Why do people feel that they should be so formal when talking to a kid? I dislike people who use formal speech when talking to someone younger than them. In this world I am almost eight and seeing someone older than me using formal language while speaking to me makes me feel strange. At least there were two people who spoke to me normally: Jaden who is a kid and Mir who agreed to speak to me normally. I haven’t noticed before but Mir doesn’t care what the other employees think of her.

I’m really bored. I barely have anything to do. When I’m not tutoring Jaden or having my late-night talks with Mir I get really bored. The great merchant John doesn’t want to share any stories with me and Amelia kept changing the subject, Jaden doesn’t even know how his parents meet and that’s some scary shit.

“Alexander, I understand that you’ve been tutoring Jaden for some time.”

And he brings this up now. I don’t know what priorities are and neither does he.

“Yes. School is easy for me so I don’t need to study in private and so Jaden asked me to help him. Since I have a lot of free time I usually spend two or three hours tutoring him.”

“He certainly improved since he started his third year of school; as expected, being thought by someone who skipped two years.”

So he knows some things I don’t remember telling him and I don’t think that Jaden did either. That means that Mir must have told them but she’s with Jaden all the time…

“Mir, how much information did you give John?”

“I give a weekly report.”

I, for one would kill myself before working as a butler, maybe my way of thinking is flawed but I can’t picture myself doing it.

“I really don’t understand how anyone could stand working as a maid or butler.”

“It’s an honourable job. Once I hit rock bottom I realized that living as a maid is better than being a female assassin or prostitute.”

“If you say it like that it’s actually a valid point. Hmm…OH! I forgot to thank you for the warning!”

“Warning?” It seems that Mir herself hasn’t realized.

“Remember the last training session I had before leaving?”

“Yes, I do.”

“During that time I felt your presence, you were on the rooftop.”

“I was, but how was that a warning?”

“You didn’t hide your presence. You see, I have the ultimate psychological combo; I’m both pessimistic and paranoid; when I felt your presence I remembered what you said a few months ago and I thought that something will go down though I didn’t expect something like this.”

“I didn’t realize I was that careless.”

“Excuse me for interrupting but I also have a question for Alexander.”

Oh yeah, Amelia was here too. She usually is the quiet type so she is usually eclipsed by John.

“I’m sorry Ma’am.”

“Alexander, I heard that helped Jaden get a girlfriend.”

“Yeah and I also beat the strongest student in school because he wasn’t leaving them alone. He was a great guy, too bad he graduated; I’m going to miss him.”

“From what Mir said I understand that you are popular, do you have a girlfriend?”

“No, I don’t. I don’t really get love and I haven’t been in love yet. Maybe I’m one of the guys that go lust over love.”

“That’s how all men start, don’t worry about it.”

There weren’t many things to talk about, just details they couldn’t get from Mir. For such a big house there were little books. I thought that I would at least get the chance to read something. The books over here were just novels and books about precious gems and luxury in general. I wanted to read something interesting, something I won’t be able to discover only by using my scan power.

“There is another matter left to discuss. We need to get you a new jacket.”

Amelia left the room for a few minutes and came back with a black coat. It was a wool coat. It was made using black sheep wool and demon spider threads. It was weaker than the one Kraft gave but it looked better and it has gold buttons. It wasn’t good but it sure looked good. Oh well, it’s not my policy to say no to free things. It’s not a jacket but it will do.

“This is a black wool coat. It’s more of a clothing item than a defensive one but its durability and defense can be compared to that of a demon hide armor.”

“It’s nice. I’m grateful.”

“Well consider it a parting gift until we fix your jacket.”

“Wait, what?”

“We will fix your jacket. Black demon wolf hide isn’t rare; we will find somebody skilled enough to fix it.”

I could have told her to send it to my village but I doubt that they keep that kind of hide around. Well, at least my jacket is getting fixed.

Saturday morning it was time to go back to school. However there was a change in plans, Jaden’s parents decided to come with us, they said they had something to talk about with Liliana.

Before we departed I had to choose between explaining why I want to travel on foot or to get in the carriage, so I got inside and waited for it to depart. This time we had two carriages both equally slow and ugly; for someone who had only luxurious furniture in his souse John really didn’t care about transportation.

We arrived back at the academy around lunchtime. Finally! I can’t wait to tell Maria about what happened and maybe she knows the technique the Puppeteer used. There courtyard was deserted…Oh! Lucky, I saw Maria exiting the school building. She was wearing her casual clothes which means she wasn’t busy.

“Heeey Maria!”

I called her and waved my hand. When she saw me she came to greet me.

“Welcome back Alex, Jaden. Welcome Miss and Mister Dan.”

“We wish to talk with the headmistress, is she here?”

“Yes she is. I will take you to her.”

On our way to Liliana I decided to tell Maria the short version of what happened last week.

“During the first night we were attacked by some assassins. They were powerful, especially the one that called himself the Puppeteer.”

“If he was that strong it means that you fought without that bracelet on your arm.”

That is a good point. Between fighting Mir and the Puppeteer and trying to heal the wound on the back of my neck I forgot to take that of.

“Why are you making that face, did you seriously fight with that still on you?”

“Yeah…I forgot to take it off. At that time I wasn’t thinking properly. Even if I fought without it the result would have been the same. I was on the verge of death a few times.”

“Why am I not surprised? I guess it’s been some time since our last near-death experience.” said Maria with a smile on her face.

Everyone was dumbfounded. Maria asked me to tell her all my near-death experiences in hope that she could make a better training program for me. After I told her how my parents did things and what I’ve been through she isn’t surprised by anything I say now. Well, it's good to be back.

“Speaking of near-death experiences; how is Astrid?”

“The vampire is still in prison. You seem unusually interested in her well being.”

“She keeps telling me how she is going to escape; I just want to be there when that happens.”

“There are men keeping watch, I don’t think she will be escaping anytime soon.”

When we reached Liliana’s office Maria told me and Jaden to stay behind with her, apparently they were discussing something that we aren’t supposed to know. I really want to know. They told me about the vampire; why not tell me about this?

“So, what’s going on in there?”

“They are talking about a student. I have only heard bits and pieces. The headmistress said that nothing has been decided so she doesn’t really care.”

“So she will tell us more if the matter is decided?”

“That’s what I believe. By the way, what’s with that coat?”

“The jacket I had is in tatters so Jaden’s parents gave this to me as a replacement. How do I look?”

“You look great, though I would have chosen a different color, grey maybe.”

In my previous life people used to tell me that I looked better in grey rather than black when it came to formal clothing. I’m going to tell her now while I’m still interested.

“Maria, I want to start our training again.”

“Sure.” said Maria with a pleased voice. Basically I just admitted defeat.

I want to ask Maria about that technique but that doesn’t mean I will be able to do it. All I know is that the blade itself became black and its power increased. If I learn it I will get a huge boost.

After almost one hour Jaden’s parents finished talking with Liliana. I said talk but it sounded more like an argument between Liliana and John. They were so loud that I wasn’t able to completely understand what they were saying. I heard that they were talking about a new student that transferred here or will transfer here. I spent the rest of the day helping Maria with her work. She puts up with me every day; helping her from time to time is the least I can do.

Jaden’s parents left in the evening. I guess now it is time to go back to my daily routine. At midnight I changed back in my uniform and headed to the courtyard where Maria was waiting.

“Did you find an answer?”

“No, I didn’t. The man I fought, the Puppeteer used a technique where he empowered his dagger’s blade with dark magic his blade changed its color.”

When I said that I fought the Puppeteer Maria froze. She looked scared, was the title worth that much.

“What’s wrong?”

“You…killed the Puppeteer?”

“Yeah, the Master tried to save him but I didn’t let him. I haven’t felt that kind of pleasure in a long time.”

“This is not a laughing matter! If he decides to come after you I won’t be able to help you.”

“It is true. Maria was a skilled assassin but not even she possesses the power necessary to stop me.”

WHAT? I can’t believe it, the Master appeared a few meters away from us. His voice didn’t sound like he holds a grudge against me. Even if I were to fight with him I’m bound to lose and so is Maria. Speaking of Maria, she was terrified. She was caught between her instincts, telling her to run, and her duty to protect me. She decided to take out her dagger and get ready to fight. I don’t believe that he came here to kill us and if he did then I’m not going to struggle.

“Maria, put that away, he is too powerful for the two of us.”

“But…He is….”

“I am not here to cause you any trouble. I am merely here to see how the boy is doing. His powers are interesting, after all he did find out my identity.”

“Alex…”

AAAAAAAAAH! My head hurts. I fell on my knees and put my hands on my head. The pain was strong but there was something else I was feeling, I was hearing the Master’s voice in my head saying something about being afraid of my potential. There was another voice, John’s voice. Am I remembering what happened after I blacked out?

“Alex! Alex!”

Oh, it looks like Maria abandoned the idea of defending herself and rushed to my side.

“Hey Daniel, after I killed the Puppeteer did you talk to John’s father?”

“Yes, I did. I don’t believe you know what we discussed.”

“I do. When I saw you it all came back to me. I guess I will ask the stupid question again: Are you here to kill me?”

“No. I wanted to recruit you but since you are already studying under Maria there is no need for me to ask you. Before I depart I will give you a tip: If you want to use Blade Empowerment it will be easier to start by using both your hands when using the spell.”

“You are giving me precious information here; why?”

“Once you are stronger I will challenge you again, until then I will be watching you. Goodbye for know.”

The Master disappeared the same way he appeared, by going inside shadows. Next to me Maria was hugging me tightly; she was still afraid.

“It’s fine, it’s over.” I told Maria after getting up and hugging her back.

A few moments after the Master left Mir came here in her assassin clothing. She must have felt his presence and rushed here. Somehow I think that this might have gone south really fast if Mir arrived faster.

“Are you all right?”

“Yeah, I am. I think that Daniel is the kind of guy who loves challenges. He is not going to interfere but I’m almost sure that I will have to face him.”

“It looks like Lady Maria still hasn’t recovered.”

“Is it a common thing for people to freeze when they see him?”

“Yes. His aura has that kind of effect. Honestly speaking I’m impressed that you didn’t freeze.”

After all I’ve been through that guy’s aura was nothing new to me. Thinking about it I usually calm down when I face really dangerous opponents.

“Don’t get me wrong, I was afraid at first. When I face a powerful opponent or I’m in a near-death situation I forcefully calm down, it’s like an instinct.”

“If what you say is true then it could explain a lot of things.”

“Thank you Alex, I’m all right now.”

So Maria finally stopped shaking. After I let her go she regained her composure and looked around probably looking for the Master.

“Alex, what are going to do now?”

“You mean me being watched?”

“Yes.”

“If he sends somebody that nobody here can beat I will just go to the basement and free Astrid. If I free her I can ask her to help me in exchange for helping her.”

“I didn’t consider that a possibility.”

Wait, where did Mir run of to? She was here a second ago. Oh well, it’s not like there was anything more to do here.

“Alex, can we stop here?”

“You haven’t recovered yet?”

“Unfortunately no, I will be fine after I get some sleep.”

“I’m staying with you then.”

“For once I think I may need somebody to stay with me.”

And here she goes again. I don’t know what’s with that guy’s aura but I can tell that it is doing its job. I’ve seen Chihuahua trembling less than Maria did that night. I’m really fortunate that I only need three hours of sleep. I never thought I would see her that afraid of someone, seeing her like that made my skin crawl.