色戒无删除版

The incident at the Hall of Flames remained in circulation amidst the masses and it was blown way out of proportion. Many speculations started to circulate and it scared many people.

Some became wary of the tower and the long line of people who wanted to be part of the organization dwindled. Though the tower has enough requests for quests, it would not last for even a week.

Although the elders finally stopped the 'curse' by using a light magic to dispel it, the fear in people's hearts wasn't quelled. They still feared the tower and weren't willing to get near it.

The elders frowned at what was happening so they devised a plan to show the people that the tower was safe. They couldn't let this one incident tarnish the name of the tower. But before they could clear the misunderstanding, another incident happened.

Five nights after the first incident something happened once again. A dark mist crept inside the second hall of the tower. This was the Hall of Flames where the newly pledge mages enter. This was also the place where talented magic users were directly placed.

The black mist slowly covered every surface of the hall's floor, wall and ceiling. It did not leave anything uncovered. All the newly promoted mages slept like logs. None of them woke up even though the mist brought with it a cold air that made the curtains sway and the candles lose their light.

Even the mages who were in-charge of overseeing them were fast asleep. One by one, the lights in the second hall died and made the place eerie. The mages guarding outside looked up and saw that the second hall was strangely silent.

At first they thought that it was natural because the mages in that hall were asleep, the silence was even associated with what happened to the first hall. The guards returned to their duties without paying mind to what was actually happening.

Not long after they turned their eyes away, the Hall of Flames became alive with blue flames coming out from the windows of room. Screams erupted from the inside as some of them started to burn. It was instant chaos as the mages who stood on guard immediately used water magic to quench the fire.

But to their dismay, the fire wasn't stopped as it continued to burn everything inside. The mages became frantic, luckily some of their comrades inside the hall were quick enough to protect themselves from the fire.

They also used this fact to save the others that were also stranded inside the hall. Upon realizing that a protective barrier can make them enter, the guards immediately used that chance to pull out as many new mages as they can.

The commotion once again woke up the nearby houses and buildings. They watched in horror as the blue engulfed a part of the tower. Some of them also wondered why it was not spreading to the other floors.

Without hesitation, one of the archmage's present that night used a barrier around the second floor. He then slowly condensed that barrier to the smallest size he could and trapped the mysterious blue fire inside.

When it was enough to fit the palm, he stared at it with fascination. His mind that was full of research, became curious to the fire in his hand. When no one was looking, he crushed the barrier but kept the fire in his secret storage.

"It's done. How are the injured?" The archmage descended down and asked the mages.

"They are being cured right now Archmage Ember. Thank you so much for your timely rescue." One of the guards reported then he gave the man a slight bow before he left to do his duties.

The night passed with the magic tower too busy with the mess. While the ordinary people became even more wary of the tower and wouldn't even try to get a hundred meters near it.

A loud bang almost destroyed the round table where the elders of the tower were meeting. Twelve mages were present but each of their identity was concealed by a shadow. Although they already knew each other's identities, they still made sure to block their faces just in case someone might eavesdrop on them.

"Whoever did this is clearly challenging the power of the tower. We must show them that we can't be easily bullied." The elder who slammed his fist on he table was enraged because someone dared to make trouble in their territory.

"We can do that, the problem is, we don't even have a clue as to who did this or what was their reason for doing this." Another elder spoke which pointed out the main reason why they can't rashly act.

"Then what should we do? People are already whispering that our tower is shrouded in negative energy." A woman's voice asked from the crowd. It was particularly sweet which made the other elders frown.

"Investigate even though there's no clue, it's the only way can do it. We have many talented mages this year and I'm sure that they'll be of use," another elder suggested. The other elders nodded in agreement while the others were a bit indecisive.

"Then we will leave this matter to those mages," a man's deep voice resounded in the meeting room. It was imposing and carried authority unlike what the other elders possess.

The room fell quiet after that voice as they agreed one by one. Since the last person who spoke held the highest position in the tower. Because no one disagreed, the person ajorned the meeting and was the first one to leave.

The elder who suggested the plan did not waste time as he went ahead and assigned mages to the case. He even instructed them to follow every lead they could fine.

Once the incident slowly died down, the tower mages also made the move to show the people that they were not dangerous and that the tower was not dangerous. They did everything they could to clear the tower's name.

From a far, the master who watched all of this had a wide smile on his face. To see that the tower was scrambling just to get their reputation back made his day. After all his efforts to disorient the enemy, he was glad to see it's effects.

"Hmmm, I am quite satisfied with this result but it's not enough, " he commented. His fingers tapped on the surface of his seat as he started to hum.

He was thinking of what he should do, to make them suffer even more or to just let them be for now? It would be satisfying to cause more chaos for them.

"Master," his thoughts were interrupted because of the butler who was staring at him, "we need to go now or we will miss the major's entourage."

Cygnus frowned as he looked outside and at the butler who was close to the point of glaring at him. He then sighed in defeat and signaled for the man to go. Mr. C knocked on the wooden division to let the coach man know that they were living.

The carriage quietly and slowly left the place towards the east side of the city where they would be meeting the major together with the lieutenant. Since he can't be that impolite, he needed to go and show some familial piety.

His plan of making another mess for the tower was postponed but he was determined to play with them after he was done with his supposed responsibility towards his new family. "This is the reason why I hated to have this kind of relationship with any people," he sighed.

"You already agreed though, so there's no turning back master." Mr. C did not forget to remind him of his folly.

"You are right. I was taken in by the desire to try and become one of the people in the upper echelon of society." Cygnus shook his head as he kept on sighing and looking disappointed.