The Villain Professor's Second Chance-Chapter 427: The Mage of Flowers

Amberine took a deep breath, her body still trembling from the chase that had just taken her through the depths of Aetherion. She could feel her heartbeat pounding in her ears, her pulse slowly beginning to calm as she took in her surroundings. The dark, oppressive hallways were gone, replaced by a serene space filled with flowers of every color. The air was thick with the scent of blooms, the ground covered in soft petals that cushioned her feet. A soft glow filled the area, giving it a dreamlike quality that seemed completely disconnected from the nightmare she had just escaped.

She glanced around, her eyes catching sight of the mysterious figure—the one who had saved her. He stood not far away, his pink hair glowing softly in the ambient light, his eyes focused on her, studying her as though she was some puzzle he was interested in solving. Amberine shivered, the adrenaline from her flight finally wearing off, leaving her drained and wary.

The pink-haired mage smiled gently, his eyes filled with curiosity. He took a step toward her, his movements slow, deliberate, as though he didn’t want to startle her. Amberine instinctively took a step back, her eyes narrowed, her mind still buzzing with questions. Who was he? What had just happened?

"You have nothing to fear," the mage said softly, his voice melodic, almost musical in quality. There was a calmness in his demeanor that somehow made the flowers around them seem even more serene. "I am just a wandering mage, someone who happened to see you in a bit of trouble."

Amberine frowned, her eyes narrowing further. She could still feel the fear from before, the presence of the cloaked figure chasing her, the darkness that had pressed in on all sides. This man, whoever he was, had pulled her from that darkness, and she wasn’t sure if she should trust him or be even more afraid.

"Why did you help me?" she asked, her voice shaky. "Who are you, really?"

The mage gave her an enigmatic smile, his head tilting slightly to the side. "Names are just labels," he replied, his tone light, almost playful. "But you may call me a wanderer of magic. And as for why I helped you… well, I couldn’t very well leave you to those things, now could I?"

Amberine eyed him, her uncertainty growing. His answer was vague, evasive, and there was something about the way he spoke that made her feel like he was deliberately keeping secrets. But as she studied him, she couldn’t sense any immediate danger. In fact, there was something about his presence—something calm, powerful, and deeply comforting. She couldn’t help but feel drawn to it, despite her wariness.

She looked around at the flowers blooming around them, their petals glowing faintly in the soft light. They had appeared out of nowhere, pulling her away from the cloaked figure when she thought all hope was lost. She looked back at the mage, her eyes curious. "How did you do that? The flowers—I’ve never seen magic like that before."

The mage chuckled softly, his eyes softening as he looked down at one of the flowers at his feet. He reached down, his fingers brushing against the petals, his touch gentle. "Magic isn’t always about power, you know," he said, his voice filled with warmth. "Sometimes, it’s about beauty, compassion, and understanding the nature around you."

He plucked a single flower from the ground, its glow intensifying for a brief moment as he held it between his fingers. He turned to Amberine, extending his hand, the flower glowing faintly as he offered it to her. Amberine hesitated for a moment before reaching out and taking it, her fingers brushing against his. She could feel the warmth of his magic, the gentle energy that seemed to flow from the flower into her hand. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before—so different from the harsh, intense power she usually associated with magic.

"You seem… different," Amberine said, her voice barely a whisper as she studied the flower. "Your magic—it’s not like any magic I’ve seen."

The mage smiled, his eyes twinkling with a hint of amusement. "Perhaps I am different," he said, his tone light. "Or perhaps you simply haven’t seen enough of the world yet." He reached out, brushing a strand of hair away from her face, his touch light as a feather. "Magic is a vast, boundless force, filled with secrets that even the greatest of magi have yet to uncover. There are wonders out there that you can’t even begin to imagine."

Amberine looked up at him, her heart pounding in her chest. There was something about the way he spoke, something that made her want to believe him, to trust him. But there was also something else—something mysterious, something he wasn’t telling her.

"You’re very vague," she said, her voice filled with frustration. "Why won’t you give me a straight answer? Why all the riddles?"

The mage chuckled, his eyes filled with mirth. "Ah, but curiosity is the essence of magic, my dear," he said, his voice soft, his words almost poetic. "Without it, magic would lose its wonder. And without wonder, what would be left for us to discover?"

Amberine frowned, her frustration growing. She opened her mouth to demand more answers, but before she could say anything, the mage raised his hand, signaling for silence. His expression had changed, his eyes growing more serious, his demeanor shifting from playful to somber.

"Listen to me carefully, Amberine," he said, his voice low as he suddenly mention her name that she never told him, filled with a gravity that made her stomach twist. "Aetherion is more than what it seems. It is a bridge, a door, a labyrinth where many have lost themselves. Those who wander without purpose often find themselves in places they wish they hadn’t. This place is connected to many realms and forces beyond your understanding. You must be careful."

Amberine swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. His words sent a chill down her spine, the weight of them pressing down on her, filling her with a sense of dread. She wanted to ask more, to understand what he meant, but before she could speak, the mage placed a finger over his lips, his eyes locking onto something in the distance.

A low chuckle echoed through the air, a sound that sent a jolt of terror through Amberine. Her eyes widened, her heart pounding as she recognized it. The cloaked figure—he was still searching for her, even here.

The mage’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as he turned back to Amberine. He stepped closer, his hand coming to rest on her shoulder, and she felt a surge of energy rush through her, like a protective barrier wrapping around her. "You mustn’t stay here," he said, his voice urgent. "The shadows that pursue you are relentless, and they will find you if you linger."

He motioned for her to follow him, his movements quick, precise. Amberine didn’t hesitate. She followed him through the garden, the flowers parting for them, creating a trail through the otherwise dense, eerie landscape. They walked in silence, the mage occasionally glancing over his shoulder, his eyes scanning the area, as if ensuring they weren’t being followed.

Amberine could feel her heart pounding in her chest, her fear slowly ebbing as they moved further away from the source of the chuckle. There was something about the mage—something about his presence, his confidence—that made her feel safe, even in the face of the unknown. She didn’t understand why, but she trusted him.

Continue reading at novelbuddy

They reached a clearing, and Amberine’s eyes widened as she saw what stood before them—an archway, covered in vines and flowers, glowing faintly in the soft light. Beyond the archway, she could see a shimmering portal, the air around it humming with energy.

The mage turned to her, his eyes locking onto hers, his expression serious. "This will take you back to where you belong," he said, his voice calm but filled with an urgency that made Amberine’s heart skip a beat. "Do not stray from your path, and remember—curiosity can be both a gift and a curse."

Amberine looked at the archway, her heart pounding in her chest. She could feel the magic emanating from it, the energy wrapping around her, pulling her towards it. She hesitated, her eyes searching the mage’s face for answers, for something to hold onto. She wanted to understand who he was, why he had helped her, but she knew she wouldn’t get those answers now.

She took a step towards the archway, the portal glowing brighter as she approached. She turned back to the mage, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "Will I see you again?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

The mage smiled, his pink hair swaying gently as he tilted his head. "Perhaps," he said, his voice soft, almost wistful. "If the winds of fate allow it. Until then, stay safe, little one."

Amberine took a deep breath, her heart pounding as she stepped through the archway. The portal glowed brightly, the light engulfing her, and the last thing she heard was the mage’s voice, soft, almost as if carried by the wind. "Remember, magic is more than just power. Until we meet again, I entrust you to another wanderer of magic."

"The mage of abyss who defeated the primordial chaos once,"

This chapt𝙚r is updated by freeωebnovēl.c૦m.

The mage of... Abyss...?

The world around her shifted, the light blinding her, the air filled with a strange humming. She felt herself being pulled, her body weightless, the world around her blurring, fading away.