Chapter 11

"Magic circle?, so magic do really exists" I echoed, my inquiry unfolding even as the phenomenon before me gained momentum. The air itself shimmered with an otherworldly resonance, its vibrations rippling through the very essence of my being.

As the circle's arcane energy surged, the intricate patterns came alive, pulsating with a vibrant luminosity. It was as if the circle were a gateway to the mystical, a portal that beckoned to the very essence of reality itself. My surroundings blurred, the lines between the physical and the metaphysical bending and merging in a wondrous spectacle.

In that fleeting moment, a kaleidoscope of colors painted an ethereal tapestry before me, hues merging and colliding in an intricate dance. Whispers of unknown realms brushed against my senses, a haunting symphony that resonated within the depths of my consciousness. Weightlessness enveloped me, a sensation as if I were suspended within a realm of limitless possibilities, detached from the confines of time and space.

Amidst the luminous vortex, the world itself seemed to waver, reality itself a mirage of shifting forms. The magic circle resonated with an energy that hummed in tandem with my very essence, a resonance that bridged the gap between magic and reality.

In the midst of this transformation, time ebbed and flowed, elongating and compressing with every heartbeat. The boundaries of reality twisted and danced, encapsulating me within a maelstrom of sensations, a symphony of colors, sounds, and emotions. It was a sensory crescendo, a rhapsody of emotions that peaked with a force akin to a tidal wave.

In the blink of an eye, the whirlwind subsided, and the circle's brilliance waned, releasing me from its ethereal embrace. I found myself in a new realm, a reality transformed by the very magic that had borne us here. The world around me seemed to settle, an echo of my journey lingering in the air.

My gaze shifted toward Mavka, my amazement palpable, my voice echoing the awe that surged within me. "Magic is amazing."

Mavka's gaze was fixed upon me, her eyes brimming with astonishment. As I spoke the words "Magic is amazing," she witnessed a glimmer in my eyes, resembling the twinkle of stars in the night sky. She responded with a simple affirmation, "Yes, Magic is truly is," her gaze momentarily shifting as if she was searching for someone.

Jade's voice suddenly cut through the air, amplifying her words with a makeshift microphone formed by her cupped hands. "Where are you hiding? Are you still too shy to face the master's son?"

Confusion stirred within me as I attempted to piece together the puzzle of their interactions. Approaching Mavka, I gently tugged down the sleeve of her clothing, redirecting her focus towards me. "Who are you both looking for?" I inquired.

Mavka turned her head towards me, her gaze meeting mine as she began to explain, "We are searching for a shy friend. She was the one who employed magic to teleport us to this location." Her words held a certain earnestness, and I glanced towards Jade, who confirmed her statement with a nod.

I scratched the back of my head, my attention momentarily drawn elsewhere. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a figure wearing a black hoodie, partially concealed within the wall's shadows. Raising a finger, I pointed in the figure's direction, my words spilling out reflexively, "Is the person hiding behind that building the one you were referring to?"

Both Mavka and Jade followed the direction of my gesture, their eyes narrowing as they focused on the enigmatic figure attempting to hide. With a mixture of resignation and affirmation, they concurred, "Yes, that's her."

Jade's voice broke the silence, her declaration accompanied by determination. "Just wait a minute," she stated before addressing the mysterious figure more directly, "Go easy on her."

A few moments later, the scene unfolded before me. Jade's lithe form surged forward, a trail of crackling lightning tracing her rapid movements. In an instant, she reached the building where the figure had concealed herself, her arrival almost instantaneous. Faint murmurs reached my ears, a plea for release, intermingled with Jade's firm admonishment and an invitation to greet me.

Emerging from the shadows, I witnessed the unexpected sight of two individuals making their way towards us. Jade held onto the hooded figure, her grip gentle yet resolute. The girl beneath the hoodie possessed an air of shyness, her white hair reminiscent of snow, and her red eyes shimmered in the moonlight. A distinctive skull accessory adorned her neck.

Caught off guard, the girl's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and her voice wavered as she spoke, "Um, please let me go."

Jade's response was straightforward, her tone unwavering. "I won't. Come on, say hello to Master Dante. It's a bit rude to hide from someone you've just met."

As the two approached, I couldn't help but wonder about the identity of the hooded girl. Turning to Mavka, I posed my query, "Who is she?"

Mavka's explanation revealed the girl's name is Hermione. She cautioned not to provoke her, citing her peculiar tendencies around the opposite sex and a dire warning against incurring her wrath.

The gravity of Mavka's words resonated within me, a sense of foreboding settling in. I took heed of her advice, tucking it away as a crucial piece of information.

Jade had finally reached where Mavka and I had been waiting for her, my heart thumping with anticipation. She gently carried Hermione from her arms, ensuring she was comfortable, and then lowered her down in front of me and Mavka.

"This is the young master named Dante," Jade's voice resonated, her words carrying an air of formality. "Now, can you introduce yourself to him, Hermione?" Her eyes flickered with encouragement as she spoke.

I looked down at Hermione, who seemed both nervous and hesitant. Her eyes avoided meeting mine, her gaze cast aside as if she were deliberately avoiding my presence. There was a sense of vulnerability about her that struck me, making me want to put her at ease.