THE COUNCIL OF MAGES (2)

"Because he knew this would happen. Oborin repeatedly told us that something like this would happen," the Grandpa said.

"Yes. He also said that all our young mages would be in great danger," Amalric added. "That's why he let out a command to let every child activate magic only inside Agrissi."

"Yes," Cindy said. "But if he knew, why did he leave us?"

"Because no one believed him. That command was his last resort to save us. He left us because we lost trust in him."

"So, what do we do now?" Chubs said.

"We have to call in all magical families outside Agrissi. We have to deploy mages in the human cities to watch out for budding mages. Many are from non-magical families. Ren," Amalric looked at Ren for emphasis. "Assemble all fighting mages then assign them places to guard."

"Yes, Great One. Which places should be heavily guarded? I'm afraid we would be shorstaffed."

"Well, that is a problem. We do not know where it would appear next," Chubs said dejectedly.

I looked at them as if they are from the medieval era. "Why is that even a problem? Don't you have phones or any communication devices? You only have to call for back up from other teams, you can do teleportation, right?"

Amalric laughed, "Oh we are so stupid. She's right. You are really Oborin's blood. And dear, we don't call that teleportation. It's spatial magic. It allows magicians to bend space and -"

I rolled my eyes, finding it really unnecessary to give me lectures at this hour. "Yeah whatever. Can we go on to the planning already?"

The ugly one stood up in outrage, the others stiffened. "You! Don't you dare disrespect the Great One. You - "

"Rigor!" Amalric interrupted him. "She still doesn't know what we do here. Patience."

I saw the ugly- oh sorry he has a name already - Rigor sat down, face red of anger. But I felt really small at that time. I really didn't know what I have done wrong.

"Ren, Cellon, guide Nina of our ways after this meeting. You will be one team."

He paused, "And Ren, assemble a three-person team. There should be two teams per city. In each city, there should be one spatial magic and healing magic users. Understood?"

Ren stood up and bowed at him, "Yes, Great One."

"You may go," Amalric dismissed us with a wave of his hand.

As soon as we got out, Ren looked at me worriedly, "Are you alright?"

I nodded, "Well, aside from that degrading man, all is good."

Ren sighed, "Don't let him hear that. Anyway, I have to put up an announcement regarding the Great One's task for me. Cellon, please orient Nina."

Cellon gulped as he watched me smile widely at him. Ren sighed, "Nina, just be good to him, okay? Just listen to him."

I smiled, "Whatever you say Ren. But why were you the one assigned? Are there no commanders to do that?"

Ren smiled, "I am the Commander."

I stood there, mouth wide open as I watched Ren walk away from us.

I pestered Cellon of why as young as Ren was the commander. After how many times of asking, he sighed and said, "Because he is the strongest among us all."

"But the Council are much stronger -"

"He is the strongest, second only to the Council."

"Oh," was the only thing I could say.

Cellon took me to their library and let me read their history and ethics books, to which I found very cumbersome.

"Hey Cellon, instead of letting me read these, why don't you just summarize it for me?"

"As much as I wanted to Nina, I am a healer and there are many patients in the Life House. We healers are rare, so I have to go and help them."

"You will leave me alone here?" I asked with a pout.

Cellon rolled his eyes and said, "I am not tempted of your charms anymore, Nina. And yes, I will leave you alone here. If you need some assistance, just ring that.

And with that, he left.

I may have read a little of the books before I passed out. Reading, really, was never meant for me. I was shaken back to reality by someone shaking me and calling my name.

"What!" I angrily answered.

It was Ren.

"Hey Nina, I'm sorry that this has all been a shock to you. But are you willing to be with us in this mission?"

My entire body halted, I even felt my cells stop working.

"Honestly, Ren," I answered slowly. "I just wanted to be the Nina Brooks I know before - the CEO, the gorgeous, and non-magical girl. Just a simple life. But I guess I couldn't escape this, right?"

Ren shook his head.

"I thought so. But even if I do this, am I still allowed to continue the life I had?"

Ren grinned, "Of course. I still have a bar to run. Just think of this as a new hobby."

I grinned back.

Life has never been so exciting until now.