by Michael Sisa
‘The one behind the mask is a woman?’ Dan thought. The strength of the masked figure that he fought with was nothing compared to his old self, but it was strong enough to kill the current him.
Edward scrutinized the orb he twined his fingers at.
“Prove it. Prove to me that it is as you say.” Edward tossed the crystalline orb towards Dan. Although reluctant, Dan caught the ball with his two hands, and he immediately mumbled, “Quod.” Immediately, the orb glowed, and the twirling mass inside it erratically moved about. After a few more seconds, Edward’s face turned into a grimace. The Orb remained unchanged. Just like what the child had told him, he had little to no mana inside his body.
“I told you,” Dan simply said.
Edward fierce brows twitched and he mumbled, “Such a pity. If only this child had enough mana—he’ll surely become someone great.” He turned to the masked figures that continued to kneel behind him. “What the status?”
One of the figures replied, “We’ve contacted the black market. We’ve officially declared the child to be under the Roshaila Family’s protection. As for his mother—we’re keeping her under watch. My Lord, do you want us to cancel the protection?”
Dan face turned grim the moment he heard that Minerva was currently under surveillance of the Roshaila Family. He felt a sour taste in his mouth, and he lightly gnashed his teeth. He wanted to go back to the inn to check on her himself.
“I need to go back.” Dan walked past Edward as he moved towards the alley’s exit. He knew that Edward would no longer pester someone he had no need of. He had little to no mana, and it was enough reason for Edward to discontinue his pursuit.
Three masked figures stood up and blocked Dan’s way. Their actions clearly stated, “You cannot go out without our Lord’s permission.”
It was already late in the evening, and Dan knew that Minerva would most likely be frantic of his sudden disappearance. He felt agonized on how terrified his mother must be right now. Though he left a letter saying he’ll be out for a stroll, the vast amount of time he was gone was enough reason for a parent to be worried. She was pregnant, and Dan cannot let her be filled with too much anxiety.
The fact that multiple people from the Roshaila Family were keeping watch on her made his body tremble in anger. Who were they to disrupt their normal everyday life? Who were they to decide another life’s fate? Who were they to will others to do their bidding? Everyone was born free, that much, he was sure.
Boiling rage ran through his body. He knew the adverse effects of overusing his newly found technique, but his rage made his mind blank.
“Sleep,” Dan boldly declared. It was the same word the leader of the revolutionary army uttered back in the forest. The word gave Dan an unexplainable sense of nostalgia, and the man’s stance when he channeled his soul spirit to the environment flashed in his mind. The suppressed anger inside him continued to boil, and the beast residing in his soul thirsted for carnage. A nauseating amount of bloodlust emanated in the air, and the three figures that blocked his path felt cold chills ran down their spines. The ground lightly rumbled, and a peculiar vibrating aura surrounded Dan’s body. His glare was fierce and murdering, and it was enough to make them gulp down in fear. The child before them was an enraged beast that had finally broken free of its shackles.
The masked figures that blocked his path felt their bodies become exponentially heavy a second after the child uttered such words. Their muscles sagged from the pull of earth, and innumerable trickles of sweat flowed down their now ash-pale skin. Their eyes swiveled left and right as they resisted the bestial pressure that enveloped them. After a few more seconds of struggle that seemed eons, the lights in their eyes vanished, and their bodies altogether slumped on the ground. Dan wordlessly walked past the sprawled figures, and his silhouette vanished with the night. Edward stood there as he processed the events that had just unfolded before his aged hazel eyes.
“Should we give chase? What are your orders, my Lord?” the woman named Erica asked.
“Let him be,” was Edward’s reply. He puffed out another smoke from his pipe, and he wordlessly chuckled when a thought entered his mind. It took him a while before he realized the technique the child had just performed. Having little to no amount of mana did not matter if one was able to use such technique. It was a technique coveted even by the most talented of magicians. It was a technique that chooses its master.
“Tell all of our men to remove any surveillance on the child’s mother. We don’t want our little star to get angry at us, right?” He chuckled and added, “Create a portal. I’ll go meet with the chairman of Ilian Academy.”
Chapter 11: The Roshaila Family’s Proposal
It was late in the evening, and Dan traversed the dimly lit alley that lead towards the inn. Occasional residents passed by, and the sounds of men drinking in taverns served as the night’s background. His leg was wobbly, and excruciating pain continued to run throughout his entire body. The adverse effect of using the technique sent his body into unimaginable agony. Still, he endured the pain as he repeatedly gnashed his teeth. His mind was filled with thoughts on Minerva’s welfare.
After an arduous journey that seemed eons, he had finally arrived at the inn. He boldly opened the wooden door inward, creating a loud banging sound. Those that were inside focused their stares to the child that was huffing, trickles of sweat flowing down his cheeks.
Dan’s eyes swiveled left and right until it landed on the young lady behind the counter. He immediately walked towards her, his steps almost running. “Where’s mother?” His voice was frantic, and a suppressed wallow was behind it. He did not know what he would do if he again lost his family.
“Are you alright?” Sera asked as she lightly tilted her head. Her eyes were filled with worry. “Your mother’s asleep in your room. She to—”
Without waiting for Sera to finish her words, Dan immediately took the flight of stairs till the fifth floor. Upon arrival at their room, he twisted the knob open, and he pushed the door with great force. He breathed in a sigh of relief the moment he saw the figure sleeping on top of a chair. Light whizzing sounds were heard as she breathed in and out, making her chest slightly rise and fall in response.
“Asleep...,” Dan softly mumbled. His lips curled into a gentle smile as he gazed at the most precious person in the world for him. He was about to cover Minerva with a blanket when she suddenly made a light ~nng sound, and she slowly opened her eyes.
“Dan?” Minerva said as she squinted her droopy eyes. She blinked twice and rubbed her polished sapphires. Afterwards, she again looked at the figure of her son. “You’re back. I was... so worried. Why did you do that? Why did you suddenly leave like that? Did you know that I was so frantic... I was so worried!” She sounded like a child left by its parents.
Dan was unable to utter a response as she reprimanded him. Her voice was soft and seraph-like despite the obvious hint of frustration in it. Her lips quivered as she tried to find the words to say. After a deafening silence, she said, “...thank God... you’re safe... thank God....”
The child in front of her had a pained expression on his face after her words. He slowly stepped forward, and he patted her head. “I’m sorry, mom. I won’t do it again.” His next words were almost a whisper. “We’ve got enough Yilian to buy our own house in the city. I’ve earn us some money.”
Minerva’s previously droopy eyes bolted wide open after his remark. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve join a certain competition. Got lucky and won the grand price.”
“Competition? What competition?”
“Archery....”
“You know archery?” She had never seen him use a bow before.
“A little bit?” Dan answered in an almost awkward tone.
“A little bit... and you won the grand price?”
“....”
Minerva kept asking questions all throughout the night. Although unwilling, he answered most of her questions. Still,
he kept the “carnage” part of the story. Mostly, he told her about what happened during the competition, the mechanics, the area where it was held, and how he had managed to win such vast amount of Yilian. The conversation lasted for hours, and eventually, the tired, frantic, and previously worried mother fell asleep. Dan covered her sleeping body with a wool blanket.
‘Finally,’ Dan thought. All throughout their conversation, he tried his best not to show the excruciating pain that kept creeping through his body. By now, his entire left arm was numb and was hardly movable. The tips of his fingers were slowly but continuously getting a bruised appearance. Vein-like marks crept up his body till the neck, giving it a finely charcoaled imagery. If not for the cloak that embraced his body, his horrid appearance would have been discernible.
‘I need to master this thing fast or else....’ Dan dived onto the bed, and he closed his eyes. The pain was excruciating, but the fatigue that accompanied it was even greater. With mixed feelings of relief and pain, he dozed off into dreamland.
***
Dan woke up from the loud banging sound of their room’s door being opened. He immediately bolted up when he heard the loud panting sounds of Sera, and after a long look, the figure of her mother beside her was seen. Both of them had pale faces, and trickles of sweat flowed down their cheeks. Their chests continued to rapidly rise and fall, and as though they had seen the messiah, they smiled upon eye contact with Dan.
Minerva sat on the bed as she rubbed her eyes. She also woke up from the loud incessant sound. She said, “What’s the commotion about? It’s so early in the morn—”
“Dan!” Sera interjected. She made an apologetic look at Minerva before she continued. “Someone is looking for you! I mean... not someone... wait, how do I explain this.” Sera felt a nudge from her mother, and then she continued. “The Royal Magician, Edward Roshaila is here! Moreover, an Elder of the Roshaila Family is with him! Dan—they wanted to see you!” The last part was said with a hint of doubt.
Dan assumed a grim expression when he heard the news. He heard the faint sound of horses neighing a good distance away from the inn, and he felt the repugnant stench of blood in the air. He felt a slight shiver crawl down his skin when he realized that numerous men were lurking around the vicinity.
‘Why now?’ Dan thought as he tried to move his left arm. It was numb beyond control and the previous excruciating pain from before remained. He knew that he stood no chance against such number of enemies. He glanced at Minerva, and he bit his lips. Worse comes to worst, he would make sure that she at least survive the predicament.
“Dan... Is there something you aren’t telling me?” Minerva said as she looked at Dan with a piercing stare. Somehow, she felt that there were parts of the story Dan told her the night before that were missing.
Dan sighed. “I’m sorry, mother... but could you leave this one to me? I’ll speak with them in private.”
Suddenly, a voice rang out from the door. It was almost raspy. “So this is the child you speak of?” An old man holding a cane said. His hair was pure white, and his large round spectacles seemed unbefitting of his slit-like eyes. His robe hanged till his ankles, and the crimson-purple garb hid everything save for the face and the hands.
“Yes, Elder,” a familiar voice replied. A few moments after, the image of Edward Roshaila appeared next to the old man. “Pretty young, isn’t he?” His tone was filled with amusement.
“What are you doing here?” Dan stood up despite the pain the continued to embrace his body. His eyes were fierce, and it fearlessly looked straight into Edward’s eyes. With a slightly unsteady gait, he dragged his torn body forward until he stood face to face with the two unwanted visitors.
“Hmmm... reckless... it seems that he doesn’t know the recoil that accompanies the improper usage of the technique,” the Elder said. He noticed from a single glance Dan’s current condition. The old man turned to Edward. “We’ll have a hard time finding someone to teach this child the technique of the Anitos. Unless....”
Edward frowned. “Forget it. I’ve contacted the chairman of Ilian Academy. That monster professor is no longer there. Basically, we have no one to teach the kid the proper usage of the technique.”
“Kukukuku!” the Elder chuckled. His slit-like eyes formed into a downward crescent in response. “Isn’t that more interesting? Not much is known regarding soul spirit. One thing is sure though: it’s the technique of Gods. All throughout history, all of those that possessed such capabilities brought forth great catastrophes. Byugen of the Blood Moon, Milvan of the Throst Massacre—I could name a few more.”
“Excuse me... but what does my child have to do with... those?” Minerva said. Her voice slightly trembled before the two existences. Royal Magician was a rank synonymous to an S class. To be precise, all of the Royal Magicians were S class monsters that had pledged their loyalty to the Empire. Edward Roshaila was one of them.
Edward looked at Dan with eyes that stated, “She doesn’t know, huh?”
“Madam, we plan on rearing your child. He is a genius—a talent that comes once in a century. To be exact, we plan on taking him under the wing of the Roshaila Family. Of course, you’ll be included too.” Edward warmly smiled at Dan’s mother. “Two years from now, Dan shall go to the Sky Academy—Ilian.”
“You don’t have the right to decide my life,” Dan spat. To him, only the welfare of his family was what mattered.
“I’m sorry for my child’s rude remark!” Minerva said with a bow. Dan’s face turned sour after he saw her mortified expression. Who were they to inflict fear to her mother? Roshaila Family or whatever kind of almighty existence they were—He did not care. He had long resolved himself to crush anyone that would pose a threat to his love ones. He had vowed himself not to make the same mistake from before.
Edward noticed Dan’s expression. “Now... there’s no need to fret. You do not need to bow down before us, Madam.”
“Child, think about it. Once you have the Roshaila Family’s name, you are free to do whatever you want. No one can touch you. You have the might of one of the seven great powers within your hands. Why don’t you think of our proposal?” the Elder said. “Joining the family will reap its benefits. Your mother and her soon to be born child shall live in prosperity—I promise you that.”
Dan had thought of it before, but the risks that accompanied it were also on par with its benefits. Edward Roshaila had said it himself: once they have acquired four of the seven great seats, they would usurp the throne. Such act would surely result to strife, and all of the members of the household would surely be enveloped in the soon to come carnage. It was inevitable. That much, he was sure.
“We may not be able to directly teach you the technique—” Edward meant soul spirit. “But we can give you enough of the ‘basics’ to help you learn it at a faster rate.” A long pause filled the air after his words.
“If you will accept commoners like us, then please do. We are most grateful.” Minerva’s remark took Dan by surprise. He stared at the red-haired figure.
“Mother, what are you saying?” Dan said in a suppressed voice. Despite the dilemma, he kept trying to maintain his cool. Losing his temper would result to nothing but further adversity. Moreover, just the pain that continued to envelope his body alone was enough of a problem. Moving his body had already become an arduous task. If it was possible, he preferred to have the confrontation end amicably.
“It seems that your mother had come to an understanding?” Edward said. His eyes glimmered for an instance. “Think about it, child.”
Minerva breathed in a large gulp of air. After she exhaled, she turned to Dan and said, “My decision is final. For your sake—and this child.” Her eyes darted towards her belly. “We shall accept the invitation of the Roshaila Family.” Her voice was firm and resolved, and somehow, Dan felt that no matter what he did, he would not be able to change her mind.
An awkward silence filled the air afterwards. After the long pause, with
only the occasional neighing sounds of horses as background, Dan heaved a sigh that depicted resignation. “Alright. If doing so will make you happy... mother....” Dan turned to Edward. “This time’s your win. We accept the proposal, but be remember—” Dan walked towards Edward and whispered, “If you do anything that will harm her and her soon to be born child—I’ll kill you.”
Edward broadly smiled at his declaration. With a chuckle, he turned to the Elder and said, “Good. We’ve got ourselves a potential candidate for one of the seven great seats! I can’t wait to see how the child develops after a few years!”
Edward clapped his hands twice and declared, “From now on, the two of you shall become part of the Roshaila Family.” He flicked his fingers once and a figure garbed in pure black appeared before him. The figure knelt as it awaited Edward’s orders. “Ready the carriages. We shall go to the Roshaila Family’s Castle.”
“As you wish,” the figure in black replied. Immediately after, his figure blurred, and he dissipated.