Chapter 15: Grandmaster Ben's Troubles and an Old Friend
Personal System Calendar: Year 00012, Day 1-14, Month III: The Imperium
Imperial Calendar: Year 6857, 1st to 14th day of the 3rd Month
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Volcanic Vigil
Elsewhere, near the volcanic regions spanning the three sub-continents of Arkanus, Master Ben Flameswrath conducted his inspection with the methodical precision of someone who had performed this duty for over two hundred fifty years. He was always the first to detect movements of the fiery liquid that coursed beneath the earth, his profound connection to the planet's molten core granting him awareness of both minor and major changes, especially those that could make catastrophic impact on the surface world.
He had been performing these checks for hundreds of years, safeguarding the lives of those who dwelt near volcanic regions. The Oath of the Wandering Ember bound him to this sacred duty: preventing catastrophes wherever volcanic disasters threatened. He understood the importance of geological changes, their capacity to bring both fertility and destruction, their dual nature as creators and destroyers of civilizations.
When he detected disturbances, he investigated thoroughly to ensure no settlements lay within the danger radius. If intervention was possible, he would redirect lava flows, stabilize pressure buildups, or evacuate populations before disasters struck. Though he did not respond to minor fluctuations, leaving the earth to its natural rhythms when eruptions posed no threat to life.
The major change he was observing now had been deemed safe after several days of careful analysis. He had already patrolled the surrounding area for hundreds of kilometers, confirming that no settlements would be affected by the coming eruption. Within a few days, he would depart, satisfied that his duty was fulfilled.
His method of travel was unconventional but efficient. He possessed a form of spatial displacement, though not as powerful as true teleportation. The technique could only transport himself, requiring him to leave his more substantial equipment and research materials behind. But for reconnaissance and emergency response, it served perfectly, allowing him to reach distant volcanic sites in minutes rather than the months conventional travel would require.
He had left Maya Village some time ago to check this major disruption. Upon confirming the situation's safety through several more days of observation, he prepared to return home.
Home. The word still felt strange even in his thoughts. Imagine a man who had wandered for two hundred fifty years finally calling something home. Yet Maya Village had earned that designation. He had grown genuinely fond of the village atmosphere, the people who treated him as Ben rather than the legendary Wandering Sage, the research opportunities, the simple pleasure of waking to familiar surroundings rather than yet another temporary camp.
He had hesitated before leaving for this inspection, actually considering foregoing his current duty. But when his magnum opus, his creation akin to having a son, had heard about his hesitation, Benethar Solvorn had admonished him and essentially kicked him out of the tower.
"Creator," Benethar had said in his rumbling voice like distant thunder, "you cannot abandon your oath for comfort. I understand the appeal of remaining here. I feel the same attachment to this place. But if you neglect your sacred duties, there will be catastrophes across the world that only you could have prevented. I will not allow you to carry that guilt. You already bear enough from Mount Pyraxis."
The young construct, despite his brief lifespan of less than five years, understood his creator's sacred duties with clarity that shamed Ben. Benethar recognized that if Master Ben ever became derelict in his responsibilities, countless lives would be lost to volcanic disasters that his intervention could have prevented. Hence, if necessary, Benethar would physically remove his creator from the tower to ensure that Ben continued his duties, with his oath remaining honored, and his duty fulfilled.
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Benethar's Evolution
Speaking of Benethar, Master Ben had recently completed significant upgrades to the Prime Forged Soul's internal systems. They had acquired more powerful beast cores from recent conflicts, including several Boss-ranked specimens and a few Forest Guardian Beasts that Ben had incorporated into Benethar's magical framework.
The modifications had increased his mana capacity substantially, improved his processing speed, and enhanced his tactical thinking to levels approaching true strategic sophistication. Benethar was now certified as a Master-ranked being by any reasonable classification, his power rivaling the highest tier of Category IV - Master entities despite being created rather than born.
Ben was also working on a new magma construct, an upgraded version incorporating lessons learned from Benethar's creation and utilizing even more powerful beast cores. But that project remained in early development stages, requiring months or perhaps years of additional research before approaching viability.
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An Unwelcome Letter
For now, Ben had completed his volcanic inspection and confirmed the eruption posed no threat. Opening a dimensional rift with practiced ease, he prepared to travel what would have taken months using conventional transportation, covering the distance in mere minutes through careful manipulation of spatial boundaries.
But before returning to Maya Village, he had to make an unwanted stop.
He had received a letter weeks ago from an old friend, a colleague from his younger years who had also heard of this new village gaining prominence in the north. Upon learning that the legendary Ben Flameswrath resided there, she had sent correspondence asking if she could visit.
Panic had seized Ben when he read that letter. This friend was not merely a colleague. She was his old flame, though their relationship had never worked out. He had been too aloof, always journeying to the next volcanic region, the next geological mystery, the next duty requiring his attention. They had met only occasionally over the decades, and that distance had created an unbridgeable gap between them.
But that was in the past. His current anxiety stemmed from different concerns: he knew Mirabeth Flamespyre was a persistent individual who would not accept refusal easily. To prevent her from simply appearing at his tower in Maya Village unannounced, he needed to deliver a firm rejection in person before she could make any travel arrangements.
His research and experiments alone would likely drive this woman to attach herself to his work, finding excuses to extend any visit indefinitely. She was an intellect, a scholarly person, a master of theoretical elemental magic across multiple disciplines. Her own elemental affinity was extraordinarily rare: Plasma, which represented fire at its most superheated and volatile state, raw energy barely contained within physical form.
Plasma users wielded temperatures that exceeded normal flame by orders of magnitude, capable of cutting through substances that would resist conventional fire. The element was notoriously difficult to control, and practitioners risked catastrophic accidents if their concentration wavered even momentarily.
They both possessed elements derived from the main elemental branch of Fire, which was how they had come to be acquainted in their younger years, their shared affinity creating natural common ground. That acquaintance had developed into something more, a relationship that might have grown into true partnership if Ben's wandering nature had not made it impossible.
Now, centuries later, he had to confront that past directly.
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The City of Arabaya
He arrived just outside the sandy desert oasis city of Arabaya in the southern reaches of the central sub-continent. He deliberately manifested outside beyond the sight of the walls rather than appearing within the city itself, not wanting to cause the disturbance and attention that unauthorized spatial displacement would generate.
The guards at the main gate regarded him with professional wariness until he presented his identification. It was an old relic, a certification card he had carried for nearly two hundred years, bearing magical authentication that could not be forged or falsified.
When the results were verified through the gate's security enchantments, the guard captain personally returned the identification and greeted him with the utmost respect.
"Master Ben Flameswrath, the Wandering Sage," the captain said, bowing deeply. "The Wizard of the Great Southern Towering Peaks. It is an honor to have you pass through our city. How may we assist you?"
Ben suppressed a sigh. This was precisely why he avoided cities when possible. He was just as well-known as his legends, having wandered to countless places and assisted in preventing disasters across multiple continents like an altruist whose only payment was the knowledge that lives had been saved.
"Young man, is Lady Mirabeth Flamespyre currently in the city?"
"Yes, sir. She resides at the tower, as always. Shall I send word of your arrival?"
"No need. I will announce myself. Thank you for your courtesy."
Ben proceeded toward the magic tower that dominated Arabaya's skyline, a massive structure of crystalline stone and enchanted materials that housed one of the most prestigious magical institutions in the southern territories.
The Arabaya Magic Tower was an established institution recognized throughout the southern regions of central Arkanus. It served as headquarters for a conglomeration of renowned southern mages, wizards, and sorcerers who had either graduated from its academy or served as founding members. There was also an educational branch, the Arabaya School of Elemental Arts, which trained developing mages in fundamental and advanced techniques.
Mirabeth held a high-ranking position within this organization. She was not only a founding member of the tower itself but also the current Dean of the Arabaya School of Elemental Arts, responsible for curriculum development and the training of the next generation of elemental specialists.
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The Confrontation
When he arrived at the tower's entrance, he was greeted by a young attendant. Once she heard his name and confirmed his identification through the tower's security protocols, the poor girl began sweating profusely, her professional composure crumbling under the weight of his reputation.
This was another reason Ben avoided formal magical institutions. He was either feared or excessively respected, and some sought to curry favor through obsequious behavior. Thankfully, August and the rest of Maya Village were not like that. They treated him as Ben, a person rather than a legend. Still respectful, certainly, but never to the point of grandiose displays that made genuine conversation impossible.
Right now, he might be wearing his stoic expression, the face he presented to the world during formal interactions, but internally he simply wanted to deliver his rejection and return home.
"Si..sir," the acolyte stammered, her voice trembling. "The master is ready to receive you in her office. Please, follow me."
"Very well. Lead on."
They walked through the tower's halls, passing mages and students going about their studies. A few of the older faculty recognized him immediately, their eyes widening before they bowed in respect. The younger generation, those who had never witnessed his legendary interventions firsthand, merely wondered who this weathered traveler might be.
Yes, that was his only solace. When the current generation died off, perhaps no one would recognize him anymore, and he could travel without constantly being identified. It was exhausting being famous like this, being approached everywhere he went by people seeking favors or simply wanting to speak with a living legend.
After ascending several flights of stairs and navigating through corridors lined with research laboratories, they arrived at an ornate door bearing Mirabeth's name and title in flowing script.
The attendant knocked softly. "Come in," came the response from within, a voice Ben remembered all too well despite the decades since he had last heard it.
Master Ben was visibly flustered, though only he knew it. Beneath his stoic exterior, he was metaphorically sweating buckets. He had not wanted to come here in the first place, but this woman had forced his hand through the simple expedient of threatening to visit Maya Village if he did not respond.
The woman inside looked at the acolyte, signaling for her to leave. The young mage bowed and closed the door behind her, leaving Ben alone with his past.
Mirabeth Flamespyre had aged gracefully well, as most powerful mages did. She appeared to be in her physical prime despite being well over three centuries old, her plasma affinity granting her a certain vitality that defied conventional aging. Her eyes held the same sharp intelligence Ben remembered, combined with an expression of triumph at having successfully maneuvered him into this meeting.
"I presume you received my letter, seeing that you are here in person?" A devilish smile escaped her beautiful face, the expression of someone who had just won a significant victory.
Master Ben could only suppress the urge to flee immediately. Instead, he gave his answer as straightforwardly and quickly as possible, determined not to dwell here any longer than absolutely necessary.
"Yes. And the answer is no. You are not welcome to visit Maya Village. No, thank you. Goodbye."
He had already turned back toward the door, preparing to exit the office. He had said his piece. Now it was time to return to his work, his tower, his home.
"Wait! Wait just a minute!" Mirabeth's voice rose with indignation. "You are simply going to leave like that? After I went through the trouble of arranging this meeting?"
Without turning back, Ben refused to prolong this conversation. He knew from long experience that once Mirabeth got under your skin, she became nearly impossible to dislodge. Better to maintain firm boundaries from the beginning.
"Yes, I am leaving. I have given you my answer, and that answer is no. So if you will excuse me, I am quite a busy person with duties to fulfill and research to complete."
Ben did not even slow his pace, though he could feel the aura of the room changing as Mirabeth's frustration manifested in subtle plasma fluctuations. His nervousness rose proportionally. He knew full well that Mirabeth would not accept rejection easily. So it was best to project confidence even if he had to fake it, maintaining the facade of someone completely unbothered by her displeasure.
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Unexpected Evolution
Mirabeth could not believe his audacity. This man had changed significantly since she last saw him decades ago. His presence felt more terrifying than before, carrying weight that exceeded even her memories of his contained power. It seemed Ben had undergone some transformation or evolution, though she could not identify its exact nature.
Though it was difficult to quantify precisely, Ben still had not reached the cusp of the theoretical next stage beyond Grandmaster classification, something that was discussed in certain academic circles among the most powerful mages. Whether such a rank, something transcending even Grandmaster level, was possible for mortals remained unconfirmed. Most scholars dismissed it as wishful thinking, the fantasies of those who had already achieved the pinnacle and sought validation that further growth remained possible.
That uncertainty was why she hesitated before unleashing plasma attacks that would reduce him to component atoms. His transformation, whatever its nature, suggested he might have grown even more dangerous than she remembered. And beneath her anger at his dismissive behavior, she could not deny that their shared past complicated any hostile action. They might no longer be together, but she did not actually want to kill him.
Though Ben could not personally attest to changes within himself, those around him at his power level could perceive the difference. His mastery over fire and magma had deepened to levels that transcended conventional understanding, his connection to the planet's molten core growing stronger with each passing year of his exile.
"Ugh, the old man is so stubborn," Mirabeth muttered to herself as the door closed behind him. "Well, he cannot actually stop me from visiting anyway. I will pay him a visit when I am free from my responsibilities here at the tower. Let him try to refuse me then when I am already standing in his village."
A smile of determination crossed her face. She had not pursued him across centuries just to be dismissed with a casual rejection. If Ben Flameswrath thought a simple "no" would deter her, he had forgotten just how persistently stubborn she could be when she set her mind to something.
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Retreat to Sanctuary
Master Ben hurriedly exited the city, his pace just short of an outright run. Once beyond the gates and out of sight of casual observers, he opened a dimensional rift with almost desperate speed and stepped through, crossing hundreds of kilometers in an instant.
He emerged in the familiar forest surrounding Maya Village, the ancient trees and clean air providing immediate relief from the political complexities of formal magical institutions. He had unfinished work in his tower that required his attention, research that did not involve navigating the complicated emotions of past relationships.
As he walked toward Zone One and his tower residence, he could not help but feel grateful for the simplicity of Maya Village. Here, people valued him for his knowledge and occasional assistance, not his legendary status. Here, Benethar would be waiting with questions about the volcanic inspection, genuinely interested in learning rather than seeking to impress or manipulate.
Here, he could simply be Ben, a researcher and teacher, rather than the Wandering Sage whose every action carried the weight of centuries of accumulated legend.
Though as he approached his tower, a small part of him wondered how long that peace would last once Mirabeth inevitably made good on her unspoken threat to visit despite his objections. He pushed that concern aside. Sufficient unto the day was the trouble thereof, as the old saying went.
For now, he had research to complete, a construct to refine, and students to teach. The complications of past relationships could wait for another day, preferably a day far in the future when he had developed better strategies for dealing with persistent colleagues who refused to accept reasonable boundaries.
Benethar would probably find the entire situation amusing, the Prime Forged Soul having developed a surprisingly sophisticated sense of humor during his brief existence. Ben could already imagine the gentle ribbing he would endure once his creation learned about this encounter.
But that too was a problem for later. For now, home and work awaited, and Master Ben Flameswrath gratefully embraced both.