That's So Wizard

Chapter 31 - Trials and Tribulations

Kevin and Eldrian sunk lethargically into the living room sofa with eyes on the television screen. In Eldrian's hands was a controller, and on the screen, a sword-wielding man in tights. They had recently finished eating dinner—pizza, the most healthy meal—and were relaxing with a game for the time being.

"So, about this game," Eldrian started. "Is he an elf? I always thought he looked like an elf."

"They're their own species. I guess they're basically humans, but with pointy ears. Or maybe they're elves, but not typical elves. You know what's weird? That I look at the screen now, and realize I have my own magic sword and shield, just like him."

Eldrian snorted. "I don't have a magic sword yet. You don't get one until that Temple."

"Does that mean I'm even stronger than him?" Kevin asked, looking to the wizard with a face filled with much more excited than perhaps it should have been.

"Yes, Kev. You're stronger than him. Happy?"

"I am! Except I don't have fairies on my side like he does. Hey, do those exist?"

He shrugged. "Maybe. I'm afraid to say we've basically reached the peak of my knowledge already. I'm definitely not all-knowing. Not even close. That's why I'm trying to get better."

"I never really considered that. You've been my guide so far to everything magic. I still can't believe all this is happening... Could I ever even go back to a regular life?"

"Do you want to?"

"I don't know. The world isn't as regular as I thought. Maybe there's no such thing."

Eldrian paused the game. He stood up from the couch and stretched his arms towards the ceiling with a drawn out groan. His eyes glanced to the window. The sun already set, which was typical for this time of the year, but for him, his evening was only beginning. It was finally time for his plan to take effect.

"I think I'm going out now," said Eldrian softly.

"Yeah? Well, good luck. Be safe."

"Maybe nothing will come from this, but if there's one thing I can't fight, it's my own curiosity. Let's see what the streets of Edmonton have in store for a wizard on the prowl. If I get murdered by a terrifying hell-beast, I'll try to call you and let you know."

"Thanks."

"Don't worry. To a normal man, a wizard is basically a dream. There's not much they can do about what happens."

"Scary. Like, walking demigods or something."

"Well, there's no wizard I know of that has some kind of absolute divinity over existence. It's a lot harder and more complicated than that."

"It just sounds so dangerous. I guess that's why there's governmental sanctioned forces meant to deal with them."

"What do you mean?"

"I just mean that from what I've seen so far, none of that should be something normal people should need to deal with. Those demons, all that magic... That was no joke. I'm not saying mass genocide. I'm just saying that maybe it's a good thing that a lot of them were stopped. You know? How much do we know about this police force?"

"I've never been attacked by them before, but..."

"Maybe they're just trying to help. Law needs to be kept somehow."

As the arcane rings travelled from his midsection towards his head and toes, they left a different outfit in their wake. It was the one made the night before by Marionette. He took hold of the hood and slid the fabric over his hair, and just like it did previously, his face shrouded into an absolute black besides two yellow pupils.