The gray-haired woman welcomed Ezra inside a run-down tavern with squeaky wooden floorboards and damp, dilapidated walls covered in cobwebs. One look was enough for anyone to tell that the place had seen better days. But the people sitting on those old wooden chairs and chattering away their cares did not seem to mind their sordid surroundings.A plump barmaid with a bountiful bosom was shuffling plates across the tables and scooping up empty flasks reeking of cheap liquor.As Ezra stepped into the light, the people around him started talking in hushed whispers. Some looked at him suspiciously while others regarded him with utter disinterest and continued munching on their unsalted peanuts and soggy pretzels.The gray-haired woman guided Ezra to the bar counter and walked in through a flimsy wooden gate to stand opposite to him.“I take it you are new in town, boy. So…where are you from? And what brings you to these parts?” she asked, regarding Ezra with curiosity.“I am from a town t
The people in the tavern immediately stopped chattering, and Madam Moonfrey became alert and defensive. She quickly closed the potions cabinet and ordered her helping hands to get busy.Ezra turned toward the door as an enchanting female voice called out to the owner. “Good evening, my dearest Moony. It has been a while. How are things in your secret shop?”There was hardly a soul in Ashton Alley to call Madam Moonfrey by her childhood nickname, but the woman who had just entered the tavern seemed to have a certain power over her.The lady who had just stepped into the tavern was dressed in a dazzling red cloak draped over fine silk robes. Her eyes were fiery red, and her curly tresses the shade of burnt amber. She looked older than thirty, but her skin was dewy and smooth, and her cheeks rosy and devoid of any wrinkles or fine lines.Some of the younger men blushed as they laid eyes on the beautiful woman in red while others looked away in fear.“Welcome, Esme. It has been a while,” M
The gray storm clouds brewing overhead cast a shadow over Magaravia. And as thunder rumbled in the skies above, Ezra realized it was about to rain. The little boys playing in the streets flocked to their homes, and the cats and dogs sniffing through the refuse scampered off and hid under the tarpaulins spread across the slums.Everyone seemed to be in a hurry to seek shelter even though it looked like it was going to be a light shower. Ezra stopped near the bridge leading out of the slums and looked up. It was unusual for it to rain at this time of the year, but the clouds looked different. Each time there was a flash, they glowed in the somber darkness, scattering sparks of blue lightning that arced across the skies.As Ezra kept staring in awe, the storm clouds turned a shade darker, and a swirling blue vortex appeared in the middle of the cloud formation. It crackled with lightning and gradually expanded, covering the entirety of Ashton Alley and bathing the area in pale blue ligh
Enamored by the enchantress’ wild beauty and wily charms, Ezra walked toward her like a fool drunk in love. Although he treasured another beauty in his heart, Esmeralda’s seductive voice cast a spell on him, taking hold of his already weakened mind.Just like all other enchantresses, Esmeralda drew power by seducing young men and draining their vigor and magic. And since Ezra was one of the youngest D-level magic users in Magaravia, he was an excellent prey for her.Pointing her supple white fingers at Ezra, she looked him in the eye and smiled seductively. “I am going to take you home, my dainty darling. And I promise I shall keep you forever. I hope no one will miss you, my juicy lamb.”Ezra was barely a few feet away from Esmeralda when she tried to wrap her arms around him and suck him into a draining kiss. But just as she was about to pounce on her prey, a swarm of vampire bats rushed at her, making her shriek and step away.“Eek! Get away from me, you disgusting vermin!” she shri
Ezra felt like his heart would burst out of his chest as he tried to fight the urge to lash out at those who were trying to help him. Even though he was still in his senses it was as if his body refused to obey his mind. “I…can’t stay here. It’s killing me!” Ezra grunted as his lips darkened and blood pooled in the corners of his eyes, making him look like a creature from beyond the grave. The more he tried to resist the urge to unleash his skills, the more it hurt him.Count Gressil’s guards held Ezra by his arms and dragged him as Tanya did her best to comfort him.“It is going to be alright, Lord Ezra. I am going to help you. Please try to fight the regression. You need to be conscious for this to work,” she said while holding a rose-shaped pendant in her hand and praying to Ishani. If it were anyone else Count Gressil would have ordered to have him shot by now, but since he had a soft corner for Ezra, he allowed Tanya to attempt her healing ritual despite sensing the danger.With
Five hours later, Ezra opened his eyes to the bright glow of white power crystals illuminating his new room. He was still in bed, and a maid was washing his burning forehead with a damp cotton cloth soaked in healing waters from the Fountain of Erelor.“Wh…what happened?” Ezra tried to get up, but the pain in his head was so unbearable that he could not sit up straight. “Argh…my head!”“My Lord, you should not try to get up. Your body needs time to heal. Rest for now, and let me take care of you,’’ the maid replied. “Where is everyone? How’s Lady Tanya? Did she get hurt?”Before the maid could answer, there was a knock on the door. She got up and opened it.Tanya Gressil stepped into the room and immediately inquired about Ezra’s health. “How is he doing? Still feverish?”“He is doing a lot better, my Lady,” the maid replied, stepping aside to allow her to take a look at Ezra. “Lord Ezra is still weak, but the fever has gone down. He should recover with rest and some good warm meals.”
The exhaustion from being drenched in the Magic Rain and then healed with sacred magic gradually took its toll on Ezra’s body, and he soon fell sound asleep. When he woke up six hours later, it was half past midnight and the maid had dozed off beside his bed.Tanya had ordered her knights to stand guard outside Ezra’s door to ensure he would not try to attempt another sneaky escapade. However, thanks to the special item in his inventory, Ezra did not need to use doors to get in and out.Slowly lifting his blanket, Ezra put on his jacket and slipped into his boots. Careful, not to disturb the maid, he walked toward the only window in his room and pulled out the last teleportation scroll in his inventory.“This is my final scroll. Let’s make it count.”“Are you sure you do not want to keep the last one for sticky situations?” Marlin asked.“We will cross that bridge when we come to it. For now, I can’t miss the chance to register for the tournament,” Ezra replied and unfurled the scroll
The big blue tent with Magaravia’s royal flag fluttering from its pole was right in front of Ezra, but the flaming ring separated him from his goal.Most D-level Gunners would have no difficulty surmounting this little obstacle since they could activate their Magic Flight skill to fly over the flaming ring. Ezra however, was yet to unlock this crucial skill since he had only recently reached D-level.Without the ability to fly over the hurdle, the next option was to use teleportation scrolls. However, Ezra had used his last teleportation scroll to sneak out of Verdant Gardens.“You seem troubled, my dear Lord,” Marlin taunted. “Perhaps you can try asking that blood mage to assist you. He seems to be quite good at utilizing portals and he also has a knack of getting you out of sticky situations.”“I do not need any help. I can do this on my own,” Ezra said, clenching his fist and narrowing his eyes on the tent. Even though the flames looked menacing, he was not prepared to back down.Ez