Chapter 1: Un-bloody revenge (1/2)

”Stop it! Stop it now you bastard!” Ortensia clutched at the bars that held her and the soldiers back. Her blue eyes widened in a craze. Fat beads of sweat flowing down her forehead only signified how little this princess cared about her appearances right now.

'Serves you right, bitch...'

Sparing just a single thought for his cheating wife, Layn refocused his attention back at the magic circle. With the seventh, innermost ring nearing its completion, his long-awaited wish could finally come true.

”My princess, I don't think your kids are here, why bring them up?” Barely moving his lips, Kasher threw a witty response. Three years ago such remark could sting at his master's soul. Now, after years worth of preparations, Layn's life-long student and friend knew he couldn't care less.

”How dare you! Men!” Suddenly calming down, Ortensia stepped aside from the magic gate barring her entry to her husband's chamber. Her previously wide-open eyes, now turned into slits. Just by looking at her face, one could tremble from the intense hate leaking from her pupils.

”We won't break his barrier. He is a damned archmage for a reason. Destroy the walls instead.” For a moment, everything and everyone seemed to freeze. In one time and in one place. For a fleeting moment, no one moved.

”Yes, princess!” Then in the next, soldiers rushed at the stone walls of the Layn's mage tower. Using whatever they could find around them, they latched to the walls like some parasites, devouring it at a slow yet steady pace.

'But it doesn't matter now. Not anymore.'

There was no hate in Layn's eyes as he threw a quick glance at the soldiers. Ascertained that he had ample reserve of time, he brought his eyes back to the giant rune.

'This will be my first time invoking Gran Arcana. Well, I can only hope everything will go according to the plan now.'

Shaking the last shred of doubt out of his head, Layn lowered his tightened fingers over the floor of his chamber. Darkwood brush. Procured during one of his heroics of the past. Imbued with both the energy of the ancient and magic of modern times, it was one of the rare conductors, capable of infusing the magic into the runes as they were written.

A pioneering tool, creating a foundation for the entirely new field of magic, one that even Layn only started to poke around.

'Yet, today, it will be a tool that will change the world. Despite its infancy.'

After three years of living as a cuckold, after three years of slavery in the most luxurious prison of the world, Layn had more love for this tool than he had for his wife. More love than he had for someone who he risked his life on multiple occasions to please.

With the last stroke finished, the middle-aged archmage finally raised up on his feet. Taking a moment to look lovingly through his small group of loyal followers, he then turned his sight towards the barbaric crowd.

”It's all futile. My barrier stretches all around this place. Not even the attack from below you was preparing will penetrate it. Let's face it, it's over now. Or at least, it soon will be.” Speaking towards his wife as if he was explaining a simple problem to his kids…

All of the sudden, Layn's face twisted in a gentle regret. Not one powered by hatred. One born out of betrayed love that he had for who he thought to be his children. Regret directed at those pure knobs of energy, who were not at fault for how much of a slut their mother was.

But it was way too little to change the archmage's mind now.

”Everyone, ” turning his attention back to his friends, Layn's lips curved in a gentle smile

”I wouldn't achieve any of it without you. Even now, you are willing to sacrifice everything for my sake. For that, I will never be able to fully repay you.” Lowering his head, Layn bowed to his faithful followers.

'Why is it easier to find real trust and friendship on the battlefield than in romance?'

This thought used to plague Layn's mind. Endlessly searching for an answer in the moment of desperation, it was this question that drove him forward. But now, it was something that he took for granted.

After all, what did that princess amounted to when compared to the ultimate loyalty of his people?

”Master.” Just this single word was enough. Enough to bring Layn back from the realm of nostalgia and reminiscence.

”Brother.” From another direction, a different call came.

”Teacher.” Resounded in the air.