Chapter 34: A New Encounter with the Nymph

[ March 16, 1973 ]

The farewell party at Ryozanpaku was a huge success. Shizuka kept wiping away tears when she thought no one was looking. Hayato and Saiga laughed and drank some hellish tincture made from pure alcohol and magical plants — strong enough to knock out even their hardened bodies. 

Even Master Ma didn't try to peek under the young mother's kimono — something he'd never managed to pull off in my memory, and always got thoroughly beaten for by both Saiga and the furious former Kuremisago.

Watching them, I couldn't help but marvel at how spontaneous they all were, how different from the reserved, uptight Japanese I'd met before. Sure, the oddities of both mages and martial arts masters could be explained by the influence of magic on the mind, but not everything could be chalked up to that. I realized what it was — they weren't afraid to live for today. 

They were strong enough for that, and they understood that any day, a master of the death fist could end their story. The fist of life wasn't just about preserving life — it was about the desire to live.

The farewell the next morning was brief but emotional.

"Don't be sad, student," the giant said, clapping me on the shoulder so hard I actually grunted, despite my enhancements. My feet sank into the ground up to my ankles. Good thing all my clothes were reinforced for moments like this.

"Life should be enjoyed. Especially since Miu's birthday is in six months… do I need to tell you that if you don't come, I'll find you myself?"

I laughed. Threats from eyes burning with magical fire didn't scare me anymore — especially since I knew he really would come and find me.

"Of course I'll come to little Miu's birthday. And I'll try to visit more often anyway."

"Take care of yourself," Shizuka said quietly, while Saiga simply shook my hand, his grip firm. About the debt — neither he nor Hayato ever mentioned it again. A master's word is even stronger than a mage's.

"Here, my present for you," Ma Kensei said, approaching with a sly grin. He handed me a stack of photos. When I opened them, I saw pictures of Shizuka bathing — which promptly vanished, along with the Chinese master and Saiga. Shizuka turned crimson, but she was holding Miu in her arms.

"Hohoho, youth is so beautiful," the elder smiled broadly.

"Well, since we've said our goodbyes, we'll be going," even the usually prim Phineas couldn't suppress a slight smile.

"Good luck to you all, and goodbye," I said, knowing that, despite the chase, everyone would hear me — this was Ryozanpaku, after all.

Taking my teacher's hand, we disappeared into hyperspace, only to emerge a second later in front of our house.

***

It was early spring, but here in the coven, everything was already blooming and fragrant. Birds sang their enchanting songs. Lilac and bird cherry had opened their flowers, filling the air with intoxicating aromas. Birds were building nests, spreading their charming melodies everywhere.

I didn't know what caused it — maybe the warmer climate, maybe my apple trees, maybe the nymph and the magical forest, or maybe all of it together. My senses were sharper than most, so I heard and saw much more. That's why I noticed the sound-dampening canopy in my mother's room and said:

"I think we should wait for Mom in the living room."

"I think you're right, Arthur. You can also tell me what you've thought about your masterpiece," Phineas said, settling onto a minimalist beige sofa. Despite more than five thousand years since Sumer, to obtain mastery you still had to create your masterpiece — a work that would earn you that title. Of course, there was also an exam to prove you hadn't bought, stolen, or had your Master make it for you.

"Isn't it too early, teacher? I still have so much to learn," I said, sitting across from him. Mom had gotten her hands on some Muggle magazines again and even made the kitchen look like something out of a well-off middle-class home.

"Of course, you're still far from being a master," Phineas nodded. "But you should start thinking about it now. Remember how long you fussed with your apple trees? For that, you could get a herbology master's degree."

"No, I used too many obviously ancient methods there. If you've already guessed about my knowledge, then the examiners would too," I agreed, and put up a dome of secrets. "If I'd translated all the necessary charms and runes into modern form, maybe. But as it is…"

"Yes, I can't deny your intelligence. But at some point, all secrets become clear, and some people will figure it out."

"By then, I hope to be strong enough to protect myself and my family. I'm strong now, but only compared to ordinary people. As for the masterpiece… I have one idea," I said, stroking Pixie, who had flown out of my expanded-space pocket. She put on a proud look, as if my caresses had no effect on a proud and unapproachable girl, but as soon as I stopped, she immediately pulled my finger back with her little hands. And you can't fool empathy — she was blissful.

"And what might that be?"

"Have you heard that Muggles have computers? Those huge calculating machines?"

"I've heard something like that," he said after a moment. "They're supposedly used for calculations."

"Very recently, Xerox announced the creation of a personal computer prototype — the Xerox Alto. I thought it was an excellent idea, since not everyone can keep at home a contraption costing tens of thousands of dollars, the size of a room and weighing several tons. I decided that creating its magical analog would be very useful."

"No one will accept enchanted Muggle equipment from you," Phineas shook his head. "Though the idea isn't bad — often you need to spend months, even years, calculating complex rituals, spells, or potions."

"I'm not talking about using Muggle computers, especially since you'd have to spend ages learning to use them, not to mention programming. I'm talking about creating a fully magical device. Going through my father's records," — that's how I explained having this knowledge, and it was the truth — "I saw the summoning of mind spirits. The Sumerians themselves didn't go further than the summoning and imprisonment of spirits."

"I've heard of them, though the summoning itself was lost. Lesser mind spirits are too stupid, and higher ones simply won't work just like that."

"I know, that's why I suggest taking quantity over quality. Lesser spirits will agree to sit in crystals for even a thousand years just for the chance to develop and feed on magical energy — for them, it's no time at all. And they'll develop, and only get smarter."

"Fine, but how do you control them?" Phineas pressed. From upstairs, the canopy had already been removed and I heard the sound of two people's footsteps.

"Illusory interface, or directly with a mental circlet," I said. Mental control of artifacts wasn't new — it had been used for ages.

"Hm, this might work," Phineas mused. I was sure he was already fired up by the idea himself.

"Son!" The footsteps quickened, I dropped the dome of secrets, and a disheveled, flushed Mom threw herself around my neck.

"Why didn't you warn me you were coming back?"

"Surprise!" I could have told her through the two-way mirror, but I wanted to make it a surprise.

"Or aren't you glad?"

"Of course I'm glad!" She squeezed me, then stopped.

"Merlin, you're like stone now! You used to be so soft."

"Heh, should have trained so I wouldn't get squeezed."

"Mr. Marlow, good morning," Mom greeted the old man. "The usual? Three pancakes and tea with milk?"

"Yes, I'd be grateful," he smiled.

"Good morning," Ludwig came downstairs, yawning, and shook hands with me and Phineas.

"Sleepless night?" I smirked. "Making me a little sister?"

"Why not a little brother?" von Schroeder shot back.

"You're too weak for a brother," I said, looking at him with astral vision. The guy was strong — about twice as strong as an ordinary mage, and equal to me in that regard. But Mom was even stronger, and she'd been training all these years.

I looked at her too — she was about three and a half times stronger than the average thirty-year-old mage who only used magic occasionally, while Phineas was hiding his strength. Wait a minute — I looked back at Ariel and saw a doubled bundle of auras in her womb.

"Mom, you can stop trying — you're having twins."

"What?" Something broke in the kitchen, and Ludwig went pale, then red, then blue.

"You heard me, you should be celebrating!" I quietly added to Schroeder, "Well, what are you sitting there for? Go hug my mom."

I didn't have to say it twice. The bear-like man jumped up, joyfully picked up Ariel and spun her around, and I joined the celebration, while Pixie flew around us shooting fireworks from her wand.

"Are you sure?" Ariel asked, since she couldn't see her own aura.

"Ninety-nine percent sure — and that's only because you can never be a hundred percent sure of anything. Congratulations."

"And you… don't mind that you'll have little sisters?" she asked shyly.

"Mom, I wasn't against your relationship with Ludwig, and you're asking about little sisters? Of course I'm happy. Don't forget to see the doctor, get your development potions, and go through the rituals."

"Sometimes it seems like you're the one taking care of Ariel, not the other way around," Ludwig commented.

"One doesn't interfere with the other. First parents take care of children, then children take care of parents," I smirked, restoring the mug with a wave of my wand.

For now, I didn't fully trust the Care of Magical Creatures teacher, but after the wedding, when they went through a real magical marriage ritual and not just a Ministry registration, there'd be nothing to worry about. Our secrets would become his secrets too, and if he ever wanted to leave the family, he wouldn't be able to tell anyone anything. Such a cynic, I know.

Though there were almost no cases of divorce in magical marriages — spouses adjusted to each other mentally and emotionally, beginning to literally understand each other from half a word. Ancient mages' insurance, since they often married for convenience.

"It's just that you grew up too fast," Mom said, stroking my head.

"It's fine, you'll get practice with the twins," I replied, and Mom threw herself into cooking with doubled enthusiasm. No one brought up serious topics anymore, and there was no need to. Especially since I had plenty of new funny stories from Ryozanpaku to entertain everyone.

***

I had two days of rest. Two wonderful days without training, beatings, or violence against my body and mind. Even Phineas apparated off to visit an old friend and reminisce about the past. He had his own affairs, which I usually didn't ask about.

So, lying under the warm spring sun beneath my apple tree, stroking a small wolf cub between the ears while Pixie sat nearby, enjoying the tranquility, I heard a familiar voice.

"You've become stronger," the nymph appeared, as imperceptibly as always.

"Thank you, and you're as beautiful as ever," I replied, too lazy to even sit up.

"Aren't you curious why I came now?"

"If you came, then you needed to."

"Are you gaining wisdom or just impudence?" Her voice sounded like bells, a brook, and the rustling of leaves all at once.

"Close friends and teachers showed me how important it is to accept life as it is."

"So you found yourself good friends," she smiled, as if remembering someone, and sat down next to me. She smelled dizzyingly of freshly cut grass and flowers. Pixie flew over to her hand and rubbed her cheek against the nymph's finger.

"A beautiful creature, but short-lived. Five winters, no more. You know this, don't you?"

"I know," I replied sadly. And you can't relocate her like me — her soul is too small and weak.

"I can help you, or rather, you've already helped yourself."

"I would be grateful," I said, finally sitting up.

"As I said, you've already helped yourself by growing the magical apple trees. One tree has grown strong enough to create a new nymph. I can use the fairy's soul as a foundation, but you must be near as often as possible and pour your energy into the tree," she explained, surprising me. I'd thought I'd overdone it with the trees, but it turned out to be just right.

"But nymphs can't go far from their tree, can they?" I remembered.

"Ordinary ones, yes. But yours will be bound to your soul and will feed from you. As long as you live, she will live too. So do you agree?"

"I agree. Thank you," I said, standing and bowing, but the nymph didn't need my gestures — she paid no attention and simply "went" into the tree.

"Come in three days with your fairy. Everything will be ready for the relocation."

***

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Thank you for the help with the power stones!!!