John was currently in a difficult position. The plan had gone off without a hitch. Soon the pieces would fall into place and he would have what he wanted…

Unfortunately, that is precisely what caused the displeasure of a certain individual. That individual was getting their hands dirty, possibly the first time ever. Oh they knew about all of this ‘stuff’ but they hadn’t really gotten into it themselves. Well, now they were changing such things, or this was a special circumstance at least.

What was it they were doing in a back alley? Well they were being beaten up. Or at least John was. To be honest this was nothing new. You see, as a lowly upstart baron’s son he was on the beat end of the beatstick. So while John forced out tears, because that was what they wanted when they beat someone up. It was getting harder for John to force out the tears these days, you go through so many beatings you just want it to be over.

Oh yes, a lowly peasant or a pissant of a noble that had never felt pain in their life might be crying bloody tears no matter the circumstance. However, his own father had trained him as a soldier first, even though John was a [Dark Ritualist] which was kind of a magic strategist. No, his father wouldn’t let him be meek. Or at least, his father would be disappointed, and as a young dutiful son he didn’t want that, and thus ‘Voluntarily’ continued his tortuous training. It was only later on that he figured out his father was using that to simply make the mandatory training into voluntary training…

But that was only why John was not crying, no well, he was ‘crying’. As an ‘upstart’ noble’s faction heir he was the target of basically mass bullying. He also didn’t have a vast family library and his father actually had some connection to the capitol nobility and royalty. You see they were the family of executioners. It was why they were trained in such cruelty and blood. Had to have a certain, bloodlust, to continue the family business. Not to mention the torture helped with last minute confesions. You wouldn’t believe how many people would give up their own family and loved ones to make their execution come faster, and the torture to end.

So John was ‘crying’ because he was aware. He was aware of exactly what people that beat up other people wanted, what ques they looked for… So on. ‘People’ said that if you put up a strong front bullies will stop looking for you. This isn’t true, if you could beat them down should they look for you then they will stop. Bullies fear pain and punishment after all. But if you kept a tough face? Made false threats? Fake bravado? Let emotions, even anger become visible? They thrived on it. Even if you were merely unresponsive, they still thrived on it, waiting till they got a response.

Of course, that wasn’t the purpose of all beatings, a message for instance. When a message needed to be sent, than it was simpler to just take your licks and be done. Still wasn’t a terrible thing to cry though. No, if you cry, and then stop crying, the beating will be over faster. After all, that is the que that they look for.

So John is crying, the appropriate length. After all he had been on this side many times, so had his wimp friends, he knew what to do. He also saw what happens from the other side, and all of his friends leave for the other side, cronies for the more powerful, influential, xx generational xx child. He was an heir but the tenth son of a viscount one rank up would have all his friends liking their ass.

It was fine though, John would manage. He knew, when the cards were down, and the game was settled, his hand was shit, but it was better than most of these ‘party leaders’. His father had already taken him on several ‘business’ trips and he could handle things on his own.

In fact, that was exactly what this was about…

“You think people don’t know? Did you think you were subtle? Hu?! Answer you aborted cunt nugget?” Another kick to the ribs, new place though, new bruise, total amature.

“Yes… no… I was dumb...” John cried out with the appropriate tears. It was probably time to stop those by the way… If he started to become unresponsive now they’d get bored and leave.

“Fuck, you thought you were so smart. Let this be a lesson to you. Never involve them again.” They said.

John just inaudibly whimpered. They were getting bored now and the message was ‘received’. John had to hold back a smile, if he got smug here they might do something more drastic.

Soon the goons and their leader left. The rest of John’s crew swooped in instantly. He didn’t blame them for leaving, he wasn’t stupid. Half stayed in a half hearted attempt, the other half left, to either request reinforcements or simply notify his father later. He limped over to those that stayed and gave them potions from his signet ring. It was a spacial item and stored everything. It was also tied to bloodline. His father had paid a fortune for it, and it was his divining present. It had saved him who knew how much. He was just lucky they seemed uninterested.

Each of his crew were rewarded for their deeds, though later. He was lucky there were no turncoats, but those had their own use, not here though, not in his personal guard…

Pagebreak

Micky yelled for Abigale. Apparently there was a big fight and even Prin was pissed, let alone his mother. But she had apparently ran out and he couldn’t find her. This made him a bit angry with her about things. If she explained herself to him he could settle them as lord of the house. Even his parents would take a step back… sometimes… Ok his mother still thought she knew best, but that was why she wasn’t allowed into his dealings anymore, he learned that lesson.. Not that he allowed her in in the first place…

Micky sighed, why couldn’t things just be easy for once? Ok, not fair, if he was a normal protag this would be about the time things lead to a murder and he would be at the center of it. But for Abigale’s sake he hoped not.

Micky didn’t have time to look for the poor girl. He felt that she had been acting up a bit. She was more non-combat then her sister was. And this was in spite of her sister being a pen wielder. He could understand where she was coming from. But her actions were intolerable. At first, she was being cute and getting close to him. She tried to get a little too close for a girl her age and he asked her to back up a bit. She flipped out on him and now… Well now she was like this. Maybe he should have checked up on her more. He was just busy with school.

Speaking of, he had an exam already… Not to mention that the entrance tournament was coming up. This would be important for Prin and Maymay, not to mention the guy he scouted earlier. If he could find them before the tournament than he could scout them early. They probably wouldn’t be scouted by anyone too powerful but Micky still wanted to fill his slots early. As for the last slot? He didn’t know. He was probably going to fill it with another guy just to shut down the rumors though. He was already called a pig by many of the girls… Some of which seemed interested because of it. He didn’t want for those kinds of rumors to continue though. He simply didn’t have that relationship with Prin. He was thinking of inviting Pinky along but Pinky themselves were flip flopping and they had to make a decision before the tourney started or else.

Then there was the homework, literally home work, and school home work… He was working on his alchemy to be placed into his parents shop. This would increase revenue for both parties. He could also do enchantments… but naw. And don’t get me started on the actual schoolwork!