[10] Reflection : Who I Really Am

Act 1 | Prologue | Reflection : Who I Really Am

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Blistering cold. The temperature is so low that he felt that if there is a cold hell somewhere it would surely be like this.

These were Zack's first thoughts as he was dumped on the peak of a COLD™ mountain. His bald beauty of a teacher, the Ancient One, blessed by Hecate too, sometime during her youth and was made the guardian of the gate to multiverse after Agamotto, now has made it her responsibilities to groom Zack to be worthy of her Master.

And so she, in her infinite wisdom thought the best way to temper his will was to dump him on top of a cold mountain.

'Of course! What's the best way to start someone's training? *Ding!* By dumping him in a natural refrigerator! Terrific! And what am I supposed to do here? No clue... But who cares!' Zack ranted, he knew he was being whiny but- 'For god's sake I had just arrived! A fucking cup if hot chocolate would have been nice!'

Zack sighed before a waving his hand and transfiguring the snow and rocks to make cave deep enough to house him for a while and made sure to fortify it so thst like it doesn't 'caves' in by accident.

"Get it? 'Caves in'?... Ah well, my bad."Zack smiled bitterly. "Have I gone senile already? Talking to myself already..."

He is just lonely, don't worry.

"..."

Shaking his head he sat pulled out a mattress from his charmed bag and laid it on the cold ground and sat crossed leg on it. Breathing in he did as he followed the only advise given to him.

'Be still and listen to yourself.'

It was fairly easy for him to understand what she meant. Regulating his breathing he closed his eyes as he began to circulate magic in his body not much like he did against Dumbledore but enough to keep him warm without any spell.

The concept of inner demons was psychological and one that Zack had come across just recently during one of his evening reading session. There are many theories but one particular that he could apply on his situation was such. Inner demons are causes and conflict that are created by our own conscience due to events that have an impact on ones life.

These inner demons vary from the person to person. Some take form of heavy self-criticism while some that fancy sucidical tendencies.

These demon's are born as a child starts to experience and face life. As a child from an infant to an adult, these inner demons grow with it from mere thoughts to the only fuel that can make even the strongest desperate at times.

Meditating had been easy for Zack as a child too easy almost but now that he has crossed certain threshold in life he had noticed that it has become increasingly hard for him to empty his thoughts.

Multiple concerns plague his mind, the 'what ifs' and 'what nots' always interrupt and sabotage the process of emptying his mind.

He didn't know how much time he spent but he had come acorss every fear that plagues his mind. He now knows that all this time he had put on a facade but deep inside he has always been afraid of failing.

One of his major fear is not being capable enough and losing his aunt. The only family he has.

Spending time with these thoughts he felt as if he had become lighter as if an invisible weight had been lifted from his being that had always been weighing him down.

As his fear faded he came across different aspects of his own persona. His quirks, his likes, dislikes, his goals and his codes.

Spending time with these aspects he felt that all this time he had been a stranger to himself and only now does he know himself or has a better understanding of his personality and mentality.

Time ticked by and soon these thoughts faded and as the mist cleared there the only thing that was left as a mirror.

Mirror who reflected himself.

A person who smiles when he does and frowns when he does.

What left was nothing but himself.

It was only him.

The true him.

Under all the fears, self-expectations, under his different person the essence of his true self. The aspect of his being. Just...

Him.

Zack opened his eyes after what felt like eternity. As soon as he did infront of him was his bald self-proclaimed senior/master, who was sitting and gently smiling at him.

"Don't you know it's creepy to stare at someone when they are sleeping?" Zack joked even though he wasn't really asleep but deep in trance.

"You were quicker that I expected you'd be." AO(Ancient One) said ignoring his joke. "You comprehended the meaning behind my message and even went through the trail through your conscience on your own? All that in just a month? That's some terrifying comprehension ability you have but that, I should have expected."

"Well it's not that big of a dea-Wait a minute? A month?!" Zack asked on cue his stomach rumbled so loudly thaf it cast an avalanche nearby.

"It seems you are quite hungry. I am too if I say so myself and I believe I owe you a lunch and a cup of delicious hot chocolate. Hmm?" AO smiled as Zack just shook his head in exasperation.

"About time." He simply said while returning the smile. 'Now that I think... It might not be too bad after all.'

--[TimeSkip]--

It was really funny how fast the time flows by when you continuously get your ass kicked and are challenged to come numerous obstacles thrown at you, most with a greater purpose but some thrown in fray just for the heck of it or for AO's amusement as perks of being a senior as she likes to put it.

By the time he realised he had managed to learn everything she had thrown at him it had already been two years. From mystic arts to martial arts, from straight forward war tactics to skills of a magic powered assassin, he had learned it all and the only thing felt was to study mystic arts at his convenience.

He is nine years and six months old as if today. His training had officially ended a couple of months ago but he stayed because AO was tell him about the secrets of the world, universe and even multiverse.

As he is Hecate's husband she felt that this is the most basic he should be aware of to not sully her Master's name. A true fanatical follower indeed.

But everything aside Zack was really glad that he had came here. He had much more in these two years than the rest of his life combined. It would have never been possible for him to learn all that he did in such short amount of time if not for the monstrous rise in his comprehension ability and he thanked the very first trial he went through when he had first came here.

That trial in his opinion was the most important. Coming face-to-face to himself he now had a better understanding of his being.

'I really know Who I Really Am now.'

Zack bowed in respect to AO who smiled gently neither said any word as Zack tured and began to walk down the lively streets if Kathmandu and away from the place that had been his home for past two years, Kamar-Taj.

"Senior/Zack." Both spoke out softly, one walking away while one watching him do so.

"I will miss you." Both smiled. "And I know you will too."

"Goodbye for now."

--[LineBreak]--

Parting with AO was hard for him but he did not dare show it on his face because he knew that it'd upset her even though she knows that he knows that she feels the same.

A motherly figure he never had. Though moment if affection were very few between then there were precious to him none the less.

What started as a Master/Student relationship ended being one that of a mother hen and her child.

Always looking out and guiding him. The warmth she was gave was very similar to that of his mother form whatever blurry recollection of what he had of that fated night.

Zack had more hopes and expectations on him than ever but after is metaphorical rebirth they didn't weigh him down anymore.

Zack smiled as payed his respects to the shrine in Kyoto. Six months and passed after leaving Kamar-Taj and he wondered why time seemed to flow so quickly nowadays.

(A/N: It's because of one of my super abilities! Behold! The mighty might of magic of 'Timeskip.' Bwahaha!)

During the past six months Zack had briefly visited the majot countries rich in magic, learning and collection any kind of magic that caught his attention.

Japan is the final destination in his mind. A place to relax after travelling so long. Zack was here in Kyoto to meet the magic representative of Wizarding Society of Japan who would escort him to Japanese ministry of magic where he would meet their minister and get the go card to take the inheritance test here and claim his rights as the only person belonging to Clan Abe.

Hearing footstep Zack turning and blinked at the sight infront of him. The representative was a young girl who appeared to be in her late teens with golden hair, fox hair and four fox tails that swayed lazily.

This lady apparently is a fox kin, one of the many types of race that live in Japan. Japan no doubt followed the rule of secrecy so he was just suprise to see her extra features out in display.

His eyes glowed for a quick second and he nodded realisation. The lady had a charm on her that would fool Non-Magi (Muggles) into perceiving her as nothing but a normal nerdy Japanese highschooler.

The lady was also surprised to see Zack, as she never had expected her appointment for today to be a child.

"Mr. Cairns-O'Regan?" She asked unsure of his identity.

"Just Zack would be fine. Please be at ease." Zack smiled politely and bowed as part of Japanese etiquette and greeted in practiced Japanese. "Please take care of me."

The lady was surprised but giggled at the polite cute child infront of her.

"Hai. I am Yuna Tachibana but please call me Yuna." She said returning his greetings. "I'll be in your care as well."

They headed to a cafe nearby as the discussed his schedule and hour later Yuna guided him to the Japanese Ministry of Magic which unlike in the west was more beautiful, less gloomy and not more normal even though the place was like a more elaborate shrine.

Yuna also explained about the Japanese Wizarding world and Zack was very much impressed. Japan boasted the most diversity jn races residing in a single country as Japan with the residents aside from humans being different beast kins like Kitsune, Tanuki, Kappa, etc and they all co-exist peacefully.

Japan was one of the most powerful, peaceful and tolerant country in Zack's mind. And while they still have issues like blood dilution in beast kin and honour harming, they were clearly doing much better than Britain and even America as matrers here were quickly sort out through negotiations.

He was also surprised to know about the minister of magic of Japan from Yuna. The minister is a Kyubi, a nine-tailed beast kin who has attained ascension into a different plane as a guardian demoness and her wizarding prowess now are only matched my the Fairy Queen and the Elder Dwarf who coincidentally are Camilia's relatives.

Yuna knocked on the door of the minister while Zack looked around the ministry employees which were both human and other races were looking at him with curious looks which he responded with a polite smile and a bow making thr smile as well.

A muffled 'Come in' reply caught his attention from the minister's office. Yuna entered first and beaconed Zack to follow her.

"Lady Yasaka, Mr. Zack is here as per the appointment." She said as Zack stepped in and was surprised by the beauty of the minister.

She appears as a young woman with a voluptuous figure and very long blonde hair with matching eyes. She is a woman with delicate facial features that resembled royalty. Her hair is usually tied in a loose ponytail, reaching all the way down to her legs that ends in a spiral, with taut bandages to keep it in place.

Her attire consisted of a yellow kimono, a golden obi, and wore a black pelt, with gold skulls and lines printed on it. The kimono features a white interior and it is open at her shoulders, giving view to her enormously large breasts. Her hair being held back by a traditional hair ornament, with six golden bira kanzashi and several red kanzashi.

Her fluffy fox ears and beautiful nine tails were out in display just like Yuna. Yasaka has a smile on her face as she looks at Yuna.

"You don't have to be so formal with me Yuna-chan. I am your aunt after all." Yasaka said making Yuna splutter breaking her mask of professionalism causing her to laugh playfully as she wiggled her eyebrows smugly.

"Y-You... You are worst!" Yuna stomped her feet in embarrassment having an urge to go kn a rampages as she was embarrassed infront of Zack but she managed to control. "A-Anyways... Mr. Zack would like to make a request to you."

"Hello. I'm Zachary Adrian Cairns O'Regan. It's quite a mouthful so just call me Zack." Zack said bowing politely. Yasaka giggled at the cute boy and gestured both of them to take a seat.

Zack explained about his origins and his clans connection to Abe-No-Seimei. While Yuns was shocked Yasaka didn't have much of a reaction which made him believe that she already knew.

"So you are connected to Seimei-sama and sk you want to take an inheritance test right?" She asked as Zack nodded. "That's not an issue but how do I know that after getting hands on Clan Abe you won't misuse it or use it against me?"

Yasaka narrowed her eyes and she exerted magic pressure. Yuna was on edge, not knowing what to do but her tails were tense as if ready to jump between them if the matter got out of hands.

Zack was unfazed by this and just smiled.

"I have no grudge against you. I just want to get my inheritance and learn more about magic through whatever records Abe-No-Seimei might have left for his descendants." Zack simply replied with a shrug. Yasaka observed him for a moment or so before she stopped exerting pressure.

She simply pulled out a paper and begin writing on it.

"What are you going to do after the inheritance test?" She asked trying to be as nonchalant about it as she possibly could.

"If it fails then back to Canada to my family. I miss them. But if it is a success as I hope it will be then I will stay in Japan for a year before going back." Zack replied. "If that happens then I will be troubling you to find me a good residence that can house in the meantime."

"Hmm. I see. Here, with this you can go to the Kōun Bank and under the guidance of Zashiki-Warashi you will take the test." Yasaka said. "If you pass the test come meet me again so I'll arrange you a living quarters. Okay?"

"Arigatou, Yasaka-sama." Zack thanked in Japanese and bowed a bit showing his gratefulness. "I will take my leave now. Have a good day."

"You too." Yasaka's slitted eyes stayed on Zack's form until he left the room. Yasaka allowed a feral smirk to make it's way to her beautiful face as she looked down on the form that had Zack's details along with his photo. "Ara ara~ How interesting."

--[LineBreak]--

Zack was lead to and inside a building that resembled an ancient spacious Japanese mansion. Inside he was surprised as he meet the Zashiki-warashi. Adorable creatures that looked like human children around the age of six.

They all had red hair but there facial features unique just like humans. They were friendly and eager to help which made them very adorable in his eyes. They were totally different than the grumpy goblins he used to seeing.

It was hard to think that such child-like creatures were centuries old. Yuna informed him that some one even older than Yasaka and boy that lady has been around for a while.

They had different ranks and it was indicated through their clothes.

The test was a success and he was congratulated by Yuna and the little Zashiki-warashi who for some reasons seemed more excited than he was.

The only thing similar to goblins were their vaults which were underground but the tunnels were more elegant, well kept and well lit unlike the dampy depths of Gringots.

Leading him to a large door the gate keeper walked in a playful and childish manner as he tapped on the gate and quickly went back to the cart and sat there. Zack smiled at little creature for being so thoughtful about his privacy.

"I will be back in a while." Zack smiled and the creature just smiled cutely giving hima thumbs up with his stubby finger. (A/N: UwU)

Zack opened the door and as soon as he did a large excited grin made way to his face.

"It doesn't seem like I'll be getting out anytime soon." Zack said loudly while shaking his head causing the Zashiki-warashi to giggle at him.

"Welp. It's definitely going to be worth it though." Zack smiled as he stepped inside.

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A/N: Yo~~~

This chapter marks as the end of Act 1 and from the next Volume we will be around the canon timeline. Tomorrow I'll take a day to correct all the typos and then I'll begin with writing the next Vol. So... Stay tuned.

I just want to thank you all for your overwhelming support, this is so much more than what I had imagined and I'm really grateful for that.

Please stay with me and Zack till the end of the journey then.

Thank you once again.

I love you all.