12 Aim

'I wouldn't regard it if this was outside. But this is being done in my house. I'll repress it before it goes any further.' Oscar thought as he alighted from the carriage, and went to meet Keith.

Keith was a tall guy, standing at a height of six feet, he was taller and bigger than the fourteen year old Oscar in every way.

"What's your name." Oscar asked.

"I'm Keith, young master." He answered, giving a mocking smile.

"What's your syne level?"

"I'm in syne-two." Keith said, proud of himself.

"That means you are still weak."

"Huh?" A look of surprise was etched on Keith's face.

Oscar's facial expression was neutral as he stood facing Keith.

Keith grinned as he towered over him. 'So he is not going to flock to Daddy?'

If Oscar reported the case, the biggest punishment Keith could get was a suspension and some time in solitude at the guard room. Which for Keith, is akin to going scot-free for calling Oscar trash.

The Lane heir had different plans for him though as He glanced at the other guy.

"You, what's your name?"

"P-Patrick, young master." He stuttered a bit.

"You didn't see me do anything to your colleague. If they ask what happened, say he fell and rolled down from the wall at the other side of the castle while on patrol."

"Eh??" Patrick was puzzled.

"Hey! You..." Before Keith could complete the sentence he got hit on the right side of his ribs, the force reverberated throughout his body like an electric shock. He felt an intense jolt, a searing pain spread across his abdomen like wildfire. He doubled over in agony, gasping for air. He was hit in the liver.

Patrick watched as Keith went down like a piece of broken wood.

"I guess you are the type to bully people and get away with it. That won't work on me. You have no idea how much of a bully I am. Don't worry, after I'm done, you'll be granted sick leave for a week because I'm just getting started."

Oscar pummeled Keith like a rice bag, not striking any more vital points, but inflicting pain enough to make him almost lose consciousness.

Patrick trembled as he witnessed his friend's current state.

Oscar adjusted his clothes and stole one more glance at the man laying half-conscious on the ground. Then he walked off, unconcerned about what he just did.

**********

Oscar's POV

I went into the manor and met Myra sitting a chair in the living room. She turned to face me.

"I thought you'd take longer, how did you handle the situation?"

"He's going to be out of commission for some days."

"So you pummeled him?"

"Yeah"

"That's quite harsh."

"With regards to my position, it is necessary"

"I understand"

"Anyways, I'm going to have a talk with my brother, I'll be right back."

"Alright"

I went upstairs to Samuel's room.

"Hey Sammy"

I called his name as I opened the door.

"Hey bro"

He was a bit moody.

"They told you already, didn't they?"

"Is it true?"

I sighed, thinking of how to explain and convince him.

"I understand." He said

"Hmm?"

"I know why you have to go, if it will help you then you should go."

Even though he acted serious, I could feel the emotion in his voice.

I came forward, and gave him a hug.

"Don't worry Sammy, I won't spend too long. I'll surely come back."

"Okay." His voice was muffled, I could tell how sad he was from the news of my departure.

"When are you leaving?" He asked.

"Actually, I packed up my belongings before heading to the school this morning, so I'll be leaving now."

"Oh"

"Come on, let's go." I took his hand as went downstairs.

As we got to the living room, we saw Mom and Dad talking with Myra.

They decided to see me off to the carriage.

"Take good care of yourself, son."

"I will Dad." I replied while giving my Dad a brief hug.

"Why the gloomy expression Mom? It's not like I won't come back."

"I know Ossie. But I'm still going to miss my little boy." Mom said as she embraced me, squeezing me once again. I had to endure it, cause it would be a long time before I get hugged like this again.

"Hey, little guy. Take care of them for me, alright?" I said as I hugged Samuel ruffling his hair in the process.

"Yeah bro, I'll do my best."

I got into the carriage with Myra, waving them goodbye.

We could have taken the portal, but I had lot of luggages and personal effects. We were also not in a rush, the Iyun province wasn't that far, about two days from here.

I spent the two uneventful days in the carriage with Myra. I discovered that we had quite a lot in common. We were able to converse comfortably, sharing ideas, thoughts and information with each other.

What I also found to be interesting was the fact that she also wasn't planning to enroll into the academy.

"Why?"

"It might take too long to explain"

"You shouldn't worry about that we have time."

"The reason why I'm not getting enrolled is because of my grade."

"Huh?"

"Calm down and let me finish."

"Okay, go on."

"You see, dark magic holds a lot of power and also a lot of secrets. The curriculum used to teach dark mages at the academy is unwhole."

"How so."

"Well, unlike the other elements of magic, the darkness element wasn't widely received owing to the point of it being a harbinger of death. As most spells focus on pain and torture."

"That's not much of a surprise."

"To the point of necromancy."

"Ehh? Isn't that?..."

"Yes it is, the strongest form of dark magic involves reanimation and control of the dead."

"I'm telling you this because I trust you enough to not say anything of the sort outside. In fact, they may not believe you. Only the most loyal and strongest members of the Iyun family know of this."

"Wow, so they could do it?"

"No"

"I don't understand."

"I thought you wouldn't believe me before, but I'm not surprised that you do. The thing is, to dabble in the art of necromancy, you need to have a high grade talent. You also have to be trained by a strong dark mage skilled in it."

"So who's going to teach you, your father?"

"He could, but there's someone else who's stronger."

"Who?"

"My grandfather, the Duke Emeritus, Ayomide Iyun."

"Your grandpa still exists?"

"He is one of the reasons why the dark mages have not been suppressed by the other families."

"So you are going to learn necromancy?"

"More like advanced dark magic."

"Can you do a little bit of it now, like controlling one?"

"No, I can't."

Nodding my head, I slipped into my thoughts, pondering on the realization that there's more to uncover on the elements of magic.

We reached the Iyun province on the third day. Contrary to what the rumors about it being a drab and dreary plac, it was actually full of life. The soldiers at the gates of the city were not all smiles but they didn't have the tired and cheerless looks of those at the imperial capital. We passed by the market in the carriage. The place was bustling with different activities mostly trading though.

Then we arrived at the mansion, it was very large, the building was mainly painted blue. With the architectural features and pillars granting it the fortification of a castle-like structure.

We were welcomed by the servants who greeted us and took our luggages into the manor. We got into the province around afternoon, but arrived at the manor in the evening.

"I can assume that you're as tired as I am. Dinner will be served in our respective rooms, you'll meet my parents tomorrow morning in the dining hall."

I was showed the room I would reside in for the time being, pending when I would start learning at the medical institute as Myra called it.

The room was tidy and well furnished, having a bathroom filled with adequate toiletries.

I took a bath, had my dinner, brushed my teeth and went to sleep.

Waking up to a bright morning sun. I felt a bit energized, feeling relieved from the fatigue I experienced from traveling that long.

I heard a knock on the door. A servant offered to show me to the dining hall. Which I readily complied to.

The Iyun family were already present. There was also someone else, whom I could assume was a guest because Duke Gerard had two sons that were twins, with Myra being the first child. A nuclear family of five.

The lady was a slender blonde wearing glasses, her hair was in a ponytail, she looked slender and had an air of curiosity which may likely be borne by intelligence.