《Re:Freeze - [[Progression Isekai]]》


 001: Abberation

    He was in free fall. The metal had torn with a squelch and he had fallen off the side of the building. Why did things have to end like this? He could only ask himself that question as he fell, the eager growls of the creature below him grew ever louder as he neared its bloodthirsty claws. He had tried so hard to live but it seemed this was the end¡­


    ***


    Maxwell took a deep breath and clasped the door handle. It was nothing he hadn¡¯t done before. He was just overthinking things. Despite those thoughts Maxwell couldn¡¯t help but feel a pit in his stomach. He turned the metal handle, his hand now slightly sweaty and opened the door to the classroom.


    Maxwell''s eyes widened and he immediately moved away from the door. A humanoid shape flew out of the classroom. Maxwell got a glimpse of a scared face, tumbling hair and a bloody nose.


    ¡°Was that a person?¡± said Maxwell


    Laughter emanated from the room. He could clearly hear scuffling chairs, screams, the sound of things hitting the floor, the sound of fabric ripping?


    He gingerly walked in.


    Maxwell stared in confusion. He swept aside his dark bangs for a moment as if the sight was due to something blocking his vision. That wasn¡¯t how he imagined his first day at a new school would be. Who knew he would transfer to a weirder school than the one he had gone to before.


    In the front of the classroom. A boy with light blonde hair was fighting off three guys. He wore a white shirt and black sweater.


    ¡°Beat him to a pulp!¡± shouted someone. Maxwell looked to see where the voice had come from. In the back of the class students had built a small island of desk and on top of that a boy was laughing his ass off. He wore a red plaid jacket and whenever he laughed he would rear his head back causing his gold-chain earrings to rattle with each breath.


    One of the boys threw a punch at the blonde haired boy but it was swiftly dodged. The momentum from the punch was used to flip the boy over the blonde haired boy¡¯s shoulder. He punched the second guy square in the jaw and used the same arm to elbow the third guy in the throat in one fluid motion.


    ¡°I warned you,¡± said the boy calmly to the collapsed people.


    Maxwell spotted an open seat right near the entrance. He walked over to it.


    ¡°Is this seat free?¡± he asked the boy sitting next to it. The boy jerked his head up to meet Maxwell¡¯s eyes before looking back down at his desk and nodding shakily. He hadn¡¯t said anything but Maxwell took the gesture as a no. Maxwell sat down quietly. He suspected the boy was another victim of the blonde haired boy. The boy¡¯s eyes had been wide open in fear when he looked at Maxwell. It was then Maxwell had gotten a good look at the boy¡¯s face. He had a split lip, swollen eye and a smattering of bruises on his face. How did things get this bad? This shouldn¡¯t be happening at a school. Someone should have stopped this long ago. Where was the teacher?


    ¡°Jack, I told you to stop already!¡± shouted the blonde boy at the laughing boy. ¡°This isn¡¯t a game,¡± shouted the blonde boy.


    ¡°Why are you getting all violent, we were just having fun,¡± said Jack.


    The blonde boy rushed him jumping onto the desks. He punched Jack on top of the desks. Repeatedly.


    The girls screamed when they saw his fists come away red.


    Excuse me,¡± heard Maxwell from behind him. He turned facing a man in a dress shirt holding a cup of coffee. He had a marker behind his ear. Maxwell saw his eyes look over Maxwell''s shoulder.


    The teacher¡¯s eyes widened in horror. He ran forward.


    ¡°What the hell are you doing Colin!¡± he shouted, grabbing Colin by the shoulders. He pulled him off of Jack.


    ¡°Go straight to the principal¡¯s office right now!¡± he shouted.


    ¡°But teacher, he was the one who-¡±


    ¡°No buts!¡± said the teacher. His face a deep red. ¡°This serves as proper rights for expulsion!¡±


    ¡°Just because he¡¯s the principal¡¯s grandson-¡±


    ¡°I said go!¡± shouted the teacher pointing at the door.


    Colin stormed out and slammed the door behind him.


    ¡°Is he finally going to get expelled,¡± whispered some students.


    ¡°Somebody please call the nurse, it¡¯s better we don¡¯t move them, god knows what damage has been done to them,¡±


    ¡°I can do it, Mr Thompson¡± said a girl. She wore a light blue skirt, had auburn hair that flowed to her waist.


    ¡°Thank you Mary,¡± said Mr Thompson.¡± I¡¯m glad I can rely on you.¡±


    Maxwell raised his hand slowly.


    ¡°Um, Mr Thompson,¡± he said awkwardly. . The teacher stared blankly back at him before his mouth opened in an oh-shape.The teacher straightened up.


    ¡°Listen up everyone!¡± he said in a loud voice. ¡° We have a transfer student, joining us today his name is ¡­¡± the teacher trailed off.


    ¡°Maxwell,¡± chimed Maxwell in.


    ¡°...Maxwell!¡± finished the teacher. ¡° Give him a warm welcome, he¡¯s arriving in the middle of the year but I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll catch up just fine, fun fact about Maxwell everyone, he got in due to his top notch grades!¡±


    The classroom was dead silent except for the groans of the labored breathing of Jack.


    ¡°A round of applause for Maxwell!¡± encouraged Mr Thompson


    A slow wave of claps echoed in the room. It reminded Maxwell of those times in kindergarten when everyone would have show-and-tell and bring an object from home. He never had anything interesting to bring and when he was done there would be an awkward pause before the teacher urged everyone to clap.


    Surprisingly the rest of the lesson was peaceful and fairly normal. He¡¯d never been one much interested in school but just did the work his teachers told him to do. Classmates often complained of not having enough time, but that was something Maxwell had never understood. It was simply a matter of time management, if one was consistent enough and did a couple hours a day of work it¡¯s practically impossible to be behind. That¡¯s how he had maintained excellent grades. Although to be fair, Maxwell didn¡¯t exactly have a lot of friends to spend his time on otherwise.


    After the lesson was over he went off to the bathroom. He first checked the floor plan by the stairs for were the bathrooms were located.


    He was currently on the third floor. As soon as class had ended the students had flooded out of the classroom heading for the bathroom on the same floor. He looked closer at the floor-plan. There was a small bathroom on the fourth floor. The sign marking it was faded, practically non-existent but it was there.


    He hurried up the stairs to the hidden bathroom so as no one else were to take it. If the scale was accurate it would be about half the size of the bathroom on the third floor. To his surprise when he opened the door, Colin the blonde haired floor was dabbing away at his face with a wet hand. Colin glanced at Maxwell.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you, the transfer student,¡± said Colin.


    ¡°yea, ¡° said Maxwell, ¡°How do you even know that you weren¡¯t in class?¡±


    Colin shrugged. ¡°You¡¯re the only new face in a while, not many people transfer to this dump, my name¡¯s Colin by the way.¡±


    ¡°That makes sense, said Maxwell, nodding. This person seemed so different from the violent angry person he was introduced to. It seemed like the person in front of him was an entirely different person from the one that had beaten up four people, practically reconstructing that Jack guy¡¯s face. The only thing that gave it away were the bruises on his face and his scratched knuckles where the skin had come off due to his punching. That doesn¡¯t seem like someone that would beat up people for no reason. Maxwell thought back to the beaten up boy he had sat next to. The pieces clicked in his head. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    ¡°You weren¡¯t the bully, you were standing up for someone,¡± said Maxwell.


    ¡°Huh,¡± said Colin.


    ¡°You were beating up those guys because they were bullying someone else,¡± said Maxwell. ¡°Why would you do that, you¡¯re not doing yourself any favors,¡± said Maxwell.


    ¡°I mean look at how beat up you are,¡± said Maxwell gesturing to his face.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like bullying,¡± said Colin simply


    ¡°That¡¯s it, you just don¡¯t like bullying?¡± Maxwell said, confused. Did he not understand how things worked, nothing good will come from involving yourself with others.


    Colin remained silent.


    Maxwell sighed. ¡°But even though you were trying to do right, you went to far, you didn¡¯t have to beat them up that badly, ¡°


    ¡°I know,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯m going to apologize to them afterwards, I tend to go overboard sometimes,¡±


    Maxwell scanned Colin¡¯s face but couldn¡¯t find any signs of insincerity.


    Maxwell smiled bitter-sweetly in defeat before extending a hand.


    ¡°My name¡¯s Maxwell,¡± He said. Colin shook it with his wet hand. ¡°Pleasure to meet you Maxwell.¡±


    Maxwell winced as the water coated his hand.


    ¡°Did you have to use your watery hand,¡± said Maxwell.


    ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t think about that,¡± said Colin sheepishly.


    ¡°I swear to god,¡± muttered Maxwell under his breath. Whether it was selflessness or stupidity Maxwell wasn¡¯t entirely sure. He couldn¡¯t bear to be suspicious of someone so earnestly trying to do good.


    Colin turned back to the mirror, touching a cut on his face. Maxwell watched him for a moment before walking over and grabbing paper towels.


    ¡°Try using paper towels, you¡¯ll be able to soak your skin more,¡± he began. ¡° You¡¯re also probably better off using soap instead of hand sanitizer, it¡¯s too harsh for your skin¡­¡±


    That was Maxwell¡¯s fateful first interaction with Colin and the start of a blooming friendship.


    ***


    A figure walked down the riverbank. To the side of him past the grass flowed the Rion river. It¡¯s water lapped at the sides of the canal as it flowed lazily beside the boy. The boy seemed lost in thought, his eyes were downcast and unblinking. His school bag was slung over his shoulder using one hand to keep it in place.


    Unaware to the boy, someone was creeping up behind him. familiar blonde hair waved in the wind. The boy walking behind grinned before pouncing.


    ¡°Boo!¡± he said, tackling him to the ground. They rolled down the hill and landed in a heap by the riverside,


    Maxwell laughed. ¡°I swear to god Colin!¡± he said grinning. They both got to their feet.


    Maxwell dropped his bag to the ground. ¡°I¡¯ll get you this time,¡± he said.


    ¡°Alright, show me somethin!¡± said Colin, raising his hands.


    ¡°You sure about that, I¡¯ve been working on that kick you showed me,¡± said Maxwell. He dashed forward a couple steps before pivoting on his rear foot and striking at Colin¡¯s outstretched hand. His foot landed in Colin¡¯s palm with a solid thud.


    ¡°Not bad, but you have a long way to go,¡± said Colin. Maxwell felt the grip tighten around his foot.


    ¡°Hey, let go!¡± said Maxwell.


    ¡°For example, that balance¡­¡± Colin swiped Maxwell''s foot from under him.


    ¡°Just be glad i¡¯m not putting you in a headlock again,¡± said Colin


    Ever since that first incident two years ago Maxwell and Colin had become close friends. Colin had a poor reputation but as Maxwell got to know him he was amazed at how ridiculously kind of a person Colin was. The issue was he wasn¡¯t good at expressing himself and tended to use his fists twice as much as he talked. There had been an incident one time where Colin had greeted Maxwell with a Tibetan Mastiff. Maxwell found out later from Ms Turner that Colin had spent hours looking for it just because he had found a missing poster.


    ¡°OK, you win,¡± said Maxwell ¡±Can you please help me up,¡± he said raising his hand to Colin. Colin bent down and took it. Maxwell started to rise.


    ¡°Did that take your mind-¡± Before Colin could finish Maxwell leaned back taking both him and Colin back to the ground.


    ¡°I win!¡± exclaimed Maxwell.


    ¡°As if,¡± said Colin. ¡°What idiot takes themselves down along with the enemy,¡±


    ¡°A win¡¯s a win,¡± said Maxwell. ¡°Don¡¯t sweat the details, I got you to the ground, that''s all that matters.¡±


    ¡°Whatever, you¡¯re awfully competitive for someone who always loses¡± said Colin putting his hands behind his head and lying down. ¡°The strong don¡¯t have to try and convince the weak of how strong they are,¡± he said.


    ¡°THe strong don¡¯t have to conviNce the Weak of hoW strong they Are,¡± said Maxwell mockingly. ¡° Did you watch that in a tv show?¡±


    ¡°Maybe,¡± said Colin, ¡°It sounds cool, you have to admit that.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡±


    Maxwell got up and helped Colin to his feet. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here before our clothes become even more wet.¡±


    ¡°You can wash up at my place,¡± said Colin.


    ¡°Appreciate it,¡± said Maxwell. ¡°And not just for being able to wash up at your place, you took my mind off worrying about finals, I¡¯ve been stressing about them for more than I meant too, you know how I am about these things,¡± said Maxwell.


    Even though Maxwell¡¯s mind hadn¡¯t forgotten his stresses but for a moment, it was more than welcome relief.


    ¡°Anytime,¡± said Colin, ¡° I¡¯m just looking out for you, my grades aren¡¯t good enough to help you study, so I¡¯m just doing what I can, although this is also fun for me.¡±


    Maxwell found himself once more admiring how good of a person and friend Colin was.


    After walking back to Colin¡¯s place, Maxwell took a quick shower before beginning to head back. He stopped at the door to tie his shoelaces, wiping a droplet of water from his face. He got to his feet with a groan that made it seem he was a fifty year old man with a family of four and 30 years of coal-mining experience.


    ¡°See you tomorrow,¡± he shouted behind him.


    ¡°See you then!¡± he heard Colin cry out, his voice muffled through several layers of walls


    ¡±You¡¯re not staying for dinner?¡± said a woman wearing an apron and wearing a worried smile. The same light blonde hair of Colin¡¯s flowed down her head.


    He smiled sadly ¡°Thank you for the offer Ms Turner but it¡¯s getting late and my dad will worry.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for being friends with Colin,¡± she said abruptly. ¡°I know he doesn¡¯t have many friends at school.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean Ms Turner?¡± said Maxwell, confused. ¡°I¡¯m friends with him because I want to, if anything I¡¯m grateful to have him as my friend.¡±


    With those final words he left, closing the door shut behind him.


    He walked down the street toward the train station. Crickets chirped in the bushes. The sky rumbled like the low growl of a lion. Maxwell looked up. Dark swirling clouds were forming and blocking out the already grey evening sky. A cold breeze washed over Maxwell¡¯s body sending a chill through him that made him shiver.


    He made it to the train station and rode three stops as he always did. At this time it was past rush hour which meant he had a clear view of the rain starting to pour down against the windows.


    Maxwell yawned. He still had an English assignment due tomorrow, he had about 30 pages of ¡°The Historian¡± left to read. The rain was really starting to pour now, fat beads of water hit against the thick glass windows like pellets from an air-soft gun.


    Once arriving at his stop he headed straight for his home. The buildings were much more tightly packed here compared to where Colin lived and were several times taller than a regular house. They had been built several decades ago for cheap housing, and had stayed that way ever since. Maxwell walked fast facing the ground to avoid being battered with water droplets the size of marbles.


    A high-pitched bone-chilling scream penetrated the air. Despite the noise of the rain the raw scream rang out clearly. The sound echoed through the tightly packed apartments. Before disappearing just as fast as it had appeared fading into the backdrop. Leaving him once more with the overbearing sound of rain. A shiver ran down his spine this time unrelated to the cold rain that soaked his body.


    What the hell was that? Was someone just watching a horror movie a bit too loud? Perhaps it was the mating call of an exotic bird? A million and one thoughts ran through Maxwell¡¯s mind. What was he supposed to do?


    He knew what Colin would do.


    ¡°Help me, please!¡± shouted the voice.


    ¡°In that split millisecond Maxwell made a decision. Crap crap crap!¡± Swore Maxwell to himself. He nearly tripped over his own feet before turning and running full pelt in the direction of the cry.


    He wasn¡¯t some sort of hero, why was he doing this? He could just turn around and run back. His thoughts rattled around in his brain. They were as numerous as the rain droplets that pelted him with each passing second. He didn¡¯t know if what he was doing was right or safe but he didn¡¯t have time to think.


    Maxwell followed the frantic cries. He ran down the street turning in sharply at the building corner, heading in between more apartment complexes. He rounded the corner, coming face to face with two people. In the far edge backed into a corner was a frightened woman, clutching her purse. Her eyes darted in Maxwell¡¯s direction at the sight of him, her eyes were wide and full of distress. Tears ran down her face, mingling with the rain. Towering over her was a large figure with a beige hooded cloak that obscured their body.


    He frantically reached into his pocket, scrambling around until his fingers wrapped around the familiar object of his phone. Who do I call? His breathing was fast and shallow. What do I do!?


    ¡­


    The rain was starting to soak into Maxwell¡¯s hair. He peeked over the edge of the brick wall at the monster. When is he going to get here? The adrenaline was making him so nervous his knees wouldn¡¯t stop shaking.


    The figure walked closer to the woman. She shrieked and held up her arms to protect her face. The person leaped forward rearing its head back and its jaws wide open. Maxwell got a glimpse of teeth way longer than a human¡¯s should be.


    Those veracious jaws wrapped around her pale arm. Blood ran down her arms and a terrible scream escaped her mouth. With a violent twist the arm came off at the elbow. Maxwell¡¯s blood ran cold. He felt nauseous to his core. His knees threatened to buckle under him. What the hell was happening! Mustering the last of his courage he stepped forward. He took a deep breath.


    ¡°Get a-¡±


    ¡°Get away from her!¡± shouted a voice. Maxwell¡¯s head snapped to the side. Colin! He was standing next to Maxwell. He was breathing heavily but he had a fierce look in his eyes.


    The defined muscles of the hulking figure rippled through its clothes. The figure turned around and snarled. Teeth jutted out from its furry face. Its red eyes burned with fury.


    A deep primal fear coursed through Maxwell¡¯s body. It shook him so violently his knees nearly buckled from under him. His body was screaming at him to run away, begging him to retreat. This creature whatever the heck it was, sure as hell wasn¡¯t human.

 002: Its Better Atleast One of Us Lives...

    The creature lowered itself onto its haunches and snarled its back to the woman. It wasn¡¯t hard to understand what it was conveying.


    Keep away from my prey.


    The woman behind it whimpered. Maxwell gulped. Was it going to attack him? Was there a chance that he could live? Maybe if he ran away¡­ Maxwell shook his head, as if he would do that.Maxwell jerked his neck to Colin.


    ¡°What do we-¡±


    Before he could finish his sentence Colin rushed forward. Maxwell felt a pang in his chest at the sight. There had been no hesitation in Colin¡¯s actions.


    Colin bent down sideways midstep and scooped up a rock. He lugged it at the creature.


    ¡°Quick get her to safety!¡± he shouted at Maxwell.


    Damn, how can you be so brave? Wondered Maxwell. He gulped before clenching his fists. I need to have courage!


    ¡°Ok!¡± shouted Maxwell using the last of his courage to dart toward her. While Colin goaded the creature Maxwell was able to get to her side.


    She was clutching her bitten arm. Maxwell tried his best not to look at the white bone that protruded from the gruesome wound.


    Maxwell scanned her body his eyes landed on her purse.


    ¡°Use your purse as a tourniquet,¡± he said frantically. ¡°We¡¯ll tie it around.¡±


    The woman nodded silently.


    I need to act rationally, I can¡¯t panic. He reassured himself. First I need to prioritise the injured.


    He grabbed the purse with shaky hands and looped it around the stump of her arm.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± he asked her. ¡° Cindy,¡± she said. The fear was evident in her voice.


    He was hoping that talking would help calm him down as well but it wasn¡¯t working there was too little time. He tried repeatedly tying the strap of the purse around her arm but it would come loose and flap helplessly as soon as he let go.


    ¡°Shit!¡± he muttered.


    He heard a groan.


    Colin!


    ¡°We need to go!¡± he shouted at her, he glanced quickly at Colin before freezing. His blood ran cold.


    Colin¡¯s head was securely lodged between the jaws of the creature. Colin desperately thrashed around. Blood ran out of his nose, his eyes were bloodshot.


    Colin locked eyes with Maxwell. Colin was able to let out a feeble cry.


    ¡°Help¡­me¡­¡±


    The creature¡¯s eyes burned into Maxwell. They stared into his soul.


    Every hair on Maxwell¡¯s body stood on end. Time seemed to stop. He felt his heart palpitate in his chest and his breather grew even faster. He felt a stream of warmth run down his leg. There was only one thought in Maxwell¡¯s mind.


    I¡¯m going to die. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°Get away from me!¡± Maxwell shouted, pushing the woman to the ground. He turned tail and ran. His feet pounded the ground. The alleyways were half-obscured by darkness and the rain pelting down made it even harder to see. The creature was practically breathing down his neck. Maxwell glanced behind him for a second to see it galloping after him on all fours.


    He crossed the corner only to run straight into a pile of trash cans banging his shins hard into them. The trashbags within exploded assaulting his senses with an assortment of rotten foods.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have time for this!¡± he shouted. Stomping through the trash. He grabbed the lid of one of the trash cans and swung it behind him. It nailed the beast straight in the nose. It gave a yelp that sounded surprisingly human and stumbled back. Maxwell flicked off a rotten banana-peel that had stuck itself to his shoulder without stopping. He¡¯d bought himself some time.


    He continued running only to see a giant metal gate approaching him at the end of the street. There were no other roads or openings in the walls he could take. He increased his speed, dashing straight for the gate. He jumped reaching for the top with outstretched hands. His body whammed against the metal bars knocking the air out from his lungs. His fingers tried to grip the cold steel but the rain made it impossible to do so. He instantly slid down landing in a puddle at the base of the gate.


    His heart beat furiously in his chest. His breaths were shallow and fast. He tried taking a deep breath but it wasn¡¯t working. His body had completely gone into fight or flight mode.


    I need to calm down, I¡¯m not getting enough air!


    The beast would arrive there at any moment. He looked desperately around him for a way to escape.


    There! He caught sight of a rusted ladder attached to the wall. He had ran past it on his way to the gate and must not have seen it. He ran to it before quickly scrambling up. It creaked under his weight and the rusted edges of the rungs dug into his skin. Maxwell reached for rung after rung, his heart thumping in his ears. Blood dripped from his palms but he didn¡¯t even feel it.


    The ladder shook violently in his grip. His foot slipped leaving him hanging with just his arms. if Maxwell hadn¡¯t been holding on with both hands he would have surely fallen to his death. The vicious roar below him alerted him to the cause of the shaking. The roof was only a couple of arm lengths away.


    I need to get help, I need to call the police or something! He reached into his pocket, groping for his phone. He dialled in the three numbers. The screws that bolted the ladder to the wall screamed in protest.


    He got one hand on the stone ledge and gripped it firmly. His phone was firmly squeezed between his ear and shoulder. He willed with all his might for someone to pick up, but it would probably take a few seconds. He reached for the ledge with his other hand. He lifted his leg for the next rung. The screws gave one final scream of protest which was followed by the squeal of bending metal. The ladder tore completely from the wall. Maxwell¡¯s other hand only just grazed the ledge ever so gingerly before he was sent into freefall. The ledge grew further away. Maxwell hurtled down toward the ground. There was no coming back from this, he would die then and there. They say your life flashes before your eyes when you¡¯re about to die, I guess that¡¯s true. thought Maxwell in his final moment of curiosity.


    This is unfair, I was so close.


    The phone fell next to him still dialling. Everything seemed to move in slow motion.


    I tried so hard to survive.


    Tears welled in his eyes, flowing upwards from his face.


    The pendant floated up coming into view with his eyes.


    I¡¯m sorry mom, I¡¯m sorry dad. I¡¯m sorry Colin.


    The impact against the ground didn¡¯t feel painful, it might have been gentle even. He heard the creature stir in the background. It snarled. He felt its hot breath on his neck.


    It latched to his neck, its fangs sunk deep into him. The creature¡¯s putrid breath blew against his face. There was no pain, instead a tingling emptiness emanated from the wound. The creature growled as it lapped up his blood. His life was literally trickling away as blood ran down his neck. No matter how hard he willed his body to move he wouldn¡¯t budge, his body had become impossibly heavy.


    He caught a glimpse of the sky. A bright star shone down. It¡¯s light so yellow it was golden. How had he never noticed that star before? Its luster dazzled his eyes. It¡¯s light fragmented in his vision as it blurred. It hung in the sky so far, far away. Did it ever get lonely in the night sky?


    Maxwell¡¯s eyes glazed over. That¡¯s not good He thought. His mind was beginning to wander off. As he drifted off he couldn''t help but wonder if the woman the monster had cornered would survive. I hope she got away. He thought. Tears trickled from his eyes.


    Why do things have to end here? I don¡¯t want to die, there¡¯s so much more that I want to do!


    A deep voice resonated through him.


    Do you want to live?


    Yes! Shouted Maxwell with all his heart

 003: The Afterlife Seems Kind of... Rundown?

    <div>


    irst of all don¡¯t panic but as you probably guessed, you¡¯re dead¡± said an elderly man seated in front of Maxwell. His beard went down to his chest.


    Maxwell blinked back tears.


    ¡°Wha-¡± Maxwell paused looking around himself in bewilderment.


    ¡°Where am - ¡± In that moment he remembered that seconds ago he had been bleeding profusely out of his neck. He felt at his throat for the gash marks but there was no gaping wound, not even a trace of a wound. His fingers only brushed against the chains of his pendant. He was in a white room, perhaps a room was the wrong word. It was a white void that stretched as far as he could see. It was hard to tell since there was no variation or shadows in the whiteness.


    ¡°Start by calming down, perhaps have some tea¡± said the bearded man sliding a teacup towards him. Maxwell simply scowled at him.


    ¡°Where the hell am I!¡± He shouted. He grabbed onto the sides of the table. If this god had been the one that sent that creature there would be hell to pay!


    The man sighed. ¡°Why do I keep on expecting that to work?¡± he muttered quietly.¡±I should really lead with something else.¡±


    He attempted to rise but strong invisible hands kept him in his seat. He tried to shake them off but they held him firmly down.


    ¡°Now, now, why don¡¯t you behave,¡± said the god in a bored tone.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t me that sent that creature,¡± he said. ¡°Frankly we¡¯re not quite sure how it even made it to your world in the first place.¡± His next words he said with a sheepish expression.


    ¡°But I must admit under normal circumstances that would have never happened, the interdimensional barriers would never normally be that weak. It might be a couple thousand years overdue since it¡¯s last checkup but that¡¯s really not saying much,¡± said the god.


    ¡°I am dead!¡± shouted Maxwell. ¡°You caused the death of at least two people!¡±


    The god raised his hands. ¡°Whoa, no need to be so offended, I have feelings too you know.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t give a damn!¡±


    ¡°Just have some tea and calm down,¡± said the elder at Maxwell¡¯s defiant expression. ¡°I¡¯ll answer whatever questions you have afterwards.¡±


    Maxwell grunted before slowly reaching for the cup. It was warm in his hand. He brought it to his lips and took a sip. It didn¡¯t have any particular taste but warmth filled his body soaking all the way to his bones.


    ¡°See, it¡¯s pretty good isn¡¯t it,¡± said the man.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Asked Maxwell having cooled down a little.


    ¡°I am what you most likely know as a god, god of air to be exact, as gentle as the wind and free from all worldly tethers and desires¡± said the man matter of factly.


    ¡°Why should I believe you? What is this place? What was that monster?¡± said Maxwell without hesitation.


    ¡°Now, now aren¡¯t you full of questions,¡± said the man


    ¡°I was just killed by some sort of supernatural creature and am in heaven,¡± said Maxwell. ¡°Of course I have questions.¡±


    ¡°I suppose,¡± said the man reluctantly.


    ¡°First of all there is one thing I must make clear this isn¡¯t heaven,¡± corrected the man.


    ¡°What is this place then,¡± said Maxwell gesturing to the ethereal surroundings.


    The man snapped his fingers.


    Wind raked at his clothes and large grey masses zoomed past them. Clouds, they¡¯re clouds! Maxwell realised in surprise. They were in the sky. He held up an arm against the fierce winds. Maxwell peered upwards. In the distance above Maxwell¡¯s head was a bright golden star. the light seemed to grow in luminosity as if it were getting closer to them or they closer to it.


    The surroundings turned to normal as fast as they had changed, although normal was hardly the right word.


    ¡°We¡¯re in somewhat of an in-between place right now, mortal bodies are much too frail to even think of withstanding the environment there,¡± Continued the man.


    ¡°Are we in the sky?¡± asked Maxwell.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, but not the sky you¡¯re familiar with,¡± he said. ¡°My apologies if the wind was too strong, I thought it would be faster to show you that way,¡± he said.


    ¡°Earlier you mentioned we?¡± asked Maxwell. ¡°Are there other gods?¡±


    ¡°Additionally your death was not meant to be, that abomination that attacked you crossed over from another world. It is still a mystery as to how it was able to do so.¡± The god went on without answering his question


    ¡°If you¡¯re gonna apologise I''d rather you send me back!¡± said Maxwell crossing his arms.


    ¡°Unfortunately we can¡¯t do that,¡± said the god calmly. Your untimely death and strong desires have put you in a unique circumstance where we are willing to make you an offer.¡± said the god.


    What could this offer be? wondered Maxwell. There was little he could imagine would make up for the loss of his life. His life hadn¡¯t been perfect but he had enjoyed it so very much. Goofing off with Colin, the kind Ms Turner and what was all that time spent studying for? He would never be able to reap the rewards from those long hours in the night chipping away at those textbooks.


    ¡°This is the proposal,¡± said the god. ¡°As compensation you¡¯ll have to be relocated to another world very different from your own. It is a world of swords and magic there is nothing for you to worry about, we do regular checkups. You will be the first-born son of a prestigious noble family. You won¡¯t have to worry about money or hardships or any worries that you may have experienced so far.¡± said the god.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Is there any other option?¡± Maxwell asked.


    ¡°There is no area for negotiation,¡± said the god. ¡°If you refuse you will remain dead, whether you enter heaven or not certain.¡±


    They sat there in silence for a while.


    I say our proposal is quite generous if I do say so myself,¡± said the god. ¡°Especially considering you left your friend to die.¡±


    Maxwell froze. ¡°No I didn¡¯t,¡± he shouted. ¡°I didn¡¯t have a choice!¡±


    ¡°Sensitive topic, ¡° smirked the god.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t abandon him,¡± he said in a small voice. The table in front of him blurred. A tear rolled down his cheek.


    ¡°What¡­?¡± Maxwell said. He wiped it away with the palm of his hand. Another one took its place at once. ¡°Why Am I crying, I didn¡¯t do anything wrong?¡± he said.


    He heard a crash to his right. A medium-sized black metal object had fallen. THe light coming out between the flaps of its end fizzled out and died.


    Maxwell¡¯s eyes scrunched up in confusion.


    ¡°Is that a stagelight?¡± he asked blinking back tears.


    ¡°Huh, oh that,¡± The god hurriedly flicked his hand. The stagelight disappeared in a haze as if it was never there.


    ¡°Why do you have stage lights?¡± asked Maxwell, puzzled.


    ¡°The electricity bill can get quite high,¡± he explained.


    ¡°What electricity bill,¡± asked max flabbergasted. ¡°You¡¯re a god, why do you need to pay electricity bills!¡±


    ¡°What does it matter to you, I don¡¯t need some mortal to be prodding into my financial situation, you people think it¡¯s so easy being a god,¡± the god ranted.


    Maxwell facepalmed. ¡°Nevermind, I¡¯m done. You¡¯re giving me a headache,¡± he groaned.


    ¡°I accept the proposal,¡± said Maxwell resolutely.


    Spherical Light particles danced on his skin.


    ¡°It seems our time is up,¡± remarked the god.


    The light particles were now gently overwhelming his vision, merging with his senses.


    ¡°As one final sign of my goodwill, I¡¯ll throw in a divine blessing to protect you and guarantee good fortune upon your life¡± The god¡¯s voice became increasingly faint as if he were getting farther away.


    A jolt went through his body.


    ¡°By the time you come too, expect nothing but a life of joy and ....¡±


    Maxwell disappeared in a flash of white and yellow.


    ¡°... Luxury.¡± finished the god. The god waited a moment before leaning back and sighing.


    ¡°Same mortal different day,¡± he said to the ether.


    He stared up at the white heavens, his majestic beard ruffling at the movement. He pulled out a cigar from his divine robs. He held it between his two fingers and lit it with a wooden, gold encrusted lighter. An ornamental lizard with dazzling ruby eyes was embedded one one side of it. Half of its length burned through and turned to ash. He then puffed out a lazy cloud. He turned to the side.


    ¡°That mortal is one piece of work, he¡¯s got at least a couple screw loose right,¡± he said. He paused for a moment before chuckling. He took another hit of his cigar. It blowed brightly before disintegrating in his hands. He pulled out another cigar from his robes.


    ¡°I¡¯m getting too old for this shit.¡±


    <h5>***</h5>


    A gentle breeze washed over Maxwell¡¯s face. Maxwell dragged his eyes open. His mind was foggy like he¡¯d been in a very deep sleep. He was lying down on what felt like clouds. He lazily sat up before stretching his arms into the air and tensing from head to foot before relaxing with a yawn. He felt surprisingly refreshed. Maxwell looked around. He was in a large bed in an even larger room. Silken white and red sheets swaddled him. He could tell at a glance that they were of exceedingly high quality. The linen was incredibly soft and its glossiness was unlike anything he¡¯d ever seen before. The bed was so soft, it felt as if he were atop a cloud. He felt the gentle breeze again. It was coming from an open window to his left. He walked to it and stared out. It opened up into a neatly managed garden below. A water fountain in the center shot streams of water in the air before splashing downwards in a fantastic display. Maxwell whistled at the sight.


    So far the god didn¡¯t seem to be lying.


    He instinctively scratched at his throat.


    The room had lavish furniture, closets and a dressing table with a large mirror on it. A grandfather clock ticked to the side of the bed. A grated fireplace was built into the wall opposite his bed. The coals were blackened and charred.


    Maxwell paused for a moment. He had caught his reflection in the mirror but a brown-haired boy stared back at him. There was one main issue with that. He looked nothing like that. He rushed over to it and stared himself right in the eyes. Golden irises stared back at him. Under normal circumstances getting a new eye-colour would have made his day, previously having brown eyes he had liked to have a more unique eye-colour. Unfortunately considering it took his gruesome death and relocation to another world to cause that he wasn¡¯t quite as ecstatic as he would otherwise have been. His hair was also a chestnut brown now in contrast to the pitch-black hair he had before. If he wasn¡¯t mistaken he appeared to be a bit younger as well. There was a certain softness to his face he didn¡¯t have before. It couldn¡¯t have been more than a couple years so it wasn¡¯t much of a concern.


    This discovery did wake some concerning questions. Was this even his body, he assumed he would be reincarnated as a baby or perhaps his body would be the same. This face, this hair this body. He looked deeply into the golden eyes in the mirror. Who had these eyes originally belonged to?


    Knuckles rapped against the door.


    Who is that? Maxwell had no idea what to expect.


    ¡°Master Igari, are you awake?¡± said a voice. It was a young boy¡¯s voice. Other than that he had no idea who it was.


    ¡°I will be coming in, I was told by the master to check in on you,¡± said the voice.


    The door handle began to turn. With no time to think Maxwell rushed to it. He stopped it from being opened fully.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m alright,¡± said Maxwell, giving a strained smile.


    ¡°Dinner is ready,¡± said the boy.


    ¡°I see,¡± said Maxwell, unsure of how to reply.


    ¡°You seem to be feeling unwell, shall I bring medicine to help you?¡± said the boy staring at him. ¡°Yesterday you excused yourself from dinner and went to bed, you said you had a headache.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine, I¡¯m all better now ,¡± said Maxwell.


    He followed the boy out of the room. It led to a long decorated hallway. The walls had the occasional sculpture of a stern figure and paintings of fancily clad people adorned the walls. He walked down it. His footsteps echoing across the patterned walls. Despite the very large interior he didn¡¯t see any other person. It seemed strange to have such a large house but so few people inside of it.


    Maxwell sat down at the table without making eye-contact with the parents. An older maid came out carrying platters of food.


    ¡°So Igari,¡± said the man. He had a mustache and piercing eyes. ¡°When are you planning on getting married?¡±


    Maxwell nearly spat out his drink. Of all the things he had been predicting this was definitely not one of them.


    ¡°What do you mean,¡± said Maxwell weakly.


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± said the woman insistently.¡± By the time your father was your age he had already been engaged with me.¡±


    Quick Maxwell come up with an excuse! He urged himself. ¡°I want to focus on my studies for the time being, I must make myself as suitable as possible beforehand,¡± said Maxwell.


    The man nodded. ¡° That is a respectable endeavour, and I¡¯m sure you will surpass me greatly but make sure to not forget the other aspects of life.¡±


    Maxwell nodded and muttered something before quickly taking a mouthful of food to stop them from asking more questions.


    ¡°Speaking of which, you¡¯ll be joining them at the academy next term, then the entire Sheshire household will have gone there once again!¡± said the man


    ¡°How splendid!¡± said the woman.


    ¡°Yeah, with my siblings that I don¡¯t have the faintest idea about,¡± muttered Maxwell.


    ¡°What was that?¡± said the woman.


    ¡°Nothing mother,¡± said Maxwell quickly. He prayed that he would never meet his siblings. If they knew him better than the parents did he would be screwed.


    Nah that won¡¯t happen.


    Maxwell took another mouthful of food, chewing happily.

 004: Help Im Being Repressed!

    Maxwell was adapting to his new life of aristocracy. The great halls, the large library, the open courtyard. Maybe this isn¡¯t so bad. He concluded.


    ¡°This way Master Ignard,¡± said Marco. Maxwell nodded. Marco had knocked on his door randomly saying there was a surprise he wanted to show him. There were boxes and sacks of flour piled against the wall. All manner of dried fruits hung from the ceiling. Wine bottles were neatly stacked against the far wall.


    ¡°So what was it you wanted to talk to me about?¡± asked Maxwell.


    ¡°You¡¯ll see,¡± said Marco.


    The door to the storeroom violently slammed shut. Maxwell jerked his head behind him at the noise.


    Standing in front of the closed door was a girl. She wore a simple blue dress in the same color as Marco¡¯s outfit. She had striking blue eyes and raven black hair. A bead of sweat went down his back. He had a bad feeling about this.


    I need to do what I can to diffuse the situation.


    Hey, you must be Amelia,¡± he said politely.


    The girl smiled in response. Normally when someone smiled at Maxwell he would find it soothing and if it was a girl he might even feel a flutter in his chest. Her smile made him feel uneasy. It¡¯s not that it was fake and didn¡¯t reach her eyes- it certainly did. It¡¯s that her eyes were staring at him menacingly.


    He he, I¡¯m in danger.


    The oil lantern that had been illuminating the room died with a hiss. The storeroom became enveloped in darkness.


    Maxwell¡¯s feet were kicked out from beneath him, sending him to the ground. Ropes bound his wrists and legs.


    "Help, I''m being repressed!¡± he shouted rearing his head but a hand pushed his face into the ground, shoving his words back into his mouth along with a mouthful off the wooden floor.


    He heard the flick of a matchstick and the glow of the flame. The room was lit up once more.


    He felt a foot on his back.


    ¡°Who the hell are you!¡± demanded Amelia and Marco in unison.


    ¡°You¡¯re certainly not Ignard!¡± spat Amelia. ¡°Some kind of demon?!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know wha-¡±


    He was flipped over onto his back, in the same instant Marco held a knife to his throat.


    ¡°If you even think about uttering any falsehoods, be prepared to perish!¡± She pressed the blade into his neck. Maxwell couldn¡¯t help but gulp in fear. A single drop of blood rolled down the blade.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you make us stop,¡± said Amelia.


    ¡°What do you mean to make you, how exactly do you expect me to do that?¡± shouted Maxwell.¡±What¡¯s your problem!¡±


    Amelia scoffed.


    ¡°So you¡¯re not Ignard and now I know you¡¯re not a demon. A demon would have been able to read the flow of mana of our brands and command us.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, that makes complete sense to me,¡± said Maxwell mockingly. Another jab to his rear silenced him.


    ¡°Ow, you can just say stop!¡± complained Maxwell. ¡°Communicate, please,¡± he begged. ¡°I¡¯m good at listening.¡±


    What am I doing? Wondered Maxwell. I should just be quiet and do what they say, why am I running my mouth?


    ¡°Here¡¯s the complete truth, I don¡¯t really know what¡¯s going on.. I was reincarnated - no not reincarnated. I had a past life and I ended up dying and now I¡¯m in this Ignard¡¯s body, I don¡¯t really know what¡¯s going on and -¡±This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    ¡°You possessed Ignard¡¯s body, is he trapped inside there as well-¡± demanded Amelia.


    ¡°Look, I don¡¯t know!¡± He shouted. ¡°I don¡¯t know where he is, I don''t know what¡¯s going on. Less than a day ago my life was normal, then I was ripped to shreds by some sort of creature I met god or something and I¡¯m in a world completely different from my own. There¡¯s no internet or wifi, no movies, I¡¯m not used to not having my phone. I miss hamburgers and chocolate. My friend died too and it might be my fault! And¡­ and!¡± Maxwell didn¡¯t mean to rant but somehow it all had just come out. Before he knew it he was holding back tears.


    His abrupt pause left a silence in the room.


    ¡°It sounds like you¡¯ve been through a lot,¡± said Amelia at last.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± pouted Maxwell.


    ¡°Well, we need to do something,¡± said Amelia moving on. We have several courses of action we could potentially take.¡± She raised a finger.


    ¡°One, we kill him and dispose of the body.¡±


    ¡°Wait, wait up,¡± exclaimed Maxwell. ¡°Let¡¯s not go with that one,¡± he protested.


    ¡°It was just a potential option but do you have any inputs?¡± asked Amelia.


    ¡°I mean no not really¡­¡± he said but as the words left his mouth an idea popped into his head.


    ¡°A compromise- No Mutualism. We can mutually benefit each other, we can be allies,¡± said Maxwell hurriedly. He still wasn¡¯t sure exactly what he was trying to say but the more he talked the more it formulated itself. Come on brain work harder! He urged himself.


    ¡°If you spare me we can work together. You¡¯ll have an inside man.¡±


    ¡°Stop confusing us with your terminology, what¡¯s an inside man?¡± said Amelia.


    ¡°You guys don¡¯t want to be here right? I¡¯ve seen how they treat you.¡± He said. Maxwell felt the pressure on his rear lessen. ¡°I can help you gain freedom, nobody suspects that I am not Ignard. In return all I ask is that you help me from acting or doing anything out of character, I don¡¯t have any of his memories so I might do stuff he wouldn¡¯t.¡±


    Marco turned to Amelia. ¡°He¡¯s got a point,¡± he said to Amelia.


    Amelia sighed and moved her foot from Maxwell¡¯s rear.


    ¡°If you even think of crossing us there¡¯ll be hell to pay,¡± she warned. Maxwell gave a sigh of relief. I knew I could always rely on my mouth to get me out of a tough spot.


    They untied him and dusted him off.


    ¡°There, all good,¡± reassured Amelia. ¡°How do you feel?¡±


    Maxwell massaged his shoulders. ¡°Actually -... I feel fine.¡± I would have thought that tousle would have left me feeling way worse.¡±


    Amelia nodded expectantly. ¡°That¡¯s for a reason. Unfortunately, it¡¯s important that I tell you this despite what detriment it may cause to us. We couldn''t hurt you even if we wanted to. She reached over her collar and pulled it down slightly. A black circle with wavy marks emanating from it was tattooed on its side. A black sun. he observed.


    ¡°This brand prevents us from actually harming someone of the Vanderbilt household.¡±


    ¡°Well why did it still damn hurt when you tied me up?¡± asked Maxwell.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s because we¡¯re experts.¡± said Amelia winking.


    ¡°I¡¯m too afraid to ask,¡± said Maxwell.


    ¡°Anyways,¡± continued Amelia. ¡° We need you to at least know how to activate and dispel the violence pact. Additionally there¡¯s the command pact which allows you to command us forcefully.¡±


    ¡°What happens if you resist that?¡± asked Maxwell.


    ¡°It causes us great pain.¡±


    Maxwell smiled cheekily. ¡°How do you activate that one again?¡±


    Amelia smiled. This smile would have been quite nice if it hadn''t been for the fact that she was twirling a razor sharp blade between her fingers.


    Maxwell cleared his throat nervously. ¡°Just kidding of course, how do I do it?¡± He felt excitement building up inside him. This would be his first time using magic. This is what every child has dreamed of doing.


    ¡°You simply utter the phrase: I Ignard Vanderbilt command you to ¡­¡­ and then you say your order,¡± she explained. ¡°When dispeling the violence pact it''s equally straightforward. Simply say: I Ignard Vanderbilt dispel or activate the violence pact.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± said Maxwell.


    Maxwell went through all the words, with Amelia guiding him the few times he forgot the specific phrasing. She explained usually the phrasing isn¡¯t that important but in this case it was. Eventually he was able to get everything right.


    ¡°Is that all?¡± asked Maxwell.


    Wait there¡¯s actually one more thing.. Disable the violence pact for a minute,¡± said Amelia.


    Maxwell nodded. He closed his eyes in thought as he recalled the words. He uttered the words. ¡°Ignard Vanderbilt dispel the violence pact.¡± He felt the surge of mana rush through his body. His body glowed purple-red for a moment before returning to normal once more.


    ¡°First try, nice!¡± he exclaimed excitedly.


    ¡°Excellent,¡± said Amelia.


    ¡°What are you going to teach me now?¡± he asked expectantly.


    Amelia smirked before driving her fist deep into his stomach.


    Maxwell doubled over dry heaving. He lost touch with the world. The corners of his vision blurred. He tasted blood in his mouth. All thoughts had been knocked out of his mind except for one. Why would she do that?  She had not been holding back on that punch.


    ¡°What did I do to deserve that!¡± he groaned on all fours.


    ¡°Nothing, I''ve just always wanted to do that to Ignard,¡± she said happily. ¡°Man did that feel good!¡± she exclaimed. She sounded as if she had just taken a hot relaxing bath.


    ¡°Marco, you should try it as well, it''s really refreshing!¡± she said while gesturing at Maxwell with a closed fist.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m good,¡± he said awkwardly.


    ¡°Hmmm, maybe next time, ¡°said Amelia. ¡°It¡¯s really nice


    ¡°I hate you all,¡± gasped Maxwell between groans of pain.

 005: My Bodys Former Owner was Talentless?

    <div>


    Marco set the small tray of food on the grass. ¡°Your food has arrived,¡± said Marco in a flourish.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± said Maxwell. He continued on sheepishly. ¡°You know I still feel weird ordering you around like this.¡±


    Marco shook his head. ¡°If you act that different other people will start to notice. In fact i¡¯d say you should stop with the pleasantries. Ignard never really bothered with those.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, Ignard sounds like a real piece of work,¡± remarked Maxwell. He reached over to the platter Marco had laid out on the blanket and grabbed a pastry. He took a bite savouring every millisecond of joy. The wind blew through Maxwell''s hair. The sunlight felt good on his skin. Perhaps he was enjoying himself a bit too much considering the unfamiliar environment but who wouldn¡¯t being outside in the warm summer air eating good food. In a way it felt like it fit in here, his past life in some ways felt more like a long dream. Could I live here forever? Eating meals with his parents, relaxing in the sun every day. When was the last time I ate a meal together as a family? The thought made his heart ache. Those luxuries were things he had never experienced in his old life. The possibilities in this new world were also limitless. There was magic! He became giddy with excitement at the thought. He shot to his feet.


    ¡°When am I going to learn magic!¡± he exclaimed. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to use it!¡± He could practically see how cool he would be.


    ¡°I am son Maxwell!¡± he shouted while mimicking shooting an energy blast. Not much came out of his hands of course but it did cause Marco to raise a concerned eyebrow.


    ¡°Are you alright Master?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Perfectly fine,¡± said Maxwell hurriedly. He awkwardly sat down again.


    ¡°By the way you may have noted this but you do not possess magic,¡± said Marco.


    ¡°What!!!¡± Maxwell was taken aback.


    Haven¡¯t you wondered why you alone are secluded in the estate while your siblings are nowhere to be seen?¡±


    Maxwell¡¯s mouth twisted in thought. He¡¯s got a point, I haven¡¯t so much as seen another soul. I was a little taken up in this new world experience thing.


    ¡°Nobles usually enter the royal magical academy at the age of 11 but that is only after awakening their Insignia.¡±


    ¡°Wait, how old am I?¡± asked Maxwell pointing a finger at himself.


    ¡°14.¡±


    Maxwell gasped. ¡°Seriously!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s usually common for nobles to awaken their ability around the age of 3 which makes you even more of a rare case. There have been cases of nobles being kicked out of their households for awakening their insignia''s late. They usually blame it on illegitimate children and get away with it like that.¡±


    ¡°Then why am I still here?¡±


    Marco sighed, ¡°You really don¡¯t know anything do you?¡±


    ¡°There is one marker of one¡¯s insignia before the awakening, and that is the eye-colour. Your eyes you might have noted are unique from anyone else¡¯s in the house of Vanderbilt or even me and Amelia.¡±


    Maxwell nodded. I noticed it as soon as I was transmigrated.


    ¡°Your eyes are golden,¡± continued Marco. ¡°Magical power is ranked with brown at the lowest, then green, followed then by blue and at the top its-¡±


    ¡°Golden,¡± finished Maxwell.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°Even among nobles that is incredibly rare meaning you hold incredible potential, that is why you are in this unique predicament,¡± explained Marco. ¡°As for actual magical abilites, your insignia denotes your specific affinity and there are also of course general magic skills.¡±


    Maxwell groaned. ¡°I think I only got about half of that before my eyes glazed over.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± said Marco. ¡°By the looks of it you¡¯ll never gain your magic so its nothing to worry about.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for reminding me,¡± wailed Maxwell.


    ¡°Wait a minute,¡± he said, composing himself. ¡°I used Magic, the dispelling thing how was I able ot use that?¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t require mana from its user, all mana required is consumed when it¡¯s cast. The technical classification of it is a curse.¡± he said.


    ¡°Sorry about that,¡± said Maxwell.


    ¡°No need to apologise,¡± replied Marco.


    Well it sucks that I don¡¯t have magic. He thought. It was incredibly frustrating. But¡­ He clenched his fist. When he had dispelled the violence pact he had sensed the surge of mana within him. It felt so strong within him he was certain he could use it. His fingers twitched as he recalled the sensation. He sighed and lay down. Perhaps those served no indication of any value. He stared up at the sky. Maybe there was no use contemplating that.


    He closed his eyes thinking yet again back to that sensation. Maybe if he could recreate those sensations he could use mana. Who knows the Ignard that had occupied this body could not use magic but maybe he could. Perhaps if magic is tied to the soul then maybe he still had the potential to use magic. The fact still remained that Ignard had golden eyes, would that power level translate to his own as well. There were too many questions. I wonder if I can do it though. He focused back on that sensation of mana channelling through him as he uttered those words. His eyes shot open, I felt a tingle! He clenched his eyes shut, Come on out, I can get another one! He gasped for breath.


    ¡°I worry for your mental health,¡± said Marco. ¡°Perhaps a visit to the church ought to be in order?¡±


    Maxwell¡¯s cheeks turned red. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re still here Marco.¡±


    ¡°At your beck and call,¡± said Marco sarcastically.


    He turned back to the sky. The sun was starting to poke through the clouds. He glanced back at it. Something about it had caught his eye. He peered up at the luminescent ball that hung in the sky, he blinked rapidly as the sunlight flooded his eyes. It seemed to shimmer and swirl. Strange iridescent patterns like the waves of a stormy sea crashed along its surface. He was completely mesmerized. There was only one word he would use to describe it. Beautiful. If Maxwell had been paying attention he might have noticed that his eyes didn¡¯t sting from the bright light nor did tears well up in his eyes. There was something about the sun that was so captivating. He felt his body glow hot, the heat inside him growing with every beat of his heart. The light from the sun seemed to coalesce in and through him. He felt a dizziness as if he was on a roller-coaster yet he had an unexplained calmness inside him.


    ¡°Master, what¡¯s happening to you!¡± shouted Marco. Marco sounded strangely distant to Maxwell, like he was behind a layer of glass.


    ¡°Maxwell!¡±


    Maxwell snapped out of his trance looking around him. To his surprise when he looked beside him through the windows he could see the rows of books in the library. The thing was the library was on the second floor. He looked down and to his horror he was hovering several body lengths above the ground. This awareness seemed to end his hovering. In the millisecond before his descent the thought of how this wasn¡¯t the first time he¡¯d fallen from fatal heights flashed through his mind. He hurtled to the ground. In a flash Marco leaped upward and caught him. Marco landed down with a gentle thump with Maxwell in his arms.


    ¡°Huh, I¡¯m alive,¡± said Maxwell in disbelief. ¡°I thought I was a goner.¡± Maxwell¡¯s face didn¡¯t compare to Marco¡¯s though.


    ¡°You¡¯re divine Insignia, it awakened,¡± said Marco, his mouth open.


    ¡°Does this mean¡­¡±


    Maxwell looked down at his chest. It was glowing. An insignia shone through his shirt. That must be what Marco had meant.


    Is this magic! He could barely contain his excitement. Everyone has had that fantasy at least once. Of being able to cast powerful spells, break mountains, control the weather- to use magic.


    ¡°That was magic, wasn¡¯t it!¡± said Maxwell excitedly to Marco.


    The glowing outline of his shirt illuminated by the mark shone brightly. They darkened as they ignited. His shirt rapidly burst into flames.


    ¡°Marco what do I do!¡± he shouted. Marco subsequently dropped Maxwell¡¯s flaming body onto the ground.


    ¡°Calm down, control your mana!¡± shouted Marco equally as panicked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to be naked!¡± shouted Maxwell as he clutched the burning remains of his shirt. They withered and atomized in his hands before being blown into the wind.


    ¡°Stay here, I¡¯ll call for Sir Howitzer!¡± shouted Marco rushing into the large estate. He soon emerged, followed by Sir Howitzer.


    ¡°Quick, we must head to the church at once!¡± said Sir Howitzer. ¡°You can explain what happened in the carriage!¡± Maxwell had never seen the man so happy. He was beaming from ear to ear. ¡° This is a momentous occasion, I almost thought this day would never come, finally at last!¡± He exclaimed.


    <div>

 006: Black Heart

    The carriage vibrated under him. Every bump sent Maxwell rocking slightly. Things seemed to be moving a thousand miles a minute. Maxwell thought back to when Sir Howitzer had rushed out of the estate with Marco barely able to keep up. He had never seen Sir Howitzer so energetic.


    The carriage had velvety comfy pillows on the seats and wide expansive windows. Not that he could see much. The curtains of the carriage were tightly shut to prevent excess light from coming in which was probably a good thing since his ability had been activated by the sun. He peered through the curtains and made out flashes of greenery and fields rushing by. Maxwell adjusted the robe around him. He didn¡¯t want to lose his clothes again. Not twice in one day.


    The carriage was ancient technology when compared to modern cars and bused but it had a deep sense of luxury despite that. The interior was adorned in golden metal practically wherever he looked. There¡¯s no way that¡¯s actually gold, right?


    The sound of reins being whipped rang loudly even above the noise of galloping horses and the vibrating wagon. Marco had joined Sir Howitzer at the front of the carriage which meant he couldn''t even ask any questions. Eventually the wagon came to a stop. The doors opened leading to a cathedral. It stretched high above the ground piercing into the sky. The building reminded him of the high-rise skyscrapers of a city which seemed out of place in this medieval world.


    Peering through the barely transparent blinds he saw Sir Howitzer knock on the door. The door opened and a nun walked out. Maxwell couldn¡¯t make out what they were saying but it was clearly about him. Sir Howitzer pointed at the carriage every now and then with the nun bobbing her head at his words.


    ¡°They¡¯re calling for you,¡± said Marco, opening the carriage door. Maxwell stumbled to the entrance making sure to not trip on the edge of his robe. Sir Howitzer put a firm hand on Maxwell\s shoulder.


    ¡°This is him.¡±


    The nun nodded. She had a stern face like an elderly school teacher.


    ¡°The ceremony is already underway, come on this way,¡± said the nun.


    Maxwell nodded silently. He felt a nervousness in the pit of his stomach, not entirely different from what he had felt two years ago entering a new school. He felt a pang in his chest. Why am I thinking about Colin now?


    The church was dimly lit. Candles illuminated the church walls. A center-aisle stretched all the way to the altar with candles attached to the elongated benches on either side. As his eyes adjusted to the dim glow he realised the benches weren¡¯t empty as he once thought. He made out rows and rows of hooded figures filling the seats. As his ears adjusted to the quiet he made out low rhythmic murmurs. They spoke as one causing the walls to hum and echo their words. It was as if the walls themselves was chanting with them. The thought sent chills down his back.


    ¡°Make your way to the altar,¡± said a commanding voice. The voice had come from a figure dressed in a flowing robe at the front of the aisle. His black robes had red accents that swirled along it. He held a staff and remained motionless.


    Maxwell gulped and began to walk, Marco crept after him.


    ¡°He goes alone!¡± boomed the voice. Marco bowed before scurrying back. Maxwell was surprised at Marco¡¯s shyness. This atmosphere is making me nervous, I¡¯ve never seen Marco so timid.


    He took slow steps forward as he made his way to the front. The thick carpeted floor muffled his footsteps. He stopped right in front of the priest. He shone the lantern on the end of his staff in Maxwell¡¯s face.


    ¡°We are delighted to have another of Vanderbilt''s, It seems god¡¯s grace has reached you too despite common belief,¡± he said in a hoarse voice.


    Does he mean how Ignard never got his magical ability, wondered Maxwell.


    He got a glimpse of red and black markings on the priests elderly face. He had been to churches before and even other places of worship but they never had an atmosphere quite like this¡­


    ¡°Clasp the Conduit, ¡°he said, his voice more tender now. He gestured beyond him with his staff.


    Maxwell nodded. He walked forward to the podium. The podium had a divot in it but it¡¯s what was above its metal frame that was most mesmerizing. A shimmering orb around the size of a basketball hovered clearly above its surface. He would have mistaken it for metal had it not been for its constantly shifting surface.


    He told me to clasp this thing?The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Maxwell reached forward slowly. As his hands touched the liquid he felt a slight tug on his fingertips. It was cool to the touch. He reached deeper into it until its edges reached his elbows.


    I¡¯m pretty sure that¡¯s not how physics works, remarked Maxwell.


    He looked back at the priest, but the man only nodded.


    Dammit. Maxwell usually didn¡¯t like listening to strangers but considering the circumstances he was relying completely on the fact that they held no ill-will against him.


    ¡°Well, well aren¡¯t you an interesting one,¡± hissed a voice. The sound made his skin crawl.


    A glimmering face took form in the fluid liquid. Its watery features flowed and ebbed but took form before it completely disappeared.


    ¡°Another Vanderbilt as well, ¡°it cackled. ¡°What have those old coots brought me this time.¡±


    Why does everybody know that name? Is my family name that famous?


    He was incredibly disturbed by the countenance but he hadn''t succumbed to fear yet.


    ¡°What are you?¡±


    ¡°Me, oh that¡¯s not important, I¡¯m here to know everything there is to know about you,¡± it cackled.


    The burning sensation on his chest alerted him to the fact that his insignia had activated.


    ¡°Oh, You are truly blessed, you have the mark of the angel, bestowed with light magic.¡±


    Its eyes seemed to squint for a second. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen something like this since¡­ since quite a while.¡±


    ¡°Wait, there appears to be something more,¡± it began. ¡°I can smell it, there¡¯s that bitter scent about you.¡± It hummed a quiet tune as it searched deeper.


    ¡°Fraud!¡± it hissed.¡±You don¡¯t belong here?!¡±


    It roared in laughter causing Maxwell to flinch. His arms remained firm entrapped in the liquid. He couldn¡¯t move an inch.


    ¡°I smell betrayal on your breath, you sacrificed another didn¡¯t you?¡± It spat.


    These words chilled him more than the last.


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± he said in a small voice.


    He looked around him but everything beyond the podium had been swept up in a world of black.


    ¡°Stop this right now!¡± he shouted.


    ¡°No one can hear you!¡± it roared. ¡°Your heart is black, darker than the innermost coals of a furnace!¡±


    ¡°Let me go!¡± screamed Maxwell.


    ¡°Your life will know no comfort, only pain and misery await you!¡± it howled. ¡°Your despair will be spectacular!¡±


    ¡°I said stop it, ¡° said Maxwell, trembling. ¡°Stop it!¡±


    He ripped one of his hands free from the liquid.. ¡°I said stop it!¡± he shouted. He gripped the face in his palm and crushed it. It squelched in his tightening fist. Droplets splashed to the floor.


    ¡°At least your death will bring me amusement,¡± it hissed. It¡¯s face had formed again in the liquid. With a roar Maxwell punched it. The face distorted once more. Except this time he didn¡¯t stop punching. He tore it apart with his bare fingers, ripping out sludge pieces by the handful. He bashed the face with his knuckles. Every blow sent a wave of liquid onto the ground. Soon only a small sphere of liquid remained. He angrily growled before grabbing it. While he was unaware of it, in his fit of rage a particular surge of energy was running through his body, it coalesced in his arms and as he touched the shimmering mass it ran into the conduit turning it bright yellow.


    A splintered mouth formed on the small ball.


    ¡°Don¡¯t disappoint me now, suffer for my amusement¡­¡± it whispered before exploding in a dazzling display of golden energy, not even the podium remained from that blast.


    ¡°Fuck you,¡± said Maxwell. He was panting heavily his shoulders rising and falling with each breath. Adrenaline was pumping through his system.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on ??¡± he heard behind him.


    Maxwell snapped too and turned behind him. The rows of people chanted quietly. He took a glance near the entrance and saw his father and Marco¡¯s wide open eyes. Their mouths were also wide in disbelief.


    Maxwell looked back at the podium. The podium was intact but the shimmering orb had solidified and a golden crack ran along its circumference.


    He tried to calm his rapid breathing. Was it all a hallucination?


    The priest raised his arms. ¡° This power is truly unprecedented, this is a glorious day!¡± he boomed.


    The dark rows of people bowed their heads further, and increased the pace of their chanting.


    All Maxwell could do was scan their faces to see how much they had seen.


    The priest got to his knees and his staff rattled to the floor. He bowed low- until his head touched the ground. Maxwell could only make out some of the man¡¯s muffled speech.


    ¡°...I thank you divine gods for granting me ¡­¡­ My life is yours¡­¡±


    When the atmosphere had died down. Marco and Sir Howitzer were finally able to approach him.


    ¡°I¡¯m so proud of you,¡± said his father, embracing him.


    Maxwell turned his face to Marco, while scrunched in his father¡¯s arms.


    ¡°Umm... Marco, I was kind of in a trance, what exactly happened?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen anything like it before,¡± said Marco excitedly. ¡°One second you were there touching the conduit. It turned golden and illuminated the entire room. It then burst in an explosion of golden light, which destroyed the conduit leaving that crack.


    ¡®I see,¡± said Maxwell quietly. What am I supposed to make of what just happened?


    ¡°Are we leaving now,¡± said Maxwell weakly.


    ¡°What do you mean, you can¡¯t just leave?¡± said Marco.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± said Maxwell hesitantly.


    "The ceremony is only just beginning."

 007: Adelaide

    ¡°Come again?¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately This is more of an all day thing,¡± Marco explained. ¡°You¡¯ll need to wait in the yard before we can come get you, there they¡¯ll teach you the basics of your abilities.¡±


    ¡°Are there other people as well?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Right you don¡¯t know what day it is,¡± said Marco. ¡°It¡¯s the 30th, that¡¯s when the Novitiate arrive. This church is sort of like the training grounds for them. You¡¯ll have to stick around with them for a while. A lot of them come from out of the city which means they also need to be taught about how to control their power so you¡¯ll fit in.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± said Maxwell. He didn¡¯t like the idea of not going home yet but it seemed that would have to wait.


    ¡°To be honest I¡¯ve never been a fan of holy place, seems shady in some way but it¡¯s something you¡¯re just going to have to deal with,¡± said Marco.


    He splashed his face with water. Maybe he was hoping it would rid him of the recent experience. He looked down at his hand. It still felt like some weird nightmare.


    He stared at himself in the mirror. He watched a water droplet run down his face before splashing into the sink. Loud knocking on the stall door disturbed his silence. ¡°Hey, hurry up in there, you¡¯re not the only one who needs the restroom !¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m almost done!¡± he shouted back. Maxwell quickly retrieved the black band from his pocket and tied it over his eyes. He adjusted it once in the mirror before stepping out into the yard. There wasn¡¯t much free space as it was covered in people wearing light blue tunics. They all wore a band of black fabric around their eyes. He sat down at a random table. Nobody really seemed to be talking to each other. There was a nervous energy among all of them.


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s your name?¡± He turned to the side. He was greeted by a smiling face. They had deep dimples and dirty blonde hair that ran past the length of fabric band that covered their eyes.


    ¡°Oh um, Maxwell,¡± he said without a second thought. Maxwell winced. That was stupid of me, how could I use my real name!


    ¡°Maxwell huh?¡± he said. ¡°I haven¡¯t really heard of that one before


    ¡°I gotta wonder who that guy was right?¡± said Wilbur excitedly. ¡°There¡¯s no way you missed it, the entire yard was shaking like crazy. ¡°It¡¯s a shame we can¡¯t know who it was!¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ ¡°said Maxwell. I¡¯m glad nobody knows.


    ¡°Having that sort of power must be incredible, I could only dream of that, I can only imagine how happy that person is!¡± He went on. Maxwell wanted to say how he felt but he couldn¡¯t there wasn¡¯t anyone he could really trust in this world.


    I don¡¯t think they¡¯re as happy as you think they are.


    ¡°My family¡¯s from a little town called Worrenwich,¡± He said. ¡°You¡¯ve probably never heard of it. The Carbury River runs not far from it at least one of its offshoots. The river¡¯s been drying up and we¡¯re having trouble getting enough water for our crops and animals,¡± he went on.


    ¡°We¡¯d be lucky of course to catch any fish,¡± he chimed. He stretched out his hands ¡°Once a long time ago My father once caught one this-¡± He paused before lowering his head. ¡°Sorry for blabbering on like that, you''re probably not interested in any of that. I can¡¯t help it when I¡¯m in the city like this, It¡¯s just so overwhelming¡­¡±


    ¡°No, no It¡¯s alright,¡± said Maxwell waving his hands. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I just got caught up in my thoughts!¡± Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°Wilbur nodded. ¡°I know what you mean, My entire town celebrated when I was picked to work for the church. We could finally receive the help we needed.¡±


    That¡¯s not what I meant. Maxwell caught himself looking at his knuckles again. The sensation of his fist driving into the jelly-like substance wouldn¡¯t leave him.


    Man these masks really itch!¡± he said while flexing his fingers above them. He gave an exasperated sigh before putting his fingers firmly against his lap. ¡°I guess it¡¯s just a matter of getting used to it.¡±


    ¡°Why is it that we have these things anyway,¡± said Maxwell gesturing to the bad around his eyes. It was messing up his vision as if he was looking through a wire mesh.


    ¡°Since you seemed to have missed the previous seminars I¡¯ll tell you,¡± said Wilbur smugly. ¡°Eyes are the most important symbol within the church. When our eyes are seen, it says in the holy texts that we instinctively judge each other on their magical prowess. To prevent any prejudice based on magical level they are therefore obscured. Only those of high authority like the High Priest are able to reveal their eyes as a sign of their credibility.¡±


    ¡°Let me go, get off off me!¡±


    Maxwell along with all the other heads turned there. A boy wearing a fine salmon colored tunic was being held down by armour clad men. The boy managed to break free and ran through the yard. They ran after him, their armour clanking with their steps.


    As he ran past Maxwell he was tackled into the grass. ¡°Please help me!¡± he shouted to the people around him. They only looked on aimlessly.


    Why is nobody helping him?


    He locked eyes with Maxwell. He reached out a hand, a bejeweled bangle on his wrist wobbled loosely.. ¡°Please!¡±


    Maxwell¡¯s hand twitched. Who knows what will happen if I do it.


    ¡°Stop this at once!¡±


    A woman no older than him stood up from among the crowd. Her clothing had black markings along it and her eye-band had gold swirls along it.


    She crouched down by the kids'' side. ¡°Stop holding him so tight!¡±


    The guard reluctantly loosen his grip. She gestured at the guards who gathered around them to back down. She turned back to the cowering boy. ¡°Are you alright,¡± she said. She grasped his hand. ¡°My name is Adelaide, what¡¯s your name?¡± She spoke calmly and warmly. It brought a sense of peace in Maxwell. There wasn¡¯t an ounce of malice in that, like the warm rays of a later summer sun.


    ¡°My name¡¯s James Thoreson,¡± said the boy.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to be afraid, James,¡± said Adelaide. She reached out with her delicate fingers. His hands were covered in dirt and grass from resisting but she grabbed it firmly without judgement.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you desire to be a part of this church?¡± she asked gently.


    ¡°But, I heard terrible things about those here, I heard they treat them worse than dogs,¡± he replied.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry you heard those things,¡± she said reassuring him. ¡°I¡¯m sorry these guards who were meant to protect you are treating you like this.¡± She glanced at them angrily. ¡°While they enforce god¡¯s will it does not permit them to use unnecessary force.¡±


    She squeezed his hand. ¡°You have my word that nobody will hurt you or mistreat you. Do you trust me?¡±


    He looked into her eyes. ¡°I do.¡±


    The girl Adelaide smiled. As James stood up, the guards stepped forward. but Adelaide waved them away. The guards escorted him out this time walking by his side. She waved at him as he left. He waved back. The tension in the room left as the boy did.


    ¡°I say that was mighty disrespectful,¡± said Wilbur after a while. It¡¯s such an honor yet they had the gall to put up such a display, I guess some people just don¡¯t know any better.¡±The atmosphere returned to normal once more.


    ¡°I guess..¡± says Maxwell. The church was so confusing to him. Who was he to trust? More importantly, who is that girl that could order those guards like that?


    He locked eyes with Adelaide. He felt a shock go through his body. Although her eyes were obscured he was certain they had locked eyes.


    ¡°Hey, who is that girl?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Didn''t you hear the exchange, that¡¯s Adelaide, the high priestess in training. It''s like it''s your first time here!¡±


    She¡¯s gonna be replacing the priest in charge of the ceremony? She has a completely different vibe from him Maxwell narrowed his eyes. But there was something unmistakable in her that made it somewhat believable. There was something different about her. While he couldn¡¯t explain why he was certain of it. When he locked eyes with her he knew.


    She has golden eyes too.

 008: Things Are Getting Out of Hand

    He stared out the window at the small field. Two birds were pecking away at something in the grass. He looked back over the classroom at the rows of desks and the sea of light blue tunics. The room was made almost entirely of wood but it was of incredibly high quality. The floors were so polished, they glinted. He had tried running his nail across an edge to feel for a crack but it was impossible. He looked at the eager students staring at the instructors up ahead. This was all part of his introduction to magic after awakening his insignia but there was something about it. The classroom was amazing, it was just, so, so ¡­WRONG.


    He scratched his head in frustration. Why am I back at school! He was in a fantasy world for Christ''s sake. Why was he back in the one place he was glad to never see again. He sighed loudly and lent back in his chair. He stared at the pattern the planks made on the floor.


    He glanced at the seat next to him. Instead of paying attention to the instructors Wilbur was busy ogling a particular alluring female¡¯s Neophyte¡¯s body. Maxwell scoffed. He was the most sacrilegious religious person-in training he¡¯d seen.  Well, it¡¯s not like I''m paying attention to them either. He remarked. How can I though, my mind is filled with the events earlier today.


    Should I have done something back there? He wasn¡¯t sure, he felt only uncertainty at that question. He opened and closed his hand. Wasn¡¯t he blessed with incredible power? What was the point if he never used it. Is this the same as that time back then as well? Someone else had stepped in there too. Yeah and look how that turned out. He thought. Colin had just ended up dying. He sighed. The things the face in the orb had said to him flashed in his mind. They could have been simply to cause him pain but he couldn¡¯t help but consider the possibilities.  Maybe that face was right maybe I am everything it said. He clenched his fist until his knuckles turned white. I swear I didn¡¯t leave them!


    He felt heat emanating from his hand. It was glowing bright yellow.


    ¡°Oh crap,¡± he exclaimed before hiding it firmly between his thighs under the desk. He looked around hurriedly. Nobody saw that right?. A bead of sweat ran down his forehead.


    Maxwell stared blankly at the front of the class. He nodded aimlessly, as he faked paying attention. WHy the hell is my hand glowing.


    ¡°Enough with the explanations for now,¡± said the instructors. ¡°We¡¯ll move on to some practical exercises.¡± One of them gestured toward the door. ¡°For this exercise in mana control we have a special guest.¡±


    In through the door walked a young priestess followed by a couple of assistants. SHe had a bucket of dirt in her hand. She nodded in greeting to the instructors before turning to the class. Her assistants walked in behind her wheeling in a cart full of similar pot of dirts.


    ¡°As you all know this is the high-priestess in training, please give her a warm welcome.¡± said one of the instructors.


    ¡°Hello everyone!¡± she beamed. She had familiar black swirlings on her robes and her band of fabric around her eyes had fancy gold markings that adorned its edges. Excited whispers buzzed around the classroom. Maxwell along with most of the other students perked up. What is she doing here? She was the one who helped that boy from the guards if he recalled it correctly. I believe her name was Adelaide, the one with the golden eyes.


    The assistants began passing around the pots of dirt. ¡°Pass them on backwards to make sure everyone gets one,¡± they announced in the way tired teachers often do.


    Wilbur passed one onto his desk. ¡°Thanks,¡± said Maxwell politely. while crouched over.


    The priestess clapped her hands together. ¡°OK, before you all isn¡¯t just a pot full of dirt, within that dirt there is a seed,¡± she began. ¡°These seeds are unique, they grow in the Somed forest and are highly sensitive to magic. Each of you guys are to channel your mana through your body and into the seed.¡±


    Maxwell grimaced. This is the worst time to be doing an exercise, how do I stop my hand from glowing? I don¡¯t want to cause a commotion by letting everyone know I have light magic. He wished he¡¯d paid better attention just a few minutes ago to what the instructors had been saying about mana control.


    He took a couple of calm breaths. Maybe if I calm down the light will ebb. It¡¯s the only thing I think that could have caused this. He peeked at his hand and to his pleasure it was reduced to a dim glow.  Nobody would notice in the brightly lit classroom. He reached forward and inspected the pot on his desk. It was simply a pot of dirt.


    ¡°Let¡¯s race,¡± declared Wilbur,¡± Loser has to give a third of their dinner!¡± He hovered his hands above the pot. His face turned bright red.


    One of the assistants nearby raised an eyebrow. ¡°Are you sure mana is the only thing you¡¯re trying to release?¡± A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°Wha-¡± Wilbur¡¯s face turned a different shade of red. Several people around us chuckled.


    ¡°At least I¡¯m trying!¡± retorted Wilbur to the snickering students.


    I better get started too. Maxwell held his hands out as well. He closed his eyes shut. Remember what it was like when dispeling the violence pact. It was a single clear memory he had of using magic. He cracked an eye. His left hand illuminated the pot. He hurriedly shoved his hand under the desk. The pot crashed onto the ground. Crap¡­ This day is not my day, he sighed.


    ¡°Another pot for someone here!¡± shouted Wilbur.


    ¡°Shh!¡± said Maxwell. ¡°Don¡¯t yell, we could have shared a pot.¡±


    A pot was gently placed on his desk.


    ¡°Try not to break this one OK,¡± said a familiar gentle voice.


    Maxwell¡¯s head snapped to the voice. He felt power surge to his fist.


    ¡°Oh, yeah, I''ll be careful,¡± he said weakly. I didn¡¯t notice her approaching us at all.


    ¡°I think I¡¯m starting to get the hang of this!¡± exclaimed WIlbur. His seedling had started to bud and was almost a hand-length above the soil. He waved his hands around deep in concentration. Not entirely unlike a scam artist flashily reading a crystal ball.


    Wilbur pointed at Maxwell¡¯s pot. ¡°There¡¯s nothing growing there at all, are you sure you¡¯re really trying?¡±


    He puffed out his chest. ¡°Well, you¡¯ll get there someday.¡±


    I swear he¡¯s got the biggest head of everyone I know.


    ¡°Are you having any difficulties?¡± said the priestess. ¡°Anything I can help you with?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­¡± he began. He looked at his pot of dirt. Not a speck of green graced its surface.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t really understand the teacher¡¯s explanations, that''s all,¡± he said.


    She nodded understandingly.¡°It¡¯s OK, they can be confusing.¡±


    She reached into her robe and pulled out a seed.


    ¡°The secret is really visualising the mana within you, don¡¯t think of it as something you¡¯re actively controlling, it¡¯s a power bestowed to us by god, it is up to him whether we have control over it or not. Lots of students struggle with this but you have to give up control and not try and force it,¡± she explained. The seed sprouted in her hand, it¡¯s roots stretched around her hands. Its stem lengthened and grew before opening up into a dazzling rose.


    ¡°Whoa, I see,¡± said Maxwell breathtaking. He felt that spark of excitement within him. Magic really is amazing.


    She plucked the rose, snapping the bottom of the stem. She then placed the flower into Maxwell¡¯s pot.


    ¡°See, what I did,¡± she said.


    Maxwell nodded. Maybe he could use her advice for his hand as well. It''s worth a shot, I can¡¯t seem to get it to dim through sheer force of will. He didn¡¯t really know if all magic really was through the will of the gods but considering he had met one, it could very well be true.  He focused on his hand, and took deep breaths. I need to not force it. I need to simply let my mana flow out of my hand of its own accord. He felt the tingling in his hand subside and he knew the light had disappeared. She¡¯s a surprisingly good teacher. He remarked.


    He raised his hands in front of the dirt.


    ¡°I¡¯ll try it out in Adelaide,¡± he said.


    ¡°Dude!¡± exclaimed Wilbur turning his head from his sprouting seed.


    ¡°Huh?¡± said Maxwell at his outburst. Did I say something wrong?


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, holy priestess, this fool doesn¡¯t know who he¡¯s talking to, it¡¯s a wonder he can do basic chores,¡± he said, shooting daggers at Maxwell.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright,¡± said the priestess laughing. Maxwell was stunned. He¡¯d never heard such an innocent laugh. ¡° At heart I feel the same way as you guys, we are the same age after all,¡± she said.


    ¡°You must have heard it back then, right?¡± said the priestess.¡±I don¡¯t recognize your face.¡±  Is she referring to when she helped that boy. Also does she remember everybody¡¯s face, there¡¯s no way that¡¯s how she was able to tell that I¡¯m new? Didn''t Wilbur say people pass through here all the time.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± said Maxwell. ¡° I didn¡¯t mean to offend you.¡±


    ¡°No, no you didn¡¯t.¡± she said. ¡°To be honest it¡¯s nice to be called by simply my name, most people treat me at arm''s reach like i¡¯m some precious metal they¡¯re afraid of smudging with their touch.¡±


    Maxwell noted a hint of bitterness in her voice.


    ¡°You should probably call me priestess though,¡± she said. ¡°It would bring attention if only you were to call me by my given name. It might cause misunderstandings after all,¡± she explained.


    ¡°Why would that cause..¡± he realised it when he said it. His cheeks tinged red. . ¡° Right, right I see,¡± he said rapidly.


    She laughed awkwardly.


    ¡°Enough about me now, Let¡¯s see you get on with the practice.¡±


    She watched him as he focused.


    ¡°Do you mind if I suggest something?¡± she asked tentatively.


    ¡°Hold your hands on either side of the pot.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± said Maxwell. ¡°That way I can focus on channelling it between my hands and through the pot, Instead of focusing on projecting it outwards by focusing on sending it to your hands you have a more clear image.¡±


    She smiled. ¡°Exactly, you¡¯re  a surprisingly fast learner.¡±


    Maxwell shrugged. He was used to words like that at his old school. Although schoolwork had never meant much to him then. Here he felt he was actually getting something out of it. It is literal magic after all.


    ¡°I¡¯m starting to think you didn¡¯t need my help in the first place,¡± said the priestess. Maxwell shook his head. If I didn¡¯t have your help I wouldn¡¯t have gotten it so easily.¡± He paused awkwardly. ¡°So.. thanks,¡± he said awkwardly. Upon uttering those words he realised he hadn¡¯t said those words once since coming to this world. Why do I find that so weird?

 009: Out of Sight, Out of Mind?

    ¡°6 elemental attributes are the gifts given to mankind by the 6 gods of creation and are the systems of which all gifts are derived from, ¡°said the instructor. He had short brown hair with clear widow peaks. His posture was extremely rigid. Seated at the corner of the classroom was another instructor with bright red hair, he looked aimlessly at the ceiling while twirling a toothpick in his mouth. The brown haired instructor raised his hands.


    ¡°¡°Everything around you, everything you-¡±


    The instructor halted abruptly. His mouth twisted. . Maxwell followed the direction of the instructors face. His eyes landed on two students who were passing notes to each other.


    The orange-haired instructor raised a hand to his mouth, giggling like a child.


    He continued speaking again while creeping toward those students.


    ¡°Everything you hear, see and touch¡­¡± WIthout missing a beat he grabbed the note from one of their hands as they were passing it and balled it up in his fist.


    ¡±... is created due to the gods,¡± he finished.  ¡°All abilities you use are derived from their ancient creations and manipulations of mana.¡± He gave the students a cautionary gaze before returning to the front of the classroom.


    ¡°Right on, Gideon!¡± cheered the orange-haired instructor while pumping his hand.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be taking your teaching a little more seriously Adam,¡± replied the eagle-eyed instructor in disapproval.


    ¡°Fine then!¡± he exclaimed standing up. He walked over to Gideon. ¡°Ok class, today I¡¯ll be talking about one of the six gods of creation.¡± He opened his palm, water flowed out of his hands and floated above his hand. ¡°Oohs!¡± and ¡°ahhs!¡± filled the classroom.  ¡°I¡¯ll be talking about the water goddess Mira.¡±


    Gideon nodded. ¡°Good, good you¡¯re actually taking this seriously.¡±


    ¡°Mira is a 10/10 in terms of looks and beauty and I¡¯m going to marry her one da-¡±


    Gideon stood up sharply. ¡°Alright, that¡¯s enough.¡± he marched over to Adam. ¡°I should have known not to take you seriously.¡±


    He covered Adam¡¯s mouth but to little avail. ¡°She¡¯s not only beautiful, she is knuwmwg to be elegannnt booshh in... and mannerisms.¡±


    Gideon pushed Adam back toward the chair. ¡°SIt, down now!¡±


    Adam pouted. ¡°But I am taking my teaching seriously,¡± he said before plodding back.


    Are these really my instructors? He couldn¡¯t help but wonder.


    The neophytes slowly flooded the hallways, cramming themselves through the narrow doorway.


    ¡°Hey, you, wait a minute,¡± he heard Gideon say behind him. Maxwell turned his head. Was he talking to me?


    ¡°Yeah you, come over here,¡± said Gideon waving him over. He sounded nonchalant which was never a good thing when it came to people as strict as them. It usually meant you were in big trouble.


    I don¡¯t think I did anything wrong? What could Maxwell have done, he wasn¡¯t disturbing anyone in class? He was a good student after all.


    Gideon reached into his robes and pulled out a folded up letter. ¡°It¡¯s from your family,¡± he explained.


    ¡°You know who my family is?¡± Maxwell said, surprised. He didn¡¯t stand out from the rest of the students there.


    ¡°Well, it was surprisingly kind of hard identifying who it was, considering Vanderbilt¡¯s tend to stand out¡­ more-but basically yes.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡± said Maxwell sultrily while accepting the letter. He nodded his thanks before leaving the room.


    He went to the yard and sat in the grass while he read the letter. His eyes moved to the bottom of the page. From Marco, it read.  It was from Marco, what could it be about?


    To Ignard


    I hope the ceremony and learning is going well, there is urgent information you must know. Your siblings have arrived back home from the academy. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    Maxwell paused. No, no no. He read on.


    This complicates things as they weren¡¯t supposed to arrive anytime before the end of the year school break. Since you awakened your insignia, your parents(master Howitzer and lady¡­.) Your siblings were summoned to celebrate this momentous occasion.


    He hadn¡¯t even thought about his siblings, he wasn¡¯t sure he ever had any in the first place.


    Your training should be over soon. My sister will be bringing you back but she may not tell you everything necessary. Try not to interact with your siblings so they don¡¯t find out anything about you. Leave it up to me and Amelia to take care of this. Maxwell screwed his knuckles against his forehead. How was he supposed to deal with this? He folded up the letter and tucked it in his pocket. They say out of sight out of mind but Maxwell didn¡¯t feel any less anxious. Could he really leave it up to them?


    Over the next few days, all the basic training he had to do was completed. His days continued on with their routine dullness. Part of him didn¡¯t want to go home to meet Ignard¡¯s siblings. He had no idea what they would be like. Would he even be able to keep a facade around them? He could understand fooling his parents but his siblings- not a chance. Marco and Amelia had found him out instantly after all.


    Clutching his bag of belongings he walked one final time through the long hallways of the church. I wanted to leave this place for so long but now I¡¯m not quite sure which is better- or worse for that matter. A door opened from one of the rooms and out burst Adelaide. She had a stack of papers in her hands and nearly knocked into him.


    ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t see you there!¡± she exclaimed. She saw the bag in his hands. ¡°Are you on your way out?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Maxwell nodded.


    ¡°I see,  take care and may Luminus guide you back safely,¡± she said. Maxwell¡¯s eyes were drawn to her wrist. On it was a bejewelled bangle. For some reason he felt it was important. Where have I seen that before? The memory struck him so hard, he nearly flinched. The boy from before- James, the one she helped from the guards! It was his!  He felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise. Why did she have his belongings?


    ¡°Is something the matter?¡± asked Adelaide, cocking her head to the side.


    ¡°Hmm, uh no. Not at all,¡± said Maxwell hurriedly. It didn¡¯t make sense for her to have it. This church had been weird from the start, who knew what had happened to him.


    ¡°Well, I best be going, the work of the holy isn¡¯t for the faint of heart,¡± she said walking on. He could only stare at her as she left. When finally leaving the church grounds he waited by the side of the road for the carriage to approach. He heard a carriage approaching. He recognised the insanely expensive exterior. Amelia was driving it just as Marco had said. It came to a stop right in front of him. Amelia swiftly tied the reins onto one side before hoping down from the raised seat. She landed gracefully on the balls of her feet like a cat.


    ¡°Get in maggot!¡± said Amelia. She took his bags from next to him and put them in the back of the carriage for him. Before he could take another step she held the door handle, opening the interior to Maxwell. She gestured for him to get in.  I¡¯m not sure if she has great or terrible manners, he wondered in bewilderment.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± she snapped at his delay.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± said Maxwell climbing inside. He sat down and took a deep sigh. The soft velvet cushions were a blessing to his behind that had only known hard classroom seats for the past couple of days. Amelia whipped the reins once and the carriage lurched forward, nearly throwing him out of his seat.


    This girl, is she trying to kill me? He huffed. Things were quickly going from a three-group team to a two-group team of just him and Marco. He slipped a finger under the fabric over his eyes before taking it off. He could finally remove the black cloth from his eyes. He spent several moments simply blinking fully while enjoying the extra freedom and forgotten sensations.


    Staring out the window he could finally see how the city looked. When he had first arrived the windows had been obscured to block any light from activating his insignia stopping him from taking in the new world.


    As he had suspected the cathedral had been the tallest building but the rest were not to be underestimated. They were still several stories tall and ranged in color from gray all the way to green, pink and yellow. There aren¡¯t any demihumans, he noted. He assumed there would be at least a few but there wasn¡¯t a single one. Maybe I¡¯ll have to ask Marco about that later on.


    After what felt like several hours they passed the estate gates. The beautiful courtyard with all its beautiful flowers and tall bushes welcomed him in. He was once again taken back at how rich his family really was.


    His eyes were drawn to a large gray figure on the grass. It was an enormous wolf. [description here]


    ¡°Amelia, what the hell is that?!¡± he shouted. He banged on the wall separating them. ¡°Hello!¡±


    ¡°Stop banging, there¡¯s nothing to worry about!¡± she shouted back. Maxwell eyed it as they rode past it but it didn¡¯t so much as budge. Is it sleeping? he wondered. The carriage grinded to a halt at the front gates. Amelia opened the doors for him once more. ¡°We have arrived, Master Ignard,¡± she announced. Maxwell frowned. Why was she speaking so courteous, before she had practically cursed him out while doing things for him?


    He stepped out. ¡°Th-thank you,¡± he said warily.


    A girl wearing a fancy dress straight out of the victorian era came into view.


    He froze, he didn¡¯t expect to have one of them greet him.


    She looked out into the courtyard before putting her fingers to her lips and whistling. It rang out sharply, hanging in the air for a moment before dissipating. The wolf-dog  darted over and trotted to her before sitting at her feet. It was practically as tall as she was.


    ¡°Good boy, ¡°she said, stroking its neck. She turned to Maxwell.


    ¡°Hello dear brother,¡± she smiled.

 010: An Unexpected Family Reunion(Speak of the Devil)

    Maxwell walked awkwardly forward down the carriage steps. His shoes clinked against them.


    ¡°Hello¡­s-sister,¡± he stammered. What was he to do? Heck he¡¯d never had any siblings before.


    ¡°Why are you standing there all awkward for?¡± she said. She raised the hem of her skirt and dashed forward. Her arms wrapped around him.


    ¡°So cold, not giving your sister a hug!¡±


    Maxwell gasped for air. ¡°Your siblings have been gone for a couple months yet that¡¯s all you have to say, the nerve!¡± she complained.


    ¡°I¡­can¡¯t breathe,¡± was all Maxwell was able to get with his mouth buried in her shoulder.


    ¡°Come on now, your siblings are waiting for you, it¡¯s already time for dinner! ¡°She said ignoring him. She grabbed his arm and gently pulled him into the manor. She whistled sharply and the beast lazily galloped after them. The sight of the massive beast made him all jittery, especially the glimpse of large canines in its mouth.


    ¡°Amelia, help me,¡± he mouthed behind her. She pointed to the carriage as if to say,¡±I got to put this away.¡±


    They walked directly to the dining room.


    The door opened revealing the grand dining room. Sir Howitzer and lady Gamiere were already seated at one end of the table.


    ¡°The prodigal son returns,¡± they said in unison, their faces beaming.


    ¡°Yeah, heh,¡± said Maxwell. I¡¯m starting to wish I had joined the theater club right now instead of being a part of the going home club. Then I could actually pretend to act like Ignard.


    The door behind him opened again.


    Two boys both several years older than him sat down across from him. One appeared slightly older and had a navy blue coat, which contrasted nicely with the white shirt beneath it. Despite the dark bags under his eyes his gaze was sharp. His hair was straw blonde like Sir Howitzers and a slight smile played on his lips. The one on the left was dressed similarly except for the fact that the coat was yellow. His hair was dark brown like Lady Gamiere¡¯s and was parted to the side slightly.


    Maxwell gulped. ¡°Good evening, my dear brothers Julius and Eustace,¡± he said. It was a good thing Marco had briefed me slightly on his siblings a while ago. That aside he barely knew anything about them except for their names.


    He felt their eyes scan him up and down. Why is everyone so quiet? He squirmed awkwardly in his seat.


    The room erupted in laughter. Julius pointed at him guffawing loudly, his head all the way back. SIr Howitzer slapped his leg laughing. Sofia and Lady Gamiere daintily covered their mouths with a hand.


    ¡°Did I do something¡­ ¡°began Maxwell.


    ¡°Did you do something,¡± said Sir Howitzer, ¡°I was sure you would be rubbing in your awakening the second you sat down!¡±


    ¡°When he heard the news we were sure you would drown us with tales of your many exploits,¡± said Julius wiping away a tear. ¡°Your quiet demeanor was hilarious.¡±


    Maxwell blushed. ¡°Sorry about that,¡± he mumbled.


    ¡°Is he blushing,¡± teased Eustace.


    ¡°I am not!¡± said Maxwell. Why am I getting embarrassed? He wondered if siblings were always so good at getting on his nerves.


    ¡°So tell me Ignard,¡± said Julius leaning in. ¡°Is it really true you awakened your divine blessing?¡±


    Maxwell nodded. ¡°It¡¯s true.¡±


    Julius leaned back nodding. ¡°I was starting to think it would never come¡­¡±


    It is through the grace of the gods,¡± said Sir Howitzer. ¡°His Insignia is the divine blessing of Luminus the god of light.¡±


    Julius rolled his eyes. ¡°Father even the children of the orphanages know that much.¡±


    Perhaps it was simply his imagination but it seemed that for a moment Julius¡¯s mouth had tightened slightly at the edge of his gentle smile. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ¡°You may be the youngest but it appears you may be the shining torch of this household,¡±


    He was starting to feel like the power he was being bestowed was more important than he had thought. While perhaps cheesy, he thought back to that one saying. With great power comes great responsibility.


    Maxwell nodded. ¡°I hope to live up to your expectations,¡± he said bowing slightly.


    Sir Howitzer nodded in approval. ¡°Good, good manners.¡±


    Julius took a bite of his food. ¡°It seems he has finally grown up,¡± he said. ¡°Maybe one day you can be as good as me,¡± he joked. ¡°It¡¯ll take more than just some golden eyes to beat me!¡±


    ¡°So this means you¡¯ll be joining the academy next term,¡± said Sir Howitzer between bites.


    The academy?- Right, Marco had mentioned something like that! Maxwell contemplated the thought for a moment.


    ¡°Yes, of course,¡± he said. The thought scared him but maybe if his siblings would be there then maybe it wouldn¡¯t be so bad.


    ¡°I see¡­¡± said Julius.


    Sofia laughed. ¡°Afraid he¡¯ll come after your spot?¡±


    ¡°Of course not,¡± said Julius.


    I remember when you were only about this tall,¡± said Julius holding his fingers open only slightly.


    Lady Gamiere chuckled in response. ¡°You¡¯ve been teasing him an awful lot.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s OK,¡± said Sofia. ¡°I¡¯m sure his high spirits can¡¯t be pulled down by some friendly taunting,¡±


    Maxwell hadn¡¯t realised it before but Sofia¡¯s eyes were a bright vibrant green. Everyone¡¯s eye color in the house was blue except for hers- and of course Maxwell¡¯s. He couldn¡¯t recall what eye-color Marco and Amelia had. How did I not notice that before? He wondered. Eye-color has to do with mana power or something. I wonder how that affects the dynamics, I think I heard one of the instructors mention that nobles all have Aquamarine eyes.


    Julius stretched his arms high into the air stretching.


    ¡°Can we get some tea?¡± he asked.. Amelia nodded politely before gracefully leaving the room. She returned shortly after with a tray of tea and light snacks.


    Steam misted from the pot as she poured them into the porcelain cups.


    Julius stood up and went over to her. Don¡¯t work yourself too hard,¡± he said, putting a hand on her shoulder. ¡°You have a gentle soul, I don¡¯t want you to overwork yourself, you¡¯re so delicate¡±


    Sofia leaned toward Maxwell. ¡°It¡¯s so embarrassingly clear how obvious his feelings are toward her,¡± she whispered in his ear.


    Maxwell nodded slowly with a straight face. I also don''t think Julius has any idea what she¡¯s really like, he thought. If he did he doubts Julius would still have a crush on her. The memories of her kicking him and cursing him popped into his head with incredible ease. She walked around the table softly placing a cup at each person¡¯s plate.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± said Maxwell as she placed it in front of him with a clink.


    He tenderly took a sip but nearly burnt his tongue in the process. He had gotten a taste of the sweet aroma and was looking forward to drinking it when it cooled down.


    He heard a crash, and turned his head.


    ¡°My you¡¯re so clumsy,¡± said Julius teasingly. ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    ¡°Sorry sir,¡± she said.


    In Amelia¡¯s hands were the splintered remains of his teacup. The hot liquid steamed as it dripped from her hand. Droplets of blood spilled from in between the porcelain¡¯s sharp cracks.


    Maxwell stood up, ¡°You¡¯re bleeding!¡± He exclaimed.¡±Let me help you!¡± he said. He rushed over to her. He held up the tray for her to put the shards in.


    ¡°Let me look at your hands, ¡°he said.


    ¡°What are you-¡± began Amelia but he inspected her hands before she could continue.


    There were long red gashes in her hands. Maxwell winced at the sight of several small shards still stuck in her flesh. I think I can do something about this. He thought back to the first day of his general crash course in magic. They had channeled their mana into the plant and it had grown. Maybe I can do a similar thing here.


    Maxwell held a hand above and below hers and closed his eyes. A golden light emanated from them. The bleeding stopped and the wounds shrivelled in size. The shards loosened and clinked lightly as they hit the ground.


    ¡°That should stop the bleeding,¡± he said at last while opening his eyes¡±Hmm¡­. Impressive, you¡¯ve already learnt general healing magic,¡± remarked Julius whistling lazily.


    ¡°Huh, no that wasn¡¯t healing magic,¡± said Maxwell. ¡°I was just supplying some of my mana into her hands, ¡° he explained.


    His family exchanged surprised glances.


    His father uttered a small whisper.


    ¡°Normally simply applying mana to wounds doesn¡¯t help in healing or stopping the bleeding, it might dull the pain and provide a small energy boost but that¡¯s it. Whether it¡¯s because you have golden eyes or light magic it doesn¡¯t really matter, to make such a change with such a basic ability¡­. It¡¯s miraculous¡­¡± breathed Sir Howitzer.


    ¡°It is indeed¡­ ¡° echoed Julius.


    Soon the commotion faded into the background to Maxwell''s relief. He took small sips of his tea. Julius and Eustace conversed over some school event while Sofia chatted with Lady Gamiere. Amidst all the noise Sir Howitzer loudly cleared his throat. Nobody seemed to catch onto that cue to be quiet. Sir Howitzer cleared his throat again but everyone was too caught up in their conversations. Only Maxwell seemed to notice.


    Sir Howitzer¡¯s eyebrows furrowed in anger. His eyes shone brightly. The hair on Maxwell¡¯s neck rose. A boom echoed throughout the room, assaulting his ears. He felt the wave of energy reverberate through the air, rippling his face.


    The room was immediately silent.


    ¡°Listen up, everybody,¡± he boomed. ¡°I have an important announcement to make of utmost importance. I will be announcing the heir to the Vanderbilt Household.¡±

 011: D茅j脿 Vu

    The windows rattled from the intensity of his gaze. What the hell was that? Wondered Maxwell. Was that mana, that was so powerful!Maxwell It was like the roaring of a giant truck blazing down the highway toward him. It send a nervous sweat down his spine. The room- like Maxwell had turned completely silent. You could hear a pin drop in there.


    Julius and Eustace were frozen mid-conversation. Julius''s mouth was still open. The fork in Eustace¡¯s hand slipped from his fingers and clattered loudly onto his plate.


    A spark danced across Sir Howitzer¡¯s Mustache. Now that I recall, Sir Howitzer earned his fame in battle, he¡¯s a bonafide war hero.


    Sofia slipped Bastion a piece of steak from her plate. ¡°Good boy for not panicking, ¡°she whispered to him. She stroked his soft gray fur. He licked her hand in response.


    Lady Gamiere put her head against his shoulder. ¡°Dear, would you please calm down.¡± Sir Howitzer sighed in exasperation.


    Lady Gamiere leaned over, her auburn glossy hair flowed seamlessly with her movement. Her lips stopped just shy of his ear as she whispered into it.


    ¡°If you calm down, I¡¯ll do the ¡­.¡± Maxwell squinted. He couldn¡¯t quite make out that last part.


    ¡°You don¡¯t mean¡­¡± said Sir Howitzer.


    ¡°That¡¯s right the red one with the ¡­¡± she said.


    Sofia groaned, jamming her fingers into her ears. ¡°Did you hear something?¡± asked Maxwell quizzically.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to know,¡± groaned Sofia. ¡°I¡¯m starting to regret sharing my senses with Bastion.¡±


    Sir Howitzer straightened up, clearing his throat. ¡°Anyways, that aside,¡± he said flustered. ¡°I will announce the heir to the Vanderbilt household. This is very important and will affect the trajectory of all of our lives,¡± he continued.


    ¡°The house of Vanderbilt is one of the most influential families in the empire. We have done a lot for this country and will continue to serve it and the emperor undyingly. Through careful consideration we have finally appointed an heir to the household.¡±


    Maxwell was surprised to feel excitement building up inside him. Well, it¡¯s obvious who it¡¯s going to be. It¡¯s always the eldest. Julius is also hardworking and kind. He¡¯s the perfect man to lead this family. Eustace and SOfia aren¡¯t bad choices either, but he¡¯s still the obvious choice.


    He raised his porcelain teacup to his lips and took a long sip.


    ¡°The heir to the throne will be Ignard Vanderbilt.¡±


    Bastion raised his snout and howled. A crack ran down Julius¡¯s cup. A dribble of tea rolled through the cracks. The distinct sound of grinding, twisting metal was heard.


    Maxwell spat out his drink, nearly spraying everyone in the vicinity. This makes no sense!


    ¡°That¡¯s unbecoming of the heir to the throne,¡± chided Lady Gamiere.


    Maxwell was so taken aback he had accidentally swallowed some of the tea as well and was currently coughing his lungs out.


    ¡°Why me, any of my siblings would be a far better choice than me! I barely know any magic as well,¡± he said.


    Sir Howitzer nodded. ¡°You are the one who must lead this household, I¡¯m sure that with time your abilities will blossom and you will lead this family to greatness once more,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯m sure that we all feel this way, and are in agreement of this decision,¡± he said putting an end to the argument. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    Maxwell turned to Julius. How does Julius feel about this, I¡¯m sure he was expecting this more than anyone, to have that rug pulled from under your feet¡­ There was a long pause in the room. As if a dark cloud was swirling through Julius¡¯s mind. What was he thinking?


    Julius nodded after a while. ¡°I wholeheartedly agree, I have no complaints.¡±


    ¡°My, maybe you really have changed,¡± remarked Eustace. ¡°The Ignard of the past would have been absolutely delighted.¡±


    ¡°Master Ignard is practicing the six paths of leadership,¡± chimed Amelia in. ¡°He¡¯s been taking his studying very seriously lately.


    Maxwell shot her a thankful look. Thanks Amelia, for saving me there!


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± said Maxwell ¡° I am of course delighted, I will do everything in my power to serve the emperor well!¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± said Eustace. ¡°Persevere in your studies.¡±


    After dinner he went back to his room to relax. He lay on his bed and simply stared up at the ceiling. A lot was happening. His eyes caught a book on his shelf. He walked over to it. It was thick and bound in a dark cover. He took it over to his bed.


    He skimmed through the pages. He only saw the language as one who couldn¡¯t understand it - a gibbering of squiggly lines and dotes. Foreign shapes and diagrams flashed before his eyes. Are these magic circles? he wondered.


    ¡°This doesn¡¯t make any sense to me,¡± he grumbled.


    He rolled over in bed, holding the book above his head. He felt the mattress beneath him shifting. He yelped before hitting the ground. It knocked the wind out of him. He groaned, rubbing his lower back.


    He heard a knock on the door.


    ¡°Ignard, are you in here?¡±


    What¡¯s Sofia doing here? He hastily got to his feet. He opened the door. She was standing to the side.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Reading.¡±


    She furrowed her eyebrows, ¡°Reading?¡±


    Crap, would Ignard not do that. ¡°I know it''s weird right,¡± Nice save.


    ¡°Well I guess you are next in line to be the head of this family.¡±


    ¡°Yea,¡± he said, scratching his head. ¡°It still doesn¡¯t feel real.¡±


    ¡°Anyways, Lady Gamiere was calling for you,¡± said Sofia.


    ¡°Oh, what for?¡±


    ¡°She shrugged her shoulders. ¡°No clue.¡±


    She turned to leave. ¡°You coming?¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± he said.


    As they were walking through the hallways. He was reminded of a previous occurrence. Wait, why does this situation feel familiar. He gasped. THis is just like that time with Marco. THe time they found out I was a fraud.


    Maxwell slowed his pace. WHat are they gonna do to me? Last time Amelia and Marco practically murdered me. Sure they eventually let me live but that was after getting my ass kicked. Who knows what Ignard¡¯s siblings will do to me¡­


    He shuddered. ¡°Hey Sofia, I think I need to go to the restroom.¡±


    ¡°You can hold it can¡¯t you, this is important,¡± she insisted. His mind was racing.


    ¡°We¡¯re here!¡± she said stopping. Maxwell looked at the large door. ¡°Isn¡¯t this the door to the library?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± she said, opening it. She shoved Maxwell in and closed the door.


    ¡°Lady Gamiere!¡± called Maxwell hesitantly. His voice echoed slightly off the rows and rows of books. The library was larger than the one at his school.


    The lights suddenly dimmed submerging him into darkness. His feet fell out from under him.


    ¡°Not again!¡± he yelped. THe lights turned on once more. He was greeted with the smiling faces of Julus, Eustace and Sofia. In their hands they held large cones. They exploded covering him in confetti.


    ¡°Surprise!¡± they shouted in unison.


    Maxwell stood there stunned. He had subconsciously crawled into the fetal position and now undid himself.


    ¡°Wow, we¡¯re really good at throwing surprises!¡± They said stunned at Maxwell¡¯s reaction. They high-fived.


    Julius looked at Maxwell¡¯s almost scared face. ¡°Maybe too good¡­¡± He helped him to his feet dusting some confetti from his shoulders.


    ¡°What¡¯s the surprise for?¡± said Maxwell weakly.


    ¡°Your celebrations are only just beginning,¡± said Julius. ¡°We talked to Father and he¡¯s also allowed us to go on a trip to one of our other manors near the coast!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted to go to the beach!¡± said Maxwell excitedly. He¡¯d always dreamed of going there. Sure he¡¯d been in swimming pools and technically rivers but the ocean was the real deal.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re looking forward to that! ¡°Said Julius. ¡°Yeah!¡± said Maxwell beaming. There was so much to look forward to! He felt a warmth in his chest. Perhaps it was a sense of belonging. He couldn¡¯t remember a time when he had been this happy.

 012: The Lesser of Two Evils

    Maxwell stared at his reflection in the shiny metal breastplate.  this is probably a bad idea he thought he reached for delicately with one hand it was  cool to the touch. Simply grazing it with his hand left a fingerprint on it. He eagerly wiped it away to not ruin the armour. Next to it was a maze nearly as big as the armour.


    A grin covered his face.


    He reached for it and with great effort was just barely able to get it out of its rack. When it threatened to fall he placed it back, slamming it into the rack as he lost balance at the end.


    He looked around as the sound of the echo died down.


    Maxwell exhaled in relief. That could have gone very badly. He thought to himself.


    ¡°Miss Sofia would like to see you.¡±


    Maxwell nearly jumped out of his skin.


    ¡°Don¡¯t scare me like that Marco!¡± said Maxwell. He had never been able to notice when Marco was near him. He was so stealthy when he walked.


    ¡°My apologies master,¡± said Marco.


    ¡°Where is Sofia?¡± asked Maxwell.


    ¡°She¡¯s in the garden/courtyard,¡± replied Marco.


    Mark walked out to her. He had gotten used to the layout of the mansion and was able to navigate down to it without much difficulty.


    Sofia was sitting down on a blanket playing with her giant dog.


    ¡°Bastion, fetch,¡± she said, tilting her hand back and launching the stick forwards. It shot through the air, it tumbled before landing gently in the grass almost reaching the end of the courtyard. Bastion barked and darted after it.


    ¡°You called,¡± said Maxwell nervously.


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s right,¡° said Sofia


    ¡°What did you want?¡± asked Mark.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with simply wanting to spend time with my brother?¡± asked Sofia.


    Bastion lay the stick at Sofia¡¯s feet panting heavily.


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m too tired Bastion!¡± exclaimed Sofia patting down her dress before collapsing onto the grass with a sigh.


    ¡°Fetch!¡± said Sofia pointing down the garden. A grin had covered her face.


    Bastion charged at where she was pointing.


    Marco was trimming the bushes along the side of the mansion. When Bastion had nearly reached him Marco lowered his head narrowly missing Bastion¡¯s gaping jaws. Marco paused his gardening dodging tackles and swipes from Bastion¡¯s large body and claws.


    ¡°Get him!¡± shouted Sofia gleefully.


    Bastion¡¯s massive maw encircled Marco¡¯s leg. Marco spun around taking his leg out of reach. The jaws clamped shut with a sound like a bear trap


    Maxwell felt goosebumps on his skin.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that too close, he was almost bitten?¡± said Mark


    ¡°This is simply a training exercise, can¡¯t you see Bastion¡¯s just playing around,¡± she said waving him off. In that moment one of Bastion¡¯s claws grazed Marco¡¯s cheek drawing blood that ran down his face.


    It really doesn¡¯t look like that. For a training exercise they sure were getting into it but then again he would be best to cast away the normal logic of his old life this might just be the harshness of the time. He wondered if the servants also acted like bodyguards or such for the Vanderbilt household. Marco moved with such incredibly rapid yet fluid movements. It was the sort of motion that could only be honed through training.


    Bastion snarled. He had pinned Marco to the ground and proceeded to tear at his body.


    Maxwell instinctively got to his feet.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it done, he¡¯s lost¡° said Maxwell frantically.


    ¡°Huh, what do you mean,¡± exclaimed Sofia, annoyed. ¡°Marco¡¯s tougher than he looks, and besides it wouldn¡¯t matter even if he got hurt.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± said Maxwell, side eyeing her. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°We can always get another,¡± said Sofia nonchalantly.


    ¡°¡±Get another ¡­¡± said Maxwell, staring at her. She didn¡¯t mean¡­ No, no no, there¡¯s no way she meant that. I must be mishearing, that¡¯s right It''s a misunderstanding.


    Sofia brought her curled fingers to her lips and whistled. It rang out sharply.


    ¡°Bastion, game¡¯s over!¡±


    Bastion immediately raised his head before trotting over panting heavily.


    ¡°You¡¯re not hurt are you?¡± said Sofia addressing Marco.


    Marco trudged to his feet. Clutching his shoulder, his clothes were now scuffed from the dirt.


    ¡°No ma¡¯am,¡± he said picking out some stray grass that had gotten in his hair.


    ¡°See,¡± said Sofia looking at Maxwell. ¡°Just a training exercise we do together, in fact Marco enjoys it too, right Marco!¡±


    Marco paused for a second before answering. ¡°That¡¯s right ma¡¯am it''s just a training exercise.¡±


    Sofia tackled Maxwell to the ground. ¡°What¡¯s got  you so lost in thought, you were never much of a thinker?¡±


    ¡°I feel that you''ve been acting strangely since your accident,¡± remarked Sofia.


    ¡°What could you mean?¡± asked Maxwell nervously.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± said Sofia softly as she stared in the distance.


    ¡°Sounds like you¡¯re calling me stupid,¡± said Maxwell.


    ¡°Of course not,¡± said Sofia giggling. Maxwell lied down looking at the blue sky contemplating the events that just took place. Maybe this world is different in more ways than I thought, the emblems every person is endowed with, the gods that rule people¡¯s lives even- Maxwell glanced over at Marco who had gone back to trimming the bushes. The only difference now is that he winced slightly whenever he moved suddenly. The ideologies of people even in my world changed so much over the centuries. Who knows what that means for an entirely different world with a different history entirely. That¡¯s not to speak of the inclusion of magic and sorcery.


    Sofia¡¯s giggles turned to sobs.


    ¡°Are you crying?¡± asked Maxwell, sitting up. ¡°Why are you crying?¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡± Sofia sobbed, tears streaming down her face. ¡°It¡¯s just, I¡¯m happy,¡±


    She clasped Maxwell¡¯s hand.


    ¡°You had your awakening, you¡¯re joining the academy, i¡¯m just happy for you,¡± she said looking into Maxwell¡¯s eyes. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s sappy but you deserve this.¡±


    Happy for me? Maxwell felt a weird sensation fill his chest. When was the last time I had heard those words? He blinked back tears. Sometimes one doesn¡¯t know how important it is to hear something until after those words grace their ears.


    ¡°I should get going. I have some things to take care of,¡± said Sofia, getting to her feet. She patted herself down before walking away. She whistled sharply after which Bastion bounded happily after her.


    Afterward Maxwell found himself wandering the hallways he spotted Marco. He had fresh bandages on his face. He was carrying a broom hurriedly walking.


    ¡°Hey Marco,¡± said Maxwell, calling to him. ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    Marco nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll manage,¡±


    Maxwell studied his face but it was expressionless. ¡°Try not to have so many training sessions OK, you can¡¯t get injured like this,¡± he said.


    ¡°huh-OK¡± stammered Marco. ¡°Thanks for stepping in.¡±


    Footsteps echoed behind Maxwell.


    ¡°What did you do to Marco!¡± said Amelia. She grabbed him around the neck, almost hoisting him above the ground. ¡°You better say what you did right now or I swear on all things holy-¡±


    Let go, he didn¡¯t do anything,¡± said Marco. ¡°He was helping me!¡±


    Amelia¡¯s pupils were wide open and burned with red hot fury, they darted back and forth from Marco to Maxwell.


    ¡°If you laid your hands on Marco¡± she began.¡±I swear I won¡¯t let you nobles take -¡±


    Maxwell bit her. His teeth dug squarely into the flesh of her forearm.


    Her grip loosened slightly allowing him to rip himself out of her grip. He collapsed to the ground coughing and gasping for air.


    I can¡¯t take this anymore of this. What had he done to deserve this? He hadn¡¯t been mean or rude to them, he had treated them as equals, yet why now was he the one being strangled?


    ¡°I¡¯ve had enough of this!¡± he shouted. ¡°I am fed up and done!¡± He glared at Amelia. ¡°I¡¯m doen with this partnership, I haven¡¯t done a single thing to you and yet you seem to hate me for no reason! I¡¯m going back to my family who does nothing but treat me nicely. All you¡¯ve done this time is try and use me, well to that I say I''ve had enough!¡±


    ¡°What do you mean you¡¯ve had enough?¡± said Amelia stepping forward.


    ¡°Are you sure you want to do that?¡± said Maxwell cautiously. ¡°I Ignard Vanderbilt, activate the Violence Pact!¡± he commanded. Power coursed through his body condensing at his center for a second before fading.


    Amelia hesitantly took a step back. She eyed him warily. Maxwell clenched his fist. He smiled bitterly. It seems your true colors are finally showing!


    ¡°I knew it, all you¡¯ve been doing this time is trying to use me. Why are you so afraid? Is it because you can¡¯t control me like a dog anymore? I thought deep down even though you always were rude to me and hit me that you had my best interests at heart but I see it now. I was genuinely working to free you guys but the hypocrisy you¡¯ve shown me is blinding!¡±


    He stormed out of the room leaving them behind. The door slammed violently behind him jarring the door frame and rattling the hinges. Why did i ever agree to work with them.


    ¡°Maxwell.. ¡° said Marco in an agonized voice at his departure.


    ¡°Why would you do that!¡± snapped Marco at Amelia. ¡°Now this is all ruined!¡±


    ¡°I was protecting you!¡± burst out Amelia.


    ¡°No you weren¡¯t!¡± shouted Marco. ¡°It was Bastion that hurt me, Maxwell was checking if I was alright! He just wanted to help!¡±


    She froze in horror, all the color was strained from her face. ¡°No¡­but I didn¡¯t mean to do anything, I was just looking out for¡­¡± Her words trailed of as even she couldn¡¯t defend her own actions.


    ¡°I thought we were a team, we were doing this all for mom, but when you do stuff like this¡­ I can¡¯t help but hate you!¡±


    Marco stormed out of the room. The door swung firmly shut behind him.


    Tears welled up in her eyes. ¡°What have I done¡­¡±

 013: The Failure of the Vanderbilts

    The wagon ground to a halt. ¡°We¡¯ll make camp here for now, we¡¯ve been riding for a while,¡± said Julius.


    ¡°Finally,¡± exclaimed Eustace. ¡° If we waited any longer I feared my rear would be glued to the seat.¡±


    Maxwell burst out laughing. He had interacted with Eustace the least but he was quickly growing onto Maxwell. He didn¡¯t seem to care much for the uptight regime of high society and was the most relatable to Maxwell.


    ¡°You know what I mean, Ignard?¡± said Eustace at his reaction.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you all are complaining about,¡± said Sofia. She rose elegantly as if it had been no more than a five-minute ride. Bastion yawned, tensing its entire body from nose to tail before trotting after her. They really are inseparable, thought Maxwell.


    Amelia was standing politely next to the carriage steps. As Maxwell stepped down she reached to close it. Maxwell grabbed it ahead of her and closed it himself. He glared at her through the corner of his eyes. She made him mad whenever he looked at her. To his surprise though she wilted under his gaze. There was no sign of her usual defiant self. Her eyes wouldn''t meet his. It puzzled him slightly but he brushed it off. What do I care if she¡¯s acting weird, there¡¯s no way she feels remorseful somewhere in her thick skull.


    Eustace crouched down at the side of the carriage. ¡°There¡¯s a problem with one of the wheels,¡± he said.


    Maxwell walked over to him. He stared at the large wooden and metal wheel that was nearly as tall as he was. Even this part of the carriage was ornament-ally carved out. The metallic spokes and rim while somewhat caked in much were etched with intricate patterns that poked through it.


    ¡°I did notice a rhythmic bump while we were travelling,¡± said Maxwell. ¡°Is it because of this wheel?¡±


    Eustace snapped his finger. ¡°You¡¯re absolutely correct Ignard.¡± He poked to one of the metal spokes. It was bent slightly out of shape perhaps from when driving over a pothole or a loose stone that got stuck at some point.


    ¡°What do we do?¡± asked Maxwell. He looked around at the desolate landscape. ¡°I don¡¯t think there are any mech-blacksmiths or carpenters around.¡± He nearly bit his tongue trying to cover his words. That was close, I was so close to saying mechanic.


    Eustace smiled cheekily. ¡°There¡¯s no need for that, have you forgotten what my specialty is?¡±


    Maxwell had no idea what his specialty was. What is he talking about?.


    Eustace wrapped his fingers around the spoke. He took a deep breath and squeezed it tightly. Maxwell¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. No way. When Eustace removed his hands the spoke was completely straight. That¡¯s right, his ability was controlling metal. Marco had told him all his siblings'' abilities but he¡¯d never seen it in person before.


    ¡°Good as new,¡± said Eustace, patting the large wheel.


    ¡°That¡¯s pretty good for someone with blue eyes,¡± teased Sofia. ¡°Imagine being of the Vanderbilt bloodline and fixing tires like some backwater blacksmith.¡±


    Eustace¡¯s mouth was agape. Maxwell facepalmed. Not this again.


    ¡°Imagine running your mouth despite being Jade Class,¡± he retorted.


    ¡°Imagine not being Mother''s favorite child.¡±


    ¡°Guys guys, please don¡¯t argue,¡± said Maxwell. I¡¯ve noticed that all of the retorts seem to center around magic and their class. Perhaps it wasn¡¯t all the time but there were very few times where he heard them give insults that weren¡¯t related to magical ability.


    ¡°Hmph,¡± said Eustace. ¡°She¡¯s the one who started it.


    ¡°But Ignard I was simply complimenting him on his work,¡± said Sofia. Bastion howled in agreement.


    ¡°The campsite has been set up,¡± she said while enshrouded in the shadow of the carriage.


    ¡°I guess we can put this on hold,¡± said Eustace, turning his head. A fire had been started. As well as some simply seats. Nothing more than a pit-stop really.


    The fire crackled and popped. Maxwell took a seat next to Julius who was tending to the fire.


    ¡°Julius, is it time already?¡± said Eustace, his eyes flickering blue. Maxwell frowned. There was something about his tone that made his hairs stand on end.


    ¡°No no, ¡° said Julius chuckling. ¡°Not around here.¡±


    ¡°Time for what?¡± asked Maxwell.


    Julius turned to Maxwell. ¡°There are bandits in some of these parts, so we have to be extra careful in certain regions.¡± Julius glanced at Eustace, locking eyes for a second. ¡°I suppose Ignard wouldn¡¯t know since you never really had a reason to leave the estate.¡±


    Maxwell looked around over the landscape. Aside from the faint outline of the capital in the distance it was desolate. I forgot bandits and thieves were commonplace in a medieval world. It was a weird concept to him. He imagined how weird it would be having to worry about bandits while going camping in his old world. The concept was entirely foreign.


    ¡°The Imperial knights used to keep them in check, if we had even one we could probably rest assured,¡± said Julius.


    ¡°Right,¡± scoffed Eustace, ¡°I didn¡¯t know you still believed in fairy tales, let me guess they can also run on water and cut fire with their swords!¡±


    They are real, don¡¯t get me wrong they''re simply glorified soldiers but there¡¯s a reason people have still heard of them.¡±


    ¡°Right and they can walk on water and cut the fire of a fire dragon using simply a sword.¡±


    ¡°They can do all that!¡± said Maxwell excitedly. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    ¡°Of course not,¡± said Julius. ¡°Imperial knights have served the empire for hundreds of years. They are a group of powerful knights that excel at magic but are known for their hand to hand combat. The thing is they rarely make a public appearance so there¡¯s a lot of rumours about them. That¡¯s how you get all those myths of them cutting fire and taking on an army single handedly.¡±


    ¡°They sound extremely powerful,¡± said Maxwell.


    ¡°They were so and so,¡± said Julius, ¡°Maybe running on water is theoretically possible, but cutting fire- impossible.¡± Listen here Ignard, Fire magic has gone through the most advancements over the past hundred years. It¡¯s downright impossible for fire to be affected by mere steel.¡± He scoffed. ¡°I have no idea why anyone would use martial arts to fight when magic is the norm.¡±


    He put an arm around Maxwell. ¡° But you don¡¯t have anything to worry about, your brother will protect you!¡±


    Eustace snorted. ¡°With your Porcelain magic right?¡±


    Julius¡¯s face turned red.


    ¡°Are you sure you aren¡¯t better off opening a pottery class,¡± said Eustace.


    A crack split down Julius¡¯s teacup. ¡°Listen here, I''ll show you exactly how weak my magic is!¡± said Julius raising his voice.


    Maxwell stared at the crack in Julius¡¯s cup. I feel like I¡¯ve seen that before but I can¡¯t quite remember where.


    Bastion barked. ¡°Julius, don''t take the bait,¡± said Sofia. ¡°He¡¯s just insecure.¡±


    ¡°I am not!¡± said Eustace.


    ¡°Uhh,¡± said Julius, rubbing his forehead. ¡°I¡¯m too old for this bickering, let¡¯s just move on with the plan.¡±


    They were soon back onto the road again. Before long the roads became more bumpy and the bare terrain became occupied with groves of trees. Amelia opened a hatch leading into the carriage. ¡°We¡¯re approaching bandit-territory.¡±


    Julius nodded. ¡°Thanks for the update.¡±


    He turned to Maxwell. ¡°You know, Ignard, as I mentioned before, these regions are full of bandits. They¡¯re incredibly dangerous and vicious. It¡¯s not uncommon for nobles to go missing, not just for ransoms but nobles aren¡¯t treated well by commoners in general. It could be for all sorts of reasons: jealousy, rebelling, hate.¡± He practically spat the word hate.


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± said Maxwell. When he said the word hate it sent a chill down his spine.


    ¡°I¡¯m so tired of this pretense, let¡¯s get started.¡± Metal wiring from within the carriage unraveled and tied around Maxwell restraining him to the wall. They snaked and coiled around his limbs clamping him back.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on!¡± he cried out.


    The sound of the creaking carriage was painfully loud. They didn¡¯t say a word. He was greeted simply by three pairs of shimmering eyes. Two blue and one green. Maxwell had been in this world for long enough to know the signs of someone activating their magic. WInd rattled the window panes.


    ¡°Guys¡­¡±


    Julius scowled. Maxwell had never seen such a look of hatred on his face.


    ¡°You are undeserving to lead this family. We were willing to leave things be but then you had to go and awaken your stupid ability. You could have laid low but you had to go and ruin things. After all the time I spent trying to gain my fathers favour.¡± said Julius.


    Maxwell stared in horror. It was like he was in front of an entirely different person. The kind warm Julius that was compassionate was gone.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± said Maxwell. ¡°That didn¡¯t bother you!¡±


    ¡°Bother me, we have spent our entire lives working to bring honor to our family but for some reason you, the failure of the Vanderbilts, somehow managed to worm your way into the top!¡±


    Eustace and Sofia nodded.


    "What, that can''t be..." His heart sunk in his chest. I thought we were a family. His eyes watered.


    Eustace stood up. He retrieved a spoon from his pocket. ¡°Let¡¯s get this started.¡±


    The spoon melted in his hand. It coated his fingers and palm in its shiny metallic color. He put a knee on the seat to get closer to Maxwell.


    Eustace smiled wickedly. ¡°Hold still and this won¡¯t hurt very much.


    ¡°Please¡­ ¡° begged Maxwell, a mix of spittle and blood dribbled from the corner of his mouth when he got out that word.


    He paused, ¡°It¡¯s not like I¡¯m looking forward to this either,¡± he said in an offended tone.


    ¡°Ok maybe I lied about both of those things,¡± he laughed as he jammed his hand into his eye socket. Maxwell screamed in pain. He felt metal coiling around him keeping him still. He felt his optic nerve and the tendons snap as it was ripped out of his head.


    A smattering of blood sprayed onto Sofia. She winced, blinking it out of her eyes. Bastion eagerly lapped at her face.


    ¡°Would you keep the mess down,¡± she complained.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± said Eustace. He extended the extracted eyeball to Julius.


    ¡°These are invaluable,¡± he said. His eyes glowed blue for a second and a layer of porcelain materialised and crawled along the ball''s surface. If one didn¡¯t know what it was one would assume it was a slightly unusual golf ball sized sphere of porcelain.


    ¡°Now for the next one,¡± said Eustace. He reached once more into Maxwell¡¯s head. Maxwell shook under his touch as he strained his trapped limbs. Eustace¡¯s arm recoiled.


    ¡°What happened, did you get it?¡± asked Julius. Eustace clutched his fingers. . ¡°He burned me!¡± he exclaimed. The metal on his hand was retracted revealing his bare skin. Red welts were forming ?apidly on his fingers.


    ¡°Hmm, seems we¡¯ll have to put that on hold for a second,¡± said Julius. ¡°I thought it might be too dangerous to simply extract them, you were lucky your whole hand didn¡¯t disintegrate.¡±


    Eustace¡¯s face turned pale. ¡°And you didn¡¯t think to tell me that ear-¡±


    ¡°Sshh,¡± interrupted Julius. ¡°I need to focus.¡± He took out a briefcase and opened it. Inside was a single syringe and a dark bluish purple vial next to it.


    Eustace grumbled but remained silent. He craned his neck to look at the contents of the case. ¡°So that¡¯s how it looks,¡± he remarked. ¡°I still can¡¯t believe you actually got it¡±


    Julius Smirked. ¡°Us Vanderbilt¡¯s have both a lot of allies and enemies, by combining them there is nothing out of my reach.¡±


    He inserted the syringe into the vial and drawed out the liquid into it. He moved with surgical precision. smoothly and with intent, keeping his hands incredibly still. Maxwell¡¯s skin crawled as Julius fingered a vein on his neck. ¡°There it is,¡± whispered Julius. He plunged the needle into Maxwell¡¯s throat, right into his jugular. His body instantly seized up. He bled from every orifice. His wails filled the carriage. It hurts, it hurts so bad! It felt as if getting his eyes ripped out was nothing more than a papercut. A billion magma ants tunneled under his skin, eating up his very flesh. They melted through his body into his bones and blood vessels. They concentrated at his insignia sending pain into his very being.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on back there!¡± shouted Amelia.


    ¡°Shut up and keep driving!¡± commanded Julius.


    The fluid crawled up his veins with each coursing beat of his blood.It flowed unaturally into his chest. Julius swiped his hand over Maxwell¡¯s shirt causing it to rip to shreds. His insignia glowed.


    ¡°This cursed sun will be forever shrouded in darkness,¡± he said grinning. He had a crazed look in his eyes.


    His veins swelled and turned purplish as they wrapped around his insignia while they strained under his skin. It was as if it was being ripped out of his skin.


    His body-movements slowed down. His singular eye fixated on Julius.


    ¡°Oh how I have loathed you ever since the day you were born,¡± said Julius before ripping out his remaining eye. A chunk of flesh came of with it. And with that he was plunged into darkness. Julius kicked open the carriage door. The landscape flashed by them.


    ¡°Well, it was nice knowing you,¡± said Julius. He grabbed Maxwell¡¯s shoulders and propped him up one final time.


    ¡°Come on say goodbye to your siblings,¡± he said.


    ¡°Bye Ignard,¡± said Eustace, waving his hand still soaked in Maxwell¡¯s blood.


    ¡°Seems a bit much, no?¡± said Sofia, a hand to her mouth.


    ¡°What does it matter? He''s already dead.¡± said Julius. ¡°May your soul never find peace.¡±


    He threw his body out of the moving carriage. He landed face first in a ditch, his body rolled for a moment before coming to a halt.


    ¡°Maxwell!¡± shouted Amelia but the carriage rattled on never stopping, not even for a second.

 014: Please Hurry

    Amelia gripped the reins tightly, her nails digging into her hands.


    She clamped her eyes shut. ¡°I won¡¯t be able to do anything,¡± she cried out softly.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t I do anything?¡± Blood seeped out from her palms, they soaked into the thick wound fiber of the reins.


    She shut out the horrible screams from the cart. The road stretched endlessly in front of her. If she kept her eyes on it then maybe¡­


    The darkening clouds let loose its reserves and rained down water upon the carriage. The droplets landed on her head before running down her face and mingling with her tears. I¡¯m sorry Maxwell, she mourned.


    She was unable to ignore the sound of the carriage door open followed by a thump.


    She grit her teeth burying her face in her hands. She wept into her bloody hands as the coldness seeped into her body.


    ¡°He¡¯ll be dead for sure right, I¡¯ve heard a lot of things about this but you know how it is,¡± said Eustace.


    ¡°Once the procedure is done, he¡¯ll be as dead as the stones that lie on the side of this road,¡± said Julius.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard their bodies explode afterwards,¡± said Eustace.


    Julius shook his head. ¡°That¡¯s not entirely true. Corruption is a very unique piece of magic. Corruption is a particularly cruel spell. It doesn¡¯t work like a poison or venom. It¡¯s even different from all forms of assassination techniques. The way it works is by using the bodies own power against itself. It used the body''s own magic supply to detach the Insignia from their being.¡±


    Maxwell was tightly bound to the wall by Eustace¡¯s metal bars. His single eye was wide open and unblinking. His heart pounded so rapidly against his rib-cage it threatened to force its way out.


    ¡°The insignia is attached not only to their physical body but also to their soul,¡± continued Julius. Additionally since Insignia¡¯s power are correlated to their user, the power supply is literally tailored to remove their respective marks. That¡¯s the beauty of it, it¡¯s a magic that works on everybody.¡±


    He held up a finger. ¡°Once the insignia is removed it kills 97% of all people. But the corruption christening has a 100% death rate. What people don¡¯t know is that the corruption christening is a two stage process. Once the Insignia is separated the body that is depleted of mana goes into shock. The mana-depleted body then goes into a state of panic. The Insignia is a gift given by the gods and once removed is as if the body has lost its heart.¡± He snapped his fingers. ¡°Within a couple minutes, they¡¯re gone. 100% of the times. It¡¯s no wonder it¡¯s used on nobles so often. Since they¡¯re stripped of their godly given mana It¡¯s a shameful way to go so it¡¯s often covered up by families.¡±


    Meanwhile the purple-sh liquid crawled further into Maxwell¡¯s body as it did its work.


    Eustace nodded.¡±You really know your stuff, no wonder you were recommended personally by the headmaster to be a trainee for the emperor''s guard.¡±


    Sofia scratched Bastion between the ears. His ears flicked at her touch.


    As for how I know this,¡± Julius continued. ¡°there were many trials for¡­¡± He smiled wickedly. ¡°... The sake of science after the war that led to a greater knowledge of this magic.¡±


    Julius looked out the window. ¡°Mana is what makes us noble, it makes us greater than those beneath us.¡±


    He turned his attention back to Maxwell.


    ¡°Oh how I have loathed you ever since the day you were born,¡± said Julius before ripping out his remaining eye. A chunk of flesh came of with it. And with that he was plunged into darkness. Julius kicked open the carriage door. The landscape flashed by them. Even in his unimaginable pain confusion peaked in his mind. All this time I thought this was because I had been found out but this entire time they didn¡¯t even know I wasn¡¯t Ignard.


    ¡°I¡¯ve hated you ever since the day you were born.¡±


    The words stabbed Maxwell¡¯s heart. ¡°What?¡± What¡¯s going on? ¡°Wha-what did you say?¡± Julius¡¯s cold eyes stared at his soul. ¡°I don¡¯t understand,¡± said Maxwell in a shaky voice tears welled up in his eyes. He hoped he had misheard him but Julius¡¯s countenance gave him all the information he needed.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    ¡°Well, it was nice knowing you,¡± said Julius. He grabbed Maxwell¡¯s shoulders and propped him up one final time.


    ¡°Come on, say goodbye to your siblings,¡± he said.


    ¡°Bye Ignard,¡± said Eustace, waving his hand still soaked in Maxwell¡¯s blood.


    ¡°Seems a bit much, no?¡± said Sofia, a hand to her mouth.


    ¡°What does it matter? He''s already dead.¡± said Julius. ¡°May your soul never find peace.¡±


    He threw his body out of the moving carriage. He landed face first in a ditch, his body rolled for a moment before coming to a halt. Julius closed the door.


    He held a palm to his head. ¡°Drats, we forgot to extract his other eye.¡±


    How could they do that to me? The rocks dug into his back. The rain washed over him mingling with his tears. He coughed once, causing blood to shoot out from all the orifices on his face.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening to my body!¡± he groaned.


    There¡¯s no way his own siblings would leave him there to die. He wouldn¡¯t accept it- he couldn¡¯t. His body burned, like a thousand ants were sending tiny white-hot stakes into his flesh.


    Blood oozed from his empty eye socket. I¡¯m going to die, aren''t I. While it felt like it he knew he wasn¡¯t dead yet. He¡¯d unfortunately already experienced what it was like to die. His single eye-stared into the heavens. Wasn¡¯t I supposed to have a second chance? He could barely move. He wasn¡¯t held back by metal bars anymore but it somehow felt harder to move now. As if a mountain rested on his chest.


    There was no way they would actually abandon him. His siblings wouldn¡¯t do that. Maybe there was some sort of mistake- his parents. They wouldn¡¯t let this slide. All he had to do was make it back home! Then they would sort this all out. Everything would be fixed then!


    He heard the wheel of a cart drawing near. His heart raced. They must be coming back, there¡¯s no way they¡¯d leave me, they wouldn¡¯t betray their brother!


    Somehow Maxwell was able to turn himself over, propping himself up on his less damaged arm.


    He heard muffled voices. They were close yet far away.


    ¡°Who is that?¡± said a female voice.


    ¡°How should I know, probably some poor fool.¡± said a gruff voice.


    Maxwell¡¯s heart dropped. It wasn¡¯t them after all.


    ¡°But look at the state of him.¡± said the female voice sympathetically.


    ¡°I know, it must have been done in by bandits.¡±


    He heard the reins being whipped and the wheels of the cart start moving.


    ¡°Wait, don¡¯t leave me!¡± he shouted in a hoarse voice. ¡°Don¡¯t leave me,¡± he begged. I have money, I¡¯m a noble.¡± He snivelled. ¡°Please¡­¡±


    He heard a thump in the mud and then footsteps approaching. Shoes stopped at his face.


    ¡°Did you say you¡¯re a noble?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± said Maxwell hurriedly. ¡°I¡¯m part of the Vanderbilts.¡± he was having trouble speaking with so much blood in his mouth. His tongue had become covered in cuts from his teeth when he was tossed out of the carriage.


    ¡°Vanderbilts!¡± burst out the man. ¡°One of the great noble families!¡± The glee in his voice was palpable. Maxwell could practically hear him licking his lips. Maybe I can get him to take me there. He hoped.


    ¡°Wait a minute,¡± said the man. ¡°What are one of them doing all the way out here, what reason do I have to believe someone like you is trustable in the slightest?¡±


    Maxwell gulped. He was completely at the guy''s mercy. He couldn¡¯t let this chance go away. Who knew when next anyone else would come across him. Would he even be alive then?


    He looked in his pockets for anything to give him. Shit, if only I had jewelry still on me. The He regretted not making us all of Ignard¡¯s jewelry. He had never gotten around to wearing it. He had never worn jewelry before. It had felt so out of place for him to wear rings and bangles. His hands landed on the pendant around his neck. He gritted his teeth. He wasn¡¯t a fan of parting with it even now. What choice do I have!


    He ripped it from his neck. ¡°Please take this for now, if you get me back to my estate I promise you will be rewarded heavily, you have my word, I swear upon it with everything that I¡¯m worth!¡±


    His voice was hoarse from yelling. He didn¡¯t hear a reply from the man. All he heard was the low pitter-patter of rain.


    ¡°Hello?¡± he asked into the silence.


    The pendant was snatched from his fingers. He didn¡¯t even have the strength to resist in the slightest. Strong arms grabbed him.


    ¡°Wait, what are you doing! ¡°He said struggling. Tears streamed with renewed vigor down his cheeks. ¡°Please not again, I can¡¯t take it anymore!¡± he wailed.


    ¡°Stop resisting and pipe down, I¡¯m doing what you wanted aren¡¯t I,¡± said the gruff voice in an annoyed tone.


    ¡°Oh,¡± said Maxwell, stopping mid dry heave I thought I was about to be kidnapped or something. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, please hurry, I swear the faster you get me there the better your reward will be!¡±


    He was laid upright in the cart with his back to the wooden support. A thick canvas covered its wooden skeleton.


    He was starting to feel the pain in his bones. As if someone was taking a jackhammer to his joints or slowly ripping his bones apart one millimeter at a time. He called out to the driver once more, his voice barely above a whisper.


    ¡°Please hurry¡­¡±

 015: Magic Is Everything to a Noble

    He grit his teeth. The pain was nearly making Maxwell black out. He buried his face in his hands.


    ¡°I need to make it home, I need to make it home,¡± he muttered to himself. The cart shook as it drove over a dip in the road.


    ¡°Easy now,¡± commanded the stranger to the neighing horses. Maxwell had somehow managed to find himself a ride by these strangers. Inside the cart was a single barrel and a couple stacked boxes with fabric and rope keeping them in place. The sound of sloshing inside the barrel was probably wine. They seemed to be merchants of sort. TheThe space in the cart seemed far too large for the little wares they had. woman next to the man was probably his wife.


    The woman wore a simple dress. Its color was a faded brown and it had been repaired in a few places but it was in good condition nevertheless. It was ironic in comparison to Maxwell¡¯s own clothes. His noble clothes were muddied and ripped. His clothes were made from expensive silks and had vibrant shades of blue and also stained by the dirt of the road.


    He felt something dab on his face. He looked up. The woman from before was kneeling in front of him holding a handkerchief. She wiped away his tears with a handkerchief and some of the blood on his face


    ¡°You poor thing,¡± she muttered. ¡°We¡¯ll take care of you ¡®till you make it home.¡±


    He raised his hand protesting. ¡°Wait, I¡¯m fine..¡±


    ¡°Nonsense,¡± she said firmly. ¡°You¡¯re in so much pain.¡±


    Thank you.¡± he groaned in between painful grunts. While his agonising state remained the same it did in a sense provide a sense of relief for him, if but for a second.


    She put a hand to his forehead. ¡°My god, you¡¯re really burning up!¡± she exclaimed. She looked at him with sadness in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m sorry there¡¯s nothing I can do.¡±


    She squinted looking closer at his face. She recoiled, placing her hand in front of her mouth.


    ¡°George!¡± she called to the man not taking her eyes off Maxwell. ¡°His eye George, its gone! Must have been ripped right out¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s rough,¡± said the man after a pause. ¡°I¡¯ve heard bandits are getting more violent around these parts. I¡¯ve heard rumours of eyes being used for magical equipment, noble eyes especially would go for a lot¡±


    The couple would probably have freaked out more if they had known Maxwell had golden eyes but luckily for him they were in the dark. Maxwell¡¯s remaining eyelid was so swollen it was barely open and leaking blood it was practically impossible to tell his eye-color.


    He doubled over once more in pain. There was nothing he could do to ease it except grit his teeth. He¡¯d lost count of how many times he had wished for death. His body shivered. He wasn¡¯t sure if it was adrenaline or the cold. The mud was caked in his hair along with blood. He felt as if all the skin on his body had been peeled off. Whatever surface he laid against was as if he was touching a burning hot iron.


    Maybe I should have asked them to take me to a doctor beforehand? He wondered. Damn, I don''t know, this pain is too much!


    How am I still alive in the first place? The words of Julius echoed in his head.


    ¡°The corruption christening has a 100% death rate without exception.¡±


    He wasn¡¯t sure what exactly a corruption christening was but wasn¡¯t he already supposed to be dead by now? Was this something to do with what the god said when he was being reincarnated? It would explain how he wasn¡¯t dead yet even though he might as well be.


    The journey back home felt forever. The seconds were painfully long. The closer they got the slower time seemed to move. He had nearly passed out multiple times but he held on. ¡°I need to make it back, I need to make it back,¡± he whispered to himself. Once he made it back everything would be at peace. His betrayal, his pain, it would all be resolved. It was in that eternal agony that the cart eventually stopped. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    ¡°I believe this is it!¡± shouted the man over the downpour.


    The man helped Maxwell to the door through the pouring rain. The mansion looked so different at night. It seemed strangely foreign¡­ He raised a hand to the door. His knuckles rapped loudly three times against it. They were met with silence. He knocked once more, this time more forcefully.


    The door barged open revealing Marco.


    ¡°What seems to be the-¡± Marco¡¯s eyes landed on Maxwell. The light from inside was nearly blinding. Its warm yellow glow was warm on his skin. I¡¯m finally home, he thought to himself tearing up.


    ¡°Maxwell, is that you?¡± he said, shocked. ¡°What happened to you?¡±


    ¡°I need to see Sir Howitzer,¡± said Maxwell in a weak voice.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on,¡± said a voice. SIr Howitzer had appeared wearing nothing more than a loose shirt and pants. Lady Gamiere was behind him wearing silk bathrobes.


    ¡°Ignard, is that you?¡± said Lady Gamiere, stepping slightly forward.¡±We need to call the a priest- no a medic!¡±


    She rushed forward embracing him. ¡°Let go of him! ¡°She said to the man. ¡°What did you do to my son!¡±


    ¡°I found him on the road to my ladyship. Please we are but humble farmers,¡± he said hurriedly. ¡°I caused no harm to him! ¡°He spoke as fast as he could to explain the situation. He realised that showing up like this with Vanderbilt''s son half-dead was one that could easily be misunderstood.


    ¡°I found him on the road and brought him to safety at once,¡± he explained. He went on to briefly summarise the events that had happend.


    ¡°Mother!¡± exclaimed Maxwell bawling. ¡°So many terrible things have happened. I think I was betrayed and I¡¯m in so much pain.¡± he couldn¡¯t stop the turbulent flow of words from gushing from his mouth.


    ¡°It¡¯s ok,¡± she said, reassuring him.


    ¡°Wait!¡± commanded Sir Howitzer. He had a serious look in his eyes. ¡°Step away from him¡± he said to lady Gamiere.


    He walked cautiously up to Maxwell. Maxwell eyed Sir Howitzer. If he wasn¡¯t in so much pain he would have felt fear swell in his heart. SIr Howitzer crinkled his nose before swiftly grabbing the collar of Maxwell¡¯s shirt. In one motion he ripped his shirt off exposing his chest.


    Maxwell''s eyes trembled in shock. ¡°Father why would you¡­ ¡°


    ¡°Your Insignia!¡± he cried out, he was so distraught his voice cracked. ¡°Your divine gift.,¡± he mourned. Lady Gamiere took a step away from Maxwell away from the doorway. Both their eyes were downcast.


    ¡°Father¡­Mother¡­¡± said Maxwell cautiously. He had no idea what was running through the man¡¯s mind. The man simply stood still. It was impossible for Maxwell to read him.


    ¡°That is no son of mine.¡±


    The rain jutted down noisily. They both looked straight into Maxwell¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°That is no son of mine!¡± they shouted. SIr Howitzers¡¯ eyes glowed a deep sapphire. While the rain and wind was coming from outside it was as if thunder was raging from within the doors.


    Maxwell¡¯s knees buckled from under him. ¡°Whoa there, don¡¯t fall now,¡± said the man supporting him.


    ¡°Please, this can¡¯t be true, you can¡¯t do this to me as well,¡± said Maxwell between tears. ¡°What have I done to deserve this!¡± he wept. He had hoped with all his heart that this had been some sort of mistake or that everything would return to normal if he could explain things to his parents but all those delusional thoughts were forced to crash down.


    Sir Howitzer turned to the farmer. ¡°I don¡¯t know who you think this street urchin is but he is not my son, begone at once.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean, I travelled all the way out here!¡± the man protested.


    ¡°Marco close the door,¡± commanded Sir Howitzer in a dismissive tone.


    ¡°But SIr Howitzer, he¡¯s Ignard your so-¡±


    ¡°Not one more word out of you!¡± he shouted. Bolts of purple energy wrapped around Marco¡¯s body. His body moved awkwardly. He gritted his teeth and moved no more. A drop of blood fell from his nose. He can¡¯t disobey the orders from the head of the Vanderbilts, they¡¯re forced to through the magical pacts.


    ¡°Why do you still resist,¡± said Sir Howitzer.


    Marco¡¯s eyes met Maxwell. Desperation was in his eyes. ¡°I can¡¯t do it, I¡¯m sorry Ma-¡± Marco was interrupted before he could finish his sentence.


    Sir Howitzer''s mouth twisted in annoyance, ¡°Tsk.¡± He raised his hand and snapped his fingers.


    He stared at Maxwell with disgust. ¡°Magic is everything to a Noble.¡±


    ¡°Mother!¡± called out Maxwell. He craned his neck desperately to her but she wouldn¡¯t meet his gaze, her head turned firmly to the side. ¡°Mom!¡± he cried, tears streaming. But she wouldn¡¯t answer. A boom echoed through the hall slamming the doors shut with such force it rattled the ground.