Chapter Twenty-Two: The Circle of Shadows

The two appeared to be nothing more than ordinary people, yet Hughes, ever cautious, still used his implant to scan them, only to find he’d been overthinking things.

Hughes accompanied Wizard Charlie in the carriage for seventeen long days, until finally, they came to a halt in a desolate wilderness where not a soul could be seen.

All around stood withered trees, their barren branches laden with crows that fixed their scarlet eyes upon the three travelers, cawing harshly.

“All right, we’ve arrived. We’ll be back at the Academy soon!”

Wizard Charlie stepped forward, muttering incantations under his breath; suddenly, before him, the outline of a swirling vortex began to form. It spun slowly, growing into a luminous portal, taller than a man.

The instant the portal appeared, the crows sensed something amiss and scattered in all directions, their cries echoing through the wasteland.

“Come, step inside!” Wizard Charlie entered the portal first.

Hughes followed closely, with Leon and Garno hurrying behind him. Crossing the threshold, Hughes was left speechless; it was as though he had entered another world.

Above, the black sky was awash with streams of violet auroras—brilliant, like rivers of light flowing slowly across the heavens. Beneath his feet stretched black earth, and for reasons unknown, every plant, every blade of grass and leaf, was as dark as midnight.

In the distance loomed a colossal onyx gate, carved with strange symbols and patterns. To gaze at it too long was to feel one’s very spirit being drawn in.

Two crow statues flanked the gate, each set with a pair of blood-red gemstones. Wizard Charlie walked up to them.

“Well, well! It seems we have visitors!” The statues, each taller than a man, suddenly spoke, startling Hughes immensely.

“Indeed, outsiders—delicious souls, succulent flesh!” croaked the second.

“State the password, outsiders. If you fail, your delectable souls shall belong to us!” they screeched, their gemlike eyes flashing with an eerie red glow.

“You damned statues! I really ought to have you replaced,” Wizard Charlie fumed at them.

“Don’t be angry, Charlie,” one statue cackled. “Truth be told, we’re older than you, and besides, rules are rules—no one may break them!”

“I am willing to entrust my soul to the Shadow,” Wizard Charlie recited, resignation in his voice.

He turned to Hughes and the others. “Remember those words; you’ll need them in the future.”

“Correct!” one statue squawked.

“My soul, my flesh!” the other crooned.

“Let’s move along,” grumbled Wizard Charlie, eager to be rid of the bizarre statues.

Once inside the gate, Hughes found himself in a place composed of many castles.

“So this is the Academy of Wizards!” Hughes marveled at the ancient architecture, as if he had stepped into a storybook.

“This is the Academy of Wizards, the Circle of Shadows, and your future place of study. This independent secret realm spans nearly a million acres, with teaching zones, training grounds, libraries, and living quarters…”

“The Circle of Shadows has stood on these lands for nearly three thousand years, producing countless wizards. Our most famous alumnus, Spirios Lisvanis, was once considered the equal of the ancient wizards. It was he who secured this secret realm for our academy’s prosperity.”

As they walked, Wizard Charlie spoke of the academy’s long history and deep foundations.

“That gate you just passed—after countless renovations, it remains a fixture. It’s said there was once a teleportation array atop it, but that’s long since broken, and no one can restore such ancient mechanisms. Still, it stands as a symbol of the Circle of Shadows.”

Wizard Charlie led Hughes and the other two into a spacious chamber.

“Hey, old friend, I’ve brought the new recruits!” Charlie called into the room.

“Oh, Charlie, you’re finally back—you realize you’re always the slowest,” came a hoarse, aged voice as the door opened on its own.

“Don’t say that—you know my assignment was the farthest!” Charlie replied as he entered.

The room was scented faintly of tobacco. A large ebony desk dominated the space, behind which an elderly man with snow-white hair moved. Parchments and quills were strewn across the tabletop, and a bookshelf behind him was lined with neatly arranged bundles.

The old man chatted with Charlie as he scribbled on parchment with a quill, glancing up as Charlie entered.

“So you went all that way and only brought back three? If the others hear, you’ll be the subject of jokes for some time,” the old fellow said with a wrinkled smile.

“What could I do? There are rules—they chose for themselves. Not my concern!” Charlie spread his hands in helplessness.

“I’ll never understand why the academy sends an old codger like you so far, only to return with three,” the old man sighed.

“I volunteered. Besides, age should see more of the world—one never knows when the body will fail.”

“Hmm? This young one,” the elder’s eyes flashed as he looked at Hughes.

“Haha! He’s my greatest find this trip—innate mental strength surpassing others, and a talent of deep violet. The Circle of Shadows hasn’t seen such an apprentice in ages. Old Gart will be pleased when he hears!” Charlie said with delight.

“Excellent, excellent!” The old man regarded Hughes with interest. “A fine seedling. You don’t plan to take him as your own student? With such a pupil, your reputation would soar!”

“I’ve no time—too many experiments. If I were younger, I’d snatch him for myself,” Charlie replied.

“Well, I’ve done my part. The rest is up to you. I’m off to the lab—after so long away, I’ve found inspiration.”

“Leave it to me,” the elder waved Charlie off.

“Now then, don’t be nervous. Charlie’s task was only to bring you here; I’ll handle everything else.”

He produced more parchments and wrote busily. “These are your official entrance documents—everyone must have them.”

“You’re quite lucky. In the past, the academy charged tuition in magic stones, but since we haven’t recruited in twenty years, this fee is waived. In future, when you need magic stones, you’ll realize how fortunate you are.”

“Now that you’ve signed the contracts and completed your documents, you are official apprentices of the Circle of Shadows,” he declared solemnly.

“There’s one more step: you must choose your tutor.” From beneath the desk, the elder retrieved a crystal sphere.

“This sphere contains all the teaching wizards of the Circle of Shadows. You’ll draw lots to select one as your mentor. The classes of your assigned mentor are free, except for some advanced subjects. If you’re interested in other tutors, you may attend their lectures—provided you pay. Among wizards, all things are exchanged equally.”

“Sir, do we choose our mentor ourselves, or…” Hughes began, voicing his suspicion.

The old man laughed. “Of course, it’s random. Your fate depends on luck. Someone like me, or like Charlie—either would be good draws. But there are those with difficult tempers, and if you draw one of them, you’ll have to make the best of it.” He leaned in conspiratorially. “And remember—always obey. Otherwise, your mentor might use you for an experiment… or for dissection!”

Leon paled at this.

“S-sir, can a mentor really kill a student?” Leon stammered.

“Rarely, but it has happened—especially to those with poor talent, of no use to anyone. In such cases, the academy seldom investigates too closely.”