Chapter 6 - A Change in Luck

"Damn the pizza they serve here is amazing, I'd never have thought of trying them," Sophie was stuffing her face as her apprentice was hard at work just so he could get some food. Of course, she had no clue about his financial problems, assuming that he was doing that for extra pocket money, she devoured a family size pizza all on her own.

"Mister baker, I've completed all the chores you've asked me to do, can I please have my payment now? I'm super hungry." Staxius asked eagerly waiting for his breakfast.

"A job well-done son, here's your reward, two baguettes. It's a bread made specially in France, don't see them here that often, but for your awesome work, I had to treat you to something delicious." The baker graciously gave away the payment.

"Thank you very much, however, I'm afraid two is more than I can eat, I'll just take the one, I feel like I haven't done that much to earn such praise." With that, our hero only took one baguette and left the local bakery.

"Yummy, this bread is a bit on the dry side but I like, it's got something special to it. Also let's not forget the part where it looks like a big ding-dong, ha-ha." Having earnt his breakfast, it was now ten o'clock, Staxius had no idea about what to do next. Maybe a quick visit to the library? However, his clothes were in bad-shape, showing up in this state would probably get him kicked out. Instead, he just wandered around the market helping people with odd jobs and whatnot. This way of life was the only thing his father had left behind since his untimely death, "Why stand around and do nothing when you can use that saved up energy to help someone in need."

As a child, despite how he looks now, Staxius was very lazy until war broke out, in hopes of surviving, he had to adapt and learn to live beside a battle mage, his father.

*Cough, Cough. * "Where did he disappear to again? Man, that kid is so much trouble, well I was

stuffing my face with delicious food, guess I'm partly to blame."

Using blood-contract to sense his location, Sophie quickly scurried out of the restaurant.

"He's walking around aimlessly, well no matter, time to take him to Claireville Academy."

Even with the help of blood contract, trying to find Staxius in this horde of angry traders was close to impossible. Imagine the look on her face when she finally spotted her student helping out anyone who sought out his aid. He was rushing all over the place, delivering food, carrying people's stuff, unloading merchandise. Everyone appreciated his help, during this hour of day, people are usually eerie about thieves and bandits, however, they had no problem trusting Staxius. His control over how people thought of him was a weapon on its own, he had the qualities to become one or if not, the best spy in the whole kingdom.

"Staxius Haggard, am I interrupting you?" An important-looking man approached him.

"Yes, who do I have the pleasure of meeting on this fine morning?" Staxius replied as well-mannered as he could. Sophie was overhearing their conversation.

"I am a member of the magical research society or MARS for short. We've recently gotten the news that a young man had invented something which surpasses our current technology, I was sent here to give you an offer to join our institute as a scholarship student. All your expenses from lodging to food will be covered solely by us, all we desire from you is the blueprints to that invention you named a sound recorder. Also, any new ideas you think of will be our property."

"What is MARS thinking, do they wish to exploit him for military gain as well?" Sophie thought to herself while waiting for Staxius to answer.

"I'm flattered that such a renowned company has taken notice to a novice such as myself, however, I can't accept your invitation. I've already made a vow to dedicate four years of my life to my teacher who is standing over there near the fruit stall."

"Crap, he noticed me."

"Is that so, may I have the pleasure of meeting someone who you, Staxius Haggard have decided to study under?" The strange guy asked.

"Of course, it would be my pleasure, give me one moment. Big sis Sophie, could you kindly stop gazing at those l.u.s.trous apples and come here for a second."

"One moment, I'll take two of these," Sophie reluctantly bought apples just to play along with Staxius's game.

After joining up, the conversation resumed,

"Let me introduce you to my beloved sister, Sophie Mirabelle, an SSS-ranked mage," Staxius spoke with pride in his tone.

"It's a great honor to meet someone so powerful and important," Hearing her rank, the strange man's behavior changed, he got nervous, SSS-ranked mages have the power to obliterate a whole kingdom if left unchecked.

"The pleasure is all mine, I apologize if my brother caused you any trouble, so how may I be of help?" Sophie replied with a menacing smile on her face.

"I-I nothing really, I-I've got other business to attend to, if you please, I'll excuse myself. The man cautiously backed away and ran.

"Nice acting instructor," Staxius turned to face his still clueless teacher.

"Big sister Sophie, hmm, I like it, call me that from today on, little brother, ha-ha." Sophie c.o.c.kily demanded.

"What did he want with you anyway?" She inquired.

"Nothing to lose breath on, so have you finally decided to meet me? You being a stalker was a surprise, I hope you found something useful."

"Anyway you put it, I guess that was stalking, but seeing you help people was eye-opening. If you're done here, lets head to the academy, I need to get the formalities done so you can join classes tomorrow."

"Lead the way, big sister."

On the way to Claireville Academy, both Sophie and Staxius bonded, they became more familiar with each other,

"So Staxius, tell me about your family." She asked sternly.

"Do you wish to know my past or something just relevant to that question?" Staxius was being cynical.

"I only want to know about the people present whom you have ties to, nothing personal, it's just for reference for the application. However, if you ever feel like telling me your story, I'll be happy to listen, little brother." She replied clearing all his doubts.

"Fair enough, at the moment, I don't have anyone I can call family, my dad passed away last year, hence my journey to Oxshield. From what I got told by him, I still have a mother who's a teacher at one of the magical academies, on top of that, I may also have a little sister. Having a mother and sister who are still alive may seem like a good thing, sadly, I beg to differ, they left dad when he needed help the most. On that day forward, even as she tried to snatch me away from father, I resisted and stayed behind. Seeing me return by his side filled his broken heart with joy. I respect the man I call father, he's a true hero, and till this day I live by his teachings." Staxius completed his story as they arrived at the academy.

"For you to praise so highly about your father, he must have been a great man," Sophie spoke as they entered the office building.

"Before we meet the director, I have something really important I want to ask you, it's more of a favor than a demand." She asked intently.

"Alright, if it's within reason, I'll do my best."

"I know that you love your father, otherwise known as Tempest Haggard, the only mage who has ever managed to combine three elements after birth. It was deemed impossible but he proved everyone wrong and became the strongest soldier in Oxshield's history. Sadly, for some reason, his past with the army and accomplishments were erased. Because of this, as time went on, people thought of him less of a hero and more of a villain who helped in the massacre of countless human lives. This is why I'm going to ask you to drop the family name of Haggard and use Mirabelle instead. It's girly I know, but this is for the best, I'm alone in the world too, so I know the pain of returning to a home with no one waiting for you." After telling the story, she bowed her head and asked kindly. Going by her gut, she was expecting Staxius to reject her offer and leave, seeing his pride when he spoke of his father made her guilty for asking such an unreasonable favor.

"Raise your head, Sophie Mirabelle, you've done nothing that requires you to bow your head to your little brother, if it helps to ease your heart, I'll gladly become your official brother. From today on, I shall be known as Staxius Mirabelle, it's so bad I love it. Staxius jokingly accepted her offer.

"Are you sure you're not going to regret this; I mean you don't have to obey my every whim."

"You've got it all wrong, I'm yearning to go back to a place I can call home with someone waiting for me, I should be thanking you for accepting me, big sister."

"Come here, give me a hug, Staxius Mirabelle," As she hugged her brother, she could not believe it, Staxius Mirabelle, the name was so stupid it made them laugh.

"Alright, time to get you enrolled."

*Knock, Knock.* "Enter."

"Morning director, I've brought in my new apprentice."

Before she could introduce her new student, Staxius jumped in and calmly acquainted himself with the strict looking director.

"My name is Staxius Mirabelle sir, it's a pleasure to meet you." Placing his right hand over his chest, he bowed and formally introduced himself.

"Sophie, what is the meaning of this?" His tone changed from strict to friendly.

"Well you see uncle, I've decided to make him my little brother, seeing as both my parents died in the last war, I felt lonely. This boy right here makes me feel at ease, even though we've known each other for two to three days now, he already seems like family, hence the decision of making him use my own family name. Also, the fact that he is the son of the now late Tempest Haggard, I felt it was better this way." She concluded her explanation.

"Very well, I see no harm done here, welcome to the family Staxius, although it's unofficial, both I and Sophie are related." He spoke with a reassuring smile on his face.

"Thank you for being so kind to a nobody like me sir," Staxius replied still maintaining his formal tone.

"When we are alone you have the permission to call me uncle, don't worry about it, if Sophie says your family now, who am I to object."

"I appreciate the effort you're putting in to make me feel at ease, however, sir, I feel like calling you uncle at this moment will be disrespectful, especially when I sense hate coming out of you upon hearing the Haggard name." His tone changed from formal to skeptical.

"Hold your tongue Staxius, you're being disrespectful to my uncle." Sophie tried to take the director's side.

"You're absolutely right, the director is your uncle, not mine." He spoke out disgusted about how Sophie acted.

"It's not what I meant," Sophie unintentionally hurt his feelings. Instead of replying, Staxius quietly stood by and stared at the director as he waited for an answer.

"I'm sorry Sophie, the boy is correct, I do have some hatred towards the Haggard name, I'm amazed to see that you caught onto that so quickly. You truly are his son; you've already mastered the art of controlling human emotions and how to utilize them for your own gain."

"Staxius, is that true?" She eagerly waited for his answer.

"My dear niece, let me explain, have you ever wondered what makes someone stand out from the rest? It's simple, subconsciously people release an aura which is either friendly and accommodating or vile and malicious. For his age, the young Haggard there has fully mastered the art of manipulation, otherwise known as the dark arts. A magic technique which was invented and improved by none other than Tempest Haggard."

"So, everything until now was a lie, Staxius, did you manipulate me as well?" Sophie was desperately tightening her grip around his right arm.

"You're correct director, this world is a vile place, it's survival of the fittest. However, I've never tried and will never even think about tricking my big sister here, since I met her during the entrance exam, she has something which is unique to her." He replied confirming and also rejecting the director's claim.

"My name is Staxius Mirabelle, I'm the lovely and dependable younger brother of Sophie Mirabelle otherwise known as my master, uncle."

"Amazing, I like you a lot Staxius, with that, all my doubts have been cleared. Welcome to the family my boy," He spoke with the previously held grudge gone.

Left out of the conversation, she pouted, "Sophie it looks like you're the little sister in this relationship, Staxius here is the one playing the big brother role." The director jokingly added.