Necromancer For Hire- Arc 8

Arc 8, Chapter 19

The Lesson

“I'm so sorry this happened to you,” Life murmured, lifting Pilate off the floor. He gently pushed his ragged bangs away from his face, wiping the blood off his lip.

Pilate cautiously rested his head against Life’s chest, staring at the door behind them. He trembled, and Life knew he was watching for Asher.

“I chased him off. He won't hurt you when I'm around,” Life said, red sparks of magic crackling on his fingers as he paled a bruise under Pilate’s eye. Pilate sighed as the last of his wounds were healed, rubbing his nose against Life’s coat.

Life barely managed to suppress a grimace as he stared down at Pilate. At one point in his existence, he had enjoyed mortals. They were weak, spineless, and miserable, but they were his.  After several thousand years, Life had become bored, discontented.

All of this will pay off, he reminded himself, locking his jaw. Earning Pilate’s trust was crucial, no matter how disgusting it was to have mortal cling to him like this. Pilate was an obnoxiously finicky child, and while he was easily manipulated, Life needed to gain the kind of trust he had never Pilate even exhibit.

“I believe it's time for our study session,” Life said, carrying Pilate into the hallway, “Are you prepared?”

“I put my backpack in your office,” Pilate mumbled, voice hoarse.

The brat was in my office without my permission? Life thought, but decided to let it slide. Right now he had to be a friend, not an boss.

Stepping into his office, Life set Pilate down, allowing him to collect his belongings. He locked the door behind them, giving them a quiet and secluded area for their studies.

“To begin,” Life announced in a baritone, “It should be known that we are creatures of the sun. While death mages lurk in the shadows, we bask in the warmth and light of the all-providing sun. We don't belong in the darkness.”

“Y-Yessir!” Pilate squeaked, scribbling down notes as Life spoke.

“It is also customary for life mage to worship me through incense and sacrifices. But this is an ancestral practice passed down from parent to child, so I suppose that you were not given that opportunity?”

Pilate tugged at the strings at his sweater. “I didn't know my family. All I knew is that I was in an orphanage down in Tennessee before Asher adopted me.”

“Tennessee, you say? I can hear it in your voice.” Life couldn't care less about his past.

Life touched the top of Pilate’s pencil, preventing him from continuing his notes. “How about we make this lesson more hands on? I'd like to scale your power level. Please summon a magical construct for me.”

Life rested his hands in his lap as Pilate placed his sketchbook on the ground, a circle of red energy surging around him. A massive lion tore from the page, its eyes a warm golden color and its mane dark.

Life's eyebrows rose as he sensed strong energy radiating from the lion. Pilate may have been pathetic, but he was a powerful mage, especially for a child.

“I'm impressed, Pilate,” Life said, watching Pilate’s face light up, “You did well. I'd like to spend the rest of the day deciding where we should go from here. Go and get some lunch and some rest. You deserve it.”

Author's Note- remember to vote and comment! :D thanks for reading up to here!!