Master of the tower

We now entered the town called Luxen where the Mages tower of Taican is standing. We are currently getting our horses to the stables here. When I look around I see multiple houses that are carved inside an entire tree, houses that are built alongside the trees and bridges going around those houses. Most of the bridges connect to the Mages tower. It is already dark and the lights of the lamps around the town are like something I've never seen.

- It's beautiful

- Sure is. You should see this place when the independence day hits. It's a blast.

I look around some more and I notice multiple people flying around and some just disappear in a blink of an eye. Thit sure looks like the world's most free place to practice magic. We start to get closer to the entrance of the tower and I can't fathom how big it is. We are then greeted by a long line towards the receptionist area. We are going to be here for a while.

- Why are there so many people here?

- People are looking for a place where they can practice their magic freely, so of course its going to attract multiple people. Plus people are looking to get their theories up the board so that they can rise up the ranks and get some recognition for their work from the higher ups.

- Must be a real competition here then.

- Yeah. That's why there are immediate consequences for acting harshly.

- What happens if you do?

- The receptionists have a device that can make you unable to cast any magic. And if necessary, make you unable to move at all.

- And that's why it is relatively quiet in the reception area compared to the outside.

- That's correct.

An hour later we got our turn to talk to the receptionist.

- Hello. We had a requested meeting with the Master under the name Vån.

The room goes deadly silent.

- Um, sir. Why were you waiting in line when you got a meeting with the Master?

- Aren't all people from outside supposed to wait in line?

- If you would have just told anyone here you got a meeting with the Master and you were indeed the person he is expecting, you wouldn't have to wait. Here, take this piece of paper and follow me.

I sigh internally and we start following the receptionist. He brings us to an area with a magical circle drawn to the ground.

- Wait here a minute. I will ask if he is free to accept your presence at this time.

The receptionist talks to some device and then he returns to us.

- He seems to be somewhat busy at the moment and he said he will be allowing you to enter shortly.

We wait for another hour and the receptionist comes back later to inform us that we can now enter.

- Step to the circle now please. The ticket will activate it shortly.

We stand there for a couple of seconds and then we are suddenly in another completely different room.

An elf that's two heads taller than me enters the room.

- Greetings. My dear visitors. Welcome to the Mages tower of Taican.

- No need for that kind of talk with an old friend. Here! Let me introduce you.

Aktor pats me in the back.

- This guy is called Nor. Just Nor. And he is the guy with a lost memory.

- Hi.

And then he pats the elf on the back.

- And this guy is named as. *coughs* Timkrötus Iv Lexonor O Taican. The Master of the Mages tower of Taican. You can call him just Lex when we are like this, but otherwise call him the Master or if you are daring call him great Timkrötus.

- Greetings again. But you told my name wrong again. It's Timkrötús Iv Lexonor O Ter Taican.

- It was like that? Whatever. As long as you are called something you are comfortable with, It doesn't matter to me.

I look at them and ask.

- So... Lex... your name is the same as this kingdom's?

- It is an unfortunate thing that they decided to call it that. Honestly I don't really care but it gets annoying from time to time when writing papers.

- So you were part of creating this kingdom. How that came about.

- I just wanted a place where people could study magic in peace as they wish and without restrictions. I just want to see what the minds of this world can create by manipulating the principles of magic. Unfortunately the country this place resided didn't accept my vision so I used some of my influence to create a space that can be controlled by only those that I choose to be worthy. Thus one day I found a noble house that piqued my interest and gave them the proposal of becoming the king and queen of this land. And so they decided to honor me by naming this kingdom after me. Now their descendants rule this place as they have been for generations. Though the council of five have become somewhat of a group of people, if I say they are gone, they will be gone.

Aktor starts clapping a bit.

- And here goes a history lesson for the young Nor. Be grateful for this grand opportunity.

- Stop joking around like that. It really is nothing really. Nor, just understand that I don't care whatever happens in this country. Unless they go against the freedom of studying magic, be it the good kind or the bad kind, I shall never interfere with their ambitions.

- Unless they manage to annoy you enough. Right?

- That is also correct. Now let's get started with the main topic of today.

- Right. Have you got anything for us?

We start walking to the main room and in the middle there is a transparent ball of light.

- As you already know.

He points out the transparent ball with what looks like a huge map with many markings.

- Many things are appearing in places where they should not be. And it is not limited to magical beasts only. Some cases of normal animals and intelligent species have been transported as well. And even few plants. Though the frequency of these transfers had quieted down a bit, it is still happening all around the world. This could be catastrophic.

- So it can happen to us too. Huh. Have you got any ideas of why this is happening?

- My hypothesis is that there is a magical device that went out of control. I have read of something magical in nature happening in the Principality of Nearn, but I have no proof that they are responsible for these incidents.

- Do you have anything we can do?

- I would go investigate the phenomenon that is happening in Nearn, but I'm busy with other problems concerning demons.

- What about them? They haven't been too big of a problem in a couple of centuries I hear.

- The half demons aren't the problem, but the pure demons and their agressions have started to bring problems to other races. They even have started to convert normal people to become half demons more frequently. I even heard they converted a few dragons as well.

- That sounds like the beginning of a problem. Do you think they have any motives?

- They might want to renovate their gods' powers somewhat. But I don't think that a crusade is something they would do easily. At the moment they have quieted down thanks to the phenomenon that is happening around the world but if they are going to start something, we should prepare just in case. Though the might of the Empire of Deroth should not be taken lightly.

- Is there anything else?

- No. I think those two were the most pressing ones at the moment.

- So we will head to the Principality of Nearn and investigate the phenomenon specifically happening there and try to solve it if possible.

- Agreed. I do my end and supply you with information and transportation from these devices here.

Lex hands me and Aktor pair of rings.

- These should allow me to transport you there and back here. As well as allow me to communicate with you. I also can transfer myself there if necessary, but I doubt it will come to that. This ring also allows you to understand and speak their native language. Now then.

Lex looks at me sharply.

- Now that that's done, let's get to the second topic today. Though it is late, I can't wait to test a few spells at you. Don't worry. It shouldn't hurt. Shouldn't.

- What exactly are you going to do to me?

- Two things. First I'm going to scan your brain and soul for memories. Then I'll scan your entire body and soul compositions to get a better understanding of your body.

- Scanning? Compositions? What?

Aktor tells Lex to explain it using more common language.

- Scanning means I take readings... Ah... I will get a better understanding of what is going on. And composition means... Ah... Well... What are you made out of?

- I see.

I don't see. But I feel like it's better to just let him do his thing.

- Firstly I cast a spell on you. And if your head or soul have any memories, I should be able to see them. Don't worry. One of the mages here came up with this theory a century ago and now I have perfected it so at worst you will feel a bit of a headache.

Lex starts casting the spell.

- Hmm... Yes... interesting... Very interesting indeed.

I start to feel a bit of a headache.

- Yes. I think we are done here. Come with me please so that we can do the next test.

Lex starts walking and we are soon in a room with strange markings.

- Now get into the middle so we can start the test.

I go to the middle of a circle.

- You ready?

- Ready.

- And here we go. This might feel a bit nauseating.

A minute passes and as he told me I start to feel a bit nauseous.

- Fascinating. Truly Fascinating. You can step out of the circle now.

I walk slowly towards them as I try not to puke.

- So what can you tell me about myself?

- You definitely have memories before the time you met Aktor. But they were too hazy for me to see clearly. But one of the deepest memories that I could make out was someone's death. The feeling of grief was great from her death but I could not make up her face. The rest of the memories were like they would need a certain condition to come out. I felt something magical as well from those shattered and hazy memories. I'm sorry. I can't make out more.

- So you can't. Her death? Yes! I feel it now! Why can't I tell what her face looked like?

- It is possible that her death caused you to have hazy and shattered memories. But this is only my hypothesis.

- Then What about the second test?

- Yes. Those were quite fascinating indeed. It appears that your soul is much... How do I put this? Smaller yet still greater than someone average from your species. And your body shows signs that it isn't even two months old. Like it was made just recently.

- My soul is strange? My body is less than two months old? What do you mean?

- If your soul's condition wasn't like this, I would suspect that you are homunculus.

- Homunculus?

- But that would not explain your soul's situation. Souls may come to possess homunculi, but your soul is far too abnormal to be from something like that.

- So what does that mean? What am I?

- I believe you are human. But your creation must be from something god-like, or perhaps from a god themself. But what god would do such a thing? For what purpose? So interesting indeed. Yet I bear no answer.

- I can't believe it.

- Let it be known to you young one. My belief is that you are a regular human who was created differently from the rest. As to why this is. I don't know. Just live your life like you normally would. And most importantly. Without regrets. Because regrets are what are gona pull one down to go down the wrong path. Regrets are bound to come as you live. But the gravity of those regrets is what makes you what you are.

- I... I see.

Aktor taps me in the back.

- I think it is time for us to go to sleep. We got big things to prepare for tomorrow.

- Yeah. I think you're right. You two may sleep in my guest room if you like. I will still stay here.

- Thanks. Let's go. You need some sleep now.

Aktor guides me to the bed and I can't stop thinking of what happened.

What am I truly? For what purpose did this happen? Why do I have memories? Who is she? I can't stop thinking and I barely get any sleep.