A week had gone by since the Kirkley incident and Asher was finally given the rest that he deserved. He ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner alone with Pithos in his room. Whenever he felt just a tiny bit hungry, Zara was quick to bring over snacks and his favorite freshly squeezed orange juice. Kio would join him every now and then to teach him about magic or just hang out. Asher had no need nor motivation to leave his room, but he went to the garden at least once a day because of Pithos' incessant pestering.
Nikola and Alejandro have yet to visit him during his recovery. There were rumors going around that Nikola hasn't gone to see Asher because she was so devastated by Asher's state after sparring against Kirkley that she went down with a high fever, but only Asher and Kio knew the real reason she had fallen ill.
Ian, on the other hand, had become more arrogant after having saved Asher. Whenever they saw each other, Ian would smirk and taunt him, saying that he couldn't even defeat a mere commoner knight. If it were the Asher from the past, then he would've taken Ian's words to heart and feel helpless and weak. However, since his mind had matured and he knew Ian based on the time they spent together in the past, Asher was quick to notice that something wasn't quite right with Ian's current behavior. Despite how much Ian would exclaim that he was glad that Asher was taught a lesson, his expression as he said so was anything but glad. It was a rather complex situation and Asher has yet to fully understand Ian's behavior.
Pushing those thoughts away from his mind, Asher decided on thinking about something else: magic. What he learned from Kio is that magic is something that all humans possess in this world thanks to the organ called the magical core. Humans are all born with a magical core, all varying in size. The bigger the magical core, the more magic one will be able to manipulate and store inside of them.
There are ways to enlarge one's magical core, like incessant training, which doesn't produce many results; or the rare magical pills, which hold more effect than training. Unfortunately, the method of using magical pills only works on people with magical cores that are bigger in size because their cores are able to handle the magical properties that are in the pills and they can better utilize those magical properties. In other words, a person's magical core is what mainly deems a person as either strong, decent, or weak. But there are rare instances when a decent mage can become strong or a weak mage can become decent because of other abilities the person may possess.
Kio had taught this to him using real-life examples: "Take father, for instance. If we were to base him solely on the size of his core, then he would be a decent mage. But because his strength surpasses that of a normal human, then he is deemed as strong. Mother, on the other hand, is a strong mage based on her magical core alone. Unlike father, her strength is that of a normal human's, but she knows when to apply more strength and when to save her strength. Coupled with the fact that mother is a battle maniac, she is considered a strong mage through and through."
"Then what about you and Ian," Asher had asked, feeling slightly curious. The only thing he knows about them is the element they possess; Ian possessing lightning and Kio ice.
Kio shrugged before taking a sip of tea. He frowned and stared at the cup before placing it back on the saucer. He doesn't like hibiscus tea. "It's hard to tell since we haven't gained much experience. I have an abnormally large magical core, so people say that I have a lot of potential. Unfortunately, it's harder to control my elemental prowess because of how large it is."
Asher felt confused since he had seen Kio use his elemental prowess before and believed that he had good control over his powers. If anything, Asher would believe that Kio had already mastered his elemental prowess because of his natural talent.
Smiling gently, Kio tapped Asher's forehead as he knew what Asher was thinking about. "Strangely, I control my abilities quite well in battle or while being under pressure. If I don't concentrate on controlling my core at all times then all of my surroundings would be covered in ice."
"And as for Ian," Kio drank the tea to soothe his aching throat since he was speaking more than usual. The tea really wasn't to his liking. "Ian has a decently sized core and has good control over his powers. Father has taken him out hunting for magical beasts a few times, so he has more experience and control over his powers than I do. He also has father's inhuman strength, a good physique, and he made mother's ability his own. He can judge the correct timing of when he should use his elemental prowess and when not to."
"What about me? Would I be able to become a decent mage?"
"No," Kio responded bluntly, not regarding Asher's feelings in the slightest. "Your magical core is small, but you can still learn how to manipulate magic to a certain extent. You have a weak physique, which can be compared to a noble girl's, and you didn't inherit father's inhuman strength. Becoming a mage would be impossible for you, but maybe you can use what you do have to become something else entirely."
The conversation had ended after that statement. Unfortunately, despite Asher wanting to become a strong or a decent mage, he has a small magical core, which prevents him from doing so. It would be a waste of time and resources if Asher tried to enlarge his small magical core by using pills or by training. Instead, Asher took into consideration Kio's last sentence; to become something else entirely.
He has a weak physique, but that can be improved over time. His body is overall quite small and lean, which can be mistaken as a girl's body if he were to dress like one. Finally, his complexion is as fair as a lady's, and his face possesses rather effeminate features. He could definitely disguise himself as a girl and no one would notice that he was actually a boy!
Taking those features into consideration, the perfect job for him popped into his mind: a ninja. He could improve his physique to the extent where he can hide in the shadows and knock someone out after hitting them once with a blunt weapon. He could also disguise himself as another person or hide in small places to protect himself and collect information!
Although he doesn't believe that he would one day need to use those ninja powers to collect information, it would be nice to be physically strong enough to protect a loved one or himself without the use of magic.
Today, Asher had told Kio all about his plans of becoming a ninja. At first, Kio was dumbfounded before he broke into laughter. His bright and infectious laughter was enough to make an originally annoyed Asher laugh as well. Zara, who had just placed a plate full of sweets on the table couldn't help but smile. She couldn't believe the effect her young master had on Young Master Kio. This sight was something she had dearly missed these last couple of years.
Knock, knock. Creek...
Archer knocked on the door before entering. Despite Zara having come back, Archer was still acting as his personal butler. While Zara took care of all of his needs, Archer made sure he was always impeccably clean and was acting as a noble child should. Together, they made quite the terrifying team.
Archer smiled coolly before giving a slight bow. "Young Master Kio, Young Master Asher, Master Alejandro and Mistress Nikola have ordered me to bring you to the office."
Asher stared at Archer worriedly. Why would his parents call them over? The last time they did this, they had introduced Archer as Asher's new butler. The only thing that came to mind when he thought about what they would want to speak to them about was Asher's suicide letters and Nikola's claim of him being possessed by a demon.
Asher and Kio quickly left Asher's room and walked into the study side by side, surprising everyone but Nikola. Nikola just glared at Asher unabashedly. She only retracted her gaze once Ian stared at her in surprise and shock.
Unlike the first time Asher came into the study, in which he sported messy clothes, hair, and was barefooted; Asher was well dressed and conducted himself in a noble manner, all thanks to Archer's education. Kio stifled a laugh as he knew that Archer, who had followed closely behind them, was observing Asher to later re-educate him on how a noble child should behave.
Alejandro frowned as he stared at Kio and Asher who were standing close to each other and coughed. "As you all know, there was a spy running around in our home. There is no need to worry no more as we already know who they are and how we will proceed with the matter."
Ian, Asher, and Kio nodded. This prompted Alejandro to continue. "The most important matter of today's discussion is about school. In three days, you will all be attending once again Staghaven Junior High. Ian, as this is your last year, please give it your all."
"Yes, dad!"
Alejandro nodded in response to Ian's enthusiasm. After Ian finished high school, Alejandro was planning on bringing him in and teaching him the ropes so that he would become the successor of the Pierce army; the army that served the king of their country.
"You may all leave."
Once the three brothers had left the office and closed the door behind them, Ian had immediately grabbed onto Asher's shoulder and leaned in to whisper: "You see that? See how mother stared at you with eyes full of hatred? I bet it's because of how badly you were beaten by a mere knight."
Ian chuckled darkly and smirked, but before he could open his mouth to keep on ridiculing and taunting Asher, Kio had grabbed Ian's wrist and manipulated his elemental prowess to slowly freeze his wrist.
"Take your hands off of Asher."
Ian was left dumbfounded as he stared at Kio. Since when was Kio so quick to anger? Actually, since when had Kio begun to take Asher's side? Kio has always been a spectator to this kind of thing and had never once intervened, so why now?
Once he had come back to his senses, he pulled his wrist back and hissed at the burning feeling Kio had left him with. There were small pieces of ice stuck to his red skin. Ian glared towards Kio before saying, "Be careful about how you act. I won't be able to protect any of you if father finds out."
Asher frowned. Protecting them? Why could Ian of all people protect them against Alejandro? If anything, they should be protected against Ian himself!
"I'm tired of bending over to fulfill father's wishes. So," Kio ruffled Asher's soft hair before hugging his shoulders with his arm. "to hell with him. Don't fuck yourself over trying to protect us. I'll protect Asher and myself."
After speaking his mind, Kio genuinely smiled before turning to walk away with Asher still in his arms. Archer, who had said nothing, bowed in greeting before following the two young masters. Ian was left alone in front of the office door while holding his throbbing wrist to his chest.
"Kio finally learned to stand up for himself, huh... Asher as well..."
"That's good. They're finally learning. Parenting sure is hard, especially when you feel so complicated..." Ian smiled to himself. A simple and small smile that contained only sadness and regret. His heartfelt words were unable to reach the ears of the people who needed to hear them the most.
Finally arriving at the door to Asher's room, Kio released the young child from his embrace. "Asher, go and tell Zara to pack your things. Archer, you will make sure Zara packs only what is necessary. I will speak to father later for him to make arrangements to bring Pithos along."
Archer and Asher nodded at Kio's orders. Every time Asher was sent to school, Zara would pack way too many things that were all later sorted out by other servants. Ian would always fuss about Asher always bringing them problems while Kio thought that it was rather cute and fascinating how Zara worried so much over Asher. Besides, all of the students' personal maid or butler was always sent to serve their young masters in school, so she had nothing to worry about as she would be able to stay by his side.
As Kio left and Archer took Zara to pack Asher's clothes and school uniforms, Asher jumped on the bed and startled a sleeping Pithos. Pithos tiredly rubbed his head against Asher's thigh and meowed as if saying 'What is it? Can't you see I'm sleeping?'. Asher smiled towards Pithos and exclaimed:
"We're going to school!"