"Well, well, isn't it Master Rodrick?"
"What 'Master'? He's not even a First-Level Wizard anymore."
"I heard they repossessed all his elemental organs. His power's dropped so low he's not even a match for an Official Wizard now, right?"
"Tsk, tsk. What a pity, what a pity. He was so magnificent back then, and now..."
Their laughter was sharp and piercing, like a blade scraping across Rodrick's heart.
He lowered his head and turned to leave.
...
Rodrick saw himself living in a dilapidated wooden shack, surviving by doing odd jobs for food.
The subordinates who once bowed and scraped before him now treated him with cold contempt.
Even Anvil, a gang leader he'd never bothered to give a second glance, now dared to mock him to his face.
"Master Rodrick? How did you end up in such a state?"
Anvil had a cigarette dangling from his lips, a mocking smile on his face.
"I hear you can't even pay your rent now. How about I lend you a few copper plates?"
