GREAT MAGE CASTLE
The marble corridor of the Magic Council stretched endlessly, lit by floating lanterns that shimmered with soft gold mana. Every step echoed like a drum of destiny.
Three teenagers walked side-by-side, escorted by four elite council guards in ceremonial blue robes.
They were about to meet him—the world's greatest mage.
The hero of five eras.
The mage who saved humanity from extinction.
Allen Bullard.
And the three could barely contain themselves.
Mary
Mary's pink hair bounced lightly as she walked, hands clasped to her chest. Her blue eyes sparkled brighter than the lanterns overhead.
"I still can't believe it," she whispered, practically vibrating. "I'm actually going to meet the Allen Bullard! The hero of legends! My family's been telling stories about him since I could speak!"
One of the guards glanced back with an amused look.
"Please maintain composure, Princess Mary."
She froze.
"Oh! R-Right! I am composed! Completely composed! See?"
She attempted a dignified walk… and tripped.
Suzanne caught her collar before she face-planted.
Mary pouted.
"Why am I like this…"
Suzanne
Suzanne walked with arms crossed, her long black hair flowing like ink. Her pointed elven ears twitched, betraying the excitement her face refused to show.
She sighed.
"Mary, if you trip in front of the Greatest Mage, he might assume humanity has devolved."
Mary gasped.
"Don't say that!"
Suzanne shrugged.
"It's true. Also… don't embarrass us."
Her tone was cool, but her pale cheeks had the slightest—almost invisible—blush.
Andrews smirked.
"Ohhh? Someone's nervous~"
Suzanne clicked her tongue.
"I'm not nervous. I simply respect excellence. Unlike you."
Andrews
Andrews placed his hands behind his head, grinning widely. His brown hair was messy as always, and he walked with an easy, almost reckless confidence.
"Me? Nervous? Never!" He puffed his chest. "Besides, after beating hundreds of contestants to come in third, I'm basically a hero myself."
Suzanne snorted.
"You got kicked out of the arena and landed on the judges' table. That's how you won."
"That was strategy!" Andrews argued quickly. "And charisma. The judges liked my landing."
Mary giggled.
"He's not wrong. It was very stylish."
Andrews smiled proudly.
One guard spoke as they entered a chamber decorated with runic pillars and portraits of past archmages.
"You three should prepare yourselves. This is a sacred honor—one only granted once every decade."
Mary nodded furiously.
"We know! We'll be respectful! We'll bow! We'll—"
Suzanne cut her off.
"You'll breathe. That's what you'll do."
Andrews leaned in between them.
"Come on! This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment! Aren't you two excited? We're going to meet the strongest human in history!"
Mary lit up.
"Yes!!"
Suzanne looked away.
"I… suppose."
But her ears were trembling.
Another guard added, "Keep in mind: the Greatest Mage is unpredictable. Some say he's strict. Others say he's aloof. Some claim he speaks in riddles."
Andrews gulped.
"R-Riddles? Uh… I was never good at those—"
Mary clasped his hand.
"You'll be fine! The greatest mage must be kind. He saved the world five times!"
Suzanne muttered,
"He also destroyed the Abyss Tyrant with a finger. He might be… strict."
Andrews paled visibly.
Finally, they stood before a massive obsidian door covered in glowing silver inscriptions—ancient runes only the greatest mages could even decipher.
The lead guard turned to them.
"Brace yourselves. Do not speak unless spoken to. And above all…"
He placed a glowing hand on the door.
"Do not offend the Greatest Mage."
Mary straightened her dress, inhaling sharply.
Suzanne flicked dust off her cloak, heart pounding.
Andrews tried to fix his hair… and failed.
The door creaked open—
Light spilled out.
A warm, gentle, impossibly soft light.
The three teenagers instinctively stepped forward.
Mary whispered breathlessly:
"Th-this is it…"
And then, as the chamber fully opened—
They saw him.
A lone figure, back turned, sitting casually on a simple wooden chair…
A teenager with messy black hair.
Wearing a plain hoodie.
Silent.
Still.
Completely unremarkable.
And yet the air around him vibrated with power beyond imagination.
The guards bowed deeply.
"Greatest Mage… we have brought the winners."
The teenager didn't respond.
Instead, he let out a quiet sigh…
As if he'd rather be anywhere else.