Ascension Of The Failed Mage

"What's going on? Why is everything falling apart here? This isn't how it was supposed to go." Trevor gritted his teeth, rising from his seat angrily.

"Trevor... sit!" Noir commanded.

It was slow, it was hushed... But the overwhelming tone was COLD.

Trevor trembled as he reluctantly returned to his position.

It was evident that the one who was in charge in the room was none other than the intruder.

"I'll ask once again... what do you want?" Noir asked Trevor point-blank.

The lecturer couldn't lie, couldn't evade, and he certainly couldn't overpower his foe. He could tell... the margin between them was incredibly vast.

But, this was something he had spent countless years of his life invested in.

He wasn't just going to throw it all away to an enemy just because he asked. Besides, this particular enemy was an essential element in his plan.

All he needed was leverage.

"I am a famous figure in the entire city. The Young Genius who achieved Tier 8 at an early age. One of the most skilled Mages in the entire Institute. If you kill me, you'll simply be painting your entire identity in blood." Trevor said.

"And? What of it? Why would I care about that?" Noir asked carefreely.

"Because then it would affect the entire Travel Merchant thing you've got going for yourself. See, news spread fast, especially news concerning important people like me. I don't think even you would like it if the entire Southern Empire's forces are out for your blood." Trevor responded with a sly smile.

'What now, Sir Noir?' Trevor thought to himself.

"Brilliant idea. But it's presumptuous of you to even think you can imagine coming up with something that I haven't thought of." Noir responded with an equally sinister expression.

'U-uh...?!'

"Firstly, I think you're overestimating your importance to the Empire, or how much relevance you have in its grand scheme of things. You are but a small fish in a jar, when there's an ocean full of sharks out there waiting for you." He started.

Trevor felt his heart palpitate due to the insult he received, but he held it in. Making any rash action would be ill advised at this point in time.

"If you think your Empire scares me, you're dead wrong. There are only very few who are capable of beating me in this world. Only one is from this Empire... and it most certainly isn't you."

Noir's snicker made Trevor grit his teeth and tighten his powerless fist. He had to endure and swallow his pride.

"There's nothing you can use as leverage against me. If your life will cause a disturbance, I'll simply just kill you, remove all evidence I did it, and replace you with an Automated Magic Doll that would serve its purpose until I'm in the clear."

Once Noir was done with his statement, even the angry recipient couldn't help but fall silent and remain dazed by his obvious representation of intelligence.

As Trevor had listened to Noir's monologue, the man was awestruck by everything that was stated.

'I have always thought of myself as the most calculating one of my time, seeing things most didn't, reaching heights no one could...'

However, at this point, he didn't know what else to do. Trevor Netherlore was officially stuck.

In the end, there was only one thing he could say—the response to Noir's inquisition.

"Ho... Homunculus."

Noir's eyes widened a bit, but calmed down very quickly.

What he had just heard was astounding. Someone like Trevor Netherlore was ambitious enough to dream of making the existences that trumped humanity.

Existences similar to Noir and his siblings!

"I see. So that's how it is. It all adds up..."

Trevor had a beaten and frustrated look on his face, which Noir found amusing.

"So that's why you had all those Dolls and Puppets. Trying to master the art of creation? How delightful." Noir murmured.

"What does it matter anyway. In the end, they weren't truly living things. They had no 'soul'." Trevor replied in dejection.

He had long given up on trying to resist Noir in terms of information.

"Yep. I am curious as to how you discovered what I am, but I'll leave that story for another day." The dark cloaked man casually shrugged

"O-okay..." Trevor said.

"Good. Good boy Trevor. Keep up the good work." Noir chuckled, waving Trevor goodbye, as he opened up a Magic Circle Gate in front of him.

The circle pulsated a bright red color, and energy swirled around Noir's body.

"Oh, and one more thing." He said, turning to face Trevor.

"If I discover you so much as harm those three, YOU'LL REGRET EVER BEING ALIVE."

"Y-yeah..." Trevor responded, his voice shaking from nervousness.

"That's great. Byeeee!"

The Gate closed, and Noir vanished in an instant.

Trevor remained quiet in his office, unmoving for some time.

However, after some time, his eyes turned bloodshot and an increasing sense of frustration squirmed within his very being.

Placing his hands on his head, he began to rigorously scratch his hair, muttering unintelligible words and curses. Veins also popped out of his forehead and hands.

For the first time since he was born, Trevor Netherlore was utterly humiliated, and so there was only one thing on his mind...

... RAGE!

"Rarrrrrgrhhhhhhrghhhhh!!!!" He roared in his office, shattering the windows in the room, breaking his desk, and even the chair he sat on.

Most of the objects present in the room were heavily damaged, some destroyed beyond repair. The only ones which were still in top condition were his most prized office possessions. He then saw it... Directly in front of him.

"How... how is it not... how...?!" Trevor asked himself in a mixed feeling of anger and confusion.

Maybe fear as well.

There stood the chair that Noir sat on stood fixed in its position, completely unharmed. It had not moved from its placement, even with the shockwave generated by Trevor's tantrum.

"We'll see who's the 'small fish', Mr. Noir!" Trevor said finally before retiring to his seat.

He rested his entire back on his chair and watched how messed up his office was.

Books here and there, papers scattered all over the place, glass pieces everywhere, and more.

Trevor took a deep breath and decided to wait it out until someone would come to take care of the devastated office.

He really hadn't expected all of this to happen.

'What a mess...'