Chapter 104.

PART 1.

Yograj is showing signs of improvement, according to the report of the family doctor who is monitoring him. maybe two years ago, Dhanraj would have been worried about it, since he used to be so insecure.

But now, he has effectively taken over the family, and despite the isolation enforced on them, he has successfully kept them afloat. He has also amassed enough force that if his father turns violent, he can be put down if necessary.

However, he would prefer if he cooperates with him since he can use his experience in politics in the future. Also, stay away from Porus and Zeko. Just one tangle with them ended so disastrously, let other families handle them. Dhanraj prefers to stay on the sidelines, and just keep printing money rather than fight the king directly.

‘If only father would have thought like that, things would have been so much better for us.’ he thought.

PART 2.

Zeko did not come to pick Hatori up this time. but he remembers the way, and his sense is strong enough that he can navigate to the house. However, he is wondering why he was not there to pick him up like he did for the previous year. He didn’t even send someone else or write about this in a letter to inform him.

Stopping at the gate of the house, he waits for an enemy to appear. Each time he has returned from the Academy, he has faced a spirit at the entrance to gain entry into the house. He has not lost yet, except for that one time when Nandan helped him, and he does not plan to lose this time either. No spirit is going to stop him from entering the house.

but there is a difference. He hears footsteps from the house. Maybe Zeko is coming? ‘No. these footsteps sound much lighter than Zeko’s.’

the door opens, and Hatori is confused. “Surprised!” said the strange boy in his own voice.

he then processes what his senses are telling him. “You’re… me?” he asked.

“Of course.” He opens his arms for a hug. “Your senses are not lying to you. now, give me a hug.”

Hatori evades the attack, he knew what was coming his way with that gesture. “I see you do not have your foci with you. such a shame.” Said the other Hatori.

“Why? Not like I need it,” he said, casting the Stinger spell to prod the defense of this imposter Hatori.

“True, we don’t need it,” he said and cast the Fireball spell. he then breathes and uses the wind element to enhance the fire.

Hatori comes out of that storm unscathed. “Just pure wind element, a gust of air,” he said. “Not very good with it are you?”

“I don’t need to be.” Said the imposter Hatori. “Because I also have other skills.”

“Probably stolen from me.” mutters the original Hatori.

“Oh, come off that high horse.” Said the imposter. “I’m a created copy of you, built by observing all the battles you’ve had in this house. Each shadow, each spirit you fought, it was recorded and analyzed, improved, and helped in creating me.”

“That is unfair. I did not consent to this!” said Hatori, launching conjured iron spikes at his imposter. This is becoming his favorite trick since mages rarely have defenses against the villosity of an iron spike coming their way. his imposter is no different, rather than take the attack directly, he moves out of the way.

Though some of them grazed his body, and did some light damage. Not as much as Hatori expected, but he drew the first blood in this duel.

“Consent? You are talking about consent? You wanted to be a programmer. You would have done the same data collection on your users for the company, and if their data got leaked? Then who cares? You still got paid. Right?” said the imposter, raising his arms, and moving like he was doing a dance.

In response, the ground rises, and Hatori receives an uppercut from the earth itself, sending him flying in response. Spitting the blood to the side, he raises his palm in front of him with his fingers spread apart, and electricity starts to flow from his palm to the tips of his fingers. This is then fired as a continuous bolt at his imposter, who is unable to dodge this many bolts and finds himself paralyzed on the ground.

“Probably. But using that argument for your own existence is flimsy. Did you honestly think I would be affected by it?” Hatori punctuated his question with an iron spike to the knee of his opponent.

Aside from a grunt, his clone did not show any sign of pain. “Kill me, why don’t you. that is what you have done ever since you’ve arrived in this world. tell me, what would Mother think about us now? What would father think that his son is a killer?”

Hatori has not thought about that in a long time. while his previous argument didn’t affect him, this one did. The clone seized the advantage, and decided that some more verbal beatdown was in order. “Forget about our parents. Do you think that Zeko will like to house a monster in his house for long? They are using us as a weapon! Sooner or later, he’ll kick you out. you’ve got no family, no money, no property. You’ll be worse than Shin!”

The imposter Hatori wasn’t just talking. He couldn’t stand up, but while talking he was preparing a massive cloud of electricity in the sky. Hatori realizes it too late. ‘At least it is not as bad as the one I used on that useless professor.’ Was his last thought, before he was struck by lightning.

He ran his own lightning through his body to lessen the impact, but that still did not save him from the shock completely. After his muscles stopped cooperating with him, he fell to the ground. Once the spell runs out, he gets up with jittery legs and impales his clone with an iron spike through his head. Watching him disappear, Hatori thinks about his words.

‘He’s right. I cannot rely on Zeko’s generosity forever. I must start amassing money as soon as I can, so if he kicks me out, I won’t be left floundering.’ He thinks, before entering the house, and finally passing out.

Zeko watched the entire battle from the house. “Did you really need to say all those things to him?” he asked to the ball of light on his shoulder. “I didn’t go to pick him up this year, that’ll fuel his paranoia against me.”

“Honestly master, if your student is so weak as to fall for some words during a battle, then he does not deserve to be trained by you.” said the central yantra.

Zeko sighed. The yantra does have a point, but during the heed of battle, it is not possible to keep your emotions under control all the time. he picks up Hatori and takes him to the pool of healing at the back of his house. Those lightning burns won’t heal themselves.

‘Be happy kid, from now on, you won’t need to face anything to gain entry into this house.’ He looks at Hatori with a smile.

PART 3.

James comes back home, already expecting trouble. Lucie graduated from the Academy last year, but that doesn’t mean anything, since the entire Mathis has an obsession with this house for some reason. Shakuntala and her two daughters like to run the operations of both families from this house.

“Lucie, he is here!” screamed Eva, the younger sister of Lucie.

Though the younger sister has joined the Academy, she stays away from James and his group there. Though she acts as a tattletale for Shakuntala and reports everything that is going on in the Academy.

‘No doubt she reported everything that happened this year. Let’s see what Lucie wants from me.’ thinks James.

“Look who is here. A guy friends with a beast who didn’t even spare his professors.” She said, moving to slap him. but James grabbed her and threw her to the ground.

“A weakling like you have no right to strike at me,” he said, glaring down at her.

“You dare to touch me? this is all because of that crippled mad boy. Mother! Tell James that he should not associate with that blind boy anymore!” said Lucie.

“Tut tut, you’re a graduated student, and yet you call your mother like that?” said James, not impressed. “Pathetic! You guys don’t deserve to stain the house of Flora with your presence!”

“And what will you do about that, boy?” asked Shakuntala, coming to the gate to see what is happening here.

James has no chance to go much after he gets free from that potion. He is grateful that his friends freed him from that prison, and he learned something about himself during that whole experience. He is way too passive. The world won’t leave him alone, just because he wants nothing more than to create things, doesn’t mean that the world or people of that world are going to respect him, and leave him alone.

Which leaves only other options.

“Gurg!” screamed Eva, as a bubble surrounded her, filled with water. James picked up this trick from Hatori.

“What’re you doing? Release her, at once!” orders Shakuntala.

Violence is the only option he has to make sure that people will leave him alone, and won’t bother him for their own gain. It also helps that he enjoys inflicting violence. “Maybe if I heated the water…”

Eva starts to thrash, as the water gets boiling hot, and she has breathed in that hot water. “Stop it, stop it you mad boy, what do you want?”

“Leave. Leave this house, and never come back. Or else, I’ll kill both of your daughters, right here and now.” Declared James.

“Fine. We’ll leave.” Said Shakuntala. She grabbed Lucie and started to leave, without even packing anything.

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James releases the water, which spills all over Eva, which causes her to scream even more. She is levitated by Lucie. “I can’t believe I let weaklings like them walk all over me for this long.” He muttered. The family hadn’t gone so far, they heard everything.

Lucie wanted to turn around and retaliate, but Shakuntala grabbed her and continued to walk outside of the Flora house. “We can’t face him. he has gone mad; the wards are on his side.” She said to Lucie.

James has no doubt that Shakuntala will come back with ward breakers later, and attack him for what he has done. But he does not plan to live here anyway. he comes inside, and after levitating his father who is in his alcoholic stupor, and putting the house under lockdown, he runs out of town.

‘Let’s hope I can reach the castle before my aunt’s goons catch up to me.’ he thought.

At the airship, people asked about his father, and he answered that he was in no condition to handle himself, so he had to take him for treatment for his sickness.

James also has a project waiting for him in the castle, if he manages to get there safely. Suraj has agreed to be the prototype for his project, on which he has been working for over a year now. Healer Slaughter will be there to monitor everything. All in all, it promises to be an exciting time.

PART 4.

George Fernandes is a happy father. His son has told him what has happened this year, and he even tangled with the council, which seems to be in a pretty bad state. Looks like his boy is finally growing a spine.

“So, what do you plan to do this coming year?” he asked.

“Pardon?” asked Josh, not understanding the question.

“Do you plan to capitalize on the weakness of the council or not?” asked his brother from the other side of the room in a bored tone.

“Indeed.” Nods George, that was his question exactly.

“Do I need to do anything?” wonders Josh.

“I have seen you complain more than once about the unfairness in the world,” said George. “This is your chance to finally fix that.” ‘Or at least try.’ He added in his head. He is perfectly aware that many people have tried and failed to fix the world.

He still sees indecision on the face of his boy, so he decides to clear the situation for him. “Listen, son, when a situation like this occurs, two kinds of people have a chance. First are the opportunists, I don’t think I need to explain to you what they are.” Josh nods, so George continues. “Then there are people like you, who want to change something. You finally have a chance to do that. If you can get into the council this year, you will have a chance to fix the unfairness about which you have complained so much.”

“Can I think about this? I don’t think I should take that decision in a hurry.” Asked Josh.

“You don’t need to tell me anything.” Said George. “Just decide that for yourself. If you need advice, you got your brother and me to help you here. Just don’t go to your mother. That woman lacks any political knowledge.”

“Maybe because she is too straight and narrow?” thinks George Junior. “She probably doesn’t see some angles as us.”

“Don’t say that anywhere near her!” said George. “She will skin your hide.”

“Also, you should invite your friend Hatori here once. I think I should meet him now.” Said George.

Josh shivers. His father and Hatori in one room, that sure promises to be an explosive meeting. His father is a combat nut, he probably would enjoy challenging Hatori in a battle of some kind. “I want to meet him as well,” said George Junior. “I want to see what is he like in the person. I have heard his praise from you a lot brother.”

“Well, I’m sure we can invite him…” Josh trailed off. He wanted to say “never”, but he can’t deny that he wants to show off his home to his friend.

‘Let’s just hope Father won’t mind the other three.’ He glares at George. ‘If he does, well, he will have to deal with me then.’

“Is that a challenge son? Let’s do an arm-wrestling match. I see you’re getting bulky like me.” said George, putting his arm forward.

“He takes after you, father.” Said George Junior.

“Yes, he’ll be a proper man, not a pretty boy like you,” said George senior.

“I’m not a pretty boy!” protested George Junior with a red face.

True, he hasn’t gained the bulky build of his father, instead having the delicate build of his mother. But he is not any weaker for it. And girls seem to like him. “Prove it,” said George senior. “I’ll handle both of you boys. If you can make my arm lower, then I’ll stop calling you a pretty boy for a whole month.”

“Deal!” said George Junior, jumping to help Josh immediately.

PART 5.

Raven’s parents are surprised. Their son has led a literal uprising in the school this year. The methodic way he executed every plan despite the lack of resources reminds Magpie of the generals whom he studied in his school days because he always had an interest in the historical wars and the tactics and strategies employed in those wars.

Looks like that love is carried to his son. “Should we stop him? it is one thing to challenge the dominance of nobles in the Academy, but outside he will be in trouble.” Asked the mother in concern.

“I think we shouldn’t stop him. if we stop him now, we will strangle his potential. I think we should support him.” said Magpie.

“But what if he—”

“Listen, my dear, we can raise children. But we can’t direct them. we cannot keep him safe forever. Let him make his own decisions.” Said Magpie.

PART 6.

“We’ll miss you.” said the younger kids.

“You tell the best stories.” Said the girl.

“Your music was fun.” Said one boy.

“It was fun to listen about the Academy.” said an older boy, who will be starting in the Academy next year.

“I’ll miss you guys too.” Said Shin.

He is leaving the orphanage. He could stay here for two more years, but at the age of sixteen, he’ll be kicked out. better to leave with the head held high than kicked out on the street in his opinion. Shin knocks on the office of the lady who runs this orphanage.

“Leaving already?” she asked.

“Yep. Just wanted to say goodbye.” He spoke.

“Usually, we have to remove the kids as they get older unless they are adopted. Rarely do they leave on their own, like you are doing. I wish you the best of luck for your future.” She spoke. “Do come here to visit once in a while, the children adore you.”

“Of course.” Nodded Shin.

He won’t be going to Zeko’s house this year. He actually signed up to be the backup player of piano for a band, about which his music teacher in the Academy told him. he will be touring with them for the rest of the vacation, so he won’t have enough time to spend with his friends.

He has already written a letter about that to everyone, though one fear still lingers at the back of his head. ‘I do hope they won’t forget me.’

PART 7.

History of Corvus Black, taken from the book The Influential Mages of the Subcontinent, Last 100 Years.

Corvus is a member of the Black family, born 155 years ago in the islands of the Subcontinent. The Black family was once a merchant powerhouse in the Subcontinent, handling the business of transport from the sea. The family was also known for naming their members with bird names, as Corvus is the assigned name of the common raven family of birds, large birds known for their intelligence.

Though Corvus wasn’t known for his raw power as a child, he was known for his intelligence, already knowing six languages at the age of nine, and having an intense interest in math. He was also known for not speaking much, which concerned his parents. He later told them that he doesn’t like to speak if it doesn’t serve a purpose. In short, he abhorred the small talk.

In the Academy, he became an apprentice to the so-called Star Maker, a master of alchemy and physical laws of the world, which govern the stars specifically. However, this apprenticeship does not have a happy ending, as they end up fighting regarding their views of children. Star Maker saw them as nothing more than tools for his experiment, while Corvus saw them as talents to be nurtured. This resulted in a destructive duel between them, in which Star Maker died, unable to compete with the energy and youth of Corvus.

Later, Corvus utilized his alchemic knowledge, writing papers on subjects like immortality, something which fascinates the mage kind, theoretical knowledge about celestial objects like stars, and the effects of gravity on them, and even theoretical space travel. The last one he wrote after taking apart the Elven ship that crashed on Earth, which actually angered the Elves.

After he was done with research, he wanted to teach. So, he became the professor of astronomy at the Mage Craft and Sorcery Academy, and later when the former headmaster retired, he succeeded him.

During this time, he took young Porus under his wing, taught him his secrets, and became one of those few mages who can say that they trained a king. He has a great relationship with his own apprentice, unlike his own master. It is likely because they both agree on a lot of issues, though it is known that they also disagree on certain matters and when that happens, you should count your lucky stars if you are present for one of these debates. Because you will not see an intellectual sparring like this anywhere else in the world.

Despite his age, Corvus has remained in the top ten of the strongest mages of the country, having only dropped to the third recently. But remember this, dear reader, mages are secretive. It is difficult to assess the full strength of a mage.