The Reincarnated Archmage

Taking a last look at the whole kingdom, I release a huge amount of mana from my body and create a barrier around it. It's a barrier that protects the kingdom from the dark magic. Since Larzul has been long gone, the dark magic that he spread automatically dispersed too. But just to be sure, I put a light barrier in the whole kingdom in case there still remains of dark magic lingering around.

Since I already fulfilled my mission and the world is now at peace, I decided to leave the kingdom of Lapir for good and to travel in different countries to explore some new things. I also want to forget my painful experiences and starts a new life. Leaving a letter on my desk, I tell them that I'll be gone for a very long time and don't waste their time and energy to find me. I don't think I'm being cruel to them. I'm thinking that this journey is an enough payment for what I did to the whole world.

As for the position I left, I'm not that worried since there's a lot of new talented and powerful magicians in the whole kingdom. I'm pretty sure that they can find a suitable replacement for me. During my trip, I eventually got a four people who want to be my apprentices.

My first apprentice is Rufis. He is an abandoned child who wanders around the city. I quickly noticed the mana that flows through his body. It has a pretty green color, a symbol that he can be an elemental magician. But his mana is a bit unstable. When I asked him if he's aware of his own gift, he becomes so wary of me that he even calls me a human trafficker tricking a child like him. I laugh at this kid's idea. He asked me a lot of questions which I actually answer truthfully. When he learns that I am the Archmage of Light, he quickly changed his opinion about me. He asked me if he can join me to my journey and I said yes.

My second and third apprentices are Silvi and Rei. They are twins. Rufis and I accidentally met them when we passed the slums of Gruvia. Silvi was on the verge of death that time. Her twin brother Rei begs me to help his sister, which I obviously obliged. Silvi was coughing a lot of blood due to the overflowing mana on her body. It is because Rei is unconsciously giving Silvi his own mana. But their mana is not compatible with each other which causes a disturbance on Silvi's body. When I reduced the mana on Silvi's body, she becomes stable once again and gain consciousness. Worried about those twins, I asked them if they wanted to join me and Rufis in our journey which they happily accept. Just like Rufis, those two were abandoned by their family since they can't raise them anymore.

My last apprentice was named Janus. He actually tried to steal my things from me and run away, yet Rufis caught him. When I asked him about his stealing attempt, he actually cried saying that he doesn't want to do it, but also needs to do it in order to survive. His parents are already dead and he has no other relatives. I understand his situation, but stealing things from the others is also not good. There is no reason for me not to forgive him. I gave him a small pouch of money and told him not to steal things again before leaving the streets of Mandori. But Janus followed us and asked if he can join us too. He even showed me his mana which piques my interest. Janus can actually control his own mana and it has a pretty shade of yellow. That is when I decided to make him as my apprentice.

Now it's been 20 years since the last time I started my journey and took four children to be my apprentices. I accepted them wholeheartedly and treat them as my own child. Despite looking like a 20-year-old woman, my actual age is already 95 years old. I owe my youthful looks at the blood of Elves that flows in my veins and the blessings I received from them.

I personally taught my knowledge in magic to my apprentices and guide them to nurture their hidden talents. Except for Janus, the first thing I taught them was how to control their mana. It would bring a problem for them in the future if they can't even manage to control the mana that is flowing through their body. I never taught anyone before, so I struggled a little bit teaching them. But as the time goes by, I managed to teach them the things they need to learn in a simple way that they easily follow.

After 20 years, these four children grew up into a strong magician. Rufis is now a strong magician that specializes the magic of wind. Rei controls the magic power of water while Silvi controls the magic power of fire. Knowing how to control his own mana, Janus nurtures his magical power of earth for the past years. I smiled wryly to myself thinking how I managed to create a group of apprentices whose specialties are elemental magic. Not only that, their magic also suited their personalities.

Rufis is reckless in everything he does. Silvi was easily annoyed while her twin brother Rei is the calm all the time while Janus is the aggressive type of person. Because of Janus's personality, he always clashes with Rufis all the times. They usually fought literally in everything. And when these happen, Silvi gets annoyed with them and joins their argument. It was actually Rei who always makes things calm and peaceful again.

Who says raising children are easy? For the past years, I become their parent, friend, master and teacher. It's hard, but I eventually like my situation and accepts it. Even these four children are not my blood relatives, I treated them as my family. I guide them in whatever they do, teach them whatever they need to learn, and love them equally. These children took a portion in my heart that cannot be erased.

I have a good life with them, but I know that it won't last long. I can feel my time is slowly running out. I have to go to a place where these children can't follow me anymore.

-//-//-

I will send those four on an errand tomorrow. They were confused at first since I rarely give them something to do. The first one who raises his question is Rufis.

"Why do you want us to go to the Terra Divia?"

"I want you all to go there and gather the Phoenix Tears. You can find it in the middle of that land." I said as I make myself comfortable on the tree where I'm leaning.

"Phoenix Tears? Isn't a very rare and strong magic tool?" Rei asked.

"Yes. It's a very rare item that you can't easily find anywhere. But based on my calculations, Terra Divia has already made the Phoenix Tears and it's now ready to be picked up."

Phoenix Tears are not actually tears of that legendary bird. It is a tear-shaped small amber crystal that Terra Divia is making once every 10 years. Terra Divia is actually a huge forest that has its own mind. Think of that forest as a parent and the Phoenix Tears are their children.

"That crystal is quite popular because it can grant a wish. Your wish should be the one you truly d.e.s.i.r.ed, so that the crystal will acknowledge it. You can just use the crystal once. It will become a regular stone after you use its power to grant your wish."

"Oh! Then I'll go and get that crystal! After that, I'll wish to become a famous Archmage just like Master Veron!" Rufis said with a boyish smile.

"Ha! Try to beat me first before wishing the impossible." Janus commented which never past Rufis's ears.

"Oh yeah? Want me to beat you now and settle our unfinished battle?"

Battle? It's like a petty fight between children rather than a battle. I just decided to keep my comment to myself.

"Stop it! It's already nighttime and you two are making such a noise!" Silvi annoyingly said to Rufis and Janus.

"Shut up! This is just between us men."

Silvi is now irritated with those two and joined their argument. I let out a sigh and decided to put more woods on the fire. Then Rei tries to make things calm again by pacifying my other three apprentices.

I watched my cherished apprentices with gentle gazes. I know that they are now ready to start a new journey in life without me. I already taught them all the things they needed to know in order to survive and live their life peacefully. It's time for me to let go of them and rest eternally. I let out a soft sigh as I turn my gazes towards the sky full of stars.