Chapter 49.

PART 1.

James is looking in the room. Parts are scattered around, though in some cases, he can find complete pieces as well. This is the room of abandoned yantras, about which he learned from older students. Once a yantra has run its course, it is put here, used for teaching students, or used as recycled parts for students who need it in their experiments.

James likes tinkering with yantras. He often got in trouble at home because of that, but given how his home life is like, he considers it time well spent. The very thought brought a smile on his face. He picks up certain parts, and some completed yantras which have not lost their parts yet. He wanted to have a project book, but older students took all the copies out of the library, so he has to make do with small booklists. But his skill with runes should be enough to carry him through his tinkering.

The door opens, and James is surprised to see Hatori walk in. Hatori senses him in the room. “Hey. Didn’t know you came here.” He said, picking up some parts for himself.

“I need something to tinker with.” Said James. Though he didn’t elaborate on it more than that, Hatori understands the feeling.

“I already know how to carve runes. Should I take it?” asked Hatori.

“Yes.” Replied James.

Hatori then brings out the book for which James has been looking in the library. “I didn’t know you had this.”

“What, you mean the book? I've had this for a while now.” Hatori shows James the projects he has already done. “Now, the next few projects require more effort, and more parts.”

“Do you need help?” asked James, hoping that Hatori would say yes.

“Yeah.” Said Hatori, making James wish come true unknowingly. “I don’t have much trouble with the enchantment of movement, but the runes to hold them are giving me trouble.”

This is a project from the book, in which the reader must build a dancing yantra, which moves in specific steps repeatedly. “Not to mention, you need proper parts which do align with balance with each other. Or else, the yantra would fall face first to the ground instead of a dance.”

“Yeah, didn’t thought of it so far.” Taking the necessary parts with themselves to their room, and ignoring the festive mood around them completely, both boys work on their project.

Unfortunately for them, they forget to check their enchantment. Instead of a dance, the yantra goes on a rampage in their room, and then escapes outside, attacking the students as soon as it sees them. “Looks like we forgot to close the brace in the dancing runes.” Said Hatori like a dispassionate observer.

“Hmm. the scope mixed with other runes. We can’t predict what could happen in such a state.” Said James, equally dispassionate.

“Well,” Hatori leaves the room, and attacks the yantra.

Though the magically built machine resisted hard, Hatori proved to be too much for it to handle. After subduing it, he brings it into his room, where James is waiting for him.

“Did anyone ask you any questions?” he asked, already looking at their rune mistake.

“Nah, as far as they’re concerned, I just saved them from a mad machine.” Said Hatori.

“Yep. Which didn’t escape from our room.” Said James, carving the closing brace.

“What are you talking about?” Said Hatori. “We’re just reading stories.”

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PART 2.

Corvus Black, the headmaster of the Magecraft and Sorcery Academy, surveys his office from his throne-like chair. Outside, he can hear the students enjoying the festivities, remembering his own days of being a student, and the chaos he used to cause on a daily basis.

On his desk, the paperwork is being worked on automatically by the yantra designed by him. it is good enough to run day-to-day operations, and forward anything which needs his attention to him.

He tests his signature function, just to make sure it works properly or not.

RecognizeSignature(signature(“Corvus Black”))

True.

‘wonderful.’ He thought.

Though Surbha the deputy headmistress, doesn’t approve of his automation, he doesn’t bother to listen to her. She’s just here to manipulate him anyway. one of these days, he’ll dispose of her.

PART 3.

Josh is sulking. Shin is busy with his rehearsal, while Raven is busy with Suresh, serving as his sparring partner. Meanwhile, Hatori and James are doing their own thing. Though Josh is happy to see Hatori spend time with them, and sleep within the safety of their room.

After having enough of watching Josh sulk, Hatori drops the runes he was carving for the next yantra which he is building with James, and goes to him. “What’s up? You’re usually not this down.”

“Nothing.” Mumbled Josh.

“Come now. Something is bothering you.” probed Hatori.

“It’s petty.” Said Josh, still mumbling.

“So? You can tell me anything, no matter how petty.” Said Hatori.

For a moment, Josh thinks to use the retaliation of “Why didn’t you tell us about your problems then?” But he thought better of it. “It’s just, you, Raven, James, Shin; every one of you have a talent of your own. But what is my talent? What am I good for?”

“Easy. Just experiment with things, and see what comes easy to you.” Said Hatori. “For example, enchantments, runes, and fighting came easy to me. I can brew potions, but only by following instructions. I can’t modify them.”

“Yeah, but where should I begin? There are so many choices.” Said Josh.

“That’s easy as well.” Hatori summoned his staff, which was resting on his bed. “Let’s have a duel. You can easily check this one thing off of your list if you didn’t like it.”

“But in the room?” Josh protested, even though he summoned his own foci, a large club.

“Of course. A duel like this should be spontaneous. Now, defend yourself!” said Hatori, casting the Stinger spells, and firing them relentlessly.

Josh responded with his own spells, summoning pillows, and hitting Hatori with them. After a while, Josh shakes his head. “This isn’t great. I like dueling, but not like you.”

“Hmm. Maybe your talent is beyond magic?” suggested Hatori. “You are really good with people and in large groups. I think you should explore that more.”

“huh. never thought about it.” said Josh.

“Also, I did see you reading some books on math beyond our class. Maybe that is your talent?” Said Hatori. “Try these things.”

After receiving a long lecture about dueling in the room from Raven in the morning, Hatori plays with Maria. After a long and grueling match, he manages to beat her. Then, they go out to eat the food prepared by other students, taking an annoyed Maria with them. They plan to enjoy the festival as much as possible.

(End.)