Yesterday morning*

As the boy finishes washing the dishes and various cooking utensils in the sink, Rolfe emerges from the behind false wall that hides the entrance to her workshop. It looks like the entity has finished making the concoction that the boy had previously requested.

“Here you go.” says the entity as she tosses a test tube full of simmering green gunk.

The boy catches the thing thrown at him with his left hand. He studies its content briefly before putting it in his trouser pocket.

“Anything I must know on how to use this thing?”

“Anyone who drinks it should avoid going in the water for half an hour, on account of violent muscle spasm that would almost make them break their bones and the burning sensation they will feel all over their body.”

“Good times indeed.” the boy scratches his cheek, unsure on how to proceed with the delicate subject he’s about to bring up. “And I know I’m kinda mentioning this at the last minute but I just want to let you know that there’s a chance I won’t make it home tonight. I might be spending the night elsewhere.”

“Yeah sure, whatever. Go have fun. Make sure you use protection.” answers the entity disinterestedly as she enters the living room, sits on a sofa chair, grabs a nearby book and continues reading where she had left off yesterday.

“Wait, you’re not upset?” asks the puzzled boy.

“Why would I be upset? It’s not like you’re running away and won’t be returning here.”

“Wow, I just thought you would have preferred chaining me to your lawn to keep me from wandering too far off.”

“Dude, do I look like some crazed corrupted being who can’t share you with anyone else? Wait, don’t answer that.”

“…”

“And besides…” the entity licks her finger so she can turn the pages of the book she’s reading easily. “I’ve already promised you the contents of my workshop, haven’t I? Even if you wanted to run away from me, you won’t run away from that.”

“…”

“And that, my darling, is more effective than keeping you bound and gagged in my sex dungeon.”

“…”

***************************************************************

After the boy shuts the front door and leaves the manor, Rolfe Primero spends another 10 minutes sitting on the sofa chair deeply engrossed in her book. Just as the entity is about to turn a new page, she shifts her reading position. On any other day, this action has little to no consequence, and the sixth year student normally would have continued on reading, sometimes for hours end.

Suddenly, Rolfe is assaulted by a wave of unexplainable irritation. Just as quickly as the feeling had come, the entity pushes the sensation to the recesses of her mind, refusing to pay any attention to it. But deep down, the sixth year student knows the feeling is waiting for her to address it, like a starving beggar standing next to your table while you’re trying to enjoy lunch at your favorite restaurant.

Unfortunately, despite her best efforts, Rolfe couldn’t get back in the groove of reading. She tries everything she can think of. Various reading position. Slowing down the fan and when that doesn’t work, making it go faster. Opening all the windows in the living room to let the fresh air in before slamming them shut because the entity feels the restlessness that she couldn’t explain growing stronger inside her.

Not even picking up a new novel (something that she has been looking forward to for weeks to read but was never able to find the time) could do the trick and calm her uneasiness.

“What the hell is wrong with me?” Rolfe muses while sitting back down of the sofa chair, no book in hand, her back rigid and straight, unable to enjoy the comfort of the soft cushion beneath her body.

“Wait… why am I…” the entity catches what she is doing in time and corrects herself. Why am I talking out loud when there’s no one here at home?

Am I…

Am I lonely?...

“FUCK THAT!” the sixth year student swears out loud, not caring that she has no one to talk to but herself.

“It’s this stupid fucking chair, that’s the problem! The legs are uneven, they’re a bit wobbly… Wait… who am I even explaining this to? Fuck!” a frustrated Rolfe Primero lifts the perfectly leveled sofa chair over her head and carries it down to the entity’s secret workshop.

***************************************************************

The present*

After the boy and his maid exits the North Hall, he heads towards a nearby picnic table and sits down. Synnove stands beside him and without a word begins administering first-aid treatment on his bloody and injured left hand (the one the boy used to carve his friendly reminder on the wooden sign).

As the devoted pigtails maid is about to start wrapping her beloved master’s hand with clean bandages, the boy asks her a question.

“Do you think that went well?”

“I’m surprised Master didn’t use his powers to check on such trivial things.”

“I’m kinda in the habit of not using my gifts to examine each little event every single time. It makes me too dependent, or worse, complacent. And what do you mean by trivial?”

“Ah, the joy of not knowing, journeying into the unknown. And what I meant by trivial is that you’re a lion, Master. A lion doesn’t concern himself with what men think.”

“Takes the fun out of anything once you know everything. And I’m pretty sure my mother gave birth to a normal healthy baby boy.”

“Well, if Master still insist on asking for my two bronze coins, I’ll give it to you. I think considering the circumstances, it could have been worst.”

“What does that even supposed to mean?”

“It means I could almost swear I was going to see a massacre in the North Hall.”

“Do you truly think so little of me?”

“I think the world of you, Master. But come on. This is Master we’re talking about here. You put blueberry muffins in second place of things you consider very sacred to you and we must never make the mistake of threatening that which you hold dear. Right between the people that you love and care about (third place). And the inviolability of your rear end (first place).

“…”

“Well?”

“Yeah, you’re right. I was this close to starting a bloodbath in the North Hall.”

“Then why didn’t you?”

“Excuse me?”

“Why didn’t you start kicking asses and taking names?”

“You want me to actually spill blood? Over blueberry muffins?”

“Meh. Wars have started for less.”

“Sad but true. People have been killed for transgressions that are less serious that what had happened today."

"Is it because you saw Porkins and the rest of the commoner students?"

"Cards on the table, that's a big part of the reason why I mellowed down."

“Is Master really that indebted to them?”

“I owed them everything, and then some more.”

“You’re talking about the war that you started?”

“Yes, and how many of them came to my aid and gave their lives trying to help me escape.”

“Does Master want to talk about the events leading up to that war, or are you gonna keep teasing me?”

“…”

“Come on, you can’t continue saying things in passing and not expect me to be interested. I want to learn more about Master. The good days, the bad days. They are what makes him… him.”

“…”

“If you keep bottling up your feelings and emotions, they become a poison. Better to rip off the bandaid and get it over with.”

“Fuck it. Fine, I’ll tell you. It all started when three kingdoms made a secret agreement to conquer the Shahjahad Kingdom. This plan, nearly a hundred and fifty years old in the making, required them to invade the Shahjahadian lands at the same time. The pact also compels them to support and guard each other’s backlines in case the rest of the kingdoms had funny ideas and decided to invade the three kingdoms in turn.”

“What are the names of the three kingdoms?”

“That’s not important. What’s more pertaining to the story is that I (your handsome protagonist), along with a detachment of Enahel Knights, were sent into various parts of the Shahjahad Kingdom to oversee the invasion, keeping an eye out for war crimes, mediating peace treaty when necessary, protecting the innocents and whatnot. Of course, we didn’t know it was a full-blown invasion at the time. We just thought it was a normal incursion, you know, something that kingdoms sometimes do, flex some muscle and participate in a dick-measuring competition. Although the fact that three kingdoms coincidently decided to take similar actions almost days apart should have rung more alarm bells I admit.”

“And then what happened?”

“One of the kingdoms sent a pompous arrogant prince to serve as a war general, and you can guess what tends to ensue after you give a weak person that much power. They are most inclined to-“

“Princess Synnove Ciro, we need you to come with us.”

Eight heavily armored and fully armed knights suddenly appear and has the picnic table surrounded. The pigtails maid who is extremely occupied listening to her master’s story just now didn’t realize they were approaching until it is too late.

“Master…”

“Yes Synnove?”

“Did you know that they were coming?”

“I’m sorry Synnove.”

“What do you have to apologize for, Master?”

“I’m kinda in the habit of not using my powers to check on such trivial things.”

“…”

“Hey hey don’t look at me. I’ve already informed you twice before this that your mother knows you’ve been playing hooky from classes, and there will be consequences if you continue to do so. What was that cool line you replied when I told you that information? Something about burning a bridge and stuff?”

“…”

“The last straw must have been when she found out her daughter had spent the night outside school, even worse with a boy, doing only Gods know what in only Gods know place.”

“…”

“Don’t make that face. You know you’re gonna have to have this conversation with her sooner or later. You can’t avoid your mother forever, just go talk to her. The faster we get this over quickly, the better. It’s like ripping off a bandaid, you gotta- ARGGGGH WHAT THE HELL SYNNOVE?“

“Speaking of bandaid, I’m afraid I messed up bandaging Master’s hand and needed to start over.”

“That is a complete and utter- you know what? I’m not even mad at this point. This one’s on me.”

“…”

“I should have seen it coming.”

***************************************************************

After the pigtails maid begrudgingly leaves her beloved master’s side to go meet her mother (under heavy escort), the boy stands up and begins walking. The sun has nearly set as the boy is just about to enter the forest that separates the Whiteford Academy and Rolfe Primero’s manor. After he has taken a few steps, the boy suddenly stops and turns around to take one last look at his treasured school before retiring for the evening.

Through the trees, he can see the various buildings that make up the Whiteford Academy. Although it’s a bit hard to see since the sun has gone down by now, the boy can vividly remember every nook and cranny that litters the school.

The boy bitterly smiles as he engraves the view once more in his mind. He loved this place. Throughout the various stages of his difficult and arduous life, there only a few places the boy considers to be his home, three in fact. The first one, the Greenthumb Estate on Heingull Island where he spent most of his childhood growing up, and where his late mother worked as a maid. The second one, the house where he and his wife lived and raised their children. And lastly of course, this school.

Suddenly, the boy notices an orange glow coming from his back. He turns around and stares in the direction of Rolfe’s manor. Was the house on fire? Highly unlikely. But given the volatile substances that are strewn across the entity’s workshop (plus the explosives she had secretly rigged throughout the walls of the building), it is within the realm of possibility.

The boy starts walking and continues moving forward towards Rolfe’s manor, and the source of the orange glow. After he has left the forest and comes across a clearing, the boy is greeted with the sight and sound of a roaring bonfire which lays smack-dab right in front of the entity’s house.

The fire is so fierce and huge, the boy is almost afraid that it will spread to the manor where Rolfe currently calls her home. Speaking of the sixth year student, the boy notices her standing near the blaze, her back against him.

As the boy continues walking towards Rolfe and the bonfire, he suddenly recalls two different images from two separate storybooks that his mother used to read to him as a child during bedtime. One was an adventure storybook which has on its front cover a picture of a ship being guided by a lighthouse. The other was a picture buried deep inside the pages of horror storybook (his late mother used to read it to him as punishment for being naughty, he would end up with nightmares for days afterwards). It is a drawing of a moth flying towards an open flame.

Right to the very moment he finally arrives and stands next to the entity, the boy still couldn’t decide if he is the ship or the moth in this current situation.

They both stood in silence for the longest of moment before the boy finally couldn’t hold back the question that has been burning in his mind this past few minutes.

“What the hell happened here?” the boy asks.

“Oh, you know, the usual. The inevitable result to what happens when you try to fix something that ain’t broken.”

“Care to elaborate?”

“Not particular, no.”

“…”

"What the hell happened to your hand?"

"Oh, you know, the usual. Had to slap some Ouroboros bitches to remind them who's boss."

"I've told you countless times already. You gotta keep that pimp hand strong. Speaking of which, where’s your maid?”

This question deeply alarms the boy but he plays it cool.

“Synnove has some family affair she had to take care of first.”

“She's a font of misplaced rage, your maid is. Name your cliché; mother held her too much or not enough, absent philandering father, a mountain of pressure to do well in her studies and social life, whatever. I’m guessing this time it must be her mother.”

“Would you like to know when she will be back?”

“Nah, I’m good.”

“Aren’t you afraid that Synnove will run away, never to return?”

“Why would I be?”

“…”

“Let me explain how leverage works. I’ve already look up on your maid’s background. For those who are in the know, her mother is one of the most powerful person in the Jazwin Kingdom. That woman’s pressure point is her own daughter. Your maid’s pressure point is her beloved Master. And your pressure point is the family you’ve lost and who you are trying so hard to regain. And to do that, you need my tools, inventions, potions, or more specifically, me.

“…”

“I own you… ergo, I own Synnove.”

“You know, Rolfe, sometimes you scare the hell out of me.”

“What do you mean sometimes?”

“…”

“Nah, I’m just messin’ with ya. Relax, would you? You don't need to fear me, darling. You're the only person who can say that. And besides… I really wanted to use the word 'ergo' in my monologue.”

“This is a trick. It’s like that time my wife said “Yeah, sure, you can go out for drinks with your army buddies.” It always ends with me sleeping in the neighbor’s barn alongside his sheep.”

“Well at least the sheep could comfort you and doesn't bleat as bitter as your wife.”

“Beastiality joke. Nice.”

“You forget, I’m a reincarnator. Sheep orgy is just a normal Tuesday for me.”

“I miss three seconds ago when I didn’t know sheep orgy exists.”

“Oh my sweet summer child. I have yet to regale you with tales about homosexual necrophilia in mallard ducks.”

“And I stand corrected. I miss ten seconds ago when I didn’t know gay ducks defiling their dead brethren is an actual thing.”

The entity lets out loud a long and hard chortle that the boy could only hopefully interpret as a sign of happiness. After she has finished laughing, it is silent again, save for the crackling sound of burning broken furniture.

“Let’s do it here, right now.” Rolfe suddenly declares out of the blue.

“What, you mean out in the open? No, in the first place, what are we doing exactly?”

“Don’t worry, the bonfire will keep us warm and chase away the cold.”

“That’s not really the part that I’m concerned about. And seriously, you have to tell me if we’re fighting or fucking. I need to know if I should get erect or protect my private parts.”

“I want to put my hands around your throat and squeeze… hard, while you scream out my name.”

“Good gods Rolfe. Are you trying to murder me or molest me?”

“Eh, whichever makes me cum first.”

“Are we really doing it?”

“Don’t you have powers you can use to check? You seriously didn’t expect you’re gonna be having sex today?”

“I’m married… so, you know… any time sex happens it’s unexpected for me, really.”

“Do you need me to chat you up first to get you in the mood?”

“A blueberry muffin works just as well. I would do anything for a blueberry muffin.” *hint hint wink wink

“No luck on the blueberry muffin, I’m afraid. I’m all sold out. And did you really say hint hint wink wink out loud just now?”

“Well since we’re both facing this blazing inferno you’ve made, not looking deeply into each other eyes, I thought I should make it easier for you by dropping an audio clue.”

“You are an absolute treasure, that’s what you are. Never ever change, my darling. So, how was your day? Did you put my face-changing potion to good use?”

“I sure did. Gave it to Master Haithur. He is now the newest member of our proud organization.”

“'Our'? What is this 'our'? Do not try to slyly pull me into your shenanigans. I’ve told you already, I’m done with this whole saving the world shtick.”

“Worth a shot. Anyway, just so you know, I happen to have a position available on my penis. Wait a second, I think I screwed up that joke. Let me start over, I happen to have a position available on my staff if you’re interested.”

“Are you trying to bury your bone in me or tickle my funny bone?”

“Eh, whichever makes you cum first.”

“Well, it’s working. Keep it up.”

“Seriously, why did you burn all the sofas, chairs, bar stools and work bench from your manor?”

“Don’t you already know what I'm about to say?”

“I kinda do. But I like to hear you say it.”

“It’s no big deal, really.” the entity sighs. “I’m just making sure that when you’ve finally return the only thing I can sit on is your face.”

“…”

“Welcome back.”

“Yeah.” the boy sheepishly smiles. On instinct, he reaches out and wraps the fingers from his bandaged left hand around Rolfe Primero’s right hand. A few seconds later the boy can feel his hand being squeezed softly in return.

“It’s good to be back.” the boy continues to say as they carried on starring at the bonfire burning wildly into the night.

………

…..

..

********************************************************************************************

END OF DAY 6

Epilogue

"Why do you look so tired? Trouble sleeping?"

"Truth be told, I've been awake nearly two days straight. Was busy converting Master Haithur last night."

"Well I guess I'll have to apologize in advance then."

"Why would you need to be sorry for?"

"Because you won't be getting any sleep tonight either."

“…” the boy could only let out a heavy sigh.