Prologue, Chapter 7

October 11, 627 A.R.

12:16 P.M.

It's currently lunch time and I'm trying not to lose my mind right now.

"There really is no number!" Marcus and the others have crowded around me with my phone in hand.

Lancelot is uncharacteristically serious as he speaks in a grave tone, "This is very worrisome."

The rest of us turn to look at him with Arthur vocalizing our question, "What do you mean? It could just be a stupid prank."

Marcus seems to have realized what Lancelot means and adds, "What if it's not though? We could be looking at some sort of terrorist group trying to get to the Longinus through him, or even some other noble family with a grudge," Marcus frowns heavily as he continues, "Even worse, the message might be genuine and someone with highly suspicious intentions might have taken an interest in him."

The five of us are entirely silent as the implications of such a situation weigh down on us.

Gawain with all his usual grace breaks it with an exclamation of, "What the fuck are we supposed to do then?"

I sigh worriedly, "What can we do? As much experience as I have when it comes to beating up people, unlike you guys I didn't get lessons on politics."

Arthur seems quite pale as he stutters out, "Even we never learned anything on how to deal with something like this."

I shrug, "No use worrying then."

"There is every reason to worry. Your life might be in danger Cassius." Hmm, truth be told I never knew Lancelot could actually be stern.

Marcus suddenly interjects, "Your issues may allow you to disregard your own life but the same cannot be said for us. Your life matters to us Cass, keep that in mind."

I should be happy hearing something like that. Yet the only prominent reactions I can muster are doubt and disbelief. How troublesome.

I mutter out a low, "Thanks."

Arthur, looking much better, takes charge of the situation, "We should inform our families about this."

Everyone else seems to agree on this. I don't like this, they shouldn't have to put in so much effort just for me. Really, I'm no-

A sudden clap on my back brings me back to reality and I can only stare confusedly at Marcus.

Marcus' voice is soft as he says, "You're thinking too much again."

Guess we're telling our families then.

October 11, 627 A.R.

4:20 P.M.

We've mostly managed to ignore the figurative noose around my neck for now. Though I suppose I'll have to figure out a way to inform Medea too.

"Cassius." A voice suddenly calls out to me as I'm exiting the classroom.

I turn towards our Thaumaturgy teacher, Professor Ambrosius, "Yes?"

The old professor gives me a smile and indicates me to follow him, "I was told to bring you to someone. It appears you have caught the eye of someone very important."

The words, while lighthearted, sent a terrifying chill throughout my whole body.

The entirety of the walk passed by a blur as I was stuck in my own worries and fears. As I stare at the door I could only fear who could possibly be on the other side of the door. I let out a breath and steel myself, opening the door.

The person on the other side was… Prime Minister Aeetes Colchis. Medea's father.

Oh.

All the tension immediately left my body as I hurriedly stutter out a greeting, "G-good morning Mr. Prime Minister sir!"

The Prime Minister chuckles as he points out, " It's late in the afternoon Cassius and please," he gives a sincere smile "you need not be so formal with me."

"You're the Prime Minister." I'd really rather not put my family in a precarious situation because I was too disrespectful to one of the most powerful people in the kingdom.

He laughs boisterously as he declares, "If things go well between you and my daughter, I'll be your father-in-law soon enough as well."

I don't know if my face has paled or reddened yet I am worried all the same.

"You act a lot like your parents." That got me to sober up quickly.

"You knew my parents?" I had no idea. Then again mother hated involving me in anything that has to do with work, and my other relatives have been quite overprotective after…

He smiles sadly and says, "Your father was a dear friend to me, he was a great man. I'm sorry I could not stop what happened."

My face tightens as I feel my magic slipping. Images of a body lying in a dark room, with so much blood. There was so much blood.

The images fade away. I take deep breaths and calm myself as best I can, all the while the Prime Minister waits for me patiently.

I purse my lips and say, "It was a long time ago now."

He still has that same sad smile on his face as he says, "Yet I must insist on apologizing all the same. I can at least take comfort in the fact that your mother has not made her distaste for me apparent yet I'm not sure how I should feel about her not mentioning me at all."

"Mother likes to keep her work and myself separate." Unless of course it's to teach me how to toss people on their asses.

"Regardless, as much as I'd like to aquaint myself with you, I did come here with a purpose in mind." The Prime Minister has lost his somber air and is now serious.

"I need your help in saving the kingdom."

… What?