Chapter 24: Master D
"I'm not answering your stupid question," Grim said, still keeping his distance from the robed man. "Just tell me what you—"
The ground beneath them shook. A low rumble came from below, making small rocks move across the training yard.
"What the hell is that?" Grim asked, looking around. "An earthquake?"
The robed man's smile widened. "No, junior brother. The Master has arrived."
He sat down cross-legged in the same spot he'd been when Grim first entered the yard. His back straight, hands on his knees, eyes closed.
"Hey! We're not done here!" Grim shouted, but the man ignored him.
The rumbling got stronger. Each second that passed, the shaking got worse. Grim had to spread his feet wider to stay standing.
[This isn't natural,] the voice warned. [This is mana. Massive amounts of it.]
"What do you mean?" Grim thought back, but before the voice could answer, he saw someone at the far end of the yard.
A figure walked slowly toward them. As he got closer, Grim could see more details. The man wore dark red robes with gold trim, a hood pulled up to hide most of his face. Only a long gray beard was visible, hanging down to his chest. He was tall, about 188 centimeters, with broad shoulders that made him look even bigger.
With each step the hooded man took, the ground under his feet cracked as if it couldn't hold his weight. A red aura surrounded him, pulsing like a heartbeat, extending about a foot from his body.