NOVEL NEXT Chapter 18: 18—Who told you that declining my friendship was an option
The Tower of Hermetics was a good place to read about evil shit. It was dark and barely lit by candles, the windows were placed by someone on crack so the lighting was inconsistent and mysterious, and he had a hot witch sitting beside him to guide the way.
Now this was the magic he was looking for. Not the hot witch magic… but he wasn't opposed to learning that.
Rather the technical and methodic process of Hermetics or circle magic.
It involved a lot of potion making surprisingly with precise measurements or you risk inviting an evil spirit into your house instead of making a love charm.
Then there was offensive magic that could fire icebolts at anyone that threatened you. As long as you drew the targeting patterns right and didn't end up shooting yourself.
But most of all, he was very ready to get back to the fortress and look at all those blueprints again. The notepad he kept in his back pocket was full of arcane symbols and formations that he wanted to check if they were used to build the city.
Terra was also so deeply engrossed that they hadn't spoken unless Diana was speaking to them. Her stringy black hair covered her face as those crimson eyes devoured the textbook in front of her.
He closed his own book and leaned over a window to check who was in front of the tower. No guards and the sun was going down. He stood from his seat, yawning.
"Okay. Time to call it a day. I'll come back as soon as possible to read more about the energy flow between circles then we can talk about spirit gates."
Diana had a look of disbelief on her face that tattered her mysterious vibe. This kid had just come in and breezed through what is usually a month's reading for initiates.
She originally let him into the Tower of Hermetics with the promise that she would keep this from his parents because she thought building a relationship with the future Viscount was wise.
But now she wanted this genius no matter what! If he could quickly absorb and understand all this information then once he was at the level of master, he would be hungry to invent.
They needed fresh minds and insights to study the leftover circle magic of the fallen empires. They couldn't yet decipher and properly replicate what their forefathers had done.
And Perseus was very interested in history! Far more than any master she currently knew. She rose and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Of course, my lord. You are always welcome. I can even schedule some personal classes so that I can help you grow quickly."
Personal classes? Grow quickly?! Now that sounded fun to Percy. If he was a kid he might take that the wrong way. It was obvious that Diana was just interested in his potential.
But if it meant he had time alone with her…
Percy rubbed his hands, holding back the dramatic desire to cackle maniacally for the imaginary audience in his head.
"I would very much appreciate that. Now if you could help us leave without being seen…"
Within a few minutes they were outside in an alley, standing over a fading magic circle that had just teleported them.
Percy's eyes were wide with hunger.
"I'm soooo going back there tomorrow."
Terra looked a bit more shocked, trembling as her words spilled out.
"She just teleported us… so much money… on us."
Well, nothing good could be cheap… on Earth that is. Here as long as he was strong enough, no one could force him to increase his price unless he wanted to.
Terra was still shocked by the amount of favor given to Percy though, she gulped.
"Why has my dark destiny brought me before such a favored young master?"
Percy slapped the back of her head softly.
"Let's get going, Dark mistress. I'll buy some pastries at the bakery then we'll go back to the playground."
Terra jogged to keep up, eyes twitching from him to the ground so many times that Percy decided to just ask.
"What's wrong, Terra? I know I'm impressive but not to the level that you can't ask me a question. Take advantage of having such a glorious friend."
Terra stopped and stared straight at him. Percy stopped some steps ahead, raising an eyebrow.
She clutched her hands and looked down.
"Do you really want to be my friend?"
"Are you rejecting my friendship?"
"No!"
"I'm too short to be your friend?"
"No! Perseus, it's nothing like that, I just—"
She saw his cheeky smile and grew red with embarrassment, running over to punch him angrily.
"Stop making fun of me! I just… I never asked your name. I didn't care to know too much because you'll probably forget me now that you have the tower. You don't need me anymore."
Percy raised an eyebrow.
"Bold of you to assume I need anyone."
Terra looked too flabbergasted to continue speaking. So Percy started explaining himself.
"I can do almost anything on my own, I'm just amazing like that. But if you weren't around who would I talk to, make fun of, and share my greatness with."
Terra turned pale.
"You're way too arrogant. How is it even possible that one person's head could get this big?"
Percy laughed, that was a nice one. He stretched up and petted her, Terra was a bit taller than him but still just a kid.
"You'll find your own arrogance soon, kid. In the meantime, you're stuck with me. And from now on call me Percy."
Terra reared back from his hand and gave him a confused stare.
"But your name is so noble and—"
"Yada, yada, friends have nicknames. That's my only reason, no more disagreements. Let's go."
They pushed into the bakery and almost flooded the floor with saliva. Mouth-watering treats sat on steel trays that lined the shop's walls. The building was made from stone but it was still cozy with bright rugs and soft-looking recliners.
Percy was about to join the line to get a treat when someone grabbed his collar gently. He turned up to find his very angry nanny, Sirena, looking down at him.