Supreme Magus

Chapter 3664: Twisted Reflection (Part 1)

”So, Iʼm ʼdadʼ now?” Vastor snorted. ”Now itʼs ʼwhen the time comesʼ? Now you soften your language and say ʼpleaseʼ? Too little, too late, and Iʼm not that stupid. I fear no scandal.

”I know all the people in the right places. The moment you walk out that door, those people will learn about this conversation and have a good measure of your character. Youʼll be the ones buried by the scandal and become social pariahs.

”As for your motion, no judge will ever take it seriously while Iʼm still alive. Not while the Kingdom relies on me, and all six great academies would riot if the decades of service of an esteemed professor were to be ignored in favor of the likes of you.

”And once Iʼm dead, things wonʼt get better for you either. My brother will have all the money to hire the best lawyers, and my friends will still remember this conversation. Headmaster Marth and Supreme Magus Verhen, just to name two.

”Theyʼll live long after my demise, and I know theyʼll grant me my dying wish.”

Vastor took a long pause to let his words sink in and the dreams of wealth of his sons crash against the harsh reality.

”Do you have anything left to say before I make that call?” He took his communicator amulet out and left his finger hanging above the contact rune of the Royals like the blade of the executioner.

Zesor ripped the documents to shreds, hoping for mercy, and left the room without saying a word. Quifar followed him soon after, wondering how they could have been stupid enough to join the long line of people who had underestimated their father and paid the price.

As soon as the door closed, Frey pulled Vastorʼs robe before he could make the call.

”I have something to say.” He sobbed. ”Please, donʼt die. Donʼt leave me alone, Dad.”

”Iʼm not-” Filia tackled Vastor into a hug, cutting him short.

”You canʼt die, Dad. You promised!” She bawled her eyes out. ”Stay with us. Please!”

”Iʼm not going anywhere, children.” Vastor hugged them while inwardly cursing his big mouth. ”What do you say if I call your mother and we all have lunch here?”

They nodded and sniffled, but refused to let go of his mage robe.

ʼItʼs funny how Lith and I are the twisted reflection of each other.ʼ He thought. ʼWe are humans with an Abomination side and are forced to keep many secrets from those we love.

ʼYet while Lith has been open with his wife and has to keep the little Valeron in the dark, I have told Filia and Frey everything about my past marriage while hiding my research from Zin.

ʼWhen the truth comes out, the result may vary greatly between us, but I can feel we both are dancing on a knifeʼs edge. One mistake on our part or a single snag in our carefully set stage, and the puppet will see its strings.

ʼThatʼs all it takes to turn comedy into tragedy.ʼ

***

During the following days, life at the Verhen Mansion became even more hectic than before.

Jirni and Orion didnʼt like having a vampire as their neighbor much, especially with the little Dripha having no concept of fear or danger.

Yet they needed the protection of those enchanted walls and trusted Lithʼs judgement over their own prejudices. The same thing had happened when Rena had introduced Syrah, Brʼey, and Urhen to them.

It wasnʼt every day that they met a Hati, an orc, and a Balor, in their unfallen state and with their rationality intact. Ryla was a different story since they had met her and Garrik earlier in Quyllaʼs relationship with Morok, back when the Ernas had full control of their lives.

The friendship with the Fomor and her help made the transition smoother despite the innate fears of parents with a small child.

The representatives of Zelex visited the Mansion often with their children, to enjoy freedom and open air while still having a mana geyser below their feet that kept them from shortening their lifespan.

Nyka and Kalla moved into the Verhen Mansion first, while Nok joined them the day after. The Wightʼs external appearance was as impressive as her personality was baffling.

Between her calm demeanor and her forgetfulness, the only danger Kalla posed was to oneʼs nerves. She often asked people to repeat or introduce themselves since she would suddenly forget who her guests were and what they were talking about.

”Let me get this straight. Iʼm supposed to eat with this thing.” Kalla studied the shape of a fork as she was about to have her first breakfast in the Mansion.

”Yes, Kalla.” Elina nodded. ”You stick the food with the end of the fork, bring it to your mouth, rinse, and repeat.”

”I see.” The Wight had taken a human appearance to sit at the table with the others and socialize. ”Letʼs dig in, then.”

”Finally!” Unlike her, Nok had no trouble eating from a bowl on the ground, nor being stuck in the pet area.

Kalla took a piece of an omelet, bit it down, and pulled out what was left of her fork.

”I think forks are a waste of metal.” She said. ”This one wonʼt last more than two more bites, and then Iʼll need another. It also ruins the taste of your delicious food, Elina.”

”Thatʼs because you eat *with* the fork, Mom.” Nyka managed to blush in embarrassment despite having no blood flow. ”You are supposed to bite the food off, not the metal!”

”It makes sense.” The Wight turned what was left of the cutlery in her hand to assess if it could still serve its original purpose. ”I need another fork, please.”

”Iʼll get it for you, Mom.” The Eternal Dusk array kept Nyka from slumbering, and thick curtains kept sunlight from harming her. ”Iʼm sorry, guys, sheʼs just- Mom!”

”What is it, dear?” Kalla was cleaning her mouth with the hem of her gown, exposing most of her legs.

”Donʼt do that! Clothes are to cover ourselves, not to wipe off food residues. Thatʼs what napkins are for.”

”I donʼt see the difference.” Kalla replied. ”They are both pieces of cloth. On top of that, my dress cleans itself. Iʼm being respectful to our host by not dirtying their table.”

”Just do as I say.” Nyka whimpered. ”Iʼll explain etiquette to you later.”

”As you wish, baby girl.”

Nyka didnʼt like being called baby girl in public, but that was the least of her worries at the moment, so she soldiered on.

ʼA vampire that gets flustered like that and cares what we think about her weird mother canʼt be dangerous.ʼ Jirni thought.

The one who disliked the new guests the most was Fluffly the Byk, Garrikʼs steed, but not because he was afraid of vampires.

”Great Mother almighty, Nok!” Kalla said upon their first meeting. ”When did you get so fat? And what happened to your beautiful cyan mana core?”

”I think thereʼs a misunderstanding, miss.” The confused Byk replied. ”Iʼm not Nok. My name is-”

”Donʼt you try that trick on me again, young cub!” Kalla snarled. ”Iʼve fallen for it enough times to learn from my mistakes. Now give me twenty laps of the Mansion, now!”