Chapter 43 - First blood(not the blood you all want)

The next day, Thomas sat down with his parents at breakfast and told them that he was going to visit Latia's house. He didn't want to worry them, so he didn't mention anything about the Astaroth family or the danger that he might be in. His parents nodded, assuming that he was going to spend time with her.

After breakfast, Thomas heard a knock at the door and went to answer it. He was surprised to see Latia so early, dressed in a black outfit with a silver pendant around her neck.

"Hey, Latia," Thomas said, smiling at her. "What brings you here so early?"

"I'm here to pick you up, silly," she said. "Didn't we agree to talk at my home?" Thomas nodded, feeling like a fool for forgetting that.

"Okay, let me tell my parents I'm leaving," Thomas said, leading Latia into the living room where his parents were sitting.

"Good morning, Latia," Kate signed, smiling at her. "What brings you here so early?"

"I'm just here to pick up Tom," Latia said, returning the smile. "It's about time, he came to visit my home again."

Thomas' father raised an eyebrow, looking at Latia with curiosity. "Is everything okay, Latia? You look a little worried."

"It's nothing to worry about," Latia said quickly, trying to sound reassuring. "Just some family stuff."

Thomas' parents exchanged a look, but they didn't press the issue. They trusted their son and his judgment, and they knew that Latia's family was involved in some complicated matters.

"Alright, just be careful," Thomas' mother signed, giving both Thomas and Latia a hug. "And don't forget to come back for dinner tonight."

"We won't," Thomas promised, following Latia out of the house.

Latia pulled out a small red crystal from her pocket, flashing a mischievous grin at Thomas. "Hold on tight, Tom," she said, placing the crystal on the ground and drawing a complex magic circle around it with her finger.

Thomas felt the air around him crackling with energy as the magic circle glowed with a fiery red light. Suddenly, he was enveloped in a vortex of flames, being pulled and twisted in all directions. As the flames subsided, Thomas found himself standing in the middle of a spacious room, adorned with ornate furnishings and embellished with golden accents.

"Welcome to my humble abode, Thomas," Latia said with a chuckle, watching as he looked around in awe. "It's never going to get old, right?"

Thomas turned to look at Latia, a look of wonder and amazement still on his face. "Your house is incredible," he said, still taking in the opulence around him. "I mean, I know you devils love big houses and all that came with them, but every time I come here, I'm blown away."

Latia smiled, clearly used to this reaction. "I'm glad you like it, Thomas. Now, let's go meet my parents."

She grab his hand and led him through the halls of the house, the marble floors and grand paintings on the walls only adding to Thomas's sense of wonder. Finally, they arrived at a large set of double doors, guarded by two imposing devil guards. Latia gave them a nod, and the doors swung open to reveal a grand room, with a large table in the center and several people seated around it. Thomas saw Leif and Lilith, as well as a few other devils he didn't know.

"Thomas, how are you holding up?" Leif asked, his voice filled with concern as he stood up to greet them. "We've heard about the main family's plans for you, and we're worried for your safety."

Thomas nodded, feeling grateful for their concern. "I'm doing okay, thank you," he replied. "Latia told me about what's going on, and I appreciate your help in keeping me safe."

"Of course, Thomas. You're like family to us," Lilith said, smiling warmly at him.

Thomas felt a warmth spread through him at Lilith's words. He knew that he and Latia were close, but to be considered family by her parents was still embarrassing for him. He glanced at Latia, seeing that she too was blushing at her mother's words.

One of Leif's peerage members, Freja, a witch from Norway, noticed the exchange and couldn't resist teasing them. "Oh, don't be shy, you two. We all have been at that age," she said, winking at them.

Thomas felt his face grow even hotter, embarrassed by the attention and the teasing. Latia's hand tightened around his, a small smile on her face as she tried to stifle her laughter.

Leif and the other peerage members chuckled at Freja's teasing, but their attention quickly turned back to Thomas. "Now, onto more serious matters," Leif said, his expression turning grave. "I don't know much about who the main head will send after you, but from what Max, my knight, managed to find out, he's at least middle to peek high-class. While I too, am in that class, I doubt I could take on a seasoned killer or assassin like that, even with the help of my peerage."

Thomas listened intently, feeling a sense of unease creeping over him. He had known the danger he was in, but hearing Leif talk about it so bluntly made it all the more real. "What do we do then?" he asked, looking at Leif with a mixture of fear and hope.

Leif stroked his chin thoughtfully. "We will have to come up with a plan to protect you," he said, looking around the table at his peerage members. "If it's alright with you, I could send Freja, my queen to keep an eye on you and have Max, Klaus, my rook, and Christina, my bishop to provide backup if needed. And we'll need to figure out a way to track down this assassin and neutralize him before he can harm you."

The other peerage members nodded in agreement, and Thomas felt a small glimmer of hope. Maybe they could protect him after all. "Thank you," he said, grateful for their support.

Freja turned to Thomas with a playful grin. "Don't worry, little Tom. We won't let any harm come your way," she teased before her expression softened. "But in all seriousness, you can count on us to keep you safe."

Thomas couldn't help but smile at Freja's teasing, grateful for the lighthearted moment in the midst of all the seriousness. "Thank you, Freja," he said, feeling a little more at ease knowing that Leif and his peerage were willing to help him. "I appreciate it."

Leif nodded in agreement. "We'll do everything in our power to protect you," he said, his tone firm and reassuring. "But you must also do your part. Stay vigilant, be aware of your surroundings, and if anything seems off or suspicious, don't hesitate to contact us."

Thomas nodded, feeling a sense of responsibility settle over him. He knew that he couldn't rely solely on Leif and his peerage to keep him safe, he had to do his part as well. "I will," he said, determined to do whatever it takes to stay alive.

After the meeting, Latia grabbed Thomas by the arm and pulled him aside. "Let's go to my room and chat for a bit. I want to show you something," she said with a smile. Thomas nodded, still feeling a bit overwhelmed by everything that had happened.

They talked for a few hours, catching up on things and sharing stories. Latia showed him some of her latest magical experiments and Thomas marveled at her skills. As the evening wore on, Thomas realized he had to get back home before his parents started to worry.

"I really need to get going," Thomas said, reluctantly standing up from the plush armchair he had been lounging in.

Latia sighed. "Alright, I'll walk you out." They made their way down the grand halls of the estate and out into the night air.

As they stepped outside, Freja appeared before them. "Ready to go, Tom?" she asked, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

Thomas nodded, feeling a bit nervous about the teleportation process, still not loving the feeling of having your entire body disappear before reappearing once more.

Freja gave Latia a smile and turned to Thomas, pulling him into a warm hug. Thomas blushed as he felt the softness of her bosom against his head. "Don't worry, little Tom. I'll take you home safely," she said before teleporting away with him.

Latia couldn't help but let out a dry chuckle at Freja's boldness, shaking her head, trying not to think too much about her teacher's attempt of making her jealous. She knew that Freja liked to flirt and tease, and Thomas was just the latest target of her playful antics.

After a few moments, Latia gathered herself and went back to her room, lost in thought about the events of the day. As she got ready for bed, she couldn't help but wonder what the future held. Would her father and his peerage be able to find the assassin before he struck? Would Thomas be safe?

Only time would tell. For now, all she could do was hope and pray to the Satans that everything would turn out alright.

Meanwhile, Freya and Thomas teleported in front of his house. When they appeared, Thomas' father Jonathan just stepped out of the front door to throw out the garbage, and when he saw the sudden light he looked surprised at the sight of his son being hugged by a beautiful woman.

Thomas quickly stepped forward to explain. "Dad, this is Freja. She's part of Leif's peerage."

Jonathan nodded, not entirely surprised by the magic circle that had appeared beneath their feet. He knew that his son would meet people like him involved with the supernatural, so he didn't mind his new friendships, especially since he said that this woman was part of Leif's family.

"It's nice to meet you, Miss Freja," he said politely, extending his hand for her to shake.

Freja took his hand and gave it a firm shake, accompanied by a warm smile. "Likewise, Mr. Grayson. I'll make sure to keep an eye on little Tom and make sure he stays out of trouble. After all, we don't want little Latia to get all that jealous, now do we?"

Jonathan chuckled. "I have no doubt about that. Thanks for your help."

Freja then gave him a polite nod. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Grayson," she said before turning back to Thomas. "I'll see you soon, little Tom," she teased, giving him a peck on the cheek before disappearing in a swirl of magic.

Thomas stood there for a moment, stunned by what had just happened. He had never experienced anything like that before, and his mind was racing. He turned to his father, who was looking at him with a bemused expression.

"Son, I know it's a lot to take in but trust me, you'll understand more when you're older," Jonathan said, chuckling at his son's stunned expression. "Now come on, let's go inside. We've got dinner waiting for us."

Thomas nodded, still in a daze, and followed his father inside the house. They put the garbage outside and then made their way to the kitchen, where his mother was just finishing up dinner.

"Hi, sweetie," his mother signed, giving him a hug. "How was your day?"

Thomas paused for a moment, unsure of how to explain everything that had happened. But then he decided that he didn't need to. He could just enjoy the fact that he had made some new friends who were willing to protect him.

"It was good, Mom," he said with a smile. "I met some new people, and they're really cool."

Jonathan leaned over to his wife Kate and whispered in her ear, explaining what had happened with Thomas and the mysterious woman who had appeared out of nowhere. Kate nodded in understanding and smiled at her son, who was still in a daze from the encounter.

The three of them made their way to the dining table and sat down to eat dinner. Later that night, Thomas found himself once again in the vast, empty void, with only Bahamut's towering form visible in the distance. But this time, the dragon seemed more serious and focused than ever before.

[Thomas, tonight I will be training you to face a high-class being specialized in assassinations, stealth, and sneak attacks, similar to the one that will come for you. This will be a difficult challenge for you, but it's crucial that you learn how to survive and defend yourself against such threats.]

Thomas felt a chill run down his spine. But he knew he couldn't back down now, not when the safety of his loved ones was at stake.

Bahamut gestured towards the darkness, and suddenly a figure appeared before Thomas. It was a shadowy being, with razor-sharp blades for fingers and eyes that seemed to glow with malice.

[This is your opponent,] Bahamut said. [I have made him a master of stealth and sneak attacks so that you will have to use all of your senses to even detect his presence.]

Seeing the shadowy being, Thomas gulped and readied himself for the challenge ahead. Then, Bahamut created a forest around them, and the assassin disappeared into the shadows. Thomas tried to listen for any sounds that might give away his opponent's location. But all he could hear was the sound of leaves rustling in the wind.

Suddenly, a blade grazed his arm, and he stumbled back, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow. He frantically looked around but couldn't see anything. He even used one of the spells that Latia taught him, a detection spell, but even when he felt the assassin's presence, it was like trying to see through a thick fog, the presence was everywhere, yet not the assassin himself.

Thomas took a deep breath and closed his eyes, trying to sense the assassin's presence with his magic. He could feel the assassin moving around him, but it was still a blur. He couldn't pinpoint his exact location.

The assassin attacked again, and Thomas barely dodged in time. He tried to counterattack, but the assassin was too fast. His movements were like a blur, and Thomas couldn't keep up. He then continued to strike at Thomas from different angles, and the boy was forced to retreat. He was panting heavily now, sweat pouring down his face. He had never faced an opponent like this before.

Bahamut's voice rang out, [Thomas, don't forget your training. Use your magic to sense the flow of energy around you and anticipate his movements.]

Thomas took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. He whispered the incantation for the spell "Colloportus" and aimed his wand toward the ground beneath his feet. A burst of energy shot from his wand, and he felt the ground beneath him vibrate slightly. He repeated the spell again, this time directing the energy toward the assassin's general direction. He felt a sudden resistance, and the ground shook violently. The assassin had apparently tried to use the ground to move closer to Thomas, but the spell had prevented it.

That's when Thomas used the moment of surprise to cast another spell. A beam of light shot from his wand, aimed at the assassin's hand holding the blade. The assassin, however, was too fast, and the beam hit the ground. Thomas tried to cast another spell, but the assassin was already on him, striking at him with the blades. Thomas barely managed to dodge, but he stumbled, and the assassin took advantage, throwing him off balance and striking at him again.

He was in trouble now, with no chance to win. The assassin was too fast, too skilled. He was playing with Thomas like a cat playing with a mouse. Thomas knew he had to think outside the box. He tried to create a diversion, so like any first year, he used "Lumos," to create a bright light. The assassin was momentarily blinded, and Thomas used the opportunity to strike, aiming his wand toward the assassin's chest and casting the spell "Stupefy."

The beam of light hit the assassin, and he stumbled, but he didn't fall. Thomas knew the spell wasn't powerful enough to knock him out, but it had at least bought him some time. He tried to cast another spell, but the assassin was already on him again, striking at him with his blades. Thomas was getting tired now, his movements getting slower. He knew he couldn't keep this up for much longer. But he also knew he couldn't give up. He had to keep fighting, keep trying. He tried to remember the words of Latia, who had taught him that sometimes the greatest weapon was not a spell but his own wits.

Thomas decided to take a risk. He faked a stumble and let the assassin strike him with the blades. But as he fell, he grabbed the assassin's arm and twisted it, using the momentum to throw the assassin over his shoulder. The assassin landed hard on the ground, and Thomas jumped on him, holding him down with all his weight. He raised his wand and shove it inside of the assassin's mouth. With all his might, Thomas cast Serpensortia, over and over again, each time sending a hissing snake to slither down the assassin's throat. The assassin thrashed and squirmed, trying to break free, but Thomas held on tight, his wand glowing with intense light.

The snakes continued to pour out of his wand, wriggling and coiling around the assassin's insides, causing him to writhe in agony. Thomas could hear the assassin's bones cracking and his flesh tearing under the pressure of the snakes.

He knew he had to keep going. He had to make sure the assassin was incapacitated, if not defeated. So he summoned all his strength and cast the spell one more time. This time, a massive snake erupted from his wand, its jaws snapping shut around the assassin's neck.

The assassin went still, and Thomas held his breath, wondering if it was finally over. Slowly, he lifted himself off the assassin and backed away, his wand still raised, ready to defend himself if needed.

A second later the shadowy being disappeared and Bahamut approached Thomas, a proud expression on his face. "Well done, Thomas," he said. "You fought well and used your spells to your advantage."

Thomas was still in shock, staring at the spot where the assassin had been. He couldn't believe that he had just killed someone, even if it was just a shadowy being created by Bahamut. Bahamut noticed Thomas' expression and put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry, Thomas. It was just an illusion. You did what you had to do to defend yourself and those you love. That's what being a wizard is all about."

Thomas nodded slowly, still processing what had just happened. Seeing that, Bahamut sent Thomas back to his body, and as soon as he opened his eyes, he could feel the exhaustion settling in. He fell asleep almost immediately, his mind still reeling from the intense training session and the brutal way he dealt with the shadowy assassin.

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