Andar gasped in shock and a pleasant surprise after two minutes of a breathtaking kiss from his girlfriend before gently hugging her, “You do know I could have easily killed you right? I am very tense at this moment,”

A pleasant laugh came from the woman in his arms, “I know you have control over your powers that would rival a Rank 9 Mage Andar, I have never known anyone more careful than you in utilizing your abilities, even when you are in danger. That is both a good thing and a flaw. How else am I supposed to learn my lesson when you have never shown me the results of my many bad decisions? I have never been able to make you lose your cool and make a mistake.”

Mira’s arms were wrapped around Andar as she hugged him tight, listening to the sound of his strong heartbeat. Andar had grown to 6″4, and with his ascension to the Rank of a Mage, his body oozed vitality and power, it was like she was holding the sun, but instead of burning her to a crisp, he was just warm. Mira knew that she would not regret being like this forever, just holding him.

She did not know how it was possible but holding him tight was like being inside the fountain of youth. Everything about him, from his voice, his smell, and his touch brought about a level of calmness and happiness into her heart. It also helped that even though she was now a Rank 2 Mage and should be technically stronger than him on paper, she had never felt safer than when she was beside him.

She drew herself back a little and looked at his face, before bringing both her hands and cupping them, enjoying the feeling of bristles from his growing beard, her eyes searched his own,

“You are worried Andar, and I know it is not about this test, you were already a master ten years ago, is it about… her? The Arch mage that just arrived, my sources would still be bringing up everything they know about her, and don’t worry, she would not be able to interfere with your test, no matter where she comes from, my father and the rest of your teachers would never permit that sort of thing to happen.”

Andar smiled at her, “You don’t have to bother your sources about the identity of the Arch mage, for that is my dear mother. It would seem that I am having a reunion of a sort, the only thing missing is my grandfather and… master.”

Mira’s eyes widened before she squealed in elation, before hugging Andar again, she turned away and began to rummage through her Communication Device, no doubt trying to access the Aethernet,

“Wow, this is great news Andar, I knew your mother was the President of the Federation and she was preparing to become an Archmage, but sometimes that preparation takes thousands of years, even more. I had no idea that she had succeeded and she would be here… with you.”

She shook her communication device as if it was malfunctioning, before looking up at Andar who had no sign of joy in his face, instead he was stroking his jaw, his eyes clouded with worry, frown lines on his forehead deepening, and her smile disappeared.

Mira touched his chest, “Is something wrong? I can feel the Aether around you pulsing Andar, and they are cold. What is on your mind, today is supposed to be your day Andar, whatever is happening can’t be that serious, your focus should be on your test. We will handle any problem that comes after that, I shall be focusing on whatever problems that may come up, what you should be doing is making sure you are at a hundred percent for your promotion test.”

Andar shook his head, “You are right Mira, thank you for your care and concern, my focus should be on my test, but there are some things that do not line up, some patterns that do not fit, and I can feel a sort of chain wrapping around all of us, something is not right.”

Mira and Andar had become truly close after seventeen years of relationship, and she understood that Andar’s intuition was usually spot on, and since the moment she had first laid eyes on him, she had never seen him like this.

Yet she knew that this was the Black Tower, there could not be any danger here, then which meant that it must be the new addition to this place.

“What is wrong Andar, is it concerning your mother? Did she threaten you in any way? I know you are not close with her, and if she demands your attention, I hope you know you are now valuable enough to reject her, even if she is an Arch mage.”

Andar sighed, “My mother is just a part of it, something else is…” he suddenly looked at Mira, “What were you trying to do with your communication device earlier?”

“What….this?” She brought out her device and shook it in annoyance after she tapped the screen, “I have been trying to connect with the Aethernet but it’s not securing me a spot. An expensive piece of trash, and to think I always make sure to upgrade my device to the latest series a few months before they even hit the market.”

Andar gestured, “Give it here,”

Taking it from her hands he began to fiddle with it, and after going through the software he began to disassemble it.

“Is this related to your feeling of worry?”

“Maybe, I usually don’t have any communication device with me, and I was not aware of this latest development, perhaps… please be quiet for twelve seconds Mira, I need to focus.”

Mira mimed zipping her mouth shut, aware that when Andar became engrossed, what he hated was distractions, normally he would just cast a spell of silence and stasis around him without any warning that was so powerful it could freeze even a Rank 5 Mage in place, but due to his trust in her, he knew she would follow his instructions without question.

In twelve seconds Andar had disassembled the entire device and then placed them back together.

“Well that was interesting,” he rubbed his eyes in confusion.

“What is it?” Mira whispered, Andar’s tone and disposition were beginning to freak her out.

He looked at her and his silver eyes flashed, “I never realized the advanced components now placed inside a standard recent communication device, it is quite different from just a year ago, I should go through commercial technology more often.”

“Duh… that’s why I always try to be cutting edge, nothing advances quite like technology, especially communication and entertainment technology. Did you find something interesting?”

Andar made a slight chuckle and scratched his head, “It’s what I did not find that is worrying. You see, there is nothing wrong with your device, everything is working perfectly, and you are connected with something… but it is not the Aethernet.” 𝘳𝘦.𝒸𝑜𝘮𝘳.𝑐𝘰

“What do you mean, I can’t connect with the Aethernet, it says so right here.” Mira expanded the display to show him the blinking – NO SERVICE notification, before she paused,

“Wait, this cannot be right, my signal strength is excellent, and I am receiving… something, but why don’t I have service?”

“That’s just it Mira, the Aethernet is gone. I thought that was supposed to be impossible.”

“Of course,” Mira gasped, “The Aethernet is one service that is controlled by the Supreme Magus World and nothing should be able to interrupt it. Do you realize that since three billion years of Aethernet history, the only fault or disruption that had arisen had always been from the device on the receiving end and never on the Aethernet itself? I trust your judgment that my device is sound, but the alternative is crazy, nothing should be able to take down the Aethernet.”

She looked up with panic in her eyes, “Can you imagine what this could mean Andar,”

“Yes,” Andar gravely replied, “we are either under attack, or today would end up in the history books as the first time the Aethernet had gone dark.”

The ground suddenly shook as if an earthquake had occurred and a loud crack reverberated. Then the screams started, loud and filled with despair as if millions of people were being slaughtered at the same time.

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