Chapter 34.

PART 1.

In Zeko’s car, Hatori remembers the previous year. He is coming back to give his exams, and he will live once again in the castle, with Raven and Josh, hopefully. (His hopes aren’t that high, though) He also hopes that he won’t be kidnapped like the last time. He wants a simple, boring and nasty exam which he can remember and curse later in his life. Seriously, this kid is too hopeful. I think that the guy up there should break him, but he doesn’t listen to me… ahem.

Many things have happened to him since he was trapped outside of the house in the eighth month of the previous year, (The year 4019, if you’re curious.) Neshma left for one, after the deal to train him expired. Hatori never knew the specifics of that detail, like how long she was contracted for, or how much Zeko paid for that service.

He also learns that the module didn’t allow them to interfere. According to its conditions, he must face those challenges himself, without any training or help with them. Nandan was an exception, because, unlike them, he himself was a kid.

Not that the module could have stopped Zeko from letting him enter. After all, he is the owner of the property. No magical machine can get in his way, once he has decided on something. But he didn’t do that either, agreeing with the module that Hatori needed that experience.

Though the boy burns with rage after learning that, he didn’t bring that up to Zeko. He doesn’t want to cross a line with him. Who knows how he might react? No one will protect him in this strange and unforgiving world from his rath.

Nandan left later in the month for the academy, just like he said he would. Hatori hasn’t seen him ever since. Truth to be told, Hatori enjoyed the brief company of the older boy.

At least from that whole ordeal, Hatori convinced Zeko to teach him that stinging spell, adding a non-threatening pain-causing spell in his repertoire. He gets the feeling that the Knockback spell won’t do him any good in the future. Meanwhile, Zeko thinks that entire idea ridiculous. When someone threatens you, you don’t cause them pain and leave them alive. You end their existence.

‘But given how young he is, and from an entirely different upbringing, certain allowances must be made… for a while.’ He thinks to himself.

PART 2.

“Yo!” Josh gives an exuberant greeting to Hatori as soon as he enters the castle.

“Wow. You’ve gotten tall.” Said Raven.

“And it looks like you’ve built more muscles!” said Josh after giving Hatori a mighty squeeze.

“Living with Zeko will do that to you.” Hatori said, not sure where these two stand with him.

It has almost been two years since they have known each other. And in that time, they have not given any sign of leaving him behind for other friends. But Hatori just cannot shake off that feeling that sooner or later, they’ll leave him, and it’ll hurt.

This is why he hates making new friends. He has experienced that too many times.

They all go to the castle’s ground, which is currently empty. Sitting in the shade of a large Banyan tree, Hatori tells them the stories of his training.

“So, that’s why you’re so paranoid.” Raven realized. “Getting attacked all the time will do that to you.”

“Yeah, but fighting for your food, water, bath, sleep? Don’t tell me next time you would have to fight for your own clothes?” said Josh.

“Wouldn’t put past that module.” Hatori shook his head. “That thing is cruel. And Zeko uses it in his house, and that makes him even crueler.”

“What happened?” asked Josh, always ready for a juicy tale, as long as he is not the one to suffer.

Hatori recounts his entire experience of getting locked outside, the entire rainy night, and the tough battle to get in. “I wouldn’t been able to do it without Nandan’s help.” He concludes his tale.

“See? I told you. That guy is cruel. He hid his nature from us in plain sight!” said Josh.

“Whatever. At least I learned dueling.” Hatori bragged.

“No way.” Said both of his friends together.

“Prove it. I challenge you now.” Raven gets up from the shade.

“What’re the rules?” Hatori stretches himself in the warm-up, expecting a difficult fight.

“Whoever is knocked on the back loses. You can use any spell which is not dangerous, like Cutting or Piercing.” Explains Raven.

Hatori smiles. That smile made Josh worried. “Raven, I don’t think it is a good idea.”

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“Nah, don’t worry. It’ll be just Knockback spells.” said Raven confidently.

“Yeah, but I don’t think that would be the case here.” Seeing that Raven is not listening anymore, Josh sits down in a huff.

“I’ll toss this leaf in the air.” Raven picks up one of the fallen leaves of the Banyan tree. “Once it hits the ground, we’ll begin. You don’t have any trouble sensing that, do you?”

“I can sense its path in the air.” Replied Hatori.

“Good.” Raven tosses the leaf into the air. It lands on the ground between them, and Raven finds himself on his back, wondering what happened, while his foci clatters away from him. “I warned you, didn’t I?” Josh helps him in getting up. “He’s well trained.”

“I know, why don’t we take him together?” asked Raven. “I’m sure we can take him if we fight him at the same time.”

Josh considers it, then nods in agreement. Without any warning, they attacked Hatori. Josh receives a Sting on his chest, while Raven once more finds himself looking at the sky. “That was a dirty move.” Hatori looks down upon them. “That wasn’t nice.”

“We know.” Agreed Josh.

“We just wanted to win.” Lamented Raven.

“I can understand that feeling.” Commiserated Hatori.

While they thought that they were alone, someone was watching their duel. Hatori stiffens up, as he senses someone in his range. “Wonderful performance.” Said Avinash. “Though I wonder, are you only able to bully untrained kids?”

“Who’re you calling a kid?” said Josh, outraged.

“You.” Avinash gives him a look full of disdain. “Why don’t you come and try your luck against me?”

“Rules?” asked Hatori.

“The same ones as your friends used. First one to be knocked on their back loses.”

“Deal!” agreed Hatori.

While he has managed to get back to him for his insults and taunts physically, Hatori has never been a match for Avinash when it comes to magic. Given his greater experience, he couldn’t hope to match him. But now, things are different. He’ll shut his mouth once and for all.

The duel starts. Hatori is surprised that Avinash is managing to keep up with his speed, though his casting speed is not like his. He can’t seem to cast the swarms of spells like he does. Still, that speed is nothing compared to Nandan, or Neshma.

Avinash himself is surprised at how well Hatori has been trained. Looks like Zeko deserves his reputation. He never thought that it was possible to bat the spells aside with your hand like that. He thought of taking advantage when Hatori’s staff clatters away after he lost his grip after a Knockback spell brushes from his arm. But he only received a face full of Stinging spells for his trouble, after which he ends up losing.

“You fought well.” Complimented Hatori. This duel brings such joy to him, that he is surprised.

“Of course I did.” Avinash groaned from the ground. “I may not have someone like Zeko training me. But my father is no slouch either.”

“Clearly.” Hatori agreed.

PART 3. ZEKO’S LECTURES ON MAGIC: THE LIFESPAN OF A MAGE.

After the day’s events, Hatori is carving runes. From straight lines, now he has moved to circles. The circles are proving to be tougher to carve than those lines so far, because a slightest mistake can ruin the shape of the circle.

“Master Zeko,” asked Hatori. “You never told me when your birthday was.”

“Hahahahahaha! After you reach the age of 91, birthdays just lose their luster.”

“91?” said Hatori from shock, dropping his carver.

“Why, what did you think my age was?” asked Zeko, amused.

“Maybe 40, 50 at best.” Hatori gives his estimation.

Zeko chuckled. “The lifespan of mages is different than in your world. A mage can easily live up to 200 years.”

“Yeah, if they don’t die by some experiment, or by the hands of another mage.” Muttered Hatori.

Zeko slapped his back, ruining the circle. “You’re learning boy!” He chortled with laughter, while Hatori glared at him for his ruined circle.

Now, he must start again.

OMAKE: NARRATOR’S PUNISHMENT.

Author: I see what you’ve been doing these past few chapters.

Narrator: (Scared) What?

Author: You’re trying to push me, trying to know how far you can go. Well, you have gone too far. Telling me how to write, and what to do in my own story, how dare you!

(Summons a pink dress with laces.)

Narrator: What are you going to do with that? Nooooo! Get away! Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Author: Now, dance! That is your punishment!

Narrator: Tanish you bastard! Nothing can stop me from narrating, you hear me?

Author: Yeah, yeah. Just keep dancing.

Nearby, several people walked away, hiding their smiles and laughter.

(End.)