A Difficult Choice

The Old Mage looked at Pero and said, "Child, I don't think pursuing the World Rune is wise. Whenever a World Rune has appeared throughout history, it has brought bloodshed and chaos. Countless mages will come running at the scent of blood like rabid dogs. That would be very bad for us."

Pero said unwillingly, "Master, my dream is to use Aero-Walk once more and return to the embrace of the sky. The World Rune can make that dream come true. I won't give up."

The Old Mage said, "Child, if we can't get the World Rune, we'll climb Mount Targon together and find the Twilight Spirit. Even if it costs me my life, I'll make you well again."

Pero fell to his knees and wept uncontrollably. "Master, I'm just a cripple. I'm not worth all this."

The Old Mage looked at his prized student before him and sank into memories. Back when Pero had studied magic under him, there had been no denying that Pero was gifted. He learned spells with twice the ease, but what had pleased the Old Mage most was Pero's attitude toward magic. Pero had always remained humble and eager to learn. No matter what kind of magic he encountered, he explored and studied it with a humble heart. But after a mage had beaten Pero so badly that he could no longer use magic, Pero had changed. To help him recover, the Old Mage had traveled all across Runeterra in search of a cure for his student, but every answer had been the same: climb Mount Targon and seek out the ancient Twilight Spirit. For Pero, this was an impossible task. Never mind whether he could climb Mount Targon—who could say whether the Twilight Spirit was even at its peak? Later, Pero had left him. The Pero who had once been so curious about the world had suddenly vanished. He had gone to Bilgewater alone and built the Red Hat from the ground up. The last time Pero had come to see him, the Old Mage had remembered the smile on his face and the hope in his eyes. Pero had told him about the World Rune. As a legendary artifact among mages, the Old Mage had heard of it. The World Rune's power could wipe away everything in Runeterra. He worried that Pero would lose himself to that power. Pero dreamed of using magic again more than anything; it had become an obsession. What could a gang leader do with a World Rune? The Old Mage dared not imagine, nor did he want to.

The Old Mage had never given up on Pero. In Bilgewater, Pero was a gang leader, but in his presence, he had always remained a student. Even if they couldn't obtain the World Rune, he would take Pero to climb Cloud-Piercing Mount Targon.

Kayn watched the pair from the shadows, smiled, and left the basement. Once, Zed had been a mentor like this—stern yet kind. Kayn gave up on assassinating the Old Mage. He couldn't bring himself to harm such a kind teacher.

Jiang Chuan waited for Kayn in a nearby alley. Before long, Kayn appeared, and Jiang Chuan smiled. "Well? Did you find him?"

Kayn slung his scythe behind his back. "I found him, but I didn't kill him."

Jiang Chuan frowned. "Did something happen?"

Kayn nodded. "As a matter of fact, I learned Pero's secret. He's a mage who can't use magic."

Jiang Chuan asked curiously, "A mage who can't use magic?"

Kayn nodded. "Yes. Pero lost the ability to use magic. The mage from the Red Hat is his former teacher. That old man is a good person and a good master. And I heard there are only two ways for Pero to regain magic's favor."

Jiang Chuan smiled. "Is that so? What are they?"

Kayn smiled. "Neither is practical. First, climb Mount Targon and find the Twilight Spirit. Second, find the World Rune."

Jiang Chuan took out a mask and put it on, smiling. "Looks like there's no need to fight the Red Hat to the death. Let's go meet this mage."

Kayn smiled and returned to Jiang Chuan's shadow.

Jiang Chuan walked out of the alley and headed to the Red Hat headquarters. He said to a receptionist, "Tell your boss that someone from the Dark Sea Throne has come to visit."

The receptionist stared at the mask on Jiang Chuan's face in horror. "The D-Dark Sea Throne!"

Jiang Chuan tapped the desk. "Didn't you hear me? Go get your boss!"

Just then, a bespectacled, refined-looking man walked over and said to the receptionist, "I'll handle things here. Go take care of something else."

The man smiled at Jiang Chuan. "Leader of the Dark Sea Throne, it's been a while. I'm Esther, the person in charge here. This way, please. May I ask your name?"

Jiang Chuan smiled. "Just call me Roland."

Esther smiled. "Leader Roland, you're quite the force to be reckoned with. A hundred men were all it took for you to give our Red Hat a terrible time."

Jiang Chuan smiled. "It was all a misunderstanding. I came to discuss working together."

Esther led Jiang Chuan to Pero's office. "Please wait here, Leader Roland. The boss will be along shortly."

Esther hurried to the basement and found Pero. "Boss, Roland, the leader of the Dark Sea Throne, is waiting for you in the office. It looks like he's here to negotiate!"

Pero smiled disdainfully. "Negotiate? Fine. Let's make him pay this time."

Pero came to the office. Jiang Chuan sat in a chair, waiting. Pero poured himself a glass of wine and smiled. "Leader Roland, what brings you here today?"

Jiang Chuan smiled. "Our two organizations have had a little disagreement lately. I'm here to make peace. After all, it's better to make friends than enemies."

Pero took a sip of wine. Its sweetness matched his mood perfectly. "Leader Roland, the damage your Dark Sea Throne caused us can't be settled with a few Gold Coins."

Jiang Chuan said calmly, "I know what you want. The map to the World Rune, right?"

Pero smiled. "Since you know about the World Rune, let's be frank. You must return the map to the World Rune, along with the weapons belonging to your Dark Sea Throne. We'll work out the rest of the compensation separately."

Jiang Chuan smiled. "Pero, I think you've misunderstood me. I came to acquire your organization. The Dark Sea Throne won't be paying any compensation."

Pero burst out laughing. "Hahahaha! Leader Roland, have you lost your mind? You're at the Red Hat headquarters! You don't get to decide what happens here."

Jiang Chuan tapped the table, smiling. "Don't you want to use magic one more time? Even if it's just a weak little fireball?"

Pero froze. The laughter on his face became fixed, leaving him looking ridiculous.

Jiang Chuan continued, "I can make you able to use magic again. Are you sure you don't want that? And your teacher isn't young anymore. He couldn't withstand an assassin's attack."

Pero roared in a frenzy, "How did you find out? I've never told anyone about this!"

Jiang Chuan stood up and patted Pero on the shoulder. "Calm down. Don't get so worked up. You should believe me when I say I'm completely certain I can restore your ability to use magic. You'd better think it over."

The confidence Pero had shown moments earlier vanished. Jiang Chuan's words drained all the strength from his body, and Pero slumped helplessly onto the sofa. On one side was the temptation of magic; on the other was the organization he had built over many years. It was a difficult choice. Human nature was always greedy.

Jiang Chuan stood at the door and looked back. "Think it over. You'll have to choose between magic and your gang, Pero. Don't be so greedy. Don't you agree? I'll wait for your answer in the Slums."