The Frugal Mage

The smoke still rose faintly in the distance when the Bureau official finally turned toward Rayven.

It was Inspector Marlon of the Royal Trade Bureau, the office responsible for the fairness of markets and the protection of merchant rights.

"They've really done it, as you said, Rayven." He muttered.

His reputation, Rayven knew, was that of a hard but incorruptible man. At the very least, this was what he heard from Albert.

Beside him was the older mage with a blue-and-gold mantle and silver beard.

He was Edrin Maelor, Senior Adjudicator of the Mage Association.

"Haa… This is serious. My duty is to regulate magic within the kingdom's cities. And tonight, those fools gave me enough evidence to drag them into chains myself."

Rayven bowed slightly, respectful but calm.

"Then I trust the Association will act swiftly. This was not just an attack on me. It was an attack on the city… If not for the guards we hired to isolate the area, there would be casualties here for sure…" Rayven said as he couldn't help but curse at those Mages in his mind.

"They used ten fireballs in the streets… They're going too far."

Edrin's eyes hardened.

"Exactly. Magic is power, but with power comes chains. If mages forget that, then we remind them with iron cells and revoked licenses. The names of the three casters are already marked." He lifted a parchment from his sleeve, then tucked it away.

Uncle Albert let out a breath and tapped his cane. "You see, my boy? Even if they had burned your roof to ash, the law is a heavier hammer than flame."

He was actually the one who had suggested involving the offices in this matter.

'Of course. But laws move only when wheels are greased.'

Rayven thought as he had to use his money to make them move. If not for his generous gift, they would probably not act at all.

Nonetheless, this would be the best method to handle this matter.

Rayven could only nod as he waited for the officers to act.

Marlon also knew what Rayve was thinking, so he chuckled.

"Hmph. Gold opens doors, yes. But don't mistake me, boy. This is not for your sake alone. The Bureau does not tolerate merchants who turn rivalry into crime. If we allow such things, then every shop in this city could be reduced to cinders the next time a deal turns sour… Still, with the money I received, you can tell me if you want a special torture for them. I'll work on it."

"I'm good. Just make sure they won't be able to harm us again."

Marlon nodded... "You have my word. I will bring charges against Colben and his circle. Not just for sabotage, but for conspiracy and endangering the public. The courts will not be lenient."

Rayven inclined his head. "That is all I ask..."

Albert chuckled as he looked at his nephew, who was barely 15…

"You speak like a seasoned trader already. Not even twenty winters on your shoulders, yet you make the old foxes bleed with their own tricks."

Rayven didn't answer.

He just looked at the flames dying in the distance.

The shop was gone, but his business would still continue tomorrow at a different branch…

It was nothing more than a stage to reveal the villains behind it.

Edrin, the old mage, finally found the hideout of the hired Tier 3 Mages or Arcanists…

He had actually been following them using a Spell up until now.

"Inspector Marlon, I assume you can handle the merchants. My mages will take care of those foolish mages." He said.

"Got it…" Marlon said as he finally made his move.

***

The night had not yet ended when Marlon struck Colben's manor gates.

Inspector Marlon arrived with a detachment of Bureau enforcers… Their lanterns immediately lit up the whole place!

Thud! Thud!

Suddenly, the heavy doors were forced open with a cast of Spell…

Aside from the enforcers, Marlon had actually brought a mage to ensure that there wouldn't be a problem.

Colben roused from his sleep and stumbled into the hall with his servants, clutching candles.

"What is the meaning of this!?" He roared…

At this point, one could see how poor he had gotten… They couldn't even afford a magic lamp and were using wax candles instead.

Marlon sighed as he stepped inside without ceremony.

"Colben, by order of the Royal Trade Bureau, you are under arrest for conspiracy, sabotage, and reckless endangerment of the public."

The merchant's face turned pale.

"What? That's absurd! I demand to see proof!"

Marlon raised a sealed parchment and let it unroll. The charges were inked in bold strokes, the royal crest stamped at the bottom.

"Proof has already been gathered. Witnesses, documents, and soon, the words of your hired mages. Your schemes are over."

Colben's men tried to block the way, but the enforcers pressed in with shields and swords in their hands…

Within moments, Colben was seized. There was nothing he could do in front of the First-Rate Swordsmen of the Bureau.

His allies, the other gray-bearded merchants, were also dragged from their chambers in a similar fashion…

***

At the same time, across the city, Edrin Maelor led a squad of Association Mages into a rundown warehouse near the southern quarter.

The hired Flame Arcanists had gathered there, still resting as they spent quite some mana from the bombardment, when the doors burst open with a surge of blue light!

Boom!

"By decree of the Mage Association, you are charged with the unlawful casting of destructive magic within city bounds." Edrin's voice echoed, which made the Mages scared.

The Tier 3 mages scrambled for their staff or wand, but it was too late.

Edrin's apprentices had already sealed the room and pointed their staff at the hired spellcasters…

"It would be great if you resist now, so we don't have to feed any more prisoners." Edrin muttered as he didn't really want to have burdens.

He believed that eliminating criminals or perhaps selling them to other mages who wanted to conduct experiments would be a lot better.

Unfortunately, it was not allowed…