It All Started With Lightning Bolt

Mage Jaymond

There was a city built at the foot of a gigantic mountain, surrounded by ramparts as high as the sky, and seemingly illuminated by divine grace from every angle. Thousands of people were selling things, having set up various small booths in the square of this city. The square was so crowded that you might have trouble hearing your own voice. Not only people trying to sell their belongings, but also warriors carrying weapons in various animal skins were trying to bargain for some items in the square.

The owner of each booth was careful to resist as much as he could, to sell his item for a higher price when a warrior asked him for something and tried to negotiate. There was a gigantic statue in this square where thousands of people lived. The statue was kneeling, stabbing a dragon-like creature with his sword. The sword had entered the middle of the dragon's neck. It was so detailed that even a few drops of tears leaking from the dying dragon's eyes were shown.

It was noon, the sun was directly overhead, creating the perfect weather for people wanting to wander around the city. Meanwhile, while thousands of people were wandering around and having fun, while the marketers were bargaining to sell something, while the mighty-looking warriors were chatting with each other and trying to buy something useful, a light appeared in front of the statue, a meter or so in front of it. The light was in the shape of a door and stars were visible inside. It was very mysterious. Most warriors immediately drew out their swords and surrounded the light.

Meanwhile, the man with an upside-down sword crest on his chest took out a stone tablet from his inner pocket and spoke to it. “A teleportation array appeared in the square.” Said. That's all, short and to the point.

As soon as he said this, a light appeared in the sky, like stars, from every corner of the city. They were all different colors, Gold, blue, red, green. But what they all had in common was that they flew to the statue in the city square.

They all fell exactly in front of the statue. When these lights dispersed, it revealed the people underneath. They were all different types and sizes, but they all looked stronger than the other. The warriors present in the square were relieved to see these people. Then the man in the red lights shouted to everyone in the square.

“All citizens! Quickly pack your things and leave this place. Brave wandering warriors, you too may retreat.” Said.

The warriors, however, sighed with relief and joined the crowd that was hastily trying to leave. In a short time, the square was completely emptied. Not a single sound was heard.

Later, various people appeared in the sky. They were flying in a light beam of the same color as these people who came first and landed behind people of the same color as them. In just a few breaths, thousands of soldiers appeared here. And none of them looked weak. They were extremely strong. These different colors represented different troops, and the crest on the chest of each troop was different. All of them were equipped with a specific weapon. Some troops used swords, while others used spears. It was clear that they were all trained and equipped in a single pattern.

Everyone, including the first people on the square and the thousands of soldiers behind them, stared nervously at the door-shaped glow. A short time later, the silhouette of a human appeared at the door. This person rushed out the door and leaned forward, starting to vomit. He had golden blond hair and a handsome face. But right now, his hair was stuck to his forehead with sweat. He wore a white magician robe and a red epaulet on his left shoulder.

After vomiting for a bit, he wiped his mouth with his sleeve and spoke inside his head. 'I didn't expect teleporting to be this hard.' Said. He then closed his eyes and lifted his head, 'My strength, is it suppressed? Why do I feel so powerless? As if I couldn't cast a second-level spell.' Said.

When he opened his eyes, he saw four different people, frowning in front of him, and an army of thousands behind him. He looked at them with surprised eyes. “You… who are you? Where is here? Could I leave the island?” said.

The four men at the head of the troops looked at each other in surprise. Then the bearded man in red clothes spoke. “Island? There are no islands within thousands of kilometers!” said. Then he made a sign to the other people next to him and continued talking. "Who are you? Where did you come from?" said.

The golden-haired young man was the king's brother, Jaymond, who had escaped from the island in a teleportation array. They did not have any information about the teleport array in their hands. He didn't know where to go either. The use of space stone and high-level soul stone, which had been passed down in their families for generations, was transmitted only orally. Take the stones, place them in the array, and teleport, that's it. His guesses were off the island, but looking at it now, it didn't seem that way. It was as if he had come to another world.

Jaymond felt that he had to answer the frown before him. He felt that not only the four men before him but even an ordinary soldier in the army behind them were stronger than him.

“I am from the Jade Wind Kingdom, a mage.” Said.

The four men looked at each other, then at Jaymond, all eyebrows raised, "A MAGE!?"

"Home--." All Jaymond saw next was a stern look. He couldn't remember what happened next. He was passed out.

When he opened his eyes, he found himself tied to an unfamiliar metal pole. He was on a red carpet embroidered with gold right now. He didn't feel any wounds, but his head ached. When he checked his body, he saw that he could not use his strength. Even if he used it, his magic was probably too weak to melt these chains. The dimensional bag on his waist was no longer in place. It was taken or rather stolen.

Later, when he tried to look around, he found himself in a room covered in red and gold. There was a throne in front of him and someone was sitting on it. He could not see the face of the seated person because of the golden glow on top of the throne, but his long beard implied that he was an old man. He then looked to his right. There he saw dozens of people sitting patiently, including the face of the man who had spoken before he passed out. His left was the same, dozens of people were sitting there at various tables waiting for him to wake up.

When the red, bearded man saw him awake, he stood up and bowed to the man on the throne. “With your permission, I will begin the interrogation.” Said.

When Jaymond looked at the man on the throne, he saw only one finger moving, and the red man straightened up and began to ask Jaymond.

"Who are you?!"

This brief question was so pressurized right now that it was like a little boy unable to speak out against his father. Jaymond felt that these people were very serious, that he had to act cooperatively.

“Jaymond Mill.” He said in a low voice.

Then came the next question.

"Where did you come from?!"

Jaymond didn't know how to answer that question. He said the only answer he could think of.

“The island of Argos.” At his answer, the crowd began to whisper. The bearded man in red turned his head to one of the crowd and asked. “Is there such a place as the island of Argos?” said.

Someone quickly stood up in the direction he was looking. He was tall and had gold-rimmed glasses. He was dressed only in ordinary clothes and had a book in his hand. “No, there is no such island on any map.” Said. His brow was sweaty and he sat down soon after he had said his answer.

The bearded man in red came across Jaymond, slapped him, and shouted. "Why did you lie!"

Jaymond felt that his whole body and soul were shaken by this slap. This slap felt like it had burned him from the inside, even though it had left no trace of anything but five red fingers on his face.

"I did not lie! I come from the island of Argos! It was a teleportation array that hadn't been used for thousands of years! I only used it to escape because my life was in danger!” said. He said this quickly and with tears in his eyes.

The crowd fell silent at his words, and the interrogation continued.

“Are you a mage?”

Jaymond felt he should say 'no' to the question, but he'd said it once before, so he muttered helplessly, "Yes."

The crowd began to whisper again. This time it was even more serious. These whispers quickly turned into arguments. Meanwhile, the man on the throne raised a finger. Everyone in the hall felt a mountain of pressure on their body and fell silent.

The interrogation continued. This time they asked him who he was running from, how he became a magician, and even if he had ever been beaten by his parents when he was little.

Obedient dog, Jaymond quickly told all the known history of his family and the island, like a history teacher. The crowd absorbed everything he told like a sponge. Now they were even more sure. This human was indeed a mage and was just one of the weaker ones.

The crowd started arguing loudly this time. They were constantly asking arguments against each other, questioning who this island might have belonged to before. Because there were warriors like them on the island where Jaymond came from. They probably had a friend who had been there before.

Meanwhile, the man in green that Jaymond had seen earlier stood up. He was wearing an ordinary, comfortable dark green robe. With one hand on his chin, he spoke, looking at the man in Red. “I wonder if it could be the island of the Purple Mist?” With his question, the discussion flared up. Most people in the crowd expressed their agreement.

With this prediction of his, the man with the golden glasses stood up and spoke with concern. “The record states that the Purple Mist was rewarded with some island for his contribution to the war against the creatures.” Said. He quickly bent down again and sat down. Everyone nodded at his words.

Then the green-robed man leaned towards the person sitting on the throne and spoke. “Saint Purple Mist was a wanderer cultivator. His strength was exceptional. After reaching the saint stage, he thought he could not improve any further and started a family. He then fought against the creatures on the side of the mages in the Mage World to obtain land of his own. Afterward, he obtained this island with a noble title. It is unknown afterward.” He said, pointing at Jaymond, “According to what he said, there is no Purple Mist anymore, the strongest person on the island is a gold rank warrior. I guess this is an isolated place, they don't have any news from outside. There may have been another great war after us.” Said. Then he bent down again and sat down.

The facial expression of the man on the throne was not visible, but the atmosphere became suffocating. He was angry for some reason. He spoke for the first time since this questioning activity started. His voice was full of confidence and power, like someone standing on top of the world. His deep voice was creating heavy vibrations in everyone's ears.

“A weak mage, an isolated island. An untraceable teleportation array. The discussion is over, you can withdraw. Four saints, you stay." Then all the rest, except for the people of four different clothing colors, left the hall like a man wintering chickens. In a short time, no one was left but the man on the throne, the four saints, and Jaymond.

Then the man sitting on the throne stood up and started walking down the stairs. When he was right in front of Jaymond, he looked at his trembling face. He was sure that if he increased the pressure a little more, the mage before him would pee in fear. He then stood up. He was taller than anyone else in the room. His beard and hair were white. However, his face was not old. There weren't many wrinkles. He wore a crown of miniature white swords. His eyes were black as coal and you could see the traces of the cosmos inside.

He spoke, looking at the saints before him. "Isn't there really a way for us to retrace the teleport array?" he asked, frowning.

The four saints before him were unaffected by his oppressive mood. Again the green-robed one spoke. “Unfortunately, at that time, our people were not given double-sided teleportation arrays. These mages were always careful.” Said.

Meanwhile, the young man in gold clothes decided to join the conversation. “Well, what about the old turtle? Shall we ask him?"

The bearded man in red spoke in reply. “That old senile man doesn't talk to one of us. Moreover, he is greedy. It's sure to get until our panties." Said. Later added. “Besides, he doesn't even have space talent. Even if it makes a guess, what good would it do us?" said.

The saints nodded thoughtfully.

Meanwhile, the white-bearded monarch spoke. “Then, I'll go. He will not reject me.” Said.

The four saints immediately tried to dissuade him. “Sir, you don't have to go to him as a monarch! He must come to you! Let me go to inform." The young saint in golden robes spoke.

The monarch shook his head. “He won't care about you. If he disrespects me, I have no choice but to kill him.” Said.

The green-robed man immediately tried to speak. "But sir! He is our only oracle! Even if it's a little disrespectful, when he finds a new heir, I will kill him.--"

"Enough! Okay, maybe I won't kill him, but I can rip his old body off a few times if it pisses me off." The monarch cut him off. Then looking at Jaymond, “You know what to do with him.” He said and suddenly disappeared from the room.

With the Monarch gone, the bearded man in red approached and tapped Jaymond on the shoulder. “Sorry kid.” Said.

Jaymond opened his eyes wide to look at his face, but he could not speak. He felt completely suffocated. After a second he started to feel even worse. He felt a fire burning in his heart. Everything was on fire, including his soul. He even forgot to use the magic inherited from his family, in which he was an expert. He had always trusted it, but everything happened so suddenly and unbelievable. He did not expect to find himself among such powerful people. The next moment caused him to innocently close his eyes. His body started to burn from the heart as if he had been thrown into the sun. Centimeter by centimeter turned to ash. His whole body was burned at an equal rate. In the end, there was nothing left of his body. Even the ash had vanished into nothingness.

Thus, another member of this introverted conservative family, who mistook his ability to light as a gift from God, was fallen into darkness before he could see the light.

When the monarch was visible once more, he was inside a wooden hut on a small mountain. It was in a beautiful place with green trees, large and small lakes and waterfalls, dozens of small, innocent animals.

The sun was starting to set slowly. When the monarch looked before him, he saw an old man sitting in meditation. The old man was even older than the Monarch. His body just was skin and bones. There was no hair on his head other than a few strands of hair. When he smiled, three teeth could be seen in his mouth, contrasting the view outside.

He opened his eyes, smiling. “What wind brought you here, invincible Monarch of the Golden Mountain?” said. He then pointed to the opposite. He was telling him to sit. The monarch pulled a cushion out of nothing and sat across from him.

The monarch told everything that happened in the city today. Then, frowning, he again took a jug from nothing and placed it in front of the old man.

The old man took the jug and opened the lid and sniffed. When he opened the lid, the three strands of hair on his head took off. “Perfect…Perfect. You really know what I want. I will make a prophecy for you. Do you have anything that belongs to that man??" he asked.

Then the monarch again took out three vials from the nothingness. They were as small as bottles with potions. One had several strands of hair, one was filled to the brim with blood, the last was a finger. If Jaymond saw this finger, he would say, 'My finger!' he was sure to shout, but he hadn't even noticed that his finger was missing.

The old man said, “Good!” He took all three bottles and made a bowl out of nothing and put them all in the bowl. Then he closed his eyes and muttered something. Gradually the bowl was covered with golden light and took off. Then a fire burned inside the bowl and the contents began to burn. The color of the fire was also strange, it glowed with a yellow color. Soon after, the old man bit his tongue and spit out his own blood into the bowl.

After a while, he opened his eyes and began to speak. “There is no way to go. Just waiting, is the solution. But don't worry, there will be a day for sure." Said. Then the yellow flame grew, destroying the bowl and its contents.

The monarch nodded and indicated that he understood. Then he disappeared.

After he left, the old man hugged the wine jar and muttered. “Is this such a great prophecy and its reward? I think it's time to find a student." Said. The expression on his face was complex. One was smiling, the other was frowning. Then he went outside and started sipping the wine directly from the jar while watching the setting sun.