n

n

n816 The Mirror

nMeanwhile, in the small town in the southern region of the Milton Kingdom, Lisa found herself alone in her room.

nShe was bathed in soft morning light and had nothing to do for now.

nHer newly formed human body lay on the bed. She was still weak physically and had to stay bedridden until she fully recovered.

nShe flexed her fingers and marveled at the sensation of skin against skin. It was an incredible feeling.

nHer eyes then scanned the room—the wooden beams, the lace curtains, and the stack of newspapers on the nightstand.

nWith nothing to do, she decided to read the newspapers as she might find some interesting articles on them.

nLisa reached for the first paper, curious as to what was going on around her as well.

nSoon, she read the kingdom newspaper headline.

n“New Royal Mage of the Milton Kingdom Appointed! In a dazzling ceremony at the Crystal Citadel, Archmage Vivian was officially anointed as the new Royal Mage of the Milton Kingdom, replacing Odessa. Her mastery of elemental magic and dedication to the realm of Spirits have earned her this prestigious position. Citizens rejoice as Vivian pledges to safeguard the kingdom against supernatural threats.”

n“Mhm? Did she do something wrong?” Lisa muttered as she recalled that Odessa was a decent Arcanist. Anyway, she read the rest of the article but it Odessa’s current situation was not mentioned. It wasn’t said whether she died or not, and it simply highlighted Vivian’s powers. Well, she didn’t think too much of it and continued with other articles.

n“Pallham Empire in Decline.

nAftermath of the Demon Invasion. Once a formidable empire, Pallham now grapples with the aftermath of the demonic onslaught. Cities lie in ruins, and the once-mighty legions are scattered. The Emperor’s desperate plea for aid echoes across the land. Can Pallham rise from the ashes, or is its fate sealed?”

nThe Pallham Empire had too much land before the invasion, and it was certainly difficult to protect so it wasn’t that surprising that it took a lot of damage. Some smaller kingdoms might also be involved in their current situation. They probably wanted a piece of their land as well.

n“Luminara Kingdom Thrives Post-Demon Invasion. Against all odds, Luminara flourishes. The Demon Invasion, though devastating. It spurred unprecedented unity amongst its people. Queen Rhianna’s leadership and the resilience of her people have transformed Luminara into prospering nation. With the talented engineers and magic craftsmen’s arrival, the Golden Age dawns as magic and technology intertwine.”

nAfter reading the news related to the kingdom and surrounding nations, Lisa took some local newspapers to see what was going on.

n“Paranormal Activities on the Rise: Monforte County, Beware! Reports of ghostly apparitions, poltergeists, and eerie phenomena surge across our local towns. From the haunted lighthouse in Hollow’s Cove to the spectral carriage on Elm Street, citizens share spine-chilling encounters. Paranormal investigators urge vigilance—what lies beyond the veil?”

nLisa chuckled after reading this. She realized that Aubrey’s job as a Paranormal Investigator was actually a lot more interesting than she thought.

n‘Would I also become someone like her if I continued my study?’ Lisa thought, but she quickly shook her head.

n***

nMeanwhile, as the sun cast elongated shadows across the cobblestone streets of Dunwich Town, Aubrey found herself intrigued at the job she had taken.

nShe adjusted her spectacles and glanced at Chad…

n“Chad, this task may not be for me but I will look into it since it was a request from a friend” she said, “Do you still want to join me?”

n“Yes… I have nothing else to do anyway…” Chad replied.

nAubrey smiled at this as she led the way.

nSoon, they stood before a weathered mansion—the kind that looked like haunted with its sagging eaves and creaking floorboards.

nMrs. Evelyn Fanfoss, a widow with sunken eyes and trembling hands, greeted them at the door.

n“Thank you for coming,” she said, with a voice that sounded fragile.

nIt seemed that Evelyn already knew who they were. Of course, Aubrey still introduced herself and Chad as her assistant. Then, she asked about the situation and why Evelyn needed their help.

n“It’s the mirror, you see. It’s haunted.”

nAubrey exchanged look with Chad.

nThey studied this in their third year at the Academy. Mirrors—their reflective surfaces held memories, echoes, and sometimes, trapped souls.

nAlthough she could somehow help in this type of case, it would be very limited and might require the expertise of other Arcane Arts.

nEvelyn then stepped into the dimly lit foyer, her boots sinking into the faded carpet. She signaled them to follow.s

n“The mirror,” Mrs. Fanfoss continued, “was my husband’s prized possession. He claimed it showed him glimpses of another world—a realm beyond our own.”

nChad tilted his head, his eyes scanning the ornate frame. Now, he felt intrigued. 𝔣𝖗𝖜𝔟𝔬𝖛𝔩.𝖈𝖔𝔪

n“And what did he see?” He asked.

n“Faces,” Mrs. Fanfoss whispered. “Faces that weren’t ours. They whispered something but we don’t understand them. However, they sounded soothing and not eerie… My husband grew obsessed—spent hours staring into the glass. Until one day, he vanished.”

nAubrey approached the mirror—a tarnished oval that seemed to hold a thousand reflections. She pressed her palm against the cool surface, feeling the faintest tremor.

n“Chad,” she said, “observe.”

nChad closed his eyes, attuning his senses. The mirror pulsed—a heartbeat of unknown memories. He glimpsed fractured images: a man in a top hat, a woman with silver hair, a child reaching out.

n“It’s a portal,” Chad murmured. “A gateway to another dimension. Interesting… Is this the Spirit Realm?”

nAubrey shrugged. “Probably, but I’m considering that this was simply an illusion…” she said. “We might need Shamans—those who understand mirrors’ mysticism more.”

nAs she thought of just calling the Shamans for help, something unexpected happened.

nThe mirror’s surface rippled!

nThen, a terrifying force that threatened to pull Aubrey and Chad into its depths surged!

nAubrey’s fingers grazed the edge, and she felt the inevitable tug! She looked at the mirror and saw a familiar figure!

n“Mennena?!” Aubrey felt concerned as she felt that she was about to get sucked in.

nBut then, Chad’s shadow shifted… It was a subtle ripple that occurred so quickly.

nSuddenly, from his shadow, Lotus emerged—a Dark Spirit secretly protecting Chad!

n