Tale of a Hedonistic wizard

"What were you doing all this time?" Angelina inquired, her voice gentle yet probing.

Jaegar took a moment to collect his thoughts before recounting his harrowing experiences.

"I was kidnapped by some men," he began, his gaze distant as memories flooded back. "I think Lorcan knows them, and my magic was sealed. They even blindfolded me, and I spent a lot of time unconscious." His voice trembled slightly as he continued, "Later, I fought as a warrior in the arena… and then, I fought in the war." He paused, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air. "When I returned to the empire, I found out I had been labelled a criminal."

He explained everything that happened from the mountain to the time he returned to the empire.

"I came as soon as I could, but by the time I arrived, you were gone. I couldn't trace you or the men that took you. I searched for you, and it ended in vain; now I understand why," Angelina said.

"But, why would they take you for nothing?" She asked.

Jaegar had also wondered why did they just left him; he had seen them hanging around the arena, watching him for a while. They even followed him to the forest, but after the temple in the underground incident, he couldn't sense them anymore.

"I'm not sure myself, but if I have to guess, they were after my bloodline power, I think. One time I heard them talk about the bloodline of the imperial family," Jaegar explained.

"It seems like they were willing to go to great lengths to obtain it," Angelina replied, her eyes filled with concern.

Angelina's brow furrowed, a spark of determination igniting in her eyes. "Lorcan, that young prince… he's just a pebble in a stream. I will deal with him, and I suspect he was the reason behind your arrest."

Jaegar shook his head, his firm resolve settling within him. "No, please. You have already done enough. I will take care of things from now on.

His expression turned into one of a mask of calmness, but there was a lot behind it. "I want to meet him myself."

His voice was steady, and he added, "And thank you for your assistance in court. His presence had been helpful." He was referring to the Blade Sovereign. Although, he hadn't much, his presence had been a great help to his claims, and Jaegar knew that.

Angelina smiled softly, pride shining in her eyes. "I heard that you did all that yourself," she said, admiration lacing her tone.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Jaegar looked at her, gratitude swelling in his heart.

"I did what I could," Jaegar replied, his voice heavy with the weight of his experiences. The air between them grew thick with unspoken thoughts as they both fell into silence, each lost in their own reflections.

Finally, Jaegar broke the stillness. "You said you found something about my mother?"

Angelina sighed deeply, her expression turning sombre. "Yes. The last time I was out, I visited a ruin with Eradarin and his group. That's where I uncovered traces of chaos—exactly like her signature. I tried to dig deeper, but I couldn't pinpoint the exact location. I'm still working on it. I will find out soon."

Her determination was evident, yet a flicker of frustration danced in her eyes.

"Where is this ruin?" Jaegar pressed, his curiosity mingling with a sense of urgency.

"It's in a dangerous place called Graverane Forest," Angelina replied, her tone grave.

"Can you take me there? Maybe I can help you find her," Jaegar suggested, hope igniting within him.

Angelina shook her head gently, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Not now. I'm still in recovery, and no one knows about my condition. We need to keep it that way."

She took a breath, her gaze softening. "I will return to my home, and you should go and meet Diana. I'm sure she must be eager to see you."

Jaegar nodded, a sense of eagerness bubbling within him at the thought of reuniting with his aunt. "You're right. I miss her."

Angelina motioned to an acquaintance she knew in the city, requesting that they arrange for a carriage.

As dawn broke over the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, the carriage arrived, its wooden wheels creaking softly against the cobblestone street. He changed his clothes.

Jaegar stepped up into the carriage, his heart racing with anticipation. "Thank you for everything, grandmother," he said, turning back to her.

"Stay safe, Jaegar," she replied, concern etched across her features. But she was too happy to hear him call her grandmother. It was sort of filling her with love she had forgotten.

With a final nod, Jaegar closed the door of the carriage, and it began to roll away, the sound of the horses' hooves echoing in the morning air.

Meanwhile, Angelina turned away from the departing carriage, her mind already drifting to the task ahead. She would head to the farmhouse, where the quiet woods would help her recover.

***

Pierre's carriage rumbled along the cobbled streets of Scroartint Central City, the largest and most vibrant city in the empire.

As the snow began to fall again in thick, soft flakes, he leaned back in his seat, his mind occupied with thoughts of the tasks he'd left behind at the office. As soon as he returned, he was slumped with work, barely having time for himself or Jennifer. They both had been still adjusting to the city life; the city certainly seemed different from what they heard.

The city itself was a sprawling expanse of stone and iron, glittering under the winter's night sky.

Its towers and domes stood tall, rising above the rooftops, where chimneys puffed white smoke into the air, like warm breaths escaping into the cold. Even in the heart of winter, Scroartint thrived—merchants from every corner of the empire came to trade, and the streets were never truly quiet.

Pierre had spent hours combing through endless paperwork in his merchant company's office.