Fate/Madness

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3rd POV*

In one hall within the Clock Tower, a young man with gray hair and blue eyes can be seen walking with irritated expression on his face. He is having a hard time controlling his anger at this moment for reason only he knew.

'That shitty father of mine has finally moved his hands? What marriage? I made sure that I am a disappointment for the family but he still chose to engage me?' he thought cursing his naivety for thinking shallowly like that. 

He should have never expected a better life in the first place considering how twisted this world is. Wishing for a stable and peaceful life is almost a fool's errand especially when he is a 3rd rate magus from an above average magus family.

No, calling him 3rd rate is already an overestatement. With his qualifications barely reaching that of a magus, he should have been disposed the moment they realized his quality. 

It is only because he is the first and only seed in the family that he managed to last this long. "I wonder what kind of idiots let their especially crafted seed engage with a cripple like me?" He muttered cursing his father.

Yes, he can be called cripple as even casting the most basic magecraft is already taking a huge toll on him. Asking him to do a Gradiation Air is already impossible, his biscuit like circuits are making it impossible.

His circuits consist of 7 below average circuits, in fact some lucky civilians who manage to learn about magecraft are more ease than him when it comes to casting.

His talents are not to be underestimated as he managed to learn many spells much faster than anyone within his generation. The only problem is his circuits that doesn't produce enough prana for him to do those spells easily.

"Bea, we're returning to that house. Drive for me" the young man ordered the person beside him. It was a grown up woman with white hair and red eyes, she has an emotionless look on her face merely nodding her head in acceptance.

She was a homunculus purely dedicated to him, he was given to him by his father which surprised him. Though that surprise immediately vanished upon learning that he will now stop providing him with resources and he will stand for himself.

Thankfully he managed to rip off some highly valuable items within their house at that time, that gave him enough funds to live all this time. The car moved until it reached a house covered with barrier that only let certain people within the family enter.

The young man left the car and started walking to the huge mansion, he continued walking before he stumbled into something invisible. He was confused for a second before understanding entered his head. 

"Damn old man!" He cursed out loud seeing Bea walking through the barrier with ease. He massaged his forehead feeling like a migraine might come any moment soon. "Bea, return here" he commanded the homunculus who just followed it.

The young man just waited for a few seconds before the barrier was finally opened. Both of them walked to a certain room where the head of the family is located. He, without hesitation opened the door with a bang.

He was met with a same emotionless face as his maid, but now it was being worn by a middle aged man with same gray hair as him and the only difference is the middle aged man has a dark purple eyes instead of the sky blue which he has.

"So you've come. Now follow me, you will be meeting her soon" Without beating the bush, the middle aged man stood up and gave him some commands. "Hah? Have you lost yourself old man? You think I will just accept something like this without complain?" the younger man raised his head and stared at the other man.

The two did a staring contest that was broken when the middle aged man finally spoke, "I have no need for your permission for you are under my authority. There is no say for you in this matter" the middle aged man decided before leaving the room.

The young man gritted his teeth feeling hateful about this, his source which has been dormant for many years are showing disturbance that he has no knowledge of. Right now, his father has the authority as he has power while he does not have one.

He reluctantly followed his father reaching the parlor where he saw two people sitting sipping their tea. The two stood up when they saw the presence of the middle aged man entering. "Thank you for your time Lord Clifford. Shall we proceed with the process?" 

The two people are one young girl with blond hair and shiny emerald eyes. She has a captivating beauty but for people within the Moonlit World, it is not that special. As long as she has use, she exist. The other person is an old man reaching 60s, he has the same blond hair as the girl but whites can be seen growing all around his head.

Despite being older than Clifford, he is respectful to the individual. Their standing and lineage draw a certain line within them that they cannot step. "Certainly, so just as negotiated. We will own some of your business while you use the glory of our family to expand more of yours" Clifford said holding a paper on his hand.

The old man took the paper and printed his signature on it. "Happy cooperation" the two shook hands but who is higher among them can be clearly seen. Clifford is showing his dominace on this matter reminding the other to know their place.

"Now meet your fiance, she is Elena Goodwing. A certified magus unlike a certain someone" His father Clifford Ruphas gestured towards the young girl while insulting him in the process. He was used to such insult but nonetheless he still feel a little angry about it. He took a closer look to the girl immediately noticing the fake smile on her face.

He smiled a little thinking that it is time for him to leave this family. "Ken Lawrence Ranvil" he said showing his hand at the girl. The girl was clearly disturbed by his presence but still accepted the gesture considering that Clifford is still there. It would be an insult to Ruphas family if she doesn't accept it.

She showed a forced smile that doesn't look unnatural. She practiced it her whole life being a magus. "Elena Goodwi- Ranvil?" The young girl muttered realizing the different surname that Lawrence muttered. "Don't mind him, he is just doing his own play" Clifford said defusing the situation.

The contract was finished as the two older people finally left the room to discuss something that doesn't warrant their presence. Only Lawrence and Elena was left in the room. "Sigh finally, to think that I had to act like this to a cripple. Now let's proceed to the rules within this relationship" her entire persona changed instantly.

Lawrence expected it so he was not surprised, "There is nothing to talk about, go at your own accord. I don't care about anything you do whether you go whoring yourself there. Use the family name to your needs" he said already walking to the door. 

He is not interested in talking more about this girl, she has the same temperance as the other people in Clock Tower. He certainly doesn't enjoy being treated like this but what can he do? He doesn't possess the necessary power to stop the flow by himself.

Elena seemed to be taken aback by his attitude, "That is acceptable. I also don't want my reputation to be tarnished by being close to a cripple. I wonder what has gotten to my father's mind choosing this cripple to be my fiancee" Elena complained about her father's decision.

Lawrence stopped for a second before giving her a sneer. "Fool, have you still not understand your situation? Forget about being close to me, you are already a disgrace just for being engage with me. Enjoy your disgraceful life princess" everything that left his mouth are all sarcastic words.

Elena froze on her spot, she has been ignoring that matter because she doesn't want to accept it. No matter how she thought about it, her a bonafied magus being wed to a cripple doesn't make sense at all. She wanted to refute Lawrence's words but he already left the room leaving the spoiled girl alone.

Lawrence roamed the huge mansion before he went to the room he had before he left. Bea opened the door for him as he sighed, "What did I expect? That old man clearly doesn't want me here" he muttered seeing the blank room with nothing in there.

He shook his head and decided to rest in one of the guest rooms, he has no qualms about his father treating him like this because in moonlit world, something like this is normal. He laid on the bed scratching the back of his head.

Everything happened instantly and he doesn't even have a say on it. It was the rule of this world, the strong has the authority to all while the weak only has the right to accept. It might be unfair but he already accepted it all. Its not like his previous family was not like this.

He was contemplating what to do when he sensed something inside him wrecking havoc. He clenched his chest feeling intense pain on it, he was about to ask for help when his consciousness was devoured by nothingness. 

Lawrence woke up on a cosmos like place, he looked around trying to find reason on his coming here. The only reasonable thing he saw was something he didn't expect at all, after all this is the Nasuverse, there is no way outside interference is possible.

So seeing the being with cosmos like head along with its body, he was greatly confused and horrified. He took a large breathe before muttering, "Zet..?"

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