The mansion loomed over them as they approached it. Her heart sank with a foreboding that ran like rivers through her entire body. Suddenly she wasn't sure if it was such a great idea to be part of this investigation. What's even worse was that, there's no turning back at this junction.

Lord Barbatus Mansion had been deemed the greatest forbidden zone that has been existing for more than a thousand years.

At this age of magic, Mages were given a final test before they could graduate from the Advent Tower of Magic. Akira's group test was to investigate the Mansion of Lord Barbatus.

Lord Barbatus was a well known marchant of his time. He like to travel around the world and collect the speciality of any land he stepped on.

One day he met a little beggar in one of his travel. That little beggar begged Barbatus for food. However, In his foul mood, due to failure in a recent negotiation, Barbatus yell at the beggar in his anger " why should I give you food? I bid you scram."

" Oh mighty Lord, if u give me food, I shall pray for your blessings to have a save return journey." The beggar said pitifully.

Barbatus ignored her and move onto his return journey. On his return voyage, Barbatus' ship was met with an heavy storm. In his desperation, he remembered he once trade for a relic in one of his travels, the seller, a wizard, told him it is going to save his life once. But he was reluctant to part with it.

The storm continue to rage and was still getting stronger. Seeing no hope of escaping this endeavor, he quickly brought out the relic, cut his wrist with a little knife , sprinkles the blood on a little black skull that's no more than a thumb. The skull lit up with a bloody red glow. " Mortal, what do you want from this Lord." a husky voice rang out from the skull.

Startled, Barbatus didn't expect that the relic he had been holding for so long can speak. But being startled was been startled, Barbatus managed to calm down in matter of seconds. He said in a pitiful voice " Venerable Lord, please safe me and my ship for I don't want to die and all my wealth on this ship I don't want to lose them."

" Mortal, there's nothing that this Lord cannot do, but are you willing to pay the price." The skull said condescendingly.

The fatal temptation of gaining a new life had clouded Barbatus judgement. Even a prominent marchant like Barbatus could succumb to the allure of new life if given. " I'm willing to pay anything, as long as you can save me and my ship. anything is worth it." He was really happy inside.

" Very well" Suddenly, the red glow in the skull flew out then went straight for Barbatus' head. The moment the red glow entered Barbatus' head, the little skull shattered to dust.

However, Barbatus was never the same Barbatus anymore. Though him and his ship were saved.

Seven days after his return, Barbatus was turned into a monster that drained blood of humans. Any human that he drained was turned in to a walking corpse that also drained blood from his fellow humans.

Alarmed, the Advent Tower of Magic's Master of that time sent two Grand mages two seal the Mansion. From then on Lord Barbatus Mansion was deemed forbidden to anyone.


" Actually that was what they told the ignorant people." Akira said with contempt.

" Yeah, or how could it be that simple? I'm sure, for this to be our final test there's more to it." said a team mate.

" Karl, this is your weakness. I've told you many times that you should visit the library of history but you refused. Now tell me what's the difference between you and the ignorant populace." Akira snapped at him in frustration.

" Then tell me what really happened. I promise you I will be visiting the library after this." Karl quickly promised. He was actually curious to know what really happened.

See you tomorrow,,🥰

© A.T Asiddy