The Wizard Meets Albert

This excerpt is from “The Brat”, the third chapter of the second story of the Wizard, and it is their first meeting.

For easier understanding, the titles of nobility in this land are given according to the magical power of the individual. The Wizard chose his own title, because he wouldn’t bother to become a king, but forced a law that any son of his will be a duke, regardless of their magic. These are explained and happen in the first two chapters. So, here the Wizard and Albert’s meeting:

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It is the 28^th of May and, although the sun set two hours ago, it’s still pretty warm. And our Wizard, at his home, reads a newspaper.

“I can’t really understand why you read these things?”

“But they are so entraining, my dear Himari.”

“Entertaining?”

“Quite so! I’m reading the latest news about that brat… you know, the one who claims he’ll become the most powerful wizard of the world. It seems he has beaten up a marquess’ son who made fun of him.”

“The magicless one? How?”

“With his fists, apparently. Neither of them had a familiar, anyway. And even more, he proclaimed he’ll summon the most powerful familiar this world has ever seen.”

“But that’s impossible.”

“Maybe… but imagine what if he actually pulls it off? It will be fun!”

“I hope he won’t.”

“Oh, you are so cruel! Root for the kid!”

“You are the cruel one, Wizard. What do you think will happen if an orphan summons a strong familiar? He’ll probably be murdered. They wouldn’t allow an orphan to become a noble.”

“Oh, well… I don’t understand why one would murder a mortal. They’ll die before long, anyway!”

“Not everyone lives for ever, Wizard.”

“Yeah… that’s true. Anyway! I think I’ll go for a walk. Do you mind joining me, my dear Himari?”

“Me? Outside?”

“If you are kind enough to keep yourself barely in ghost-mode, not even a king could see you?”

And the Wizard put on his cape, although he certainly didn’t need it, and left his home, along with his fire familiar.

“Have you noticed, my dear Himari, that in this world, where not having any magic is a rare occurrence, the orphanages have plenty of such kids? Why do you think that is?”

“Don’t know.”

“Think of this. If you are a peasant and your kid has no magic, would you mind that terribly? He can still plough the earth, or whatever. More difficultly, probably, but he can. But what if you are a count, or a duke? If your kid has little magic, you can do much to cover up this problem, but if he has no magic? That would bring shame into the family, wouldn’t it? And! Have you noticed that these newspapers you don’t like me reading, never announce that a baroness or a duchess is carrying, although they do care to reveal what colour of lipstick one wore in a certain insignificant occasion? And have you noticed how often these noble women go for a months-long trip, and return with a newborn?”

“You do study these papers, don’t you?”

“I actually do! And that’s why I can assume that when nobles get pregnant they hide – pretending they are on a trip – and if the kid is born with magic, then, voilà! We have a newborn! If the kid is born without magic, they simply return from this ‘trip’ alone, and a new baby is left at an orphanage. Sounds plausible, right?”

“Actually, yes, it sounds like something they would do.”

The Wizard put on his hood. “Come, Himari! I’m in a good mood. Let’s have some fun!” And hurriedly they passed a few streets and then entered a small alley. And the Wizard stood still right under the street lamp.

In front of them, a young lad was on the ground and three men were kicking him.

“Oh dear! Where has our society fallen! Three grown men ganging up to beat a kid! You are shameful bastards! Even my shit has more integrity than you, maggots, have!”

“You’d better watch your mouth, you son of a bitch! This gentleman here is a Marquess!”

The Wizard smirked and pulled down his hood. “And how come a petty Baron calls the Grand Duke of the Whole Realm a son of a bitch?”

The man froze. The one he had named as a marquess hurried to him.

“Please forgive his rudeness, Your Grace. He wasn’t aware of whom he was talking to.”

“More importantly, shouldn’t all three of you be grovelling on your knees, kissing the ground and begging the boy for his forgiveness?”

“This brat, my Lord, needed to be taught a lesson. You see-”

“Is it the place of a Marquess to teach a lesson to a Duke, by means of his kicks, in a dark alley?”

“A Duke, my Lord? Surely you jest. He is but a magicless orphan.”

“I surely don’t jest, Marquess. Ever! He is my own son, and, hence, a Duke. Now, answer my question!”

Some “eh” and some “ah” came out of the Marquess’ mouth. And then, instead of answering, he ran towards the kid, and, just like the Wizard had described before, apologised. He didn’t wait, though, for the kid’s reply. Instead, he stood up as quickly as he could and he, along with his two companions, took off.

Then the Wizard approached the kid.

“Are you alright, my dear?”

“Are you really the Demon God?”

“Yes!”

“Then… why did you lie? I mean, thank you for helping me, but why did you lie? I’m not going to lick your shoes and become your dog. I’m going to become-”

“Relax, my dear! I didn’t lie. Well, okay! Technically what I said could be considered a lie – for now – but not for long. You see, I came here to adopt you. So, in less than an hour you’ll be my son and a duke. Thus, it wasn’t really a lie.”

“What? Why would I ever agree to that?”

“You want to try to prove you are the most powerful wizard of the world, don’t you? And that’s exactly what I want you to do. And I surely think it will be easier for you to achieve that as a duke and my son, than as a homeless orphan.”

“Give the child a rest, Wizard, will you? You know he’s hopeless.”

“Hey! I will become the most powerful wizard of the world!”

And the Wizard grinned widely, as his familiar looked at him, shocked.

“Won’t you answer the kid, my dear Himari?”

“He… can hear me?”

“I’m not deaf, you know!”

“Oh, yes! He can hear you. And he can see you, clear as day to the point he hasn’t even realised you are a spirit. I’m pretty sure he can even touch you, too.”

And the familiar looked at the kid. “I’m sorry. I thought… I mean, it was my mistake. I’m sorry.”

“So, my dear? Do you still believe that a boy who can do what no king of this world can is hopeless?”

“No… he wouldn’t be.”

And the Wizard squatted and stretched his hand towards the boy.

“So, are you coming with me, my son?”

“I’m not your dog, and I’m not your whore?”

“No. You are my family and my son. You only have to try to prove you are the most powerful wizard of the world. Oh! And to sign the adoption papers, of course! So? Are you coming, Son?”

And the boy took the Wizard’s hand. “I’m coming… Father!”

The Wizard stood up, pulling the boy up with him, smiling brightly. “Look, Himari! Look at my sweet little Albert. How much has he grown?! It feels as if it were only a moment ago when I first held his hand, and he’s already become a fine adult!”

And the boy saw the most beautiful, the most innocent, the most charming smile he had ever seen, on the familiar’s face.

“So! Who else is in the mood of waking up some officials and having them do some paperwork?”