亚洲综合中美

“Mister baker,” covered in sweat, Staxius stepped in. “-I’ve completed all the chores you’ve asked me to do. Can I please have my payment now? I’m super hungry.” The stomach growled; it felt like a famished beast. “A job well-done son, here’s your reward, two baguettes. It’s a bread made especially abroad. Don’t see them here that often, but for your awesome work, I had to treat you to something delicious.” The baker graciously rewarded him with a smile.

“Thank you very much,” he paused and examined the bread. “-I’m afraid two is more than I can eat, I’ll just take the one. I feel like I haven’t done that much to earn such praise.” Seeing the length, he took one and left the local bakery.

‘Yummy, this bread is a bit on the dry side but I like, it’s got something special to it. Also, let’s not forget the part where it looks like a big ding-dong.’ He chewed on the well-earnt breakfast. The time now was ten o’clock, Staxius had no idea about what to do. ‘Maybe a quick visit to the library?’ he asked but seeing the state of the clothes he wore, the idea was soon dropped. Showing up wearing those garments would probably get him kicked out. Instead, he wandered around the market helping people with odd jobs and whatnot. This way of life was the only thing his father had left behind since his untimely death. ‘Why stand around and do nothing when you can use that saved up energy to help someone in need. Nothing comes cheap, who knows, I might get something nice out of helping some strangers.’ As a child, despite how he looks now, Staxius was very lazy. Then war broke out and surviving became harder. He had to adapt and learn how to live beside a battle-mage, his father.

*Cough, Cough.* She choked. ‘Where did he disappear again? Man, this kid is so much trouble. Well, I was stuffing my face with delicious food, guess I’m partly to blame.’ She used blood-contract to sense his location then quickly scurried out of the restaurant. She knew vaguely where he was. ‘You’re walking around aimlessly. No matter, time to take you to Claireville Academy.’ She followed the scent.

Even with the help of the blood contract, trying to find Staxius in this horde of angry traders was close to impossible. Imagine the look on her face when she finally spotted her student helping anyone who sought out his aid. He rushed all over the place, delivered food, carried people’s stuff, unloaded merchandise. Everyone appreciated the help, during this hour of the day, people were usually eerie about thieves and bandits. Nevertheless, they had no problem trusting Staxius. His control over how people thought of him was a weapon on its own. He possessed the qualities to become one or if not, the best spy in the whole kingdom.

“Staxius Haggard, am I interrupting you?” An important-looking man approached. “Yes, who do I have the pleasure of meeting on this fine morning?” Staxius replied as well-mannered as he could. Sophie overheard their conversation. The man signaled Staxius to follow him down a narrow alleyway. Sophie followed behind.

“I am a member of the magical research society or MARS for short. We’ve recently gotten the news that a young man had invented something which surpasses our current technology. I was sent here to give you an offer to join our institute as a scholarship student. All your expenses from lodging to food will be covered solely by us, all we desire from you is the blueprints to that invention you named a sound recorder. Also, any new ideas you think of will be our property.” He proposed as if doing Staxius a favor.

.....

‘What is MARS thinking, do they wish to exploit him for military gain as well?’ Sophie thought to herself while waiting for an answer.

“I’m flattered that such a renowned company has taken notice to a novice such as myself. However, I can’t accept your invitation. I’ve already made a vow to dedicate four years of my life to my teacher who is standing over there near the fruit stall.” He pointed to where Sophie stood. ‘Crap, he noticed me.’ The apple she held fell onto the floor.

“Is that so, may I have the pleasure of meeting someone who you, Staxius Haggard have decided to study under?” The strange guy asked. “Of course, it would be my pleasure, give me one moment.” He stepped back and yelled,”-big sis Sophie, could you kindly stop gazing at those lustrous apples and come here for a second.” Though he yelled, people didn’t seem to pay any notice. “One moment,” she yelled back. “-I’ll take two of these,” she reluctantly bought apples to play along with Staxius’s game.

After joining up, the conversation resumed. “Let me introduce you to my beloved sister, Sophie Mirabelle, an SSS-ranked mage,” he spoke with pride in his tone. “It’s a great honor to m-meet someone so powerful and important.” Hearing her rank, the man’s behavior changed. He got nervous, SSS-ranked mages had the power to obliterate a kingdom if left unchecked. “The pleasure is all mine. I apologize if my brother caused you any trouble, so how may I be of help?” She asked with a menacing smile on her face. “I-I nothing really, I-I’ve got other business to attend to, if you please, I’ll excuse myself.” The man cautiously backed away and ran.

“Nice acting instructor,” he turned to face his still clueless teacher. The customers who shopped yelled at the man as he bumped into everyone while making the escape. “Big sister Sophie,” she thought long and hard while making a hmm sound. “-I like it,” she replied at last. “Call me that from today on, little brother.” she cockily demanded. “What did he want with you anyway?” her interest piqued. “Nothing to lose breath on, so have you finally decided to meet me? You being a stalker was a surprise, I hope you found something useful.” He knew she followed him from the beginning.

“Any way you put it, I guess that was stalking.” She tried looking innocent. “-but seeing you help people was eye-opening. If you’re done here, lets head to the academy, I need to get the formalities done so you can join classes tomorrow.” She concluded. “Lead the way, big sister.” He spoke the last sentence.

On the way to the Academy, both Sophie and Staxius bonded. They became more familiar with each other, “So Staxius, tell me about your family.” She asked sternly, a bit too familiar for an acquaintance. “Do you wish to know my past or something just relevant to that question?” Staxius was being cynical. “I only want to know about the people present whom you have ties to, nothing personal, it’s just for reference for the application.” She calmed his growing suspicion. “However, if you ever feel like telling me your story, I’ll be happy to listen, little brother.”

Set at ease, he spoke, “fair enough – at the moment, I don’t have anyone I can call family. My dad passed away last year, hence my journey to Oxshield. From what I got told by him, I still have a mother who’s a teacher at one of the magical academies. On top of that, I may also have a little sister. In fairness, having a mother and sister who are still alive may seem like a good thing, sadly, I beg to differ. They left dad when he needed help the most. On that day, even as she tried to snatch me away from my father, I resisted and stayed behind. Seeing me return by his side filled his broken heart with joy. I respect the man I call father, he’s a true hero, and to this day I live by his teachings.” Staxius completed his story, coincidently, the building came into view.

“For you to praise so highly about your father, he must have been a great man,” Sophie spoke, they entered the office building. “-Before we meet the director, I have something really important I want to ask you. It’s more of a favor than a demand.” She asked intently.” Alright, if it’s within reason, I’ll do my best.” He replied nonchalantly.

“I know that you love your father, otherwise known as Tempest Haggard. The only mage who has ever managed to combine three elements after birth. It was deemed impossible but he proved everyone wrong and became the strongest soldier in Oxshield’s history. Sadly, for some reason, his past with the army and accomplishments were erased. Because of this, as time went on, people thought of him as less of a hero and more of a villain who helped in the massacre of countless human lives. Therefore, I’m going to ask you to drop the family name of Haggard and use Mirabelle instead. It’s girly I know, but this is for the best. I’m alone in the world, so I know the pain of returning to a home with no one waiting for you.” After telling the story, she bowed her head and asked kindly. Going by her gut, she expected Staxius to reject her offer and leave. The pride in which he spoke of his father made her feel guilty for asking such an unreasonable favor.

“Raise your head, Sophie Mirabelle, you’ve done nothing that requires you to bow your head to your little brother. If it helps to ease your heart, I’ll gladly become your official brother. From today on, I shall be known as Staxius Mirabelle, it’s so bad I love it.” Staxius jokingly accepted her offer. Dropping his family name might have looked like a betrayal towards his father. On the contrary, Staxius figured it best to use the name of a well-renowned individual to make his presence known all around. Without power nor connections, moving around in this country was close to impossible.

“Are you sure you’re not going to regret this; I mean you don’t have to obey my every whim.” She asked once more, doubt-filled her eyes. “You’ve got it all wrong, I’m yearning to go back to a place I can call home with someone waiting for me, I should be thanking you for accepting me, big sister.” He added with a smile, she didn’t know what he concocted on the inside.

“Come here, give me a hug, Staxius Mirabelle,” They hugged, she could not believe it. Staxius Mirabelle, the name was so stupid it made them laugh. “Alright, time to get you enrolled.” she faced the door.

*Knock, Knock.* “Enter.” A faint voice replied.

“Morning director, I’ve brought in my new apprentice.” The door opened. Before she could introduce her new student, Staxius jumped in and calmly acquainted himself with the strict looking director. “My name is Staxius Mirabelle sir, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Placing his right hand over his chest, he bowed and formally introduced himself.

“Sophie, what is the meaning of this?” His tone changed from strict to friendly.

“Well you see uncle; I’ve decided to make him my little brother. Seeing as both my parents died in the last war, I felt lonely. This boy right here makes me feel at ease, even though we’ve known each other for two to three days now, he already seems like family. Hence the decision of making him use my own family name. Also, the fact that he is the son of the now late Tempest Haggard, I felt it was better this way.” She concluded her explanation. “Very well, I see no harm done here, welcome to the family Staxius. Although it’s unofficial, both I and Sophie are related.” He spoke with a reassuring smile on his face. It all felt too simple, the director accepted him without breaking a sweat nor asking questions.

“Thank you for being so kind to a nobody like me, sir,” Staxius replied still maintaining his formal tone. “When we are alone you have the permission to call me uncle. Don’t worry about it, If Sophie says you’re family now, who am I to object.” He laid back in the chair and took a more relaxed stance. “I appreciate the effort you’re putting in to make me feel at ease, however, sir, I feel like calling you uncle at this moment will be disrespectful. Especially when I sense hate coming out of you upon hearing the Haggard name.” Staxius’s tone changed from formal to skeptical. “Hold your tongue Staxius, you’re being disrespectful to my uncle.” Sophie took the director’s side. “You’re absolutely right, the director is your uncle, not mine.” He spoke out disgusted about how she acted.

“It’s not what I meant,” She was left baffled, she unintentionally hurt his feelings. Instead of replying, Staxius quietly stood by and stared at the director as he waited for an answer. “I’m sorry Sophie, the boy is correct. I do have some hatred towards the Haggard name, I’m amazed to see that you caught onto that so quickly.” Josiah leaned closer to the table, “-you truly are his son. You’ve already mastered the art of controlling human emotions and how to utilize them for your own gain.” The director knew something Sophie didn’t.

“Staxius, is that true?” she heard it and awaited his response. The look on her face changed to gloomy.

“My dear niece, let me explain. Have you ever wondered what makes someone stand out from the rest? It’s rather simple. Subconsciously, people release an aura that is either friendly and accommodating or vile and malicious. For his age, the young Haggard there has fully mastered the art of manipulation, otherwise known as the dark-arts. A magic technique invented and improved by none other than Tempest Haggard.” He ended the short explanation.

“So, everything until now was a lie, Staxius, did you manipulate me as well?” Sophie grew restless and desperately tightened her grip around his right arm.

“You are correct director, this world is a vile place, it’s survival of the fittest. However, I’ve never tried and will never even think about tricking my big sister here. Since I met her during the entrance exam, she has something which is unique to her.” He replied confirming and rejecting the director’s claim. “My name is Staxius Mirabelle, I’m the lovely and dependable younger brother of Sophie Mirabelle otherwise known as my master, uncle.” Nothing felt right, Staxius behaved unlike himself. “Amazing, I like you a lot, Staxius. With that, all my doubts have been cleared. Welcome to the family my boy,” He spoke with the previously held grudge gone.

Left out of the conversation, she pouted, “Sophie it looks like you’re the little sister in this relationship, Staxius here is the one playing the big brother role.” The director jokingly added. Staxius smiled but didn’t seem keen. Everything felt too easy and simple, relinquishing his father’s name left a bitter taste in his mouth though his face remained emotionless – he hated himself for it.