GREAT MAGE CASTLE
The marble corridor of the Magic Council stretched endlessly, lit by floating lanterns that shimmered with soft gold mana. Every step echoed like a drum of destiny.
Three teenagers walked side-by-side, escorted by four elite council guards in ceremonial blue robes.
They were about to meet him—the world's greatest mage.
The hero of five eras.
The mage who saved humanity from extinction.
Allen Bullard.
And the three could barely contain themselves.
Mary
Mary's pink hair bounced lightly as she walked, hands clasped to her chest. Her blue eyes sparkled brighter than the lanterns overhead.
"I still can't believe it," she whispered, practically vibrating. "I'm actually going to meet the Allen Bullard! The hero of legends! My family's been telling stories about him since I could speak!"
One of the guards glanced back with an amused look.
"Please maintain composure, Princess Mary."
She froze.
"Oh! R-Right! I am composed! Completely composed! See?"
She attempted a dignified walk… and tripped.
Suzanne caught her collar before she face-planted.
Mary pouted.
"Why am I like this…"
Suzanne
Suzanne walked with arms crossed, her long black hair flowing like ink. Her pointed elven ears twitched, betraying the excitement her face refused to show.
She sighed.
"Mary, if you trip in front of the Greatest Mage, he might assume humanity has devolved."
Mary gasped.
"Don't say that!"
Suzanne shrugged.
"It's true. Also… don't embarrass us."
Her tone was cool, but her pale cheeks had the slightest—almost invisible—blush.
Andrews smirked.
"Ohhh? Someone's nervous~"
Suzanne clicked her tongue.
"I'm not nervous. I simply respect excellence. Unlike you."
Andrews
Andrews placed his hands behind his head, grinning widely. His brown hair was messy as always, and he walked with an easy, almost reckless confidence.
"Me? Nervous? Never!" He puffed his chest. "Besides, after beating hundreds of contestants to come in third, I'm basically a hero myself."
Suzanne snorted.
"You got kicked out of the arena and landed on the judges' table. That's how you won."
"That was strategy!" Andrews argued quickly. "And charisma. The judges liked my landing."
Mary giggled.
"He's not wrong. It was very stylish."
Andrews smiled proudly.
One guard spoke as they entered a chamber decorated with runic pillars and portraits of past archmages.
"You three should prepare yourselves. This is a sacred honor—one only granted once every decade."
Mary nodded furiously.
"We know! We'll be respectful! We'll bow! We'll—"
Suzanne cut her off.
"You'll breathe. That's what you'll do."
Andrews leaned in between them.
"Come on! This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment! Aren't you two excited? We're going to meet the strongest human in history!"
Mary lit up.
"Yes!!"
Suzanne looked away.
"I… suppose."
But her ears were trembling.
Another guard added, "Keep in mind: the Greatest Mage is unpredictable. Some say he's strict. Others say he's aloof. Some claim he speaks in riddles."
Andrews gulped.
"R-Riddles? Uh… I was never good at those—"
Mary clasped his hand.
"You'll be fine! The greatest mage must be kind. He saved the world five times!"
Suzanne muttered,
"He also destroyed the Abyss Tyrant with a finger. He might be… strict."
Andrews paled visibly.
Finally, they stood before a massive obsidian door covered in glowing silver inscriptions—ancient runes only the greatest mages could even decipher.
The lead guard turned to them.
"Brace yourselves. Do not speak unless spoken to. And above all…"
He placed a glowing hand on the door.
"Do not offend the Greatest Mage."
Mary straightened her dress, inhaling sharply.
Suzanne flicked dust off her cloak, heart pounding.
Andrews tried to fix his hair… and failed.
The door creaked open—
Light spilled out.
A warm, gentle, impossibly soft light.
The three teenagers instinctively stepped forward.
Mary whispered breathlessly:
"Th-this is it…"
And then, as the chamber fully opened—
They saw him.
A lone figure, back turned, sitting casually on a simple wooden chair…
A teenager with messy black hair.
Wearing a plain hoodie.
Silent.
Still.
Completely unremarkable.
And yet the air around him vibrated with power beyond imagination.
The guards bowed deeply.
"Greatest Mage… we have brought the winners."
The teenager didn't respond.
Instead, he let out a quiet sigh…
As if he'd rather be anywhere else.
Mary blinked.
Suzanne froze.
Andrews tilted his head like a confused puppy.
Mary whispered, "W-Wait… that's… a student, right?"
Suzanne narrowed her eyes.
"No… he's too young. The Greatest Mage is supposed to be ancient. A thousand years old. Wrinkled. Beard down to the floor. Staff with glowing eyeballs. Floating. Chanting. Surrounded by fire."
Andrews nodded vigorously.
"Yes! Where's the old man hag guy? This must be his assistant."
Mary gasped. "Aha! That makes sense! He must be the errand boy they use to fetch tea!"
The hooded teenager's shoulders tensed slightly.
Just slightly.
As if he'd been stabbed with invisible stress.
Mary stomped forward with her hands on her hips.
"Excuse me! Young man! Could you please go and call the Greatest Mage for us? We're the tournament winners!"
Suzanne crossed her arms, chin raised.
"Yes. Be quick about it. We don't have all day."
Andrews added proudly,
"Tell him the incredible third-place champion is here. He'll know what that means."
The boy slowly…
very slowly…
turned around.
And the moment his face came into view—
Mary and Suzanne forgot how to breathe.
Not handsome in the noble way princes were.
Not elegant like elven mages.
But effortlessly, infuriatingly attractive.
Sharp dark eyes, but half-lidded with permanent tiredness.
Soft black hair that somehow looked perfectly messy.
A calm, unreadable face that radiated mystery.
A slouch that only made him look cooler.
Mary's jaw dropped.
"…What… what…"
Suzanne's cold act shattered.
Her pointed ears turned red instantly.
(Inner thoughts)
Mary: Oh gods he's cute—why is he so cute—NO ONE SAID HE'D BE CUTE—
Suzanne: This is illegal. A mage shouldn't look like that. A mage shouldn't look like THAT.
Andrews glanced at them.
"You two okay? You look like you saw an angel."
They didn't hear him.
The boy looked at them with the energy of someone who hated being awake.
"…I'm… Allen."
The trio waited, expecting more.
Allen rubbed the back of his head.
"…You called for me?"
Mary blinked rapidly.
"Y-Yes, but, um— we asked for the Greatest Mage… not…"
She slowly gestured at him.
"…you."
Allen stared.
Suzanne cleared her throat aggressively, trying to regain her cold persona.
"We're here for the world's greatest mage. Please don't waste our—"
One of the guards panicked.
"H-He IS the world's greatest mage!"
Silence.
Long, long silence.
Andrews burst out laughing.
"Good one! This kid? Come on! The Greatest Mage is supposed to be older than my grandfather!"
Mary whispered, "He looks younger than me…"
Suzanne whispered back, "Why does the universe disrespect logic like this…"
Allen just sighed.
He stood up.
And suddenly—
The air shifted.
Not violently.
Not loudly.
Not with bursts of power.
But like the world itself realized it had underestimated the thing standing in front of it.
The lanterns flickered.
The runes on the walls glowed.
Mana condensed so thickly it felt like the trio were standing underwater.
Mary put a hand on her chest.
"S-Suzanne… I can't breathe…"
Suzanne's voice cracked.
"W-What… is this pressure…?"
Even Andrews staggered.
"Okay—okay—what is happening—?!"
Allen blinked lazily.
"Oh. Sorry."
He let the pressure drop.
Instant calm returned.
Mary nearly collapsed.
Suzanne was trembling.
Andrews had fallen onto his backside.
Allen scratched his cheek, apologetic.
"That happens sometimes… when I stand up."
Realization Hits
The three stared at him.
Mary whispered, voice trembling and lovestruck,
"…Oh gods… he IS the greatest mage."
Suzanne covered her mouth, cheeks burning bright red.
"…H-He's powerful… and cute… this is the worst combination…"
Andrews pointed dramatically.
"T-That wasn't even a spell! He just STOOD UP!"
Allen, with a tired blink:
"…Can we get this over with? I haven't napped today."
The trio's hearts all exploded for different reasons.
Allen looked at the three stunned teenagers, scratched his cheek, and sighed softly.
"Alright… this is awkward."
He offered a tiny, tired grin.
"Uh… greetings. Or whatever. How's it going?"
Mary nearly fainted.
Suzanne choked on air.
Andrews flung his hands up.
"That's it? That's how the world's greatest mage greets people?!"
Allen shrugged lazily.
"Well… yes? I'm not good with fancy talk."
He looked to the guards. "You all can go. I'll handle them."
The guards bowed so quickly one almost lost his balance.
"As you command, Greatest Mage!"
Once the heavy chamber doors closed…
Silence.
Allen exhaled, shoulders relaxing instantly.
"Whew. Those guards always stare like I'm about to explode or something."
Mary clasped her hands to her chest.
"H-He… he's adorable, Suzanne…"
"Stop," Suzanne whispered harshly, face turning red again. "Do not call him adorable… d-don't say things I'm already thinking…"
Andrews coughed loudly.
"AHEM. Anyway! Allen Bullard, right? The hero? The legend? The destroyer of demon kings? The slayer of calamities? The—"
Allen winced.
"Please don't list them. It makes me tired."
"Oh—sorry…"
Allen walked over to them and leaned slightly on the chair, a very un-hero-like posture.
"So," he said casually, "you three won the big tournament, yeah?"
Mary nodded quickly.
"Yes! I—I got first place. I specialize in royal light magic. Healing and illumination spells."
Allen smiled.
"That explains the glow. You look like walking sunshine."
Mary's soul left her body for a moment.
Suzanne stepped forward stiffly.
"And I… was second place. Dark magic. Curse weaving. Shadow binding. I'm… not much to look at."
Allen blinked at her.
"That's not true. You look fine."
Suzanne combusted internally.
Meanwhile Andrews lifted his chin proudly.
"I'm Andrews! Third place! I used mostly… improvisation!"
Allen raised an eyebrow.
"Improvisation?"
Andrews crossed his arms.
"Yes! My signature technique is… making it up as I go!"
Allen laughed a little.
A soft, gentle sound.
"That's actually impressive. Most mages freeze when things go wrong."
Andrews lit up.
"Hah! See? I told them I was talented!"
Suzanne hissed, "You fell onto the judges."
"A strategic landing!"
Mary giggled.
Allen just watched them with quiet amusement.
"So…" Allen said, scratching his neck, "I guess you came here expecting someone else?"
Mary confessed immediately.
"We thought you'd be… older. You know, a wise sage with a long beard."
Suzanne added,
"Yes. Perhaps covered in glowing runes. Floating. Radiating holy energy."
Andrews chimed in,
"Or an old hag with a bent staff."
Allen froze.
"…An old what?"
Andrews coughed.
"Hag. Uh. You know… like an ancient wizard person."
Allen stared at him.
Deadpan.
Unblinking.
Suzanne stepped to the side.
Mary covered her mouth.
"…Ah," Allen finally said, expression unreadable, "so that's what the world thinks of me now."
Andrews panicked.
"I-I didn't mean YOU specifically—!"
Allen waved him off.
"Nah, it's fine. Honestly, if I could choose, I'd also pick being an old hermit in the woods. Sounds peaceful."
He slouched deeper into the chair.
"Being young just makes people expect things from you."
His tone wasn't sad—just tired.
The kind of tired you earn from centuries of saving people.
Mary softened.
Suzanne looked at him with new understanding.
Andrews… still didn't get it.
"So… you're like… tired-tired?"
Allen nodded.
"Very."
Despite being the strongest mage alive, Allen didn't act intimidating.
He was casual.
Gentle.
A bit lazy.
And oddly easy to talk to.
"So," Allen said, giving them a small smile, "tell me something interesting about yourselves. No titles. No rankings. Just… who you are."
Mary's cheeks warmed.
"I like baking… and kittens… and, um… reading stories about you— I mean about heroes!"
Suzanne looked away.
"I like quiet forests. Night winds. And… studying runes. Especially the ones you created."
Allen blinked.
"Oh. You know my runes?"
Suzanne nodded shyly.
"They're… beautiful."
Allen scratched his cheek again.
"Oh. Uh… thanks."
Mary pouted.
"Is she flirting with him?!"
Suzanne hissed back, "I am not—!"
Andrews stepped forward dramatically.
"I like food. All kinds. Especially fried."
Allen laughed again.
"I respect that."
Allen stretched a little, looking far more relaxed than before.
"You know… it's nice. Talking like this. Not about power or fate or the next crisis."
He gave them a lazy but genuine smile.
"You three seem… normal. In a good way."
Mary's heart melted.
Suzanne's ears turned bright red.
Andrews puffed his chest.
"Of course! We're amazing!"
Allen chuckled.
"I'm starting to see that.
The trio stood across from Allen in the small wooden room, still trying to make sense of the fact that the world's strongest mage was… a cute, sleepy-eyed teenager who spoke like he'd rolled out of bed two minutes ago.
Allen leaned back in his chair, fingers laced behind his head.
"Umm, I guess this is the part where I advice you"
"So, uh… future mages of the kingdom," he began, "let me give you some advice about life."
The three of them leaned forward — this was it, the legendary wisdom of the man who defeated five demon kings alone.
Allen cleared his throat solemnly.
"Don't ever try to kiss a frog."
Silence.
Mary blinked. "…P-pardon?"
Suzanne stared, expression as blank as an abandoned cave.
"…Is this… code for something deeper?" she whispered.
Andrews choked. "THAT'S the advice?! The greatest mage ever, the man who saved humanity, the undefeated archmage of legend— tells us to not kiss a frog?!"
Allen shrugged. "Look, one day you'll see a frog that looks shiny or mystical… Or maybe you'll just be bored. Don't do it. Trust me."
Mary covered her face, both embarrassed and amused.
Suzanne muttered under her breath, "…I actually expected an ancient incantation."
Andrews groaned dramatically. "I wanted secrets about ultimate magic! Forbidden spells! Anything but amphibian romance!"
Allen blinked slowly. "Forbidden magic? Oh, yeah, that stuff's super dangerous. You should definitely not do it. Anyway, that's it. Thanks for coming."
The trio stood there, stunned.
Mary whispered, "…Is this really it?"
Suzanne, whose cold heart had already started melting the moment she saw Allen's face, muttered, "I thought… he'd say something cool."
Andrews sighed loudly, slumping forward. "Man… this is depressing."
They turned around, reluctantly heading toward the door. They had come with soaring expectations… only to leave with a warning about frogs.
But just as they reached the exit—
"Wait a sec."
Allen's voice was soft, but it cut through the room like a blade.
The three froze.
They turned.
Allen wasn't smiling anymore.
His eyes — previously dull and lazy — sharpened with a quiet heaviness. There was something ancient in them, something that did not belong in a teenager's face.
"Can I ask you three a favor?" he said, voice low.
Mary straightened, hand over her chest. "O-of course!"
"Ask anything," Suzanne said immediately, surprising even herself.
Andrews nodded hard. "We'll do it! Anything for the hero!"
Allen hesitated for a moment.
Then he said it:
"I want you… to kill me."
The room fell into absolute, suffocating silence.
No birds. No breeze. No breathing.
Mary's lips parted, trembling. "W-what…?"
Suzanne's eyes widened — the most emotion she'd shown all day.
And Andrews felt his stomach drop. "H-huh? N-no, wait— what did you just—?"
Allen looked at them with a tired, almost resigned smile.