Rise of the Arcane Heir

The Clocktower (1)

"What the fuck!" Callum roared as he looked around the kitchen, expecting to see the guy pop out of nowhere. "What just happened?"

He would've thought it was a bad dream or that he'd gone crazy if it weren't for the ice shards on the floor and the broken glass of the door. Callum took several deep breaths while trying to calm his pounding heart while remaining vigilant.

Suddenly, the sounds of the outside world returned. It must be over. Callum wasn't sure why he thought that, but he was certain it was right. Before he could celebrate, he heard the dreaded sound of footsteps in the hallway. Please, no!

"Quick, Maya, check the kitchen." The old voice Callum heard moments before the attack shouted.

Callum frowned as a young Nepali woman with straight black hair appeared. It took a moment for her to scan the damage before noticing Callum off to the side. Her eyes went wide for a moment before a bright smile lit up her face.

"He's here! And he's alive!" Maya called over her shoulder.

"Hmm," Maya's grandfather sighed in relief as he joined them in the kitchen. "Well, Cal, it's nice to finally meet you."

"Who the hell are you?" Callum's patience was thin after what had happened. Besides, only people who were close to him called him Cal. "And what just happened?"

"Hmm, you can call me Master Gurung. Others know me as The Hermit," he frowned when he noticed Callum seemed more confused by his introduction. "Did Felix never mention me?"

Callum jolted at the mention of his grandfather's name and the hurt in Master Gurung's voice. Wait, is he the friend mentioned in Grandpa's last message?

"He left a message saying a friend of his would come. I'm sorry, but he's never mentioned your name." Callum avoided meeting the old man's gaze as he felt somewhat guilty. 

"I guess he wanted to limit your interaction with the awakened community." Suresh Gurung's eyes were filled with sadness as he stared at Callum. "There's something I need to ask you. Why didn't you wait for me before lifting the first seal on The Magician?"

Callum could hear the accusation and disappointment in Master Gurung's tone. However, he didn't need to feel guilty about it. Wait.

"How do you know?"

"The world's mana reacted to it. When you awakened, that ring of yours sent an alarm to me. However, when you lifted the seal, it was like announcing to anyone with the necessary skills that The Magician has returned."

"Returned? What about Grandpa?" Callum's tone was thick with confusion.

"Well, let's just say he wasn't active for a long time. Maybe one day I'll tell you more. But now I need you to answer my earlier question."

"Sorry," Callum shrugged. "But Grandpa never said anything about waiting. He seemed in his message that I learned to control mana as soon as possible."

"That idiot!" Master Gurung grumbled in a low voice as he ran a hand through his hair. "It can't be helped. At least you're not an idiot who ignored any warnings. We can't stay here. You should pack a bag. There's only one place we can go to keep you safe."

"Wait. Who was that guy who attacked me, and what did he want? Also, where are we going?"

"The man who attacked you is The Fool, and he probably wanted to seize The Magician's legacy for himself. Nobody knows his real name, and with his skills, it's difficult to track him." Master Gurung sighed. "As for where we're going. It's an awakened organisation based in London with branches all over Europe. The Clocktower."

Callum frowned at the name. It didn't sound magical, no matter how he thought about it. 

"What's the point of going there?"

"We need to register you as an awakened, and they can teach you about your powers. Every Major and Minor Arcana family in Europe send their heirs to the London headquarters for their education." Master Gurung grinned. "With The Empress watching over it, it's one of the safest places on Earth."

"I thought you'd be teaching me?" 

Callum was honestly surprised as he stared at Master Gurung. He couldn't help but feel somewhat betrayed.

"No," Master Gurung groaned. "Your first two years of education will be systematic with a variety of Professors and methods. Only once you reach the Triangle Stage for your third year can a master take you as an apprentice."

Callum's expression crumbled. It was almost comical how disappointed he looked.

"Don't look like that. I'm sure with The Magician's legacy you'll progress quite fast. I suspect you'll quickly rise to the peak of magic." Master Gurung chuckled. "Now, go pack your things. You won't return here for some time."

Callum sighed with an awkward look on his face. "Well, I guess I'm ready to go. This is all I have."

He gestured to the new clothes he was wearing. I'll need to call Dani later and let her know I'll be gone so she won't worry.

Maya raised an eyebrow as she watched him with disbelief. How can that be all he has? It was safe to assume Maya had become interested in Callum. Sure, he was decent-looking. But it was his status as a newly minted Major Arcana wielder that stirred her emotions.

Since she was the heir to The Hermit, it was no wonder she would be interested in him. Maya would be in the position in the possibly near future. After all, her grandpa was getting on in his years.

It'll be nice to have someone I can talk to about my doubts. Maya sighed as the two men kept talking as if she wasn't there. Although she was at the Triangle Stage herself, there was no place for her in that conversation.

Maybe I should offer to help him with his studies until he joins The Clocktower. It could be a good way to get to know him better.

She barely had any interaction with other people ever since she had awakened. Her grandfather immediately took her as his apprentice back then. Which was why she knew he was lying to Callum.

He could definitely take him as an apprentice right now. What is he playing at?