Outside the run-down prison.
A tall girl stood on the grass, white hair flowing in the wind, violet eyes gleaming beneath the hood of her purple robe.
Her skin was pale and flawless, her features delicate yet sharply defined. There was a wicked charm in her gaze, like a seductive sorceress capable of making anyone lose themselves.
"Heh. That useless uncle of mine actually lost to some watch-wearing brat and ended up in prison."
Disdain flickered in her eyes.
"Oh well. As your dear niece, it's only natural I come bail you out." She covered her lips and let out a soft laugh.
With graceful steps, she walked toward the prison.
A patrolling guard immediately became alert.
"Hey! Who's there?!"
The middle-aged guard shone a flashlight at her, the harsh beam glaring against her face.
She frowned slightly, clearly annoyed.
"Watch your tone. Get out of my way."
The guard pulled out his baton. "Whoever you are, leave now or face the consequences!"
She laughed lightly. "Oh? I'd love to see what you can actually do."
"You're asking for trouble." The guard raised his baton, eyes turning cold. "Obstructing law enforcement. I'm placing you under arrest."
The girl slipped a hand into the pouch at her waist. A black orb dropped into her palm.
"A little gift for you."
She flicked it toward his feet.
"What the—"
Boom!
The black orb detonated, erupting into a column of purple smoke.
The shockwave blasted the guard off his feet. He rolled across the grass, eyes rolling back as he passed out cold.
The noise drew the attention of the other guards inside the prison.
"What happened?!"
More than a dozen guards rushed out. They glanced at the girl, then at their unconscious colleague.
"Not good! Someone's breaking in!"
The leader reacted instantly, raising his pistol. "All units, ready!"
"Yes!"
One after another, they aimed their guns at her.
Facing the row of muzzles, she merely curled her lips in disdain.
"Hmph. You think numbers can stop me? How naïve."
She slipped her hand back into her magic pouch.
Several purple lightning orbs formed in her palm, their brilliant glow reflected in her violet eyes.
Her expression hardened. She clenched her hand and hurled the orbs forward.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Explosions rang out in rapid succession.
Every guard was blown off their feet, crashing onto the cold ground in a heap, motionless.
With the path cleared, she smiled faintly and walked deeper into the prison.
Moments later, she stopped before a rusted iron door.
She raised her hand and began chanting an incantation.
Boom!
A powerful shockwave shattered the iron door into countless fragments that scattered across the floor.
She stepped over the debris and entered the dark cell.
The cell was damp and oppressive, never touched by sunlight. The air was thick with moisture. Cockroaches, centipedes, and other filthy crawling insects infested the corners, making the place look even more sinister.
A gaunt figure floated cross-legged in midair.
His dark crimson robe stirred faintly, weak traces of magic leaking from it.
Seeing the familiar silhouette, the purple-robed girl stepped forward with a soft smile.
"Uncle, I'm here to get you out."
"I've been waiting a long time for you, Charmcaster," the crimson-robed figure replied from the air.
"Sorry, Uncle Hex. It took me quite a while to track down this prison." Charmcaster paused, then reached into the magical satchel at her waist.
A gray bird-beak wand appeared in her hand.
"Uncle, this is your artifact. But for some reason, it doesn't seem to have any magic left. I can't activate it."
A hint of bitterness crossed her beautiful face.
Hex snorted and extended his pale hand, gripping the air.
The gray wand suddenly seemed to come alive and flew straight into his grasp.
"It only reveals its true power in the hands of a master of dark magic."
Hex raised the wand. A burst of golden magical light shot from the beak.
The surging magic blasted straight through the thick stone wall, leaving behind a massive opening.
"It's time to move. We're going to find the Keystone of Bezel."
A sharp glint flashed in Hex's eyes.
"The moment of unity between heaven and man is approaching. Once I obtain the Keystone of Bezel and complete the summoning ritual, I'll restore the five destroyed pendants and reclaim supreme magical power!"
"When that happens, no one will be my match. Not even Lucian."
"Uncle, I've rescued you. I should be going now."
Charmcaster turned to leave.
Boom!
A thick red beam shot past her forehead, slamming into the wall beside her.
The violent magic tore through the concrete, smoke rising from the impact.
Charmcaster stumbled back several steps, staring at Hex in disbelief.
"Uncle… you…"
"You're staying," Hex said coldly. "You will help me obtain the Keystone of Bezel. You leave only when I say you can leave."
His tone allowed no argument. If she dared resist, he would not hesitate to strike her down.
Charmcaster forced a strained smile.
"Of course, Uncle…"
...
Las Vegas.
The bustling city center overflowed with traffic and crowds. Noise filled the air without pause.
Magic Exhibition.
Colorful lights blinked everywhere. Tables were lined with all kinds of so-called magical props, varied in shape and style.
Magic enthusiasts had traveled from afar to attend.
Lucian and the others were among them.
Gwen looked around, her expression growing more and more unimpressed.
"Oh please. This place is beyond lame. It's all fake junk. There's no real magic here."
"Gwen, this is a public event for ordinary people," Grandpa Max said gently. "Of course you won't find genuine magical artifacts."
Ben laughed loudly. "Nerd, did you suddenly get dumber than me? You think we're just going to stumble on another Keystone of Bezel like last time?"
Gwen gritted her teeth. "Doofus, shut it."
Truth was, she missed the Charm of Luck.
When she had it, she felt unstoppable. Now…
Lucian remained calm and silent.
The five pendants from before had already been destroyed by Humungousaur, reduced to useless fragments.
Soon, they stopped in front of a booth.
The vendor was an elderly woman, overweight and moving with difficulty.
Her table was packed with magical items of all kinds.
Daggers, swords, staffs, goblets, tarot cards—almost everything imaginable.
"What can I help you with?" the woman asked politely.
Gwen's eyes moved across the display.
Then suddenly, her gaze fixed on a bracer.