One week has passed since he arrived in this world.
His routine has been relentless: wake up to the dust choked light, study the books he was given, then eat the nutrient slop, keep studying, force down more slop, then more studying.
And at the end of the day, the sweet release of sleep. Rinse and repeat seven times.
Rhys sat on his bed. The three books were laid out before him. They were a potion book, human anatomy(magic version) and lastly basic magic theory.
Clearly Wilhelm truly wishes to mold him into a proper assistant.
Speaking of Wilhelm.
Rhys laid down on his back and looked at the dirty ceiling.
He barely sees him, the only time they meet is during lunch and dinner, at other times he's locked up in his laboratory or he's out on errands.
But that's for the better, every interaction with Wilhelm is like walking on eggshells. You never know what he might do.
Just then a loud sound came from outside, and the entire house shook.
Rhys ran over to his window and wiped some dirt away.
Finally able to see outside Rhys saw a young man standing outside, he was aiming his wand at the house and firing spells repeatedly.
Then he yelled.
"Wilhelm, you bastard come out."
"What have you done to my sister?"
Rhys was confused. His sister? Since he arrived there has been no one other than him and Wilhelm here.
He heard footsteps downstairs, it must be Wilhelm who is about to respond.
The door downstairs opened with a creak and Rhys saw from the window how Wilhelm stepped out.
"Who are you?" Wilhelm asked, confused.
"I am Elya's brother."
Wilhelm was still confused.
"Who?"
The young man gritted his teeth.
"You… you attacked and kidnapped her two weeks ago."
Wilhelm looked thoughtful, then he seemed to have remembered something.
"Ahh~ Her, the brunette?"
The man gritted his teeth.
"Yes. Where is she?"
Wilhelm shrugged his shoulders.
"Sorry to inform you, but she's dead."
Rhys who was looking out the window could faintly hear their conversation since the wards had been removed.
He narrowed his eyes. He had been naive, he couldn't lower his guard. Wilhelm is still a dark wizard.
The young man heard what Wilhelm said and took a few steps back, nearly losing his footing.
"No… no you… you have to be lying."
Wilhelm shook his head.
"No. Now get out of here before I reunite you."
The young man breathed heavily, then he seemed to have made up his mind.
"NO! If she's dead I will avenge her!"
Rhys looking out the window on the second floor showed an interested expression.
Was he going to witness his first wizard fight? He felt his heart beat faster, as he leaned closer to the window.
Come on young man, I believe you can do it.
Wilhelm sighed.
"I was going to let you go… but you forced my hand."
He shook his hand and a wand appeared in it. Rhys leaned forward, where did that come from?
But before he could figure it out Wilhelm attacked.
The young man was caught off guard but still managed to dodge, when he regained his footing he sent a spell of his own.
"Crucio!"
A red projectile shot towards Wilhelm. As it flew through the air it lit up the foggy street like blood.
Wilhelm didn't even move at first, then he raised his wand lazily and made sweeping motion in the air.
The spell turned into a myriad of little lights.
"Pathetic."
Wilhelm sent out a spell of his own.
"Expelliarmus."
The young man was still shocked after witnessing his spell get countered that easy.
His wand flew out of his hand and into the air, Wilhelm waved his free hand and the wand flew into his hand.
"That's it."
He moved his hand and sent out another spell, this time it was a silent spell.
The young man was sent flying, spinning in mid air, then he landed.
That was… magic? Shit! Rhys felt a chill run down his spine as he watched the young man's corpse on the ground.
Rhys assumed he was dead. Could you survive a hit like that?
That man came to save someone, but died without accomplishing anything.
He narrowed his eyes. I need strength… or that might be me next.
Wilhelm waved his wand and the young man's corpse floated in mid air.
He walked around towards the back of the house.
Rhys sighed. Time for burial. He walked back to his bed and laid down.
He had bigger problems than the death of a stranger. He might die if he fails the test this afternoon.
Rhys closed his eyes and a few seconds later he heard the front door open down stairs.
"Rhys! Come down here!"
Rhys's eyes shot open and he walked out of his room and headed for the stairs.
Arriving downstairs he saw Wilhelm standing there.
"Its time for your test." Wilhelm's lips curled into a slow predatory smile. "Let's see how much you've learned."
They walked into the kitchen and Wilhelm motioned him to sit at the table.
"Here." Wilhelm said as he placed a paper in front of him.
Rhys looked at the questions and sighed a breath of relief. He picked up the paper and looked at the back, it was empty.
Wilhelm put a pen in front of him.
Rhys didn't hesitate. He picked up the pen and started to write furiously.
Wilhelm stood behind him and saw his answers, he nodded slowly in appreciation.
It was twenty minutes later when Rhys put down the pen. He rubbed his wrist and moved his hand.
Before he could say anything Wilhelm stepped forward and grabbed his paper.
He read the answers and nodded.
"Yes, this is good. You passed."
Rhys smiled. But before he could become too happy.
"Here." Wilhelm said as he took out three more books.
Rhys's smile froze on his face. Cursed.
Wilhelm smiled when he saw his expression.
"It's the same thing. One week from now, there will be a test on these three books."
Rhys nodded and picked up one of the books.
Hmm.
He picked up another one and soon understood.
The books were about the same thing. Potions, anatomy and magic theory, these were just the more advanced versions.
Rhys looked at Wilhelm.
"I noticed that none of the previous books recorded any magic. When will I get to learn magic?"
Wilhelm smiled.
"That is magic." He said as he pointed towards the books in front of him.
Rhys was about to explain.
"Haha, I'm just messing with you. Here." He threw over a wooden stick.
Rhys caught it. It was a wand, the more he looked at it the increasingly familiar it grew… this was presumably the young man's form earlier.
"I didn't give you any magic cause I didn't have a wand for you. Also here." Wilhelm took out another book.
"There won't be a test on this."
Rhys took the book and read the title.
Basic Spells For Home and Defense.
This book never appeared in the movies.
Rhys smiled and thanked Wilhelm.
"Thank you."
Wilhelm raised an eyebrow.
"Don't thank me yet. If you fail the next test you will have the same fate as that young man."
After he said that he left.
Rhys's expression froze. Great.
His eyes shifted to the books, then his wand. He couldn't afford to fail. This was his life.
CHAPTER END.