked.

“The Magus doesn’t seem openly hostile,” he said, “But he wants to come with us. Says he’s here to kill weavers too and if he’s to be believed, he’s been doing it alone.”

If Killian was surprised by that, he didn’t show it. “So are you going to let him?”

Kai hesitated for a second before answering. “I’m thinking about it.” His eyes flickered toward Elias, who hadn’t moved. “Actually… I’m pretty sure that at least partially, Magus Elias wants to come with us because of me. And the Enforcers.”

Killian’s brow furrowed slightly, but he waited.

“In the battle,” Kai continued, “he clearly noticed our strength — and I’m almost certain the magma spell I used is something that hasn’t been invented yet in this era.” His voice dropped a fraction lower. “Moreover… when I was speaking to him, he said something that made me instinctively form a spell structure.”

Killian’s eyes sharpened at that.

“And?” he prompted.

“And now I’m fairly sure he provoked that reaction intentionally — to observe it,” Kai said quietly. “He wanted to see how I structured my magic. As you know, my structures are far more refined. Thousands of years of innovation stacked into them. To someone from this age, they would seem impossibly clean and unfamiliar.”

Killian was silent for a moment, processing that.

“So rather than some noble cause… Magus Elias would be coming with us out of personal curiosity. To see our powers up close. Maybe even to copy them.”

Kai nodded. “Exactly. In the brief time we spoke, he painted a picture of being harmless, logical, even patriotic. But…” His eyes narrowed slightly. “I kept getting the feeling that every word he said had been planned–like a conversation he already had in his head before we even spoke.”

He shook his head once. “I played along to get a better sense of his personality. And I think I have a decent grasp on it now.”

Killian shifted slightly, his hand brushing the hilt of his sword. “So what are you planning to do now?” he asked quietly. “Can we even stop him from coming with us? He’s a Magus, after all.”

He paused, glancing again toward the distant figure of Elias. His voice dropped lower. “Should we kill him? He’s weakened right now.”

Kai didn’t respond immediately. He let the thought settle between them for a moment before he finally shook his head.

“I thought about that,” he admitted. “But it’s easier said than done. Magus are… really, really hard to kill, Killian. Even weakened, a Fifth Circle Magus is a nightmare. If we tried, we might succeed—but not before half our men ended up casualties. And even if we did go after it, convincing Bishop Maurice would be another war by itself.”

Killian exhaled slowly, nodding. The reality of it was clear— there were too many risks, and no real guarantees. Kai glanced over his shoulder at Elias once more, gathering his thoughts before speaking again.

“Actually,” he said, “I have a better plan. I made it once I realized shaking him off wasn’t going to be easy,” Kai continued. “Instead of trying to get rid of him… we make use of him.”

Killian raised a brow but said nothing, listening.

“He’s strong — a Fifth-Circle Earth Mage. That’s excellent for defense, something we could do better with right now. He fits well into our weaknesses.”

Kai folded his arms. “And we need every advantage we can get before we face the treant. Having him around—if controlled properly—gives us that.”

“So,” Killian said slowly, “we keep him with us… even if he tries to snoop around.”

“Exactly,” Kai said. “But he won’t be able to do much. We’ll keep our eyes on him the whole time. I don’t think he’s particularly interested in the Enforcers—not deeply, anyway. What he’s truly interested in is me. He wants to see my spell structures,” Kai said. “He wants to know if I have more tricks hidden up my sleeve. He’s after knowledge—techniques— things that aren’t supposed to exist yet in this era.”

Kai’s lips curled.

“I’ll let him see a little,” he said. “Surface-level things. Tricks that won’t mean much even if he manages to replicate them. Enough to satisfy his curiosity… but never enough to be dangerous. Even a trickle of what I know could be enough for him to break through to something stronger.

“But compared to the full ocean I hold, a few drops won’t matter. And besides…” His eyes glinted. “It’s a game of patience. I’ll control what he sees, and what he thinks he’s getting. Play him slowly. Feed him crumbs.”

Killian frowned, thinking, then asked bluntly, “What if he tries to backstab us? Maybe not now. But after the treant’s dealt with.”

Kai smiled.

“For that,” he said, “I have a plan too. One that would make Magus Elias regret ever thinking of betrayal.” Kai took a step forward. “Let me tell you about it…”

***

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