SUPREME ARCH-MAGUS

After breaking the soul bonding melody, Kent came out to see his companions.

But surprisingly, everyone still stood like a frozen-statue without any movement. He immediately turned towards the girl spirit who stood beside him.

"Why did they still stand like statues? You said the curse was already broken. Why are they not moving?" Kent asked, his voice carrying a weight of both frustration and concern.

The girl spirit floated lazily beside him, her translucent form shimmering faintly in the dim light. A playful smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she regarded him.

"They are free from the soul-binding curse, yes. But now, they are under your control. You are the master of this musical hall now, Kent. Their freedom lies in your hands."

Kent's brows furrowed, and his eyes narrowed at the girl. "And how exactly do I release them?" His tone sharpened, reflecting his impatience.

The girl spirit tilted her head, eyes gleaming mischievously. "First, fulfill your promise to me. Then, I will tell you how."

Kent exhaled sharply. "This isn't the time to play games. What do you want? If you want the castle, you can have it. I don't care about these walls. I just want them to live their lives again."

Her smile softened, but her eyes grew distant. "It's not the castle I seek. My spirit is bound to this place. I'm like a dog tied by a chain. I want you to break that chain, set me free. Let me roam as I wish." She paused, the weight of her words pressing against the air between them. "But once I am free, I won't be loyal to this castle. I won't be at your service, either."

Kent studied her closely. This was her plan all along, he realized. Yet, despite the cunning glint in her eye, he couldn't bring himself to deny her wish.

"How do I release you?" he asked at last.

The girl's lips curved upward again. "Simple. Just think about it and snap your fingers. This castle bends to your will now."

Kent hesitated for a moment, then lifted his hand.

'Snap.'

A faint ripple of energy pulsed outward. The girl spirit gasped softly as her form flickered. For a brief moment, her eyes widened with hope—only for her to realize she remained bound.

"What did you do?" she asked, confused.

Kent smirked. "Relax. I just woke my friends first."

As if in response to his words, golden light cascaded across the room. The thousands of statues scattered across the entrance began to shimmer. Cracks ran down their surfaces, and with each fragment that fell away, glimpses of living flesh emerged beneath.

Suddenly, a booming voice shattered the silence. "Master!"

Fatty Ben was the first to fall forward, collapsing onto his knees as tears streamed down his plump cheeks.

"M-Master! It's really you!" he sobbed, crawling toward Kent in a manner most undignified. His rotund form quivered with emotion, and he latched onto Kent's leg as if afraid the world around him might crumble once more.

"Master! You saved me again! This fatty—I swear I'll never leave your side!" Ben wailed loudly, rubbing his tear-drenched face against Kent's robe.

"Get off me, Ben. You're snotting all over my clothes," Kent muttered, though a smile tugged at his lips. "You're not a child anymore. Pull yourself together."

But Ben did not relent. "I thought I'd never see you again! I thought we were lost forever! Master... forgive me for being useless."

Before Kent could respond, more figures began collapsing forward, staggering to the floor as if waking from a deep, intoxicating slumber. Murmurs spread among them, eyes wide in confusion.

"Where... are we?"

"What happened?"

"I remember standing here... but that was long ago..."

Kent turned to see rows of men and women blinking against the golden light that had yet to fully fade. Many of them were dressed in battle garb, though their armor was tattered and covered in dust. Others wore robes of ancient designs, from histories Kent had only read about in old scrolls.

A wiry man with white hair stumbled forward, his knees weak. "How... how long have I been here? Where are my brothers? My clan?"

The realization hit many of them at once. For centuries, they had been trapped in this cursed hall, their loved ones long gone. An unbearable silence followed as people began to comprehend the weight of time that had passed.

A tall, regal woman with violet eyes approached Kent, her lips trembling. "Were you the one who freed us? Who are you, boy?"

Kent met her gaze calmly. "I'm Kent. But you don't need to thank me. I have done this to free my companions. This wasn't done purely out of kindness."

At his side, the girl spirit stood quietly, her face unreadable. The faint golden outline that had once defined her now flickered weakly. She looked down at her hands, flexing her fingers as if feeling the curse gradually slipping away.

"You didn't have to free them first," she said softly, her voice lacking the usual playful charm. "You could have released me right away."

Kent crossed his arms and smirked. "I'm not in the habit of breaking promises. But I also don't take orders from spirits who try to outsmart me. You're not the only one who plays the long game."

Before she could respond, two figures emerged from the crowd and made their way toward Kent. Mohini and Lambu, walked with renewed vigor.

Mohini, the 7th witch who had once guarded Kent with her life, knelt the moment she reached him.

"Servant Mohini greets Master Kent." Her voice was steady, though Kent could see the fire in her eyes.

Beside her, the massive serpant-like beast Lambu lowered its head, bowing deeply. Its dark mane shimmered under the glow of the hall's fading curse. "Master," Lambu growled, its deep voice echoing through the chamber.

"This lady named Mohini is the one who protected me in all these days master. She is the most loyal person your mother choose to send with me to the spirit world." Fatty added, breaking Kent's confusion.

Kent raised his hand, signaling for them to stand. "No need for formalities. Thank you for protecting Ben."

Mohini hesitated but rose to her feet. "How long has it been, Master? It feels like only yesterday we walked into this hall."

Kent glanced at the others, watching as they reconnected with one another, exchanging confused words and embracing. "For many, it's been hundreds of years," he replied quietly. "But none of that matters now. We're here, and we're alive."

Ben wiped his nose on his sleeve, nodding fervently. "Yes! We're alive! That's what counts."

But Kent's gaze hardened as he turned to the girl spirit. "Now... your turn. You kept your word, so I'll keep mine. You're free."

He raised his hand and snapped his fingers.

The girl spirit's eyes widened as the last of the golden outline dissolved. Her form shimmered, and for a brief moment, she seemed to levitate. Tears welled up in her eyes. "I... I'm free? Just like that?"

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Kent gave a half-smile. "You were right. You're not bound to this hall anymore. Go. Explore the world. Just don't cause trouble for anyone-else."

She laughed, twirling in the air. "You sure know how to make things dramatic. I'll remember this. But don't forget, even without the curse, I'll be watching."

With that, her form slowly faded, leaving only a faint whisper in the wind.