8

Moving... Takeuchi was worried about it. Not because he didn't like travelling or other countries, not at all! His work had taught him to look at other countries and peoples from a completely different angle. Having been to almost every corner of the Earth, Hyodo Senior was used to constantly packing his things and going somewhere, but now his family was going with him. His beautiful wife, Mia, and their only son, Issei. It was for them that the head of the family was worried, as his wife did not like long journeys, and their child had never travelled further than Kyoto. But the prospect of a much better life was worth it. Definitely worth it.

He was offered a permanent job that paid more than Takeuchi was currently earning, so he decided to take the plunge and move to England permanently. There, he would finally not have to leave his family because of long business trips, Issei would get a good education and a future, and Miyako would stop worrying about her husband's life. Oh, and the man wasn't worried about the language — everyone in the family spoke English, so it wouldn't be difficult to settle in. Just... Unfounded anxiety.

"Do you think anyone will buy it?" Mia hugged her husband, who was sitting on the sofa, and rested her head on his shoulder. "Everyone is trying to move to the big cities these days."

Takeuchi just sighed. Selling an old two-story house that wasn't in a big city right now... It would be difficult, to say the least. No one wants to move out of the city, even to the suburbs. It just so happens that young people are drawn to places where life is bustling around the clock. To be honest, the man himself used to think the same way until he was confronted with the harsh reality. There, amid the night lights and daytime noise, no one needs you. And if you fall, you'll be eaten alive. It's a cruel world with cruel rules.

"We won't sell it — it's not a big deal," the head of the family smiled reassuringly at his wife. "We have enough money to move."

"I know, but..." The woman sighed and shook her head. "Don't worry about it. I'm just nervous and worried about Issay.

"Issay?" The man laughed. "Our son is much stronger than he looks!

Their son was a good student, taught himself English, and was interested in computers and girls — what else could you expect from a fifteen-year-old? He was a perfectly normal boy. He reacted calmly to the news of the move, although he grumbled a little, more for form's sake. And their son was very interested in the new surroundings, especially the opportunity to meet new people who were different from his usual circle. He was an active child, and Takeuchi blamed this entirely on his wife's genes.

"You're definitely thinking about something..." Mia didn't have time to finish her sentence because the doorbell rang. They both looked at each other, and the head of the family got up from the sofa and went to open the door. He wasn't worried about criminals — their neighbourhood was one of the quietest in the whole town.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Hyodo.

"Good afternoon to you too...

"Castor Brinel, it's a pleasure to meet you.

Takeuchi looked at the foreigner (his hair colour and face almost screamed it) with surprise. The clean-shaven blond man with dark glasses that hid his eyes was smiling. A small smile that seemed to be permanently fixed on his face. He was dressed modestly: a dark buttoned-up coat, boots and trousers. Nothing special. But why was he wearing glasses in such gloomy weather?

"My genetic makeup has given me a natural sensitivity to light, so I have to wear these glasses," the young man replied, as if reading his mind. Takeuchi grimaced slightly and bowed.

"I apologise. I shouldn't have looked like that.

"It's all right. Things that are unfamiliar to us always attract attention; it's just part of our nature.

The man blinked at such... pretentious speech. You don't see something like that every day, so Hyodo blinked, looking at this incomprehensible... Castor, who smiled silently.

"I apologise for visiting, but I am extremely interested in your offer to sell the house. I would like to take a look at it to make sure of its quality.

"Yes, yes, of course, come in!" Takeuchi let the potential buyer into the house. Mya looked surprised at Brinel-san, who introduced himself in the same manner as he had when talking to the man.

"What a strange man..."

Not only was his manner of speaking strange, but so was his gait. His back was straight, his hands were behind his back, and his head hardly turned during the tour. He did not look into the living quarters, saying that "a stranger should not do such things." Takeuchi couldn't read this man at all, despite his experience. The man could say a few things: the foreigner was completely calm and even somewhat detached from the world. It was as if his thoughts were wandering somewhere else, beyond reality. But at the same time, Mr. Brinel listened attentively, asked questions about the house, and for some reason carefully examined the walls in different parts of the house. And so they walked around almost the entire house, spending almost an hour on it. At least, that's how the man felt.

"Thank you for the tour, Mr. Hyodo," Brinel-san nodded, sitting in the kitchen and slowly sipping his tea. "And thank you for the wonderful tea, Mrs. Hyodo. I haven't had such a wonderful drink in a long time. So, how would you like to be paid: cash or bank transfer?"

Takaichi glanced at his wife, who couldn't believe her ears either! They had been waiting for two weeks for someone to come or for the real estate agent to find a buyer, and here a man had come on his own and was ready to buy the house right away! It was very strange, but the man wasn't going to complain about it, because now they could leave peacefully without leaving anything behind! And the extra money would help them get on their feet in their new place without any problems! And Mr. Brinel would get the property he needed. Judging by the speed of the purchase.

"It's strange that he didn't want to buy or rent an apartment in the city... But he's a foreigner, and they think differently."

"You agreed quickly, Mr. Brinel," Mia remarked. The young man put his mug on the table and looked out the small window.

"I have certain personal reasons for choosing this type of accommodation. And the sooner I do it, the better," Hyodo-senpai had already opened his mouth, but Castor-san continued. "Your wife didn't offend me, it's all right. It does look suspicious from the outside, but a cosy two-storey house with a small plot of land is ideal for me.

***

For as long as Castor could remember, his character had been marked by a patience that his mother called "heavenly." Unlike his younger brother or older sister, Brinel had the ability to wait. He didn't tear his hair out or throw tantrums, but waited calmly. The mage recognised this ability as extremely useful in his work and in the war that broke out after the onset of the Dark Dawn. The invaders were cunning and extremely cautious, so rash and ill-considered decisions could cost hundreds of lives and scarce resources, which were impossible to restore without industry. The enemies had destroyed almost everything to prevent people from recapturing strategic points and using them to their advantage.

So the mage was able to live in a hotel temporarily while the Hyodo family prepared to move. This also allowed him to better study his new world, its history and major technological achievements. He read about the first flight into space, the creation of penicillin, the testing of the first atomic bomb, the creation of a nuclear power plant... All of this both fascinated and depressed Brinel, which manifested itself in a lazy gaze and an unwillingness to continue exploring the world.

"If Kairn had achieved something similar, humanity's chances of survival would have increased. Or, rather, it would have lasted longer. The planet had long been doomed because Hunger had turned its attention to it. Even if we defeated the invaders and restored everything, we would slowly be consumed by Nothingness. And after Corvaak's awakening, this process only accelerated...

Castor stretched out in his bed. The blanket felt nice on his body, reminding him of the distant past when he had the opportunity to lie there and do nothing. Of course, only a day had passed since his official arrival, when Hyodo had left, but the mage already felt it... A pleasant feeling. Freedom? No, it was something else. Castor couldn't find the right words, and he didn't want to make his brain work for a meaningless purpose.

"You wanted to tell me something, but getting caught up in everyday matters prevented us from talking properly."

"And no, as I said, I don't care about your old rival and the existing mythology that promotes incest, degradation, and total ignorance," added Brinel, wrapping himself more tightly in the blanket when his gaze fell on the digital clock. It was only five in the morning."But I'll keep talking to you anyway, so that you wake up the mechanism and start developing it," the dragon boomed in his usual bass voice. "Yes, you'll cease to be human, but are you human now?"

"I can't say for sure," Castor said aloud when Ddraig brought up an interesting topic. His brain began to frantically search for facts, and his mood lifted at the prospect of thinking without the need for constant struggle.

"My magic has long since surpassed human understanding and capabilities due to constant use. Practically since childhood, I have communicated with an old friend who revealed the secrets of the universe to me," Brinel frowned slightly. "Physically, I am stronger than a trained man, but any warrior born under Oleron would turn me to dust. I have enough cunning and magical tricks to defeat such an enemy, but any mistake will cost me my life.

"My behaviour and manner of speech are the result of various things I have seen and experienced myself. Any man would change for the worse if he could remain in his own strong mind," Castor lay down on his stomach and buried his face in the pillow, enjoying its softness. He didn't want to sleep: his body was telling him that he no longer needed rest. But his mind told him to enjoy the freedom and the warm, soft bed, which had once been an incredible luxury.

"And even if genetically, energetically, and intellectually I am not human, my heart and soul will always belong to humanity," Castor continued in his mind. His mood plummeted at the unpleasant memories of those who had betrayed humanity for the sake of... For what? In the end, you will either become a vessel for the Ethereal or a victim of Chthon.

"So, we got sidetracked. You were about to tell me some extremely important news."

"How surprising..." Castor ignored the sarcasm in Ddraig's voice. "Anyway, it has to do with me."

"You are slowly turning into a source of problems, not knowledge. And any problems must be solved radically and without the possibility of them returning," Brinel said without a hint of threat in his voice. It was not in his nature to engage in such base behaviour. Warning or stating facts was much more pleasant and impressive, because threats were used by uncivilised barbarians.

"Ahem... In short, my aura attracts females."

The mage sat down on the bed, blinking in confusion. His smile became more tense, and his arms crossed over his chest. He didn't fully understand what the dragon meant. It was too vague a statement, open to any interpretation.

"I mean that in a crowd of identical Castors, they will choose you. The aura of a carrier of strong genes, a protector and a strong man, call it what you will."

"Pheromones?" Drayg answered the mage's nervous question with a nod. Castor exhaled slowly, and his smile turned into a straight line. His eyes dimmed and his gaze fixed on the wall. Artificially cultivated love... Or desire. It didn't matter what it was. The main thing was the fact that it was artificial. It was impossible to build anything stable or viable on such feelings. Not a family, not a team, not a country. It was worth adding that it was inhumane and unethical to do such things to living beings who were not enemies. Even enemies should simply be killed, not have their beliefs and true feelings broken. It was too... cruel. Wrong. Disgusting.

"If it weren't for my concern about attracting Hton's attention, I would have performed the ritual to expel the spirit from myself...

***

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