12 The Victim of the Aftermath
<KINGDOM OF VELDORRA>
On the 4th floor of the magic tower, there are two mages stealthily exchanging words from the shadows...
"Have you heard? The master finally came back!" The pale looking mages sweat. The other shuddered in fear. Both newcomers are nervous.
"Yes. I was at the front door when the master appeared. He's covered in blood!"
"Did he kill someone again?"
"..."
The two looked into each other and trembled.
It couldn't be helped.
The proud Arch Mage of the tower is known for his temper, and crazy antics. Rumors about him being arrogant, a psychopath, scammer, murderer and villain is prevalent. He is one that is easily misunderstood for his snobby personality.
"Rumors has it that he destroyed another kingdom..."
"B-but we're s-suppose to stop the war! He shouldn't!"
"Yes...but they say he is more arrogant than even mighty dragons."
The two exchanged looks with their hearts beating wildly.
Meanwhile at the Glass House, 11th Floor of the Magic Tower; The herbal mages of the Tower we're rapidly picking herbs and magical plants.
"The master is injured! Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!"
The commanding mage of the 11th floor has a pale face while urging his subordinates to gather the medicinal plants for Sai.
'I have no idea what happened to him, but he lost too much blood. If we don't hurry and procure medicine...' The commanding mage trailed.
He was sweating so much thinking of many possibilities.
"Bring me some butterfly wings!" he commanded, 'I'll have to bring all of this to the 12th floor so that they can convert these plants to potions'.
Knowing how that monstrous Tower Master of his was, he knew for sure that healing magic won't suffice.
To get scathed to that extent and for it to happen to a powerful wizard. Those injuries are definitely not simple.
"What could've happened..." he mumbled.
Suddenly the door burst open and the apprentice of the tower came running.
"Zemira! What happened?!" The commanding mage fervently asked.
"Huff..huff..t...The M-master! Sailazer s-said" Zemira breathed heavily.
"...he said..."She awkwardly threaded,
"'Anyone who value their life, ignore me. Anyone who wishes death, look for me'...is what he said." The atmosphere instantly turned cold.
The commanding mage dropped the mystical butterfly in his hand and its wings fluttered majestically to freedom.
'The master is saying not to bother...or even treat him.'
Zemira, the young apprentice on the other hand sighed, she has to run after 10 more floors to relay Sai's message to the whole Tower.
'That bastard'.. she gritted her teeth as she remembered what the blood covered smiling Sai said as he laughed, he said,
"Zemira, don't I look good on red? pfft haha, hmm... Well, I'll be resting in my chambers, tell everyone. Anyone who values their life, ignore me. Anyone who wishes death, look for me and I'll benevolently grant their wish,"
It would have been fine if it stopped there, but Sai just had to point out that she gained weight and ordered her to just run to relay the message than use magic to spread the news.
'...So tiring,' she thought.
After a day passed...
The magicians serving under the great mage is once again suffering from overwork and the nasty temperament of their master--
--Although honestly they are relieved that Sai is back, some couldn't help but be resentful with how he works them almost to death.
"Master, the Crown Prince sent a notice that he will soon pay you a visit." The apprentice, Zemira informed.
Sai sneered, "What did he say?"
The mage opened the letter of notice then read full of emotions,
"<It's been tough looking after the tower for YEARS, my friend. PAY.UP. My stress for these long years, and lost youth... I'm charging you. PAY UP BASTARD.
P.S.
Don't even try to bargain with me or run away, I might kill you.
Yours expectantly,
Oryn Adriel Kingsley>".
In to which Sai frowned greatly, "You totally called me a bastard like you mean it."
Zemira coughed.
Sai let it go and turned his back while muttering to himself.
"Why is he charging me? Aren't we friends?"
He gestured Zemira away while thinking, 'Well I did ditch the tower and dump him all the work. Just how much would he ask for? Tsk, cheapskate.'
The Crown Prince seems pissed at him to the extent of threatening him with murder this time too.
Sai started walking to lean on a huge window while questioning life, "Why is being alive so expensive? It's not like I'm having fun..."
He stared at the Kingdom of Veldorra atop his Magic Tower.
Looking down at the busy people and lively market made him smile.
His playful thoughts played in his mind. 'Yes. It really is fun to look down on them, they look like ants from up here'
Then he smiled slyly and waved his slender fingers, sending magic in the air;
The wind carried his will and drifted clouds to cover the sunny sky and bring forth a quick rain to settle the busy streets down below.
He chuckled, amused at the prank he pulled off at the citizens while mindlessly using the little vitality and magic left of him.
It's been a day since the incident at the night bazaar. Now that he thought about it, his magic power has been slipping off of him.
Although he looks perfectly fine outside, his internal organs inside were a mess.
Without the stone to balance his half merman qualities with the powerful blood of her mage mother, nothing was preventing his power from leaking out except his mortal body.
And soon when all of it runs out and his body weakening, his body will explode out of mana explosion without anything to contain his inner powers. The night bazaar flashed and dawned on him.
Thinking, he muttered, "I wonder if 'she' is alive?" He worried about his twin sister, although he didn't want to admit it.
'Yeah, she probably is. Her father must be comforting her.' Sai bitterly thought as his eyes turned cold while watching the raining city under him.
At that moment a blond man entered his chamber, wearing the highest quality of silk embroidered with red threads and and a royal cape.
The man exudes his flamboyance and gracefulness along with slight irritation. It was Oryn Adriel Kingsley, the Crown Prince.
Sai looked at him.
"Oh, you're still alive?" The Prince asked dryly at the magician.
Oryn heard the news about Sai's sudden appearance after years of disappearance, covered in blood. At that, the blond prince knitted his eyebrows.
Sai on the other hand glared ferociously at him, 'Why the hell is he asking if I'm still alive?' Did I die?' he thought.
Sai spoke, not backing down either, "You sound disappointed to see me alive. I almost thought you don't like me very much, your Highness."
Sai bowed indifferently, giving his late greetings at the same time. "Greetings to the future sun, may the grace of Veldorra be with...you."
"...How energetic." sassed Oryn. "I heard you coughed up blood?"
"Oh, I'm fine. Same as usual if I may be honest. Waking up everyday is still excessive and boring. My talent is still winning as usual. Well what can I do? I'm such a gift to mankind." Sai beamed.
It didn't take him long to speak informally to the Prince.
Oryn took the initiative to sit on then couch knowing how discourteous Sai is and would never offer a seat.
"Just where do you get your audacity?" the Prince clicked his tongue.
Sai sniggered. "Well, you've always been my role model."
"Anyways, pay up. I'm done with you and this magic tower. I'll have to at least charge you eight or ten mountains of treasures to make myself feel better."
Oryn smiled. He knew how much of a money grabber and enthusiast Sai is to the point of scamming even the royalty.
Sailazer Yullian is just that kind of person who always takes advantage of anything he can get his hands on.
Sai frowned, "I know you'll ask for compensation, but you really are stressing me with your calculation."
The Prince felt good seeing this irritation on the Archmage's face.
"What's the problem? Then go distress." he laughed at Sai.
Sai suddenly smiled happily and stood up with the suggestion. The strange behavior caused bad omens to the Prince, "Where are you going?"
Sai continued walking, "To destroy half of your Palace. I need to release some stress."
"...My Palace?" Oryn starred blankly.
"Didn't you just told me to distress? I take that as a permission to mess your Royal Palace, your Highness. I am honored."
"Damn it!" Oryn quickly stood up from slouching and tried to call him out, he knew Sai meant it.
"That's not what I mean!"
"DAMN IT! STOP!" Sai didn't listen and opened the door.
At that moment, Oryn knew Sai isn't going to ask for a bargain just like what he said in his letter. Rather Sai will make him cut down the price with joking threats.
'Threats that are camouflage with jokes, but are pretty serious.'
"Fine! Damn it! Just tell me what happened to you! Give me some details! I'll cut the compensation from 10 to 7 mountains!"
"SAI!"
"...damn it!"
A few hours after, the Crown Prince's Palace only lost one pillar with Sai only paying a mountain of gold coins and a few explanation to the depressed Oryn who lost his negotiation.
The dear friend of the Archmage of Veldorra, as well as his victim who was forced to clean up after his aftermath was once again on the losing end.
