As Arad and Aella teleported back to their room, the sun rose. Aella looked around, sensing that Kin’s barrier still stood, yet it had changed.

“It’s mimicking my aura,” Arad mumbled.

“Good morning,” Zephyr yawned in the back, sitting up with her hair as messy as thorned Bushes. “Would’ve been strange if you disappeared suddenly at midnight, so she’s covering up for you.”

Arad put Aella down and walked toward the bed, taking a seat and looking out the window, “You went shopping yesterday, so what shall we do today?” Arad looked at Aella with a smile.

“I don’t know,” She smiled, “First breakfast, and then would see if the others have any idea.”

“I have one! I have one,” Zephyr flew toward Arad’s face, circulating him.

“What is it?” Arad asked. She has helped him discover something important. He should start listening to her more often.

“There is someone I want to kill, care to help me out?” She stared at Arad with an innocent smile, as if she didn’t just say what she said.

“Sirlon Jadfrey. A wizard that lives here in the city. He has built a tower with a magic shop on the lowest floor. We can find him in the middle of the city,” Zephyr said with a smile, her face then twisted, “He used to send parties to hunt pixies and rip their wings apart. He needed their dust, tears, and blood for his magic experiments and alchemical potions. For that crime, he has to die.”

“I don’t think killing a mage like him without causing a commotion is possible,” Aella replied, “Can’t you just prove him guilty to the royal court?”

“I hardly have any evidence tracing back to him except magic. Rare are the people who are sensitive enough to feel what I do,” Zephyr is the wind spirit, a high spirit with insane magic coursing through her body. The wind tells her of every whisper, every breath, and every thread linking the killing of her people to the wizard.

“Also there are several captive pixies in his tower. We have to save them. They did send me several calls of help,” Zephry added, sitting on Arad’s shoulder, “So, what do you say?”

“Of course, he’s as good as dead,” Arad replied with a smile, “But…” He looked at Aella, “It’s best to leave them here. The more people we take, the more likely we’re to get caught,”

“Then, do you have a plan?” Zephyr asked.

Arad nodded, “Hold a second,” He closed his eyes, and psionic energy radiated from his body. After just a moment, Arad smiled, “Done, I got us some help.”

“Help?” Aella stared at him, confused.

“I asked brother Gojo if he can help, and he said he’s coming with Vars.” Arad smiled, “Apparently he scammed Vars of staff, and they did want to get back at him. I would also take Jack. I have a feeling he’s an expert on the matter,”

“How about Eris?” Aella stared at him, “I want you and her to remain here and protect Mira in case that underworld idiot attacks.”

“I see, but be careful,” Aella smiled, and Arad stared at her, “After breakfast. I’m sure they won’t mind waiting,”

Arad then giggled, “Brother say he will come walking for once. We have time,”

“He’s listening?” Zephyr stared at Arad.

“I just called him and didn’t cut off the link yet. I can hear him, and he can hear me,” Arad smiled.

“So it’s like a sending stone, but in your head.” Aella scratched her chin, “We might need to buy some of them.”

Arad shook his head, “This wizard we’re going to have to have some stored. I will grab one or two, maybe the whole tower,”

***

After breakfast, Arad and Jack walked out of the castle and saw Gojo and Vars waiting in the shades, “Took you long enough,” Gojo smiled, approaching Arad and throwing a gentle punch.

Arad blocked the punch with one from him, ending in a slightly rough fistbump. “Good morning to you as well,” Arad replied with a smile.

Vars stared at Jack, “Nice eyes, those of one who doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty,”

Jack stared at Vars, “Yours are scary, the eyes of someone who sees life as nothing more than a currency. If I’m a criminal and a thief, you’re a serial killer,”

Vars smiled, “The nature of my job,” He rubbed his face and smiled, “How about now? How do I look?”

“An innocent elf initiate trying to learn magic. Naive and easily tricked,” Jack replied with a growl, “Impressive disguise, even if it’s just expressions,”

“That should be enough to set a basic level of trust, won’t it?” Vars extended his hand to Jack, “We’re allies now. Can we work together?”

Jack shook Vars’s hand, “I don’t mind, not that any of us is clean,” He giggled. 𝒷𝓭ℴ𝓋𝓵.𝒸ℴ𝓶

“Shall we go?” Gojo stared at them, “You seem to be friends already,”

“One last question. Where is my sister?” Jack asked, “She was with you.”

“She’s gathering information, the reason we’re waiting.” Gojo replied, “I wished to bring her with us, but sadly that isn’t possible,”

“I see. She has always been a harder worker,” Jack smiled, “I might not have her skills, but I shall do my best.”

Vars stared at Jack, “Strange, she always said she isn’t as good as you. Calling you a genius of the craft, able to trap a whole castle in a day and trick the strongest of minds into falling to your tricks.”

Jack waved his hand, “I’m nothing close to her. Lucky is probably all I have,”

Arad stared at Jack. Lucky won’t cut it to be him. The fight against the incubus, the dragons, and all of the quick thinking he has. She might be right. Jack is a one-of-a-kind genius.

“Have more confidence,” Arad patted Jack’s shoulder, “You got us from a lot of sticky situations. You’re the best thief I’ve ever seen,”

Jack smiled, “That’s very convincing, coming from someone who only saw one thief, me.”

“I only needed you. That says something.” Arad smiled, and Gojo giggled, “Brother is right. Be confident, and greedier, and you shall achieve what you want.”

Gojo turned to look forward, seeing the wizard’s tower standing in the distance, “That wizard is going to have a really bad day. We go in, bash his head in, take anything that seems useful, and then teleport away.”

“Don’t forget about the pixies. We have the save them.” Arad cracked his fists.

“Of course,”

Vars sighed, “Don’t tell me we’re going through the front door?”

“We are,” Jack replied, “At least give me a chance to see what the inside of the tower looks like,”

Gojo lifted his right hand and stared at his fingers, “I have a spell, animal shapeshift. I can turn us all into animals, bugs, or anything like that. I should be useful,”

“You’re a druid?” Jack stared at Gojo.

“No, I’m a wizard, a monk, a knight, and an ice sorcerer. I think that came from my father’s side?” Gojo mumbled.

“Wait? Over level 60?” Jack gasped.

“Level 69, to be exact, nice isn’t it?”