The last Sage

Humans are weird creatures, this is something any competent scholar can agree upon. Differently from most races, no one that I heard from has been able to accurately deduce our origin. It seems like we appeared out of nothing… As if we had always been around.

At that time, the one-hundredth yearly celebration since our glorious empire's foundation was close.

We had only a few years, and we wanted to do something big, something that will let the world remember our legacy… And discovering the origin of our legendary civilization seemed the best option.

During my research, I've consulted both curious researchers like myself and even the old guardians of the forest. Yet… Nothing. After discovering how not even our oldest friends knew anything about our origins, I wasn't dispirited. From the beginning of our research, I was prepared to face a few failures.

For this reason, I and my fellow truth-seekers departed toward where the truly old ones reside… At the dawn of a new day, we departed in high spirit from Helios; our destination: The Dragonblood Federation.

At that time, our arrogance ran so deeply in our blood that nothing seemed able to stop us… We were humans, the absolute overlords of the world!

I never regretted that day's decision. However, if only had I owned even 1% of my current wisdom, maybe, the decisions taken by my younger self wouldn't have brought that group of bold fellows such a miserable fate...

- Excerpt from "Winds of Destiny: Regrets" by Poldi

Cyril wasn't sure of what he expected to see after hearing the young mage mumble by himself how his master's tower was "a little weird". Regardless of the warning, he couldn't help but be somewhat stunned by the "unique" situation that presented itself in front of him.

As soon as he entered the mage's tower, a man in his thirties emanating the aura of a mage greeted him. The mage's aura was far heavier compared to that of the apprentice, but not oppressive, it gave the feeling of a quiet lake, ready to comprehend each other and inviting to a dialogue.

"Good morning Sir, I'm Celeborn Lazarus, an official spell-weaver and the appointed master of the western tower. It's my pleasure to meet you." The mage spoke in a serious tone, unfortunately, his helpless smile and visible embarrassment did nothing to help.

The bunch of white wolf puppies playing around him, especially the one biting his sleeve, brutally betrayed the serious atmosphere.

After a moment of hesitation, Cyril extended a tendril of his spirit surrounded by natural energy. The tendril, intercepted by a similar one originating from the mage, enabled the establishment of a psychic bridge.

<The pleasure is mine, Mr Lazarus. However, as wanderers of the arcane path, there is no reason to lower ourselves into mortal formalities when facing a peer>

Celeborn's eyes constricted for an instant as he heard those words, but his confusion was soon replaced by a smile "Absolutely. Fellow arcanist, please follow me to my private floor, it will be easier to speak without those… Ehem… friends?"

Even before receiving Cyril's <Sure, lead the way>, the embarrassed mage was already walking off to one of the elevators at the floor's sides.

While following after the mage, Cyril had the time to look around himself. This floor's style was simplistic and welcoming, bringing the expression of "open space" to its highest level with no internal walls but only a few couches and tables scattered here and there, making the place give off the vibe of a waiting hall.

Beside the entrance, some white-robed younger apprentices could be seen waiting, although they looked more like receptionists than apprentice mages, they didn't even release an ounce of mage's aura

The most remarkable characteristic of this floor, besides the runes floating all over the place, was located on the opposite side of the entrance. In that area, some grey-robed apprentices could be seen struggling as they tried to teach how to use natural energy to a bunch of unruly wolf puppies.

Differently from the use of runic formations which expanded greatly in the outside world… The runes within the tower were just as Cyril remembered. A giant network of runic formation arrays interconnected together while constantly communicating, exchanging energy, and relying upon each other to keep working.

After all, a mage's tower is not merely a building with some impressive formations which allows it to do magic. A mage's tower is a complex machine built with millions of smaller components, with each part having its role and meaning.

Cyril's mind couldn't be more comfortable anywhere but in a mage's tower… Not only because of the denser natural energy and the sight of being surrounded by thousands of runes but also because of the aura emanated by the whole building.

It's common knowledge that every living being can release an aura, but Cyril discovered it also applied to inanimate objects…. Albeit harder to perceive. It was there, silently lifting his spirit as if welcoming him in its embrace.

While bathing in this comfortable feeling, they reached one of the elevators. Due to Cyril's size, it felt quite crowded but no one of the two said anything as it immediately began rising.

Soon after, the two reached the second-highest floor and Celeborn led him into a living room.

<You seem weirdly prepared to welcome non-humans such as myself> Cyril couldn't help but comment after noticing the disposition of pillow beds on the ground and only a few armchairs.

"It's my wives' fault…" The mage replied with a helpless smile as he sat in an armchair and waved his arm indicating the pillow bed on the opposite side of the table.

Only after seeing Cyril make himself comfortable did he continue "Anyway, let's talk about something more interesting than my private life"

With a clap of his hands, two cups of tea of different sizes appeared on the table.

"This morning, at the southern gate, you said to be from a reclusive clan living in the primordial forest, didn't you?"

Cyril silently nodded as he tasted the tea.

"It is interesting, you are from such a recluse clan that I never heard of, yet you speak like our friends from the Boundless ocean" The mage's tone wasn't cold nor inquisitive… It contained simple curiosity.

<I'm indeed from a reclusive clan, but we were lucky enough to meet some researchers from the Sky kingdom… They are also one of the reasons for my presence here.>

Cyril paused for a moment seeing the mage nodding. <Does the name Camille Voidsky say anything to you?>

Celeborn almost spatted the tea he was drinking, his eyes wide open as he stared blankly in front of himself, it took him a few seconds to calm down before replying "A-Are you talking about the third disciple of the last Sage?"

This time it was Cyril's time to be stunned… <Sage?>

Silence descended into the living room as both of them took their time to put together their thoughts.

"Yes… The last Sage of the Skylords' archipelago, Cyril Skyseeker… The man who single-handedly brought forth a new era for mankind. Unfortunately, such a great figure passed away during the Shattering… It's said that even a True dragon attended his funeral, it was the first time that dragons openly showed a sign of respect for a human."

The mage's words radiated so much respect, pride, and admiration that even someone completely apathetic would have been able to feel it.

Hearing those words, Cyril didn't know how to react…. Those bastards granted him the title of sage after his death. Even that lizard sent someone to pay respect to him…

However, regardless of his thoughts, Cyril had to keep up his mask as someone who just came out of the forest for the first time… <So, do you know anything about Camille? Where is she?>

"Unfortunately, her whereabouts are unknown… She went missing even before the Shattering… Even the Skyseeker household has given up on searching for her"

Cyril was surprised once again… Not because of his third disciple, he already knew that she died long ago, what shocked him was the audacity of the Skyseeker household to give up HIS disciple! it was simply disappointing.

The mage didn't say anything else as he drank his tea, it was clear that something was disturbing Cyril as those reptilian eyes kept gazing straight into Celeborn's eyes.

After a while, Celeborn couldn't take it anymore so he tried his best to break free from the awkward situation "I'm sorry for your loss… But you have to keep going, what are your plans?"

<I was thinking about settling down for a few days before departing once again… Meanwhile, I also wanted to learn more from the library and gather some materials from the Underground[1].>

- - - Author's note - - -

[1] Underground: Please remember that in this fantasy world the word "Underground" has a different meaning so it's also used differently from how we usually use it…. Do you remember how the natural energy increase the deeper you go? This is the only hint I will leave you in this chap : )