The Prince Of Magic

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Hadrian shook his head slightly, disappointed at his own carelessness before he forced himself to focus on his task.

After a few moments, he was satisfied with the results and stepped back.

"Hmm, this little one is okay. They're both okay." Hadrian spoke, meeting Dia's relieved gaze. "Now, I have another task for you, Dia."

"What is it, milord?" Dia asked without hesitation, always ready to follow his liege's command.

"Do you see that portal there?" Hadrian pointed behind him and to the ground where the teleportation circle was drawn.

When Dia looked to where he gestured and nodded in understanding, the young mage continued.

"I want you to use it and take these two to safety. The portal shall take you back to the headquarters. Once you are there, make sure that these two are safe." Hadrian ordered.

"But, what of you and the others, milord?" Dia asked, worry clear on his handsome face.

"We will follow after you. The portal has a 30 seconds timer after it is used. Once it's clear, it'll be ready operational again. So, do not be confused if we are not there immediately after you." Hadrian explained. Then, he nodded his head over to the teleportation circle. "Now go… time is wasting."

"As you command, milord." Dia bowed his head to him before moving to the portal.

"Oi, what about –" A certain amber eyed retainer protested, causing the young mage to sigh in exasperation.

"And take that imbecile with you." Hadrian cut in before the latter could finish.

The retainer in question didn't really minded the interrupted as he simply grinned and helped Dia with evacuating the kidnapped humans, picking up the unconscious man from the ground and over his shoulder before following the knight of the lance.

Needless to say, Kieran was pleased with the order and was only too happy to follow it, even if he was insulted.

Ignoring the jolly retainer, Hadrian gave the two retainers one last glance to make sure that the transportation was successful.

A bright flash of light later, and the two males were gone, causing Hadrian to avert his gaze and return to observing the crystal forest where noticed signs of activity.

"Not going to go next, King Hassan?" The young mage inquired, almost as if he was asking the weather.

"No. I shall remain here until you leave." That was the only response he received from the old assassin.

"… Thank you." Hadrian said, giving the terror-inducing figure near him a genuine smile of gratitude.

The old assassin said nothing, opting to be silent as he focused his attention forward, which Hadrian didn't mind since he was already used to the former's behavior.

*BOOM*

*CRASH*

*SCREEECH*

Hadrian's eyes narrowed at the various noises, staring at the crystal trees breaking in the distance.

The crash was followed by an inhuman screech that was unpleasant to hear.

He blinked when he felt the ground beneath him vibrate merely by the sound alone.

He blinked again when a familiar blue screen came to life, almost obstructing his view of the crystal forest that was a fair distance away from where he stood.

…

[… Warning …]

Alien life-forms detected.

Initiating emergency retreat for the Sove–

…

'No.' Hadrian denied, dismissing the notice with a subtle swipe of his hand.

Ignoring the automaton's protests in his head, the young mage focused his attention in direction of where he heard the noises.

Just as Hadrian was about to use an ability to 'see' through the crystal trees, two familiar figures came out. It was Astolfo and Charles, who were running as if bloodthirsty hell-hounds were right on their heels. Given what he knew about the alien spawns, it might as well be.

Fortunately enough, the two doesn't seemed to be sporting any fatal injuries.

The two servants have small cuts and bruises, and some of their clothes were torn and dirtied. But, other than that, they are in one piece at least and that's what mattered most to Hadrian.

"MASTEEEEEER!" Astolfo cried out, looking quite relieved to see him.

A few paces behind him, Charles stared at his friend's back with a resigned expression.

With a quiet sigh, Hadrian waited for a few moments before he sidestepped the pink haired servant's tackle-hug, causing the latter to crash to the ground, face-first.

The momentum of his dash seemed to be too much for the servant to handle as Astolfo tumbled and roll on the earth, skidding to a stop near the teleportation circle.

"Uuuurgh…" The pink-haired retainer g.r.o.a.n.e.d, b.u.t.t facing upwards.

Ignoring the prone servant behind him, Hadrian shifted his gaze to Charles, who slowed to a stop in front of him.

"Master, we need to leave!" The cheeky retainer said, panting slightly.

"I know, but the others…" Hadrian trailed off, his eyes narrowing as he looked past the retainer's shoulder when he saw movement in the distance.

"The others are on their way. They're just busy shaking off the rest of those things." Charles explained, straightening his posture once he had recovered his breath.

"Oh hey, granpa! You're here!" Astolfo exclaimed from behind, sounding enthusiastic.

"Hm." Was the old assassin's response to the younger servant.

"Then, prepare to evacuate." Hadrian ordered, ignoring the two servants' interaction behind him. "It won't be long for the others to get here."

*BOOM*

"Speaking of which…" The young mage muttered under his breath, stepping pass Charles.

The sound of the explosion was familiar to him. It was similar to the noise of Arturia's 'Strike Air' would sound in action.

Hearing that alone was enough for Hadrian to guess that his three retainers were not that far.

He still couldn't see them since the crystal trees kept hindering his view, but the silhouettes and the flashing lights that would appear every now and then were clear indications that something was happening in the distance.

"GO! GO! GO!"

"F.U.C.K!"

"MOVE!"

"I AM F.U.C.K.I.N.G MOVING!"

Hadrian felt a bead of sweat slid down the back of his head after hearing the shouting match between Arash, Yan Qing and Scáthach.

*SCREECH*

*BOOM*

*BOOM*

A moment after two explosions were heard, familiar figures came out of the crystal forest.

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