To avoid losing track of the massive scorpion, Vlad pushed himself to go after the hooded figure, only to realize that he couldn't move as fast as he previously had, even while riding the wind he invoked.
Confused by the situation, he called out to the system. "System, why can't I go as fast as before?"
[The host's wish was to use the speed of a viscount-level wizard to escape. Once the escape was achieved, the wish was fulfilled, and the wind maneuvering of a viscount-level powerhouse was taken away, reverting you back to a baron-level wizard.]
The system replied mechanically.
Cursing under his breath, Vlad knew he had no choice but to make another wish. "I wish for the speed of a viscount-level wizard forever."
[Fulfilling such a wish would require the host to have a one hundred percent wish bar.]
Vlad clenched his fists, his mind racing for an alternative. "Fine. I wish for the speed of a viscount-level wizard for a day."
[Your wish is granted.]
The system intoned.
Thirty percent of Vlad's wish bar faded away, and the immense connection he had with the wind returned, increasing the gust beneath his legs and boosting him forward.
Twenty-five percent, he noted, seeing the amount of wish bar left. He spent another five percent strengthening his body, afraid to let it return to the reddened, battered state it had been in after the air friction.
As he closed in on the hooded figure, he shouted, "Wait! I need to speak with you!"
The hooded figure turned, eyes narrowing beneath the cloak. "Why are the Aranyrs after you? Or are you with them?!"
"I'm not with them!" Vlad shouted back, struggling to keep up the pace. "I didn't know I was being chased. Maybe they're after you and not me. So instead of antagonizing me, how about we join forces to escape?!"
The hooded figure hesitated, the scorpion slowing down slightly. "You could be lying."
"I'm not!" Vlad insisted. "Just take me along, and together we'll have a higher chance of escaping unscathed."
"I and Fyyxehr have no problem escaping on our own." No longer hesitating after hearing Vlad's last words, the hooded figure and their mount continued forward.
"I don't have any idea where I am, meaning my chances of escaping are almost null. If you don't help, I can't promise not to drag you down along with me." Seeing no hope in convincing the hooded figure, Vlad threatened them.
After a tense moment, the hooded figure seemed to reach a decision. "Fine. But any sign of betrayal, and I will indulge you in your threat."
The scorpion slowed enough for Vlad to climb aboard. As they continued their journey, Vlad and the hooded figure exchanged cautious glances.
"Where are you taking me?" Vlad asked, trying to glean more information.
"To a safe place. Away from the Aranyrs," the hooded figure replied tersely.
Vlad nodded, understanding the hooded figure's displeased feelings. "How did you get this scorpion?"
The hooded figure gave him a sharp look. "It's a long story. And not one I share with strangers."
Vlad decided not to push further, focusing instead on the landscape that zipped by.
..
After what felt like an eternity, they arrived at a secluded encampment. Hundreds of tents were scattered around, and groups of young men and women surrounded various tables, drinking, eating, chatting, and throwing dice.
The hooded figure led Vlad to one of the tables. "Wait here," they instructed before stepping beside a young woman and whispering some words to her.
"Hi, I'm Hayteyr." The woman introduced herself with a smile as she walked toward Vlad, the hooded figure beside her. "What about you?"
Responding to the friendly introduction of the beautiful lady, Vlad took her outstretched hand. "I'm Vadtyr."
"That isn't very friendly, Vadtyr. You shouldn't lie to a kind person." Smiling at Vlad, Hayteyr turned toward the hooded figure before revealing, "He lied to you too."
All at once, the young men and women around the table stood up, their gazes fixed on Vlad, bringing a terrifying pressure down on him. He could feel the intensity of their scrutiny, every muscle in his body tensing under the weight of their combined stare.
Giving Vlad no room to settle his frightened and confused heart, the hooded figure punched him across the face, forcing him to drop onto his backside with blood seeping from his mouth.
The young woman stepped closer, her hands stretched out toward Vlad and her eyes never leaving his. "You have one more chance to tell the truth. Who are you, and why are you here?"
Vlad swallowed hard, realizing he had no choice but to come clean. He took Hayteyr's outstretched hand. "I'm Vlad Rabiut Herak. I was being chased by… by sorcerers, and I just needed to escape. I'm not with them, I swear."
The hooded figure, boiling with anger, stepped forward. "He must be lying again. I suspect he's with the Aranyrs, and he's here to find out our secrets."
Hayteyr looked at the hooded figure with a smile before shaking her head. "You're aware of my abilities, Zayxehr. He's telling the truth. And he could never be one of the Aranyrs."
Zayxehr, a girl's name, Vlad thought to himself, staring at the hooded figure and carefully scrutinizing her with mixed expressions on his face.
"What are you looking at, liar!" Uncomfortable under Vlad's scrutiny, Zayxehr barked angrily at him before asking Hayteyr, "What makes you so confident that he couldn't be one of the Aranyrs?"
"Because they won't accept someone of witchcraft lineage into their ranks, no matter how dire the situation might look." Hayteyr grasped and revealed Vlad's secret.
Not surprised that Hayteyr knew what magical lineage he hailed from, Vlad glanced at a group to his right composed of two young men and three young women. "They're also from the witchcraft lineage."
"He's a wizard?" Shocked at the revelation, a complicated expression emerged on Zayxehr's face. Such unfairness. He's the worst witchcraft practitioner I've ever seen!
Keeping her thoughts to herself, the look she gave Vlad worsened.
She hates me, Vlad thought, matching Zayxehr's furious look with a nonchalant one.
Stepping between Vlad and Zayxehr, Hayteyr confronted the stranger. "If you only tagged along with Zayxehr in order to escape the Aranyrs, where would you be going next?"
"Back to my hometown in Rythe." No longer hiding his identity, Vlad answered Hayteyr.
"What do you mean? Do you believe in the legend that the lost city of Rythe actually exists?" The oldest male among the witchcraft practitioners around the table stepped forward and asked Vlad.
"What legend?" Confused at the wizard's question, Vlad said, "The city of Rythe isn't a legend. It's a legendary place, sure, but calling it a myth is way off. I would be very certain whether my home is a legend or not."
"Your home? Are you saying you're from Rythe?" Trying to understand the meaning behind Vlad's words, the wizard couldn't hide the curiosity in his tone.
"That's right. Aren't you all from there as well?" Vlad asked, looking at the wizard and then the other witchcraft practitioners.
"W-we are not. Have the witches and wizards in the golden city decided to bring us back?" The wizard's face lit up with the hope of returning to his people.
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