The Star House

“It's true sir Viktor, it seems the Zero Province Academy has indeed selected their team and all of them are 1st year wizards!” Viktor sat in the Star estate which spanned nearly a square mile. He was the uncle of Vladimir Star and the S ranked head of the Star house. Considered to be one of the 3 strongest wizards in all the continent. Everyone in the Star house would claim him to be the strongest of all. But the Cloud and Sun houses would make the same boast of their head.

“Well that is rather unusual. And you said one of them is a girl from the Cloud family correct?” He rubbed his chin as he pondered. He was confident before making a move into the heart of Cloud territory that he held a winning hand. There had been much discussion over what was the potential power of the Cloud house and in the end they were sure it could be easily suppressed.

He knew of no young wizards who would be able to stand in the way of his demonstration of absolute authority and superiority over the Cloud house. They had many spys in zero province who looked into the total military power of the Cloud house as well as their current 2nd and 3rd year wizards just to be sure there would be no surprises.

Maybe a bunch of first years meant the Cloud house and the houses that backed them were weaker than he was even led to believe. After all, if they were the best they could do then surely there shouldn't be a problem. But he didn't like the fact that they were all unknowns. They would need to gather more information.

“You said you kept tabs on all the Cloud family members currently able to potentially take part in this tournament. You did a check on this Mary correct?” He tried to recall the name. He made it a point to keep track on all the descendents of the main houses. If he recalled correctly she was one of the grandchildren of the current head of the Cloud house.

“Yes house head” one of his numerous lackeys spoke. “We checked on her. We weren't able to get much information as she had lived her life nearly entirely on the Cloud estate before going to the school. From what we could find out it seems her talent is good but not spectacular. At most she should have been C rank right. At least that was our understanding of when she entered the school. The report is that at the tournament she was clearly too much for her opponents and is currently estimated to be B rank at most!”

He kept looking down at the piece of paper sent by the men placed at the tournament. The bird took 2 days to fly here but it was a pretty fast way to communicate over large distances. It seemed they may had underestimated the Cloud girl. The other first years who would make the team seemed to be fairly strong as well and used a number of odd techniques and abilities. It's not likely they would be a match for the team of young wizards the Star house prepared. Not to mention Vladimir Star. As he went over all the information in the letter the head of house listened intently again and nodded.

The bottom line was this. Before these surprises happened they were confident they would win. Now there were a number of unknown factors. They probably were changes for the better but it still was something to be cautious of. No mistakes could be allowed. They had already made their move and were now totally committed to this effort.

“Tell them to follow the first years wherever they go. Keep an eye on them. I want to know where they are and what they're doing at all times. If it looks like they will be some kind of problem for us then they are to act as they see fit.” Viktor Star said this as if talking about potentially murdering young wizards was just another typical business item for the day.

It wasn't like it was unheard of. Everyone knew these big houses would do anything to protect their power. All of them had been believe to order murders in the past for various reasons. Of course no direct evidence of these crimes would ever be found. The order to keep a watch on the wizard would be sent by pigeon. The order to do whatever was needed would be sent by a trusted man of the Star house and spoken of in a whisper once. Then never spoken of again.

The people who would follow the young wizards and potentially execute the order would not be official Star house members but wizards who were totally loyal and well compensated. Nothing would ever lead back to the star house if something was done. This was the most delicate and important of matters. They would send over only the best for the job to make sure that if the job had to be done it was done right.

*****

Zero province Academy. 2 days ago.

The entire group met in their normal training room the night after the tournament. It was a little later than usual as they didn't want to be disturbed during their conversation. It seemed this little trip to meet Lee's master would not be as easy as they first hoped.

“That's right, you heard me. The Cloud house has decided to send a bunch of their top members to the Zero Province Academy and check up on us and our training. It seems they want to take over our training and assess our current abilities.” Mary was furious at the news. She knew her house would no doubt be interested in what was going on. But to be forced to tell her friends they would so blatantly interfere...

“If they interfere then what do we do? Can we still go to see Lee's teacher?” Tom was concerned. Not just for their training but for Peter Leaf.

“No, I don't think we can. If the Cloud house decides to come here I'm afraid I'd have to ask you all to not only not go with me, but to also not continue the specific techniques I've taught you while they are here.” Lee was sad to say this but there was nothing else to do. It would put them in a bad spot and make winning unlikely but he couldn't risk these training techniques getting out into the world.

“What? But look how far we've come. You want us to just stop? If we do that we will barely get any stronger before we fight the Dragon Academy with the Star transfer students. Didn't you say you needed to win this tournament for some reason?” Amanda couldn't believe that he would just throw away something so important to him.

“Did you ever tell anyone besides us at this school where your from or give them any information that would be able to lead them back to your home town?” The wheels in Derricks head were turning.

“No, when I first got here I was asked what magic schools I had previously attended and what teachers if any I had. After I said I didn't have a known school or wizard the guard at the gate was rather dismissive and just sent me in to be tested with the rest of the commoners. I guess he figured I'd fail and was busy. No one else ever bothered to ask.”

Derrick smiled happy to hear this was the case. “Good, then there should be a problem. It seems you were just too unimportant to follow up on and once you got accepted they screwed up by not asking for any type of contact information. That isn't unusual at this school. They are so focused on the nobles that they don't always get around to first year wizards who they think will fail out.”

Lee was kind of annoyed that he was so unimportant to the school. Now that he was an alternate to the team he was sure that was about to change. The head master had asked to see him in the morning to go over some things. It seemed they now deemed him someone who they should pay attention to. Derrick broke Lee's thought and continued to finish his point.

“It seems to me the best thing for us to do is leave tonight to Lee's home town.” Leaving in the middle of the night seemed rather extreme. Then again, they wouldn't know the exact direction they would go and they could get a great start. Some members of their party were fairly well known and would need to keep hidden for parts of the journey if they left. Most could walk around very easily without trouble.

Peter shook his head. “I don't think you know what you're talking about. You are throwing a slap in the face of the Cloud house and endangering your positions at this school. I can't say I think that is a smart idea. Besides, how would we get there? Wasn't the plan to use Mary's Cloud house connections and money? Walking there and back would defeat the entire purpose.”

“As far as money. I'm afraid that would fall on you Mr. Leaf. This is a chance to perhaps fix your mana system and allow it to grow again. Can we really put a price on that? If you don't have any money then I know where the school keeps some savings for emergencies. I should be able to easily break in and take it if need be.”

Peter never considered Derrick may do something like that. Surely a situation like this where so much potential violence could be unleashed if they lost called for seeing the great good. A fairly minor theft would be a small price to pay. As would his job at this school. He nodded “Okay Derrick, but you don't need to steal. I can pay our way and anyone who wants to come is welcome. Assuming Lee agrees to the idea.”

“Oh I was planning to go back to see him and my family in any case even if I had to walk.”

“I'm coming!” Amanda didn't hesitate for a moment. “I don't plan to just sit here and do nothing for two months when I have a chance to grow more. As long as it's no trouble then you can count me in.”

Right after Amanda said she would come along so did David. This time it wasn't just because Amanda wanted to go. He would have come along regardless. He wanted to overcome his talent issues as fast as possible. If this man Lee spoke of could help then he would happily go.

Tom and Derrick were on board as well. Tom after seeing how Lee had mastered wind magic felt he lacked true mastery of his own magic. He wanted to see what this old wizard Lee spoke of could do. Derrick never considered the possibility of not coming. But he was kind of annoyed he wouldn't get to break into the school treasury. He didn't like to steal but it seemed like a fun challenge.

“I'll be coming to! I don't like how my house is acting right now and I don't care if they get mad at me. Before this I was just an after thought to them and now they wish to come here and tell me what to do? I don't plan to let that happen. A great house must follow it's great leaders after all. When I become theirs I'll fix the very few problems they still have.”.

The others were surprised. This was the most negative comment she had ever mentioned when it came to her house. It still managed to sound like a slightly back handed compliment none the less. Mary also told the group that her house had given her a little spending money for her year here just in case she needed anything. This little spending money to her was an unheard of amount to Lee of 50 gold coins.

It's what his father made in an entire year. The 3 gold coins he had given Lee had been a fairly sizable chunk of their savings. To hear the Cloud house gave out 50 gold coins for spending cash without a thought was a great shock.

“Of that 50 how much do you have left Mary?” Lee hoped it was enough. It would probably take 5 to ride down and 5 to ride back. Not counting food. Mary went red when he asked. She had mentioned the money to make a point that they could easily go there. She only now remembered how poor Lee's family was and what a large amount it must seem to him.

“All 50 gold coins. Money really isn't a big deal to me. I don't care for nice things or amazing food. I only want to train and grow stronger. I would only use it if there was something important or some form of emergency. Frankly I could care less about how much money my house has or anyone else. For instance whoever I were to go out with it wouldn't matter to me if they were the richest in the world or the poorest. It means that little to me. Just so you know.” She blushed when she said that part at the end.

“Well then I guess we're all going. If the Cloud house will be here in the morning then we need to head out now. I suggest we pack up only what we need and leave. Only a few changes of clothes. If someone sees any of us taking a lot of luggage it would raise questions. Be sure it can fit in a small bag. If we need anything along the way which can be bought then leave it. We'll meet at the school gate in 15 minutes.” Peter looked around to all of them and was no sign of hesitation.

All of them went to their rooms packing only a few changes of clothes and maybe just a few snacks. Everything else would be left. They met at the gate at about 15 minutes without being seen and headed into the near by town. Derrick talked with a man who ran a carriage business and secured one for himself and his sick mother to head the next town over. Of course his sick mother was too weak to come herself.

They would be going to the next town over to see a doctor and absolutely needed to get there tonight so they could see him first thing in the morning He had to pay extra for the late night and suddenness of the job but soon himself and the driver were off. Once they got to their destination Lee came out and with a quick right hook knocked the driver out cold. They put a gold coin in his pocket and a note saying they would be back with the carriage in 2 months and they would be sure to compensate the owner at a later date.

All of them got inside of the carriage and were off on their journey to Lee's home town. A few times along the way they would sell the houses and buy new ones which were fresh to make as much speed as possible They would be sure when they finally returned the carriage the owner would have better horses when he lef. It didn't cost too much really. They only lost 1 gold coin in each transaction.

They stopped rarely on their trip. They were in a rush to get there quickly but they were also sure the Cloud house would track them down if they didn't move quickly. They only stopped for an inn once and they made sure to not all go to the same one. Also they paid for food as they could along the way which they could eat in the carriage so they wouldn't need to stop and risk being seen .

When they slept it was often inside the carriage. They rarely got a good nights sleep. Mary suffered the most of all. Not only was she the one least use to sleeping in such arrangements but on the 2nd night when she woke up against one of the corners in the carriage she found Lee asleep leaning over her. His hand fell limp on her leg and his head on her shoulder not far from her chest.

Her first reaction was to jump up and yell at Lee for getting too familiar. When she saw he was completely out cold in his sleep she figured this wasn't so bad. He felt big and warm against her. The touch of his hand on her leg and his face this close to hers. She thought if she could manage to turn just a little more towards him it would be like he was almost on top of her.

She dismissed such a thought of course. She stayed awake for an hour unable to sleep as that and other thoughts went through her head. In the end she did try to move more facing him it but almost woke him up. She stayed still now feeling frustrated but still enjoying the sensation. She only got 3 hours of sleep that night.

As dawn broke on the 3rd day Lee was excited. They had been near constantly on the road for 80 hours but he was now starting to see a lot familiar things. He assured them it would not be long now. He had sent letters to his parents, master and Alura before the tournament and they were no doubt expecting to see him and his friends soon.

As they were getting closer and closer they started to ask more about Lee and his life here. This place seemed very odd to Tom, David and Mary who all had never really seen a farming village before. They asked about how they lived here day to day and the old wizard and his family.

“Well, I met the wizard I told you about when I was 8 years old. That was actually the same time I met Al too. That's what we called my friend back then as they were not a fan of their full name. In any case, I eventually managed to get the old wizard to teach me about magic. It was a large struggle though. I had to basically drives him crazy by putting frogs on his property until he agreed!” They all found this rather humorous.

“Did the old wizard teach you how to fight too?” David was curious to know about the person who taught Lee who taught him.

“That was my friend Al. Al's father is strong enough to be in the elite guards and the Uncle is actually in them. He made captain last I heard and is considered one of the strongest hand to hand fighters in all the continent. While Al isn't as strong physically as either; from a technique stand point I'd say Al is just as good if not maybe better. I actually sparred with the father and uncle a few times. I lost but they were even bigger than Peter and knew all the same fighting skills I did.”

David was surprised. “Wow, Al must really be something. Do you think you can maybe set up a match between us. I'm getting tired of fighting just you all the time you know, and I'd love to fight the person who trained you.”

“Sure thing. Just be careful. I tend to hold back a fair amount. Al isn't the type to hold back when when it comes to fighting so you'd better look out.” Lee shook his head. Why didn't she ever learn to take it easy?

He talked more about his parents and the old wizard but the time for talk was soon over. They were finally at his house. Lee got off and knocked on the door. He heard a rush to get to the door and backed away as it swung open. It was his mother. She saw him and her eyes instantly filled with tears as she hugged him.

“My baby boy is finally home! It's been so long! How are you feeling? Are you eating well enough? We're cooking boar stew tonight just cause we knew you were coming. Have you grown another inch or so? Oh honey, I missed you so much.” Lee hugged back a bit embarrassed but still happy to see his mother after such a long time.

“I missed you too mother. Is father home?” She released him from her strong hug and put her arms around herself.

“No, he just went on a delivery into town but will be back within the hour. I'm sorry. I guess I should invite your friends in first and give them something to drink. You have made so many friends it seems. I knew you would! Oh. Alura is here too. She is just in the wash room as she has been working a little here today. She wanted to be sure to see you as soon as you got here.”

Lee friends were surprised. Who was this Alura? Lee never mentioned a female friend he was close to .

Before Lee's mother could usher them into her house a young women ran out of the house and threw her arms around Lee. She had long lush blond hair. Her eyes were as green as a leaf on a tree. Her face was beautiful and her body was well proportioned in her very pretty but slightly tight dress. Her chest was large for one her age and her lips were more red than Mary's hair.

“Lee! I missed you so much! I hope you're enjoying that school as much as your letters say you are. I was worried you wouldn't be able to make it today and I would have worn this dress for nothing. Do you like it?” She backed away to show off her dress. It was similar to the one she wore when they went out on his 14th birthday.

Tom was the first to ask what everyone was thinking “Umm Lee. I hate to interrupt but I'm curious who this is. You never mentioned you had another... friend?”

“What you do you mean? This is my friend Al that I told you about.”

“That's Al? The one who trained you how to fight is her?” David was in shock. Did Lee really expect him to have a fist fight with a girl?

Alura rolled her eyes “are you still calling me Al to your friends. I told you didn't I? I go by Allie now. Being called Al caused to much confusion.”

“So you're the one who taught Lee how to fight?” David tried to shake the cobwebs out of his head.

“Yes I am, you seem surprised. Are you David by chance? The one Lee has been training with? He mentioned that in a letter.”

“Yes, sorry. I'm David Rain. I was just surprised is all. I was expecting someone who looked.... well, not like you.”

Alura got annoyed and walked towards him “What do you mean by that? Do I not look good enough for you for you or something? You know fighting isn't about who's the most attractive.”

“No, I didn't mean it like that. You're one of he most beautiful girls I've ever seen.” He looked to Amanda who was now watching him talk. “I mean, I think all the ladies here are beautiful too. It isn't like I am saying one is better than the other. I just mean I didn't know I would be sparring with a small girl like you is all. I was expecting a large man. So I was just surprised.” He tried to laugh away the situation.

Alura gave him cold look and then broke into a smile. “I can understand that. I mean look at me. Little old me being a fighter? That's just silly isn't it? How could a helpless little dainty flower like myself ever hope to fight and win against big strong man like you right?” She gave him a big laugh until he laughed nervously with her.

Then like lightning she grabbed him by the wrist and flung him over her shoulder and onto the ground. She put her foot behind his head and locked his arm around her leg while twisting the wrist just an inch away from breaking. “Never underestimate you're opponent no matter what they look like. If I wanted to I could break your arm in 3 different places right now and make it useless for the rest of your life, all due to your carelessness.”

She released him. “Don't be so full of yourself novice. You still have a lot to learn about martial arts. 6 months of training doesn't come close to making you my equal. If you are going to train with me you better show me the respect as your teacher I deserve.”

Lee shook his head “I warned you David. She isn't as nice a teacher as me.”

Suddenly Alura went from stern to soft. “Come on Lee. Don't make me sound mean. This is just the best way to teach someone. I wouldn't actually hurt a friend of yours. Sorry if I made you mad. If you want I’ll be nice to him from now on.” She got close to Lee's side and grabbed his hand as she said this sounding sincerely apologetic. It was clear she didn't want to do anything to make Lee angry in the first few minutes of seeing him after so long.

“No, you're right Allie. I'm didn't mean to make it sound like you did something bad. I'm sure you'll teach him in whatever way is best. I believe in your abilities. Look what they did for me after all.”

Her smile could light up the night. “Thank you Lee, I'll do my best to take care of your friend so don't worry!”

Mary coughed “You too seem pretty close for friends. Not that I mind at all of course. I just know about the importance appearances. After all, it's one of the things a potential heir to the Cloud house must learn. Anyway, I just would hate if someone got the wrong idea about your friendship being more than it is. I can understand how that could be annoying.”

Alura gave her a dirty look and then smiled. “Oh don't worry. It's fine if we look close. I am Lee's fiance after all!” She gave Lee a big hug while saying this.

“WHAT!?” Mary's fist balled in shock and anger.

“Don't say that Allie, people will get the wrong idea!” Lee's knew Alura liked to joke around but this was taking it a bit far.

“What? You asked to be my fiance before. Are you going back on your word now? That's really unmanly of you.” She hugged him tighter and smiled looking at Mary's face.

“I said that when I was 8 years old. Come on and stop kidding around.” Lee slightly pushed her away.

“I'm sorry Lee. I just couldn't help seeing the looks on your friends faces is all. It was priceless. Especially Mary. She seemed to find that joke really entertaining! You were right about her in one of those letters you sent. She does talk about the Cloud house a lot.”

Alura knew Lee was blind to seeing the signs of interest that women tended to have in him. She read through his letters numerous times and everything she saw on Mary's face when she made that comment confirmed what she suspected.

Mary laughed “that was a funny joke you made. I guess going by Lee's face the thought of marrying you never crossed his mind. That's what made that joke really work!”

“Your being so kind to think my joke is funny. Maybe I should reward you with a free martial arts lesson. I promise to be gentle to your tiny thin body. It's a good thing your chest isn't that big. A chest like that won't get in the way. My chest is MUCH bigger than yours and can sure be a bother.” She started to walk toward Mary with a large smile.

“That's so generous but I think I'll just focus on magic. After all, I have a very delicate and feminine frame unlike yours. You're muscles are just so big sometimes I wonder if you're really a women. What an achievement!” Mary walked towards Allie with a large smile.

Alura put her hand on Mary's shoulder. “How about I show you 1 little hold. It's really is no trouble at all I promise!”

Mary summoned wind magic to both her hands “I must decline, but if you want I can show you some wind magic. I'll take it very easy on you so no worries!” Both kept large smiles on their face for the entire interaction.

Lee smiled and turned to the rest of his friends. “They look like they're really getting along! I hope they'll be great friend soon.”

Peter shook his head. “This old wizard must be the worlds greatest teacher if he was able to get anything through that head of yours.”