Strings of Fate

9th String: A Mission To Accomplish - 1st Half

"M-hmm... What did the note say?"

I frowned. What did it say? "Sorry, Arthur... I was healing the bird when they read it. Only Armand and Natalie were able to see what was written.." Wait, where was Armand? Nah, never mind. He'll return later.

"Okay," the Headmaster sighed. "Why did Natalie go there? Did Leonel tell you?"

I scrunched up my nose. "Kind of, yeah. All he told me was that Natalie wanted to stop the war ny herself. He said she didn't let him in. I don't know why he can't enter, though."

Arthur nodded, sighing. He rubbed his temples and began speaking. "Ah, so that was what this emergency was about. And about Leonel, I think I know why he can't enter."

"Huh?"

"He couldn't even if he tried. The Lithieum clan was always very careful, their actions are very well planned. And their establishments are protected by 3 layers of Lightning Barriers. I haven't heard of an individual getting through 2 layers, much less 3 layers right? In groups, yes, but by yourself? No, that is not possible." He leaned back into his chair, while Harkin and I gawked at him. How the hell did the vampires be able to do such a... thing? I thought Mages were the magic specialists here?

And as if reading my thoughts, Arthur spoke. "Mages and Vampires are distant cousins, if you haven't been told. Yes, both are related because of the Maker. Actually, everyone's related. We were once cousins, by blood, but since the population is increasing, we became more and more distant from one another. Apparently, Vampires and Mages were borne of the same mother, Ingrid Hawke. She was a Mage, and the Maker was the very epitome of the living, thus making him Vampire, Human, Hunter, Angel, Werewolf, Warlock, and Demon rolled into one.

Ingrid Hawke's firstborn was Julianne. She was more of a Mage, and somehow got the Maker's Human genes. The second was Callum. His eyes were red, a dark shade of red, when he was born. But soon, they became black, with flecks of red here and there. He was first thought of as a Mage, but after his 12th birthday, he showed signs of being a vampire. He started hearing things, started being afraid of blood because he experiences immense pain, and he started developing longer and sharper canines. He turned out to be a Vampire, and got some genes from his mother, which is why he is powerful when it comes to spellcasting, even more powerful than Julianne.

Because of this, Julianne Hawke became jealous of his younger brother. She envied his power. She hated the fact that her younger brother was even more powerful than her. Until she had enough and killed one of Callum's children, and thus, the start of the first Spellcaster Wars." He sighed and smiled at me, seemingly amused. That was when I realized I'd been gaping at him the whole time.

I mean, what the hell, right? Natalie and I were distant relatives? And whoa, so we were the ones who started things? I'm ashamed with Julianne, seriously. Even if she was my ancestor. Like, so what if Callum was stronger? She should have just been proud.

But wait, why didn't the professors teach this... this... the Maker's history?

"But... Headmast--" he shot me a look of disapproval, making me clear my throat in embarrassment. "I mean, Arthur--why didn't the professors discuss this in class?"

"Oh," he sighed. "It's because I didn't allow it. The Mages would be hated if people learned that your ancestor was the root of every Supernatural Wars. Even you, look at yourself, you're starting to be ashamed of her. I don't want your kind to be shunned, so it's better if that part of the Mages' and the Vampires' history is left out."

I nodded in understanding. So that's why.

We were all silent for a few seconds, but then the Headmaster spoke. And every word that came out of his mouth made me happy--no, ecstatic.