Magimus Academy: The Keepers (Realm Series #2)

Keepers 1: Lotus Town

Keepers 1: Lotus Town

The morning sun streamed through my window, casting an unwelcome glow on my face. My mind was still foggy, a lingering remnant of the sleepless night. I’d hoped the sleeping pills would have finally worked, but yet again, they’d failed.

It was the fourth night in a row, and the frustration started to wear on me. Even though I’d grown accustomed to the insomnia, the persistent lack of sleep was taking its toll. I couldn’t shake the growing sense of irritability that had crept into my mood.

Grumbling to myself, I decided to start my day with a bracing cold shower before my best friend arrived. We lived together under the same roof, something that I prefer. Our place was a small, empty palace—a frigid, cavernous space.

The only reason she hadn’t been here last night was because she’d stayed downtown with our little sister. Perched atop the towering peak of a mountain, there’s a palace that stood as a solitary sentinel, its ancient stone walls weathered by countless seasons, dwarfed by the ancient trees that encircled it.

The once-grand structure now wore an air of neglect, its windows dark and vacant, as if it had been abandoned for centuries. The surrounding forest, dense and impenetrable, seemed to swallow the palace whole, its towering trees casting long, eerie shadows that danced across the crumbling facade.

The palace was a ghost of its former self, its halls echoing with the silence of neglect. Dust motes danced in the sunlight that filtered through the cracked and peeling paint. Cobwebs hung like ghostly veils from the ornate ceilings.

It was as if the very mountain itself had turned against its former occupant, claiming the palace as its own. Yet, despite its secluded location, the palace offered a panoramic view of the bustling downtown below.

The town, a vibrant tapestry of lights and noise, seemed a world away from the serene and isolated mountaintop. At night, they were like a tiny ant colony crawling across the valley floor. The downtown lights, a twinkling tapestry of stars, seemed to shimmer in the distance. 

The contrast between the bustling downtown and the quiet, almost haunted palace was striking, creating a sense of mystery and intrigue. Lotus Town, a quaint little village nestled amidst rolling hills, once boasted a vibrant and prosperous existence and welcomed anyone who wanted to visit.

Its heart was a small palace, a symbol of the town’s former glory. Though modest in comparison to the grander structures of larger cities, had been a symbol of the town’s vitality. However, the town’s history was marred by a dark secret, a betrayal that had left a lasting scar.

It was a dark chapter in Lotus Town’s history and tarnished its reputation. A tale of betrayal and treachery had spread far and wide, branding the town as a traitors’ den. The exact nature of this betrayal remained shrouded in mystery, but the stigma it carried was undeniable.

The tale passed down through generations, served as a constant reminder of the town’s troubled past. Many immortals despise us based on unfounded beliefs. As a result, many mages, particularly those on the councils, treat us unjustly.

I hold a particular contempt for the nobility. They are arrogant, entitled, and utterly worthless. Their arrogance and entitlement are fucking sickening. Words cannot fully express the depth of my loathing for them. 

Their actions drove me to drastic measures. It was this intense hatred that fueled my decision to shield our town from the outside world as soon as I mastered my magic. By erecting a powerful barrier around Lotus Town, I transformed it into an independent community.

Isolated from the prying eyes and malicious intentions of those who sought to harm us. Meaning, we were no longer under the oppressive rule of the Imperial Kingdom. We had gained our independence, free from rule and control.