Chapter 154.

PART 1.

Josh sighed in contentment, as the year was coming to an end. He is looking forward to the vacation, where he will do nothing but run around, eat, sleep, and cause havoc. The year was normal for the most part (having Hatori be not in the Academy is good for normalcy it seems), though that epidemic caused a lot of problems in the end.

The students of the council proposed initially that they should appease the noble side, let Tarun off with a warning, and not punish him severely. But Josh immediately got flashbacks of the previous regime, and he put his foot down. Punishments are not for commoners alone, if you made a mistake, then be ready to suffer the consequences, the noble status be damned. Though the council was shocked initially, in the end, they agreed with him, deciding to stand behind him.

Josh is happy to see that because he wishes to establish that an elected president will not pander to nobles just for their support. If they don’t like it, then the elections are next year, after which it won’t be his problem anymore. they are free to choose a toothless puppet of a president if they like. Though personally, Josh is hoping that things won’t come to that. he and his friends suffered a lot before they created this system. It should at least last for a few years before it inevitably starts to break down.

So, he is hoping that they won’t bungle it up.

As for math, it would be too soon if he saw an equation. True, he likes math, but there is a limit to it. besides, life didn’t begin and end with math. Life is the one that found math. Therefore, Josh feels that he does not have to enslave himself to numbers. But just give him a break, and he will be ready to solve new problems.

PART 2.

Slaughter looks at the huge poster given to the infirmary by Corvus, personally signed by him. it is a letter congratulating them on their excellent work in handling that epidemic. Slaughter has seen students and healers alike take a look at that letter multiple times, which is why he actually put it here in his office, where a lot of people come and go regularly.

The medics also supported Josh’s hard stance, threats like these cannot be tolerated in this school. Bringing an unvaccinated pet in a really magically concentrated environment like the Academy with a disease that mutates even faster in the presence of magic is an action of an irresponsible student, and they should be punished as such, not get away with a slap on a wrist.

Slaughter is also happy with the current crop of trainee healers. In fact, speaking of which, James is coming to him. he looks at the clock. ‘It is lunchtime already.’ He gets the papers in order and then falls in step with James.

“Tell me, boy, why do you want to become a healer?” asked Slaughter.

“Because I wish to understand the most complicated yantra.” Answered James without any hesitation. “The human body.”

“What you have learned so far is just a taste.” Said Slaughter. “If you become my permanent apprentice, then you can expand upon the knowledge you have already gained.”

James remains quiet for some moments. But when they reach the break room, he stops before him and nods. “Then I accept your apprenticeship.”

Slaughter smiled. He will gloat about this for years to come for snagging such a promising student like James for himself.

PART 3.

The general has told Raven to return to the Academy for the next year. his reasons are strange as always. “I’ve taught you a lot about how to handle yourself among people, but I have also taught you magic and tactics. The Academy is a perfect ground to test those. Go there, pick fights, and see how you do. This will improve your ability to think in real-time immensely.”

“Okay,” agreed Raven, having learned not to argue with Sundar in these past two years. “I suppose it’ll help me in looking for what I wish to do.”

“Why would you do that?” said Sundar. “You will be coming back here upon your graduation.”

“What?” asked Raven, he did not understand why would he do that.

“You see, I need competent men around me at all times. and I must train them from an early age. So much like Bajrang, you will come here, and work directly under me.” explained the general.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

“Don’t I get a say on this?” asked Raven.

“No,” said Sundar.

Raven just shook his head. If it were anyone else than General Sundar, he would give them such a tongue-lashing for speaking to him like that. but then again, who is he to refuse a career in the military? Especially since it would be working for the general Sundar himself?

PART 4.

Shin is on his way to Zeko’s house. Yesterday he spoke with him, and the mage agreed to keep him employed. Shin thinks he is annoyed that he has to go in such a roundabout way to ask for a place to live, but Shin refuses to be that guy who bunks at someone’s house and doesn’t even do anything for them in return.

He also remembered his final conversation with Sangita. “Right now, many intern apprentices will receive an offer of lifetime apprenticeship from their masters. I will not extend you the same offer.” She said to him while preparing to leave for the Academy.

“Why?” he cursed at his cracking voice. though he did want to know why is she saying that to him.

“Because from what you have learned from me cannot be improved anymore,” she said. “The only thing is for you to create your own compositions, and try to leave your mark in the world of music. I have instructed you in a lot of things, use that knowledge.”

“Of course, you are free to come to me at any time should you ever need some direction in your life.” She smiled while saying this.

And thus, Shin finds himself alone once more, trying to find his way in life. the first step is clear to him. perform some gigs, and get enough money to purchase his own house. Zeko won’t shelter him forever after all.

PART 5.

In the combat class this year, Bali mostly taught the physical techniques and group combat. Daphne remembered how Hatori fought Praduman in his first year, and how easily he managed to subdue him. professor Bali wasn’t pleased with that display clearly, but he still taught them those techniques.

“If you ever get deprived of your magic, then you’ll need these.” That was his only explanation.

Of course, Daphne walked away with the lesson that if you can beat someone physically, then there is no need to cast any spells on them. She likes to think that Professor Bali will not approve of this lesson.

“I wonder what should I do this year?” she says out loud, hoping that doing so will reveal the answer to the question.

Sadly, no answer magically (or non-magically) presented itself to her. ‘Maybe participate in the national dueling tournament?’ she thought to herself.

PART 6.

Corvus approves Dimitri’s application, to teach dueling at the Academy, and to serve as a coach for the school in a school-wide competition. They did interview some other candidates, but he is just in a league of his own. Corvus is happy to say that Nandan is the reason why they got such an experienced coach since Dimitri’s student is a graduate of the Subcontinental branch of the Academy.

There used to be a coach for the dueling in the school, but he retired twelve years ago, and ever since the Subcontinental Academy has taken a beating in the graduate-level tournament. The headmasters of other Academies have constantly mocked Corvus as a result, mostly because the Subcontinent used to dominate the competition previously.

Bali tried, but his effort was not enough. He already has his hands full, teaching classes while also preparing his intern-apprentices for other careers like military or police. He is not able to pay the same level of attention to the dueling teams as a result.

Just like the previous few years, Corvus also thinks about his own successor. Once again, no good candidates present themselves, aside from Dhiraj. ‘Maybe it is time that I start to train him to take my place. I’m loathed to kick this can down to the future me.’ he thought to himself.

PART 7.

Hatori considers as they move in the night, what could he do next year. it is certain to him that he won’t be doing any more necromancy since he hates all this traveling. Though Munshi did offer him cases should he need it. “I’m not getting any younger.” Was his excuse.

‘But do I wish to be a necromancer for my whole life? especially how long the mages can live for?’ this is the question to which Hatori has no answer.

As they arrive at Zeko’s house, Hatori yawns while getting out of the car. He has not been able to sleep the whole night, since the thoughts about his future continued to bother him during the entire night.