Chapter 4: An Abrupt Goodbye

Teleportation circles stood among the most complex magic circles, not because it was a sixth-circle magic spell. It involved many delicate runes and dire consequences followed in case of failure. One trial needed an astronomical amount of mana stones, a group of senior mages specialized in space magic, and a magnitude of accurately drawn circles. Only in high-alert situations would such a circle be used. 

Elias Alaric, however, would be overseeing and activating it all on his own. It showed how much secrecy they put into this. 

Multiple goods were stored in subspace punches and rings. They included but were not limited to, food supplies, grimoires, magic text copies, general knowledge books, mana stones, a range of weapons, medicines, cooking supplies, and more. Every situation was accounted for. Everything having been stored away summed up to a single large pouch. It needed only one person's effort with the lightness magic cast to it. 

Right then, a young mage with little presence ran into the hall and straight to the Alaric family patriarch, completely ignoring everything else. After a few whispers to his ears, the whole hall seemed to be frozen. The temperature fell drastically. Elias Alaric's anger-filled face said something grave had happened. His silver eyes shone dangerously making anyone feel instinctive fear and a strong urge to flee but were nevertheless frozen in their positions motionlessly. The young mage was in such a state.

This was but a fraction of the presence of a seven-class mage who was a step away from being an Archmage. 

"What has happened?" asked Adelina Howell, Anette's mother. Concern was imbued in her voice. 

"We have a rat. A snitching rat!" Elias Alaric's voice was slightly shaky trying to conceal his anger. His pressure grew increasingly heavy as he continued, "We don't have any more time. I shall start the circle activation."

The Howell couple glanced at each other and they knew what they had to do. 

"My dear. Don't forget you will always be part of our family. We love you. Try your best to live and protect my grandchildren well." Sagar Howell, Adelina's husband, bid his last goodbyes.

Merlin pulled Bianca while Mitchell pulled Anette to the magic circle. Adelina and Sagar drew their swords, took defensive stances around the circle, and looked around vigilantly. The alertness replaced sadness.

Elias swept a glance and with a heavy heart, started the chant. A series of interwoven words rang in the hall. Incomprehensible to anyone. He poured his mana into the ready-drawn circle and guided it meticulously along the pre-drawn path. When the mana interlocked into a full cycle everything happened automatically.

The mana stones around the magic circle melted and formed a surge of magical power and an invisible hurricane formed around the four within. While holding hands, they disappeared from the room. 

The magic residue was quickly absorbed by Elias before it dissipated. It would be refined later. With that, he erased traces of any magic activity in the room. It was by a series of spell casting and mana absorption. 

After all was cleared, the quiet room remained pin-drop silent for a long while. The Howells stood motionlessly in a daze trying to digest the fact that their children were gone, very far from home. Elias Alaric was in no better shape but it was unperceivable from his cold stoic face that seemed to have aged rapidly. 

A gloomy and heavy atmosphere remained.

They remembered why they had made such an announcement, casting away their blood children. With countless preparations needed, they needed ample time and diversion of the observers' attention from them. It would give their children time to leave the kingdom's reach and settle freely before anyone knew they were ever gone. It turned out to be useless after all; not when there was a betrayer in their midst.

"Tell us about the situation. What happened?" asked Sagar Howell. 

His voice was colder than usual. The murderous intent in his dull scarlet eyes could hardly be hidden underneath his curly bangs. 

Elias Alaric sighed. "The church has sent personnel led by a deacon. They are on their way. It only spells they know something. I am inclined to believe we have a rat, no rats in our midst." 

Adelina walked around as she held her sword tighter.

"Yes…that is the most probable explanation. They should be here to capture our kids. It was not enough to tarnish our kids' futures, they even sentenced death upon their unborn children. Infants with no sin! Those hypocrites…making such an announcement means they are wary of their talent, rather, the combination born of them."

Adelina's whole body trembled while sounding the harsh reality. 

She seemed like she would lose control at any time. She looked at the trembling hilt of her sword and stopped to take a deep breath. Tranquility returned to her and her pursed lips continued.

"With moles within, it might backfire to say we didn't activate the circle when they can't be found. Elias, you talk to them. Don't deny but don't agree to their accusations." Adelina analyzed the situation roughly and gave Elias a suggestion.

Her tone was calm as if speaking of something that did not concern her. Her dark brown eyes glanced at Sagar sending a shiver down his spine. He instinctively wanted to look away but dared not. He knew the woman in her current state, was most dangerous. A smile formed from her lips.

"Dear, we will do house cleaning soon~," said Adelina delightfully.

With the church's sudden involvement, all the plans for the day had been terminated. This included the knowledge transfer magic that would enable the direct inheritance of knowledge. The true family legacy could not be said to have been passed down. Without having time to say proper goodbyes, the families could only send away their talents, no children, in a hurry. It was a rather pathetic sight of them as a family.

Uniform tremors were heard from above. It indicated the arrival of the church's busybodies.

"We should meet them," said Elias Alaric as he led to the exit of the underground hall. Behind them was a silent, empty hall. Nothing looked to have happened within the grounds for a long time.

(ノへ￣,)