" Drip... Drip "
Blood slowly fell down from my face and fists, yet it still wouldn't come off
That stupid smirk wouldn't come off
No matter how much I tried to pull it down the smile wouldn't leave my face, when I tried to forcefully do so I ended up cutting through my face leaving fingernail marks all over
The longer I looked at it the angrier I became and before I knew it I had smashed the mirror with my fist
' I can't breathe '
I left my room a feeling of suffocation enveloping me, yet even as I walked throughout the entire estate the endless thoughts clouding me wouldn't stop.
' I want a drink'
The realization of what is happening to me only helped speed up the process, and with every second that passed the difference between me and Nicholas blurred as our very beings started to merge.
I needed something that could make me stop thinking about what is happening to me to stop this, yet with the plan set in motion in less than 24 hours I couldn't risk not being at my best condition.
At that moment though Albert suddenly appeared before me.
" You don't seem quite well master "
"..."
To Albert I must have looked like a dishevelled mess, I had a crazy smile plastered and I was walking around blood dripping from my body with the smell of puke around me from before only making my impression on him worse, however like always he stayed calm as he asked in concern.
' Yes, like always '
My smile started to fade, I didn't know why, even though I tried everything else I couldn't calm myself down, yet for some reason when Albert appeared everything seemed more manageable all of a sudden.
' Whenever he was around it was always like that after all '
Whether it was me or Nicholos who thought this way I didn't know, I just wanted someone to talk to at the moment.
" I'm not going to be me anymore "
I said such a nonsensical thing to him all of a sudden, but instead of asking anything he just nodded his head without rushing me
" Sometimes I'm the current me... and... and others I'm the past me
Right now, I am becoming both...
I don't know what will happen when I become both... " I muttered my voice barely above a whisper
As I finished a shadow seemed to fall upon Albert's face as his fists clenched tightly
" Split personality is it... "
I didn't know if he was asking e or simply speaking to himself, but it seemed he had reached his own conclusion to this matter
" That makes no difference now does it. "
At some point the endless memories started merging in an instant as memories and personalities became one causing me to feel lightheaded yet even then all my focus was on the words that albert was saying as he calmly walked before
" Be it who you are now, who you are in the past or both of you combined, the pure essence that makes you who you are won't change and even if it does, I'll make sure to serve you even then
Because it was my inability to help your father which caused this to happen to you, as I did nothing but stand like a fool as you suffered "
' That wasn't true you were under oath '
But even saying that much seemed too much for my body to do at the moment
" So let me say this again to you nich... "
At some point my body started tipping over but was stopped by Albert holding me straight
" Grandfather will take care of it, so go and get some rest "
With those words I lost consciences
.....
"I" woke up.
Looking around I seemed to have been taken into my bedroom at some point and guessing by the position of the sun outside it appears that not much time has passed since I had lost consciences
" Are you feeling better master? "
Beside me like always albert asked softly, but this time I wasn't startled, I mean after a lifetime of this you kind of get a hang of it, so I simply answered his question instead
" I don't know "
' That was all there was to it '
Simply closing my eyes brought upon endless memories of years of abuse, with all the scars on my body as reminders of what I had gone through
But alongside it stood memories of the man who took me out of that place, helped me be able to function in society again and go out to get a drink in a bar and have some fun
Looking down my hand was subtly shaking, I was afraid, but I have things I need to do
So, standing up slowly from my bed I stretched and changed my clothes
" Albert...? "
" Yes, master "
" Let us get ready the guests are about to arrive "
" Of course, sir "
With that I opened my door
.....
Checking the time properly it was still early in the morning, giving me enough time to finish some last-minute inspections as I sent orders to the standing commanders before making my way towards the accommodations that will house the incoming students and staff.
Originally only the first years where only supposed to come but after the deal I struck with merlin all three years ended up coming
The average of a single batch is around 200 students, if we add all the years combined alongside the teaches then the total would surpass 600, so in order to accommodate them all a special building was built at the outskirts of the city.
' All under the generous pay and connections of Lord Merlin of course '
The only way it was actually possible to build this was through excessive magic and the use of wizards who wished to curry favour with merlin
A building built to house over 600 different people at the same time just looking at its magnitude alone inspired awe, with a beautiful garden, casino, playground, spa, restaurant, outdoor pool for all and a private indoor pool for women
' Actually, doesn't this look better than my own mansion? '
Such a thought briefly washed over me, but I quickly washed it off after all when this trip is over this would become the largest Hotel in the continent.
Ever since the massive economic boom that happened in the arcane a lot of travellers have started visiting especially those from the underworld, causing almost all the ins to be booked 24/7.
That however while great for the innkeepers proved to be a problem to all of those of higher class from merchants to nobles as they became unable to visit even if they wanted to, essentially forcing me to throw out those from the underworld
But now with this I would have an exclusive space dedicated to the higher class making it so neither side would interact with the other. I even got the approval of the underworld saying that they would feel more comfortable as well.
Not only that but with the upcoming events and accomplishments the visit to the arcane territory would reach unprecedented levels covering the cost of the operating the hotel alongside any other expense that it may incur in the future
' The most troubling part of it all was finding the staff for this '
After some searching it turned out that the staff working for the previous living house arcane relatives where still around though no longer working as servants, most noble houses ended up aliening them after the purge of their masters
' Bad luck or something like that '
So, with a promise of a good living, I was able to bring them all back to work for the hotel and of course like always the mana oath was there to make sure nothing happens
' Still, those were a lot of people, how many of our relatives did father actually kill?? '
I wondered about such a thing all of a sudden before I made my way towards the front gate of the hotel
Standing there I could see it from afar the arrival of the cadets