Chapter 149.

PART 1.

Shin conducts the orchestra. This isn’t the first time he has done this, but in the last six years or so, he has gotten used to being the center of attention. But here he is now, directing people from the background.

Not that he minds doing this. After all, he already did his own performance. Sangita was so proud…

PART 2.

Meanwhile, a quiet battle is taking place in one of the many rooms reserved for various events. over the board, both players observe the changing situation and make their moves accordingly. Raven has played this guy eight times in the last two days, and so far, he is leading by four to zero. But this is a grueling match, which continues on until one player wins all five matches, draws not counting.

As Raven makes his move, he wonders whether he should drop out of this competition next year or not. but then again, he wouldn’t be able to look himself in the mirror if he did that. Losing and then retiring is one thing. Retiring undefeated is an awesome dream, since Raven has no interest in being a professional chess player, since there is no profession for it outside of the school anyway. but just leaving and not playing? That is unacceptable to him.

PART 3.

Ravina is working on a matrix of runes, trying to create a ward to hide something. Only the person who put the ward will know where the thing in question is, but anyone else will never see it, even if it is in front of their eyes.

Footsteps sound behind her, as someone enters the rune classroom. She ignores them since it is probably someone from the class, here to work on their own project. She continues to ignore them, even when this person starts to loom over her, and very clearly is taking a peek at her work.

“You’re making a mistake, you know.” Ravina recognized this voice. she turns around, and gives a glair to Hatori, taken aback at his height. What is up with the boys shooting up like a weed these days?

“What do you mean?” she hoped her tone implied proper hostility. Her work is exemplary, the professor said so!

Hatori puts his finger on the paper on which she was drawing these runes and traces a line. “You should curve this one. you’ll use less space, and get better results for less power. all around a better result.”

Ravina looked at the thing blankly. For a moment, the thought does not compute. But then, she realizes that Hatori easily found a mistake in her work, the work on which she put hours, and just by a look. Looks like Professor Krodhatma was right, he truly has a knack for runes.

This does not stop her from taking out her foci and launching Stinger spells at him. Hatori runs while batting aside most of the Stinger spells with his hands. he believes he can take her on a fight, but has no interest in doing so. He is here to enjoy himself, not pick fights.

PART 4.

Corvus is taking the interview of Dimitri. The headmaster can easily tell that this man is nervous, though he hides it well. nearby, a clock ticks loudly, which Corvus always uses to cause anxiety among the new candidates. How can he learn whether they can handle the stress or not otherwise? Teaching children is a stressful job, especially when they are trying to murder each other, and there is a very real threat of getting caught in the middle. A former duelist shouldn’t have any trouble handling a few unruly students.

“So, you’ve dueling for forty years, but what kind of teaching experience do you have?” he asked.

“Aside from my current apprentice,” said Dimitri, “I have coached previously in the past. Though those were professional duelists younger than me.”

“So, you already have experience of teaching a small team, and an apprentice.” At Dimitri’s nod, Corvus continues. “But can you teach a larger class? I’m asking because I would like you to take over the position of professor of combat, if need be, in the future.”

“I can handle it no problem.” Said Dimitri confidently.

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“Very well,” said Corvus after this interview, “I would like you to start the next year. I do plan to win that competition, and shut some faces.” Said Corvus with a nasty smile.

Five minutes later after Dimitry left, the door opened, and various spells flew at Corvus. He easily batted them aside, and a flock of black ravens assaulted the attacker. But these ravens are all destroyed by a flying large reptilian creature, who burns them all from the flames of his mouth.

“Ah, finally decided to visit an old man, have you?” said Corvus.

“As if. That display proves you’re not as feeble as you like to pretend.” Said Porus, walking into the room and taking the seat which is recently vacated by Dimitri.

Getting annoyed at the ticking of the clock, the king tries to destroy it, but Corvus shields the clock. “So, you are here for the festival?”

“Indeed.” Said Porus. He observes Zeko poking his head in the room. he dismisses him silently, while Corvus watches the entire interaction quietly.

“That man takes his duties seriously.” Said Corvus, approval in his voice.

“Too seriously in my opinion.” Said Porus sullenly. “One would think that he would remember that I am his master, but know. He orders me around, for my own protection!”

“Quit complaining. He is not exactly wrong.” Said Corvus. “Besides, I do remember you had a delicate constitution.”

“No, I don’t!” Denied the king.

PART 6.

“Do you know that Ravina ranted to me about you for the last hour?” asked Daphne, taking a seat near Hatori, who is alone currently.

“Huh,” he said. “I couldn’t imagine why,” he smirked.

“I think you totally know why. that smirk gives you away.” She pointed out.

Hatori’s face was like a stone. “What smirk?” he asked with a wooden tone.

“Right.” she shook her head. “Anyway, why don’t you come with me outside today? There are some interesting things which we haven’t seen yet.”

“Outside?” asked Hatori, getting up. “I thought everything was in the Academy.”

“Well, they do set things up for older students outside as well, mostly stalls and other things like that. but younger students are not allowed there, since animals seem to do wander in due to the smell of food.” Explained Daphne.

“I thought it would be a turn-off for people.” Said Hatori, as he observed the large crowd, walking around, admiring the fountains created by magic, and enjoying the various dishes offered by the stalls.

“Yeah, but those are just animals. It’s not like we let them eat directly from the stall.” Said Daphne. “Besides, ever since your stunt, they have gotten really smart about it. now they just stuck around until the end, and then rush at the stalls when everyone goes inside for the new year countdown.”

This was a novel experience for Hatori. he hadn’t spent this much time around a girl before, he had read or seen these things in the novels and movies, but never experienced them himself. So, he felt like a fish out of water. but he likes to think he maintained himself nicely here since he is not given to blathering or stuttering before a girl.

The nice food, which tasted just as good as it smelled was a bonus.

PART 7.

Hatori is surprised to see the king at the festival. He goes to talk with him, picking his moment since he is not surrounded by anyone. “How long was it when you attended this festival last time?” he asked.

Porus observes Hatori. the boy is growing quite nicely, he is very different from the average kid whom they summoned eight years ago. Now, he is physically strong, and has gotten quite tall, and are those a pair of artificial eyes? Anyone else will miss them, but it is not easy to hide something like that from Porus. Still, he decides not to say anything about them. every mage is entitled to their secrets after all.

“Quite a long time ago.” Said Porus. “It is a reminder of what I lost, and can never regain again.”

“Please don’t scare me like that sir,” said Hatori. “I often get terrified when I think of my future as it is.”

The king smiled. “Anyway,” said Hatori, “I’m quite a privileged kid since I can talk to you so frankly.”

“On the contrary, anyone can come and speak to me frankly.” Said Porus. “I don’t eat their heads, as much as people like to believe that.”

“But they are terrified of your position.” Said Hatori. “It is very intimidating to talk to someone who runs an entire country, in particular, if you live in that very country.”