A dusty room, filled with bookshelves lining up the entire wall, all filled to the brim with books. The room had so many books that the bookshelves were not enough. The floor was littered with piles and piles of books to the point that walking inside the room was a struggle. In the middle of this forest of books lay a work desk, filled with papers instead of books. Irvin was using the desk, working on paperwork. He was organizing all the volunteer mages into groups for the task forces against the crimelords of Hazen.

  Tap Tap Tap

  Irvin did not particularly like doing paperwork. He was the type of mage who did not record the majority of his research and trusted his memory instead. But someone had to do the bureaucratic work, and as the son of Count Hazen, the responsibility naturally fell to him. Normally he would just shirk the responsibility and eventually someone else would take over — but he could not this time. The situation was serious, and he had to fulfill his noblesse oblige.

  BRAK

  “Irvin!!! Warehouse!!! Now!!!” Kel Mauro, Irvin’s master and the master of the mage tower, flung the door to the room so hard many piles of books fell to the ground, making the room more of a mess than it was before. “What do you mean by warehouse, Master?” Asked the annoyed Irvin.

  “The warehouses. The one that got robbed by Molrrets. Now!!!” Kel had a serious face on him, a face that Irvin never saw in his apprenticeship under him. “Wait, what’s wrong with them?”

  “Take me there. I need to see them for myself.” Kel was in a hurry, like someone who was in the middle of discovering a major crisis… he did go to check the wreckage of Lorca’s hideout by himself — what did he find there?

  Irvin realized that this was not the time to do paperwork, not because he wanted to run from it — it was mostly done. It was the fact that his master had a sense of urgency for once in his life. Irvin put on his coat and strode out of the room, leading the way for his master.

  “What did you find in the wreckage, Master? Actually, do you even find anything? It’s been days, there should be no mana traces left.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I originally thought too. I went there expecting nothing, I just wanted to see what’s all the hubbub about.” Kel was walking next to Irvin, almost running at his current pace. “But then…”

  “Mana traces?”

  “Yes, but not from spells… more natural… like [Aura] or [Iron body].” Both [Aura] and [Iron Body] also left a mana trace in the air. However, they were harder to trace due to leaving behind smaller particles than a first-circle spell, which dissipates faster. The methods to find them were also different, and particularly for [Iron Body] — their users were so common that there were so many of their traces that could be seen in random places. Using them to identify a unique mana pattern was pretty much useless. Naturally, Irvin came to one conclusion, “So it’s [Aura] traces? Was it Rex’s?”

  “No,” Kel rejected Irvin’s conclusion. “It’s not [Aura], more similar to [Iron Body] … but the quantity… and quality… It’s nothing like I've ever witnessed before.”

  “Wait. [Iron Body]? It’s been what? Five days? Six days? You’re saying there are still traces of them master?”

  “Yes. And the traces are still clear as day. I can understand why you missed them, you probably weren't even looking for them,” explained Kel. “I too, only found them because I was bored and tried looking for them as a time waster.”

  Irvin was baffled. An [Iron Body] that left such clear traces even after six days? How durable was that [Iron Body]?

  “Master, is it Rex’s [Iron Body]?”

  “I doubt it.” Kel was doubtful. If Rex was capable of such [Iron Body], everyone would know about it. He would have been known as Iron Fist Rex instead of Flame-fist Rex. “And …” Kel muttered to himself. He was hesitating whether he should say it, he was hoping he was just seeing things.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “And?” But Irvin managed to catch the word his master muttered. Kel felt like he had no choice but to say it. “I saw similar traces in other parts of the city… Irvin, I think we’re worrying about the wrong thing. I don’t think the gangs are the cause of all our problems right now.”

  Irvin was shocked by his master declaration. If he was right, then there was a bigger threat hiding under their nose this entire time, a threat they were blind to. Various puzzle pieces started flying in his head.

  Rex and Lorca…

  Warehouses and Molrrets…

  And Krieg.

  Somehow, Krieg’s case, the first mysterious case that his brother Kylan still hadn’t solved. Irvin read the report — skimmed them to be more accurate. But there was one part of the report that stuck with him. A witness testimony from one of Krieg’s men.

  “A small black thing. Black like Iron and harder than one. No bullets or blades could harm it. It tore bodies apart just by a single touch. Krieg went to face it, but we all knew he wouldn’t make it. I rather be in jail… than facing that thing ever again.”

  **********

  ‘Deep breath. Take a deep breath. You can do this. You have to do this. Someone needs to do this.’

  John was sitting inside a cave, surrounded by a few street urchins including D’aka, Brett, and Paulie. Lately, the street urchins had used the cave as their main base. Sleeping, eating, and storing all their goods there. The cave was a perfect hideout. It was spacious, protected from the elements, and most importantly well-hidden. They did not need to worry about predators or undead entering the cave, for the entrance was always guarded by Molrrets and a few volunteers from the urchins.

  “John, Regulus here.” Cooper informed John on Regulus' arrival, as John had requested. As usual, Regulus was with his usual clique, Eda, Grigori, and Azali. However, John noticed that Eda and Grigori seemed cold towards each other, which was unusual. They were probably fighting again, whatever, it was not important. “Thanks, Cooper.” John stood up, “Regulus! Come here!”

  Hearing his name called, Regulus galloped towards John. Eda, Grigori, and Azali followed from behind. “You three, it’s fine. You don’t need to come. I just need Regulus.” But John stopped them from coming close.

  “Eeeh. Why? What you’re planning, John?” Protested Grigori. He wanted to be a part of whatever John had planned. Lately, he felt that he was slowly but surely becoming more capable, more… mature. He wanted to contribute, to work, to get his mind off things.

  John sighed, he wished Grigori would just listen without complaining. “We’re gonna rob an armory. It’s dangerous so you shouldn’t come. Only the older kids, and Regulus will come.”

  “We are?” Cooper was blindsided by this information. John usually planned things with him, or D’aka, and he had not planned anything with John the last few days. He turned to D’aka, maybe he knew about the plan, but he was equally confused and could only shake his head when met with Cooper’s gaze. “Why?” asked Paulie.

  John knew that there would be questions when he announced his plan, but he already prepared answers. “As you know, right now, there’s a gang war on the street. It’s mostly Rex against Lorca, but there is no harm in arming ourselves with more weapons… and gunpowders.”

  “So you decided now is the right time to steal weapons from the city’s armory — when the city guards on high alert?” criticized Paulie. This was unlike John, to be so reckless. If anything, this sounded like something Brett would suggest.

  “Not, the city’s armory. A noble’s. Baron Traven had a supply of weapons and gunpowders stored in a port warehouse. He originally planned to sell it to a noble from a different city, but because of the current situation — as you mentioned, on high alert — He decided to put it on hold. He either wants to keep it for himself or sell it to Count Hazen. Or to other gangs.”

  “Where do you get this info, John?” This time, it was Cooper asking question. He was the information gatherer in the gang and he had never heard anything like that. “It’s solid info. Trust me, Cooper.”

  The boys looked at D’aka next. They were half-expecting D'aka to question John next. But D’aka never questioned John. “Sounds good to me.”

  “Alright, any more questions?” John asked everyone nearby, and Paulie opened his mouth. “So, who’s going exactly?”

  “Me, you, Cooper, D’aka, Regulus, and…” John was looking around, wondering who else he should pick. Brett and Grigori looked at him with expectant eyes, they wanted to be a part of this. “Paulie, you decide. Just not Brett or Grigori.” John decided to let Paulie pick. He might be a slacker — but he was a slacker who knows how to delegate his job to the right person. “What are you looking for?

  John was silent for a moment before answering Paulie’s question, “Someone who knows how to run. In case things go south.” Paulie pointed at three people: Yenn, one of Cooper’s clique members, Jacob, his own clique members, and Uri, one of the older kids, a leader of his own clique. “And probably Kisara. But she ain’t here right now. Want to wait for her?”

  “No, it’s fine. Brett! Tell Kisara to take care of the others when she comes back.” Brett nodded. He was disappointed he wasn’t picked. But at least John trusted him enough to leave a message for Kisara. And one could say, he’s in charge until Kisara came back.

  “Andy! You’re in charge until Kisara comes back.” John shouted at Andy. One of the older and stronger kids, part of Uri’s clique. Normally he would have been chosen for any job that required heavy lifting, but Andy was quite a chubby kid, a rarity among street urchins, and running was not his strongest forte.

  “Alright, no more questions?” This time, everyone was silent. “Then let’s go!” and the boys exited the cave one by one. Regulus followed them before he was stopped by Azali’s voice.

  “Bye, Regulus. Take care!” It was a simple goodbye, a safe travel wish. Nothing more, nothing less. But it stopped Regulus. He stopped in front of Azali, making the other kids confused why he was not moving.

  “Regulus? Something wrong?” Even Azali was confused. She clutched Mr.Butter tightly. Regulus was acting weird, and not his usual weirdness. She started to get uncomfortable. Regulus just stayed in front of Azali, not moving. A part of him did not want to leave her, but he could not tell why. In the end, Regulus decided to ignore his gut feeling…

  “Bye, Azali.” Regulus finally returned her farewell and went outside, following the older kids. “Bye… Regulus.” Azali said one last goodbye. Regulus’ bizarre action, now made her feel…

  … Like she would never see him again.