False Hero

"Huh? how did you even manage to cast the same mage circle like me?"

"I actually saw you do it and then I did the exact same thing." I saw as I closed my fist as the mage circle disappeared. 

"That's actually amazing, that is some scary observation skill. I didn't even know that this was possible ---- wow."

I sat down on the chair, as I looked down. The memory I saw kept going through my mind. The worst thing was that I felt the exact same thing that was going through Professor Blake at that time. His pain.... his regret... his hate for himself. 

It was enough to break a man's heart. 

"I saw your memory... maybe because I copied the exact same pattern of your mage circle. I saw it... the death of your wife------ through your eyes." I couldn't help but clench my fist as I said "It was though ----- it was though for you."

He dragged the chair as he took a seat beside me. "You saw? how did you feel?"

It was a weird question, but I answered the question anyway. 

"I felt sad ------ I was in denial ------ it broke me. There were various things I wanted to do differently, there were various things I wish I could do. I ----" I sighed as I continued to ask "Professor Blake, you hate yourself don't you?"

He laughed as he said "I didn't expect a fifteen-year-old to understand me. By the way, you are fifteen right?"

"Nearly fifteen will be fifteen next month. But it doesn't matter, it sometimes takes you years to become or sometimes it takes just one bad day to create a man. For me, I was just right year old when I became that I am today."

He again chuckled as he said, "This kind of talk is usually good with some booze." 

"I never really drank in my life, but weirdly I kind of agree with you."

After a minute of silence, he spoke "I loved her---"

"I am sure, you did. Perhaps you should talk with my dad. He also lost the love of his life, he lost my mom. I think both of you will get along well."

"I do want to meet with Ranulf. But we both are busy and we don't have time to travel for days." 

"Ah, well I can arrange that. Even my old man needs to meet his friend."

He looked at me as he asked "Must be nice for Ranulf that his son loves him."

"Why? does your son hate you because he thinks that you killed his mother?" 

He sighed and chuckled at the same time before saying "Yeah, he does hate me and I don't think he is wrong for hating me."

As both of us were looking at the door, John came in as he said "Dad, it's time for lunch. Come on, let's eat."

As he was walking towards us, I said "I don't think he hates you. He just misses his mom, that's it and perhaps one day, he will be able to move on, and perhaps so will you."

Professor Blake got up as he said "It's already time for lunch and I wasn't able to teach you anything."

"Well, there will be many more lectures in the future."

A smile formed on his face as he said "You are very much like your dad."

I couldn't hold off my laughter as I said "That's first."

Confused he asked, "Why?"

"Since people usually say that I am very much like my mom. To the point that they say that I am spitting image of her."

"Is that so?"

John was still waiting, that's why Professor Blake walked towards the door as he said "I will teach you more about the mage circle next lecture. Just remember that you have to focus on your soul, your circle mage will have its own distinct pattern. I will elaborate on that in some other lecture."

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It was evening and this time I didn't go to the house---- well I mean, I didn't teleport to the house. I came to Lenton city. It was the time for the daily report provided by Ebony, Kirsa, Ermic, and Clay. 

Well, Kirsa doesn't really report me anything. She is not subordinate, she is my partner. We just discuss things if needed. Whereas Ebony reports the progress of the Clothing line, for now, I have told to focus on collecting the information of all the rich families close by.

The family which has influence and power. 

The job done by Clay is to handle the gambling center and he handles that very well. He normally doesn't need my help, but I do take reports from him so that I would be able to keep track of where we are going over that business. 

The job done by Ermic is to suppress anyone who is trying to reach power in our area. We don't want anyone running around and calling themself boss. 

I sat in my office and waited for everyone else to come. I came early and waited for ten minutes before everyone was gathered in the office. 

"How is everything on your side, Ermic?" I asked.

"It's going good, there are some problems from the rattle gang but it's nothing that I can't handle."

"Very well."

When he says that he can handle then I won't meddle with it anymore. If my subordinates fuck up, i will clean up for them. But I will let them take care of it, I won't ask them every detail about everything they do.

I looked at Ebony as she said "I am currently procuring every detail about the powerful family in nearby cities and I am also getting in contact with them."

"What about you Clay?

"It's going good, Grey. It's going kind of too good, to the point where there is a shortage of place and also a shortage of equipment." He said as he took a piece of paper and handed it down to me. "This is the list of things we will be needed."

There where the name of some equipment and also he wanted more supply of alcohol. Nearly double of what we were buying before and well, if it's going well then I will have to increase the money provided to the gambling center.

"You will provide will all this---- well I mean that I will increase the money I give you and also you are doing a good job. I am looking forward to more of your good work."

A big smile spread across his face as he tried his best to not smile. He usually maintains this image of a tough guy, but I was able to see a tear two. Or it was just my imagination.

Ebony opened her mouth as she said "Stop it, Clay, you are smiling like a fucking maiden."

"Fuck off, let me at least be happy. There are not many times that I am appreciated. Perhaps i will drink booze with my little brother today. I usually don't allow him to drink much booze but today I will permit him and also drink with him."

I laughed before saying "Ah, by the way, sorry about that I can't give you more space to increase the size of the gambling center. But give me some time, I will manage to increase the capacity."

"Grey ------ Sir, I respect you very much. I mean you are a fourteen-year-old kid, but it's hard to believe it and even if I say to someone that my boss is fourteen years old, they won't probably believe it. But believe it when I say it, you are a fucking great man. Ever since you took over us, we haven't had to fight with anyone, nor we have lost anyone. 

We don't have to hurt anyone, you dragged us out of our dirty fucking past. in past, all we did was kill each other and take things from people. That's how we survived, but ever since we met you our life has improved, to say the least." he looked at me as he said, "So please Sir, don't apologize to us."

Ebony chuckled as she said "I can't believe that I am agreeing with this fucking fool, but I think I agree with this fucking fool. I agree with everything he said and please Grey, don't ever say sorry to us. We are a family ---- Lenton family and you are our leader---- we are family." said Ebony as she looked at Kirsa.

Perhaps she was implying that Kirsa was also part of the family. 

I would be lying if I said that I wasn't happy when I heard those words. I think I was kind of too happy. But then there is a fact that I killed their dad and decided to take over them. 

How can I ever forget that? How can I even be happy and think that I am some kind of hero when I am not?

I opened my mouth as I said "I am overjoyed that I was able to help you guys, but I am not a good guy, but yet I am happy that I was able to do good for you guys and even in the future I will continue to do good for your people. I will continue to do it because you are my people."

{Author: I am putting everything in place for the arc so that I can write a great arc. I am very excited about it! hope you enjoy it too!}