《Sleight Of Decks》 Chapter One Children''s hospitals are designed to be a place of hope and joy, where the harsh realities of illness are softened by the smiles of dedicated nurses and doctors. Despite the grim truth that often lies beneath the crack of reality, they worked tirelessly to create an environment where laughter and play can flourish. In one such hospital, the air filled with the sounds of children¡¯s laughter and footsteps running around, their happiness seeming boundless as they played and chatted with friends. But amidst the lively scene, a boy stood apart, isolated in a shadowed corner. His face seemed dulled as light that warmed the other never warmed him. Behind a one-way mirror, the boy''s parents watched in concern. Their faces were filled with worrying feelings. ¡°Why are the others avoiding their son? Is something wrong?¡±. As they thought to themselves. ¡°Why are they avoiding him?¡± The mother whispered. Her voice trembled with concern. ¡°Has he done something wrong?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Oat,¡± the doctor broke the silence, his voice soft yet burdened with the weight of what he was about to say. ¡°The other students are not avoiding him because he did something wrong.¡± He paused, contemplating the next right words to say. ¡°It¡¯s because they could not sense his presence.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± The mother questioned with uncertainty, her voice barely above whisper. ¡°Children are the most sensitive to a person''s signature energy,¡± the doctor explained slowly. ¡°They connect with it instinctively as they begin to develop their communication skills. But your son¡­¡­He isn¡¯t emitting any energy at all.¡± The doctor hesitated for a moment before he delivered a news that will soon crush their hearts. ¡°It looks like he is without magic.¡± The words struck the pair like a physical blow to their chests. A deafening silence filled the room, each one of them tried to process the news. The mother¡¯s hand quickly covered her mouth as it began to release a silent cry against the father¡¯s shoulder. The wife already felt defeated, he tried to bare the bone that was crushing his shoulder. ¡°Is there anything we can do? Any form of treatment?" Mr. Oat pleaded. ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry.¡± The doctor shook his head, a slow, sorrowful motion. ¡°I¡¯m afraid not. Magic does not exist inside the boy to begin with, so there is nothing we can do to rekindle the light.¡± Mr. Oat just stared blankly at the floor, his hopes being shattered as he thought of a way to help his son. The doctor averted his gaze from the grieving couple, chose to give them some time and space to let everything sink in, a moment to grieve. As he moved to the door, he hesitated, turning back to the grieving couple. ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry, if there is anything I can do to help, don''t hesitate to ask.¡± *** BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! A lean arm reached for the alarm clock, shutting it off. Glad he didn''t break the alarm clock this time. At six in the morning on a school day laid a boy who wishes to sleep a little longer. "Jack~ Wake up. You''re going to be late for school." A soothing voice called from downstairs. ¡°Coming, mother," the boy got out of the bed with a lazy stretch of a cat, as he paced slowly to the bathroom, getting ready for the start of the day. The reflection of a young, lean-built body can be seen standing in front of the mirror. His dark raven locks almost covered his dark, russet-coloured eyes, making his appearance on the generic side of the crowd. "Yup, same as always." Walking into the kitchen, Jack¡¯s eyes began wandering, looking for a certain figure. "Where''s father?" Jack asked. "He''s at the dam, just received a call asking for his expertise." Mother answered nonchalantly. "Huh. Of course he is." The boy said in a semi-sarcastic tone, rolling his eyes as he started eating his breakfast. His raven hair still shined obsidian under the sunlight beaming through the window as he ate his boring breakfast. He put his utensils down and sighed. "I''ll be going now, mother." Jack took his leave to the front door and shut it without waiting for a response. A guilty sigh could be heard from the kitchen. "I¡¯m sorry, my son. I knew you tried to hide it, but as a mother, I can see that you are punishing yourself. God, I wish you had given him a light on his trouble.¡± The city of Davern stood as one of the thriving metropolises in the country of Deva. The air hummed with the energy of magic, which flowed through the veins of the country like lifeblood. Fueling everything from the towering spires of the arcane academics to a busy marketplace where merchants trade with rare and unique goods. In Deva, magic is more than just a natural resource, it¡¯s a craft that requires precision and skill. The mages drew upon a fusion between elemental forces and personal energy to cast the spells, a process that demands both mental focus and physical endurance. It¡¯s not enough to simply possess magic. They need a balance of raw power and the inner reserves of energy that fuel the caster¡¯s abilities. Although those like Jack, being born without any hint of magic, are cast aside as the unfortunate one. Every step he took, whispers and mummers followed him like a shadow following its host. A constant reminder of his predicament. Stepping his foot on to the schoolground, his eyes already lie on the familiar female at the school gate. "You''re late. It¡¯s the first day of your final year, and you''re late." The girl puts her hand on the side of her hips and raises an eyebrow sarcastically. With an enthusiastic groan, Jack replies. "Hey, cut me some slack. Estenia, there''s no point for a magic-less kid to curry favors from this school. It''s not like they''ll acknowledge me." "Don''t say it like that, Jack. Even without magic, you managed to get into this school with the level of your intelligence." Estenia encouraged him, ¡°I''ll see you after school." She added before she walked ahead into the school building, leaving Jack alone by the gate. He grumbled while ruffling his hair with his fingers, not so-thrilled about the upcoming school year. His gaze wandered up to the building in front of him. A heavy sigh escaped from his mouth as he stared at the school building, the large-scaled stained glass windows, pointed arches, long winding hallways, and tall spires reaching the morning sky, it was clear that the building was heavily influenced by the Gothic era. An architectural marvel that deserved to be the centre of knowledge for magic. "Only a year left in this hell hole. Let¡¯s get this over with quickly," he muttered to himself as he continued to walk into the school building. As soon as he saw the class sign carved with the infamous; Class 3-2. The class where the worst of class 3-1 and the best of class 3-3 will be placed. This class is a warzone of magic. "God- of all the classes, why am I being placed in this disaster pit? Could they not just continue to look down on me and leave me in class 3-3?" He thought to himself as he gripped his schoolbag tighter in his fist.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. Jack gripped the doorknob firmly as he took a deep breath, before twisting the knob to open the door. As soon as he opened the door, he is quickly greeted by an annoying, snarky voice. He then raised his gaze, only to be met by the familiar bright emerald eyes of Christopher Aiden. Christopher and his gang were notorious, born into a wealthy and powerful family, his fate was sealed the moment they discovered his limitless energy. He knows he was destined to become the strongest person who ever walked in the country of Davern. But the constant praise has corrupted him to the very core. Every time he went, a legion of protectors followed, shielding him from the consequences. Making him untouchable. And of course, Jack is the main target. Even though they were from different classes last year, Christopher will always find a way to drag Jack to the deepest depth of hell. Seeing Jack at the door, Christopher began to emit a loud, overbearing voice to gain the whole class''s attention. "Oi! What the fuck are you doing here? This class is for magic users ONLY." His snarky remark was followed by a bunch of laughter from other students as some of them started to call Jack with childish nicknames, trying to make his blood boil. Ignoring the snide remarks, Jack kept a straight face as he walked past Christopher, straight to his assigned seat at the back of the class, trying not to acknowledge Christopher''s existence. Unsurprisingly, his actions caused Christopher to be even more hostile toward him. But before Christopher could do anything, his vile intentions were cut short as the classroom door opened; revealing their professor. There stood by the door frame, a large figure with multiple scars on his hands; a loud thumbing noise echoed throughout the classroom with each step he took. The teacher cleared his throat before placing his belongings on the table. A few whispers can be heard from their classmates, who know who their homeroom teacher is. "Listen up," his raspy voice showed that he had seen a lot. "My name is Gabriel Bharf; I will be your homeroom for this year.¡± ¡°First of all, I would like to congratulate some of you for moving to the upper class, and for those who are unlucky, let this be a lesson and wake up call to bounce back from last year''s mistake." The teacher fixed his ties. "Now before Miss Sielkska comes for your first period, I will allow some questions to be thrown from the students." A few students raised their hands to ask some questions, Mr. Gabriel was pondering which student to choose. "Ok, you there, Miss Emer." "Thank you, sir. When you say that your name is Gabriel Bharf, does that mean that you are related to Adrian Bharf? Plus, this is our final year, do we have any final assignments to do before our graduation?" The class began to rupture in words; some of them were in disbelief while the others began to draw the resemblance. The teacher raised his hand, silencing the crowd. ¡°I''m surprised you catch it with only my name. Yes, we are brothers, but it''s been years since I talked to him. We have a disagreement about certain things regarding the family business. After reconsidering, it''s better for me to move on with my own adventure.¡± Whispers and murmurs were heard among the students. ¡°As for your second question, I will be the one to assess your performance during the first half of the year, after that, each one of you will be brief about your own performance, using that information, you should know where your future will be.¡± The questions kept coming at him; some of them are related to his life before teaching, while some of them aren''t related at all. After a short while, the bell rang, signalling the end of the homeroom. "Alright, that is all the time we have, I will see you at the end of the day." Professor Gabriel collected all his belongings, ready to leave the class. But he was interrupted by a slap on a table. ¡°Oi Bharf! Do you even care about my question? My hand had been up for so long that my shoulder hurt," Christopher barked, disrespecting the teacher like it was Tuesday. He leaned back in his chair, a smug grin spreading across his face. ¡°Why the fuck was I placed in this dumb class? I should be with the best of the best.¡± His voice rose as he stretched his arm wide, bragging to himself. ¡°I¡¯m not some nobody.¡± But his arrogance vanished the moment Professor Gabriel¡¯s gaze fell on him. The atmosphere in the room shrank in an instant as the tension thickened. ¡°Listen here, Christopher.¡± The professor¡¯s voice was low, and sharp that any insult could have thrown in his life. ¡°You¡¯re exactly where you belong after what you pulled last year. If not for your father, you will be expelled in an instant.¡± ¡°Listen here, young man.¡± His voice dropped even further. You¡¯re skating on thin ice, if you don¡¯t get your act together, the ice will fall, and so will your future, regardless of what your family can pull.¡± Christopher froze, his bravado drained, as the professor¡¯s words hit harder than anyone could have expected. Gabriel gave him one last look as a final warning before he turned and walked out of the room, leaving the tense classroom. A few minutes later, Ms. Sielkska made an appearance and went about with the first period. The Advance Magic Theory. Thirty minutes had passed, and half of the class began to lose interest in the lesson. Jack, on the other side, was focussing on every single moment. The Advance Magic theory is the class that students looked after, but to the students like Jack, this class is like untapped gold. waiting to be mine. The magic knowledge in Deva is nothing new, but few students manage to make a breakthrough during their studies. The unlimited combination of elements and the endless possibilities for new theories are like a blank canvas, waiting to become the next masterpiece. As the class drew on, Jack''s hunger grew as well as his excitement, his hands shot into the sky, questioning Mrs. Sielska at every turn. Seeing Jack absorbed in the lesson, Christopher couldn¡¯t resist the urge to disrupt it. If there was one thing he enjoyed, it was watching the irritation spread across people¡¯s faces. ¡°Hey, Scales!¡± He bellowed, cutting through the lecture. His voice commanded attention from the entire class. He leaned back in his chair, feet propped up on the desk, showing off his complete disinterest in the material. Magic theory bored him, and he wasn¡¯t afraid to show it. ¡°Why the fuck do we need to learn about the magic theory? It''s fucking stupid. Everybody knows that magic is only limited by your own energy.¡± He sneered. A small spark of magic flickered at his thumb. A display of power. Across the room, Jack clenched his jaw, tapping his finger and shaking his leg. He knows that Christopher is a spoiled brat all because of his natural talent. But, to interrupt all class with his nonsense. He let out an exasperated sigh, just loud enough for Christopher to hear. ¡°Even the dumbest first year knows you need to know the theory part of magic." Jack mumbled under his breath. Christopher¡¯s face went dark, his cocky grin twisted into something menacingly as he snapped his head toward Jack. "Ohh, So you can speak; I thought you had gone deaf after last year," Christopher said, his gaze perceiving Jack. ¡°Also, who asked for a second opinion from a non-magic freak? If not, then shut up." Christopher stood up and aimed his palm at Jack, a twisted grin formed on his already twisted face. ¡°You want to test that theory, bitch? Well, then be the guinea pig.¡± Christopher''s fingertips glowed a bright red, ready to attack. But the charge died down after all the lines were connected. "Settle down, Mr. Christopher," Mr. Seilska¡¯s voice cut through the tension, calm yet commanding. ¡°Like it or not, Jack is correct. Magic theory has been the foundation of our progress for the last century. Without it, engineers wouldn¡¯t have been able to create half of the tools we use on a daily basis. Perhaps you need to More time reading, Mr. Christopher." A ripple of laughter spread through the room, and Cristopher''s face darkened. His fist clenched as he threw a venomous glare toward Jack. "You motherfucker.¡± He hissed through gritted teeth. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure you pay for this shit." ¡°I''m not done here, Christopher." Mr Sielska gaze continues on him. Her voice was calm but carried an unmistakable authority. She placed both hands firmly on the edge of the table, learning slightly forward. ¡°Do I need to remind you that usage of magic other than in practical lessons is strictly prohibited?¡± Christopher¡¯s eyes darted to her, his ego unwavering. ¡°One more outburst like that,¡± she continued, her tone ice-cold. ¡°I can assure you that your future at this school will be cut short. Regardless of what your family said.¡± The room fell into an uncomfortable silence as the weight of her words sank in. Mr. Sielska adjusted her glasses, the sternness never leaving her face. She waved her hand, a hologram projection onto the board. ¡°All right , let¡¯s get back to where we left off.¡± She said, her tone returning to a neutral, focused cadence, as if nothing had happened. *** The last bell has been rung, indicating the end of the day. Students packed their belongings as the teacher gave them some needed homework. Jack hastily gathered his belongings, putting them all in his bag. Just as he finished zipping his bag close, he heard his name being called by the teacher. "Jack Oat.¡± He looked up, eyebrows scrunched up together. Confused as to why his name was called. ¡°The principal wants to see you." Stated the teacher. Still in a dazed state, Jack reluctantly left his bag on the tables and started to walk to the principal''s office. As he walked sluggishly to the principal''s office, his mind was on overdrive. What has he done to gain the attention of the principal? His worries amplified with each step he took. As he arrived at the door, he heard someone talking from the inside. ¡°It looks like there is someone else inside," Jack thought to himself. Jack took a deep breath, as he prepared himself .His hand hovers over the wooden door frame. Before he could even knock, the door swung open, revealing a young man in his late 30s in a white tuxedo with a black inline. "Good evening, Jack. I believe we have something to discuss. Come in." The principal said giving a calm and welcoming smile. Upon entering the room, Jack noticed that Estenia was sitting on the couch. "Now, I believe we have to reach a conclusion about your future, Miss Estenia." "Thank you for your advice, Principal. Now I have a better vision." Her determination can be heard in her voice. "And what is that?" The principal asked. "I will attend the holy church of Davern. It will be a challenge, but once I¡¯m done, people will suffer no more," Estenia replied with a bright smile. "Indeed, you have a high level of magic, especially in the healing area. For that, I wish you all the best." The principal ended the conversation with a simple hand gesture. Estenia thanked the principal with a slight bow, before leaving the room. With the sound of the door shut, the principal focused his eyes on Jack. "Now then, shall we start our conversation, Jack?" The principal crossed his legs. Chapter Two The atmosphere in the room was suffocating. Jack couldn¡¯t stop fidgeting; his anxiety was building as time went on. After all, sitting in front of him was the principal. The Principal. A man who, in the three years of school he was told not to mess with, was now asking for his presence. A former Grand Wizard, participated in the battle of Lillauna. During that time, he single handedly held an entire brigade for hours, turning the tide of war. A great feat that not many could achieve. They say if you are called by the principal, it only means one of two things: either you did something bad, or he found you interesting. ¡°Settle down, young one; there is no need to be tense. You are not in trouble.¡± He took a sip of water. ¡°You and I will have a little talk." The principal shuffled through his files, finally pulled one out. Ruffling through the papers. The front cover was imprinted with a name; Jack Oat. ¡°It seems that you are one unique character, Jack. Born without a single trace of magic, but very gifted. For a child to have this level of intelligence is quite exceptional.¡± ¡°Uhh, thank you?" Jack answered unconfidently. ¡°That being said, I notice even though you have intelligence, you lack communication skills; just today you fought with Christopher, yes?" Jack nodded. ¡°This can be a huge problem in the future where you might bite more than you can chew, so my advice is to try to think before offending someone." The principal adjusted his glasses before opening Jack¡¯s files and scanned its content carefully. . "Ahh, here it is.¡± His sight locked on a particular thing. ¡°It appears that you set your sights on becoming a magic professor.¡± His tone was calm but laced with curiosity. ¡°I must say I''m not surprised with it since you are excellent in magic theory. But I must ask you, why do you want to become one in the first place? Very rarely does someone decide to become one at that very age.¡± Jack went silent, carefully choosing the right words. ¡°It''s a matter of personal goal for me, the experiment, the element, and to undo something that seems impossible.¡± ¡°But you do understand the challenge, don¡¯t you? Especially for someone without magic.¡± Jack clenched his fist as his posture straightened in his chair. ¡°I know the challenge, and I¡¯m willing to take it." His voice was steady, filled with quiet resolve. ¡°Very well, Perhaps you have a trick up your sleeve that I don¡¯t know," the principal ended with a bright smile. ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to that trick of yours.¡± Jack gave a weak smile, then stood up and made his way to the door. As Jack left the room, the smile on the principal¡¯s face faded away, replaced with a long sigh. ¡°Be strong, young one." The principal stood up, stared sharply at the door. "Your journey will be a tough one." *** Jack walked back to his class, having met the principal, all the pressure was just being released. Checking the surroundings, he found that the majority of the class has gone home for today, and only a few have stayed playing a card game with their friends. Not one to meddle in others'' business, he quickly collected his things and tried to leave. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.As he reached the door, a huge hand gripped his head and slammed it against the doorframe. The adrenaline surged through his body as the pain rushed to his head. With dizzy vision, he slowly recognised the person standing in front of him. ¡°Time to pay up, motherfucker.¡± Christopher growled, crackling his finger. ¡°You''re going to regret making fun of me." ¡°For showing the whole class that you are an idiot?¡± Jack¡¯s words barely escaped his mouth before another fist met his face. Blood was dripping down Jack¡¯s chin, but he remained calm through the pain. ¡°Damn, even after all this time, you still can¡¯t throw a good punch." Furry flashed in Christopher¡¯s eyes. ¡°That¡¯s it.¡± He snapped his fingers; his goons surrounded him, pinned him to the wall. With a snarl, Christopher conjured a searing fireball, its heat warping the air around them. Jack''s heart¡¯s pounded, being pinned and held to the wall; he knew he had bitten more than he could chew. He closed his eyes and braced himself for the upcoming doom. ¡°So long..." Christopher sneered. The room exploded with light and fire. The ground shaken as the fire engulfed the location where Jack was pinned. Christopher smirked, confident that he would be celebrated for reducing a useless person to taking up space in this prestigious school. But as the smoke cleared, gasps echoed through the room. Jack was unharmed, shielded by a wall of floating cards. The other students stared with wide eyes. Their cards, which they had casually held moments ago, now hovered protectively around Jack. ¡°I knew it, you were lying all this time.¡± Christopher clapped his hands as he pointed to the sky, summoning a brilliant light above his head. The orb blazed like a miniature sun. ¡°Let''s see if you can survive this.¡± But the sun quickly faded down, and a huge gust of wind whipped through the classroom. Jack emerged from the shield cards, but something has changed. His once brown eyes are now glowing a crescent blue, and an unnerving aura pulsed around him. ¡°Lighting Thunder." A whisk of voice came from his mouth, completely masked by the sound of wind. For the first time in his life, Christopher felt scared. Thunder had always been frowned on for being a cheap spell, something that a street performer used. But this time... the thunder was feral. The bolt struck before he could react. Ok Pain surged through him like a thousand needles piercing through his skin. He collapsed, begging the pain to stop. His body fell cold to the floor, and the darkness filled his eyes. Jack stood silently before his legs gave out. The cards around him fell one by one. A figure stood at the door, observed the whole commotion from the very beginning. Jack¡¯s blurred vision failed to notice who it was. Thud Jack''s body fell flat on the floor; the other students dashed out from the classroom, leaving the trio alone in the classroom. The silhouette marched closer to the scene of the incident. Trying to process what he just witnessed, he mumbled as he checked Jack''s body, "So you the one who caused the sensor to go haywire, not her." He moved his hand across Jack''s left arm and noticed some blue lines forming. "What are you hiding, Jack?" He pulled out a phone from his pocket, dialled a certain contact. ¡®THE INFORMANT¡¯ Chapter Three It has been three days since the incident, and everyone could still feel the tension in the air, waiting for the tightly stretched tightrope to snap at any given moment. The principal had dealt with the imminent fallout; Christopher was expelled for magic abuse, an unprecedented action that baffled all the students. Jack, however, had been put under tight supervision; his every movement was watched closely like an eagle eyeing its prey. The school¡¯s reputation has taken a serious hit. Christopher¡¯s expulsion angered the public. Students like him, rare and powerful, were hard to come by. While Christopher had overstepped, the public was outraged at the school for choosing to side with Jack, a non-magic person. The public has shown its message; those who were gifted were valued, and those who were not were thrown away. *** In one lesson, Jack struggled to focus; his mind was thinking about what happened a few days ago. He couldn¡¯t remember anything after Christopher used his magic on him. The principal had questioned him, but his memory was hazy. ¡°Jack. Jack.¡± The teacher called out on him, but it barely registered in his ears. ¡°Mr Oat!¡± The teacher raised her voice. ¡°Huh?¡± Jack snapped out of it, ¡°Yes?¡± Jack replied with a nervous tone. ¡°There is a person who wants to speak with you in Test Room 2. Please go there immediately." Jack obliged, standing up. His classmates watched him leave the room, and he could hear them whispering under their breath as he walked past them. As he slowly walked toward Test Room 2 an uneasy feeling washed through his mind. Something wasn''t right; his instincts were telling him. ¡°This is getting really weird.¡± He thought to himself. Arriving at Test Room 2, he noticed a figure leaned against the door, wearing casual clothes rather than his usual tuxedo. ¡°Sir, what are you doing here?¡± Jack asked, scratching his head. ¡°It appears that due to the recent event that you were involved in, a few governing officials are demanding to meet you. That being said, I am here to accompany you as part of my responsibilities as the principal of this school. Don¡¯t worry; your parents have been informed about this meeting. Shall we begin?" Jack nodded. The principal opened the door, revealing two gentlemen standing near a table. Both of them were wearing black suits. The black hair agent was checking his tablet while the brunet agent was preparing his computer on the table. ¡°Good morning, it¡¯s nice to see you again, Cygam. It''s been a few years since the last time we met. How is your life on the other side?" The black-hair agent greeted the principal, shaking his hand. ¡°Good morning to you too, Shadow. To be honest, there are ups and downs. On the plus side, I can see what future generations are capable of." ¡°Well, even if you have the greatest power, it will be useless if you don¡¯t have discipline. You just expelled a student for using magic on another student, right?" ¡°Yes, Mr. Christopher has been warned multiple times before. But because of his rarity, he thought he was invincible from any kind of repercussions. But not even him can run away from their own consequences." Cygam remarks on the recent event. ¡°Alright." Shadow turned to Jack, gestured to him to come inside. Walking inside, he saw the brunet greet Cygam before turning his sight towards Jack. ¡°Good morning, Jack. First of all, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Orzair, and this is Shadow. We are from the government in the branch of Unusual Magic Activities. You have been called here because you have developed your magic at a very late stage. So today we will conduct some tests to detect any form of anomaly that is inside you. Do you understand?" Jack nodded, at this point, that was all he was capable of doing. ¡°Very well, then let us proceed with the test." Orzair moved to the table, leaving Shadow to lead the test. ¡°So let¡¯s start with the basics. Can you tell me your name, age, and the last time your magic power was tested?" ¡°My name is Jack Oat; I¡¯m 17 years old; I was 3 when I was tested." ¡°Ok, the next question is: Do you remember what happened during your altercation with Mr. Christopher?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Jack shook his head. ¡°The only thing I remember is right before the fireball was about to hit me." Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Very well, let''s continue," Shadow said as he wrote on his tablet. Orzair monitored Jack intently, his eyes sharp on every movement as Jack underwent the magical test. The first test is the spell-casting test. While Jack managed to do the perfect enchantment, sadly, nothing happened. Unfortunately, this pattern repeated on each and every other test. The medical test ended with failure. Elemental yields zero result. Summoning? It was another disappointment. By the end of the test, Jack was utterly drained. He slumped, his expression a mix of annoyance and fatigue. But Orzair reassured him that he expected this to happen. ¡°No need to be annoyed, Jack; I expected this to happen. Now for the final test. Please choose one of the following items." Shadow gestured to the table in front of him. The table was filled with a collection of items, a set of knives, a yoyo, and a deck of cards. Standing in the corner of the room, the principal observed Jack¡¯s actions closely. Without hesitation, Jack reached for the deck of cards and held it firmly. ¡°A deck of cards, eh? Tell me, Jack, what made you choose the cards.¡± Shadow question as Orzair scribbles on the same tablet. ¡°It felt like the cards were calling out to me." Jack was seen running his thumb on the edge of the cards. "Alright then, can you do something with the cards?" Jack fiddled with the cards, his awkward movement showed his inexperience. As his left hand touched the card, four pieces shot out from the group, hovering around him, waiting for his command. Surprised, he swung his left arm, and the card followed his movement. He froze for a moment before carefully moving his arm. The card mimicked his movement precisely as it was an extension of his arm. His expression deepened as reality sank in; he could control the card. The cards moved freely around Jack; their movements were fluid and seemed mostly out of this world. Then, one by one, it fell to the ground. Orzair and Shadow exchange puzzled glares; Jack showed no sign of fatigue. "Is everything alright, Jack? Do you feel hurt or something?" Orzair asked. But Jack stayed silent, ignoring his question altogether. Orzair moved closer to Jack, noticed the boy was in a daze and looking at his fingers. He noticed something. His left eye was twitching. Reaching for the boy, he tapped on his shoulder. "Huh?¡± Jack came back to his sense, seeing Orzair looking straight at him; confusion was seen on the boy''s face. ¡°Is something wrong?" He questioned. "Are you ok, Jack?" He put his arm around the boy, checking for any physical changes. "You''ve been quiet for quite a while; we thought something had happened," Orzair said as he removed his hand from Jack. "Oh no, it''s just..." Jack''s gaze fell on his left hand. "I was thinking. What is this? I have never read anything like this in any book. Something is off, I''m sorry. I want to stop. Please." he begged. Orzair¡¯s gaze shifted to Cygam, waiting for an answer. The principal nodded, signalling that he agreed with Jack''s request. ¡°Very well, Jack; you may return to your classroom. Now please take it easy, sometimes we need to understand why this is happening." he was patting Jack on the shoulder and trying to cheer him up. "Just keep your heads up, you still have a lot of time in front of you. Unlike that ugly geezer at the table there." Orzair was pointing at Shadow. "Oi, we are the same age, bastard," Shadow showed his fist. Orzair laughed at Shadow, who was completely livid. Jack remained silent and proceeded to leave the room. As he left, Cygam looked at Ozair. ¡°You¡¯re thinking of the same thing, right?" ¡°Yes, if the theories were true, that means Jack would be in huge trouble. It¡¯s better to inform the higher-ups about this situation." Orzair informed as he closed his tablet. ¡°You also feel it too, right, Orzair." Shadow rose from his seat, roaming around the room. "The boy¡¯s magic level is unreadable, but he was emitting a huge amount of aura. I was surprised that this place did not even crack with the pressure alone." Shadow was running his finger on the walls. ¡°That¡¯s true. The last time I felt that kind of pressure was when we were tasked with destroying that demon pillar years ago. I will inform the church to be ready at a moment''s notice." "One thing that I don''t understand is why Jack decided to stop. Isn''t he supposed to be happy that he finally had magical capabilities?" Shadow placed his finger on his chin. "I believe he had his reason, but he must be examined more carefully next time." A portal opened, and Orzair and Shadow walked through it. ¡°Let''s meet again in better situation.¡± Orzair waved his hand to Cygam. ¡°Sure." Cygam returned the gesture. As the portal closed, Cygam was seen holding his cane as he walked out of the room. He reached out his hand for the door, and it glowed, a blue pentagram appeared at the door. Placing his right hand to the pentagram, he commanded. "Release!¡±. The room shook violently, the glass windows cracked, and a few vases were shattered. The principal stayed calm and waited for the storm to end. Suddenly, a crack appeared before the ground sunken on the same spot where Jack was last standing. "My god." The principal inspected the damages. "He managed to do this much damage at this barrier level, huh. I better contact her to investigate further. Also, someone needs to fix this." He closed the door and left an ''out of commission'' sign on the door handle. *** A tall figure sat on a throne, dressed in a full dark attire and wearing an animal skeleton necklace that gleamed under a dim light. His piercing gaze bore down on a man kneeling before him, his clothes tattered and his body bruised. ¡°So, what did you say happened, Christopher?¡± The figure asked, his voice cold and measured. ¡°I already told you, the fucker was shielded by a deck of cards; are you gone deaf after all this time?¡± Christopher spat back. The figure''s expression darkened, and with a switch motion, he kicked him in the stomach, forcing the air from his lungs. Collapsed, Christopher silently grunted in pain. ¡°Now, now, no need to be rude.¡± The figure said, his tone dripping with mockery. ¡°Perhaps you need some time to think in your room." He gestured at the two assassins. Both of them stepped forward, gripping and dragging him toward a separated chamber. The figure leaned back on his throne, toying with the skeletal necklace around his neck. ¡°Call the assassins. Tell them it¡¯s time; the Lord is returning." His lips twisted in a sinister smile. ¡°It¡¯s about time you show up, my dear. We had unfinished business to settle. Chapter Four Jack made his way slowly down the hallway, his footsteps echoing in the silent space. His mind was running with questions and uncertainty. The recent event has turned his life upside down. People have questioned his skirmish with Christopher. But as hard as he tried to remember, all in all, it was a blank canvas. And then came his newly founded abilities. This has completely taken him by surprise. He had read dozens of books about magic manipulation, but nothing could make him ready for what he saw. To add the cherry on top, the government is now involved. Testing him and documenting it in a single note. It was all too suspicious. He stopped at the windows and saw the other students at the open training fields, manipulating magic with ease. He felt a wave of mixed feelings in his chest. Deep down, he used to be envious of them. But now his perspective has changed. Placing his hand on the cold surface of the glass window, he let out a deep sigh. "Haaah, what an eventful week... Is this the effect when magic is used? With all the commotion, restless nights, and public outcry?¡± he questioned. "Maybe this is a good sign¡­" a whisper escaped from his breath. Realising what he said, he shook his head, silencing the naive thoughts in his mind. "No, you idiot. You forgot what happened last time.¡± He was clutching his trembling hand, suppressing the same memory that was threatening to overwhelm him. ¡°This time, things are going to be different. I will not use this thing willingly, not until I find the truth behind it.¡± His eyes lowered to his left arm. ¡°Not again.¡± "NO." A sharp whisper rang in his right ear. A sudden voice sent a shiver down his spine. He jolted into the empty hallway, searching for who or what was speaking to him. He found nothing. He wiped off sweats from his forehead, wondering what that was. Before Jack managed to settle down, the voice boomed to his ears once more. "I WILL NOT LET YOU DO THIS." His ears started to ring. Jack was looking around him, searching for the origin of the sound. His vision was spinning as the ringing overwhelmed his ear. He felt the nausea washed over him, threatening to fully engulf him. Clutching his head, he could feel the ringing piercing into his head. He could hear the glass windows cracking from the pressure. Losing his strength, he fell to his knees. But as fast as the ringing started, it quickly faded, replacing the sound of footsteps approaching. Gasping for air, he looked up, his vision was still blurry, and his head was still throbbing. As the footsteps drew nearer, he saw a familiar face. He breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Jack! Jack! Are you okay? You look terrible. Is something wrong?¡± Estenia took a step forward, but Jack''s hand stopped her. ¡°Hey Estenia, fancy seeing you here. I¡¯m fine, just a little shaken up." Jack tried to downplay the issue, trying to stand up but failing. "You are sweating like a pig, and your face is as white as a ghost, so do not lie to me. Now tell me, what happened?" She took a look at the glass window. Her eyes widened as she examined the cracked glass. "Did you do this?¡± Her voice tingled with suspicion. ¡°How? Are you hiding something from me?" With hesitation, she took a closer look at him. "No, I''m fine, really. Look.¡± He replied. Estenia watched in pity as Jack¡¯s weak attempt to convince her that he is alright, but the paleness of his face betrayed his words. But as he finished his words, the ringing returned. Clutching his head, his scream penetrated the air. Flinching from the scream, Estenia quickly moved closer to her friend. Trying to calm him down. "Jack, focus on me.¡± she called out to him. But he failed to even hear her voice. Breathing heavily, he looked down. ¡°Get out of my head! I would not make the same mistake again.¡± He screamed at no one. His words sent chills down her spine. ¡°What are you talking about?" Estenia became worried, her face uncertain. The sudden shift of ground caught her attention. Quickly, she observed the surrounding area, watching everything treamble around her. As the shaking is not enough, chaos erupted when Jack unleashed unexpected energy. The cracked windows shattered under immense pressure. Estenia instinctively shielded herself from the shattering glass, but she was taken aback by what she saw. The shattered glass was floating in the air. Her heart races with a mixture of fear and curiosity. ¡°What kind of power is this? Is this really Jack''s ability? Why didn¡¯t I notice this?¡± With cautious movement, she extended her arm, trying to touch the floating shard. But as her fingertips reached the shard, everything rewind itself. The broken glass has returned to its original state, and the floor seems to be repairing itself. It was as though the chaos had never happened. Gasping Estenia¡¯s attention turned to Jack, who was laying unconscious on the ground. Without hesitation, she rushed to his side, her heart was pounding with concern. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. ¡°Jack, wake up.¡± She shook his shoulders. Her voice was layce with worry. She checked for any signs of injuries, her mind was running wild as she tried to understand what was wrong with her friend. Seeing Jack''s silent answer, she clapped her hands together, and it glowed green. As her hand hovered over Jack¡¯s body, a blue aura quickly enveloped him, resembling a cocoon. Despite it being surprisingly thin, it effectively blocked Estenia¡¯s attempt to scan him. Seeing this, she intensified her energy beam. But the cocoon branched out swiftly before engulfing her hand. Surprise, Estenia tried to pull her hand, but the cocoon held it firmly in place. She felt a tickling sensation as the cocoon absorbed the energy beam. The cocoon dissolved as the beam died down, leaving energy particles in the air. Estenia lowered her hands to her sides, Confusion was shown on her face ¡°What the.¡± She questioned herself. Her mind was racing with wild questions and thoughts with what she just saw. The sight of Jack released some demonic energy and absorbing her energy has left her bewildered. Could it be that Jack was not someone that he portrayed himself to be? Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she pushed all the questions aside and focused on the task in front of her. She needed to bring Jack to the school infirmary, it was too dangerous to leave him there. She hoisted Jack¡¯s unconscious body to her shoulder, ignoring the strain as she dragged his body slowly. *** The infirmary was quiet. Jack lay on the bed with Estenia right next to him. Frustration was shown on her face, the same enigmatic aura kept blocking her attempt. Her frustration amplified as she tried to understand the gravity of the situation. She cannot give up on Jack when the rest have turned their backs on him. With fiery eyes and unwavering determination, she took a deep breath before fully attacking the aura that had been gatekeeping Jack. She employed every trick in her arsenal to break down the seemingly indestructible aura. As she kept pushing herself to the point of exhaustion, she heightened her focus. She channelled her entire energy into a single action, amplifying her skill to the razor-sharp precision as she refused to give it even a moment to catch its breath. With her final determination, she released all of her energy at once. A sudden burst of light filled the whole infirmary, illuminating every corner with its light. Even with that, Estenia remained focused and kept channelling the beam into the aura. As the light faded, Estenia hoped that all her hard work had paid off. But it was useless. The aura still stood strong after being put under so much stress. Her legs gave away as the feeling of disbelief swept over her like a tidal wave. ¡°God Dammit!¡± Estenia curses. The door of the infirmary swung open, and a tall figure rushed in. Her footsteps were barely audible against the hardened tiles. Her giggle was the only thing that gave away her position. Hearing a voice behind her, Estenia turned around. Shocked by the creature''s aesthetics, she rose in defence, ¡°Who are you? How did you come to this school?¡± The creature continued to smile. The figure was a tall elven woman, adorned in exotic armour made from bronze and gold. Her white hari cascaded around her shoulders, and a half mask covered the left side of her face. A golden trident was elegantly strapped across her back. ¡°My name is Merida.¡± The figure was taking a second to gaze at her before bowing down. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you, Estenia, daughter of Bishop Alexander." ¡°What?!¡± Her eyes widened in surprise. *** Estenia was shaken, this was the first time someone had called her by her full title. A title that she swore to have been forgotten. Her fist pulsed golden, a manifestation of fear and anger. ¡°You have one chance,¡± she said, repeating her question with a hint of anger. ¡°Tell me who you are and what you are doing here?" Estenia clenched her fist. The figure smiled and raised both of her arms, showing that she was unarmed. ¡°Relax, I mean you no harm. My name is Merida. I¡¯m a former Grand Maiden of Daeven. As for the boy, he is an acquaintance of mine.¡± Estenia¡¯s eyes narrowed at Merida''s response; her scepticism amplified despite receiving the answer. ¡°Merida, a former Grand Maiden of Daeven,¡± she repeated the sentence. ¡°Why would she be here? And on top of that, she said she was an acquaintance of Jack?¡± Merida¡¯s eyes turned to Estenia''s arm. Noticing that it was glowing, she raised her eyebrow, tilted her head forward, and gestured to her arm. ¡°I don''t think that is a good idea. If you do that now, the whole building will be caught on fire.¡± Those words continued to make Estenia even more confused. However, as the glow faded, her vision became blurry. She had drained all her energy when she was trying to help Jack. Noticing her condition, Merida placed her arm on Estenia''s shoulder, convincing her to rest. ¡°Take a rest, little one, you have been pushing yourself for quite some time." Estenia first protested, but her movements got even sloppier over time. Catching Estenia as she fainted, Merida couldn''t help but smile. Her determination to help her friends in trouble was a noble trait. ¡°Just like her mother,¡± she thought. Looking around, she saw there was an empty bed right next to Jack. Carrying her with ease, Merida placed Estenia on the bed. Letting her rest after a tiring day. With the blanket covering her, she turned to the door. ¡°You can come in now, my dear. The situation was cleared." Two familiars walked into the infirmary. ¡°Thanks a lot for dealing with her, Merida," a female gave her gratitude. ¡°You¡¯re welcome, dear. Anything for a friend. Now, back to your son. I sensed something odd from him." Merida stated as she placed her hand on her chin. ¡°My son is fine, right?" The father asked in a cold tone, but his face betrayed his monotonous voice. ¡°No need to fake your feelings, Andrew," Amaya patted on her husband''s back. ¡°We can hear your heartbeat the moment you set foot in this school." Andrew sighed deeply. ¡°I don¡¯t have any connection with my son. I even heard that he has despised me for not making time with him." ¡°It¡¯s okay, honey. I¡¯m sure Jack will understand if you explain what happened. Besides, it''s not even your fault to begin with.¡± Amaya said softly, trying to soothe her husband. ¡°I hope so, darling. I hope so." Andrew sounds defeated. Merida coughed, drawing the pair¡¯s attention. ¡°Let us turn our focus to Jack." Jack¡¯s body glowed with a light blue aura, the light swirling around him as if attempting to envelop him completely. For a moment, it seemed that the aura would consume him whole, but it suddenly went away. As soon as the aura vanished, Jack¡¯s body trembled uncontrollably, his limbs shook as though fighting an unseen enemy. Amaya¡¯s eyes widened with alarm. She screamed, rushing to her son as she tried to stabilise him. ¡°Is he having a seizure?¡± Andrew questioned. ¡°No. He is just shivering.¡± Amaya placed her hand on top of his forehead. The cold, feeling like ice, ran through her hand. ¡°This is weird, Jack never gets this sick.¡± Amaya was looking at Merida, searching for an answer. Merida placed her trident above Jack¡¯s body. A moment passed and the trident showed an engraving at the tip. After she read those words, Merida''s eyes widened before she calmed herself. ¡°What''s wrong, Merida?¡± Andrew questioned again. ¡°This is a unique circumstance," Merida said with her finger on her chin, thinking. ¡°What is it?¡± His patience ran thinend. ¡°The aura that Jack is emitting is his source of magic. The problem is.¡± Merida looked into their eyes. ¡°He rejected it.¡± Both of the parents turned their eyes to her, full of shock.