Nagan | Broken Time Series: Book One

Chapter 14

Despite Master Dagmire's friendly smiles and lighthearted disposition, Nagan learned how intimidating the man could be first hand. In no time, Nagan had recited his side of the story. He hoped he looked sincere enough, knowing full and well Carthadeus will embellish and twist his side of the story to make him appear innocent. That's just how his type's work.

While Nagan talked, Master Dagmire nodded and asked a few questions for clarification, all the while keeping an unreadable expression. The only time he reacted was when Nagan explained what Carthadeus said about his mother, and Master Dagmire's eyes momentarily darkened before becoming unreadable once again.

"So then, Nagan," Master Dagmire began once Nagan was finished speaking. "If I told you to apologize to Honoria as the start to your punishment, would you do it?"

It was a strange thing to ask in Nagan's opinion, but he replied without hesitation, "You can make me apologize, but you could never make me mean it."

Master Dagmire sighed as if he were expecting that exact reply. "Ability wise you take after your father, but manner wise you definitely take after your mother. Either way, to keep the Honoria's somewhat appeased, you should apologize in the most sincere way you can muster, even if they are just empty words."

Nagan snorted. "What, aren't you going to lecture me about how I should feel sorry for punching someone?"

Master Dagmire hummed. "I'd be wasting my breath if I did, but let's not make this into a habit either. Moving on to your punishment," Master Dagmire stood from his chair and strode over to the bookshelf he was searching through previously with his hands clasped behind his back. "Ania was just as dear to me as Nageth was, so I can hardly say Honoria didn't deserve some sort of retribution, but that doesn't mean you should have used violence. As my duty to being an unbiased Head Master, Sir Luxivo brought a fair point earlier. From today on, you will be my assistant of some sort and help me organize this office."

"You mean," Nagan cut in, "you believe me?"

Master Dagmire glanced back at Nagan sharply, "Is there a reason I shouldn't?"

"N-No, sir..."

"Good. Now with that said and done, there is...one other thing I'd like to ask you."

He turned to look at Nagan with an almost apprehensive expression. "You used the spell 'sor' while fighting Honoria, didn't you. I know its magic pulse by heart. It was Nageth's favorite spell, you know." He moved to gaze out the window. "Your father was something called a time mage. A master of time itself. Able to manipulate time to go faster, slower, or to completely stop with a single word while functioning under its own set of rules. No one knows very much about the ability since it is quite rare and has only appeared a few times before. In fact, I'm surprised you also have this ability. It hasn't shown any signs of being hereditary.

"Before his disappearance, Nageth wrote down some of the basics and his discoveries about the ability, all in the hope it would help whoever else gains the ability in the future. The notes are...incomplete at best, but still useful. I'll gladly give them to you to look through. They're yours by default either way. But on a more personal note..."

Master Dagmire once again faced Nagan and walked back to the desk, drumming his fingers nervously against the hardwood surface. "As I said before, Nageth...was my best friend and was like a brother to me. Ania and I became close after they were married. I tried to find you and her once I found out Nageth went missing and was furious at the Elvars for turning you both away. And judging by the way you reacted when Honoria insulted your mother...I can only assume the worst has happened."

The silence and subtle nod to Nagan's head was all he needed to know.

He sighed deeply, crossed his arms, and leaned against his desk. "I'd be lying if I didn't say I feel indebted to Nageth, but know that I truly want to do this regardless. The least I can do for him is to teach his son in his stead. With that said, I want to make you my apprentice and personally teach you things you can't learn in an ordinary classroom. I want to help you improve to your fullest potential and guide you through controlling your time magic. The only thing you have to do, is accept."

Nagan didn't say anything for a long while, and Master Dagmire waited patiently for his answer. Minutes may have past before Nagan looked up at Master Dagmire with determination and the hint of a mischievous smile.

"Only if you'll tell me more about my father."

Master Dagmire laughed and held out his hand for Nagan to shake. "Certainly."

Without any hesitation, Nagan grasped his hand, firmly shaking it.

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Bit of a shorter chapter than usual, but I just felt like it didn't anything else heh

Anyways, I'm finally starting to climb out of my little writer's block! So thanks for sticking by me and making it through my less than stellar chapters XD