EPILOGUE-2

After figuring out they are back in the shores of Gujarat, Raghav quickly contacted home, saying he didn't wanna be caught looking in tethered clothes. Ashwin was surprised Raghav still had a working phone with him despite all the trouble they went through.

Luckily for them, it was late at night, and the  Ghogla beach seemed empty. It was natural since there were  restrictions regarding staying by the beach at night due to the recent movements of sea monsters.

Raghav's family car soon arrived for them to travel in. Succumbing to Raghav's insistence, Ashwin agreed to stay that night at his place, considering he was in no shape to meet his family. Especially when he had no shirt on, roughed up hair, and tethered up pants. It was enough for his mom to figure out that the simple camping trip with friends was not so simple. Luckily, his passive healing healed up his wounds.

While sitting in the car, the duo quickly fell asleep. They were woken up by the driver who opened the door for them.

As the two drowsily walked towards the mansion, which he didn't pay much attention to since he was too tired, Ashwin saw an old man dressed in a butler uniform standing by the door. From his appearance, he seemed like a foreigner.

"Sir Raghav, glad to know you have arrived safely" he greeted, indifferent to the state they were in. He then glanced at Ashwin. He had a hint of surprise this time though, but it only lasted a second.

"I see we have a guest. The baths are ready for the two of you along with change of clothes", the butler said as he bowed, gesturing them to enter.

Raghav smiled, "Thanks Martin", he said as he stretched his arms and walked past the butler, now identified as Martin.

Ashwin followed behind Raghav. He wanted to ask him a few things, but he didn't find it right to speak now. As he walked on, he felt weird gazes that fell on them, especially himself.

Being constantly in the forest for his training with drona, Ashwin became quite sensitive towards people's gaze. It was a skill that kept him alive.

And now feeling the gaze of the servants in the house, Ashwin forced himself to clear him mind. He looked,around, getting a good look of the interior of the mansion. The hall itself was bug enough to hold  hundred easily for a conference or party, and the walls and pillars were beautifully painted in white and blue.

But Ashwin didn't focus on the details but at the servants who were glancing at him. Seeing him look at them, the servants quickly looked away. But Ashwin was still able to figure out what they were looking it.

It was the insignia on his back. Ashwin had almost forgot about it's existence.

'Fuck! They probably think I am some kind of a delinquent!', Ashwin felt like crying. He mentally prayed not to meet Raghav's parents, and make them feel like their son is friends with a delinquent

I didn't wait long. Not bothering to wait and take a look at the wonderful mansion I was in, I quickly followed the servant who lead to me to the first room.

The room had an attached bathroom, and I took my time to relax in the bath tub.

By the time I was out, I saw a new pair of clothes prepared on the bed. I quickly changed into those, and dropped dead on the bed.

As the soft sensation of the bed filled my body, I fell into a deep slumber.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Morning came and passed but the two friends were in no state to wake up. The exhaustion from the past few days and the stress of constantly fighting and running and trying not to die was too much.

The two woke up around 12pm, at least Ashwin did. Raghav was still in bed.

He took a light shower and went out. Only now did he get to see the magnificence of the mansion.

He was on the first floor, and while standing by the veranda, he could see the beautiful architecture of the mansion, with the decorated colours and chandeliers. But too bad he had no time to admire since he just came from place wuth even beautiful palace. Compared to it, this mansions as too pale.

As he walked down the stares, the servant that greeted him arrived and helped him to the dining table, which wasn't anything extravagant. It was a rectangle table with seat for four, two on each side. It seemed like the Mehra family didn't have too many guests who would visit. But he wasn't alone, as he saw an man and woman already sitting there.

The butler, Martin was standing behind the man, who was dressed in a light blue kurta. And the woman, sitting next to him, was in a tradition Saree of orange colour with emroidary designing.

The servant showed him his seat, right opposite to the man, who Ashwin identified as Gaurav Mehra, Raghav's father. And the woman next to him was Roshni Mehra, Raghav's mother.

"Nice to meet you, Ashwin Yadav", Gaurav greeted Ashwin with smile, seeing that Ashwin was comfortable with his seat. "My son told be about you. He always brags about how strong his best friend is"

"It's nice to meet you too, Mr. and Mrs. Mehra", Ashwin greeted back.

By then, Raghav arrived at the dining table. His hair was dishevelled and his face showed that he was still sleepy

He sat next to Ashwin and helped himself with some coffee.

"Raghav, at least comb your hair properly before coming downstairs. Can't you see we have a guest", Raghav's mother scolded him.

"Cmon Ma, it's just Ashwin. It's not like you invited son business partner or something", Raghav answered indignantly, much to his mother's displeasure.

"So, how was your adventure?",Gaurav changed the subject. But then he remembered something and asked, "And Raghav, I thought you said you had hired a hunter to accompany you. But Martin tells me that when he checked, their was no such request made to the hunting squad". Gaurav was still smiling, but Ashwin could tell it wasn't the friendly smile from earlier

Ashwin wasn't sure whether to speak or not, but in the end, decided to let Raghav handle it.

But Raghav didn't seem bothered by it. He stuffed the rice into his mouth, and used it left thumb to point at Ashwin.

The heads of the couple turned to Ashwin, looking for explaination.

"... He meant to say is I am the hunter he's talking about. I work at local hunting squad as a novice hunter", Ashwin answered.

The two nodded in understanding. While it wasn't too common, it wasn't that surprising for a novice mage to become a hunter. Especially those who don't have big backers.

"But you should have hired a much experienced hunter. Martin told me how injured you two were when you returned", Roshni said to both of them.

"I underestimated the danger. It was my mistake", Ashwin said, bowing his head. He still remembered how close to death they were.

"And Ashwin", with her gaze turning sharper than before, she asked, "is it true you have a tattoo on a your back?"

....

Shit, I knew this was coming!

"...Um, yes", I scratched my hair awkwardly 

"oh right, u too wanted to talk about that!", Raghav said. He was too excited for some reason, "

"But I got good news, guys!", Raghav exclaimed. His excitement diverted everyone's attention from Ashwin. "Where did you get that dope tattoo?!"

Ignoring Raghav, I focused on his parents. Although I didn't feel any hostility, I could tell that they were wary of me

"My teacher made my get it", I lied. Considering these guys don't know who my master is, it's better to put the blame on him.

"Your teacher?", Mr Mehra asked

"I have been training as a mage before I joined the magic academy", I said. 

"So you awakened before you enrolled?"

"I nodded my head in response.

Good, I diverted their attention. Now they will follow my lead

"After I awakened, I went away from home, to train under a friend of my late grandpa's"

Thinking about that stupid old geezer made me a bit irritated.

Endure it Ashwin.

Endure.

"what rank was he?", Raghav enquired.

"He never told me, but he did have space element"

Hearing that my master has space element, their eyes widened. Dimensional magic were extremely rare, and each of those elements are extremely powerful. So telling them this was enough.

And I can't reveal that he is a peak super mage since that would raise even more questions 

"And he made me take the tattoo, saying its to show everyone I am his student", I said, "and to this day, I have no idea what he meant"

"..."

The three or them turned silent. They were trying to make a decision of whether to believe me or not.

"OH, that explains why you're so strong! You were actually holding back all this time?"  Raghav spoke up, breaking the ice.

"Man, I wish I had a teacher like that", Raghav acted regretful. "Oh, and ma, baba, I have good news!"

"We both are intermediate mages now!"