Chapter 47.

PART 1.

While returning from breakfast, Hatori thinks of how to apologize to his friends for his recent cold treatment of them. He didn’t do it deliberately, but given how he feels threatened, from every side, he has no option but to take his training to the next level. That caused him to break contact with them, leading to a wall between them.

He is still thinking about this, that he suddenly feels a familiar presence. He has recently learned magic sensing, so he remembers a lot of magical signatures. But this one he knew before he learned to sense magic, back when he only used the Radar spell.

Thankfully, he didn’t have to wonder about it a lot, as the person actually recognized him. “Hey now, look who we got here.” Said Nandan, coming up to Hatori and clapping him on his shoulder. “You seem to have settled here nicely. Are these your friends?” He asked.

This is a strange sight for Hatori’s friends. Hatori doesn’t even talk to them properly. And yet, this strange boy who looks to be in his fourth year, and looks strong physically, is treating him like an old buddy.

“Yes. Raven and Josh, about them I already told you.” Hatori pointed to the boys in question.

“Ah, the two from the castle.” nodded Nandan.

“These two are new friends I made on the ship. He’s James, he remains quiet most of the time. And the boy with the bells in his hair is Shin. He plays some killer music.” Introduced Hatori.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Nandan Durve.”Raven’s eyes bug out after hearing his name.

“Nandan? You mean you’re the guy who is among the top ten rising duelists in the Subcontinent?” He asked.

“Yep.” Said Nandan with a smile. Everyone enjoys listening to praise for themselves. He is no different.

“How did you meet him?” they all asked, now walking to their dorms, Nandan coming with them.

“I met him at Zeko’s house. He helped me a lot with my reflexes and casting speed.” Said Hatori. “So, why are you here? Is there some competition going on in the Academy?” He asked.

“Right.” Nandan sees the room of the boys. For a room of a bunch of ten-year-old boys, it is surprisingly clean. He is happy to see this, for cleanliness means discipline, as his master likes to say. “There’s a qualifying tournament going on here during the festival next month. If I win that, I’m in for the international under sixteen-tournament.”

“Cool.” They all exclaimed in awe. “Do tell us, how your trip was when you come back.” Said Hatori.

“Easy now,” laughed Nandan. “I have to qualify first. But I’ll tell you alright. But for now, I want to do one thing only.”

“And that is?” asked Josh, not liking Nandan’s grin in the slightest.

“Defend yourself.” He leapt at Hatori, and then they both began to wrestle each other, trying to pin the other person to the floor.

“Wow. You’ve gotten stronger.” Grunted Nandan. “But I haven’t slacked off!” He picks up Hatori, and dumps him on his bed.

PART 2.

Raven and Josh are sitting under a tree. Even though they do get along with James and Shin, they still prefer each others company when they wish to be alone. partly because they grew up with each other, and partly because Raven knows how to handle Josh’s temper when it gets bad.

“Hey there, boys.” Said Suresh, taking a seat between them.

Suresh is one of the three teens whom they met in the castle in the park. They tried to scare them, but when they learned of Zeko, they got scared of themselves. Then, they played a game of chess with Hatori and Raven.

“Hello.” Greeted Josh lazily.

“Looks like the homework is getting to him.” whispered Suresh.

“Yeah. He hasn’t gotten enough sleep, apparently, even though he snores the loudest in the room.” Whispered Raven in reply.

“I can hear you; you know.” Grumbled Josh.

“Anyway, I need your help, kid.” Said Suresh, suddenly becoming serious.

“With what?” asked Raven.

Suresh hands him the notebook he brought with him. “In this book, my games are recorded. You seem to have a great mind for this. While Ramesh and Nilesh are helping me with this already, I do want you to analyze these games, and give your thoughts on them.” explained Suresh. “Also, serve as a sparring partner for me, so I can try different openings on you.”

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“For what?” asked Raven, taking a look in the notebook.

“The championship for chess is held every year at the festival. And I intend to win it this year. Will you help me?” He asked.

“Sure.”

While this was going on, Josh felt an intense bout of jealousy towards Raven. How come older students are approaching him for help, and no one even gives him the time of the day?

PART 3.

After grooming himself immaculately, and making sure that the bells on his hair are in perfect position, he enters the room. “Are you here for the audition?” asked a board male student.

Shin looks around the room. Two students were sitting at a table, while most of the room was covered with curtains. “Yes. I’m—”

“Shin. We know. We read the application. What made you think we needed an application for an audition?” asked the female student there, who has a stud on her nose.

“Well… I thought…” Shin is lost for words.

“Enough. Don’t tease him.” Said the board's male student. “I’m Kailash, and she is Shreya. We will take your audition.”

“For which you can have just walked from the door instead of applying through a letter.” Added Shreya.

Shin blushed in embarrassment. “Sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Kailash waved off the matter. “What is your usual instrument?”

“I play the harp. I do have experience with cello and violin, but I don’t have much practice with those.” Said Shin.

“Excellent. Don’t worry about the practice; we’ll do a lot of that before our performance. Now, will you play something for us? There have been a lot of tone-def idiots who came here, thinking they could join our group.” Said Shreya sounding furious.

“Filter.” Caution Kailash. “But her point still stands. Play something for us.”

Shin brings his harp into his arms. There is a chair right in front of them, but he thought better of sitting there. “Please, do sit.” Said Shreya, not sounding so angry this time. “We want natural performance from you.”

Shin takes the seat, gratefully, and starts by playing some basic melodies. He gradually starts to play some songs he has heard or memorized, impressing the duo by playing them to their full length.

Turning to the curtains, Kailash asks. “What do you think?” Three older students walk out of the cover. Among them, two were male, and the third one was a female.

“I like his playing.” Said the female.

“Yep. No problems here either.” Said one of the males. “I want to start his practice with the violin as soon as we can.”

“Yeah, but remember? He doesn’t have a surname.” Said the final male, making Shin nervous.

“Honestly,” said Kailash, “If it is such a big problem for you, then go join some other group. We’re not exactly suffering the shortage of drummers, as you know already.”

Chastised, the third male nodded his agreement. “Welcome Shin, let’s hope you will be able to work with us long-term. Please begin his training immediately.”

“Yessir!” One of the males nodded, and took Shin away.

PART 4.

In the library, Hatori finds a surprising guide on Stinger spells. It analyzes the properties of this spell, and modifies it to add the poisonous effects of an actual sting. To practice this new variation, he goes to his training ground.

After he practiced this with foci and without, he moved to his fociless transmutation. He already got the color changing, and needle to matchstick down. Now he is trying to change a twig into an iron spike, turning the wood into metal. The progress is slow, but he is getting there.

He also practiced the rock-to wood transmutation, the latest transmutation assignment in the class currently. Unlike his wood-to metal transmutation, this didn’t take him long to perform, with or without foci.

PART 5.

In the library, Mira and Swaraj are meeting with their underlings. “Did you see him, where did he go?”

“He went invisible as soon as he left the library.” Said the underling. “I tried to follow him, or break his invisibility, but nothing worked.”

“Maybe we should try it ourselves?” Suggests Mira. “Our greater knowledge should allow us to break any modification he has come up with. After all, he is just a firstie at the end of the day.”

“Correct. We will do exactly that.” Nodded Swaraj in agreement.

OMAKE:

Voice: Ulrich, dear.

Author: (asleep) Mmmm. Go away.

Voice: Ulrich, dear.

Author: (Still asleep) Mmmm. I said go away!

Voice: Ulrich, dear.

Author: (Sobbing) Leave me alone, I’m not your Ulrich dear!

Narrator: uh, man? Are you okay?

Author: No. No I’m not.

(End.)