Machinist of Mana

The day to return home approached, and three days away I finally decided to do something about it. I strode to the Headmaster's office and knocked, slightly afraid because there was no way the adults in my life were going to let me off scott free after hiding the whole goblin threats.

I knocked on the Headmaster's door, heart beating fast.

“Enter,” I heard after a few moments.

“Good afternoon sir.”

“Ah, Percival, I wasn't expecting you today, what brings you here?” He was gruff but not angry, after all I'd been keeping up with his insane training regimen without any complaints from my teachers.

“Right sir, I was hoping to speak to either Sir Kendrick or Mr. Ignus, preferably both, but I find I have no way to contact them.”

He fixed me with a long stare, narrowing his eyes.

“Why?”

“I received a letter I think they should know about.”

“Would you care to share it with me then? I can easily relay the contents.”

“I really do think I should speak with them first sir, it is a matter of some importance.”

As our eyes met across the Headmaster's desk I felt the pressure of this mountain of a man and his displeasure at my refusal, like an ocean pressing upon me, urging me to surrender. I knew better though, for while my business was important, and he'd probably find out since he seemed to be connected in ways I didn't quite understand surrendering here was the wrong move. This information wasn't for him, it was for the government at large.

After a few moments his facade broke and he chuckled low.

“Better, much better than the first time we met. Going to the right people, insisting on the proper channels, yes Percival, you've improved well. We'll make a proper soldier of you yet. Return to my office after dinner.”

While that was like being told the time of your execution it was also rather expected. Sure, the Headmaster seemed to have connections, but that didn't mean that he had important people sitting around his office or able to be called at a moments notice. It also gave me a bit of time to reflect, make sure that I had things ready.

The time seemed to fly by almost as if I were in a daze, and soon, once more I found myself standing before the same door, knocking once more.

This time there was no call to enter, rather the door was simply opened, and inside I saw four men, instead of three. The final addition surprised me, making me stop and blink in the doorway.

“Grandfather?” I asked, looking at my father's father sitting there.

“Ah, Percival m'boy, glad you're here,” he said smiling. “Come, sit with me.”

My paternal grandfather and I had few interactions overall, with him mostly staying in Exion during the year. Because of this I hardly saw him, causing a wince, I really should have taken some time over the school year to visit during one of my weekends in town, but I'd neglected it.

“Certainly, I just wasn't expecting you here,” I answered as I joined him.

“Since you seem to attract attention I sought to have your parents join us, sadly it looks like they're still on their way to the city. However your grandfather was more than willing to attend this little conference. I've been telling him all about your studies and adventures this year.” As the Headmaster spoke I felt sweat roll down my back, if he'd succeeded in telling my mother everything that had happened I had no doubt I would die.

“How thoughtful,” I remarked trying to smile and failing. “At any rate, this is a translation of a letter I received,” I said, handing it over to Sir Kendrick.

The knight frowned as he read over the letter, eyes darkening bit by bit as he went through it all before handing it to the investigator.

“Translation, from what?” asked Mr. Ignus.

“A variant of a code used by a kindly old woman I met only the once.” That answer got me a few quirked eyebrows, and a small scoff from the knight, I assumed he'd met the former archmage.

“Could we have the original?”

“Impossible I'm afraid, it burned after I read it.” I didn't bother to add that this was because I had set fire to it, but hopefully they would ask.

“The old auntie was known to do that from time to time, though I doubt that was from her,” Sir Kendrick observed.

“No, I believe it was from an oppositional group.” The message itself only relayed that it was from 'Father' rather than a proper name.

The investigator didn't seem pleased when my grandfather held his hand out, silently demanding the letter. I'd not passed it to him, but he didn't seem to care if they wanted him to see it or not. He also had a proper title, he wasn't a lord, or a sir, he was Baron Shadestone and while I didn't know what all he did to support that I did know it came with at least a bit of power.

“He's not going to engage in this foolishness,” he said as he finished, practically tossing it at Headmaster Logan.

“I think I must,” I answered.

“What you think is irrelevant, now that the authorities know where these people, whoever this 'Father' is, are going to be they can set a proper trap. You are my grandson, and not bait in some half-planned scheme.”

“It would be difficult, people watching a location are sometimes hard to find, but I agree...” Sir Kendrick answered.

“Impossible to find more like. We know there is an enemy, and this is potentially the best way for us to get intelligence on them, I'm not suggesting I go in alone, or without aid, but I must go.”

“Where did this letter come from?” Ignus asked, curious on the origin.

“It was slipped into my jacket pocket while I was in the city.”

“That is concerning,” answered Ignus, eyeing me while rubbing his chin.

“Allow me to reiterate, my grandson will NOT be functioning as bait.”

“Grandfather, I really must, if there is an enemy in our midst, then we need to catch them now.”

“Oh, and that requires you? Your teacher here told me that you interacted with Archmage Penumbra, and that she requested you to get proper training, and I can assure you she is more than capable of impersonating you. If this is such an issue have her called and see to it that she protects the lad she was so interested in.” Nobody met his eyes as he spoke. “What?” he asked after a few moments.

“It is considered a state secret, but I'm afraid the she's gone, presumed dead,” Sir Kendrick answered, I didn't know if he had that authority, but he probably knew his business.

“Oh.” For the first time in this conversation he seemed genuinely worried.

“I don't know how much of a hand if any this enemy had in that, but as you can see, a wound such as this cannot be allowed to fester. I will be going, this meeting is just to ensure that I'm not facing them alone.”

“Heavens above boy, how were you planning on explaining this to your parents?” he asked.

“After the fact?” I responded, as if it were obvious.

There were a few scoffing laughs at that, but agreement that something had to be done. So heads came together to discuss what was possible, and what plan should be sent upwards for approval.