Magician From the Past

Chapter 6

Five years had passed since Ethan's imprisonment. The cold, damp walls of his cell had become his only companions. But on this fateful day, everything changed.

Ethan sensed it before he saw it—a ripple in the mana around him. His instincts flared as the heavy iron door creaked open, revealing a mysterious man. The stranger's eyes held secrets, and his presence radiated power.

"What are you?" Ethan's voice trembled as he faced the enigmatic figure.

The man smiled, impressed by Ethan's perceptiveness. "You should be honored," he said, his tone mocking. "To have the likes of me visit you."

Ethan's confusion deepened. "I don't even know who you are."

The man cleared his throat, activating a barrier that shielded them from prying eyes. "I'm here to make a deal with you," he declared. "You appear human, but your mana tells a different story. An incomplete transformation to a high human, perhaps?"

Ethan's face darkened. The Magic Federation had failed to recognize his uniqueness, but this stranger saw through it all. "I hought I hid my mana, but this guy how?" Ethan asked, his voice rugged.

The man leaned closer. "Because the mana-nullifying spells here only inhibit your release, not its circulation of mana," he explained. "You're unlike any other prisoner in this entire level 2 prison."

"Duly noted," Ethan replied, wary yet intrigued. "But what do you want from me?"

The man's eyes sparkled. "Not much, really. Just a little task—one that only you can accomplish."

"There are more capable people out there," Ethan retorted.

The man chuckled. "True, but I have my reasons. You see, I'm honoring my little brother's memory. He once took a liking to Elaine, a brilliant mage who could have been a high human herself."

"And this task?" Ethan pressed.

The man's smile widened. "I'll reveal it once you agree. But rest assured, it won't be immediate."

Ethan hesitated. "Fine. If it gets me out of here."

"Excellent." The man extended his hand. "Let's make a binding magic contract."

And so, Ethan and the mysterious Zephyr Stormwind swore not to harm each other. With Zephyr's authority as the son of a Duke, Ethan's prison sentence would soon be a distant memory.

The prison gates swung open, and Zephyr Stormwind stepped into the sunlight. His ever-cheerful demeanor remained intact, even in this grim place.

"Isn't it nice to breathe fresh air?" Zephyr quipped, glancing at Ethan. "Your mana is quite pure and dense, my friend."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "How do you know about my mana?"

Zephyr's eyes sparkled. "You drew a set of runes all over your body—a clever technique to purify and condense your mana. Infusing it into your cells, no less. For your mana to be this dense you must've done this everyday. Crazy."

Ethan shifted uncomfortably. "But why? Why take such risks?"

"For a person to enter a magic academy," Zephyr explained, "they must be a court mage at the very least. Geniuses enter as Grand Mages by age 19. Yet here you are—a Wizard with a mana pool rivaling that of a peak High Wizard at 19. Truly gifted."

Zephyr praised Ethan. "Only well-nurtured children of rich families achieve this."

"—an exception," Zephyr finished. "And that's precisely why I need you."

Ethan frowned. "What do you want?"

Zephyr leaned in, his voice low. "Eliminate the necromancer Adven. He plans to attack the Magic Academies Tournament on Mars, eight months from now."

Ethan scoffed. "Simple for a dragonoid, perhaps. But how do I infiltrate such an event?"

Zephyr grinned. "I've taken care of everything. You'll join the prestigious Grent Magic Academy, where you'll work your way up. And when the time comes, you'll face Adven."

"But the Grent Magic Academy is the 8th top academy on Earth!" Ethan protested. "And the 1st in Africa! How did you manage this?"

Zephyr's eyes gleamed. "Let's just say I have connections. Welcome to a world beyond your prison cell, Ethan!".

"I'll drop you off at the school," Zephyr said, his voice calm despite the hum of the flying car's engines. Ethan sat in the back, clutching the bag next to him. It contained everything he needed: his admission and recommendation letters, a certified ID, his Magician Certificate, and even an interplanetary visa.

"I trust you'll figure the rest out by yourself," Zephyr added, his eyes focused on the road. The entrance to Grent Magic Academy loomed ahead, its spires reaching for the sky in Sky City. Ethan swallowed, nerves fluttering in his stomach. Countless opportunities awaited him within those walls.