Master and Apprentices: Rise of the Cheat Potion Maker #2
Master and Apprentices: Interlude 4

Phase 5…

Under the cover of night, Alexander, equipped with multiple storage rings stuffed with his possessions and a few extra treasures, slowly made his way through the manor, being careful not to alert any guards. If he were three years older, his sister would’ve been permitted to share a bed with him, making this escape impossible. He only found this out days ago and knew that if he waited any longer, the years could slip by without his notice. His crazy mother was a hidden court magician with the ability to accelerate time on a person. If she no longer found it adorable to have her baby boy running the store with the intention of impressing his family, she’d begin gathering the ingredients to perform what wasn’t quite Grand-tiered magic but may as well be. Forcing him to physically age while still being a ten-year-old wasn’t ideal, but mentally, Alexander was Yomi, former pirate king. He couldn’t help but long for the glory days of people fearing his name. A true treasure hunter, but also a ruthless pirate. He mostly targeted his enemies for missions and salty oceans; he did have plenty of those. But that was a life he couldn’t return to, especially with Wanda directly gazing at him with unknown holy eyes.

Alexander’s mother had to be a witch, a rare classification of magician usually wielding bizarre powers. It was no wonder why she joined the demonic cult.

Cautiously reaching the hall’s corner, he peeked only to see his sister entering her room with a massive tome in hand. He recognized that as his mother’s and went pale. If his sister had a talent for magic and got into powerful witchery, there was no telling what the crazy girl would do.

Alexander still couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness flood his body. Before the revelations, this was a normal family. He felt honored to be given another chance and even considered forgetting his old life. Perhaps utilizing a spiritual treasure to block those memories in order to help him move on. Fate apparently had a nasty sense of humor. Though being a pirate king in his prior life, he knew he deserved worse.

Still, if they didn’t send him for damnation, he had a purpose and a second chance to gain some good karma.

But the feeling of revenge just didn’t go away, even after a decade. Perhaps in due time.

Deciding the front door was a bad idea, he slipped out the window. With the town sleeping below, he’d have no trouble getting to the ride waiting for him. As soon as he landed on the ground, someone spoke.

“And where are you sneaking off to?”

Alexander looked around, seeing nothing at first. The voice was male and not his ride, father, nor servants.

“Over here.”

He turned only to see a golden fox moving toward him and he immediately recognized it. His mother’s familiar. His escaped… failed.

Alexander didn’t possess the strength from his previous life, nor did he command a ruthless crew. Before the magical fox, he was nothing but a child. Not a scared child, but a child, nonetheless.

“Mazu, what brings you here?” Alexander asked, treating the event as if it was the most normal thing ever.

The fox tilted his head. “Only following orders to protect you and this land, of course,” Mazu said. “Now, get back inside before an agron beast comes out of the ground to gobble you up for being a bad boy.”

Alexander chuckled. “Are you really using a kid’s story to try to scare me?”

Mazu glared.

Alexander shook his head. “Just keep patrolling, I’m getting some fresh air.”

“But—”

“I’m not a prisoner in my own home, fox,” Alexander said coldly, his voice emitting a little of Yomi’s strength. “Or are you expecting me to spend the rest of my days locked inside like a scared little tower princess from the fairy tales?”

Mazu actually gaped at him. Then, to Alexander’s relief, the fox let out a sigh.

“Come to think of it, I’ve never seen you outside,” said the fox. “It has got to be stuffy in there. Very well, go play a bit, but try to stay by the house. I will detect when you’re too far and swoop in to save you from any trouble.” The fox continued around the corner, his last words being, “I was young too, so I understand the desire for adventure.”

Alexander made sure the fox was out of sight before taking out a spiritual treasure. He couldn’t wear the band while inside the house, his mother’s domain. If she detected any magic, she’d instantly rush into the room. As a hidden court magician and also a witch, the woman would easily deal with any threat. Ruthlessly at that, hence why his home was the safest place in town.

The Accel Band activated, giving the boy a speed boost that not even the fox could match. Not that Alexander wanted to test that theory. Mazu had a mountain of magic at his disposal.

Not wanting to keep his ride waiting any longer, he took off in a blur.

The will from his old life allowed Alexander to effortlessly control the treasure. However, he knew that he’d need someone or something to help him form a core. Perhaps train the boy. A past life didn’t mean much if he had no foundation. His mother likely wouldn’t start teaching Alexander until binding him to the cult.

Just then, Alexander noticed his targeted carriage meters ahead. Standing outside waiting for him was a cloaked figure. He slowed, catching his breath.

“Using a treasure without a core is a little reckless,” the cloaked man said.

Ignoring the meddling comment, Alexander placed a sack of gold into his hand, gaining a smile, though he still couldn’t see the person’s face due to magic. In fact, for all he knew, the slim figure could be a woman, demon, god, or hallow. The voice was made of magic as well.

“You know where to take me,” he said as he entered the carriage.

He felt a little strange as the carriage began to move, for this would be the first time he’d ever left his home and town behind. But the strange feeling didn’t last, for he was still Yomi, the pirate king. Yomi had traveled to many places back in his prime.

Suddenly, Alexander could somehow sense a presence approaching the carriage and every second passing brought a brighter and brighter golden light.

“Push the lightning horse,” Alexander said. “I cannot afford to let these people keep me locked up for what is about to come.”

Alexander’s words were too late, for the sound of someone landing on top of the carriage felt heavy. Then he watched in horror as the metallic roof was ripped off and his sister smiled down at him sadly.

“If you think you’re going to kidnap my brother, you’d better think again!” she said, then gave Alexander a worried look. “Don’t worry, your big sister’s here for you.”

Tears fell from Alexander’s eyes, which gave his sister the wrong impression. He couldn’t help but feel bad for her, really. An innocent child born into a demonic cult family, forcing her on the path of being misguided. In her mind, she believed she was doing the right thing. Alexander did love his family and they treated him well, but he’d be damned before accepting the fate awaiting him if he went back.

His sister’s display of monstrous strength shouldn’t have been a surprise to him, but in fact, it was. He thought she’d only recently started practicing magic, but to casually rip off the roof with such control potentially meant that she was a genius magician. Someone born with incredible and unfair talent.

However, Alexander prepared for this possibility. The driver of the carriage only smiled, but neither sped up or slowed down. He was leaving it to Alexander to deal with the threat before they took off with the true speed of a lightning horse.

“Lila, consider not joining the demonic cult and replaceing your own path like I am,” I said, drawing a confused gaze from his big sister.

He activated another band he pulled from his storage ring. Lila might have been a genius, but she was still an amateur. Alexander held the vast mind of Yomi, his true self.

“Mazu.”

The golden fox appeared from nothingness in front of them and tackled his sister to the ground. Due to the relatively slow speed they were moving, the teenager wasn’t hurt.

“Band of restraint,” Alexander said, activating the gray bracelet. Thankfully, the spirit treasures carried their own magic and were powerful enough to not require a magician to utilize them. “You will be unable to move for a few minutes. I’d set it to hours, but I can’t have you being vulnerable to bandits. Tell mother and father that I’m sorry, but I will replace my own path. Don’t come looking for me, for I’ll be gone.”

Alexander’s hidden treasure that allowed him to make a subcontract with the fox worked thanks to having his mother’s blood. She might have been a witch, but not even she could track Mazu.

“You’re playing a dangerous game,” Mazu said. “But as true to serving the family, I will protect you. Perhaps you will come to your senses on your own. Perhaps the sense of adventure within may help you become something greater than a witch’s son.”

The figure in the front laughed. “Hang on tight, it is time we go before that band wears out.”

“My little brother… I’ll replace you! You’re mine! Only mine! I don’t deserve to lose you like this! It’s my job to protect you. That’s all I want to do. You’re mine forever!”

Alexander frowned. He belonged to no one for he was Yomi… No, he couldn’t be that man again. But he certainly wouldn’t allow himself to be a slave or married to some crazy teenager.

The lightning horses burst into an incredible speed. To a normal eye, it would seem as if they disappeared.

“I sure hope you’ve taken care of the tracking,” I told the driver.

“Of course,” the driver replied. “This carriage absorbs the mana the horses release as well as any tracks.”

“Good,” Alexander said. “You were ludicrously expensive.”

The driver simply shrugged. “Perhaps. You’d better come up with something before we arrive to the Kingdom of Merridon.”

“Just take me to the town I pointed out on the map,” Alexander said. “It should be far enough from the capital and give me plenty of time to think of something.” He chuckled. “I couldn’t get all of the shop’s wares, can’t have them come after me for being a thief, but I did confiscate at least half.”

The driver’s laughter made Alexander wonder if he was as crazy as his sister. Anyone taking this job just begged to be charged with being associated with a criminal or even kidnapping. He wouldn’t put it past his family to blame the driver.

Honestly, Alexander wasn’t sure why he specifically chose this town, except for a weird gut feeling. He even got a headache when considering someplace else, especially the foreign kingdom’s capital. It gave off an extreme sense of danger.