Chapter 10 - Echoes of Betrayal
Life in the thriving magi city agreed with Kai, letting him further strengthen mystical muscles after rudimentary upbringing in obscure rural backwaters. Surrounded constantly by wonders, he hardly noticed improving control over inherited talents from fabled forebearer Van. Kai's natural confidence wielding the arcane bloomed under tutelage from veteran wielders.
Yet for all its marvels, Kazan also exposed him to the wider world's sly corruptions rather than innocent provincial purity. Even here in a bastion of light cutting-edge enchantments, traces of shadow lingered.
WhileVan's legacy proved largely forgotten folklore outside small circles of esoteric scholars, Kai nevertheless sensed ominous undercurrents lurking beneath idyllic facade of society's upper echelons. Behind polite mannerisms lay whispers waiting to swell into operatic scandal should certain long buried secrets emerge over dynastic intrigues and betrayed trusts.
During advanced classes on scrying remote locations through conjured fire and water vessels, Kai caught senior archmages averting eyes from his intent gaze. Almost as if his meticulously accurate reenactment of the missed lesson's difficult techniques intimidated the supposed master practitioners and pedagogues by reminding them of another from long ago...
None dared broach the taboo subject of Van the Betrayed directly to his self-exiled heir apparent wandering unwitting back into civilization's midst after years adrift. Yet averted glances shouted louder than courteous strained smiles straining to not crack under pressure from past guilt overlaying present interactions. Something about Kai indeed deeply unsettled certain members of the mage ruling council regarding old cognitive dissonance never reconciled.
Later while enjoying calligraphy practice as a meditative exercise integrating fine motor spiritual focus, Kai overheard sharp whispers from around the lacquered hall dividing corner:
"It cannot be coincidence given the timing and uncanny signature." hissed a harsh elderly voice used to issuing commands. "Inform the council at once. We must address this..."
The subordinate replied too softly to decipher words clearly, but the deferential tone conveyed reluctant dissent, arguing the wiser path involved discreet observation for now until determining necessity of actively interfering. Robes swished indicating departure before conversation could continue further.
Kai contemplated investigating by subtly eavesdropping on private administrative meetings, but considered such intrigues best left alone, for now. Likely just dramatics unimportant to his central goal mastering basics before chasing fanciful shadows. Van himself warned in earliest writings on maintaining discipline against distraction by which others attempt luring astray promising initiates from destiny's highest calling...
So the advanced student set aside curious notions on focusing fully the task at hand - growing stronger through self betterment before demanding answers from hypocrites fearing his potential too brightly outshining their complacent status quo. True journey was inward, not outward barking vainly at external shadows but rather banishing personal ignorance through cultivation of knowledge and wisdom.
Thus resolved in renewed purpose, Kai cleared thoughts and prepared diving back into rigorous mystical meditation. Many worlds existed even here within one man. And the most formidable lay not outside but rather within, awaiting pioneer brave enough to venture exploring frightening frontiers inward rather than chasing ephemeral ghosts lingering obsolete in realms left behind long ago. Now was time chasing future's horizons ever onward...