The oppressive silence of the night pressed down on Toji as the figure's faint outline sharpened under the glow of a wand. His body tensed, and his mind raced as he assessed the situation. At this distance, a bow would work best, he thought, his fingers twitching over the katana's hilt. But switching now would leave me exposed… Shit, think, think!
The figure raised its wand higher, casting a beam of light that illuminated its face. Toji's breath hitched as he recognized the features. The Chief Elder?!
Biting his tongue to keep calm, Toji ducked behind a nearby tree, his heart pounding against his ribs. His body was battered, his stamina dwindling fast. He reached for the bow strapped to his bag, but his hands fumbled as he struggled to focus.
With a deep breath, he steadied himself and finally nocked an arrow. Peering from behind the tree, he yelled, "Chief Elder! Did you side with those dark wizards too?!"
The voice that responded was not defensive but confused. "Young master?" the elder called, his tone wary. "Young master, what are you doing out here at this hour?"
"One more step, and I'll shoot you faster than you can wave your wand!" Toji barked, his voice rough but firm. He tightened his grip on the bowstring, his aim locked on the elder. "Throw your wand away, now!"
The Chief Elder hesitated, his face shadowed in a mix of bewilderment and something Toji couldn't quite place. After a moment, the old man complied, tossing his wand toward Toji. The wand landed near the tree trunk with a dull thud, and Toji's eyes stayed locked on the elder as he finally stepped out of hiding, his arrow still trained on the man.
"Now tell me what the fuck is going on!" Toji demanded, his voice like a whip cracking through the still night air.
The elder raised his hands, palms open, in a placating gesture. "I noticed the formation's warning—strangers had breached the perimeter," he explained, his voice calm but edged with unease. "I came to investigate. But I don't know what you mean by dark wizards."
Toji's eyes narrowed. "I was nearly assassinated tonight," he spat, his voice laced with venom. "Three dark wizards tried to kill me, right here, in my own damn home!"
The Chief Elder's expression shifted, shock flickering across his face before his features settled into a grim mask. "Then you must already know who's behind it," he said quietly, his voice weighted with understanding.
Toji's jaw clenched, and his knuckles whitened as he gripped the bow tighter. "Who else but your dear soon-to-be clan leader?" he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt.
The elder's shoulders sagged slightly, and he nodded. "Sigh! I didn't expect things to turn out this way... Young master, you had much to learn about our clan's inner workings, and that- It's too late regardless."
"What the fuck are you talking about?"
"Young master, I believe you should leave before any further mishaps fall upon you, you're lucky you, managed to escape from three dark wizards. The way they delayed the alertness of the formation, I believe them to be experts." The chief elder said glancing over at his bag, "Your identity still connects you to the clan but what happens to it is no longer a burden you need to carry."
"Seriously will you all stop the mysterious act?" Toji sneered, "It's one thing you sought out my brother but to hide the truth even now... I see, you must've all gone senile. Did you plan all this with my brother from the get-go?"
Toji's grip on the bow tightened, his vision tunneling as rage threatened to consume him. His voice was sharp, slicing through the stillness of the night. "Did you kill my father too?"
The Chief Elder remained motionless, his face pale and lined with sorrow. Instead of answering, he dropped to his knees, the weight of his silence more damning than any confession.
"If you truly believe that," the elder said softly, his voice trembling with resignation, "then please end it here. Kill me."
"...."
"The clan needs an heir with magic to survive. If it could function without one, none of this would have been necessary. We wouldn't have brought him back…" His voice broke off, leaving the sentence unfinished. "This is all I can tell you—for your safety, and the safety of the clan."
Toji's hand tightened around the bow, the muscles in his arm trembling with the desire to unleash his rage. But instead, the arrow wavered in his grip, and he released it with a sharp exhale, the shaft sinking harmlessly into the dirt.
With a swift movement, Toji stepped forward, snatching the elder's wand from the ground. "You're full of shit," Toji growled, his voice low and dangerous. "You've been hiding the truth this whole time. But why? Why is your precious clan heir so eager to get rid of me? What does he think I'm going to do? Take his position?"
The elder sighed deeply, his shoulders sagging under the weight of his words. "The previous clan leader had been researching your... unique condition, young master. You grew faster than any other child your age, both in intellect and physical ability. It was as if you outwitted your peers at every turn. But the clan's artifact—"
He paused, looking down at his hands, reluctant to continue. "It revealed something alarming. Despite your remarkable potential, you had no magic power at all."
Toji's heart skipped a beat. "You knew?" he spat, incredulity flashing in his eyes.
The elder nodded solemnly. "The clan leader did. He believed you were cursed, not a squib. Something was hindering your ability to use magic. But before he could uncover the cause… he passed."
Toji's gaze hardened, every word laced with suspicion. "And now the new clan leader is worried I'll regain my power and come for his position?"
The elder's eyes flickered with reluctant truth. "Yes, that's what I believe. His personality has been erratic ever since the rumors had begun so I am certain, he's afraid that if you unlock whatever's blocking your magic, you may challenge his authority after all, the potential you held was and is endless."
"I knew this day would come sooner or later, but I didn't expect him to act right away before I could send you away."
Toji scowled, his thoughts spiraling in frustration. What a load of bullshit... he thought, but the elder's words struck a nerve, resonating with disturbing accuracy. Why the hell haven't I ever heard of this artifact before? What secrets is my clan hiding?
The elder, sensing Toji's confusion, added gently, "You must understand, young master, you need to decide who you want to be. Do you want to live as a normal human, devoid of the powers your bloodline promises? Or do you search for a cure for this curse?"
"To cure this curse?" Toji echoed, his voice thick with disbelief. "Is there really a way?"
The elder shook his head slowly, his eyes distant. "I can't say for certain. We've never encountered a curse like yours. But… there may be those from ancient times who know something. Nicholas Flamel, for example. He's lived for centuries, and his knowledge may hold the key to your condition."
Toji felt his thoughts swirl into a fog, each word more impossible than the last. Flamel? The philosopher's stone guy? He barely had time to process that before the elder continued.
"Your father tried his best to find him but failed and so did I, I tried to find him before your awakening ceremony, but I couldn't trace his whereabouts. You might have better luck, though, young master" the elder said, his voice becoming softer. "You don't need to seek him directly. There's a man named Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts. He's said to be in contact with Flamel recently from our sources. Although your father did contact him before, Dumbledore refused to him stating he hadn't been in contact with Flamel before. If anyone can lead you to him, it would be Dumbledore."
A silence stretched between them, the weight of what had just been revealed suffocating. Toji's mind was reeling, flooded with questions, none of which seemed to have any clear answers. A curse? Flamel? Dumbledore? What kind of twisted idea did this guy have in regard to his powers?
The elder's voice broke the silence. "You must make a choice, young master. There are no more answers here. I can't help you any further."
Toji's thoughts churned with uncertainty and anger, but he didn't want to stay in this moment any longer. There was nothing more to learn from the elder, and he had no patience for more riddles or half-truths.
Hanging around Dumbledore or the people around him might not be such a bad idea at the moment with these dark wizard fuckers chasing me... it's not like I can get into the school with my lack of magic but something is better than nothing.
As for my curse... I don't believe anyone can cure it.
Toji began to walk away, his voice cutting through the night air. "I'll mail you your wand in a couple of days."
The elder's gaze followed him, bittersweetness clouding his features. With a final, soft bow of his head, he spoke quietly, "If only fate had been kinder to you... I wish you the best, young master. But please, don't return to this place until you've resolved the curse within you, it would be better if you lived a regular life instead."
The elder stood still, his gaze fixed on the path Toji had taken, long after the boy had disappeared into the shadows of the night. The faint rustle of leaves and the distant cries of nocturnal creatures were the only sounds that accompanied the suffocating silence. His calm facade cracked as his expression twisted into one of restrained fury.
"To think some mere dark wizards would dare break into my clan and attack the young master!" he spat through gritted teeth.
Turning on his heel, the elder stormed toward the clan compound. His voice cut through the quiet as he barked orders to the guards stationed nearby. "Gather every available man! Search the grounds—every corner, every shadow. Leave no stone unturned! Those wretched wizards are still lurking within these walls. We will find them."
The guards scattered like leaves in the wind, their footsteps echoing against the stone pathways as the search began. The elder led the charge, his senses sharp and his anger simmering just beneath the surface. Lanterns flickered in the hands of the guards as they scoured every hall, every hidden crevice, their determination fueled by the elder's fury.
After hours of relentless searching, the group found themselves circling back to an unexpected location: Toji's humble hut. The elder's brows furrowed, and a cold sense of unease crept up his spine.
"It couldn't be..." he murmured, his voice barely audible over the pounding of his heart. With a wave of his hand, he gestured for the guards to move in and investigate.
The guards entered cautiously, their weapons drawn. Moments later, startled cries rang out from within. "Elder! You need to see this!"
Without hesitation, the elder stepped inside. What he saw stopped him dead in his tracks.
The small hut was a scene of carnage. The bodies of the three dark wizards lay strewn across the floor, beaten and bruised beyond recognition. One of them had his hands severed clean off. Another lay lifeless, a simple dagger embedded deep into his chest. The last wizard clung feebly to life, groaning in agony clearly beaten nearly to death.
The guards whispered among themselves, their voices tinged with awe and fear. "How is this possible?" one of them muttered. "The young master... did he really...?"
The elder remained silent, his sharp eyes scanning the scene. The brutal efficiency of the attack, the sheer savagery—it all pointed to one undeniable truth.
"It seems..." the elder finally spoke, his voice low and heavy with realization, "...I have severely misunderstood you, young master. No... the entire clan has."
The elder's lips pressed into a thin line as he turned to address the guards. "Burn the bodies. Leave no trace of them. This is not a matter that can reach outside ears."
The guards hesitated, their faces pale with unease.
The elder's voice hardened, his gaze piercing through them like a blade. "This matter stays within these walls. No one speaks of it. Not a word, not even to the heir, unless you wish to face my wrath."
The guards exchanged nervous glances before nodding in unison, quickly setting to work. As the flames consumed the evidence of the brutal skirmish, the elder stood amidst the flickering light, his expression a mix of pride and concern.
"Young master..." he murmured to himself, his voice barely audible over the crackling fire. "You may be more dangerous than even the clan's heir could have anticipated. But what lies ahead for you... only time will tell."
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Kinda early to plug things but I hope you can also check out my original novel as well.
Mana Forged: Iron Mage
Show some love and thank you for reading!