The Deceitful One

Saturday, 7th August 1580.

Damascus Train Station was always extra crowded over the weekends than on weekdays, making it one of the most congested places in Damascus City. On platform number 2, Bryan was currently chatting with Leah and Grace.

Their train was about to depart in about another fifteen minutes. Right now, their maids and servants were busy carrying suitcases and items of luggage into the passenger carriage.

Leah's parents and elder brother had already gotten onto the passenger carriage and Bryan had already bid them farewell.

"Bryan, I can't believe it's already been three months since we met." Leah looked at him and said in reminiscence.

"Time sure flies quickly," Bryan replied with a smile.

"By the way, Bryan, when will you come to Nadir?" Grace asked.

Bryan replied with uncertainty, "Ah, I'm not sure. Depends on my teacher, to be honest. But I'll move to Nadir probably within a year or a year and a half."

"Okay, we're both going to Nadir University. So you know where to find us." Grace smiled.

Suddenly Grace thought of something and said to Bryan, "By the way, Jack was also supposed to come to Nadir with us. Unfortunately, his father passed away a couple of days back. So he had to stay back in Damascus and manage the family business."

At the mention of Jack, Bryan narrowed his eyes as he thought, 'His father passed away? Heh, interesting. I wonder what he's planning now.'

Then he said to Grace, "Thanks for letting me know."

Leah was confused as to why they were talking about Jack all of a sudden. After all, she didn't know the entire story behind the assault on Bryan that happened more than a month back.

The steam train blew its horn as smoke started to spew out from its chimney. The train horn signaled the time for departure.

Bryan gave both Grace and Leah a warm hug and bid them farewell. He watched them get on the passenger carriage and waved at them.

Soon, the steam train started moving. Grace who was sitting by the window said in a loud voice, "Bryan! See you soon!"

Bryan smiled warmly at her and nodded. Soon, the steam train left the platform until it disappeared into the distance. He stood there silently on platform number 2 for a while, then turned around to exit the train station.

On the way out, he bought today's newspaper from a paperboy for 1 pence. The headlines of Damascus Daily read, "Breaking News: Third murder in one month! Serial killer on the loose!"

Bryan's eyebrows furrowed as he continued reading the news article.

Three young teenagers had been killed in one month. The bodies of the victims were found in different alleys and all three victims had one thing in common. They were missing the same organs!

'I'm pretty sure teacher is already aware of this case. I'll go and try to persuade him to take on this case. Three kids have already died.' Bryan was in deep thought as he left the train station.

He called for a public carriage and headed toward Detective Watson's house.

…

Brown Manor, in the suburbs of Damascus.

Inside the study on the third floor, Jack was sitting on the chair where his deceased father used to sit. A few days ago, Jack had poisoned his father to death and put the blame on his father's long-time rival, Jefferey Gill.

Jeffrey Gill was a businessman who was also into coal mines. Over the past few years, they've had many disputes and it was public knowledge that both Jeffrey and Jack's father, Jim, didn't see eye to eye.

Jeffrey was the perfect target. Now all that was left for Jack to do was to consolidate his father's business and bring under control all the men that were under his father, while the police investigated Jeffrey.

Jack had had enough of his father always mistreating him and blaming him for the death of his mother. Jim was truly a cruel father to him, hence, after finally strengthening his resolve, he poisoned him once and for all.

Now everything belonged to Jack. Everything that his father Jim had worked for was now finally under his grasp. Now, all he needed to do was amalgamate.

Once he set a strong foothold, he would then kill Bryan. And this time he would make sure to kill him for good. A menacing light flashed through Jack's eyes as he thought, 'Soon, very soon you will surely be dead, Bryan.'

…

22 Augustus Street

In the study on the second floor of Detective Watson's villa, Bryan had just arrived and was chatting with him about his meditation progress.

"So how long until you advance to Rank 3 Apprentice?" Detective Watson asked.

Bryan replied confidently, "Within a week."

Detective Watson nodded his head and smiled, "This is good progress, Bryan. In another eight to ten months, you will have officially become a Transcendent."

"So long?" Bryan was taken aback.

"Yes, carving the last 27 mind runes in the Apprentice Stage is not an easy task. And after you've carved all 54 mind runes, you will have to combine them and fuse them with your soul, forming the sea of consciousness.

Only then will you be able to become qualified to become a Transcendent!" Detective Watson explained patiently.

Bryan nodded his head, "I understand, teacher." Then he recalled today's news headline and asked, "Teacher, did you read today's headlines?"

Detective Watson nodded, "I did and I've also received a request from the police station."

Bryan asked curiously, "What request?"

"They asked me to help in the investigation of this serial murder. And I've agreed. It will also be a good learning experience for you and you can learn the ways of a detective." Detective Watson replied with a smile.

"That's great!" Bryan was also happy to hear this. Firstly, he really wanted Detective Watson to solve the case as soon as possible. And secondly, he would finally get to see Detective Watson in action.

He had long heard that Detective Watson was a famous detective from Nadir. Bryan would finally be able to witness it with his own eyes.

Detective Watson got up from the chair, went to the bookshelf, and took out an old-looking thick book.

He placed it on the table and said to Bryan, "Today, I'll teach you about spell structures and tomorrow we'll go to the police station together to begin investigating."

Bryan was elated. Because after he advanced to Rank 3 Apprentice, he would finally be able to use magic spells!