Welcome to my realm

 "Jerry"

Niard froze at the moment he saw Jerry heading towards the same corridor he was walking through. Jerry smiled happily to see him well.

"Niard, you survived that stab from that witch. I really apologize on her behalf. Maybe all those years have affected her mind," Jerry said, trying to sound cheerful, feeling guilty for his suspicions about Niard. Since they first met in the room, he felt they were destined to be friends. Jerry had always dreamed of rebelling against his father and the laws of the Empire's system.

"Well, it's okay. I won't hide my anger about what happened in that hellish room, but there's something I need to tell you. Can I have a minute of your time?" Niard asked politely, his voice hiding his tension and anxiety. His heartbeat increased as if in a long race. Jerry nodded in understanding. They both felt like someone was watching them in the corridor, so they headed to Niard's room, where Jerry sat on the bed, staring at his friend.

"I have something to tell you," Niard said after swallowing and gathering his courage. Jerry's gaze turned serious as he listened to Naird's words.

"I am a magic user. I acquired my powers from a strange book," Niard declared, his hand on his heart. He didn't want to create a misunderstanding between him and Jerry, at least not until, if he had to kill him to complete his mission, he would have a reason to fight and no more excuses or guilt.

"Impossible, I conducted a scan on you during the fight. It's true that your skills improved miraculously, but that doesn't lead me to accuse you without evidence as Misa did," Jerry replied, raising his eyebrow in disdain at his words, feeling as if Niard was trying to manipulate him to seem interesting.

"You don't understand. The system has banned tracking your magic, so your device didn't work," Niard said, with signs of madness in his eyes. Jerry stepped back as Niard took two steps toward him.

"Man, you're starting to freak me out. Stop joking," Jerry said, all his mental faculties strongly rejecting the idea that Niard was a magic user. Among others, he knew well how magic users ended up in this Empire.

Jerry shook his head to dismiss his extreme thoughts, then took out a device the size of a pen and waved it in front of Niard. The light started to turn red, and a look of joy appeared on Jerry's face. He said in a voice filled with happiness, "Didn't I tell you that you're not a magic user? There's no trace of magical energy in you."

Niard shook his head in despair. "It's no use, my magic system has stopped..."

Before Niard could finish his sentence, thick black smoke filled the room, and shadows found their way through the gaps under the door.

The sound of strange creatures screeching filled the air. Niard grabbed his head and quickly covered his ears, trying to block out the annoying noise. He opened his right eye to see that the smoke had surrounded Jerry.

He felt someone grabbing his limbs, barely able to move his head. "Don't try, buddy. Didn't Daiox tell you to keep your magic system a secret from everyone?" said a voice through one of the shadows with red eyes.

"Misa, come quickly. There's a magic user in Sector A Twelve," Jerry said with difficulty, seemingly speaking through his advanced wristwatch. Niard breathed audibly as he whispered.

"Show yourself. I'm not following anyone, and hiding the magic system won't change anything," Niard said, as if Jerry couldn't hear him, as if he were in an isolated dimension.

"And you think you're the hero who will change the course of history?" the voice said loudly. Niard tried to break his restraints using only his physical strength. In less than a second, the shadows began to disappear, and even the smoke that surrounded Jerry evaporated.

The door to Niard's room was broken down, revealing a girl standing on the ruins of the door. She had red hair, black eyes, sharp features, and a fruity fragrance.

"Jerry, as I told you, this facility is surrounded by a barrier that blocks your useless devices. So don't convince me there are no magic users here. I have a strong sense of their presence," Misa said firmly after cutting the black shadows with her flaming sword.

"Let's not discuss work here. And that magic user is still at large. I can't believe it, but I think we need the magic hunters to intervene," Jerry said, taking a device the size of a pistachio from his pocket. He pressed a button on the side, turning it into a hoverboard. He rode it, creating a hole through the wall as he left.

"You, I know you're a magic user, and somehow you're hiding your energy from me now. But trust me, I will take you down, Niard Lux," Misa said, seemingly full of anger and hatred towards him. He no longer wanted to hide his system; he was fed up with them and these magic hunters.

Left alone in the room, the lights started flickering, sometimes flashing, sometimes darkening. A black hole opened under Niard's feet. He fell into it, screaming as the intense pull dragged him down. Apart from the darkness, nothing was clear.

The pain of the fall was excruciating, but he forgot everything the moment he looked around. Shock filled his face.

"This is the academy, but everything is different," Niard whispered, watching those floating in the air, showing off their magical powers.

"Welcome to my realm, where all magicians are welcome," said a man dressed in luxurious clothes, a few years older than Niard.

"I am Lord Yanni, the second in command of this place after the wars on magicians," Yanni said calmly, his eyes holding immense pride. Niard swore the aura surrounding this person was no less regal than any king guaranteed to win every battle.

"As much as I desire to learn about magic here, I can't help but be cautious when dealing with you. First, what's the point of keeping your magical powers hidden? Why haven't you waged war against the Empire and proved yourselves since you have all this equipment?" Niard said angrily.

He didn't mean every word about waging war against the Empire, but he hated hiding and being oppressed. He didn't care how many times he would lose; he was confident he would rise again and try.