Chapter 155.

PART 1.

Zeko watches Hatori. ever since the boy has returned, he has been restless. True, if someone who barely knows him will say that everything is normal, given how he performs his daily routines, and how easily he dispatches the shadows and the spirits who attack him in this house. But Zeko knew him better than this. Hatori always likes to tinker. He only rests when he is exhausted, otherwise he is doing something all the time. back when he did not know runes, he used to explore the nearby area, and after he learned runes and met James, he tinkered with symbols and the yantras.

But now? he is doing none of that. having enough of this restlessness, Zeko decides to approach him and speak to him directly this morning, as soon as Hatori is done with his breakfast. “Did you enjoy your breakfast?” he opened the conversation.

“Yes, it was delicious.” Said Hatori. “I particularly look forward to the mango juice, once those ripen up.”

“You and me both.” agreed Zeko. “But I’m not here to speak about the fruits we enjoy.”

“I figured.” Sighed Hatori.

“What is up with you?” asked Zeko. “You know you can share anything with me, right?”

“I know. I’m just confused. Usually, I know what I want, or need to do. But when I think about it this time, I find a blank. I don’t like it.” said Hatori. “I just don’t know what I want to do in my future, beyond the school that is.”

“Ah, that is a very difficult question to answer.” Said Zeko. “And I must say that you are lucky enough to think about it now, instead of after school is over. Many graduate students realize the horror only after they are outside of the Academy.”

“Well, I suppose I might have an answer sooner than them. if you look from this point-of-view, I am very lucky.” Said Hatori.

“Glass half full or half empty, boy,” said Zeko. He really hates looking at things in such a way. “Anyway, if you don’t know, I can always send you along with Munshi.”

“Please don’t,” said Hatori. “I have enough of traveling. Not to mention bad cases.”

“Bad cases—” Zeko realizes that he just opened a dam.

“Bad cases!” exploded Hatori, and lightning crackled on his body. “A banker who murdered his pregnant maid after having a fair with her, a father murdered his daughter just because she married someone of a lower class, and again when she was pregnant, a police officer who tortured and killed a boy just because he outperformed his son. And these are just the few cases I can remember from the top of my head!” he huffed after saying all of that.

“I don’t claim to be a saint master, given how many people I have killed already, and I plan to kill plenty more in the future. But all of them have plotted against me. I never killed someone for such a stupid reason as their choice of partner for marriage.” Hatori finished his rant, very dejected at the end.

Zeko could not offer anything in return after hearing all of that. no wonder that the boy is not interested in professional necromancy. Meanwhile, Hatori is remembering how much he used to get annoyed at people, (and still get annoyed by them), but he never killed them for simply being annoying. If he were to be like that, then he would have murdered Kangana when she was trying to train him and make him “Civilized.”

PART 2.

James is here on the court today. It is finally his turn to serve as a witness. The author has abstracted the details of the laws of this world, for it would be unnecessary details, but this narrator thinks it was mostly because he doesn’t know anything about law and the legal system. (Though he knows plenty about operating systems.)

On the other corner, Shakuntala is raging silently. Manoj has proven to be useless. Much to her annoyance, that man is big or presentation and pomp, but he cannot deliver when it counts the most. If he were to have delivered on his promises, she wouldn’t be receiving this humiliation today in this courtroom. She hesitates to escalate this matter, for it could end up in the Porus’s court. And she wouldn’t have to go there herself if she continues to present problems, her brother-in-law could and would do it on his own.

“The court would like to call James Mathis to the witness stand.” Said the announcer. Lawyers of both sides are ready to question him.

“Tell us about your life under your aunt’s care?” asked the lawyer. James has already received instructions on what to say and what not to say in certain questions, but this is the one on which he is free to answer.

“She neglected me,” said James. “I wasn’t allowed to go out and talk to other children, I was bullied by her daughters, and she did nothing about it, and she even threatened me when I dared to step outside of the boundaries she has set.”

“What kind of threats did she use?” asked the lawyer once again.

“Throwing me outside of the house, threatening to defame me once I joined the Academy, threats like those were very common.” Said James.

The questioning continues like this for a long time. the adults were getting uncomfortable as James revealed each detail, but James was unperturbed, even when he was cross-examined.

After his part is done, James leaves the witness stand and tunes out the hearing once it reaches about the mismanagement and poor handling of the businesses of the Mathis family. James knows that he should pay attention to this matter, but he cannot bring himself to do that. given how everyone is so busy, James thinks that he won’t get to go to Zeko’s house this year. ironically, from the safety point of view, it would be the best place for him. no goon of her aunt will dare to attack him there.

PART 3.

Raven reclines on the lawn of his house under the shadows. he gets best of the both worlds. the sun of summer, and the cold temperature. He is currently reading a novel, which has actually not much of a deep plot, but is enjoyable all the same, judging by his chortles of laughter, and occasional thigh-slaps.

He is using this time to relax. Unlike James, who has spoken to him about his regret that he might not get to go to Zeko’s house this year, Raven has no such plans this year. instead, he is thinking of inviting Hatori to the castle.

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As he turns the page, he thinks about the hearing to which James has to go today. ‘I hope the hearing is going well for him.’ he thought.

PART 4.

Shin is tuning his violin. He finally has some of his personal instruments, courtesy of Professor Sangita, who bought him a set as a parting gift. Right now, though, the violin is sounding more like a tortured cat, with occasional right notes that hint at its potential to Hatori’s ears. However, it is not enough to disrupt his concentration. Mostly because he is tinkering lethargically, and with no final purpose or product in mind.

“Did you learn the runic script I showed you?” asked Hatori, his voice cracking after remaining quiet for so long.

Stopping his tuning for a moment, Shin replies. “Yeah, I did. Your notes were very useful.” he then went back to his tuning. “I also redid my modifications. it was very painful, but now I can add anything just by a thought.”

“Why not go beyond that?” asked Hatori. he carefully did not mention anything about the runes running on their own, and modifying the mage, as this was how Hatori got his immune system modified. “For example, something where you can use your instruments for general-purpose magic instead of foci.”

“I can’t carry these everywhere.” Said Shin. “Besides, it would be highly impractical I think.” He thought about it for a moment. “Or not. I could bind some spells to a particular composition.”

“There might be a way to do that,” said Hatori. Shin opens his mouth. “But I’m way too lazy to point it out to you right now.” Shin closed his mouth.

“Do tell when you’re not feeling lazy.” He said and then went back to the final portion of his tuning.

“What are you working on anyway?” asked Shin.

“I saw Munshi teleport his car to his location. I want something like that for me,” said Hatori.

“Didn’t you already do that with the teleporter in the school after you stole it?” asked Shin.

“I never stole a teleporter.” Denied Hatori. “And yes, I managed to do that. but it was only for stationary location, not something which can be carried with you portably.”

PART 5.

Josh and George are playing a card. These cards have images of various fictional beasts on them, which have different stats abilities, and health points. Once the health is zero, that card is out. “Boom.” Said Josh, putting an ability card down. “The Fire Annihilation overwhelmed your plant; it is nothing but ash now!” he danced.

They have played multiple rounds today, and this is Josh’s first victory. So, he thinks he is entitled to some gloating. “Did you forget something, brother dearest?” asked George Junior with a smirk. He puts the card down. “Revival sprout. My plant as you called it, is now back, and is resistant to fire!” George laughed after seeing the incredulous face of Josh.

Nearby, George Senior watches them. he remembers his own harsh childhood. His father expected a lot from him, and to fulfill those expectations, he leaned hard on him. For much of his eldest son’s life and Josh’s childhood, he did the same thing. This resulted in a chasm which kept growing between his sons and him. but lately, it has closed, and he wishes that it would remain closed forever.

‘You were wrong, father.’ He thought in the privacy of his mind. ‘A harsh way is not the only way to bring up successful children who could succeed you one day, this I have learned now.’

He wished that the old man was still alive so he could say this to his face.

PART 6.

As Avinash is leaving, he gets a bag from Kishore. “These are fresh produce from my farm, for your father and you. you were a good student, always learned my lessons.” He spoke. Avinash accepted the gift. After all, accepting the gifts without fuss was one of his lessons. “Now, do you remember the final lesson I taught you?”

“You cannot deal with someone effectively until you know what they want,” said Avinash.

“Bull’s-eye.” Said Kishore. “Remember this lesson, and it will serve you well.”

Then, Avinash left the farm. He tried to convince the old man to move to the city due to his health, but he was more stubborn than his animals. He refuses to do so, and in the end, Avinash has no choice but to leave him on his farm and go back to the City of Throne.

The plans for his future are clear in his head. ‘I’ll work under my father, observe the politics, and make my moves. I must also become strong magically. Once I feel the time is right, I’ll challenge Porus, and take that throne from him.’ he smiled at the thought. This country needs a new king, and Avinash is going to be that king.

PART 7.

Dimitri has moved into the Academy. currently, he is surveying the facilities offered by the school, and Nandan is acting as a tour guide. “In general,” he was saying to him, “We used the pit for the practice and the larger hall where a professional-sized ring is located.” Said Nandan, taking Dimitri to the hall.

“It is good.” said the tall man, looking at the hall. “Perfect for delivering instructions and practical demonstrations, and of course, real matches.” He smiled widely.

“Yes. Though in my own days, I rarely came here, because we weren’t allowed to. The older students occupied this place.” Said Nandan. “Now I realize that they were probably preparing for the undergraduate tournament.”

“Indeed.” Said Dimitri. “Tell me something, are you certain you don’t need a new coach?”

“Nah,” denied Nandan. “Besides, I’ve already raised my rank. I’m on a break, remember? I’ll help you out here to teach these kids. Should be a nice refresher for me in the basics as well.”

“And I assume you also wish to inflict some pain from the other side?” asked Dimitri, moving to his own living quarters.

“Of course.” Nandan has a smile which promises a lot of pain in the future. “Why should they go in that arena without feeling any hardship?”

Dimitri squeezed Nandan’s shoulder. “That is the right attitude. always protect the sanctity of the ring.” He said seriously.

Nandan nodded. “I will. I shall never let anyone who is not worthy step in the ring, and sully the competition of dueling by their incompetency.”