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Chapter 38 - 38 Tonks

Swordsmanship. It is an art. A practice that requires dedication and commitment. It requires singular focus to that alone. Richard came to realise this pretty early on. He also came to realise, that his pursuit in sword would make him waste all his other abilities. His pyromancy and affinity to dark arts. He'd have to give up both those because he had to focus on his sword circuit alone.

He had thought it to be a waste. Naturally it was, but still it was a necessary sacrifice if he wanted to so he had to come up with a better plan. And that, was to separate his circuits.

"What are we watching?"

"I'm screening candidates" Richard replied to Tonks as he kept watching the students who moved to and fro in the small window of freedom provided inbetween the studies as an interval.

The holidays had come and gone, and once again, Richard found himself back in Hogwarts, starting his life as a second year student. And other than learning magic, he had another agenda in his mind.

"Candidates for what exactly?"

Richard ignored her, and kept his eyes trained. He wanted a peerage. But not one like that of the devil's. No. He wanted people who were able to take the weight of his magical circuits. Or more accurately, the ones he was being forced to give up. If he couldn't use it, then he might as well find some one else to do it.

As for Tonks, Richard glanced at her before turning away. He kept the queen piece reserved for her. But whether she proves herself worthy of it remains to be seen.

He had yet to use the king piece himself. But he didn't use it on whim. Not when the pieces transformed whoever uses it to a devil. Until he finds a way to get rid of that side effect, he was not so keen of using the evil pieces. But, since this world operate on a different type of magic, he believed that there was a chance for it to not demonify. And for that, he needed to do a test, hence the screening.

"You know i can't help you if you don't explain anything, right?" Tonks climbed onto the stone rail next to Richard and let her legs hang free, not caring about the three meter drop below her. Instead she bent closer. "I'm starting to work as an aurour, you know? I came to Hogwarts today just to meet you, and here you are completely ignoring me and stalking children."

Richard finally stopped looking and turned." First of all, this is not stalking. I'm merely...observing. On the other hand, I don't believe we are as close as to exchange pleasentaries with each other. " Richard looked at her with a deadpan expression before commenting. "In fact, i distinctly remember of us being in an almost master servant relationship with me being the one of higher importance."

"Cmon, we fought bad guys together. I think we are a little past being master servant."

"Stockholm condition at its finest" Richard commented. "However, i suppose congratulations are in order. Well done on successfully turning into an adult wizard who isn't dependent on family fortune and becoming an actual useful member to the society."

"Thank you" Tonks replied. "Now was that so hard?"

"Not really, but it does make what i say next a little awkward" Richard said as he pulled out list from his pockets. "Since you are a legally adult wizard with special clearence from the ministry itself, you should be able to obtain these things easily."

Tonks quickly grabbed the parchment and unfurled it while Richard continued. "I'll also be needing a monthly stipend of about five to ten galleons for my personal research and other work. Also keep a look out for any XXX or higher grade magical creatures who are on the verge of death or have recently died. And-"

"Now hold up here." Tonks interrupted Richard with a tone of outrage. "Are you trying to get me fired from the ministry, or is this some type of a joke?" Her eyes wide, Tonks shoved the list back at Richard's face. "Half the stuff in this list here can get me sent to Azkaban if the ministry ever catch the wind. Seriously, what is this? " her fingers trailed items on the list. "Time turners? Goblin forged weapons? Phoenix blood? Are you out of your bloody mind or are you trying to get me fired on purpose?"

"They aren't immediate requirements." Richard tried to calm down Tonks, whose hair tad taken a deep shade of red in outrage. "I have the specifications written in the back, so you'll find that those are easier than you come to think."

Tonks quickly turned the list over, and slowly her frown softened. "Still.." she finally looked up from the list, "getting these stuff is practically impossible for me you know? Even if it is in the legal gray area, i don't have enough money to get it."

Yeah, money in the end was a problem. And it was a problem that needed an immediate remedy. " We would've just have to make do with what we have. " Richard replied before handing over another letter, making Tonks narrow her eyes.

"And what is this?"

"My adress. This is where I live at the moment. I want you to take me in."

"Huh?" Tonks face turned clueless making Richard sigh in defeat. "I am an orphan. And you are a legal adult. What i want you to do, is become my legal guardian."

"Huh?"

"I'm telling you to adopt me blockhead."

Tonks simply replied with a vacant expression "huh?"

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