PART II: AFTER THE SEALING OF THE BLACK MAGE

Chapter 17: The Sage’s Apprentice

• In Shangri-La, also known as the realm of the sages, a white tiger Anima named Hoyoung read a book about the legendary sage Tai Yu, who had sealed away the Four Perils during the ancient history of Grandis. Unaware that he dwelled within the realm of the sages, Hoyoung spent his days training as a disciple of his Master within his Hermitage, the only home that he had ever known.

• With his Master away on urgent business, Hoyoung spent his time alone in the Hermitage while half-heartedly training, knowing that he was still unable to use magic. During his training, he was called to a sealing stone and inadvertently let loose Taotie, one of the Four Perils. Though Hoyoung attempted to reseal him, he accidentally sealed Taotie within his body. Because his body was too weak, the countless fiends that Taotie had consumed escaped into Grandis.

• In order to recapture the fiends and correct his mistake, Hoyoung left the Hermitage and inadvertently left Shangri-La, exiting the realm of the sages into the moon of Cheong-woon in the outside world. To help Hoyoung recapture the fiends, Taotie loosened a seal placed on Hoyoung’s magic, allowing him to use his Master’s spells.

• To find the fiends, Hoyoung became a private investigator at the Information Broker Burueu, which was managed by an Anima named Kaling. Over the months, Hoyoung worked to recapture the fiends, which were consumed by Taotie.

• After recapturing all the fiends in Cheong-woon, Hoyoung decided to travel to Maple World in order to find the rest. Unbeknownst to him, Kaling decided to keep an eye on Hoyoung after learning that Taotie dwelled inside him.

• As they captured fiends in Maple World, Hoyoung decided to learn more of his Master’s spells. However, when he was unable to return to the Hermitage - which remained hidden within Shangri-La - Hoyoung found a way to enter the Hermitage through his dreams, allowing him to read his Master’s advanced spellbooks.