Chapter 6 - Departure

After Wesley reemerged from his *Dark Warp* into his room, he immediately sat cross-legged on his bed, closed his eyes, and began refining his mana. Having used *Dark Warp* twice within minutes, he was left with only a third of his mana.

Almost an hour passed before Wesley completed his refining. He then invoked *Dark Dimension* and withdrew the sword, dagger, and book he had received from old man Rale. Setting aside the sword and dagger, he focused on the book, which piqued his curiosity.

The book had a dark cover like the other books from Rale, though it was slightly thicker and had a more personal, journal-like appearance. Opening to the inside cover, Wesley found the handwritten title: *Record of Darkness*. This confirmed his suspicion that the book was a journal, raising the question of whether Rale or someone else had written it.

The first page contained a brief handwritten introduction: *The ways of Darkness are infinite; each child of the night has their own understanding, practice, and application. I write this book to share with others like me who train in Darkness, so they too may share it with others. You might not understand what is written here, or you may not wish to share your techniques, but this book was made by those who practice Darkness so their knowledge and names would survive the eternal darkness of time.*

Wesley’s heart shook as he read this. He instantly understood the book’s value—it contained the accumulated knowledge of countless masters from ages past. Each technique, treasured by its creator, was now within his grasp.

Excited by the prospect of gaining powerful techniques, Wesley immediately began reading. For the next few days, he rarely left his room except for meals, continuously absorbed in the book’s secrets. The techniques described were immensely powerful; some could lay waste to entire cities, while others could block out the sun itself.

Unfortunately, Wesley struggled to comprehend the workings of these techniques. Although numerous masters had recorded their methods in the book, they had only included the most basic descriptions and explanations, without delving into the mechanics or mysteries behind each technique. Wesley felt slightly dejected at possessing such a treasure without the ability to use it. But he wasn’t disheartened. Even if he couldn’t perform these techniques yet, he now understood that Dark magic was vast and diverse. Finally, after reading the book cover to cover a few times, Wesley put it away and turned his attention to the sword and dagger.

Both weapons were pitch-black, as if crafted from obsidian. Unlike typical obsidian, however, they absorbed light rather than reflecting it. The sword had a double-edged blade and a short, leather-bound hilt. What caught Wesley’s attention was the dagger’s aura: although it resembled the sword in material and design, it emitted a dark, chilling aura that inspired a deep dread in anyone who looked at it.

As Wesley examined the dagger curiously, he heard a sudden knock at his door. He quickly stored the sword and dagger in his *Dark Dimension* and dismissed his *Dark Globe*. It had become a habit to invoke his *Dark Globe* whenever he was in his room.

Wesley stood up and opened the door, finding a young servant girl standing outside, looking around in a daze.

“Yes?” he asked.

The little servant girl perked up at his voice, snapping out of her daze, and spoke in a small voice:

“Sorry, uhm, the king… he… he’s calling you to the study.”

Wesley was amused by her timid tone, almost as if she had never done this before. He was tempted to tease her but restrained himself, remembering that the meeting Rale had hinted at was finally happening.

“I see. Thank you,” he said, and he headed towards the king’s study. It wasn’t far, but Wesley deliberately walked slowly, mulling over why the king had summoned him. Several ideas crossed his mind, but he eventually abandoned his guesses and resolved to find out directly.

When Wesley reached the study, he knocked respectfully before entering. The king was seated behind a desk piled with books, letters, and documents, focused on a piece of parchment. To the side of the room, little Delan was sitting by the window, reading a book in a small chair. Noticing Wesley’s arrival, Delan’s face lit up, and he waved in a cheerful, childlike manner. Wesley gave him a quick smile and wink, then turned his attention to the king, who was now watching him.

“Come in, Wesley,” the king said.

“You called for me, father.”

“Yes, I have some news for you. Now that you’ve turned ten, you are old enough to attend the Four Moons Royal Academy.”

Wesley was taken aback. He’d heard of the Four Moons Royal Academy—a prestigious school for the nobility of the four kingdoms. However, as a prince, it was beneath his status. He instantly recognized this as a form of exile, and his confusion showed on his face. Why would his father send him so far away when he could learn everything from his current tutors? In a small voice, he asked:

“But, father, that school is…”

Before he could finish, King Edmund raised a hand, signaling him to stop, and said:

"The decision has been made, Wesley. You will leave for Blackreach City in a week."

Wesley regained his composure, realizing that his master must have anticipated this outcome, possibly even influenced it. He simply nodded and replied:

"Understood, Father."

"Excellent. Furthermore, you won't be assigned an escort to Blackreach County since it's a neutral area. You’ll have to make the journey on your own."

Wesley was surprised by this decision. The neutrality of Blackreach County wasn’t a strong reason to deny him an escort, especially since Holt Castle, one of the southernmost cities in the Ject Kingdom, lay a full four hundred miles from Blackreach’s borders. Nonetheless, Wesley kept his thoughts to himself, replying with a simple:

"Yes, Father."

"Good. Now, go and prepare what you need. You’ll depart in a week’s time. The journey shouldn’t take you more than two weeks, and the entrance examination is in a month."

"Understood, Father. I’ll take my leave."

Wesley bowed politely, then turned to leave the room. As he reached the door, he noticed the distressed look on little Delan’s face. Offering him an apologetic smile, Wesley exited the study and returned to his room.

Once back, he locked his door and resumed analyzing the strange dagger he had received from Rale, fiddling with it until evening. Finally, he invoked *Dark Warp* and appeared in the West Tower. He greeted his master immediately, but before he could ask about the day’s events, Rale spoke first.

"Have you spoken to the king yet?"

"Yes, Master," Wesley replied after a brief pause.

"Good. I assume you want to know if I had anything to do with it."

"Yes, Master."

"I was the one who requested young Edmund send you to the Four Moons Royal Academy. Do you know why?"

"No, Master." Wesley had suspected Rale’s involvement in the king’s decision but was genuinely puzzled about the reason.

"It is because you are too inexperienced. You’ve only known life here, but the world is vast, and only those who are tempered by the hardships of reality grow strong."

Wesley wasn’t too surprised; he’d always felt that his life in the palace was too sheltered. He had thought he might travel when he was older, but he replied simply:

"Understood, Master."

"Now, I want to talk to you about the *Record of Darkness*. Have you finished reading it yet?"

"I have, Master."

"Good. This book is a collection of Dark techniques. Even if you can’t yet fully understand them, you must continue studying."

"Yes, Master."

"Also, if you meet another Dark Mage during your time outside, and he’s a friend, update each other’s records. If he’s an enemy, kill him and claim his record. Though I doubt you’ll meet other Dark Mages."

"Understood, Master." Wesley considered the possibility of encountering other mages and the prospect of claiming their records.

"Finally, remember this above all else while you’re out there—no one should learn of your magic."

"Yes, Master."

"And if, by some chance, they do learn of it?"

"Then they will die," Wesley replied, his voice steady and his eyes cold.

"Good." Rale seemed satisfied with his response, turning back to his book. "Now go—you have much to prepare."

"Understood, Master, but…" Wesley hesitated, his uncertainty drawing Rale’s attention. Amused, Rale looked up.

"What is it?"

"About the dagger…"

"Ah, it seems you’ve discovered something about my gift. But I’m afraid I can’t tell you much. You’ll have to uncover its mysteries on your own," Rale replied, grinning.

Wesley instantly understood that the dagger held hidden qualities, but he didn’t press further. He simply answered:

"Yes, Master. Then I’ll take my leave."

He invoked *Dark Warp*, and seconds later, stepped out of the shadows into his room. As he stood there, he began to reorganize his thoughts on all that had transpired.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A week later, a young man stood at the northern gate of Holt Castle. He was around five feet tall, dressed in a dark shirt and pants, with a sheathed black sword hanging from his right hip. His blue, shoulder-length hair fluttered in the wind as he gazed out toward the horizon.

This was Wesley’s first time setting foot outside Holt Castle. Within him, a storm of emotions raged as he looked into the distant expanse. His eyes shone with excitement, and his body trembled at the thought of the adventures that awaited him.

[In the year 8144 of the Common Calendar, Wesley Holt left his home]