Treasure in the School (Part 2)
Mason heads to the outside of the school. A duelling arena is nearby. A few students run past but it is otherwise empty. Mason looks into the forest and heads inside.
“There’s got to be something here, somewhere.”
Mason heads deeper into the forest, until all of the background noise from the school gets quiet.
“Push!”
Mason is hit with a spell that pushes the air against him forcefully. Unprepared, he is thrown onto the ground. He looks up to see three 2nd year students standing above him.
“Looking for the treasure hidden in the school. That treasure is ours and nobody else's.”
Mason looks up at the students in confusion.
“What do you think you're doing?”
The 2nd year students look at Mason.
“That treasure is ours. We’ll do whatever we have to do to get it…”
They then proceed to look at each other. One student seems uneasy but the apparent ringleader and one of the other students seem confident.
“...even kill another student.”
Mason is shocked at this.
“What? You can’t be serious? I don’t need the treasure, keep it.”
The ringleader's arm lights up as he prepares a spell.
“It’s too late for that.”
Mason looks nervous as he attempts to save himself using his words, knowing that he is currently no match for the 2nd year students.
“You won’t get away with this.”
The ringleader looks smug.
“Accidents happen all the time. An inexperienced mage got carried away and cast a spell that backfired and killed him. At least, that’s what they’ll think of you.”
The ringleader holds his arm towards Mason as he prepares to cast.
“Now, die.”
There's a brief flash. Suddenly out of nowhere, a playing card is stuck in the ringleader's wrist as he looks at it in fear, it seems like his wrist will almost fall off.
“Aghhhhh!”
The three students look at the culprit. Appearing from the shadows is the fearful presence of none other than the bandaged man with red eyes and a strange hat, who stalked mason. One of the students is surprised.
“Who are you?”
Before he could answer, another student recognised him.
“It’s him! Alister the mad hatter! One of the most wanted men in the world!”
The ringleader turns to one of the other students.
“Quickly, use a spell to signal the magus police.”
Alister speaks in a cold and inhuman voice.
“Uh uh uh. How quickly do you think they’ll arrive after you send the beacon? There’s maybe a 5 second window before they arrive. By that time, I'll have killed all of you.”
Everyone is frozen.
“The way I see it, you three can get out of this alive in only one way. Leave and pretend you saw nothing. Now I know your faces, if you double cross me I will kill not just you, but your friends and your families. Do we have an agreement?”
The three students look at each other and quickly let their guard down.
“Yeah. We’re leaving.”
After the students leave, Alister turns his attention to Mason, who is still laying on the ground. Mason crawls backwards as Alister walks towards him with a menacing expression.
“You’re his son. I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time.”
As Mason is sure his life is about to end, something flashes through the forest at unbelievable speeds. Alister begins to raise his arm to cast a spell but it is blocked by the arm of another person. A powerful thump is heard which sends out shockwaves as two people of immense aura clash.
Somewhere in the school, Hamlin noticed the aura and put his book down. In another part of the school, the headmaster, James Paladin, has noticed it too.
Mason looks up to see Artemis blocking the attack.
“Leave the boy alone, Alister.”
Alister seems shocked at Artemis’ presence.
“Well well, the wolf lives on. Hiding in the shadows perhaps?”
They begin to attempt to attack each other lightly but due to the sheer speed of them both, not one attack connects. Mason’s eyes can’t keep up as they move as fast as the speed of light.
‘This is crazy. Is this it? Is this the level I have to reach?’
Alister speaks as they continue to move around the forest and fight. Though immense power is displayed, it’s clear that they are both holding back and have no intention to harm each other.
“You have the wrong idea. I don’t want to hurt the boy.”
They pause and stare at each other.
“Then, what is it you want?”
Alister begins to explain.
“I merely wish to speak with the boy. And you?”
Artemis treats this with caution.
“I could sense your presence following him. I came to stop you from killing him.”
They both seem slightly more relaxed.
“Very well.”
Both of them disarm as Mason begins to stand up from the ground. Alister focuses on Mason.
“Mason, I want to talk with you about your father…”
Alister stops talking and stares at Artemis.
“Alone.”
Artemis looks towards Mason.
“I assume you haven't learned any communication spells yet, so if he tries anything, cast a simple fire spell in the air and I'll come running back.”
Artemis then directs his attention towards Alister.
“If any harm comes to the boy from your hand, I will find you.”
Before Mason could say anything, Artemis began to leave swiftly. Alister looks at Mason.
“I can see him in you. Mason Flintwood, son of Bridger.”
Mason questions Alister.
“What do you want with me?
Alister still seems cold.
“Your father saved my life once. I made a promise to watch over you when you entered this world and save you in turn. Now, my debt has been repaid. Next time, you’re on your own.”
Alister begins to leave. A flurry of questions rushes through Mason’s mind.
“Wait. I need to know. Where is my father? What kind of man is he?”
Alister pauses.
“I’m sorry. I can’t stick around. Someone is heading this way and it’s dangerous for me to be seen. I’ll find you again and I promise I'll answer your questions when that day comes.”
And just like that, Alister was gone and Mason stood alone in the forest. Mason then begins to think about the fast events that just occurred and even more so, he begins to wonder about Artemis. Knowing that Alister is one of the world's most wanted men, he ponders how Artemis was still able to stop him in his tracks and even threaten him.
‘If Mad Hatter Alister was on par with his abilities, then just who is Artemis?’
Mason hears the sound of rustling as someone approaches. He prepares for anything.
