Chapter 19.

PART 1.

Zeko is worried. When he brought Hatori to his home a few months ago, he didn’t think much about how he might need some contact with children of his own age. Now, it is not like there aren’t any children nearby. He is sure that once he lets him out, Hatori would make friends with them. (Or he hoped, at least.) But it just makes it clear that he can’t be careless in the future. He’s not dealing with some bratty teenager here, with whom he often dealt with when their parents called him.

This problem is not that big in Zeko’s opinion, since there are multiple solutions for it. He could introduce Hatori to the local children, or take him to the castle for a few days every once in a while. The greater problem is that the boy is sick for a week, and isn’t showing any chances of improving.

Whatever remedies Zeko knew, he had tried them already. At this point, it is time to call an expert. The doctor is coming tomorrow. He’ll be sure to keep an eye on her, who knows what kind of secrets she might learn, and spill those secrets on to?

PART 2.

Doctor Taashi specializes in children’s health; she often sees children from 1 to 10 for whatever problems they are suffering from. Today, The Bloody Fox himself has called her to his home. Aware of his reputation, she expected a tortured child when she arrived.

She feels as if the house is watching her, as she rings the bell. “Welcome.” Zeko appeared a few seconds later. He beckoned her inside. “Would you like any refreshments before you see the patient?”

“I will see the patient first.” She said, walking inside after him.

“Very well.” Said Zeko. “This way, please.”

They arrive at Hatori’s room. The boy is very lethargic, not having much energy to move, let alone perform his strenuous training regime. He’s currently asleep, but there’s no sense of peace or relaxation on his face.

“Hatori, wake up.” Said Zeko, putting a hand on his head. With a twitch, he wakes up, and lash out with a hand. Zeko easily stopped it by slapping his hand aside softly.

“Does he do that often?” asked the doctor.

“Only when he is woken up. He’s still developing his instincts, you see.” Explained Zeko, ignoring the furious glare of the doctor. She very well knows how those instincts are developed. Clearly, she does not approve.

“Who is this person, master?” Hatori croaked.

“She’s doctor Taashi. She’s here to see you, boy.” Said Zeko. “Now, follow her instructions, okay? I’m here too.”

“I can sense you.” said Hatori drily.

Zeko chuckled. And takes a seat on the chair nearby. Doctor Taashi detaches herself from her normal response after seeing the empty eye sockets of Hatori.

Before she could move, the door opens, and another chair floats in the room. For a moment, Hatori tenses. But when the chair lowers itself near the doctor, he relaxes. The doctor takes the chair. “Now, will you open your mouth for me, and say ah?” she said, while observing Hatori for some throat infection.

She fishes out her notepad from her bag, and notes her observations. She touched his forehead, and noted the heat. “I’m now going to perform some spells on you. Don’t worry, it is only to know the condition of your body.” She said. Her words weren’t not enough to relax Hatori, however, but when Zeko flared his magic, it reminded him of his presence in the room, and he relaxed.

Ignoring that entire silent communication, she noted how there were no signs of torture, or physical abuse, something which she expected before she came here. Though she noted that the child is running a strong fever.

Turning to Zeko, she spoke. “My checks are done. I think we should talk outside, and let him rest.”

“Go back to sleep, boy.” Said Zeko, and left with the doctor. So far, she has not given him any reason to doubt her.

Outside, a cup of tea floated to the doctor and Zeko. Opening her notepad, she gives her verdict. “here’s the problem with him. His body is responding to the stress put on him for the last few months, both physical, and mental. You told me that his magic was awakened?” At Zeko’s nod, she continued. “Yes, that is a pretty stressful event. I suspect that it also didn’t help that he has gone through cancer treatment in the other world. The methods they use do leave their effect for a life time. His immune system is strained.”

“He was tested before his magic was awakened. Why wasn’t this possibility considered then?” asked Zeko.

“Because it is impossible to know how someone will react once they’re put in a stressful environment.” She finished after looking around the room. She pretty much told Zeko what kind of stress she meant by her glances silently.

After taking a sip, she continues. “Having said that, the situation is not exactly beyond us. Just put him on this strict regimen of potions for two months; watch out for his diet, and let him rest for a week. You can resume his normal activities after a week.” She puts down her cup. She then hands over her diet recommendation and potion to Zeko.

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Getting up, she speaks. “By your leave? You have already paid my fees.”

“Of course.” Zeko escorted her to the door, and then looked at her recommendations with a much more careful eye.

PART 3.

Three days have passed since the doctor visited. So far, she hasn’t revealed anything to anyone about this, if she continues that behavior, Zeko will stop monitoring her. True, it is possible that she might tell someone after that. but generally, if no information leak is happening at that time, then it means that the party in question won’t be leaking that info, and the resources used for monitoring them can be used somewhere else.

Zeko sent her instructions to Porus. After all, what could be a better source to do a review than the king, and the foremost alchemist on the Subcontinent?

During this time, the effects on Hatori are quite obvious. Before, he was unable to move much, often slept restlessly, and his body was constantly at a high temperature. But now, he has some energy back; he is less delirious, and walks around the house daily. Zeko is also happy to know that even during his fever, Hatori managed to handle the silent attacks, though the difficulty was reduced. Instead of attacks, they were more like checks to see whether the instincts were still sharp or were rusting away slowly.

Hatori doesn’t know what to make of Zeko. He’s acting like a doating parent, constantly watching over him, basically sitting in his room all day long, and following the doctor’s orders strictly. Hatori decides it is too much to think about currently, and decides to enjoy the peaceful sleep instead.

Zeko observes his health. Everything is running smoothly. Soon enough, they’ll be back in training, and they’ll start from where they left off. For now, Zeko hears Hatori’s mumbles.

“Pointers everywhere, my program doesn’t leak memory… I am unstoppable.”

‘You’ll be one day.’ Thought Zeko.

PART 4.

It is night time. Porus has just concluded his day, and is currently talking about some final matters with his secretary, Amarnath Varma. In his head, he often compares how Avinash looks like his father when he grows up.

“So, he offered me a bribe worth 10,000 royal notes for making the case for “Disappear”.” Amarnath was saying.

“Hmm. You took the bribe?” asked Porus.

“Yep. Just like our usual operation, we’ll give him peace for a few years, and then go righteous on his ass.” He said.

“Excellent!” The king clapped happily.

“Though I would like to mention that guy is looking haggard. I suspect he’ll run out of all the money soon enough.” Said Amarnath.

“He should have thought about it before he raped a girl as a member of my court.” Said Porus coldly.

“Tell me.” Said the king. “we’ve been running such schemes for a while now. What do you think about my methods?”

“I am your right-hand man.” replied Amarnath.

“You could be the right-hand man of someone, and yet disapprove of their methods.” Said Porus.

“If I were to disapprove of your methods, then I would have plotted against you a long time ago. Magic knows I've got the chance multiple times.” Amarnath shots back.

PART 5: ZEKO’S LECTURES ON MAGIC: FOCI.

After recovering enough, Hatori feels that he is good enough to at least listen to the theory of magic. Besides, it is not like he gets to cause thunder storms, throw fireballs, or enchant something anyway. though Zeko assures him that he will be able to do all of that and more once he learns enough.

“Today, we will cover the topic of foci. For now, you’ve been using magic without a foci. It worked mostly because the spells which you use are the ones which affect you directly, like your radar spell, or your reading spell. However, when you want to use more complex magic, you’ll need a foci to channel your magic.”

“A foci channels your magic, gives you more precision, so you can perform more delicate tasks. For example, remember your levitation training? It would be very easy to do with a foci. But forming a strong foundation of magic is important; that is why young mages are not allowed to have their own foci, until they reach the academy, where they will need one, since they would start learning more complex magic.”

“Foci come in many varieties, from wands and staves to various weapons like bows, swords, clubs, to some unusual ones like mirrors or jewelry. In the right circumstances, even a blade of grass can act as a foci.”

“Does that mean that you need foci? Or can you learn to do complex magic without them?” asked Hatori.

“No. But remember. Mages who are extraordinary, or have a lot of magical power to spare, or an inhuman level of focus are the ones who are capable of doing complex magic without a Foci.”

(End.)