Chapter 121.

PART 1.

Hatori wakes up in Munshi’s car, and he is reminded of the first trip in this world when Zeko took him to his house from the castle. the experience is similar as well, sleeping and waking up in a moving car. ‘Good thing that I’m good at sleeping in a moving vehicle. Life would have been much harder for me otherwise.’ Thinks Hatori.

During the breakfast, Munshi explains where they are going. “There is a case in The City of Bhoj, and that is where we’re going right now. we will arrive there shortly.” He spoke.

“Is there any info about what is the problem?” asked Hatori, biting his egg.

“Unfortunately, no,” said Munshi. “They have contacted me in quite a hurry, so no time to explain much. it is my advice that unless you have a lot of experience, always avoid such cases. It can be dangerous for you.” he explained.

Munshi continues, and Hatori listens to him while enjoying the remaining part of his egg. He does not leave half of the egg like so many people do. Wasting food like that is not cool in his opinion. “While our time is rather short, I do expect you to use the knowledge I have given you so far. Consider this case a sort of quiz. I won’t ask you anything which I have not taught you, and most of the practical side will be handled by me. however, this won’t remain the same forever. I do plan to let you operate on your own by the end of this year.”

Hatori nods. He brings out the notes he has made about the spirits and souls after listening to Munshi’s lecture, and goes over them, occasionally asking for clarification. He considers asking about blood magic but refrains from doing so for now. ‘I’ll wait for a while before I push for that. who knows, he might end up teaching me that without me asking for it.’

PART 2.

Dhanraj is checking on his father. This is a routine that he has performed dutifully ever since Yograj got injured while fighting against Zeko six years ago. They kidnapped Hatori when he was returning after taking his exam, but the child escaped and Zeko found him. The king was displeased, and he isolated the Joshi family from all political and economic activities, though they have slowly started to get back up on their feet, and Dhanraj even hopes that one day they can persuade Porus to reverse his decision.

He halts on his track after seeing his father sitting on his bed. The sight does not compute. For six years now, he has seen Yograj on the bed, unmoving. But now, he is awake, and looking right at him. The older man motions him to come closer. The speech has not returned to him yet, and Dhanraj calls the family healer.

Days of therapy follow, after which Yograj is good enough to slowly walk within the house, and regain his speech. “I see you have handled the family affairs nicely in my absence.” He noted, looking at the rebuilt house, and new wards.

“You can take back the control.” Said Dhanraj. Maybe he would have fought if his father had woken up five years ago, but now he has enough of dealing with the family politics.

“No,” he said. “You are doing well. I do not wish to take control from you. now, tell me, what happened with the boy?”

“He has grown strong. In his first year, he killed Vanraj.” Explained Dhanraj.

“Doesn’t surprise me,” said Yograj. “Your cousin was a hot-headed fool.” Said Yograj, using his sharp tongue to its fullest.

“Can’t deny that.” agreed Dhanraj. “Apart from the mayhem he caused in the Academy, the boy is apprenticing under Munshi now.”

“Hmm. a fine choice.” Nodded Yograj. “What about our noble friends?” Yograj spat the words. “I doubt they are sitting silently after their failures.”

“They are not,” said Dhanraj. “From what I’ve heard, Sharma appealed the same thing, use persuasion instead of force, while they are thinking of sending more of the rented goons after him.”

“I admit, I didn’t see value in his approach then, but Surendra was right.” This surprises Dhanraj. “Why such a surprised face? I am capable of learning from my mistakes.”

“I also believe they will face a lot of problems. Munshi won’t let the boy die. And if somehow, they do manage to kill him, then it would be best if we are not in this country.” Said Yograj. “Mount Porus will explode, just like it did 20 years ago when they killed his wife by mistake.”

“Were you not part of that plot?” asked Dhanraj.

“Give me some credit, son.” Yograj chuckled. “I was, and still am an impulsive man. but I was never foolish enough to kill the wife of the strongest mage in the country, and then expect to survive just because I am wealthy.”

PART 3.

The city of Bhoj is a large city, located in the central area of the Subcontinent. It is settled near a large lake, which is a big tourist spot, and it is also the political center for the entire central area of the Subcontinent.

Hatori and Munshi arrive at the family which called them here. Hatori thinks they are welcomed by the oldest members of the family, an assumption that is proven right. He listens and takes notes as Munshi talks with them. there are six members in this house, Vijay Rathore and his wife Joti, two siblings Tej and Tina, and the younger brothers of both Joti and Vijay.

“Some strange events are happening in our house, we’re not sure what to do, or how to handle them. someone from my circle recommended that I consult with you, that is why I have called you,” explained Vijay.

“What kind of events?” asked Munshi.

“Three days ago,” he begins to recount, “When I returned to the house, there was no one inside. And yet, I heard noises, as if someone was moving inside. When I went to investigate, an empty glass from the table flew at me. I did not sense any magic, nor did our wards respond to this hostile bit of magic.”

“My wife was scratched when she was bathing today,” Joti points to the scratches to her face, and Vijay continues. “My brother and brother-in-law were nearly drowned in the pond of our garden, and my youngest son was pushed off the stairs.”

“I realize that you mentioned your wards not reacting. Was that the case every single time?” asked Munshi.

“Yes. Nothing was detected, even when I ran a manual scan of the house.” Said Vijay.

Munshi brings out some lockets. “I suggest you give these to everyone. They are generic protections, but they will keep you safe until we pin down what is going on here, and who and what is the cause of it,” said Munshi.

Hatori shifts, he can sense the power coming off from those lockets. As the couple accepts the lockets and wears two of them, Munshi and Hatori both stiffen, as they sense a hostile will nearby, observing them. Hatori slowly turns to the direction where he senses the hostility, and only finds a young girl. “That is my daughter, Tina.”

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Munshi nods. “I will be nearby if you need to call me urgently.” Said Munshi. “Do not remove these lockets in any circumstances. Do you understand?”

They nod and give a locket to their daughter, who walks reluctantly to her mother when she calls to her. Hatori gets the impression that she wanted to throw that locket away, but couldn’t bring herself to do that in front of them.

They come back to their car, and Hatori refers to his notes which he took during their conversation. “Your dictation pen is useful, boy, recording the conversation is very important during these cases.” Explained Munshi.

“Judging from what we have heard from them, what do you think is the cause of these strange events?” asked Munshi.

“A spirit? Perhaps a newly born one, since you said they are often chaotic when they are born at first?” said Hatori.

“You are disregarding ghosts.” Said Munshi. “Remember, the human souls which are strong enough to remain together even after their death can possess people, and also cause these events.”

Hatori hums, thinking what they sensed as soon as Munshi brought out the lockets. “Don’t worry about it,” said Munshi. “It is not a bad case as I was expecting. Though I do warn you, cases of human souls are always nasty.”

“Right.” Nods Hatori, getting sleepy. “How are they able to afford your fee though?”

Munshi laughed. “Believe it or not kid, my charging rates are quite flexible.”

Hatori doesn’t understand. Shaking his head, he excuses himself, it is nighttime already. He should sleep since the next day promises to be important. They will further investigate the family.

A runic array comes in front of him, showing him a way to improve himself. However, he is not able to make heads or tails of it, or why exactly did it appear on its own. Though he is not sure about the effects of these new runes, his instincts are telling him that he should use them. so, he okays these runes, and his body starts to heat up.

Only in the morning, he realizes that his immune system has been changed. But how exactly has it changed, only James or Slaughter can tell him. ‘I should avoid any more of such improvements until I meet them.’ he decides.

PART 4.

The next morning, Munshi and Hatori observe the family from a distance. “So, who do you think is possessed, boy?”

“First, is it confirmed it is a possession problem?” asked Hatori.

“Hmm. good question. Yes, it is confirmed. Nothing else can explain it. the soul can easily influence things in the house, and no one would be the wiser.” Explains Munshi.

“In that case, I think that girl Tina is possessed.” Said Hatori. “Here are the reasons: first, she is the only one who didn’t have a violent event, second, since she is a child, no one will suspect her, third, when you gave the lockets to them yesterday, we both sensed hostilities. Later when that strange and violent magical presence disappeared, I sensed her from the same location. The fourth and final reason is, I do not sense the enchanted lockets you gave to them yesterday. She is wearing a different locket entirely, but she is hiding that with her clothes.”

When Hatori was done, Munshi started to clap slowly. “Wonderfully done. Looks like you do have some talent.” Said Munshi. “Now, let’s talk with Vijay. Remain quiet, do not speak in the middle. These situations can be wonderfully violent due to the emotions involved.”

Hatori does as Munshi instructs him. though he is ready to blast his way out of the house if the situation gets violent. the wards are not powerful enough here to contain him, judging from what he has sensed them so far. Tina is summoned by her father, and when he sees the locket missing, he has no other choice but to believe what Munshi has told him. The girl tries to attack them, but her magic is not enough to overpower two adult mages, possession or not.

Hatori couldn’t help, since all his spells are violent, and not designed to restrain someone. Therefore, he just takes notes of how Munshi calls the soul out of Tina. He was expecting lots of chanting, and dramatic events, but nothing of the sort happened. Munshi just used some water and said a few words, and despite the girl bucking wildly, the soul came out of her.

Hatori has to avoid taking notes in a hurry, since the ghost lunged at him, trying to possess him. however, the runes to protect his mind which James helped him in creating came useful, and the ghost was kicked out of his body without any help from outside. after that, it dispersed in sparks.

“Ug!” he holds his head in his hands. The runes helped him out a lot, but he can see where he can improve them. ‘I’ll start by making sure they don’t cause so much pressure in my head.’ Thinks Hatori.

His headache does not abate until Munshi gives him a potion to cure it. As they are leaving in the car, the mage assesses the performance of Hatori. “You did better than I thought you would for your first case.” He spoke. “Though I do think next time, you should wear some protection so an incident like today’s never happens again. Zeko will have my hide if you die on me, boy.”

Hatori chuckles. “Also, I do think I have to start you on blood magic soon, your runes are good enough already. Be ready boy, this is something going to be gross.”

PART 5.

Josh gets the proceeds of the recent auction. Who would have thought old porn magazines could be so popular? They have been running this business since their third year, and it is still going strong. At least he can say that this isn’t the only thing that they do. James and Hatori’s yantra to detect poison are also proving to be popular, especially since new students come every year, and people do want to buy another one after breaking the old one, or other reasons.

One might wonder how he gets enough time to handle his classes, teach younger years, be the president, and do his homework? The answer is that he has yantras to do most of the calculations. However, he does learn to do things by hand, to check for mistakes and inaccuracies. He only has to teach younger years once or twice a week, and he can delegate the work to younger members of the council. besides, this year has been rather peaceful and easy.

‘Better not say that out loud.’ He thinks, and hopes that he did not ruin this peaceful year by thinking about it.

PART 6.

Avinash is handling the animals of the farm, while Kishore Nanda is lecturing him about the carrot and stick approach. “The important thing is when you say something like you will do something in some other reaction, for example, not give the dogs walks until they behave, or you’ll invade a country if your demands are not met, you better be ready to follow them up. because if you don’t, then people will call your bluff, and will never respect you.”

“Why did you use the invasion example?” asked Avinash.

“No particular reason,” said Kishore with a secretive smile.