"I see that you've return, how unfortunate. I had hoped that your travels had finally led to your demise." Fleurette stated putting down her book when she saw the elder enter the library.

After his interrogation of 'Felix', Master Francois continued his rounds throughout the manor, giving out orders where needed and recieving reports that he had missed. Having finished everything he had come here under the guise of dropping off some new books for the library to meet Fleurette.

"Nice to see you too, Fleurette. It seems that your recovery is coming along just fine. If only we could say the same about your attitude."

"If you want someone to show you respect you have to earn it."

"You're saying I haven't earn your respect."

"No, you had it, however you lost it the day you did nothing to the elders that used me as a shield to save their own asses."

Elder Francois gave a short sigh in defeat before checking to make sure they were alone knowing this was not a conversation that he would win. When he was sure no one was spying on them he gave Fleurette the signal to continue.

"First, I want to thank you for sparing the young man. He has some unique information that I believe could be very useful- Hey stop frowning! No one has had more contact with Felix than the two of us, and I have had months to figure out the truth. Wallace did an incredible job in hiding everything. Only someone with your level of perception would be able to figure out the truth." Fleurette commented.

"Please just stop, none of that is making me feel reassured." Francois pleaded as Fleurette gave him a look of annoyance.

"How did your negotiation go with the other houses?"

"Pretty much like you expected it, all the houses who still have a pact with us will honor it and aid us if need be, the rest have refused to make any new pacts no mattered what I offered. I was even told by House Bravemight to return their men and hand over any enchanted items given to us by them."

"My, how couragouse of them. To think that they would have the gall to turn their backs on us. I guess they're forgotten we're the ones who took those strays in when all the others houses were enslaving them. I can't wait for the day I fully recover, I'll be sure to pay House Bravemight a visit and have Aramis explain his actions.

"Aramis is dead."

".......So this was his son Armin decision?" Fleurette questioned in shock.

"No this decision was made by someone from their branch family I've never met before. Aramis, Armin, everyone we knew in the Bravemight House have died or gone missing. The excuse given is they died in a horde attack by some unknown majestic beasts."

".........Really, they all gave up their lives fighting a horde of mysterious majestic beasts without ever considering retreating. Do the Warden House and Vodun Order take the rest of us to be a bunch of fools?"

"It doesn't matter what they think, we have our own problems to worry about. We need to prepare before we end up following House Bravemight." Francois declared.

"How much time do you estimate we have?"

"More than you think, The Bravemight may have been defeated but it was a costly victory. From the intel I've gathered Armin led their men in taking out over half of the invading army, and Aramis destroyed most of the Bravemight valuables, while the majority of his family took their own lives after realizing there was no escape."

"They underestimated them." Fleurette stated.

"And Felix's battle with those raiders gave them another blow. They're going to have restructure their army so they're going to be busy right up to the Season of Realms."

"If that is true then that's good, by then I should have full use of my upper body and my magic should reach high tier."

"How are the survivors from the raid?"

"They'll live, however only a few of them will be of any use to us. Most of them had their magic sealed and it will take years for the others to get over the trauma they recieve. We're better off awakening the young ones." Fleurette answered.

"..............................Very well." Francois agreed frowning.

"Look, I don't like this any more than you do but our options are few. It's better that those kids fight and die than be captured."

"What about Foley and the other council members?"

"They've been quiet since the raid, we need to identify who's a traitor and eliminate them as soon as possible. Foley's too stupid to realize he's been used as a tool against us, I told you it was a mistake to appoint him as acting Head. All he does is cater to council and other Houses and folic with his newly hired servants."

".....What about the boy."

"He's no Felix's but he has his own usefulness, even more than Foley. You need to let Wallace continue to aid him, I'll help him out as much as I can. Still, it's hard to believe Felix's is dead."

"It almost sound as if you miss him."

"The only thing I miss is losing my chance to slay that ungrateful rouge for trying to start a new House. By the way, just how did that young man resist him."

"From what I could gather, Felix was careless. He never suspected that raiding party would seal off the area and obliterate their own men just to kill him when they realize they couldn't defeat him."

"So Felix was their true target."

"Yeah, although he defeated those assassins, his weaken state made him desperate, if he had waited for morning when his men would arrive he would have lived. But when he sense that boy presence he acted. Had it been anyone else from a known realm, Felix would have succeeded. But that boy is from a realm without magic. I'm still trying to figure out how Felix was able to imprint his magic mark on the boy. It looks like Felix had some secrets even we didn't know about. Those rumors that Felix was caught in a seal is just something our enemies are using to influence the other Houses.....(Suddenly Elder Francois stop talking glaring at the door).....Here are the books you requested. I'll be leaving in the morning, so I'll leave things here in your hands. I hope you use them better than you use your legs."

"Don't worry, I'll complete my tasks. If that is all then please leave. I still have things I need to do. I'm sure you need to prepare as well, we wouldn't want your travels to the end of you."

The two gave one another a knowing look before parting ways.

=====================

CONSTABLE QUARTERS (EVENING)

"You're serious......that bastard is really Master Felix?"

"I'm not sure Lord Foley. I just know that Elder Francois didn't kill him, as we speak, Master Felix is resting in his room." Mason answered watching as Foley slammed his fist on the table. Foley was the Gates Family acting head. He looked to be in his mid 40's with balding long dark hair and eyes. He had a short goatee and he stood about 6'0 ft. His body was somewhat muscular if one disregard his bulging stomach.

"That's enough Foley, you need to calm down." Constable Jacoby reminded. Jacoby had the apperance of a tanned drill sergeant (bald head, short mustache, piss off).

"How can I be calm given the situation?! That bastard still lives! Do you really think Felix hasn't realize that he was betrayed? We both know what that monster is capable of, and we both know he's going to go on a rampage once he's recovered. You told me this 'Felix' was an imposter, so why didn't the Elder take care of him?!"

"I don't know, but right now we need to keep everyone from suspecting us. No one in the family can prove anything, not even Francois, so we'll put suspicion on someone else. As for Felix, we'll deal with him in time. You've already waited this long to gain full control of the family, waiting a little longer shouldn't be a problem."

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"........You're right, it's just I'll feel better with Felix dead you know, one less problem to worry about."

"Everyone knows your family reputation. There's no doubt the other Houses are reevaluating how to handle them. We just need to be patience and wait for the right moment to strike, in the end-"

"Everything will be ours." Foley finished chuckling.

"It's almost time for the family's evening activities. There will be rumors spreading if you don't show yourself, and I have other business to take care of." Constable Jacoby reminded as all three of them stood to leave. He smiled at Foley as he was led away by his servant Mason only to scowl at thier backs when they were out of sight.

'Everything will be ours'...........ha honestly how much of a fool can you be.

After Jacoby arrive at his villa, he entered the hidden dungeon located under his home. His face had a look of relish at the fear that emitted from the prisoners who notice him as he made his way to the last cell at the end of the corridor where the guards quickly saluated him bofore opening the cell. Inside was a frail elderly woman chain up on the wall. Jacoby strode up to the woman giving her a hard slap to knock the distant look off her face enjoying her fearful expression when she came to her senses.

"I thought you told me Felix was dead?"

"He......is....dead." The woman answered weakly before she was slap again.

"THEN WHY DIDN'T THE ELDER KILL HIM??!!!!"

"I....don't know......(cough)....but Felix is dead.........I can no longer sense him.....all I can sense.......is a stray from a unknown realm....(cough)......he may have Felix's magic (cough) but.......he is not Felix." The woman answered while Jacoby studied her.

"You wouldn't be lying to me would you?"

"NO..no I'm not lying. I'll make a pact- Her voice was cut off as Jacoby roughly grabbed her neck choking her.

"Yes you'd love that wouldn't you. You'll make a pact with me just so you can break it and lose your perception magic. Don't play games with me bitch! You think I can't tell what you're up to?! If you don't want to cooperate then I guess I'll need to start focusing on your grandson."

"I'll cooperate I swear!-" The woman replied before having a coughing fit.

"Then lets hear it! What are your orders?!"

"My orders are to restrict......everyone perception on you and your men.........and report anything I find out about the Gates family and council members." The woman answered as Jacoby smiled. He gave the woman a light slap on her swollen face and was about to leave before he thought of something.

"Ah, that's right, this is the day I come to brief you on your grandson isn't it." Jacoby remembered pulling out a memory shard and placing it on the opposite side of the room. "I'll leave it here for now, you can use it when your hands are free. Remember, as long as you follow orders your grandson will be safe." Jacoby lied smirking as the woman broke down sobbing.

Having obtain the information that he wanted, Jacoby left the dungeon.

Just what is Francois thinking? Whatever it is it I won't let it hinder my plans, and since Felix is dead all that's left is one crippled bitch and one dying elder. After I've dealt with them, I'll enslave the others......hahahaha the era of the House of Gates is finally coming to it's end. thought Jacoby as he retired for the night.

********************

"Do we have any other books on traveling between realms?" Tony asked.

A few days had pass since his encounter with Elder Francois. At present he was in the library with Mrs. Fleurette looking for books to return home in exchange for explaining to her all he knew about cell phones. The lady in question was currently fiddling with what he assume to be seashells, and every now and then she would stop to takes note on the side while mumbling.

"There are others but are you sure you want to browse through them? If you're not careful the content in those books will kill you." Fleurette warn.

Fuck that. "Nono, that's fine." Tony sighed.

"I realize you're eager to return home-

Oh god not the 'be patience' speech! Tony thought as Fleurette lectured him.

Tony wasn't surprise when his 'grandmother' had mentioned that she knew he wasn't Felix. Given how much time these two spent together and all those slip ups he had he suspected it would happen eventually. However, he was shock to find out Felix's true motives for being a caring grandson. The man was trying to break Fleurette mind to get information on enchanments that only she and the elder knew about. It was from this that Tony realize that when he used the memory shards, he also needed to look for motives along with the memories.

"Am I boring you?" Fleurette inquired.

"No ma'am." Tony lied as he broke out in cold sweat at the woman hard glare.

"Here, catch." Fleurette commanded throwing an object the size and shape of a tennis ball at him.

Tony fumbled with the object before finally catching it, watching in amazement as the object glowed brightly before fusing into his hand. He felt a cool sensation flow from his hand all throughout his body giving him a surge of energy.

"Before you start, yes that was a magic core, however your abilities are still dormant. You have already awaken once so technically you just need to find an alternate source to fuel your magic." Fleurette explain chuckling at Tony baffled expression. "Low tier cores will last you a few days at most. If you have some mana shards you can use them to keep the cores active." Fleurette answered.

Just like a battery. That means mid tier should last about a week, and high tier maybe two weeks. I guessing the more I used my magic the less time I'll have and mana shards can recharge the cores I'm utilizing. Tony thought.

"Can't you guys just awaken my magic?"

"I hate to break it to you, but the master cores we currently have in our possession have been used to some extent so even if we gave them to you, your situation wouldn't change. You also need to remember that you will be force to make a pact with us before we give you one." Fleurette reminded.

So they are aware I'm not under the family's pact. Never underestimate perception magic, man I really miss being on earth, Tony thought sighing as he started straightening up his area. Judging by the setting sun, he knew it wouldn't be long before Wallace came to fetch him for dinner.

"Starting tomorrow instead of coming here, you should use that time to focus on your magic to see what you're capable of. You shouldn't have any problems considering you have Felix memories to aid you, if you do then get Wallace to help you. I don't mind Wallace knowing about our little conversation but I forbid you to tell anyone else."

=========================

one month later

=========================

GATES FAMILY PRIVATE TRAINING YARD

Tony glared at the three guards circling him as he kept a firm grip on his short sword and shield while crouching low. A second later he jumped at the guard in front of him slashing at the man. The guard held up his shield to parry the attack while the other two flank Tony from behind stabbing at him with their weapons. Tony smirked at them as his body disappeared avoiding thier attacks. The three guards quickly put their backs to each other waiting for Tony to reappear. Hearing a shout above them, they raised thier heads and was hit by a cloud of dirt.

The unprepared guards curse in irritation while Tony reappeard slashing at their unprotected legs before finishing up with a stab that subdued two of them. The last guard avoided Tony attack with a sidestep bashing him away with his shield which sent Tony spiraling to the ground. The guard moved in for the killing blow when he felt his sword disappear followed by his shield, still the guard charge forward catching Tony off guard with a swift kick to the gut.

SHIT Tony curse as he skidded across the gound letting go of his shield. Right before that kick Tony had tried to teleport away but felt something anchor him to the ground. His chest and stomach felt as if they were on fire, however Tony manage to stay focus pushing himself off the ground and throwing his sword at his attacker. The guard paused briefly knocking the sword away with his gaunlet, before arriving in front of Tony throwing a powerful punch his way.

"Transfer Body." Tony chanted. He used his sword as a distraction to allow himself to call forth more magic countering the force holding him down and marking the unknown magician waiting for the perfect moment to switch places. The magican was startled when he appeared in front of the guard taking his punch which knock him out, while Tony teleported behind the guard using his arms to strangle him and his legs to restrict the guard movement.

"Transfer Injury." Tony chanted, as a familar glow enveloped their bodies causing the guard to grunt in pain before tapping out a few minutes later. Tony release the guard watching him grumble as he headed over to check on his comrades.

I see, when he teleported in the air he intentionally took the dirt surrounding him and the guards with him. He also appears to have learn how to use his magic to sense others nearby. "Excellent work my liege, while your little dirt trick is not a ploy Felix would have use it's still a victory." Wallace congratulated.

"Fuck you Wallace, what the hell man!"

"Something wrong?"

"You tell me, you said this was a spar with three low tier warriors. That last guard was definitely mid tier, and you never said anything about there being a magician!"

"I've told you countless time not to trust what you hear and see. A strategy like this is something all houses use to catch their enemies off guard. These very same principles cause the death of your namesake, please remember that." Wallace reminded. Tony continued to scowl at him mumbling about cheating servants while he check his gear.

"You have nothing to be ashame about, you have already surpass most low tiers by overcoming this trap." I certainly didn't expect this to happen. Wallace mused.

"Thank you for the compliment, but honestly this was just a fluke." Tony laugh not liking the contemplative look Wallace was giving him.

"I don't see nothing to laugh about. You have too many openings. If that last guard had an enchanted weapon or something that could disrupt your magic that would have been the end for you. You also need to remember that those cores you're using will only give you access to your magic temporary, so you need to end the battle quickly." Fleurette lectured, only Tony and Wallace was able to hear that last part.

The two of them turned so see Fleurette and her pupils observing them from side.

"Good evening Mrs. Gates." They saluted.

"Don't mind us I'm just using you to show my charges what not to do in battle." Fleurette stated, while her pupils giggled behind her.

How thoughtful of you. "Looks like our time has expired so if you'll excused us, we'll take our leave." Tony suggested.

"Enjoy your evening Felix, however I need to discuss some things with Wallace." Fleurette declared sending her charges to warm up.

"I must commend you Wallace, I didn't expect that boy would acclimate to Felix magic so quickly. The only question I have for you is why isn't he fighting with the intent to kill?"

"He's still hasn't come to terms with killing people. The culture he grew up in has different values than ours."

"Wallace, I know you're not trying to break him, but right now it's crucial for everyone to get as strong as possible. I want you to take care of this before the Season of Realms."

".....................Yes ma'am." Wallace acknowledged.