The carriage rattled through the midnight streets, wheels clattering against cobblestones as the moonlight bled across the darkened city. Inside, Aaron sat stiffly, his thoughts restless. Why had the queen summoned them? Why now—and why to the Pierce estate of all places?
Unable to hold his curiosity, he turned to Pierce, seated beside him.
"Excuse me, sir… what exactly is happening between you and the queen? I don't understand any of this."
Pierce sighed, his gaze distant.
"In the past, the King of Maro and I were close friends. But my relationship with his wife was… strained. I once held the post of Commander of the West Wing—the kingdom's shield against internal and external threats. Most of the guards were Nado warriors, the rest skilled mages. It was an honorable position, but for reasons of my own, I resigned. The king respected my decision. The queen, however, never forgave it. She's been pushing to see me return."
He leaned back, his tone lowering.
"She visited recently, saying she wanted to discuss something important… though I never discovered what it was. But with the king away on a journey with his daughter, Princess Sasa—who, by the way, is about your age and a mage herself—the queen has taken matters into her own hands."
Aaron's brows knit tighter. Whatever this banquet was, he sensed trouble waiting ahead.
Hours later, the carriage finally rolled to a stop before the towering gates of Maro's royal castle. Guards in polished armor pulled the gates open, their faces unreadable. The group of four stepped out, passing beneath the looming archway into the grand hall.
The queen sat regally upon her throne, her presence commanding the room. Nobles and officials filled the hall, whispering among themselves.
Frankfurt nudged Aaron and Kain with his elbow.
"Quick, bow. Pay your respects."
Aaron followed, his voice steady.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. We are honored by your invitation."
The queen rose with a faint smile. Her eyes, however, glimmered with something sharper.
"So, Pierce… have you reconsidered?"
Aaron whispered to Pierce, uneasy.
"Sir, what now?"
"Leave it to me," Pierce replied calmly, before stepping forward.
"Your Majesty, it is an honor to be invited. But my decision stands. I will not return to my old post. And I would like to know the true purpose of this… banquet."
The queen's smile deepened, twisting into something cruel. She raised her left hand—and in an instant, the grand hall shimmered crimson. The chandeliers, the tapestries, even the marble floor seemed bathed in blood-red light. Gasps rippled through the room as the doors slammed shut with a thunderous boom.
"This," she said coldly, "is my Crimson Banquet. Do you know why I've gathered you here?"
A sharp clap echoed. The nobles began to shift, their bodies contorting. Their faces vanished behind violet and scarlet masks. In their place stood rows of masked men—assassins, their killing intent suffocating.
Frankfurt, Pierce, and Kain instantly drew their weapons, stepping into formation.
"Your Majesty!" Pierce's voice thundered. "What is the meaning of this?"
The queen laughed, her tone dripping venom.
"You refused me, Pierce. And for that, you will die. My husband is far from Maro, and tonight, I've allied with a group you may know by name—the Crimson Fang. Together, we'll end you here."
At her command, the assassins charged.
Kain unleashed a roaring cyclone, hurling several men across the chamber. Pierce followed with orbs of radiant light, searing into their ranks.
"These men are using Enhancement Magic—Level 40," Pierce shouted. "Aaron! Go! Find a way out—now!"
"But—!"
"No buts! Survive!"
Reluctantly, Aaron sprinted toward the staircase. The queen snapped her fingers, sending several assassins after him. Pierce launched a sphere of light at her, but she raised a shimmering barrier—Protection Magic, Level 73.
"Damn," Pierce muttered. "Kain, protect Aaron. I'll hold them here!"
"Sir, you'll—"
"Go!"
Kain gritted his teeth but obeyed, vanishing in a blur of wind as he pursued Aaron.
Meanwhile, the queen's lips curled into a predatory grin.
"So eager to throw your life away, Pierce. Very well. Your servant boy will be mine instead."
The assassins swarmed Pierce, blades flashing. He conjured a radiant sword of pure light, slashing through them even as fatigue gnawed at his body.
Above, on the rooftop of the castle, Aaron's flight came to a brutal halt. Masked men surrounded him, striking him down with merciless blows until his vision blurred. Bloodied, he collapsed unconscious.
Kain arrived just in time, a gale of wind blasting the men back. He caught Aaron in his arms, desperate to escape—but a crimson wall materialized, blocking his path.
The queen stepped through, her crimson gown gleaming under the moonlight.
"You're both trapped. What will you do now, little mage?"
Kain laid Aaron gently on the ground, eyes burning.
"You truly are a vile queen… but I won't let you touch him."
He hurled a spear of wind at her, but she deflected it with ease. Her assassins closed in, restraining him as she bent over Aaron.
"This boy…" she mused, brushing his cheek. "So fragile. So pitiful. Perhaps I should keep him as my pet."
Kain struggled against his captors, rage boiling.
"You won't get away with this!"
The queen only laughed, cruel and mocking.
Within the darkness of unconsciousness, Aaron found himself reliving his past—the endless bullying of foster siblings, the sneers of cousins who had cast him aside. He was weak. Helpless. Always a burden.
Then a voice rose from the shadows of his memory, sharp and scornful.
"Do you know why no one saved us? Because we're cowards. Weak, trembling insects—crushed beneath fear. Do you want to live like this forever?"
A cold void surrounded him. Ahead, a single azure flame burned, flickering with power. Drawn to it, Aaron reached out. The fire surged into his body, searing through his veins. Agony wracked him—then suddenly, his eyes snapped open.
Blue fire erupted around him, flooding the rooftop with light.
"What—?!" the queen gasped, stumbling back.
Aaron rose, his gaze blazing with azure fury. With a single kick, he hurled the queen aside, flames scorching across her face. She screamed, clutching her cheek where the blue fire had left a permanent scar.
"Impossible…!"
Her composure broken, she ordered her men to retreat. The assassins scrambled to her side, helping her into a waiting carriage before vanishing into the night.
The fire in Aaron's eyes dimmed as exhaustion overtook him. He collapsed, but Kain caught him before he struck the ground.
Below, in the crimson hall, Pierce struck down the last of the assassins. Breathing heavily, he staggered toward the rooftop—just in time to see Kain carrying Aaron in his arms.
"Sir!" Kain shouted. "Aaron awakened—his magic has awakened!"
Pierce's eyes widened. "Tell me everything once we're safe."
The three fled the castle, finding temporary refuge at the modest home of Droby, an old acquaintance. Though Droby didn't understand what had happened, he offered them shelter.
That night, Aaron stirred awake, his friends watching over him with concern. When Kain explained all that had happened, Aaron fell silent, shaken to his core.
By morning, the three packed their belongings and prepared to leave. Aaron paused at the threshold of the Pierce estate, gazing back one last time.
Pierce rested a hand on his shoulder.
"You are not alone, Aaron. Wherever you go, we'll be with you."
Their destination: Gaeti Academy of Magic.
The place where Aaron's true journey would begin.