Idle Mage: Humanity's Strongest Backer
chapter-356

Another day just started. Ashton woke up early to leave home to visit the guild.

Ashton stepped cautiously through the halls of the Mystic Guild's headquarters, his heart pounding with anticipation. It had been so long since he had set foot inside this place, and yet it felt eerily familiar. The corridors stretched out before him like endless tunnels, each one leading to some new mystery.

He had been here a few days ago when he reunited with his friends but he never really had the chance to explore what the current guild looks like.

As he wandered deeper into the guild, Ashton couldn't help but notice how much it had changed. The futuristic design was a stark departure from the more traditional look he remembered, and there were far more people here than he had ever seen before.

Despite the changes, he couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia as he passed through the various facilities. He remembered training in some of these rooms, and the memories flooded back with a bittersweet intensity.

As Ashton explored further, he began to realize just how much he had missed this place. The Mystic Guild had been his home for so long, and it was good to be back, even if it was just for a short while.

But as he continued his journey through the guild, Ashton couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. There was an undercurrent of tension that seemed to permeate the air, and he couldn't help but wonder what had changed in his absence.

'Hmm, it would be a miracle if a threat managed to pass through the Big 3's senses. I wonder what this is all about...' He mused inwardly.

Ashton pressed on, his senses on high alert as he continued to navigate the Mystic Guild's winding corridors. He had a strange feeling that something was off, and he couldn't shake the sense of foreboding that clung to him like a dark cloud.

As he rounded a corner, Ashton came face to face with a man he didn't recognize. The stranger was tall and muscular, with piercing blue eyes that seemed to look right through him.

Ashton's irises flashed with a rainbow-colored gleam and in that instant, he had learned everything he needed to know about this man.

His name was Jacob Corbin, a warrior who dreamed of reaching the peak of the world through any means necessary.

Ashton could sense the malice emanating from Jacob, and he knew right away that this was the source of his unease. Jacob had been coveting the riches of the Mystic Guild for years, and he had been plotting the demise of the Grand Commanders; Alice, Blake, and Mary, so that he could replace them and achieve his dreams.

Ashton's heart pounded with a mixture of disgust and disappointment as he stared at Jacob. He couldn't believe that a person like this manage to pass through the numerous filters that the guild has to prevent evil from tainting the guild's sanctity.

'Something must be done about this...' he mused inwardly.

Jacob sneered at Ashton, his eyes glinting with malicious intent. "Well, well, well," he said. "Look who we have here. A little mouse who's come to play with the big boys."

"...ugly on the outside and the inside. I should've expected this." Ashton helplessly sighed, "Why must someone like you have to be born human? Had you been born a demon then this would have been a lot simpler."

"The fuck did you just say punk!?"

In a flash of inspiration, Ashton decided to use his powers of illusion to teach Jacob a lesson he would never forget. He closed his eyes and focused his mind, calling forth the power of the world of illusions.

When Ashton opened his eyes, he found himself standing in a vast, empty space, with Jacob standing before him. This was the world of dreams, a realm of endless possibilities where anything was possible.

"W-where..." Jacob was dazzled as he suddenly found his surroundings changing. He was caught off-guard by the suddenness of the situation that he couldn't form concrete thoughts.

"Jacob Corbin. 45 years old. Stuck at the peak of Grandmaster Knight for nearly five years now. Judging by your potential, this is as far as you will go and you couldn't accept that because you are delusional."

Ashton's ethereal voice rang incessantly within Jacob's mind.

Jacob sneered at him, but Ashton could see the fear lurking in his eyes. He knew that Jacob was no match for him in this realm, and he intended to make him pay for his crimes.

"You think that you are the main character of this world. That you are entitled to everything. That you are destined to sit upon the throne and rule for ages. But reality had a way of cruelly slapping your face with a cold truth and you just can't accept it."

"That's why you did all you could to join the Mystic Guild. You even became a pathological liar and made yourself believe that you were a good person when in truth, you're no worse than a demon."

"I guess that's how you manage to bypass the filters we set up to prevent people like you from joining our cause. Unfortunately for you, in front of me, your facade becomes worthless."

"To think that you would even dare to scheme against my friends. I don't know if I should be angry or commend you for having the guts to do that." Ashton sneered as he denounced the man.

"Who are you!?" Jacob demanded despite the rising cloud of fear in his chest.

"Ashton West." He replied, and that was enough for Jacob to pass out from fright.

Sneering at the pathetic man, Ashton began his punishment...

For the next several days, Ashton tormented Jacob mercilessly, subjecting him to a never-ending cycle of pain and suffering. He forced Jacob to experience every fear and insecurity he had ever known until the warrior was broken and defeated.

In truth, only a few seconds had passed in the real world, but in the world of illusions, it had been an eternity. Ashton finally released Jacob from his torment, watching as the warrior fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face.

"You are not worthy of becoming our comrade. Begone from this world. Don't worry, your minions will soon follow you."

And just like that, the hidden threat within the guild was snuffed out by Ashton.

***

Ashton walked through the winding halls of the Mystic Guild, his heart heavy with the knowledge of the threat that had just been averted. But as he drew closer to the heart of the guild, he felt a sense of peace wash over him, as though all his worries were being swept away by a gentle breeze.

Finally, he emerged into a small courtyard, surrounded by lush greenery and blooming flowers. The air was heavy with the sweet scent of jasmine and honeysuckle, and the soft chirping of birds filled the air.

This was the heart of the Mystic Guild, a small piece of paradise where nature and spirituality thrived in perfect harmony.

In the center of the courtyard was a small fountain, surrounded by benches and stone statues of mystical creatures. The water shimmered in the sunlight, reflecting the vibrant hues of the surrounding flowers and plants.

Ashton walked around the courtyard, taking in the beauty of the space around him.

He could feel the energy of the space all around him, a powerful force that seemed to pulse through his body like a heartbeat. It was a feeling of connection, of being part of something much larger than himself.

Ashton found himself drawn to a small shrine at the far end of the courtyard. It was his shrine. He didn't know who made it but it made him feel warm inside.

He then felt a presence coming closer...

It was the Fairy Queen, a small but powerful being who ruled over the natural world. Ashton had worked with her in the past, and he was glad to see her again. She greeted him with a small smile, her wings shimmering in the sunlight.

"It's good to see you again, Ashton," she said in a gentle voice. "It's been too long since we last met."

Ashton nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of peace and comfort in her presence. "Yes, it has been. How have you been, my lady?"

"I have been well," the Fairy Queen replied. "But I know that you have come here for a more important reason. You wish to see the El-Tree, do you not?"

Ashton nodded eagerly. The El-Tree was a mystical plant that he had been nurturing for over a decade now. He had been gone for the most part but with the Fairy Queen here, he need not worry.

The Fairy Queen led him to a secluded corner of the courtyard, where the El-Tree stood tall and proud. It was a magnificent sight, its trunk thick and sturdy, its leaves a vibrant shade of green.

Ashton approached the tree, feeling a sense of reverence and awe wash over him. He reached out and touched its bark, feeling the energy of the tree flow through his fingers.

"It's beautiful," he whispered.