Chapter 105: Chapter 105: Systems’s Rumors

"...invocations for everyone..."

Tarec advanced cautiously, his senses on high alert. For most of the city's inhabitants, the day seemed no different from any other.

However, as he approached the city wall, he began to notice a shift in the atmosphere.

More and more people gathered in small groups, whispering among themselves. Some faces showed concern, others curiosity. Tarec strained his ears, catching fragments of conversations:

"...they say there was a fight among the summoners..." "...invocations for everyone, can you believe it?" "...a new leader, but no one knows who it is..."

He stopped abruptly as a group of soldiers rushed past him, each with a small fire salamander perched on their shoulder.

"Impossible," Tarec muttered under his breath.

How could this be? Didn't one need to be level 4 to summon?

As he reached the base of the wall, the atmosphere changed dramatically. Hundreds of soldiers moved with urgency, their faces tense and determined. Tarec recognized several of his former comrades, but all seemed too busy to stop and talk.

"Attention, citizens!" A messenger's strong voice cut through the crowd's murmur. "All active and retired soldiers are requested to report to the wall! The new leader, Elio Elian, will grant you the power to defend yourselves!"

The name meant nothing to Tarec, but the mention of retired soldiers caught his attention. His curiosity overcoming caution, he followed the crowd to an improvised plaza where dozens of soldiers gathered around a figure Tarec didn't recognize.

The scene that unfolded before him defied everything he thought he knew about the order of things.

On a makeshift platform stood a young man, with clothes he had never seen, who couldn't be more than 20 years old, surrounded by figures Tarec recognized as two of the city's most powerful Summoners. Among them, to his surprise, was Lucien, known for his wisdom and justice.

The man whose intervention had saved Tarec's life. The man whose family had taken his son's life and put them in danger in the first place.

"Next!" the young man shouted, his voice laden with authority despite his evident exhaustion. "Quickly, we don't have much time!"

Tarec watched, astounded, as soldier after soldier approached the young man. With the soldier's book open, the young man opened his own book face down, and seconds later... a salamander appeared on the soldier's shoulder.

Tarec felt his head spinning. It was too much information to process. "But why trust you?" he asked, bitterness seeping into his voice. "The families are responsible for all this. My son died because of your power games."

Selene looked him directly in the eyes. "You're right to be angry, Tarec. We've made terrible mistakes. But now we're trying to make amends. Elio... he's given us the power to say no."

Before Tarec could respond, a commotion near the platform caught his attention. A group of citizens had approached, demanding answers.

"What's happening?"

Questions blended into a chorus of confusion and anxiety. Elio, visibly exhausted, tried to calm the crowd, but his voice was lost in the tumult.

Lucien, seeing the situation, stepped forward. His imposing presence momentarily silenced the crowd.

"Citizens of our great city," he began, his voice resonating with authority. "I understand your confusion and concern. Extraordinary events have occurred in the past few hours, events that will change the course of our history."

He paused, letting his words sink in. "The Founder, whom we have all served for so long, has betrayed the trust we placed in him. He was planning to sacrifice a large part of our population."

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Was it possible?

"Elio Elian," Lucien continued, gesturing to the young man, "confronted the Founder and defeated him, saving countless lives in the process, mine included. Now, we stand at a crossroads. The Founder and his most loyal followers still pose a threat, barricaded in the central building."

"Why should we believe you?" someone shouted from the crowd. "You're part of their families!"

Lucien nodded gravely. "You're right to distrust us. The families, including mine, have abused our power for too long. But with Elio, we can follow a different path, a path of equality and justice."

Selene stepped forward. "That's why he's distributing invocations to the soldiers. So that power isn't concentrated in a few hands, but distributed among those who swear to protect the city."

Tarec observed the crowd's reactions. He saw confusion, disbelief, but also glimmers of hope on some faces. It was evident that most citizens had no idea what had transpired.

Elio, regaining some strength, stepped forward. "I know it's a lot to take in. I don't expect you to trust me immediately. But I ask that you give us a chance. Together, we can build a better city, a city where we all have a voice and power."

Tarec felt an internal conflict. On one hand, the loss of Aram still burned in his chest, a constant reminder of the dangers of concentrated power. On the other, the idea of change, of a new beginning for the rest of his family, was tempting.