Chapter 2: Friend

Christopher lived near the village of fifty adobe houses, his tower built on the top of the Herra Mountain. The scenic beauty of the common heritage is most spectacular in sight with mesmerizing flow of the holy river that runs along a bed of polished stones, which were dark and enormous.

Renowned for his superior powers far advanced than any of the previous generation of magicians, Christopher's name was well-know across the Kingdom of Kepler and beyond.

Christopher, an acclaimed Magician of the Hercules Black Tower was appointed as the official companion of the crown princess with Robane's reference.

He presents himself in public as a good-natured, respectable individual. As an imperial magician, he possesses proper savoir-faire and treats others with common decency. Underneath this facade, however, Christopher is ruthless and ill-tempered. He perceives death as a natural occurrence in the cycle of life and cannot empathize with those who mourn for their losses. Rather than imparting his vast knowledge onto others, Christopher maintains a condescending attitude towards those who do not meet his standards. He is capable of analyzing others with a single glance and holds the wits to manipulate them at will. As an extremely conceited and vain individual, Christopher has on several occasions declared himself as the most attractive and talented person of the empire. Despite these qualities, Christopher has expressed empathy and generosity towards those who have gained his favor. He is insightful of other people's emotions, though he fails to comprehend his own.

Christopher had long black hair that extended to the small of his back which he cut short during the years he spent growing up alongside Astra. He has ruby eyes that occasionally glow red, and a single beauty mark under his left eye. Christopher wears a variety of ensembles, including robes, waistcoats, and a magician's coat. Several women across the length of the vast continent have described him as handsome, with an aura of deep solitude and loneliness which makes him seem untouchable and at the same time, irresistible. A tragic beauty is what some call him.

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Robane knocked at the entrance of the Magic Tower but he got no response in return. Growing impatient by the second, he started banging the door since he could sense Christopher's presence in the tower. Being a lone wolf out of habit and choice, Robane knew that Christopher was deliberately ignoring him. Regrettably for him, Robane was determined to get his way.

"Stop playing and come out I've some matters to discuss with you" Robane commanded, his eyes darkening.

"I didn't ask for any unsolicited command and who in the world invited you?" Christopher snarled upon seeing him, his tone cold enough to send a shiver across Robane's spine.

"I need your help and I have come here to make a request with you, I hope you consider it" said Robane assuming a tone of fake politeness. He muttered under his breath about how sorcerers are too haughty for their own good. Such arrogance indeed, perhaps even no one from the royal family has ever spotted such an egotistical demeanor.

Whoossshhh

"I heard that, what's the matter?" Christopher said with much indifference appearing at Robane's backside out of thin air. Robane's eyes widened in surprise.

"When did ya flew here!?....that was quick...as expected from you."

Looking at Christopher, he felt a strange aura around him.

"Anyways I need you to accompany the Princess and help her work on her magic skills."

"Nah, you can go back. I don't work under anyone's obligation" Christopher replied brazenly with a straight poker face.

"Hold your horses, you don't have to work under obligation, I want you to befriend the princess and help her to grow, I am sure you would love to accompany princess! You can ask for anything in return." Robane sighted in frustration, hoping to convince Christopher.

"Well you look desperate and you certainly are offering a good deal in return, so I'm in! And what I want in return is for me to know and you to find out. Just remember, I don't follow anybody's rules so keep that in your head!" Christopher finished off with a not-so subtle warning.

"Duh! Alright. Now let's head back to the castle." Robane smirked. Well at least I convinced him.

"You can go ahead. I will be there in sometime." With these final words, Christopher teleported to the castle while Robane headed back to mount on his horse.

Magicians sure have it easy, Robane thought shaking his head. His journey to the castle on the other hand won't be a quick one.

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Christopher casually strolled in the garden of the castle. It has been quite a significant time since he last came here. The pleasance was so breathtaking. Beautiful herbaceous borders with woodland and lakes with magnolias, camellias, rhododendrons and the garden gave an immaculate vibes. The westerly breeze steadily blew away, bringing cheer to any dampened spirit.

Unexpectedly Christopher saw someone else strolling in the garden too.

The beauty was stellar, a subtle beam of sunlight touching over the delicate face and the bright smile while adoring the sweet scented fragment flowers.

He couldn't help but to gaze at the ethereal beauty his eyes bore witness to.

Astra sensed someone gawking at her, while looking around the garden, her eyes met Christopher's. She was flabbergasted to see someone unknown in the palace garden without permission. He didn't look like a butler or a knight with his attire so seeing him; Astra couldn't help but feel tense.

She was about to reach for some security. Looking at her anxious face Christopher instinctively knew what was the matter.

Reaching towards her, while maintaining an appropriate distance as not to faze her, he said with a gentle tone, "Don't worry, I'm not intruder or something. Well, Robane obliged me to come here and accompany the Princess." Knowing that she was herself none other than the princess, he pretended to be ignorant of her identity as he continued, "Do you know where the Princess is? There are a few matters that I ought to discuss with her."

"I beg your pardon but-

Astra wasn't able to finish her sentence as Robane's sudden arrival alongside King Elihom unintentionally interrupted her stream of thoughts. Reaching towards them he said, "Oh, here you are! I precisely knew I would find you here. Well, your majesty and princess I would like to introduce both of you to the magician I was talking about!" Robane finished off with a smile

"Hello everyone....nice to meet ya I guess. I didn't know you were the princess....apologies for any insolence." Christopher lightly bowed.

The King's ears perked up in alarm at his words as he quickly glanced at Astra, his eyes trailing her head to toe, "What insolence are you talking about....are you alright my love!?"

"Yes dad. I just misunderstood him as a trespasser. We just met few minutes ago with each other. Nice to meet you!" Astra flashed a toothy smile.

"My pleasure" Christopher replied courteously.

Looking critically at Robane, Astra threw a tantrum, "Why didn't you appraise me about our guest Robane!?"

"Hehe, I beg your pardon, Princess. I thought to keep to it to myself to give you a surprise!"

"Ahem Ahem."

King Elihom drew everyone's attention at him. "Well whatever, I trust Robane and believe Christopher to teach well and take care of my princess. I won't tolerate any impudent behavior or any malicious action which would cause harm to anyone. I hope I made myself clear. I'll take my leave"

Passing past Christopher, he made an eye contact with him.

"Yeah, I got it your majesty, I don't like people to give a chance to talk about me unless praise." Christopher tentatively nodded at him.

"Rest assured, your majesty, I will be accompanying them too." Robane reassured the King.

Satisfied with their response, Elihom returned to his workspace.

"I didn't think you would be the princess, looking at your attire I thought you might be....*ahem*...hope you got it!?" Christopher teased Astra with a sarcastic tone.

"Got what huh!?" Astra replied back in a blunt rude tone, her jewel-eyes narrowing at him.

"Well princess, don't mind him being humorous and poking fun around you cause that's how he is so you better get accustomed to his sass." Robane suggested half-heartedly.

Astra directed her sharp glare at Robane, fierceness resonating through her.

In the back of his Robane thought with a sigh, it didn't go as I anticipated. Shaking his head at them, he got to the point.

"Jokes aside, I would like Christopher to teach Astra some magic."

"He's gonna teach me magic!? Really!? Then show me a glimpse of what you can do." Astra's eyes shined radiantly as she grew excited.

It was his first time meeting someone who looked down upon him.

"I love fireworks, can you make them!?"

"Fireworks!?" he murmured. What an odd request.

Astra seems to have qualms dealing with Christopher.

"I'm curious, show me!"

"Hwoo! Kwakwang!"

Dozens of fireballs in the air followed after Christopher hand gestures and later fell all at once into the pond nearby. The fireballs had no blazing extreme temperature which could bring any harm to anyone though.

Shrugging at her, he said with cockiness dripping from his tongue, "such low levels of spells are beneath my genius!"

Completely in a daze, Astra couldn't help but admire him, "Wow, you are the best! Where were you concealing away such magnitude of powers!?"

"Stop flattering and praising to the skies....duh....when at first you were being disdainful to me!" He narrowed his eyes at her cheekily.

"Alright my bad! I apologize for underestimating you! So can you teach me some magic spells too!?" She asked him nervously brushing her fore-fingers against one another. 👉🏼👈🏼

"Before we start with anything, I want to be sure to remember your mana , your soul and who you are. Since magic can be too horrendous at some point."

"Well I know that and my father already told me but can you help me to have more powers over my magic and self!?"

"Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown....only now do I truly understand the weightage of these words quoted by Shakespeare." Christopher smirked with a devilish charm.

"Oh my Lord! You are so mean and rude. Hmph!" Astra couldn't believe his nerve. No one has dared to treat her so.

The whole situation seems to turn awkward so breaking the silence Robane said, "You guys should go in the library and read some literary ancient magic books. Maybe Christopher will help you with some thermos and spell."

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Astra walked inside the castle without uttering a word. She seems to get offended for the first time by some anonymous sorcerer.

Christopher is capable of analyzing others with a single glance and manipulating them at will. He easily deducted what triggers Astra the most and he is well aware of how to deal with her in the future.

In the library, Astra stood on a ladder near the bookshelf to get a book.

"Well Princess, I thought you might know basic magic which could help you to get the book without standing in the ladder.....teehee." he laughed breaking the silence.

"Christopher" Astra warned, feeling vexed at his audacity "You better be in your limits and remember, I'm a newbie in magic. That's precisely the reason Robane asked you to help me out, not to ridicule and disdain me for the stuff I don't know much about."

Furious with him, she turned too quickly and lost her balance from the ladder and in a bat of an eye Christopher caught her in his arms.

"Are you alright!?"

Little flustered, Astra nodded while chewing at the bottom of her lip, "Yeah I'm good. Thank you for helping me. That was quick."

Noticing that she was still in his arms, she tugged at his robe, "You can put me down now."

"Ohh yeah I forgot" Christopher blushed in slight embarrassment.

"hehe your face is almost red, are you fine?" Astra teased him wickedly.

"Argh! Yeah I am good! You should be more careful next time. I don't want you to get hurt. Stop being clumsy."

"I'm not clumsy! hmph!" she pouted.

Through this Astra realized that Christopher does have a sweet side to him and also cares for others. Irrespective of how harsh and stern he pretends to be.

"Every kind of human has an affinity towards magic. The only difference is whether they can use it or not. And it doesn't matter if you aren't skilled. I'm performing magic because everyone has their own calling. And I can say that you have tremendous amount of mana which you help the whole kingdom to stay protected....."

"But how do you know about my ability? We never mentioned it before to anyone!?" She gasped at him in surprise.

"I could discern it. Don't be surprised. Sorcerers are pretty good in detecting. So without wasting our time we should start with some basic. Let's start with some books. It will help me to see how much knowledge you can acquire!"

"Alright!"

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