"You looked satisfied," Rigel took notice of his child's light aura when he entered the headmaster's room. He dare not ask what transpired in his absence judging from Nathaira's haggard look and headmaster's sighing.
He received a request that asked him to investigate a fogged area in the northeast. Reports say that soldiers who are sent to the area are nowhere to be found. And those who followed to look inside the fogged area never came back.
But how can he do that and leave Kayne in the Institute if these two can't even handle his child?
"Kayne. You're forbidden to use nor drain mana for two months."
"Huh?!" Kayne jumped out of his seat.
Rigel is spiteful. And he raised Kayne with a clear distinction between rewards and punishments. Mostly, it is reward but when he slipped outside of their quarter once to buy his favorite pastry, Rigel punished him by making him clean the imperial library without breaking anything which led him in mastering mana concealment. In the end, he spent a week inside the library without food or drinks.
"Two months, father. Why?"
"This is not a punishment, Kayne. This is a restriction. Imagine a lion being thrown into a chicken coop. What will happen to those chickens?"
Kayne went back to his seat and tried to hide his pouting face from his father. He understood his logic. Compared to others, they are different. And he likes that difference. It's the only thing that certifies him to be valid as Rigel's son — their sole connection. But sometimes, he's thinking what if he's born normal without any magic at all. Will he put an effort in raising him? Or will he even look at him?
When they were back to their quarters that day, Rigel told Kayne to take a seat for a conversation. "What are you thinking?"
"I-I promised to be a good child," Kayne stated.
Rigel put his hand on top of the troubled brat and smiled a bit. He sat opposite Kayne. "I'll be leaving this place for two months or more depending on how the situation transpires. That's why I ask you to refrain from displaying your skills in full scale."
Kayne stole a glance on his Father and he caught the uneasiness in Rigel's eyes. "Are you worried that I could kill someone?"
Rigel nodded and raised his seat. "I am not changing my plans. Take a rest and mind what I told you."
"What about the reassessment?"
"I know that you can ace it without any magic. Take it as a challenge."
The following day, Rigel left without saying a single goodbye except for the custom dagger he left on Kayne's bedside table together with a golden cash card with Kayne's name imprinted on it.
It is morning and his usual delivery is already in front of the door. The cafeteria staff who always does the morning delivery is smiling widely while waiting for Rigel to open the door but instead of the professor, she is greeted today by Kayne who just came out from his bed.
"Breakfast?," he asked.
"Yes, sir," the young woman politely replied.
"Come in."
Puzzled on why the young master allowed her to step inside his quarters, the staff carefully transferred the items on her trolley to the dining table.
"I'll be taking the class from today onwards. Lunch would be on campus. Snack on campus. Breakfast and dinner in quarters." Kayne yawned.
"Pardon?"
Instead of answering, Kayne busied himself on the servings and finished it in a few minutes. He placed his used plate back on the iron trolley and snatched a piece of paper from Rigel's library. He tried to look for a pen to write but failed.
Messy and unprepared of visitors. The young woman watched the whole comedy with amusement. "What are you doing?"
"I'll write a memo."
"For?"
"Orders."
"Why?"
Kayne scratched his head wildly in frustration from the woman's series of questions. "Lunch at school. Now, leave."
The door closed and the woman who's irritating him in the morning left. This is the first morning he's not greeted by his father and somehow, he feels restless and anxiety is creeping from under his bed.
For the first time, he felt like being abandoned and neglected would drive him insane. He wanted to chase after Rigel and help him as long as he let him stay on his side still and all, he swore to be a good child and his father told him to "Refrain from using mana."
How can he locate him? And how can he even be of any help if he'll be turned into a baggage?
Right on the time he's pondering how he can be a very good child — an outstanding one, the school bell rang.
Kayne stormed on his things and looked for the uniform they bought together last time, almost tearing it when he carelessly put on the trousers. Topped his black shirt with the white coat, attached the belts and wore his gloves. He also made sure that he's wearing the earrings Rigel gave.
But reality slaps harder than what people think. Kayne came late as expected from someone who lives in the opposite direction of the institution's main building. And to make his situation worse, he's living in the instructor's quarters. The farthest building of all.
He mentally cursed his luck and dropped on his seat...elegantly. Etiquette and good behavior are what they taught him.
"Mister who came late, may I know your name?" A plump looking lady with curly red hair eyed the newcomer who's blinding the whole class with his presence.
"Kayne Fenriz Regulus. I apologize for my tardiness, Mrs. Betel. As you know, my father left yesterday and I have a few things to arrange before coming here. Please be assured that this will be my last offense."
Touched by the young lad's assurance and gracefulness, Mrs. Betel did not question him anymore and resumed her explanation on drugs and magic infused poisons.
"For your first exercise. Pick a partner and have one of you come here in front to participate in draw lots. We'll decide what poison or drugs you'll be tasked to acquire based on your luck."