Maybe someone would be surprised at how quickly I agreed to the exchange and offered up my knowledge. But first of all, Black doesn't know the full extent of what I know — I can easily give it out in portions, trading each piece for what he'll teach me in return.
Secondly, after two months of working with him, I've figured out that he's a good person. It's obvious in the way he treats people, and his aura is almost untouched by darkness or rot. Almost — because everyone has their skeletons in the closet. And considering the family he came from, and the fact that he's nearly a hundred years old, he's practically a saint.
Yes, I did my research on him. I didn't find much, but everything he told me checked out. I found old articles where he talked about his discoveries, and newspapers that once relished the scandal of Black's exile. After that, the information was fragmentary and unreliable — sometimes he'd invent an artifact, sometimes he'd help ordinary people, which the media always mocked.
And really, what else could I do? I'd gotten myself into this, and now I had to honor the contract.
***
The next day, we collided head-on with the bureaucracy of the French Ministry of Magic. As Phineas explained, a student to a Master is almost like an adopted child — the Master is responsible for any injuries or even death. So the registration process is just as complicated as taking custody.
But money greases the wheels of government in the magical world just as well as in the Muggle one, and we managed to get it all done in a single day. Black refused to let me pay, saying that now he was my teacher and wouldn't allow a student to cover his expenses. Especially since our contract was for payment in knowledge, not money.
Getting free attendance at Beauxbatons was much simpler — just send a letter signed by the student's parents and the school director, Olympe Maxime, and you're free until the next exam. Of course, if I failed my subjects or my average dropped to zero, I'd lose that right. A kind of stick to go with the carrot — if you take on independent study, you'd better do it well. I actually think that's fair.
***
Once all the paperwork was finished, we returned home, and the conversation turned — surprisingly — not to what I could give Black, but to what he could teach me. I gave him a quick rundown of all the branches of magic I'd taken up, and why.
"I don't approve of scattering yourself in all directions. It's better to master one discipline first, then move on to the next," my teacher said, frowning and rubbing his chin. "Though I do understand your reasoning."
"I'm hardly studying spirit or love magic anymore, not since I managed to leave my body and control my abilities." He knows I'm a veela, and he wasn't even surprised. Apparently, he's seen everything in his long life.
"That's a sensible approach — you achieved what you wanted and moved on to more important things. Let's go over what I can help you with, and what I can't. With artificing and charms, that's clear — I'm a master in those, and I can bring you up, if not to my level, then close. It all depends on your diligence and talent.
"Pyromancy isn't my field, but I'll try to find some good tomes in my library for you. Metamorphism, unfortunately, is extremely rare, but I know where to get creatures whose forms are very useful and strong. As for yoga…" Here he frowned and thought for a long time. "I think it's time to collect a debt from an old acquaintance."
"You have a friend who's a yogi?" I was genuinely surprised.
"I wouldn't call him a yogi in the way you mean, but he can teach you a lot. How much, though, will depend not just on me, but on you."
"Why's that?"
"He's… a peculiar person. You'll understand when you meet him. So get ready, we're going on a journey," he said, groaning theatrically as he stood up. After a moment, he added, "But not today. I still need to talk things over with your mother, and you probably want to say goodbye to your friends."
"Teacher, what about school? And how will we practice artificing while we travel?" I knew the answer, but I had to ask.
"Long-distance portkeys. I'm one of the few in Europe who can make them without the risk of arriving in pieces," he said, his face so smug I couldn't resist.
"If you don't praise yourself, no one will?"
"Ah, you little ungrateful brat, I'll teach you to respect your elders!" I had to apparate on the spot to avoid his "lesson." Not that it helped much…
***
"Teacher, I already apologized — can you lift the spell now?" I looked like a girl, with a pink bow in my hair and a matching pink dress. No one would recognize me as a guy. Even Mom, barely holding back laughter, said it suited me. And Ludwig just laughed his head off! Traitors, all of them!
"No, you'll learn to respect your elders."
"What do you mean, old? You've got so much life ahead of you!"
"Flattery won't help you, you little pest." Ugh, how did he do this? Finite didn't work, transfiguration didn't work, and any spare clothes turned into women's pink dresses. And it definitely wasn't an illusion!
Well, it was my own fault — no one made me run my mouth. I relaxed, decided to joke around, and look what happened.
The farewell with my friends was rushed, mostly because they were laughing so hard they couldn't stop. Only before we left did it occur to me that Black had done this on purpose. Otherwise, there would have been half an hour of pink, snotty goodbyes from Apolline. I glanced at him sideways, but he just put on a proud, unapproachable act, which made me even more suspicious.
"All right, I'll remove the spell. It's not proper to appear before my friend like this — he might get the wrong idea." With a wave of his perfectly ordinary-looking wand, my clothes became normal again.
"But next time, you won't get off so easily. You see, I also love a good joke, and I'm not lacking in imagination."
"Forgive me, teacher."
"I didn't punish you for the joke, but for disrespect. You thought we were equals now, didn't you?" I nodded. "You need to understand — a teacher and student can joke with each other, but the student must always respect the teacher. You don't notice it, but from the outside, it's clear you think you're better than others because of your ancient knowledge.
But that's not true — there are monsters in the world from those ancient times, and some who have surpassed even them. I see you know this, but you don't fully realize it yet."
"And what should I do about it?" I sighed.
"Nothing for now — it'll come with time. And I'll bring you down to earth if you get too arrogant. Maybe this meeting will show you just how weak and inexperienced you still are. Give me your hand and hold on tight." With that, Black gripped his cane and said, "Portus."
***
The cane turned out to be a long-distance portkey. Unlike ordinary apparition, the journey lasted longer, but the channel was wider, which made the trip easier to bear. We tumbled out near huge, carved wooden gates in an Eastern style. I managed to land on my feet, somehow. Judging by the fact that we left at noon and arrived in the evening, we'd traveled a long way.
"Not bad. Most people fall like sacks of potatoes and get turned inside out. Looks like your success with apparition is showing. By the way, how did you learn such a dangerous skill?" The old man hadn't even changed his posture, as if he hadn't moved at all. Experience.
"When I was a kid, I accidentally apparated, but managed to catch the feeling," I said, using my well-rehearsed excuse. I'm sure he already knows the truth from Ariel.
"Is that so? Spontaneous magic? Not bad, not bad. If you were a little more meek, you'd be the perfect student."
"Wouldn't that be boring?"
"Exactly. That's why I took you on. Well, let's go knock on the door. I hope he's home."
We approached the massive gates, and with true sight I could see they were covered in enchanted hieroglyphs. Still, I didn't expect Black to knock with a bombarda! Even more surprising, the charms didn't leave a scratch, but they made plenty of noise.
But that was just the beginning — the real surprise was the more-than-two-meter giant who moved the gate, half a meter thick, as if it were a garden gate. He was a muscular, mustachioed blond, middle-aged and enormous, but not like a bodybuilder — more like a heavyweight boxer, with muscles woven with sinew and veins. I'd never seen such a display of human strength. Meet someone like that in a dark alley, and you'd need more than a chamber pot.
He wore a green cloak — I don't know the exact name — and red bracers. On his feet were traditional wooden sandals and white socks with a cutout for the big toe. But despite his appearance, his face was kind, and it relaxed even more when he saw Black.
"Phineas, my old friend, glad to see you! How many years, how many winters!" boomed the giant, his Japanese accent unmistakable. He had to kneel to hug Black.
"And who's this with you? Don't tell me you had a son in your old age, or is this your student?"
"The second. Actually, I came to ask for your help with him. Though I wouldn't mind catching up, too," Black finished on a cheerful note.
"Then why are we standing here? Come in — I'll find something for good guests," he said, laughing as he let us inside.
***
Inside, it turned out to be several buildings, definitely Japanese in style. Judging by the distance, we were in the Land of the Rising Sun. Though the owner looked about as Japanese as I look like a troll.
Once inside, sipping traditional tea, we introduced ourselves.
"Oh, I almost forgot — student, meet the strongest man in the world…" Here the big guy interrupted, embarrassed.
"Now you're exaggerating, it makes me uncomfortable. Furinji Hayato," he said, extending a hand that felt like stone.
"Arthur Marlow. Very pleased to meet you," I replied after the handshake. He didn't try to show off his strength — people his age rarely bother with that, especially not with kids. Since he greeted me European-style, I responded in kind, but also gave a small Japanese bow.
"Ho-ho, it's good when young people respect foreign customs."
"He doesn't know you yet. Once he does, he'll be climbing on your shoulders," Black scolded me. "But the student really is quite good. In some things, he even surpasses me, and I need your help. In payment of a debt."
"Is that so?" the giant was surprised. "I would have helped you anyway, you know."
"I know, but then you'd only teach him the basics. I want you to teach him as if he were your own student," Black explained.
"If it were anyone else, I'd have thrown him out for such a request," Hayato frowned, but then smiled. "But you saved my son when he was at death's door, so I won't refuse. If your student can withstand my training, of course."
"And where is Saiga, by the way? He was such a sweet boy."
"It's been ten years — he left home to find his own path. He came by recently, brought a girl, a real beauty," the giant said, glowing with pride. "Now I'm waiting for grandchildren — I hear she's already expecting."
"Chicks must leave the nest to spread their wings," Phineas nodded, as if quoting someone.
"Let me show your student the guest room, and then we'll have a cup of sake?" Furinji suggested, and my teacher agreed.
I didn't argue or say I wasn't tired. Clearly, the two friends wanted to talk about the past, and I'd only be in the way.
***
He led me through a large house with paper walls and showed me a small, empty room with a built-in wardrobe. Inside were bedding and a futon — a kind of mattress you lay on the floor.
"This was my son's room. He still visits sometimes, so I keep it clean. Make yourself comfortable," the big man said kindly. "And I advise you to rest well — the training will be exhausting."
"Thank you. May I create furniture and a bed as I'm used to? They'll disappear on their own, or I'll remove them," I asked.
"This is your magic?" he asked. That's when I turned on true sight and nearly went blind — he was stronger in raw power than Gaunt!
"Wait, aren't you a mage? You have an incredible aura!" I said, wiping my eyes.
"So young, and already have dragon sight?" the giant mused, stroking his beard. "Amazing! But anyway, all questions tomorrow — I'd like to chat with your teacher."
"Thank you again, sorry for keeping you," I said. After Furinji left — surprisingly silently, like an assassin — I tidied the room with household charms and conjured a bed, table, chair, armchair, and a few shelves.
I have a feeling I'll be here for a long time.
[image: Hayato Furinji]
***
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Thank you for the help with the power stones!!!