The Second Adam [ENG]

Raagnol suddenly woke up. His head felt heavy and his vision was blurry. He found himself inside a room, tied to a cold wooden chair.

He couldn't clearly remember what happened after he was taken away. But the sharp pain in the back of his neck indicated that he had been knocked unconscious before.

Around him were tools of torture. There were pliers, chains, old whips, and rusty knives. All of it lit dimly by flickering candlelight.

Raagnol knew that if he stayed silent here, something bad would happen to him. Especially since he had just claimed to be a mage, not a thief.

He heard faint footsteps approaching the spot where he was sitting. The sound came from behind the iron door right in front of him. With all his strength, he tried to loosen the rope that bound him. But it was too tight. He couldn't even move his hands at all.

The door slowly creaked open. From behind it emerged Captain Raztro along with three soldiers.

"Well... the little brat is awake, huh..." mocked Captain Raztro.

Raagnol stared sharply, then immediately denied the insult. He still insisted he wasn't a kid.

"Point the device at this brat," ordered Captain Raztro.

Clearly, one of the soldiers stepped forward carrying a pitch black stone. The stone was aimed exactly one meter in front of him.

Suddenly, the stone shone brightly. The pitch black stone transformed into a glowing, radiant gem.

"HAHAHA! So this is how it works," laughed Captain Raztro, as if he was seeing it for the first time.

"WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?" Raagnol asked, confused.

Captain Raztro laughed at Raagnol, as if something funny had just happened. Then he answered Raagnol's question.

"What it means? Hah... It clearly means you are a mage."

Raagnol was shocked. His world felt like it stopped spinning. He didn't expect any of this. He had only claimed to be a mage to protect the people at the orphanage, and it turned out he really was one.

"THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE! How can you be sure just from that stone?!" he shouted.

"This stone is a magic detection device. If anyone with mana is within a one-meter radius, the stone will glow as it resonates with the mana," explained Captain Raztro casually.

"NO WAY! WHAT IF YOU GOT THE WRONG PERSON?" Raagnol fired back.

"Of course we wouldn't capture the wrong person. Ordinary humans don't have mana. Only humans connected to magic possess mana, and those people are mages."

Hearing Captain Raztro's explanation, Raagnol fell silent, unable to argue further. He still couldn't believe he was truly a mage. He didn't feel any power within him.

"Well, I guess that settles it, kid. You are a mage, and tomorrow you'll be sentenced to death. Enjoy the rest of your time," said Captain Raztro with a small chuckle, then turned around.

He ordered the three soldiers to escort Raagnol to his cell. Captain Raztro left them, saying he had other matters to attend to.

Without a word, the three soldiers took Raagnol to the prison cells. They passed through damp, dark stone corridors. The prison was so quiet, with no sound except the echo of their footsteps.

But suddenly...

The two soldiers in front of Raagnol staggered and collapsed, blood flowing from their backs. Raagnol was stunned. The only remaining soldier now stood behind him, holding a blood-stained dagger.

"Raagnol, no time for questions. Follow me," said the soldier.

Raagnol, confused by what had just happened, simply obeyed. He didn't even recognize the soldier's voice.

They crept silently through the prison corridors, holding their breath and steps, avoiding the attention of other guards.

They reached a door, an old, rusted iron door that seemed to be a way out. The soldier took out a bunch of keys. He tried them one by one. It looked like he had just stolen them.

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"Oops... Looks like we've got a little intruder."

That voice was unmistakably Captain Raztro's. He was now standing at the end of the hallway, watching them in silence. No footsteps. No warning. Just a stare and a menacing smile.