Chapter 433 Kindred Spirits [Part 2]
Fortis Dud continued his explanation as if the carnage happening around him was like a regular thing that happened every Friday Night.
“Each tree that grew in that place was nourished by the blood of the people of the Shire Continent, the Fir Bolgs, and the Fomorians,” Fortis Dud explained. “It is also the reason why the Great Eagle Forest is one of the most magical places in Eastshire.
“There are many Treants living in it, which make up nearly half of their total population in the entirety of the Shire Continent. The other magical creatures are also attracted to it, including the Great Eagles, who made it their home.
“I made a deal with them, you see. And in exchange for allowing me to build an academy close to their forest, an oath was made, stating that the Wizards and Witches would coexist with them and help protect the forest from any outside threats.
“This oath has been passed down to all the Headmasters of the academy, and I am glad that they have kept it until now. Professor Rinehart is doing a great job in keeping this place a safe place for students to study, as well as preserving the ecosystem that has developed within the Great Forest.
“But the times are changing, Ethan. Within the Forest, the Artifact that was created from the lifeblood and Magical Powers of all the Creatures that had died during that war will definitely attract the Fomorians to this place.
“When that happens, Brynhildr Academy and the Great Eagle Forest will once again become a battleground. I don’t want to see all the hard work that me and my friends had put in turn into a place of ruins.”
Fortis Dud then glanced at Ethan and held his gaze. He had built the academy in order to teach the next generation of Wizards and Witches the beauty of magic, and allow them to use it for the greater good.
“In order to prevent this from happening, all five of us left our Will here in Brynhildr Academy inside our respective manors,” Fortis Dud stated.
“Before another war erupts, we are to choose our Champions within our own Manorsnand grant them the knowledge, as well as the means, to help defend the academy.
“If you hadn’t appeared at the academy, I might have chosen George as my representative.”
Ethan blinked in confusion. He would understand if the one Fortis Dud chose was his Head Prefect, Henry, but he chose George of all people.
Seeing his reaction, Fortis Dud chuckled.
“Silly boy, don’t underestimate George,” Fortis Dud said. “He might goof off all the time, but when he gets serious, that guy can do ‘unbelievable’ things. But since you arrived, I thought that you would be the better candidate to carry out this task.”
“And what exactly do I need to do?” Ethan inquired.
“Grow up first,” Fortis Dud replied.
“Excuse me?”
“Like I said, you need to grow up a bit. You still haven’t even completed your coming-of-age ceremony yet. Many people don’t know, but passing that trial opens up countless possibilities, for Yggdrasil itself will acknowledge your existence.
“Once you succeed, I will give you an artifact that will help you fight against the Fomorians alongside the four other Champions that the Wills of my friends have chosen.”
Fortis Dud then smirked before pointing at his chest.
“I was a Dud, and yet, I was among the people who fought against the Demon Lord of my era. Believe me when I say that the Old Man was a tough cookie to crack.
“I sincerely believe that we only won because he was waaaaaaaaay past his prime. If we faced him a few years earlier, things might have ended differently.”
The founder of Dud Manor chuckled nervously while wiping away the nonexistent beads of sweat on his forehead with his hand.
“Well, then. Let’s get back to business,” Fortis Dud patted Ethan’s shoulders. “A Pop Quiz for you. Do you know what form my Resonance materializes in?”
Ethan nodded. “An Ancient Dragon.”
“That’s right.” Fortis Dud nodded. “But actually, this is just a farce. My Resonance isn’t really a Dragon. He just disguised himself as a Dragon. I’m going to tell you a little secret, okay? Actually, my Resonance isn’t a Resonance either. It’s just another farce.”
Seeing the confused look on Ethan’s face, the Founder of Brynhildr Academy laughed loudly.
“Yes, I fooled everyone including my friends,” Fortis Dud said with a smug look on his face. “Everyone was surprised when a Dud like me suddenly gained a power that even surpassed the prodigies of my time.
“My friends are all geniuses, but none of them were able to beat me in duels after I gained a power that defied all common sense. You see, back then, Duds were truly pitiful people. They were looked down upon by the Magical Society because they were people who couldn’t use magic.
“Back then, the Shire Continent was a very chaotic place because the Demon Lord was wreaking havoc across the land. During that time, being powerless equated to death, so I decided to harden my resolve and use the ancient arts that were passed down to me by my Ancestors.”
Fortis Dud’s smile deepened as he moved closer to whisper something in Ethan’s ears.
“Although you have hidden it well, I can tell that we are both kindred spirits,” Fortis Dud stated. “I should know because I fought against him hundreds of years ago.”
Ethan was starting to feel uncomfortable, so he pried himself away from the middle-aged man’s hold and took a few steps away from him.
Fortis Dud didn’t make any move and simply raised both his hands in surrender as a way to tell Ethan that he meant him no harm.
“Ethan, I was a Dud,” Fortis Dud said with his hands still raised in surrender. “But that all changed when I made a pact with someone. Since I was unable to wield power on my own, I decided to wield the power of others. Instead of a Wizard, I became…
“A Warlock.”
Fortis Dud then crossed his arms over his chest and smiled.
“I told you earlier, right?” Fortis Dud commented. “We are kindred spirits. I didn’t sense it in the past when you first arrived at the academy because it was very faint. But the moment your Magic Circuits started to heal, I understood that his blood flowed in your veins.
“I may not be the smartest person in the world, but I know what one plus one is. And by Yggdrasil’s grace… that old fool actually succeeded in making someone like you. Thrice blessed, with three patrons. Even I would pale in comparison to you once you reach your full potential…”
Fortis Dud had a crazy glint in his eye as he looked at Ethan, making the latter raise his guard.
“Take this, and keep it close,” Fortis Dud threw something at Ethan, which the latter caught by reflex.
Taking a good look at it, he noticed that it was a golden egg that was the size of a chicken egg.
“You don’t have to do anything. Just keep it close to you,” Fortis Dud stated. “Let your power nourish it from time to time, and I guarantee that not even the Ancient Wendigo, who serves as your Guardian, can hold a candle against it.
“As to whether that egg will already be hatched when the Fomorians arrive, even I don’t know. But since you are Thrice Blessed, I am looking forward to what kind of creature will be born from that egg that was passed down by the Morrigan to the Order of Ouroboros.
“No one has been able to hatch it for hundreds of years, but if it’s you, I think the possibility exists. So grow up, and do your best to survive. I would like to tell you more, but that thing that resides inside you will definitely not stay quiet if I were to say something that you’re not supposed to know at this moment.”
Ethan’s Other Half snorted from within his Sea of Consciousness, making Sebastian chuckle.
“This guy is batsh*t crazy,” Sebastian said as he looked at Fortis Dud. “I like it!”
Perhaps, hearing what the Guardian of Zentris had said, Fortis Dud made an exaggerated bow that performers did at the end of their performance.
“Time for you to go back, Ethan,” Fortis Dud said. “The next time we meet, I look forward to seeing your progress. I just hope that you’re still alive when that time comes.”
Without another word, Fortis Dud waved his hand, and the world around Ethan suddenly shattered and descended into darkness.
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om