Chapter 44: Cliché Events

Zatanna stood on guard with her palm glowing with mana, staring cautiously at the man in front of her.

"How do you know my name?" She questioned dangerously as the power in her hand could be felt by the man.

"With each generation of leaders that pass on, their memories are passed on the the next in line to preserve the integrity of the message we are entrusted to deliver. These memories have been passed down since the generation of our founder."

"He mentioned both of your names; Makoto Sora and Zatanna Zatara. His descendant and his mate that would one day come here." He said, disrupting Zatanna's concentration as the words registered in her head.

"M-mate?" She stuttered out.

"Is that not what you are?" He questioned as the mana emitting from her hand fluctuated before calming down.

She stayed silent, neither denying nor confirming his words as be showed an amused smile.

"To be young again." He muttered under his breath.

"Why should I believe anything you say?" She asked as the she schooled her features.

"Because he's telling the truth." Sora's voice came as he walked into the room.

"Sor-" Her words go stuck in her throat as she turned to look at him.

Gone were the clothes that he wore when they arrived. He was garbed in unfamiliar clothes but they seemed to fit him well.

A dark blue high collared top with white shorts. His legs were bandaged from his ankles up to his calves as black sandals were on his feet.

Those were minimal changes compared to his actual body. When he first gained the template system, his appearance began to mirror Sasuke's downright to the hair but he could still his own features in the mirror.

His pale skin had become smoother and his skin softer as he seemed to have lost a small percentage of fat on his body. He was a bit leaner than before but he was also stronger.

His muscles were now compact and unassuming to any who viewed him at first glance. His hair had stayed mostly the same length only growing a bit below his chin as the spikes became more apparent.

All in all, he went through a subtle but at the same time massive makeover.

"Aldous knew we were coming and prepared everything in advance." He said, confirming the man's first statement, ignoring the second.

Zatanna caught herself staring as she snapped out of it.

"Y-you're back. How did you find us?" She asked, somehow managing to keep herself calm.

"I have your magical signature memorized. Gathering that much magic at once also helped in locating you both." He answered as he turned to her.

"Are you done here?" He asked her as she composed herself.

"I think this belongs to you. It's Aldlous' personal grimoire." She said as she took hold of it and brought it to him.

"Since you're his heir, it belongs to y-"

"Keep it." He said bluntly, interrupting her as she had a look of confusion on her face.

"It'll have better use in your hands than mine. After all, we can't have you using basic spells forever." He explained as her confusion turned to shock as she leaped at him, pulling him into a hug.

"Thank you thank you thank you…" She muttered before catching herself and letting go as she hid her face.

While looking at this scene, Sora remember another thing he read in the chronicle.

••••••••••••••••

"Kid I won't lie, you're powerful for your age but you need help and I'm not talking about help in battle. Despite what you think, pushing others away will only make matters worse."

"That girl you have with you, Zatanna. If you push her away, I can tell you for a fact that you'll end up far worse than Obito. I'm telling you this because I've seen it."

"A man is strong when he fights for himself but he is much stronger when he has someone he's fighting for. Think about it kid."

"Also that book, that she found…don't try to learn it. You already have your own style. Trying to use that would only cripple your strength."

••••••••••••••••

He let out a small smile as they walked out of the room, with the old man in front of them and Zatanna behind him still flustered.

They exited the building as the old man who they finally remembered his name as Lee guided them on a tour around the compound.

"There are many who do not agree with our decision to stay independent and isolated from external matters. They believe that we should come out of hiding." Master Lee said as he guided them towards the training field where two young students could be see sparring.

"Those two are the best students that we could produce so far. Their talent hasn't been seen in years but they are a bit…immature." He explained as they watched the spar.

The pair who were currently sparring were a girl and a boy that looked to be at least fifteen years old. The girl had long dark blue hair that went down to her lower back despite it being tied in a ponytail.

She had soft features but the energetic grin she gave as she dodged the boy's attacks made her look otherwise.

The boy had simpler features than his opponent. He had black hair that was changed into a buzz cut, sharp eyebrows and dark eyes.

He had the build of someone who never missed a day at the gym while the girl had a much slimmer build, not unlike a swimmer's.

While the girl had an energetic playful look on her face, the boy had a stern look as he sent a barrage of attacks towards her.

"Those are June and Taiju, masters among their peers." Lee said as the fight paused as they noticed his presence.

They all took a knee as they greeted him to which Sora merely rolled his eyes. Something that Taiju caught as his own eyes narrowed.

"Are there any others who show promise?" Sora asked casually as his eyes swept over the crowd.

"There are several others who fit that category." He answered smoothly as Sora nodded his head.

"I'll leave them to you. I'm looking to recruit someone strong so I'll need your strongest students as well as those who have potential to be strong." Sora said as his eyes landed on June.

"June." He called out as the girl in question signifies with her head raised.

"Come. We have much to discuss." He said simply as he turned to walk away.

"With all due respect Master Lee, I must object!" Taiju who could no longer hold it in, exclaimed causing Sora to halt.

"Who the hell do you think you are that you can command us!?" He demanded causing Sora to raise an eyebrow in annoyance at his lack of information and bullheadedness.

"Someone who outranks you. Now be smart and be quiet." He answered simply, causing murmurs to go around at the treatment and response coming from the boy younger than them.

"He's the descendant of our founder, lord Aldous. I advise you to mind your words." Lee said before anyone could speak cause more murmurs to go round.

"If you were so important, why wait until now to show up!? It's because of your ancestors orders that we have been reduced to this but there is no way I'm listening to a child!" He declared as unrest was apparent everywhere.

Sora held his hand up just as Lee wanted to speak.

"I don't recall ever caring about what you want. Let's go, June." He said, directly ignoring Taiju's claims as the girl in question got to her feet.

As he turned to walk away, he suddenly tilted his head to the side as a red beam crashed into the wall beside him.

Sora paused and Lee had a look of horror at the turn of events. Turning to Taiju whose hands were covered in red energy as the crowd around him scattered, Sora spoke.

"I've tolerated you long enough. If you want to die so bad, I'll gladly oblige." Sora said, his voice cold as his face held indifferent expression.