Chapter 16: Leave it to me

All the mages inside the room look intensely at the door and sure enough, a familiar sound of footsteps soon enters their ears.

"I see it is indeed the head" Victor the Red Sun tower master said retracting his staff.

"Ocean Tower master can you please wake up these lads," Silvia the Blue Moon tower master said as she pointed to the four unconscious senior mages.

"Right but if I wake them up they might collapse again, look at this thick amount of killing intent they won't be able to handle this" Maya said as she examined Tim, Sam, Liam and Carlo.

"Sigh...your right"

Soon the sound of footsteps grew louder indicating that Alger was approaching fast however as he drew closer to them the thicker the killing intent became.

Worried about Apollo and the unconscious senior mages Maya erected a barrier to protect them against the pressure brought by the intense killing intent.

"Should I do something about this?" Victor began to ask seeing the killing intent materializing into red fog, that wasn't a good sign.

"Let me handle that for you," a voice said from one of the corners of the room, then a sudden force suddenly pulled the murderous pressure towards a single spot. That corner was the corner where Ifrit was standing. The fiery spirit opens its mouth and eats the intense amount of killing intent leaving nothing behind.

"So demon spirits can do that," Victor said looking intrigued with Isabella's spirit since all his spirits were normal ones with high levels.

"With this, I suppose I can wake these four now"

Maya then waved her hand a spell was created making the four unconscious senior mages wake up.

"What just happened?" Liam asked holding his aching head.

"All four of you collapsed a while ago" Maya answered letting the three slowly recover.

"Why did we collapse tower masters" Carlo could finally ask as he was finally able to handle the sheer amount of pain.

"You collapse because of him" Victor said as he pointed to the door to which all senior mages follow

On the doorway was a figure of a man they all respected and feared. The most powerful mage inside the tower, Alger walks inside the room bringing with him an overwhelming pressure.

"Head please control yourself this pressure might cost Apollo his life," Silvia said while Maya constructed a barrier to protect Apollo and the senior mages.

With Silvia's words, Alger's gaze then switched to Apollo the young one was still unconscious but the pain he had experienced can be seen throughout his body. The scars made by countless whips can be traced on his arms and back while a series of untreated wounds left a mark on the boy's chest and thighs.

Then the head of the wizard tower couldn't help but clench his teeth seeing an ancient magic seal embedded on the boy's chest it was like another scar the boy had to bear. For six years they didn't notice the existence of it, he felt like someone had slapped him, as a wizard he was proud of his skills and yet he and the rest of them couldn't find out what was happening to Apollo. It was infuriating and at the same time challenging him.

"Why haven't you all removed the seal yet" he asked instead.

"We want to leave the decision to the boy, knowing him, head, he doesn't like people sticking their nose to his discovery"

"Silvia is right head unless the boy lets us help him we shouldn't interfere" Maya could only say as she knew Apollo as well.

Alger hearing their opinions could only sigh, indeed it was true their little sun liked to do things on his own. He knew they could help him however, being in solitude was something Apollo had been accustomed to. He was always alone in the duchy before he was brought here in the tower. He still can't pass his trauma and can only see himself alone. The old mage thought that six years was enough to erase his bad early childhood, or maybe he was wrong, perhaps staying inside the tower had increased his past trauma. This way of thinking made the head of the tower sigh again.

"Yes indeed the boy is like that" he could only say as he looked at the boy sleeping on the bed.

"Hmm?.." Now looking at the boy up close the head of the tower notices something. Upon his realization, his face who bore a painful expression turned exasperated.

"Apollo, you are awake aren't you?" He asked making the surrounding mages surprised.

"Apollo you can't fool this old man I know you are awake" Alger added seeing him not bulging in his bed.

Then for a couple of seconds, a deep sigh escaped from the boy surprising the mages who were with him first.

"I seriously cannot fool Grandpa" a mischievous grin then painted on his face making every relieved.

"Hey everyone did I scare you guys there"

"You little I almost had a heart attack because of you" Carlo said pulling Apollo into his arms.

"Sorry... hahaha"

"Little sun since when did you regain your conscientiousness?" Maya asked because she was the one examining him.

"Since the talk of breaking the seal Auntie"

"I see so you immediately woke at that time" Silvia suddenly chuckled making Apollo embarrassed.

"So since you are awake what do you wish to do?" Victor expectantly asked as his gaze pinned on the boy.

His question however caused Apollo to grin an unspeakable air of confidence surrounding him.

"Leave it to me"

His words were already within their expectations however seeing him smile like that made them relieved.

"Alright since it is your decision we will leave it to you"

Maya could only agree knowing full well that the little kid in front of them is a walking calamity.

"It should be fine" she thought then she walked close to the door and said "I have stayed here for too long, I must return now and since Apollo is fine it should be alright to leave"

"I think I need to go as well"

"Same here I still need to prepare for the hunting festival"

The two other tower masters said as they stood up and approached the door.

"Thank you for always taking care of me," Apollo said before the three tower masters left.

"You are always welcome little sun" they said before leaving.

"Apollo we should also leave we still need to finish our quota for this year's hunting festival"

"It's okay sir Carlo I am well already"

Soon the only ones left inside the room are Alger and Apollo.

"Where's Uncle Nicholas?" He asked seeing Alger's best friend not with him.

"That old fool doesn't want to come without bringing anything so he went to his room first, he should also be arriving now"

After those words, Alger stares at Apollo examining his facial expressions.

"So is there anything you want to tell me?" He asked seeing Apollo's meaningful grin.

"Grandpa I think you know something about this seal right" he began to say this first then he followed "Only a handful of wizards and witches can cast such a powerful ancient spell.

"Signare inimicum is the seal that currently eating your talent away"

The Alger saw Apollo's reaction and he could tell he already knew about the spell.

"He is indeed a brilliant child" he had thought.

"Looking at your face it seems like you have a rough idea whom you should look out for"

Apollo nodded before handing a note to Alger eagerly the old mage took the piece of paper.

"If possible Grandpa can you give me any information regarding all the mages on the list? Anything even their past activities and connection to the Lionheart family"

With these words, the head of the wizard tower formed something in his mind.

"I see I understand now" he only says looking at the list of people.

"Should I kill them all?" He asked.

"No grandpa we aren't even sure if those people are the ones I am looking for, we need to be certain before making a move"

"If that is what you want then I will respect that"

As the two continue their conversation sound of footsteps draws closer to them.

"Oh you are indeed awake I am glad" Nicholas appeared and entered the room.

"Hi Grandpa Nick"

"Yes, here I brought you something" On his arm is a basket full of a bunch of Apollo's favorite fruit, drinks and bread.

"Wow," the boy could only say looking at the big basket being handed to him.

"So what do you plan to do little sun" he asked as he sat down beside Apollo's bed.

"Well it's simple I would grow stronger and break this seal myself"

Nicholas nodded as he listened on the other hand Alger just looked at the list wondering what to do with them.

"I knew you would say that that is why I brought this" In Nicholas's hand is a grimoire, it was a thick magical book which shows signs of ageing and how well it was used by its owner.

"Use the contents and trace the caster" With a knowing gaze Nicholas let those words inspire Apollo.