Chapter 49 The Magician

A shabby looking structure is in the middle of lush green forest. Torches is the only source of light. Muffled voices can be heard outside.

"Hey, Cleo I don't think she will talk at all." says by Valerie while looking at the bloody elf.

Its not like Cleo was not aware of the elf's tenacity its just that they all the information especially from their enemy is at the utmost importance.

Cleo clench his fist and winds up his arm to prepare for a punch. Killing was a foreign concept to him in his previous world but the same thing cannot said for inflicting pains due to his family's nature.

His father was a corrupt policeman who fell in love to an organized crime lord's daughter. He tried his best to keep this a secret to his friends and schoolmates. If not for Leah he prefers to be home schooled instead.

Cleo often witnessed his father's dirty work. Her mother was no saint either. She was narcissistic and obsessive to the point that she gets jealous even at her own kin.

Her mother often beat him whenever his father give him more attention than her. At first his father tried to reason with her mother however it was in vain due to her influence and family ties.

This sour his relationship with his father, the only person who showed him genuine love not until Leah enters his miserable life.

At home his only escape was to play games and read books. At school he tried to distance himself as much as possible but one girl was persistent.

When he first met Leah he can't help but to remember her mother. It was because they share the same eye and hair color however their attitude towards him is a complete opposite.

It didn't took Leah that long to breach Cleo's invisible walls. He took the initiative to talked to her which shocked the stalker.

The more they talk about each other's interest and hobbies the more the distance between the two grew closer. Leah clearly didn't expected this outcome, she is willing to stalk him forever.

*THUD*

The bounded elf coughs up blood.

Cleo winds up his arm again to prepare for another blow but when he notice a black miasma oozing from the ground he jumps backwards.

The rest of the party saw the black miasma and distance themselves to the bounded elf as well. After a few second the miasma form into black tentacles.

An injured elf emerged from the ground. Black ooze leaking from his chest.

'What is that?' muttered by Cleo's party inwardly.

"S-Sylvia what happened to you?" shouted by the injured elf while using his one remaining hand to nudge the bounded elf.

"Cly... de... is... that you?" replied by bounded elf who looks like she use all her energy just to utter those words.

Once Clyde confirmed that Sylvia was alive he turn his gaze into the other people inside the room.

"Abyss..." he stopped before completing his chant when a curved sword graze his neck.

"Don't move." says by Leah while pointing her sword at Clyde's neck.

"Who are you?" asked by Cleo while activating Reaper's Eyes.

[Clyde] [Lv. 80]

[Race: Elf]

[Job: Master Warlock]

[God's Gift: The Magician]

Stage 1: Gives the skill Mana Manipulation.

Stage 2: Gives the passive ability Mana Expansion. Doubles your max mana and can turn mana into stamina.

Stage 3: Grants access to an otherworldly power. Gives the ability to learn Abyssal Magic.

[Class Skill]

Sorcery Mastery | Ice Shard | Ice Spike | Enchant: Greater Ice | Demonology | Summon: Imp | Summon: Bats | Summon: Lesser Demon | Abyssal Inferno | Abyssal Offering | Abyssal Gate | Abyssal Wall | Mana Manipulation: Corruption

'The Magician!? What's a God's Chosen doing working under Camilla?' says by Cleo inwardly. 'Replicate' he added once he saw that Clyde is a God's Chosen. He prefers a better Stage 2 ability however he can't be that choosy especially how rare God's Chosen are.

"Answer the question." urged by Leah while pressing her curved sword closer to Clyde's neck.

"Valerie Wyzengard, 29 years old previously from SwordSaints Guild." says by Clyde ignoring Leah's threat. "I know Camilla is after you, we can work together." he added.

Valerie's eyes widened and clench her fist upon hearing her torturer's name.

"Why would I work together with Camilla's lapdogs?" asked by the flustered one-eyed woman.

"L-lapdogs? We're not that bitch's lapdogs." shouted by Clyde.

"How can you explain this then." says by Valerie while pointing at the bounded elf.

"That's... alright, alright, I'll admit we were targeting you at first however it was not an order coming from Camilla." reluctantly explained by Clyde. "You have an item from the auction that I badly needed however there is more urgent matter at hand." he added.

"Let's listen to him for now, Valerie." intervened by Cleo. He also wants to kill these elves to tie loose ends however he was not sure if the ability he replicated will perish once the original user dies. He thought that it might be better if they can be in good terms instead.

'Thank you random commoner!' says by Clyde inwardly. His pride won't let him utter this words loudly.

"Camilla is in Venundarr right now. We fought and I barely escaped however she is not in a good condition either. One of my skills successfully paralyzed her left arm. If she didn't sever his limbs it'll spread throughout her whole body." explained by Clyde.

Cleo's party was speechless at Clyde's revelation. This turns out better than he expected. If they can deal with Camilla somehow, then they won't need to reach out to Valerie's friend.

"Camilla is not that stupid though, she will notice the spell sooner or later. If what she said was true, the Magus Guild was also in Venundarr alongside Duskfall Guild." continued by Clyde. "We need to lure her out for us to finally dispose of her." he added.

Anna whose silently listening at the back looks at Clyde when he mentions Magus Guild. She had her fair share of mistreatment at the hands of Magus Guild's elder.

"How can we know if your telling the truth?" says by Cleo. It was too good to be a coincidence however he's hopeful. With Camilla gone his plans will be back on track.

"I'm a God's Chosen and my God's Gift is The Magician." revealed by Clyde hoping it will gain the trust of Cleo's party.