AUTHOR NOTE: The beginning of this ark is heavily based on a webtoon known as Black haze, it was a webtoon that was cancelled back in 2012 sadly. A lot of the motives and the beginning of the story follow the same scenes as black haze. Of course, the actions and reactions of the characters are different and the plot is different as well as peoples motives.

  But a lot of people have made comparisons because there is exact scenes that happen in Black haze that also happens in this ark. This goes on until Chapter 269, in total there are three scenes between this chapter and 269 that are the same but again, what happens in the scenes are different. Similar to a fanfic of what if my characters form this story were put in this situation type thing. I hope it done;t take away from the experience too much and if you have read black haze can push through past 269. Note this was added after the chapter release so does not affect the price of the chapter.

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  After speaking to the Divine being and getting the information they kind of came for. The group decided to leave the tunnels. They made sure when leaving to put everything back the way they had found it. Making sure it looked they were never there.

  They then snuck back in the castle with ease and headed to the dining hall to finish their discussion. The four of them sat at a single table together in the dining hall, which was void of pretty much anyone because of how late at night it was.

  "Tell us then, how are you able to help get us into Roland?" Ray asked.

  "Well first off, it would only be you. Since you're the only one who can perform magic. Even if I could manage to get two more students these two would be spotted in a heartbeat when they couldn't perform any magic spells." Lenny explained, "I used to be a teacher at Roland academy, I know a few people there and even though it's a bit past their term time, I could probably let you get in on a recommendation."

  Hearing that Lenny used to be a teacher at Roland came as no surprise to them. Lenny so far had displayed numerous skills showing that he was a high-level mage. At this point, it was harder for them to believe that Lenny was ever a knight at Avrion in the first place.

  "There is one problem though." Said Lenny. Lenny then took out a piece of silver coin and placed it on the table. "My funds have run dry, before the city of Kelberg was paying me for my skills as an investigator here but now with Lilly knocked out cold and us heading to Roland on our own agenda, they will not pay for my travels."

  "If money is your concern do not worry, I will compensate you for your troubles." Said Ray. "If possible, I would like to leave tomorrow morning, are you happy to travel with us?"

  "Of course, it has long been my goal to go up against the shadow, for years it has felt like I was going up against them on my own, but now to know there are powerful comrades like you going up against them it has given me hope. Not only that but it seems the divine being has put it's trust in you more so then the kingdom and I shall do the same."

  "What about you Ark?" Jack asked, "Will you be coming with us?".

  Ark thought about it for a while before answering. He had already made up his mind to join the Red wings but after meeting the powerful beasts in the tunnels below and Gary he realised something. He wasn't anywhere close to being at the same level as these three.

  Ark needed to get stronger but if he was around these three all the time, he would only rely on their strength or worse get in their way.

  "I'm afraid not," Ark replied, "I will stay in Kelberg, I have a great debt I owe to this city now and Lilly is also here fighting her own battle. If the Shadow attack Kelberg I will inform them immediately. I also plan to help you grow the Red Wings in Kelberg city. The Guilds presence is weak here and the city needs another guild right now."

  "I think that is the correct decision Ark." Said Lenny, "Do not feel bad, your growth at your age is normal. You are a lot stronger than I was at your age. The people in front of you are simply monsters."

  With that, the group went for a good night's rest and the next morning had arrived. With all their things packed and boarded onto a carriage, they were ready to head to their next destination, Roland academy.

  It was a long trip from Kelberg, travelling by horse it would take them about a week to get there. So they had to make sure they were stocked with plenty of supplies of food and water.

  On Ray's last trip back to the Avrion, Ray was able to obtain another 10 gold coins form Slyvia and also Gary and Jack had managed to save up two gold coins from the Quests they had completed.

  After saying goodbye to Ark, the carriage road of into the direction of Roland with Lenny taking the reins on the horses.

  "Now remember you two, Not only is Roland a place where all the top mages in the Kingdom attend but it is also the capital city of Alure Kingdom. A place where the Queen lives. I don't have to tell you that it's best that you don't mention you are from the Red wings guild. They will be greatly upset that an unknown group has taken over Avrion."

  "A Queen huh." Ray thought.

  The King or Queen was in charge of all the major decisions that went on in the kingdom and especially the army that was going up against the Shadow plague. And although she might have not been alive at the time, her lineage might have had some say with the idea of hunting dragons.

  But Ray wasn't going to Roland to deal with the Queen. There were bigger problems for him to deal with. There were three main tasks when heading to Roland. The first was finding the boy in his vision, before just handing him the crystal Ray would find out just who the boy was first.

  The second task, was finding the last part of the Divine being. Its location was unknown but according to Lenny, he was a 100 percent sure it was located in the academy itself.

  And the last thing was finding out what had happened to Amy while in the academy. Although this didn't seem as important to the others. Ray perhaps thought this information would be useful to him in some way.

  Maybe even as a way to help bring back Gary over to their side.

  "Well, are you ready Ray." Said Lenny.

  "Ready for what?" Ray asked.

  "Don't be silly, don't tell me you haven't realised it yet, you're going to become a student again, only this time as a mage."

  Ray smiled as he thought back to when he was younger, how he had originally set his sights on Roland academy but he was quickly denied when they found out he had no magical power. He never thought he would get to experience what it would be like living as a mage and now he was going to.