I created my own system

Chapter 153 The Dying Tree

"This is good we can have snacks once we go to the shrine!"

Matilda happily exclaimed while tasting some of it.

"Shrine? What shrine?"

The wizard asks curious about what she just said.

"Oh that, it's an old shrine here that we always go to when we have free time"

Mackenzie replies while taking the box that's currently floating with Sir Gavin's magic.

"A shrine?"

"We often do some barbeque there"

"And bonfires!"

"Chats until dawn arrives!"

"Let's camp there tonight!"

"Yeah, come to think of it they gave us a three day off to spend it with our family, so how about we spend it there?"

"Yeah, we should!"

The kids happily plan while dragging the tower mages with them. Gladly those people who only knew magic to love became attached towards the lively children.

While they get dragged towards the lower-class dormitory Apollo stays beside Alger.

"Seeing that expression, something is bothering you am I right?"

The boy nodded and began to speak his concern.

"The world tree of the east is dying"

"I know"

The old mage replied while urging the boy to walk with him.

"I won't pry on how you gain that information, but the emperor had informed the tower three years ago"

"Three years ago?"

[It was the same time when the Monastery began moving to get the descendants of the five gods]

"Was there a connection between them?"

"Little sun I know what's on your mind but I think the Monastery had no connection to this"

"Really?"

"Yes because it is a different force that is currently looming in the east, something sinister"

Apollo decided to listen and let the old mage speak.

"Three years ago the kingdoms of the east especially the ones who live close to the tree reported numerous abnormal happening inside their kingdom. Wells, lakes and ponds drying up. The magical beast suddenly dying, the forest slowly withering and the mana excessively decreasing"

"It was an alarming report which resulted in them consulting the emperor and asking for his help. And that help was us. I sent some mages and they gave us a report that made even the Mage association afraid"

"The world tree is dying," the boy says while looking worried.

"Yes, and what is worse is that the spirits living there are no longer responding towards their master's call. The situation became even worse as the war between the empire and the monastery began. The appearance of the massive demonic beast corrupted the mana and devoured the forest it attacked. This escalates the speed of the tree dying.

And now if it weren't for a massive illusion that dwells on the tree, common folks would have seen how it lost most of its leaves while its trunk was losing weight"

"How to save the World tree grandpa"

"From what we know a world tree dying isn't a natural occurrence, someone is purposely killing the tree to weaken the mages of this continent. As you know mages are closely related to the World Tree since we are heavily reliant on mana and spirits. Without the tree, the mana will decrease and the mages will weakened.

So to stop everything we must find the culprit and retrieve the information about how they weakened the tree"

"What do we need to do if we can't find that information? I am certain that they won't give it to us easily"

"My dear sun who says they need to give it, no, we will take it. If they try to fight even their soul won't be safe from me"

The boy can't help but gulp, the owner and leader of the Mage tower and the greatest wizard who mastered the craft of Darkness. That mage was actually assigned by the emperor in this case, which only shows how dire the situation is.

Alger Thornvale, no one can escape his gasp, with him every branch of the element of Darkness can be cast without difficulty, black, void, space and necromancy. Even if someone tries to destroy their soul so that the spell Veritas would be useless it won't really matter to him. Even fragmented souls can be healed in a matter of seconds.

He had full control of someone's life since his necromancy had reached a level that even an eldritch wouldn't be able to fight back. And no distance is too far with void and space within his command.

Apollo knows that whoever dares to touch the World Tree will face the wrath of the empire's strongest mages.

"The Mage tower and Mage's association, the two most powerful wizard and witch organizations had now joined forces, it makes me wonder how powerful our current foe is"

"We currently have no idea who they are"

That statement made the boy surprised, it's been three years yet no clue was found.

"Why?"

"The investigation came across the monastery's force, they must been mistaken that they were there to fully destroy their cult not knowing those people came to investigate the World Tree"

"Makes sense those cult believers have their lairs all over the continent"

"Right I forgot you blew up their bases, so how does it feel becoming the youngest and richest boy in the empire? I know you plundered their gold and artifacts"

The boy remained silent while evading Alger's line of sight.

"I did get a lot of them but I plan to share it with my friends"

The old mage just smirks already knowing that it was the action he planned to do.

"Do you want to join the investigation as a member of the tower?"

"That would be an honor grandpa but I need someone to take care of my friends here, I can't just leave them alone"

"Oh don't worry about that"

He confidently said while walking with Apollo. The boy was a bit confuse about his words but decided not to inquire about it.

.

.

.

The dormitory was loud and joyous with the arrival of twenty mages from the tower. Gavin and his team tried their best to get the vacant spots but Arthur and the rest of the Black Tower mages wanted it as well. And so the entire Mage tower was put into a tight battle on who would come with Alger to visit Apollo and his classmates.

In the end, the four towers manage to get five spots for Blue Moon, Red Sun, Ocean and Black Tower. Equally distributing the twenty given slots the head gave them.

As they talked loudly about their achievement Martha and the rest of the dormitory staff gladly cooked and shared a meal for everyone.

"I don't think we can all fit inside the tea room let's sleep outside"

Niko suggested to Apollo as the two boys looked at the room while the rest enjoys chatting and eating in the kitchen. The entire day was filled with fun times with the tower mages teaching random tricks to the children. They didn't even notice how the sky began to darken.

"It's still early so we should probably tell them we will set up a bonfire outside"

"How about star gazing the sky seems clear"

"I think that's brilliant"

And the two boys went towards the kitchen where everyone was seated.

"Hey how about star gazing everyone"

"We will set up a bonfire outside while we sleep in our tent"

"Sounds nice" Mckenzie said feeling giddy at the thought. Although they have done sleeping outside countless times it always feels different whenever they did it. They also have countless topics to discuss despite being together for the entire day. Being with his friends he realized there wasn't a dull moment and every single moment was worth remembering.

"Can we help?"

One of the tower mages asks while looking excited.

"Sure let's set up the tents first"

Braiden told him while beckoning Jerome to prepare the tents.

"We can just use our scroll tents that will make the work easier" a young mage suggested however Blair has other ideas. "It's okay sister Crystal and besides setting up your own tent is fun we should all work together to build one"

Crystal who was first reluctant can't help but agree.

And while they all plan to sleep outside Jenny arrives with a message.

"Um..kids your professor is here" she timidly said making everyone confused.

"Why do I have a premonition about who that is"

Matilda sarcastically said while Alicia urged everyone to see who it was.

"We will be right back!"

McKenzie said while waving at the mages.

"I think I know who this is," Arabella said while running with her friends.

"Same"

"Wait why are we even running!"

Then after some tumbles, they arrive in front of the dormitory's staircase where their professor is waiting for them.

"Well I knew it"

"Hey professor"

"Hey trouble makers I have news"

There standing proudly is their professor wearing his favourite black shirt and trousers. Adolfo smiled as he saw his students' expressions.

"I hope it's good news"

"Well here you go, judge the announcement whether its good or bad"

The professor then gave a folder to Alicia letting her read it.