Chapter 114.
PART 1.
It is the second day of the festival, and Daphne and Ravina are still around Hatori. “You girls should stay away from me,” he said to them. “It is dangerous to be around me, I always get attacked, or end up in trouble.” He struck the pose of a solum hero, forever doomed to be alone.
“Through no fault of my own, I always end up in violent incidents. I do not think it is safe for you to be around me,” said Hatori, trying to deepen his voice to sound even more tragic.
“Yeah right.” Said Ravina. “We’re not buying that act. You enjoy the violence.”
The tragic atmosphere deflates, and Hatori laughs. “How do you know that?”
“Because when you’re in a fight, you always have a joyful expression. We saw that last year when you dueled Professor Useless.” Said Daphne. Ravina and Hatori have still not pressed her to talk to them about the events of yesterday. They want to make sure that she comes to them on her own.
“That is just a lie. I am a tragic—villain, who always has to face the unfairness of society. I do not enjoy violence. I am a peace-loving boy!” said Hatori.
“Hey, thanks for the sandwich.” Said Shin, taking Hatori’s plate.
“Get back here you sandwich-thieving bastard!” he roared and chased after Shin.
“Tragic villain?” asked Ravina.
“Well, he hates being a hero.” Said Daphne.
“Bastard got away from me,” muttered Hatori. It does not occur to him that a gentleman does not use language like that in the presence of two ladies.
“Weren’t you a peace-loving boy?” asked Daphne. “You shouldn’t fight over a sandwich.”
“What? To fight over a sandwich is the right of the man, since ancient times, duels have taken place for sandwiches. Of course, you wouldn’t know, because girls usually stay away from duels.” Said Hatori, conveniently ignoring all the girls who attacked him, and died by his hands as a result.
“We can defend ourselves in a fight,” said Ravina.
“Prove it,” said Hatori.
“Fine. I challenge you to a duel.” She said to him, while Daphne looked at her in concern.
Hatori was about to accept, and even invite Daphne to participate to give them some chance of winning. But Josh comes and drags him off. “Come here, we have a meeting.” He said to him.
PART 2.
“Nandan, how’re you doing?” asked Hatori, recognizing his signature as soon as he entered the room.
Nandan is in the visitor’s room, where he is with his master. “So, you will graduate next year huh?” asked Hatori.
“Yep. Though it isn’t much of a change, I barely stay here as it is,” said Nandan. “Dimitri makes me work hard.”
Nandan observes the change in the boys. Josh looks more confident, Shin seems to have lost his awkwardness around his friends, James seems to be more comfortable talking, and Hatori has grown so strong. The boy has grown in height and muscles. ‘Just Look at that thick neck!’
Nandan itched to wrestle with him. but he sees that one of them is missing. “Where is Raven?” he asked.
“He is preparing for his chess tournament. He wishes to defeat Suresh, the champion for the last four years.” Said Josh.
“Yeah, he is in the same year as you are.” Said Hatori.
“Ah, I have heard of him. haven’t had much contact with him though,” said Nandan.
“Makes sense, both of you are in different fields.” Said James.
“Guys, I was told you are all here,” said Kangana.
“Yeah, what’s up?” asked Josh.
“Can I talk to Hatori for a moment?” she asked.
“Sure.” He walks out with her, ignoring the snicker of Nandan.
“If he loses his focus, and gets involved with girls, he will never become stronger than me,” said Nandan.
“I’ll tell him the bad news then.” Said Shin. “He is involved with not just one girl, but two of them.”
“What a greedy bastard!” laughed Nandan, unconcerned for the younger boys around him. they are fourteen, they have likely heard these words and used them themselves.
PART 3.
Kangana brings him to the empty part of the ground, near the stream, underneath the large oak tree. “I wanted to apologize to you,” she said to him. “I didn’t know why you got angry, and I just assumed.”
“Assumed that I went on a rampage just because?” asked Hatori.
“Yes.” She spoke. “Also, I do think I pushed you too much.”
“Okay, I accept your apology, especially since you do recognize your mistake. And I’m also sorry for hitting you,” said Hatori. “I should not strike the people who are trying to help me.”
Kangana is happy to hear that. looks like her work is paying off. She probably would have been more successful if she gave him his own space once in a while, instead of hounding him to do things in a “Right” way.
“Josh thinks I should pursue the mental healer’s path. Do you think he is right?” she asked, as they left this isolated spot.
“Well, sure. Just remember, it probably won’t be easy. You will encounter people who are much more difficult to handle than me.” he said in a joking tone.
PART 4.
It is the second week of the month, and some families have come to meet the fifth-year students. For a lot of the adults, it is a flashback to their childhood years when they studied in the Academy. however, Shin watches all of this happening, just observing the interaction between the children and their families. This is something which he will never have.
Hatori is with him as well. “I wish I could invite my parents here,” he said while seeing the meeting of Josh and Raven’s families.
Hatori is about to offer some commentary after listening to Josh laughing at his brother’s joke, but he senses a familiar signature of magic, and his head whips up so fast that he cracks his neck. Shin winced after hearing that, it sounded painful.
“How’re you doing, boy?” asked Zeko. “I see you know I was coming here. good, you have not lost your observation skills.”
“I do not want to go through the remedial training.” Said Hatori.
“It has been years since I have come here,” he said to his student. “I wish to see how you behave in this environment. Please don’t mind me as I watch you.”
“O…kay?” said Hatori.
“Of course, there’s another thing.” Zeko brings out the mirror which Hatori uses for talking with his parents. “I think we should go into your dorms for this.”
“True.” Said Hatori.
Shin thought that he would remain alone, observing people, but Hatori grabbed him and dragged him with him to the dorm. “Isn’t that a private call?” he asked.
“You are invited.” Said Hatori.
The call starts, and Karan picks it up. “Hatori? Is that you?” he asked, having not seen his son for a long time.
“You look strong son, just look at those muscles!” he said.
“Who are you talking to?” asked Rita, she gave a gasp of surprise when she saw Hatori. “Wow. No wonder you were so excited. He looks strong and healthy.”
“Well, it is all the result of Master Zeko’s efforts.” Said Hatori. “Also, I have a new friend. He is Shin, he is great with music.”
“Indeed?” asked Karan. “I remember you never enjoyed the classes we put you on.”
“I didn’t have any problem with the classes. It was performing in front of the relatives.” Said Hatori.
“I do see the boy has a stylish look.” Said Rita. “With that hairstyle, he could do well with any bands around here.”
Hatori nudges Shin to say something. “Hello sir, mam.” He said, too nervous to say anything else.
“Sir?” asked Karan.
“Mam?” said Rita. “What a way to make us feel old.” They said together.
“So, what, you’re not exactly young, Dad.” Said Hatori.
“What? You are lucky that I’m not there to show you my strength, you whippersnapper.” Said Karan. “Anyway, doesn’t this friend of yours have his own family to meet with? Zeko clued us in before he came there.”
“He is an orphan dad.” Said Hatori bluntly.
“Hmm. I see.” Said Rita. “But I do think he has gained a brother, don’t you think, dear?”
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“Of course.” Said Karan.
“And if he ever gives you trouble, just call me. I’ll be happy to straighten him for you,” said Rita with a smile.
“Mother!” said Hatori with a blush.
“Thanks. This means a lot to me,” said Shin, choked with emotions. He is grateful that Hatori made him part of this experience, and how easily his parents accepted him.
“Talk to you later, son.” Said Karan.
“Sure.” Said Hatori.
And then, the call ends.
PART 5.
As usual, Hatori has a limit to how much he can tolerate the loud festive environment. Therefore, he decides to spend some time in the forest to relax. He already spied on the location with the help of the crows, who told him that nothing chaotic was happening right now. Watching him go out, Maria Asato, Zhuge Liang, the Singh twins, and the shadow twins also decide to tag with him.
They brought food with them and decided to have a picnic at the old side of Hatori’s camp. the snake and elephant greeted him telepathically, apparently, they were in range, but not visible. while Hatori, Liang, and Maria have a three-way Go tournament with each other, the Singh twins and the shadow twins are passing the time with the dogs who have shown up. these are the same dogs among whom Josh ended up when he possessed the body of a puppy. That puppy seems to have grown strong and has formed his own group.
Currently, though, he is making pathetic faces at the girls to beg for food from them. a tactic that seems to be very successful. “So cute!” they squeal.
“Yeah, wait until he opens his mouth.” The dog gives a glair to Hatori.
‘Don’t spoil my fun, human!’ he communicated clearly.
‘Looks like you have developed your abilities.’ thinks Hatori.
“Don’t glare at the dogs like that.” chided Maya, “They will get scared of you.”
Apparently, Hatori’s face is scary.
After an enjoyable picnic, they go back to the Academy. the shadow twins are discussing the theme of their family, where every generation is named according to a certain theme. In their generation, it is the shadow and illusion. “But our older brother is named Savera, after the morning.”
“Strange. Why would anyone enjoy getting named after a hated time?” asked Bhavani.
“I completely agree—” Hatori stiffens in reaction to sensing something coming at them, and a strange thing nearly tramples them all.
He attacks this strange thing with lightning, using Thundershock. But it does not have any effect at all. “A yantra made of rubber. That I have not seen before.” Mutters Hatori, while conjuring chains to restrict its movements.
That worked for a while, but the yantra contorted its body and slipped through the chains. It then attacks, expanding its arms, and catching Hatori in a bearhug. While it may look amusing, getting squeezed like that is no fun. If it weren’t for his modified stronger body, Hatori would have been crushed already. He escapes by pouring flames from his body. The rubber starts to smoke, and the yantra has to let go of him.
Hatori takes advantage of this, and slams his foot down, turning earth into a soft swampy ground. The Yantra starts to sink. It tries to get out, but Hatori transmutes the swamp into cement, trapping half of this strange yantra’s body. Hatori then lights it on fire after conjuring some oil. This does not destroy the yantra, and it comes out of the smoke, charred in some places, but still moving. It extracted itself from the cement through brute force. Liang and the Singh twins prepare to attack, getting out of their shock at this sudden attack. but before they can do that, the clapping sound starts to echo in the clearing.
“Looks like your fight or flight response is just fight and fight,” said Munshi, jumping from the tree where he watched the small skirmish. “I do notice that you didn’t use much variety, some elemental spells, some raw elemental magic, and transmutation.”
Hatori said nothing. “You have potential boy, do seek me out before this festival is over.” Said Munshi, slowly disappearing in front of their eyes after delivering his final words.
Hatori tries to sense him, but his signature has disappeared entirely. “That was a clear invitation of apprenticeship as I’ve ever seen.” Said Liang.
“You can’t be serious. The guy attacked us!” said Chaya.
“Not us, just Hatori.” Points out Maria. “That yantra could have come after any of us, and due to our shock, we wouldn’t have been able to react. But it did not, and fought just Hatori.”
“She’s right.” Said Ranveer. “That guy was only interested in you.”
“But why me though?” asked Hatori.
“Only he can answer that,” said Liang. “Let’s get back inside, there’s no point standing around, and arguing about his motivations.”
“Right.” They all said together.
PART 6.
Zeko is hunting, trying to pin down the magical signature of his prey. While he does not rely on magical sensing as heavily as his student, he is no slouch on it either. He finds Munshi coming from his own quarter and nearly takes his head off with a Piercer spell.
“Oohhh. Such hostility.” He said, not worried about the threat to his life. “Any particular reason for it?”
“I heard what kind of stunt you pulled off yesterday.” Said Zeko. “Do you honestly think I’ll let you go so easily after you threaten my student’s life?”
“He is going to be my student as well you know.” Said Munshi. “In fact, I helped you out when you were just starting to train him. so why are you behaving this way?”
Zeko said nothing. “Is that about the Sanjay incident?”
Zeko growled. “Whether you like it or not, that boy has potential. And you have done a wonderful job of bringing it out. but you have hit your limits, haven’t you?”
“Only he can decide whether he wishes to learn from you or not,” said Zeko.
“I don’t have any problem with that,” said Munshi. “I won’t try to influence him, just introduce him to my field. Rest is up to him.”
Zeko shakes his head, throwing his hair every which way. ‘That is the best I’m gonna get.’ He thinks, before spinning on his heel and walking away at a brisk pace.
‘I’m sorry my friend, but I won’t be the statue who will take punches because of your regret and guilt.’ Said Munshi.
PART 7.
It is the final match with Suresh. After Raven has defeated everyone, and qualified for the championship match, he has to fight Suresh in a series of matches. Whoever wins five matches will be the winner, and draws do not count. As a result, they have been playing each other for five days straight, during this time, they have four games which have results and six draws. So far, Raven and Suresh have won two games each. Whoever wins the fifth match will be the winner.
This grueling match has sapped the energy of both players; however, they are not willing to give up. after the game in the morning ended up in a draw, they are playing a new match after dinner, and it is still going strong with twelve in the night. for four hours straight, both of them have tried to maneuver around each other, trying to achieve victory, and the end game has come finally.
Suresh has only two rooks and a bishop left, along with two pawns, while Raven’s queen is still in the game, along with one rook one knight, and just one pawn. Raven advances the remaining pawn, since it is close to the final square, and there is no piece to obstruct it. Suresh threatens to check his king, but Raven defends, and after waiting for his turn, advances the pawn once again. Suresh brings the rook to his corner, he will capture the pawn as soon as it is advanced, even if it gets promoted to a queen. Raven advances his knight to protect the pawn, while Suresh moves his remaining rook.
Suresh forgot to keep his bishop guarded, and Raven captures it with his remaining rook, Suresh advances a pawn to threaten Raven’s king. But he moves it aside before the pawn can reach him, and on his next turn, puts Suresh’s king in check. Raven calculates that if his pawn gets captured even after the promotion, and his knight takes the rook, he will still have a check on Suresh. So, he did exactly that, and the game played out exactly as he thought it would.
In the final few moves, Suresh’s king is boxed in by Raven’s knight, rook, and queen, and he resigns.
Raven has become the new chess champion of the school. However, he is too tired to celebrate. He takes the trophy to his dorm and shambles to his bed like a zombie.