Cursed Sorcerer King Of The Arcana

Chapter 4

There was a knock on Gojo's door, opening it he saw Portia. Looking at him she smiled.

Portia: Good Morning, Gojo!

Gojo: Good Morning and What do we have here?~

Portia entered the room and set out the tray of pastries, she began opening the curtains.

Portia: What a lovely sunrise. Did you sleep well? The Countess wants you to meet her in the library once you've eaten and dressed.

Turning around Portia was shocked, Gojo had already devoured the pastries, looking at his clothes they seemed to be a fresh pair of the same clothes from yesterday.

Portia: Did you already freshen up?

Wiping his mouth Gojo answered.

Gojo: Yeah! I woke up early and went back to the shop, freshened up and came back.

Portia: And you have eaten all the pastries.

Gojo laughed in an annoying way that for some reason seemed to irritate Portia. 

Gojo: Yup! The day should be started with sweet things, don't you agree~?

Portia chuckled at his words, finding them amusing. She moved towards the door and signalled him.

Portia: Well if you have had your fill, let's go to the library.

A comedically chibi Gojo was already outside running away. Portia had a comedically shock look on her face as she shouted at him and began running after him. 

Portia: Wait a Minute! 

She ran after the chibi Gojo. Portia panted as she was dragged an amused Gojo by his collar towards the library. Once she reached the doors of the library she began opening the dozens of locks on it. When all of them were unlocked, Portia pushed the door open. She and Gojo walked inside. The sorcerer looked around, finding books on the walls, books in each corner, and shelves so high they reached the ceiling. There was a massive window in the middle of the wall allowing light to enter, the library seemed to have a lot of vegetation allowing a good supply of air and providing a good view. The Countess was waiting for them, seated in a reclining chair. Her eyes looked slightly surprised to see him.

Nadia: Good Morning Gojo. Did you not get the clothes I sent for you? Portia?

 Nadia glanced at Portia who merely sighed as if she was already tired.

Gojo: Actually-

Nadia looked at him and gained a surprised and confused expression. In Gojo's arm was a bag of sweet buns he had bought from Mari's shop. He just ate one in a single bite.

Nadia: When did you get that?

Portia looks at him and gains a confused expression before asking the same thing.

Portia: When and Where did you get that?

Gojo casually ate another sweet bun and replied.

Gojo: I had it all this time, none of you didn't notice and I got these from the market.

Portia sighed it was as if she had given up and she did.

Portia: I give up, you are impossible to deal with-

Before Portia could say anything else, Gojo shoved a sweet bun in her mouth which stopped Portia from speaking and sent her into her little world to enjoy the sweet bun. With a gentle push from his magic, Portia walks out without saying anything. Nadia just stares in shock.

Nadia: I have no words to say.

Gojo: Then don't say anything. Do you want one?

Gojo offered a sweet bun to Nadia. She stares at me for a second before accepting it. Just as she bit into it, her mind went black from such sweetness and a delighted expression on her face clearly showed she greatly enjoyed the treat. Before she knew it the treat was finished, Nadia was confused for a second before she realized what had happened. Nadia coughed slightly and tried to regain her composure. She turned around to look at Gojo who smirked at her in amusement, Nadia felt slightly embarrassed but brushed it off.

Nadia: Do you read?

Gojo nodded. The Countess hid her surprise well but Gojo saw right through her act.

Nadia: Ah. Somehow I suspected you might.

Gojo: You didn't.

Nadia ignored the comment and continued on.

Nadia: It is a great gift to read. Where I am from, it is shared among all citizens but woefully uncommon here.

Nadia gestured deeper into the library.

Nadia: This way, if you please.

Looking around Gojo saw a lot more books as he went deeper in. Nadia noticed this.

Nadia: Goro you are my guest if you want to, you can come here anytime.

Gojo: I appreciate that, so here.

Gojo offered her another sweet bun knowing how delicious the bun was Nadia in all her elegance and pride as the Countness couldn't help herself and accepted. Just as before the sweetness hit just right not too much not too little. Thankfully she hadn't gone down like the last time. Seeing that she was wasting time Nadia quickly returned to the original path.

Nadia: While I like to enjoy the sweet bun Gojo...I need your undivided attention at the moment.

Sensing the shift in Nadia's tone, body posture and aura Gojo stopped eating knowing what the woman was about to say was quite serious. Seeing this Nadia silently appreciated this with a small smile when the moment it came but Gojo did catch it. Nadia leads him to a desk with every inch of the table covered in books, journals, papers and scrolls cover every inch of the desk. Despite the clutter, everything was carefully organised. 

Nadia: This was Doctor Devorak's desk. He was employed at the palace as well as your master Asra. We called upon them to concoct a cure for a plague. 

Gojo:'The red plague, huh'

Nadia: Physicians, Scientists, Alchemists, Fortune tellers, Magicians...All were invited in hopes that our resources may aid in their research. Perhaps the doctor was plotting even then...but he accepted our invitation. As did your master Asra. 

Nadia moved towards the window that overlooked the large willow tree which hung over the fountain in the garden below. 

Nadia: I have had the desk and its contents examined laboriously. Nothing of consequence has been found but perhaps you will make better use of this. This is the best lead I can offer.

Nadia walks past Gojo the strong smell of her jasmine perfume hitting him. 

Nadia: The search for Doctor Devorak is now in your hands. You may proceed as you see fit. I ask only that you meet with me for dinner this evening.

She smiles serenely and sweeps out of the room. When the doors closed Gojo moved towards the desk finishing the sweet buns. There were stacks of books, leather-bound folios and scrolls tucked away in little rows of the drawers. With his hands in his pocket gojo used cursed energy to control the scrolls making them rise and uncurl. The scrolls were filled with scribbles and the only thing that made sense was the letter "J" at the end. However, there was something wrong with the paper. It was as if it had a bit of cursed energy. Gojo touched the paper and indeed it carried negative energy. He could feel the doctor's negative emotions left behind loneliness and regret the energy was mostly focused on the words "Dear Sister". Let go Gojo folded the paper and looked out of the window. Gojo smirked he already knew where the doctor was. Making his way through the city he soon ended up in a familiar narrow slippery street at the south end of Vesuvia his way through the muddy streets he came face to face with a familiarly rough wooden door. Without missing a beat Gojo raised his leg just then the door suddenly opened.

Julian: Oh I'll be back-

The words were cut off the doctor's mouth as he was kicked in the stomach and sent flying. Silence fell in the room slowly Gojo walked into the room without a care. The was lit with lanterns wooden floors and walls with beer mugs in many of the people's hands it was easier to tell it was a pub. Everyone stared at Gojo as deadly pin-drop silence flooded the room.