Occult Awakening: From Commoner to Archmage

A few days had passed since the catalyst integration into his left arm. Luca spent most of the next two days in the cellar, leaving only on rare occasions.

He practiced and broadened his knowledge of new Glyphs and tinkered with spells. With the number of spells he now had, it was not as easy as before. A large portion of the time was spent getting used to his new left arm and testing its limits.

After that he shifted his focus to spending time in noble circles.

This time he was with Baron Thomas Wake. He was in the baron's modest mansion tucked away in the central part of the city.

Baron Wake was one of the more interesting nobles Luca had met at Duke Venton's gathering. Baron Wake of House Wake was a second generation noble. His father had been a mildly renowned commoner who became a Knight and was promoted to Baron after impressing the King.

More importantly, the baron was one of the two mages present who had almost no mana in their bodies.That suggested he did not practice magic much.

Luca wanted to see if he could get him to.

The baron looked young for his title. He seemed in his mid to late thirties, with slicked-back black hair and a formal suit for guests. His eyes were dark like his hair, which made his commoner heritage stand out.

Luca sat in a comfortable silk chair opposite the man. They were in the extravagant common room by the fireplace. Despite the noble trappings, some parts still felt familiar to Luca, like things a commoner might have had.

"Shame about D'escoli. I had no idea you used to be family friends," Luca said, shaking his head.

Their conversation steered to the Count, which alarmed Luca at first. Thomas seemed unaware that the late Count D'escoli had been a mage.

"It's fine. How could you possibly have known," Thomas laughed. "If there was any upside to Marvin's disappearance, it finally got Henrick to step up and stop indulging in those terrible, terrible habits."

"Careful what you say. Suspicion is high these days. People might suspect you had something to do with it."

Luca did not truly believe that, but Thomas laughed at the joke.

"You're quite something, Luca. I can see why the Duke and Old Man Fitzgerald have taken such a liking to you."

"Oh, that's exaggeration, butI am grateful for their interest," Luca said.

The baron laughed, then a crease appeared on his forehead as if he thought something over.

"This is a bit improper for me to ask, but it would be more disrespectful not to, given my modest origins."

"Oh? What's that?"

"I'm going hunting with a few friends. I want you to join us."

"Hunting?"

"Yes. On the Duke's land just west of here. Large game. Stags. Have you ever gone hunting?"

Luca nodded. "But nothing that big. I've only caught rabbits and hares."

The baron grinned and rose from his seat. "You're in for quite a time then."

***

They took a carriage to the part of the forest Thomas mentioned. He had petitioned the Duke for permission to hunt on the land. It was not his property, and his actual holdings were not near Carinthia.

The journey was smooth and conversation continued as it had in the manor. When they reached the forest edge, a set of horses and carriages waited.

When the baron's carriage arrived, other guests stepped down to meet him.

"Apologies for keeping you all waiting," he said, tipping his hat.

He gestured at Luca, "I suppose you all should recognize this fine young man from the Duke's event a few days ago,"

There were other people. Four looked like nobles, while the people standing obediently behind were their stewards.

Luca recognized most from Duke Venton's gathering a few days earlier. There was one person he did not recognize.

"Eh, it's you?" he muttered when he saw the woman.

Thalia looked as beautiful as before, but different. She wore a brown and green embroidered hunting dress instead of the seductive dress from the Black Market. Her hair was tied in a neat bun and a saber hung at her hip. She looked rather experienced.

A strange look passed across her face when she saw Luca.

'It's that kid? Does he remember what happened that day?'

Her mind flashed back to the strange figure that saved him from his pursuers and dispelled her Monitoring Spirit spell. If he remembered what happened, he did not show it. So, she offered a wide grin as if they were old friends.

"What a pleasant surprise to see you here," she said.

Thomas looked between them, then at Luca with a raised eyebrow.

"You know Miss Cortese as well? I underestimated you."

Thalia stepped forward. "Oh, he's quite the charmer. I met him a few days back. With a mouth as sweet as his, I might marry him."

Luca wondered if she was well known. He had never heard of her before.

"Miss Thalia is one of the top-ranking members of the Merchant's Guild, just under the vice president. She is also a good friend of mine," Thomas explained.

Luca extended his hand. "I suppose I should introduce myself."

"It's fine," she laughed, taking his hand. "Baron, I hope you do not mind that I brought a few more people."

She gestured to two figures stepping out of the carriage. Luca's eyes widened; he could not forget them even if he tried.

'Not these two again,' he thought.

It was Vito and Jonny. Luca's eyes widened then narrowed once more.

The two men noticed him and wore the same grimaces on their face.

Meanwhile, Thalia still introduced them. She pretended not to notice Lucas's expression.

"The one with the beard is called Vito and the brooding giant is Jonny. I happened to meet them the same day I met Luca actually, and remembered their talent for things such as these." She smiled.

"That's excellent we'll need some experiences hands to assist us," one of the other nobles said.

He was also a baron, however, unlike Thomas he was dressed in an ostentatious hunting coat and wore a ceremonial blade at his hip.

Vito and Jonny remained silent but paid their respects to the other nobles.

Baron Wake certainly wasn't dumb. He spotted the expression on Lucas's face.

"You also know them, Luca? You're quite the socialite, aren't you?

Luca tore his eyes off the two, "I suppose you could say that."

Thomas didn't dwell on it and ordered the carriage's driver to go fetch something. A second later, the driver brought a long, heavy box and placed it on the floor.

The box opened, revealing a set of strange conrraptions within.

Baron Wake grinned.

"The Artificers call them rifles."