Chapter 11 - Losrenos Family

Redius didn’t really know much of the Losrenos family, just that like the other two major families, they were a knight’s lineage. The only reason Redius was making his way there was because of a boy.

Back when he was still at the Ip family, he had no one. As it turned out that the one maid who he thought cared, left. But he had a so called friend. They communicated a few times over the years, because they had something in common. They were the shame in the family.

The boy’s name was Kiol. When he was 5, he had the talents to become a knight. He reached 1st stage apprentice pretty quickly, but unfortunately no further. When he had met Redius, he was 10 and Redius was 11. One who couldn’t advance at all and one who couldn’t train. They got along well both having experienced degrading remarks.

Redius could still remember when Kiol called him ‘boss’ everywhere. Kiol had looked up to him for never giving up.

Redius waited until nightfall and changed his outfit back to his original black cloak. Dark elements swarmed around him and gathered into him. He was one with the darkness.

Gathering aura at his feet, he jumped and ran from his magician dormitory rooftop to another, then to another. Till finally he had arrived at a vantage point with a clear view to the big manor of the Losrenos family. It covered massive grounds with several buildings in different parts. The main hall, the training block, individual areas, maids quarters etc.

His eyes averted to a living area, compared to the others around it, it was of medium size. Kiol’s parents were both alive, but because of their son’s condition, they spent all their fortune on trying to heal him. They quit from the family business and dedicated their lives to helping him causing their family status to drop.

Redius landed silently on the rooftop of Kiol’s room. He activated his sense field and could see Kiol in cognia and his parents asleep in the next room.

Sweat poured from Kiol as he attempted to channel the elements through him. He was having much difficulty when he spat out blood from excessive channelling. Redius could sense him heaving as he steadied himself and tried to regain his breath.

“I will avenge you boss…” he muttered under his breath, determination filled his eyes as he slammed his fist on the bed.

Redius let out a smile at his determination. Soon, the lights next door opened and his parents rushed into his room awoken by his smash.

“Kiol… my dear Kiol, are you okay?” His mother asked rushing to his side holding him.

His father stood in the doorway and quickly scanned the room, blood spatter on the floor and Kiol drenched in sweat. He was already used to it, but it still pained him to see his son suffer.

“I’m okay mum… thanks.” Kiol replied allowing himself a smile. To which his mum could only force a smile in return. His son was too stubborn she knew.

Redius watched above at the scene, his heart tinged as he watched Kiol surrounded by love. Parents that gave up their all for their son… Redius’ lips curled in a smile as ice covered his heart once more. As if… he thought.

After more comforting they left and headed back to bed. Redius entered the room and stood in the corner as he watched the maids clear the mess up. Even though the lamp was lit, they could not see him. After they had finished, Kiol was left alone laying on his bed.

“Kiol…” Redius whispered.

Kiol jumped up from his bed, still a little weakened by what just happened. His head jumping from side to side trying to determine the owner of the voice.

Redius stepped outside his darkness and revealed himself dressed in a hooded cloak.

“Who… who are you?!” Kiol asked cautiously. To which Redius removed his hood to reveal a smiling face reflected by the moonlight. It was a rare occasion for Redius to smile so openly.

“B..boss?” Kiol asked hesitantly after staring at Redius for a while. It was strange, when looking at Redius, Kiol could feel a sense of closeness towards him. Like he knew him, and upon a closer look, the features of the face that Kiol remembered so well could be seen. Just slightly matured and… colder.

“I’m back Kiol” Redius said as he grabbed a chair and moved it next to the bed and sat down.

“…Is…is it really you?” Kiol asked his voice shaking. Redius was like a brother to him, he showed him to never give up even when others were looking down on you.

Redius nodded. Kiol threw himself at Redius in a hug with tears falling down his face. Finally he let go.

“I can’t believe it. Aren’t you…dead?” He asked after regaining his composure.

“It’s a long story… I’ll tell you another time. But for now, let me help you.” Redius smiled as he spoke.

“Help me?”

“Yes. I can help you clear the blockage so you can finally advance.” Redius said as he opened his hand. A vial appeared to which he opened and the room was immediately filled with a sweet smell of medicine. Compared to the pills Redius made in the afternoon, this pill was 20, no, at least 30 times more powerful. When training with his master, he had told him of Kiol’s condition, and his master said that the pill inside the ring could help him.

“Take it and channel the elements through you. I’ll help you in the process.” Redius said and not allowing him to interrupt further, popped it into his mouth.

As soon as it went in, Kiol did as he was told, after all he trusted Redius completely. Soon sweat and pain could be seen on Kiol’s face. Apparently his condition was a blockage in several places of his channels rendering his aura unable to accumulate. But with the power of the pill called the cleansing pill, it could power through them and open the blockages.

Because it was too powerful for Kiol’s body to handle, Redius placed his hand on Kiol’s back and his dark element slowly seeped into Kiol’s body and absorbed the extra energy it gave. Kiol’s face relaxed a little when Redius did so.

4 hours had passed by, several times, the grey aura around Kiol’s body increased and got more potent, until finally as if a pop occurred, it diminished. And arose in a light blue colour. Finally, Kiol opened his eyes and Redius was standing before him.

A smile spread on both of their faces. Tears welled in Kiol’s eyes as he looked at the light blue aura around him. He could see his channels now, no blockages, and his power accumulation was now of a 1st stage disciple. He had jumped from a 1st stage apprentice to a 1st stage disciple.

“Over the years you’ve channelled the elements through you but yet could not unblock the channels. Some elements were left inside you making your groundwork and basics strong.” Redius explained. “As soon as you unblocked it, it was like a dam being lifted. Everything flooded in and here you are.”

“Thank you…thank you boss…” Kiol sobbed as he thanked Redius. For so many years he had suffered, his parents had suffered with him. Now he was finally able to show them, to show the world.

“Are you… what are you now?” Kiol asked having realized that Redius must have been able to train.

“I’m… complicated. But I’m a magician for now.” Redius replied. Although Kiol thought there was a deeper meaning to it, he didn’t pry. He knew Redius would tell him if he wanted to.

“I’m going to get stronger.” Redius said with a fierceness in his eyes. “I’m going to stand at the top of the world.” His gaze fell onto Kiol. “Will you come?”

“Yes!” Kiol said without a moment of hesistation.

“Good.” He smiled. “But for now… keep it a secret. I’ll be back.” He said as he disappeared from the room. “I’m at the magician’s dormitory if you need me. And… you can share the news with your parents.” His voice rang in Kiol’s head.

Kiol was amazed that Redius could just disappear in front of him. He was now a 1st stage disciple and still could not track him. His admiration for Redius grew. ‘He’s powerful!’ he thought. He jumped off the bed and immediately ran to his parents room to spread the news.

It would be a hell of a night for his family. But not for every family.

At another part of the city, in the Plenio family.

A middle aged man stood in front of a desk at a study, facing a man behind a desk, with several others sat in chairs around the middle.

If Redius was here, he’d recongize that man standing as Srote.

“So you’re saying you fought with this magician and lost?” The man behind the desk said. The atmosphere he emitted was one of power. He was the Head of the Plenio family.

“Yes brother. Even though he was a 1st stage disciple, he was powerful. And of a rare element too.” Srote explained.

“Then why did you anger him?! You know full well what it means to anger a magician, especially of a rare ability!” The Head yelled across the room, everyone in the room tensed up.

“….Well…” Srote told him the situation including Phoebe’s. Having mentioned Phoebe, who was seated to the side, she also tensed up. She knew it was her fault. Angering a magician was bad enough. But angering a talented magician with a bright future could bring doom to the family.

After explaining, the Head looked sternly at his only daughter and let out a sigh.

“So he’s the young man who saved you three from the other day?” he asked directed to the 3 who Redius saved.

“Yes…” Phoebe confirmed.

“Then why did you try to get him? Did I not tell you to invite him as a guest? INVITE!” The voice raised once more caused her back to shiver.

“I…” She said as tears welled in her eyes. She could not bring herself to say that the only reason she was a rude and forceful was because unlike the others, in all her life she was always treated specially. And seeing Redius not treating her that way, made her angry.

The Head sighed again, he could never stand it when she cried.

“The family’s pride must also be held.” He said after a long silence. “Do not anger him further. But if he is against the family, then we will not be afraid to retaliate. Now go…”