Chapter 115.

PART 1.

Raven wakes up the next day, quite late in the morning. Since no classes are going on right now, he can sleep for a long time. true, classes for the students in the fourth year start in the afternoon, but the students still have to wake up early to get ready on time for them. Since the classes start late, they end even later, and coupled with assignments and other things, the students do end up going to sleep late at night. so, it all evens out.

Of course, then there are violent conspiracies going on against each other every night. though according to what Raven has heard from other professors, their generation is much less violent than the students who came before them.

‘What happened last night?’ the only thing which Raven remembers is the crushing exhaustion, and inability to think of anything else. But then, the memories start to come back, he remembers the match he had yesterday with Suresh.

He faced him all week long, and the champion did not relent in the slightest. He pushed him to his breaking point. ‘But did I win?’ removing the curtains of his bed, he finds all his friends clapping. He sees the trophy resting near his bed.

“Good job you did there.” Said Hatori, giving him a hug. James, Josh, and Shin also piled on top of him, making him laugh.

“You deserve it,” said Suresh, who is also in the room. “I’m really glad that I lost to a worthy opponent.”

“You’re not angry?” asked Raven, taking the glass of water from James since his mouth was dry.

“Angry? Why would I be angry? I lost, you won. Fair and square. You deserve that trophy.” Said Suresh. “Of course, it’ll be interesting to see whether you can keep it as long as I did or not.”

“I will graduate undefeated.” Said Raven.

“We’ll see.” He smiled, shook hands with Raven, and then left.

PART 2.

After they were done celebrating with Raven for his victory yesterday, Hatori leaves to find that strange guy who attacked him in the forest with that yantra. Hatori is sure that he can find him in the visitor’s quarters. He just has to pin his signature down. Which didn’t prove to be that hard, meaning that he wished to be found.

“Enjoying the sunbath I see.” Said Hatori, coming up from behind.

The man is startled. “Need to put a bell on you,” he muttered. Looks like the boy has picked up the bad habits of his master.

“Now,” said Hatori, taking a seat near him, “Why did you attack me with that strange yantra?”

“It wasn’t a yantra.” Said the older man. “It was a spirit.”

“A spirit?” asked Hatori.

“Yes, but before we can proceed any further, let’s introduce ourselves to each other. What do you say?” at Hatori’s nod, he proceeds to introduce himself. “I am Munshi, the premier necromancer, and practitioner of soul magic, and an expert in blood magic. the only one who can rival me in the blood magic is Professor Krodhatma.”

“Probably because blood magic uses symbols drawn in blood.” Said Hatori. He then introduces himself. “I am Hatori Eagle. I have no expertise at all, and I often struggle to understand magic. therefore, I only learn enough to make it work.”

Munshi smiled at that description. “Believe it or not boy, most mages are like that. especially the ones who have to practice their art in the real world.”

“What are the uses of necromancy?” asked Hatori.

“Tons. The officers of law request the services of a necromancer to find out the information about a crime all the time, in certain cases, souls have been summoned to question directly. However, it is not easy to do that.” said Munshi.

“That all seems to be related.” Said Hatori. “Souls, blood, necromancy.”

“And you wouldn’t be wrong to think that way. I wish to offer my knowledge to you, for I think you have the potential to learn it quite well,” explained Munshi. “You see, it is not just dealing with blood or souls. You oftentimes have to deal with spirits, and these deals can turn violent at the drop of a hat. And I have seen your capacity for violence twice. A few days ago, when you fought my spirit, and two years ago when you led an army of beasts right inside of this school.”

Hatori remembers how many times he has fought with spirits, but how little he understands about them. he wanted to read about them, but given his schedule, he does not have the luxury to just learn about a theoretical topic. But here, he seems to have a chance to learn about them, and even use them for his own gain in the future.

“What about the payment? I do not have enough money to pay for this training.” Said Hatori.

“Not to worry. The Academy will pay me,” said Munshi. ‘Or I can teach you without the pay, I’m not exactly struggling for money. But you don’t need to know that.’

“Okay. what will the training entail?” asked Hatori.

“The process you mean?” asked Munshi. At Hatori’s nod, he explains. “We’ll travel around, solving cases. You will learn the theory from me, and then apply that theory to the cases on which we’re working. It’ll be sort of on-the-job learning.”

“Okay, consider me sold.” Said Hatori. “Is there a specific phrase I must say to become your apprentice?”

“No. you’ve read too many books. You have given your consent, your guardian will be informed, and we can start the training when the next year of the Academy begins.” Explained Munshi.

PART 3.

Josh understands people, much better than his friends. that is why his social life is much larger than his friends. Shin could compete with him, but his orphan status often gets in his way. though slowly, he has started to come out of the stigma of his birth.

His understanding of people, as well as having first-hand experience with the issues they are facing led to his victory in the elections. His brother was surprised to see how he changed the system which has been standing for a hundred years. But Josh also understands math, in some cases, much better than people. Therefore, he is going to Amelia Davis, to talk about his coming next two years.

He knocked on the door. “Enter!” comes the voice from inside.

“Professor, may I talk to you?” he asked, coming to stand in front of her desk.

“Certainly. Please take a seat.” She motions Josh to sit down.

She idly notices how this student of hers towers over her even while seated. “What do you wish to discuss with me?” she asked.

“I wanted to know whether you have a spot open for the apprenticeship?” he asked. “I know that you are working with five students already.”

“I don’t think I would have any trouble in accommodating another student, judging from your performance so far.” She spoke. “Now, whether you can handle the workload or not, that is something you have to decide.”

“You mean my position of president and the workload of the course with you?” asked Josh.

“Precisely.” Said Amelia.

“I’m willing to handle the workload, mam, I don’t think I would have any conflict with my position with this course.” Said Josh.

“Then join me next year,” she said. “But before you can do that, you must give a test.”

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“A test?” asked Josh.

“Yes. Are you willing to give it now?” she asked.

“Sure.” Said Josh.

Josh solved the test in an hour, which was the time limit. However, some of the questions do not make sense. “I see you have left certain questions.” Said Amelia, going over Josh’s work.

“To be honest professor, they sound like gibberish to me,” said Josh.

Amelia smiled. “And that is exactly what they are.” She spoke. “This is how I check the students for prerequisites. However, in my opinion, you do not need any prior preparation before joining the intensive class next year,” said Amelia. “Understand this Mister Fernandes, you will not get such easy problems in that class. If you fail to hate me by the time the year ends, then I have failed to teach you properly.”

“Challenge accepted, professor.” Said Josh with a wide grin.

PART 4.

Sangita, the professor of music is watching Shin’s performance. The audience is spellbound by his performance, and there is no magic here. his natural music is so good that the simplest theme can force the audience to sit up and take notice. His understanding of scales and notes, and his ear for music are also well-refined.

‘However, there is always room for improvement.’ She thinks as the performance is over, and the boy comes down from the stage. This isn’t his first performance this year, but it will be the last one for the year.

Shin has done all this year, played piano in the group, did vocal performances, and of course, played violin. Overall, he considers this year to be a success, because instead of playing support, he also got to be the lead player in various musical acts. He is glad to see the professor clapping for him. She has treated him well, even though she has come from a noble background. ‘But then again, I have not seen her discriminating among her students like that before.’

“Wonderful performance.” She spoke. “Though I think you could have used some low-pitched notes in the middle.”

Shin accepts the advice with a nod. “I’ll do that next time,” he said.

“Good. A good musician is the one who is always learning. Now, you have learned a lot from me, and I have enjoyed teaching you. but next year, I’m leaving on a tour of sorts to prepare a book on the latest changes across the music of the Subcontinent. I would like it if you tag along with me as my apprentice.”

“Of course!” smiled Shin. “I do get to read your book in advance, right?”

“Of course. Do forgive the mistakes, I’m a musician first, writer second.” Shin chuckled at her joke.

PART 5.

Though Hatori is happy to meet the parents of his friends, he is getting haggard by all these meetings. Although it is amusing to see what a character some of these parents are. Liang’s father is a completely serious guy, though he seems to be hiding a cutting sense of humor behind that veneer of seriousness. Maria’s father is bombastic and energetic, much like his daughter. He also loves challenges. Clearly, Maria has taken after her father.

Then, he met David Blake, the father of Daphne, and Lohar, the father of Ravina. “My, you have grown up boy!” said David, remembering the rather sheltered boy who came for dinner at their house. “Clearly master Zeko has trained you well.”

The boy has filled out nicely, just look at those arms and that neck. “Thank you, sir.” Said Hatori, not sure what else to say.

“I hear you like wrestling.” Asked Lohar.

“May I ask who leaked that info?” asked Hatori with a dangerous expression.

“Don’t worry boy, things do get around.” Said Lohar. “I love a bout of grappling after a hard day’s work in the shop. Though you are still too young to fight with me.”

“Don’t underestimate him, father,” said Ravina. “He killed a professor last year.”

“Ba! So, he killed a useless professor. He should challenge a real man like me!” Lohar thumped his chest.

“Ignore him,” said David. “I hear that you two are getting close.” Said David, and Hatori gets the feeling that he has traveled in a dangerous area.

“Maybe she should answer this question?” he said, diverting the danger to Daphne, while he gets ready to run.

“Well, he is not so brazen like the other boys of the class.” Said Daphne.

‘That answer doesn’t lessen the danger for me, girl!’ screamed Hatori in his head.

David looks at Hatori with a keener eye. “Hmm. well, we’ll decide that when we meet your mother.” He said to Daphne.

‘Why do I feel as if that entire exchange took place above my head, and I don’t even get a say in it?’ wonders Hatori, while keeping his face straight.

Sensing the table laden with drinks nearby, Hatori excuses himself. He needs to water his throat after this stressful meeting. “Please excuse me,” he said, and leaves the table.

“Hatori, wait!” screamed James, attracting the attention of everyone.

But it is too late. Hatori has drank the alcohol reserved for the adults. “Why isn’t there a line to protect the children?” asked some people.

But Hatori doesn’t care for any lines. He smiled and declared. “The beast within, awaken!” he tossed some people aside.

“Hatori stop!” his friends try to stop him.

“Get out of my way, the enlightenment is coming to me,” he tells them politely. But when they fail to listen, he decides to give it one last try. “Get out of my way, for I am the heavenly magic!”

No one listened, so he just threw them aside physically, and left the hall, flooring some people with his magical pressure. he left a crowd to pick itself up.

“The boy has personality; I’ll give you that,” said David. “I thought he was this bland guy with no expression. But I was wrong.”

“You should see him during the combat.” Said Daphne.

“Of course, if you wish to bring the real emotions out of a man, then put him in combat! The understanding that he will gain after fighting his fellow humans cannot be earned with words!” said Lohar, while Ravina hoped that her father would shut up already.

PART 6.

“What happened now?” asked Kangana, watching people pick themselves up from the ground after Hatori left.

“He drank some alcohol by mistake.” Said James. “I tried to warn him, but it was too late.”

“That is strange. Alcohol doesn’t produce that kind of reaction.” Said Kangana.

No one replied. “Right guys?” still no reply. “Right?” she is getting desperate.

But the problem is, no one has drunk alcohol yet, so none of these teens can answer her question.

Luckily, Nandan comes in for the rescue. “Don’t worry, mages do get a reaction like this sometimes,” he said. “You should watch coach Dimitri when he gets drunk.”

PART 7.

Zeko, Munshi, and Corvus watch Hatori’s spectacular leave. Zeko and Munshi are not sure why Corvus is spending time with them, but they are not willing to ask any questions about it to him directly. “Hmm. Looks like the filters of that boy are functioning oddly.”

“Huh. I thought it was normal to behave that way,” said Zeko.

“No, this is unusual behavior.” Said Munshi. “You would think it normal, given your own… ahem. Escapades.”

“But my filters are strong enough that alcohol doesn’t affect me anymore,” said Zeko. “I think he has no filters for alcohol at all.”

“A possibility.” Said Munshi. “You should rectify this as soon as possible. A mage should not let his mind be unprotected against substances.”