n

n

n'What's going on here?' Evin thought as he stared at the three papers with fear and confusion.

nWas he really someone who warranted such strict observations? Who found him so interesting that they'd leave not one, but three, of these things inside his room? What the hell did they want from him? Was it the voice they wanted? They why don't they just take it? Evin didn't want the thing in his head.

nA weird buzzing sound appeared in his ears alongside the muffled shouts that came from inside his head.

nHowever, Evin didn't care about these things. Instead, he found himself looking around the room, searching for something… or rather, someone. He didn't know why he was doing this, considering who the man was… but nevertheless, Evin found himself wanting to see this person. Even if the slightest thought of his father instilled primal fear and worry in his heart, it felt right for Evin to be near him. But for better or worse, there was no one else in the room beside himself.

n

"Oh… I'm all alone now…

" An empty whisper escaped his mouth.

n the voice's muffled shouts finally became clear.

n

nStrangely, the order calmed Evin a bit, as he felt that his mind had gotten a tiny bit sharper than a moment ago. His eyes fell on the three papers again, and he was reminded of the problem he was currently facing.

n the voice sighed and after thinking for a bit, it told Evin what to do,

nCalming himself down a bit, Evin carefully put the two others where they were and then picked up the 1st with the most natural confused sound he could manage.

nHe then walked out of his new room, called for a servant, which happened to be an old man of some sorts, and showed him the paper.

n

"Sorry, sir. I found this in my room. I think the previous tenant left it behind,

" Evin said, barely keeping his voice from cracking.

nThe old man looked at the piece of paper with some curiosity, before his expression turned into shock. He seemed to mouth an 'Oh, **…' before doing his best to wipe off the shock off his face. Turning to Evin, he accepted the paper with respect and professionalism.

n

"Alright, I'll see that this falls into the proper hands,

" the old man said in his most casual tone, before adding on sheepishly,

"Don't worry about it, young mage!

"

nThe servant's comical actions loosened Evin's tense mind a bit, as he walked back into his room with a thanks.

n

nEvin nodded, tucked a bunch of blankets around the bed, and went to the other corner of the room.

n

"What the hell is happening? You said something about seeing someone put something similar in Leanne's house?

" he whispered.

n

n

"Why is this happening? I don't understand why I'd garner so much attention on me...

"

n

n

"What do you mean?

" Evin asked.

n the voice said, and trailed off a bit,

n

"What are you talking about?

"

n the voice said gleefully,

n

"Does that mean it's illegal for me to cast magic like that?

"

n

n

"But I don't even know these things that I'm not allowed to know,

" Evin suddenly thought it unfair,

"You still haven't taught me how to cast magic like you promised.

"

n the voice seemed to sneer.

nEvin was about to complain, but the voice continued.

n

nEvin stopped his complaints from leaking out and expectantly waited for the voice to continue.

n the voice laughed,

nEvin sat in the corner silently… trying to process what the voice just said to him.

n

"What?

"

n

n

"But you told me you'd teach me how to do it by myself!

" Evin hissed.

n

n

"You lying piece of **!

"

n

nEvin wanted to curse and rage at the voice, but knowing that there were people listening to him, he controlled his anger. Taking deep breaths, Evin went silent, thinking how he could get back at the voice for this.

n'Since he likes being such a smartass, I'll do the same to him,' he thought.

n

"If you don't teach me about it, then I'll talk to Leanne about your existence. I'm sure she'll be able to get rid of you one way or another.

"

n

n

"Stop bluffing. I know you're scared **less of getting found out. If not, why would you ask me to be whispering in the corner here.

"

nNow that Evin thought about it himself, why was he sitting so far away from the recording rune or whatever it was called, trying so hard to keep the voice's existence under wraps. Wasn't it his goal to get rid of the voice once and for all?

n the voice said with a calm sigh.

nEvin scoffed at its threatening comment.

n

"I'm a mage now. I can seek help from the mages. I'm sure they have a method to get rid of you once and for all. In fact, I'm positive that there's at least one mage with the ability to deal with you among the thousands in their league.

"

n

n the voice's tone took on an awfully gleeful mood.

nIt really loved this story. And as much as Evin hated thinking about it, a memory of a certain incident started emerging in his head. A man holding a needle and a hammer, swinging them around dangerously close to Evin's head.

n the voice started cackling elatedly.

n the voice started to wheeze uncontrollably at this point.

nEvin listened to the voice giggling by itself for a minute straight, seething with annoyance. Finally, he heard a sigh of pure satisfaction and delight from the voice. One that people tended to do after a nice, hearty laugh.

n the voice finished.

n

"Fine, I get it. But mages are different!

" Evin replied stubbornly.

n the voice said annoyedly, before its tone turned animated once again,

nEvin wanted to reply but found himself stuck on the thought.

n'Would the Empress be willing to help me out?'

n