Duke Morvane took Judas' inventory and promised to get it back to me once he cleansed the curse out, he also told me that all the main families had this kind of curse placed on all their servants, it was somewhat of a safety net from betrayal.
"Are you really not going to join the others in combat and swordsmanship training?"
This question would haunt me down.
"Is there actually some benefit to it? Because if I go just to be the object of derision, I might just go completely mad."
"That would never happen, nobody would dare scorn my son, even if he's adopted."
"Sure, but I already missed the first 2 lessons. That will for sure be seen badly."
I didn't get why he was so adamant about it, it was clear those lessons were not something I'd enjoy, and even if I needed to.. cooperate with the other rich kids, I still had other classes with them.
"If it's just for interactions, they are all in the mana manipulation class. I can try and say a few words there, that lesson is useless for me as of now anyway."
My father didn't react for sometime and I was at a loss for word.
"Before I proceed to tell you why those lessons are so important… are you, perhaps, able to conjure a pure mana bullet?"
"Yes. For some time now."
"Of course, do me a favour and try releasing as much mana as you can."
"Dad, I can't do that, I'll run out of mana and there are still some doppelgängers out there doing things."
That was probably a good enough answer for him either way since he nodded and finally proceeded to finally explain why I should embarrass myself in front of the entire academy.
"The instructors this year, were all assembled from the main academies of the world to give the heirs the best possible opportunities and all the combat instructors belong to the direct lineage of War. You know what it means right?"
Sigh…
"It means that just like Rovan, if I'm to sign up, I'll probably be beaten senseless every day, those physical classes are unending."
He didn't say anything and just waited for me to make a decision. Meanwhile I was already planning my funeral. It was just too good to pass, if they really came from War…
"Fine, but I will keep archeology, it seems like a fun thing to do and I actually enjoy history, it's fun seeing how humans keep making the same mistakes with different names throughout the course of time."
We both started laughing, it felt good.
It really was the best. Sharing laughter was way better than being the only one laughing.
After all our businesses were said and done, he finally dismissed me and I was able to collect my clone on a shopping spree to finally head back to my dorm.
Only to find someone already inside together with my writing doppelgänger.
"What are you doing here Yom?"
"Can you actually read what he's writing down?"
We both looked at each other for a moment, that was not how you generally greet someone, especially not after everything that happened in between us.
"I'm sorry, and thank you, for saving me, for saving us. Seraph didn't really realise the implications of what would happen if he curse took effect after the treaty was signed… Juste was also out of her mind trying to find a way to make amends and I… I've just been a bastard."
"Yes, I can read that very clearly."
I decided to completely ignore his poor attempt at asking forgiveness, our dad really did a better job showing up with actions, but maybe I really needed to make a point clear.
"Also. Spoken words are air, Yom, they vanish as quickly as breath.
Ink, however, remembers.
When you've the courage to let your remorse take shape upon a page, perhaps then it will mean something."
He didn't answer and just watched me as I approached my writing self to see if he committed any mistake, but of course, it was flawless.
Since he was done, I sent him to the kitchen to get us drinks and guided Yom to the lounging area.
"So, what are you really here for, I'm sure dad has already found a way to inform you about my quelled desire to spell doom for everyone."
A smile bloomed on his uselessly cute face, just like father he seemed too happy for my resignation to family duties.
"He has, I'm here to inform you that we have class in 30 minutes… swordsmanship…"
"The fuck? How the hell did I make it in time?"
"Crow, it's just 11.00 a.m."
Fuck
For everything that happened today, I was so ready to spend the rest of the day just staying inside and meditate… but if it really was only 11 am…
"Does this mean we also have general combat all afternoon long?"
"It's a little different from the theory lessons, your Wednesday is free because it's the main body day. In the morning we heirs receive medical baths and check ups, then from 11 am to 7 pm is weapon mastery and combat."
"What about lunch?"
He smiled bitterly, everyone in house Morvane knew that after my past, being a glutton was one of my favourite things to be.
"Fuck, Crowling leave the beers and get me some tequila."
"I'll have one too fake brother."
I raised a brow.
"Oh, you're having fun."
"Really, can you teach me this spell Crow? It would be a life savior, especially during exam season."
I just shook my head and waited for the much needed tequila before leaving for legalised torture.
_____________________
"Will he really come? Yom was so excited… imagine if it was all just a prank?" -Niven
"I wouldn't put it past him." -Selan
The heirs all had an opinion, the whispered presence of the 13th Lord had made an uproar.
The unapproachable, laser focused Lord, the one who didn't care about anything that was not written on a textbook and even then, there was the risk he'd gloss over it once, scoff and leave altogether.
"What's up with all this tension? Did someone die Yom?"
"Ah, I guess in my happiness I let it slip that you decided to finally join us…"
"Really? We are all in the same Mana manipulation class, I never forbid for people to talk to me."
Yom shook his head speechless. I knew I glared a lot during that useless lesson, it was just… it was insulting how people except for a few heirs had such difficulties with basic mana manipulation.
"Yom, you also suck at mana manipulation. Imma beat some sense into you later."
He stopped in his tracks when my words fell, and so did most of the heirs.
"You… you're willing to give me mana manipulation lessons?"
"The fuck are you talking about? You're my brother, of course I can't let you fall behind anyone in terms of magic. Only I am allowed to be better than you."
"WHAT?! THAT'S NOT FAIR! I ALSO WANT TO JOIN!" -Selan
"What's the need for a witch like you to be taught by him? Stick to your family teachings! I on the other hand, need those lessons much more!" -Auriel
I looked at those fools like they just announced to be crazy people.
"Brother, the fuck are those two talking about? I didn't know dad adopted other kids after me?"
"He didn't, they're just that delusional."
"Oh no! I'm not gonna be left out of this. Crow, you stole a kiss from me, our tongues danced for minutes, MINUTES! The least you can do is teach me how to handle mana." -Auriel
The bastard had a point, but I'd never accept such a thing in front of everyone, it'd just be like opening the doors of hell for those prying bastards to feast upon.
"A kiss is not enough to pay for my lessons."
I was about to proceed to the training center where our lessons would begin, but there was someone that was really trying to piss me off.
"Lord Caelum, I swear to the gods, if you don't immediately stop your attempts at seeing if I'm the real me with your wind, I will curse you."
"You knew?"
"You think I'm a fool? My doppelgängers are also quite angry at your continued poking, that rage transfers as well."
"I'm sorry…"
"Yeah sure, and I'm a Saint."