Early in the morning, a boy came into the Falcon family room, sent by the Headmaster to call Duke. Duke was still sleeping at that time, and all Falcon family members were getting ready for class. Upon receiving the boy's message, Blake told Jerry to wake Duke up. Jerry nodded in agreement and went to Duke's room to wake him.
Duke was still asleep when Jerry roused him from his slumber and passed on the message that the Headmaster was calling him.
Duke rubbed his eyes and muttered curses for the Headmaster in his mind. After freshening up, he stepped out. As soon as he left the hostel, every boy and girl he passed stared at him. Because of what had happened yesterday, Duke had suddenly become famous in the academy. Duke didn't care at all; in his usual carefree manner, he strolled toward the academy.
When he reached the reception, he told them the Headmaster's name, showed his token, and started walking upstairs. Eventually, he reached the Headmaster's cabin and knocked on the door. The Headmaster called him inside.
Duke entered, closed the door, and saw the Headmaster sitting in his chair, busy with work. Upon seeing Duke, the Headmaster set his work aside and began speaking.
Headmaster: "So Duke, you finally revealed the power you've been hiding all this time."
Duke: "Yes, but what can I do? People don't let me live in peace."
Headmaster (seriously): "Listen, Duke—there's a difference between fighting and killing. Yesterday, you weren't fighting, you were killing. In the academy, only fighting is allowed… if you want to kill, do it outside the academy."
Duke: "Alright."
Headmaster (smiling again): "I called you here for a task."
Duke: "A task? For me?"
Headmaster: "I received an invitation… but I don't have time, I'm a bit busy."
Duke: "So what can I do about that?"
Headmaster: "I want you to go there on my behalf."
Duke (surprised): "Me? On your behalf? No, no—send someone else."
Headmaster: "Who else can I send? I'm not on good terms with my family, and there's no one else I can send. I can't avoid attending either. My only option is my personal students."
Duke: "Then send someone else—maybe Veronica or Laila."
Headmaster: "I would… if they were boys. People only send men as their representatives in such events."
Duke: "Still, I'm busy. I've taken a mission and I need to complete it."
Headmaster: "Stop it, Duke. I know you're free. I'm the Headmaster—what can you hide from me?"
Duke (thinking for a moment): "Alright, but where do I have to go?"
Headmaster: "To the Palce on the north side for the birthday of White Commander—he's turning 75. He's a very good friend of mine. If I didn't have urgent work, I'd go myself."
Duke (looking at the Headmaster and thinking): "Half a step away from the next level… maybe today they'll enter the tomb. I have to take advantage of this."
Duke: "Alright, Headmaster—but if I'm helping you, I need a reward."
The Headmaster looked at Duke in surprise.
Headmaster: "What did you just say?"
Duke: "You heard me. How about a deal? I help you, you help me."
The Headmaster was impressed by Duke's straightforwardness.
Headmaster: "Fine. What do you want in return?"
Duke pointed behind the Headmaster at the glass orb.
Duke: "That glass orb."
Headmaster (shocked): "Do you even know what this is? It's not something for you."
Duke: "Don't worry about that. I'll decide what's for me and what's not."
Headmaster (thinking): "Hmm… alright. Do my task, and I'll give it to you."
Duke: "Who knows what tomorrow will bring? Maybe you won't be here, or I won't."
The Headmaster was stunned at Duke's words. Then he pulled out a red letter and placed the glass orb in front of Duke.
As soon as the orb came close, Duke's face lit up like a child getting a chocolate. His attention was fixed on the orb until the Headmaster's voice broke his focus.
Headmaster: "Stop staring—it's yours now. And here, take this letter—it's the entry pass for the Palce. One more thing: if this orb turns out to be useless for you, you must return it to me. Understand?"
Duke: "Alright."
Headmaster: "The birthday is this evening. Go properly and don't ruin my name."
Duke: "Got it, Headmaster." He bowed respectfully and turned to leave.
Headmaster: "And remember, Duke—if you can't use that orb, you must give it back to me. And don't try to sell it—it has the academy's seal on it, so it will come right back here."
Duke put the orb and letter in his magic pocket and left.
Headmaster (smiling to himself): "Duke, no matter what you do, you won't be able to use that orb."
Duke went downstairs quickly, climbed the stairs to his family room, entered his room, and took the orb out of his pocket. He stared at it for a while and muttered, "How are you, old man? We'll meet tonight."
After looking at it for some time, he put it back in his pocket and headed to the south side city market to buy some good clothes for White Commander's birthday party.
"If you enjoyed ting."he story, please make sure to save it in your Library, and leave your Comment and Rating to encourage me to keep write