Chapter 26- Trial of mana
Leo slowly opened his eyes after a peaceful night.
He got up from bed and went down to the common hall, where Ryan and Reed were having breakfast. Leo joined them and ate his share.
Ryan asked, “What now, leader?”
Leo replied, “We head to the tower to find the old magic demon star.”
“Let’s go, then,” said Ryan.
Reed interrupted, “Guys, you go ahead. I have a small errand to run. Meet you back here in the evening.”
“Take care, Reed,” said Leo.
“You too,” Reed replied.
Then the trio parted ways.
Leo and Ryan set off for the tower. After a long hour of navigating, they arrived at the opening of the Grand Mage Tower.
The colossal tower reached into the sky, its ever-burning flame above rivaling the twin suns.
The shadow cast by the tower almost touched the city gates.
Several mages stood in front of the tower’s gates.
The duo stepped closer. Guard mages stood watch, and Leo stepped forward to address the left guard.
“Good day, sir. We are travelers. We heard of the glory of the Magic Tower and came to visit the famed magic demon star—the old tower master.”
Hearing this, the guards exchanged looks. Their expressions shifted—first a frown, then bursts of laughter. One of them said:
“The old master, huh? You’re too early. The execution is tomorrow at noon. Come then.”
Leo was baffled. Execution? Tomorrow? His mind was clouded with confusion.
Ryan asked, “Leo, what do we do now? The one you were searching for is going to die tomorrow.”
Leo regained his composure and returned to the guard.
“Can I know what happened?” he asked.
The guard replied, “That traitor invaded the grain storage of the Great Mage Tower and tried to steal it. He was caught red-handed. The current master decided to kill him.”
Leo stood still, at a loss for what to do next.
“Get lost from here,” the irritated guard warned. “And don’t go around talking about this to anyone. You may be lucky to see the sunrise tomorrow if the wrong ears hear it.”
Leo and Ryan stepped away.
“Ryan, we need to find a way to save him,” said Leo.
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“Leo, it’s too dangerous. What you’re asking is to fight against the whole Magic Tower with just the two of us,” Ryan replied.
Leo fell into deep thought but did not give up.
“I have to try, Ryan. Only he can answer my questions. Only by meeting him can I find the answer to who I am.”
As they walked away from the tower, a figure emerged from the shadows of an alleyway. A feminine voice spoke:
“Want to save the old tower master? Follow me.”
Ryan gripped Leo’s shoulder tightly. “It’s suspicious. Let’s leave, Leo.”
Leo almost agreed, and they turned around—
But then the figure spoke again:
“Giving up so soon, young prince?”
Hearing this, Leo froze in his tracks. His forehead began to sweat, his throat turned dry, his heart raced, and his pupils contracted.
“Who are you?” he demanded.
The voice replied, “If you need answers, follow me.”
The figure moved into the alley.
Leo ran toward her, and Ryan reluctantly followed.
They arrived at an old cottage on the outskirts of the kingdom.
The figure entered, and the duo followed. Inside, the air was thick with dust, cobwebs covered the walls, and the room was dark.
She waved her hand, and mana formed a glowing circle. Light bloomed from the mana candle.
The blurred figure became clear—it was the same woman they had met in the old witch’s tent. She removed her hood, revealing long, beautiful golden hair that shone under the mana light. Her face reflected the beauty of a full moon on a clear sky, mesmerizing to behold.
Leo demanded, “Who are you? What do you know about me? Answer me!” He clenched his fists and banged the table.
“It’s been a long time, Leo,” the girl said.
Leo was baffled, and Ryan looked equally confused.
Ryan asked, “Do you know this beauty, Leo?”
“I don’t remember meeting you, miss,” Leo replied, now calmer.
“Of course, that’s to be expected. Your memories of the past are sealed,” she said.
Leo frowned. “My memories… sealed? I don’t understand. Please explain.”
“Call me Melody. I am the daughter of the old tower master—the man who sealed your memories,” she said.
Leo was shocked. His childhood had always been a blur, but he never paid much attention to it. Now, it all began to make sense.
“Miss Melody, can you help me break the seal?” he asked.
“I’m sorry, Leo. I’m only a Grand Mage. The seal was placed by an Archmage—on your very soul. Only my father can help you,” Melody explained.
“But isn’t he about to be executed tomorrow?”
Melody slammed the table. “He was no criminal! He only wanted to give food to the starving people of the city!”
She took a deep breath.
“On the surface, the city looks prosperous. But deep underneath, the non-magic users—nine out of ten people—are abandoned here in the outskirts. They’re forced to grow grain like slaves but are not given even a portion to sustain themselves.
It wasn’t always this way. It started after the new tower master, the cruel mage Scorn, took over. My father was poisoned and weakened, but he could not stand by while people died. Even with his magic gone, he fought for them. He was caught, branded a traitor, and imprisoned to be executed.”
She looked at Leo with pleading eyes. “Leo, only you can help him.”
Ryan scoffed. “Even you, a Grand Mage, can’t save him. How can Leo—a cursed demon with no power—help?”
Leo muttered, “How can this manaless, cursed, helpless demon help you, Miss Melody?”
Melody replied firmly, “Leo, you may have forgotten, but I haven’t. You are the child of mana itself—the one who commands its very nature.”
Leo’s expression shifted. “If I can save him, I’d be glad to help. But how?”
“The tower hasn’t fully fallen under Scorn’s control. Some good mages still remain. We can save my father by challenging the new master to a Trial of Mana,” Melody explained.
“The Trial of Mana?” Leo repeated.
“Yes. It’s an ancient tradition of the Mage Tower. Both mages enter the Undying Flames. The one whose mana resonates with the flames is declared the winner. The result is absolute across the demon realm. None can refute it.
If it’s you, Leo, you can win.”
Ryan challenged her, “If you’re so sure, why don’t you do it yourself?”
Melody sighed. “The flames have been corrupted under Scorn’s rule. He controls them now. If I enter, I’ll burn to death. But you, Leo—you are born from the mana of nature itself. If anyone can purify the flames and win, it’s you.”
Melody knelt before him. “Please, save my father and the kingdom’s future.”
Leo’s eyes hardened. He stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Get up, Miss Melody. Whatever happens tomorrow, I will do my best. I’ll save your father—and find the truth.”
Melody’s eyes moistened. She leaned against Leo’s shoulder. Ryan crossed his arms.
“So we’re jumping into the flames, huh? If we burn tomorrow, let’s make sure we burn away the darkness in this kingdom.”
“Indeed,” Leo said. “Tomorrow, we burn the chains holding the demons of the Northern Kingdom down.”
Melody straightened herself. “Let’s do it. But even the walls have ears. Go rest for now and come here before sunrise. I have preparations to make.”
The duo left for the tavern. As they arrived, Reed returned. Leo explained everything. The trio went to bed, awaiting tomorrow’s high-stakes battle.
Meanwhile, at the top of the Mage Tower, in Scorn’s chamber, a hawk tapped on the window. The old demon ,a thin scrawny figure with a long beard and hair blood res eyes ,opened it and took a letter. It read:
> “Caution: Intruders will come during tomorrow’s execution to challenge you to the Trial of Mana. Your opponent is the Child of Mana.”
Scorn’s lips curled into a sinister smile. He turned and left his room.
The stakes were set. The duo was ready to face the flames. Scorn awaited them.
What will happen tomorrow?
Stay tuned to find out.
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