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CHAPTER 5 In the conference room, tension hung heavy in the air. The interrogation was complete, and every detail of Janika and Felix's reckless adventure was now out in the open. The two children sat on chairs, feeling the weight of their actions pressing down upon them. The Magisters, including Addicus, observed the scene in solemn silence, their expressions a mixture of concern and disappointment. In the midst of the heavy atmosphere, Argo's anger radiated throughout the room. He paced in front of the children, his voice charged with righteous indignation. "Sneaking away, trespassing, evading authorities!" Argo listed their transgressions, his words hanging heavily in the air. Iska stood by his side, her face mirroring her husband's stern demeanor, offering no sympathy to the young adventurers before them. "And you, Janika," he addressed his daughter, a mix of sorrow and anger evident in his expression. "Abandoning the one assigned to protect you and running off with... with a

CHAPTER 4 Felix found himself forcefully slammed against the rugged brick wall of a narrow alley. His body was immobilized by a web of ethereal tendrils emanating from the wall, casting an eerie glow. "Well, well, well, if it isn't the Illusionist Extraordinaire," taunted an older teenage boy as he approached, his tall and lanky frame accompanied by a sly expression. His open palm at his side radiated the same otherworldly glow as the magical tendrils. "Long time no see. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you've been avoiding me. But, of course, you wouldn't do that to an old friend, right?" A menacing grin played on his lips. "I want nothing to do with you, Weasel!" Felix retorted, fervently struggling against his restraints. "Yeah, I got that feeling when you no-showed on that last job," Weasel replied, his fingers curling slightly, causing Felix's bindings to tighten. "But let's not dwell on the past. I'm a forgiving fellow, and I've got a proposition for you – a chance to

CHAPTER 3 It didn't take long for them to make their way toward the source of the commotion. As they approached, Janika saw thousands of people funnelling into the entrance of a grand stadium, adorned in either red and gold or blue and orange attire, their faces painted to match. Enthusiastic chants of "Nexus, nexus, nexus" echoed through the crowd. Initially, Janika expected they would blend in with the exuberant crowd and make their way into the stadium. However, Felix had a different plan in mind. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he directed Janika's attention to a nearby building under construction, where scaffolding protruded from its side, reaching higher than the stadium's outer wall. "Best seats in the house," he whispered, his voice laced with excitement. Once again, they employed Felix's invisibility trick to slip past a pair of garrison guards and nimbly ascended the scaffolding, reaching the upper platform. From their vantage point, they had a panoramic view of the

CHAPTER 2 As the family stepped through the portal, they found themselves in the courtyard of a magnificent estate, the grandest and most intricately constructed building they had ever laid eyes upon. Immaculately groomed hedges and trees surrounded them, with archways leading through the foliage to reveal even more of nature’s breathtaking beauty. Addicus followed closely behind, his walking stick absent. As his feet touched the ground, the shimmering portal dissipated, and Pendragon gradually returned to his original form, taking his rightful place on his master’s shoulder. Addicus rewarded him with bird feed and words of praise for his impressive display. Iska voiced their collective awe, asking, “Is this the City of Mages?” “No, well, actually yes,” Addicus attempted to explain, “We are indeed within the City of Mages. This specifically is my residence.” “This is where you live?” Argo asked, a mixture of disbelief and perhaps a hint of envy in his voice. “Ugh, I know. It’s a

City of Mages First Story: Janika’s Voice CHAPTER 1 In a vast world saturated with the ordinary, whispers abound about the mystical and arcane. Tales circulate of mortal men who wield the power to shape reality itself, of secrets that grant dominion over nature, fiercely protected and passed down from master to apprentice. Magic exists, no doubt, but to witness its wonders firsthand is a privilege so rare that separating fact from fiction becomes an arduous task. Within the kingdoms of man, there are those with malicious intentions who would eagerly exploit such knowledge or eradicate it entirely. Thus, those who possess the true understanding of the magical arts diligently practice their craft in clandestine secrecy. Amid the plethora of dubious stories, a recurring theme emerges—one that cannot be dismissed—the enigmatic City of Mages. This sprawling metropolis serves as a sanctuary where denizens, both human and mythical creatures, coexist harmoniously, openly engaging in the