In the stock exchange plaza, a small fountain on the lawn gurgled as water flowed out. Maxim, dressed in medieval attire, stood on the circular stone steps at its center.
He was an exceptionally unlucky wizard. A thousand years ago, after completing his studies and traveling the world, he had been utterly convinced by Merlin the Supreme's formidable strength.
Physically convinced!
After his crushing defeat, he chose to remain at Merlin the Supreme's side and serve him, calling him mentor while trying to uncover the secret behind Merlin the Supreme's immense power.
However, it was completely useless. Maxim had exhausted every method and discovered that Merlin the Supreme was a monster. No one could learn his magic.
Having lost his reason to stay, Maxim still did not leave, because Merlin the Supreme had taken in a new female disciple named Veronica.
Veronica was breathtakingly beautiful, with flowing long hair and a fierce, intimidating air. She was the prettiest girl within several hundred miles.
Maxim was utterly infatuated with his junior sister. He cherished her in every possible way and never hesitated to share his magical knowledge, nurturing her into an outstanding wizard. Then...
His life became a tragedy!
Childhood sweethearts could not beat a sudden arrival. Balthazar appeared, taller and more handsome than him, with equally flowing hair.
Maxim watched miserably as the junior sister who had bewitched him body and soul was herself bewitched body and soul by Balthazar. The two even whispered sweet nothings beneath flowers and moonlight, shattering his heart.
He had clearly been there first. He had clearly never even held her hand.
Jealousy turned Maxim to hatred. With his junior sister gone, so too was his reason for staying. Remembering his original pursuit of power, he voluntarily defected to Merlin the Supreme's sworn enemy, the