The Sorcerers

Chapter 3

The chapter begins on a quiet night, with the sky adorned by glittering stars as the moon casts its silver glow over the empty streets. Suero ran with stumbling steps, his breath heavy with exhaustion. He stopped abruptly, bending forward with his hands resting on his knees. Glancing at his Al-Mahrabot watch, he whispered in despair:

“I couldn’t complete the task!”

In that moment, the sharp words of Master Sbyam echoed in his mind, like the cut of a knife:

“If you fail or neglect any of your duties, I will punish you myself!”

Suero closed his eyes briefly, then opened them, whispering to himself with frustration:

“I’ll be punished... I failed on my very first mission!”

He stared at the ground in defeat and walked slowly, a thought gnawing at him:

“Can I ever become the strongest mage?”

---

When he arrived at the magic school, he stopped at the entrance. Before him stood Morio, along with Camio, Baysal, and another man named Veb. Suero gasped in shock:

“It’s Captain Morio’s team!”

Noticing his presence, Camio smirked and said mockingly:

“Look who’s back!”

Baysal added with a sneer:

“Did you complete your task?”

Suero lowered his head in shame and muttered,

“I couldn’t...”

Camio and Baysal burst into mocking laughter.

“I told you he was weak!” Camio jeered.

Humiliated and angered, Suero kept his gaze on the ground as their cruel laughter echoed. A hot tear escaped his eye, falling to the ground as his hands trembled uncontrollably. He tried to steady them, but the laughter only deepened his sense of inadequacy.

Suddenly, Morio’s voice boomed:

“Enough!”

The laughter ceased instantly. Suero remained motionless, head bowed, silent tears streaming down his face. Morio walked toward him, his footsteps measured and deliberate, until he stood directly in front of Suero.

“Lift your head,” Morio commanded, his voice calm yet firm.

Suero stammered, trying to justify his failure:

“They... they’re right.”

Morio repeated, more sternly this time:

“I said, lift your head.”

Reluctantly, Suero raised his head, his tearful eyes meeting Morio’s cold gaze.

“Why are you here?” Morio asked.

Veb scoffed under his breath:

“He’s not worth it.”

Suero's gaze wavered, his heart heavy with sadness and confusion.

Morio continued, his voice devoid of emotion:

“We are mages. We didn’t come here to waste time. I still don’t understand why Master Sbyam has so much faith in Spailo’s brother."

The mention of Spailo hit Suiru like a blow to the chest. He whispered in a shaky voice:

“Master Sbyam...”

Morio pressed on:

“That bastard used his power against us. No one knows if you’ll turn out the same.

Suero took a step back, as if struck by an invisible force.

Morio’s tone was cold:

“I won’t go easy on you. You’ll work hard.”

Morio walked past Suero without looking back, with Camio, Baysal, and Veb following silently. Suiru stood still, watching them leave. A flicker of hope ignited within him.

“Will I become like them? Will I become the strongest mage?” he whispered to himself.

At that moment, Sbyam appeared behind him, smiling.

“You have to try harder,” he said.

Suero lifted his head, a new determination in his eyes.

“Alright!” he replied firmly.

---

In a distant place, the dark and barren lands of Misoya were ablaze with destructive fires. In the heart of the chaos stood a mysterious man, a strange violet glow surrounding his hand. His eyes gleamed with malice, and a sinister smile curled on his lips.

Around him, five massive beasts emerged from the sparks, spreading destruction across the land.

The man observed the creatures with satisfaction before turning and leaving, allowing them to wreak havoc without restraint.

---

At the magic school, Suero followed Sbyam through the corridors.

“Where are we going?” Suero asked nervously.

“To the combat arena,” Sbyam replied with a smile.

“The combat arena?” Suiru echoed, hesitant.

Sbyam laughed.

“You didn’t complete your task, did you? So, you need to be punished!”

Suero's heart sank.

“And what’s the punishment?” he asked anxiously.

Sbyam gave him a cryptic smile.

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

When they arrived at a wide stone arena, Suero hesitated at the entrance while Sbyam strode confidently to the center, stretching and warming up.

Sbyam grinned mischievously.

“Your punishment is to fight me.”

Suero's eyes widened in disbelief.

“Fight you?!”

Sbyam nodded.

“Yes. Now, come at me.”

---

In a small house deep in the forest, Salma was preparing dinner in the kitchen. Her daughter Kaso entered with a smile.

“Need any help, Mom?”

Salma tasted the food and said,

“No, dear. Everything’s ready.”

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

“That must be your father, Rashid,” Salma said with a warm smile.

Kaso rushed to open the door, throwing herself into her father’s arms.

“Daddy!

Rashid hugged her tightly.

“My sweet daughter!”

They all gathered around the dinner table, enjoying the meal.

Salma smiled and said,

“I made Suiru’s favorite dish tonight.”

Rashid chuckled.

“He would’ve loved it if he were here!”

Kaso giggled.

“If my brother were here, he’d have eaten everything!”

Suddenly, Kaso asked,

“Mom, why don’t you make fish? Spailo loves it!”

A heavy silence fell over the room. Rashid slammed the table with his fist.

“Don’t mention that scoundrel again!” he growled.

Salma tried to calm him.

“Please, Rashid, calm down.”

But Rashid continued angrily:

“That bastard nearly killed his sister!”

Kaso blinked in confusion.

“He tried to kill me?” she asked.

“You were too young to remember,” Rashid muttered grimly.

---

(10 years ago)

On a quiet night, (seven-year-old) Kaso slept soundly in her bed beside Suero, also seven, while (ten-year-old) Spailo stood at the window, his hand raised toward Kaso. A red spark emerged from his hand, illuminating the room with an eerie glow.

Rashid entered the house, exhausted from a long day. Noticing the strange light from the children’s room, he rushed toward it.

When he opened the door, he saw Spailo with his hand glowing red, aimed at Kaso.

“Spailo! What are you doing?!” Rashid shouted in horror.

Startled, Spailo turned to face his father, fear in his eyes, before leaping out of the window and disappearing into the forest.

---

Present Day

Spailo stood outside the house, listening to his family’s conversation. He whispered bitterly,

“You don’t know anything...”

With that, he turned and walked away from the house.

---

In Misoya, Morio and his team stood before five (A-rank) beasts ravaging the area.

“Five A-rank beasts?” Camio exclaimed in disbelief.

Baysal looked at Morio, concerned.

“What do we do?”

Morio’s expression was cold.

“We begin.”

Green sparks crackled around Morio’s body, illuminating the surroundings. Without hesitation, he soared toward the beasts.

And the chapter ends.