A month and a half after parting with the friendly Druid, Archibald and Wolf had finally managed to get back to the Northshield duchy. In total, the return trip from Green Glen Hill took a little bit over two months. Ironically, Archibald realized that he was the one slowing them down this time. Wolf’s endurance had greatly increased thanks to his initial stage of Star Body and his pace had quickened after years of constant walking.

Archibald on the other hand felt the weight of his age more and more with each passing month. His time was running out…

Luckily, father and son met with no difficulties on their way through the Empire of Elf. Maybe it was due to the talisman. Maybe because they had become proficient in moving stealthily while they were trekking through the Beast-lands. Whatever the case, the trip back was smooth sailing…

In total Archibald’s and Wolf’s journey had lasted more than four years. And now… in just a couple of days, they would reach the first human settlement after departing from Muddy River. They would be able to sleep in proper beds and have a solid roof over their heads. Archibald finally felt somewhat safe. Running around dangerous territories with his only child had taken a great toll on the man.

One evening, about a week after passing the border, the two of them were making camp. All of a sudden Archibald cleared his throat. He put on a nonchalant expression despite feeling extremely uneasy deep down inside.

“Son, I’ll soon cast a magic that will make you appear completely human. Don’t worry. It will be a transmutation, not an illusion. Meaning you won’t have to shy away from other people’s touch. The effect should last about a decade... During that time your outward appearance shouldn’t be any different from a regular human youth. You will even appear to grow like you would.”

“The only potential issue would be if you were to wander into an Anti-magic zone. If that were to happen, then my magic would be suppressed, but it shouldn’t end. Remember to always have a hat ready… Just in case…”

“A bigger problem would occur if someone were to target you with a high Order dispelling spell. That would terminate all active magical effects, including my transmutation. But, you shouldn’t worry too much. The person doing the dispelling has to be at least a True-Namer. Students targeting you during magical duels and such won’t stand a chance of successfully ending the effect.”

“I’ll also teach you how to cast it. This would generally be considered an eleventh Order magic. Not advanced enough to be True-Naming, but neither is it simple enough to be considered a spell as such. Only True-Namers can use magic on this level. Regardless of how talented you are and how shocking the advances you’ve made, you won’t be able to use it in a long long while.”

“Still, I would like you to commit the chant and mudras to memory for the day when you eventually need them.” Archibald had long since made written notes, describing the magic in detail.

Still, it was preferable for Wolf to know all of it by heart. That way they would leave one less piece of incriminating evidence.

Wolf was serious and paid a great deal of attention to his father. There was no fear in the big man’s eyes. They were filled with determination. Grim determination…

“Father, will you be fine after casting that spell? I’ve never seen you use real magic before.” Wolf found that something about the way his father spoke was odd…

“Don’t worry! Your father will be fine!” Archibald said in a reassuring tone of voice that couldn’t help but raise Wolf’s alarm even more. Doubly so when considering the fact that he didn’t correct Wolf calling his magic a mere spell…

“In fact I’m better than fine. The progress that you’ve made ever since I’ve started teaching you has filled me with pride I can’t even begin to describe to you. You will understand it one day when you have children of your own.”

Realizing what he had just said Archibald softly chuckled, ignoring Wolf’s grimace.

“You know, back when I was younger, people mentioned the pride they felt when their children did well in life. I thought it was all nonsense. Parents living out their dreams through their children and all that. I never thought that a day would come when I would feel that way. This journey of ours has changed me a lot and proved me wrong time and time again.”

Once more Archibald briefly paused while chuckling.

“Look at me blathering. I’m acting like some sappy parent. The only thing you should know is that your father is very proud of you. Proud beyond what words can convey. I’m certain that you will reach heights I never even dreamed existed.”

Hearing his father’s words, Wolf grinned like an idiot. Yet, at the same time as the immense joy he also felt an inexplicable sadness. Two tears slid down Wolf's cheeks, but Archibald promptly wiped them away with a confident smile.

Archibald slowly explained how the transmutation magic worked. He carefully went through the gestures in minute detail. Then he repeated the incantation several times. Once the big man was confident that he had shown everything properly, he let Wolf practice on his own.

Archibald went to the side and started preparing lunch. To celebrate their return, he had decided to throw a feast. The big man took out a food storage magic item from his Ring of Holding and rummaged through it. He found the best provisions he had gathered over the course of these past years and even took out a bottle of high quality cooking wine he had stashed away some thirty years ago.

The pair greatly enjoyed their magnificent meal and had a first night of good rest in what seemed like ages. Archibald allowed Wolf to handle their security with a simple Alarm spell and snored happily. Wolf on the other hand had an uneasy night. He had a haunting feeling that something bad was about to happen…

***

Over the course of two days Archibald explained the lay of the land and great landmarks of the Northshield duchy. When Wolf asked about why he was saying all of that Archibald replied offhandedly in an easygoing fashion.

“You’re a grown man now. You should know such things. Besides, what if you run off with some girl to have fun? You have to know how to find your way back to the capital alone.” Archibald laughed when he said this.

He had figured out long ago that the best way to make Wolf fumble is to mention the opposite sex. Whenever he was pushed into a corner he would somehow pull girls into the conversation and Wolf would run away all on his own. Behind his jolly facade the man felt resignation.

I’m a useless parent. It’s a useless father’s duty not to burden their child and to leave the stage with as much grace as possible…

After they had finished dinner on the third day of travel through the Northshield duchy, Archibald spoke at great length about the Hillman family. At least, about the state the family was in fifteen years before Wolf was born. That was when Archibald went into what he had referred to as seclusion from worldly matters.

“…and my youngest grandniece Gertrude died of old age thirty-odd years ago. Her grandson Ansom used to be a decent young man. He was an officer in the city guards of the capital city. Sigh. I guess I’m the only one left. They used to call me grandpa and ancestor years ago, but by now they probably don’t even remember me. Gods, I don’t even know how many of them are still alive…”

“That’s one more thing you should be aware of. Once you become a True-Namer your lifespan will increase by quite a bit. I may not look it, but I’m already over two hundred and fifty years old. That is a very long life for a human. I guess that those born in noble families, with good heritage don’t notice it as much though, since they also live more than a century…”

Finally Archibald paused his telling. The only sound to be heard was that of Wolf’s soft snoring. He had finally managed to bore the boy to sleep.

I wanted to tell you much, much more. I guess this much will have to do, my dear dear child…

Fighting back his tears, the man breathed in and out deeply. In and out, in and out. Archibald was incredibly nervous. His head was spinning. Years ago he had estimated that he would have about eight years left after using this spell.

Now, a bit over four years later, he wasn’t so sure. The roar from that white wolf monstrosity had shaken his soul a great deal. It had been years since he had last checked his Mind Palace, for fear that the manifestation of his Mental Aspect could cause additional damage, further reducing the time he had with his son.

It’s not like there’s any use worrying about it now. I just hope I can finish the chant before my soul dissipates… No! I have to hold on until it’s over... Otherwise why the hell did I do it in the first place...

Archibald grit his teeth while carefully thinking about what was about to happen. He had to stand in such a way so as not to topple over his boy when he died. That could leave a trauma.

As if waking up next to your dead and bloodied father wouldn’t…

After breathing deeply for several moments, enough to calm down and swallow back his tears, the big man started chanting the words. He focused on the words and the mudras, ignoring everything else. If he didn’t, he’d fall apart. He didn’t want to leave. Not like this…

Time crawled. As it did, Archibald felt the mother of all headaches. The shaky columns of his second Mind Hall were shattering one after another. He couldn’t witness it, but each time one exploded Archibald felt as if an invisible demon had smashed his head with a maul.

Finally, the second Mind Hall caved in completely. Immediately the columns of Archibald’s first and last Mind Hall started shattering. Blood gushed out of the big man’s nose and eyes, but he soldiered on.

He had no choice. He had already started. Even if he stopped, the damage was already done. The price for his son’s future was paid. Now he had to focus on his boy and give what little was left of his life for his child’s happiness.

Archibald made for a ghastly sight as he chanted. He was marred with blood and looked haggard, like a man that ran until he died and was then forced to get up and run even more. Whenever convenient, Archibald gulped down or spat out the blood that had pooled inside his mouth, fearing it would interrupt his chant.

Finally, the magic was done and Wolf’s appearance changed ever so slightly.

Archibald’s hands were shaking, his majestic black hair now white as snow. The man’s entire visage was ghastly and bloodied. His eyes in particular had grown murky, resembling those of nearly blind old folk.

For a moment the big man just stood there, shaking. Then his mind lurched into motion.

I’m alive?! I can’t believe it!

Archibald was left with two whole columns in his first Mind Hall, while the third one was cracked and about to give out at any moment. Yet, the man didn’t dare check, lest he kill himself accidentally.

I’ve got about three years left. Maybe five if I sleep a lot.

Wait! What kind of nonsense am I thinking!?

I can’t sleep more than normally. I’d just be a burden to him then. But still, we have three more years! If I stretch it a bit I can safely see him off to the Mage Academy. Once he’s in, he won’t need me anymore and I can die peacefully in a ditch someplace...

Archibald was happy beyond words. He even offered thanks to Earthmother for her mercy despite being an atheist. While the big man was trying to calm down and wipe the blood off his face, Wolf was sleeping, blissfully unaware of the torture his father had gone through for his sake.

He was busy carving the fifth column of his first Mind Hall. Caught up in the trance of his work, the boy failed to feel the changes that happened to his body.

He woke up early the next morning and saw Archibald frying eggs in the predawn hours with a happy smile on his face. The man had cleaned up, but there was little he could do to mask his hair and eyes.

Seeing the way his father looked, Wolf jumped in fright.

“Dad! What happened?!”

“Oh, good morning son. It’s nice to hear you calling your old man dad once more. Though, old man might be even more appropriate now. Hehe.” Archibald awkwardly laughed at his lame joke before focusing his attention back on the eggs.

“Dad, what happened to you last night?”

“Nothing. I performed the magic and everything should be fine now…”

“Don’t give me that look. It’s best to cast such things when the target is unconscious. That way they won’t offer any resistance and as you can see, it worked like a charm. Oh, right, that reminds me… There has been a slight change of plans…”

Archibald’s lessons:

In Elven society, or maybe it would be more accurate to call them High Elves at this point, the title of a Lonely One is given to True-Namers and Sword-Saints who manage to reach the Third Order.