Abyss Wizard Academy!

On one of the final pages of the book, Alfonso's handwriting appeared, elegant yet mocking:

"My dear disciple, Leonard,

By the time you're reading this, I trust you've mastered the Hellfire Meditation. Congratulations! And, if you haven't realized it yet, I've already left Bangor Port. I sincerely hope we'll meet again one day, perhaps under more 'hellish' circumstances."

Leonard's jaw clenched as he read further:

"Let me tell you a little secret about your new meditation method. The 'Hellfire Meditation' is a core method of the 'Abyss Wizard Academy'. Yes, the academy where I now work. Completing this meditation method will grant you extra points during their admissions process."

Leonard's brows furrowed, his curiosity piqued despite himself.

"The Abyss Wizard Academy was established in the 'Sixth Wizard Era', and it remains one of the most prestigious institutions on the continent. Our motto? ''Conquest, Invasion, and War.'' Quite inspiring, isn't it? The academy has extensive ties to the Abyss Plane, offering practical courses such as 'Joint Invasion Operations' a unique experience, I assure you."

Leonard groaned audibly, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"You might wonder if you're a good fit for such a prestigious academy. Let me assure you: I see potential in you that even you don't recognize. You have a soul built for conquest, Leonard, and the Abyss Wizard Academy thrives on nurturing such individuals."

The tone of the letter shifted slightly as Alfonso's words grew more playful:

"Of course, there are… certain ''risks'' to practicing Hellfire Meditation as an unaffiliated wizard. Many academies frown on non-students mastering their proprietary methods. Let's just say it could get… unpleasant for you if you don't enroll. But, of course, the choice is yours."

Leonard slammed the book shut again, his mind racing.

---

The pieces were falling into place. The 'Earth Ring Meditation Method' was general, simple; a stepping stone. But the 'Hellfire Meditation Method'? It was an 'institutional-level meditation' meant to align a wizard with the philosophy and practices of the Abyss Wizard Academy.

For a moment, Leonard's expression was unreadable, his thoughts churning. Two paths now lay before him:

1. Continue with the Hellfire Meditation Method, embrace its power, and 'join the Abyss Wizard Academy'.

2. Abandon it, destroy the introductory framework in his mind, and hope to avoid the wrath of the academy.

The name 'Abyss Wizard Academy' carried weight. Everyone who had come in contact with the magic had heard of it, its reputation as a hub for ambitious, ruthless wizards who aligned themselves with the chaotic and power-hungry forces of the Abyss. It was both feared and respected, a place where only the bold dared to tread.

Leonard licked his lips, a flicker of excitement dancing in his eyes. "The Abyss… they say it's where the truly daring carve their paths."

He wasn't naive. The academy wasn't likely a place of camaraderie or safety. It was a battlefield where only the strongest minds and sharpest wits survived. But Leonard didn't care about comfort; he cared about progress. The 'truth' of wizardry.

"The academy is just a platform," he muttered to himself, his voice firm. "A tool for my own goals. What matters is my pursuit of the truth. If the Abyss Wizard Academy can help me reach it faster, then so be it."

---

The next few days passed quickly as Leonard made final preparations for his departure.

For months, he had been discreetly stockpiling supplies, long-lasting ingredients, spices, and tools. He even went so far as to plant 'sweet potatoes and potatoes' in his alchemy lab, using enchanted soil to ensure their growth. No one knew how long the journey would take, and Leonard refused to rely on the ship's provisions alone.

---

On the night before his departure, Leonard found 'David' sitting on the rooftop, bathed in the pale glow of the moon.

"David, I'm ready to leave," Leonard said, breaking the silence.

David turned his scaled head, his golden eyes narrowing slightly. "How long will we be gone this time?"

Leonard hesitated, his words catching in his throat. "We?"

David's gaze sharpened.

Leonard let out a quiet sigh. "You can stay here, David. You don't have to come with me."

The lizardman stood abruptly, his towering frame casting a shadow over Leonard. His voice was filled with disbelief. "You're leaving me behind? After all this time?"

Leonard blinked, startled by the intensity of David's reaction. "That's not what I meant," he said softly, his tone steady but apologetic.

"Why should I stay?" David's voice was low but firm, his golden reptilian eyes locking onto Leonard. "What am I supposed to do here, huh? Walk the streets, dressed like this, selling bread? Everyone who sees me thinks I'm a monster. But you don't."

Leonard was silent for a moment, letting David's words settle. He knew the lizardman's bitterness ran deep. Only a wizard; the kind who had shaped him into this form, could look beyond his appearance and treat him with dignity.

"Where I'm going, things won't be like they are here in Bangor Port," Leonard finally said, his voice measured. "The place I'm headed is harsher, more brutal. There, we won't have the luxury of maintaining a detached, safe position. We'll have to claw our way up from the bottom, and the risks… they're far greater than anything you've faced here. You might even lose your life."

David's expression didn't waver. He stepped closer, his towering frame casting a shadow over Leonard. "Then we climb," he said firmly. "It's not like I haven't lived at the bottom before."

Leonard's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Alright. If you're that determined, you can come with me."

David relaxed slightly, but his tone turned thoughtful. "Master," he said after a moment, "can I bring someone with me?"

Leonard's eyes narrowed. "This isn't some kind of game, David. You can't just bring anyone along for the ride."

David's gaze didn't falter. "I've already asked Beauvoir," he said, the name spoken with quiet certainty. "She said she's willing to undergo the transformation."

Leonard blinked in surprise. "She's willing?"

In this world, few people would willingly undergo the kind of transformation that turned someone into what David was now. The decision required courage, or perhaps desperation. But as Leonard thought about it, he realized Bova's mindset might not be so surprising after all.

She had accepted David for who he was; a rarity in itself. If she could do that, perhaps it wasn't impossible for her to accept transformation as well.

Leonard sighed, his tone softening. "If she's truly willing, it might work. For wizards, there are plenty of ways to elevate an ordinary person beyond their limits."

David's eyes glinted with something like hope.

"Fine," Leonard said. "Both of you stay in the alchemy laboratory until we leave."

---

Over the next few days, Leonard's preparations were methodical. He visited the 'new port' of Bangor daily, pacing along the docks to ensure he didn't miss the fleet's arrival. Despite not knowing the ship's captain or the exact day of departure, he trusted his instincts, when the time came, he would know.

And then it happened.

---

The first sign was the sudden shift in the weather.

A 'dense fog' rolled in from the sea, shrouding the port in an eerie gray. The once-clear skies turned dark as leaden clouds pressed low overhead. The wind howled through the streets, carrying with it a strange, foreboding chill.

Inside their home, Angelina looked out the window, worry etched into her features. "The weather outside is terrible. Has Leonard gone out again?" she asked anxiously at the dinner table.

James, her younger son, nodded hesitantly. "He left early this morning," he muttered.

Hamilton, sitting silently, glanced toward the window. He had noticed Leonard's strange behavior over the past few days, the sudden outings, the quiet evenings spent chatting with family. It was as if Leonard were savoring the moments before a departure he hadn't yet announced.

Angelina suddenly stood, grabbing her coat and an umbrella. "I'm going to find him," she said, her voice tinged with sadness.

Hamilton stood as well, gently taking the umbrella from her hands. "You don't need to go alone," he said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "I'll come with you."

As they stepped outside into the thick fog, Hamilton turned to their children. "James, stay here and look after your sister," he said firmly.

James opened his mouth to protest but stopped at his father's stern expression. He sank back into his chair, muttering under his breath as Hamilton and Angelina disappeared into the swirling gray.

---

Meanwhile, at the docks, Leonard stood beneath the growing gloom, a newly purchased umbrella in hand. Around him, dozens of 'carriages' lined the streets, their passengers cloaked in fine robes or heavy traveling gear. Dockworkers moved with urgency, hauling crates and barrels despite the worsening weather.

Leonard's sharp gaze scanned the horizon. And then, through the fog, he saw it.

A 'massive ship' emerged from the haze, its dark hull towering over the dock like a beast from a myth. Its 'figurehead', shaped like the head of a serpentine monster, gleamed with an almost unnatural green glow. The serpent's eyes burned with an eerie light, its sharp fangs bared as if daring anyone to challenge its passage.

The ship moved with an unsettling grace, its vast bulk gliding to the dock with barely a sound. Leonard watched as a 'ladder' descended from the side of the vessel, extending to the dock below.

From the carriages, finely dressed nobles began to emerge, their expressions a mix of apprehension and determination. Travelers from the port moved cautiously toward the ladder, their eyes drawn to the imposing ship. But as Leonard observed, he realized this was no ordinary boarding process.

One man stepped onto the ladder confidently, but before he could take more than a few steps, he let out a bloodcurdling scream. His body stiffened, and he tumbled backward, crashing to the dock below.

Leonard's grip on his umbrella tightened. "It's not going to be that simple," he murmured to himself.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward and placed his foot on the first rung of the ladder.

---

The moment his hand touched the railing, a wave of disorienting sensations flooded his mind.

Colors swirled before his eyes, bright and chaotic. Voices, some whispering, others screaming; echoed in his ears, drowning out the sound of the port around him. He felt the world shift beneath his feet, as though he were stepping into an entirely different reality.

Leonard gritted his teeth, his mind racing to anchor itself. "It's an illusion," he told himself, forcing his thoughts into focus. "Just a test."

The ladder stretched endlessly before him, each step a battle against the onslaught of visions and sounds. But Leonard pressed on, his determination unwavering.

Above him, the ship loomed like a shadowed titan, its figurehead seeming to watch him with burning green eyes.

And behind him, in the fog-drenched port, his family searched for him, unaware that Leonard was already stepping into a world far beyond anything they could imagine.