The meeting with the knight continued. Linus was starting to think this wasn't so much a new year celebration but just a Hr meeting inside the Veilborn.
He did note some names around the table. Montrose from England, Voss from Germany, D'Aubigne from France. Linus had heard about some of the names, nothing worth mentioning only stores and such. But to think that all these people knew about the veil, I had the feeling I would do everything myself.
"Alright, with that I feel like we can conclude this meeting. Now go enjoy the new year celebrations." She looked at me. "I would just like a moment with you Gray."
I stood up from my chair and waited.
Once everyone had left, she walked slowly towards me. "A lot to take in today I imagine."
"More than I thought it would."
She chuckled. "You will learn in due time, you have already made impressive improvements. I had a vision about you killing a bear with I lightning strike is that correct?"
She really did know a lot. "Yes, that did happen."
She nodded approvingly. "This power that is given to us, it carries a lot of responsibilities. You need to wield it with respect." She sighed a little. "But I am aware that you out of anyone know how to take care of yourself after what happened." She stopped for a moment and looked out of one of the big windows. "Your father was a knight as well, he was hunted down because of that reason, your family just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time."
Yeah, I figured, the traitors were cleaning up any possible threats towards them. and the stalking they did on me was to see if I would receive the veil's power as well.
"What exactly it the veil? And I haven't heard it yet but what should I call you?"
She laughed. "Oh, silly me, I totally forgot to introduce myself." She cleared her throat and straightened herself. "My name is Seraphina Valcrest." She smiled. "And my position in this order, is the Speaker of the Veil. I hear the voices of the veil. That is how I got informed about you."
This is getting deep, a speaker of the veil. Did I join some sort of cult?
"This is all very much for me right now, but I'm starting to puzzle some things together.."
She chuckled. "As I said earlier Gray, you are in no rush. You are still young and should focus on your studies."
I thought for a moment, how much does she know of the fragments, they didn't talk about it during the meeting.
"I have a question about the veil. Do you know anything about fragments of the veil?"
Her eyes widened, like she heard something she didn't want to hear. "Where did you hear this?."
I considered how to talk about this. "Please answer first I think it will be easier to discuss then."
She sighed. "Very well. The fragments are the missing pieces from when the veil was destroyed 300 years ago. We and the traitors are trying to find them, the traitors want to put it together and we want to stop that."
"What would happen if it was put together, isn't that the point?"
She seemed to think. "It can't be put together right now, if they would do that it would break again and destroy everything. Remove magic and life forces from the planet itself." She walked a bit closer to the windows. "The veil works right now, it even says so to me. The only reason the traitors want to open it. Is because they think it will give them powers beyond possible."
"So they are fanatics?"
She thought for a moment. "Yes, that is a good way to describe them. killing idiotic fanatics."
Out of curiosity. "So no one has found these fragments yet?"
She shook her head, "No, we have searched everywhere. They might not even be real."
Linus took out his wand. "I want to show you something." I'm going to trust her.
The wand glowed blue as Linus casted a barrier around the two of them making them invincible and muted to the outside.
She looked skeptical.
Once done, Linus put his wand down and out of his pocket he took out one of the fragments.
Seraphina's eyes widened even more this time, her face turning white. "H-how?"
"just appeared one day." A total lie but whatever.
Seraphina's shock turned to what seemed like calculating. "You haven't told anyone I assume. You keep it hidden." She stepped around in a circle. "This changes thing, they won't be able to open it either way now."
I put away the fragment.
"This stays between you and me. And if anything threatens that, send me an owl instantly."
The little meeting concluded. As I stepped into the hall with the stage, I was once again greeted by the amount of people that are in here. there are way too many people here.
Linus stood by one of the big windows of the mansion. Fireworks were going of now and then lighting up the night sky with bright colors. But there was one thing bothering Linus.
'I'm bored' Linus thought as he stood and overlooked the giant crowd of people celebrating.
This had gone smoother than I imagined, I thought there was going to be a fight with the so called traitors, not actually being the real deal.
As he stood there one of the knights from the meeting approached.
"We meet again" ah the knight from France, think her name was Lyra D'Aubigne.
"Greetings" I said casually.
She seems to think for a moment, it was hard to read since all knights had masks. "I see you are like me. Not a fan of crowds."
I chuckled. "Well, that, and I don't know anyone here."
"Tell me, would you accept an invitation to France as my quest. Where we could meet in a more relaxed way, without the masks and this secrecy" she said.
Oh she has something in mind, we just met and already inviting me for something? This could be fun. Always wanted to go to France too.
"I would be glad to accept such invitation."
She nodded. "I will send an owl. Now I have other things to attend. Happy new year to you knight of the north."
I nodded. "Happy new year to you as well."
As the new year arrived Linus thought back on the year that had gone. All so new and foreign, he was a new person. Not the timid little boy who would play quidditch with his brother. Or the one who would play pranks on his sister. He was the leader of the strongest house in Scandinavia. Not only that but now also some protector of the veil. And he didn't even know what the veil was yet, because he had forgotten to ask Seraphine before.
The clock struck midnight. A new year, and even more things to do.
Linus didn't bother standing around in the celebrations more. He used a portkey to Stockholm and returned home.
The snow still fell over the manor. The wolfs outside howled.
Inside the office of the young lord. There was a silence interrupted by flipping of a page in a book. The tea beside him steaming, and Hati laid on the floor snoring. Quiet loudly as well Linus remarked.
Opening his status screen.
{status window}
{Title: Head of House Gray}
{Linus Gray}
Age 11
Bloodline: Pure-blood (Gray), Veilborn,
{Attributes}
*Magic power: 7 (ancient magic)
*Leadership: 7
*Potions: 5
*Herbology: 3
*Charms: 4
*Transfiguration: 4
{skills}
Wolfs eye (much easier to see other in the dark an in general will also highlight people friend or foe)
Berserker (increases pain tolerance, health and stamina for 5 minutes, spells also become more powerful during this time)
{trait}
Nordic cold (resilience against cold weather and magic, also help user keep a cool mind) Rune-sight (Ancient symbols are easier to read) Born leader (The people respect you, hold your head high) veilmark (grants resistance to illusion-based magic and mind magic) ice wolf (ice magic deal more damage and spells are cast faster) Cauldron bonded (dormant) Ancient born of the veil (Ancient magic flows inside you, you now use ancient magic) mark of Nerida (Nerida choose you, prove yourself worthy of this mark)
{items}
Gray family book of spells SS tier, Gray family book of potions SS tier, silver ward charm, Charmstone x1, cauldron of Nordic ice S tier. veil fragment x2, Veritaserum x1, Wizard/Witch/which summoning card (S tier)
He picked out the silver ward charm, this was a reward he had gotten early but never used, it's supposed to start glowing faintly when danger is close. This could be used in case of an ambush.
He decided to wrap it around his wand, this way he could go around with the wand and still see the charm.
I do have a summoning card, but I think I will wait until I really need it. Astrid is fine on her own right now.
The days flew as Linus did pretty much nothing. Christmas made him lazy.
The air blew ice cold in Stockholm harbor. boats laid still surrounded by thick layers of ice. Linus arrived at the harbor to see the Durmstrang ship already waiting.
Stepping onto the ship and entering its interiors, he saw his roommates already sitting at one of the couch sections.
"Happy new year." Said Linus as he arrived to the group.
The others looked up. "Happy new year" they said almost in unison.
"Did you all receive my presents?" I asked Linus had given the 3 of them a new cauldron each, this cauldron was made from the gray family makers. They had more advanced runes etched into them than normal ones.
"Yes, but I almost feel bad. I didn't give you anything that expensive." Armin said almost shyly
I waved him off. "Don't think about that. You presents were very much appreciated."
The four roommates sat and talked for a while before Sigrun also joined them with her roommates.
They sat and shared storys about Christmas and new year's.
As the ship drifted through the icy waters, snow fell softly against the enchanted hull, melting away before it could settle. Warm golden lanterns illuminated the Durmstrang ship's interior, the steady creak of wood and distant rush of the frozen sea filling the pauses between laughter. Linus leaned back in his seat, the soft hum of conversation washing over him. For a moment, everything felt… normal.
Erik was telling a story about how his uncle had accidentally cursed his own beard to sing every time he sneezed, and Nikolai was laughing so hard he nearly spilled his drink. Sigrun rolled her eyes but smiled anyway.
It was strange, Linus thought how easily laughter came even after everything that had happened. The bear, the duel, the Veilborn, Seraphina Valcrest… Speaker of the Veil. That name still echoed in his head.
"Linus?" Sigrun's voice pulled him from his thoughts. "You've been staring at your drink for five minutes now."
Linus blinked. "Just thinking."
"About what?" Nikolai asked, leaning forward with a grin. "Your mysterious secret life as a potion prodigy? Or are you planning how to take over another house?"
Linus smirked. "Both, maybe."
They laughed again, but the sound faded as Linus's eyes drifted to the window. Beyond the glass, the night sea stretched endlessly, illuminated only by the northern lights dancing in ribbons of emerald and violet. Somewhere out there, the world was moving plans, forces, and secrets spinning unseen beneath the surface.
Later that evening, inside the common room, the warmth of the fire contrasted sharply with the cold stone walls. Linus sat by the window again, this time with his family's potion book open before him. His eyes weren't on the text, though they were on the runes etched into the page margins. They shimmered faintly now, more than before.
Sigrun approached, holding two mugs of steaming tea. "You always read that same book."
"It's not the same," Linus said quietly. "It changes."
She tilted her head. "Changes?"
He looked up at her. "Some things are hidden until you're ready to see them."
For a moment, Sigrun said nothing. Then she handed him one of the mugs. "You're weird, Gray."
Linus smiled faintly. "I know." It's the truth.
The first day of lessons started and Linus and his classmates were ready in the potions chamber. Still smelled like damp stone, but now even colder. Every desk had a small fire to keep warm.
Arkadi had given everyone instructions to brew a successful potion, didn't matter what potion.
Linus thought for a couple of moments, turning pages in his potion book. And got too a interesting potion. Strengthening solution of the gray, it was a normal strengthening potion but refined by the gray family, the ingredients were a bit different than the normal one too.
Let's try it. Linus gathered the ingredients and neatly organized his work station. The main ingredients were salamander blood and powdered griffin claw, that was for the normal one, the gray family added in Froost bark and glacier water as well. Weird but alright.
The cauldron hummed as Linus made his potion. The ingredients went into the cauldron with precision and steadiness.
Around him he heard classmates sigh in frustration. Looking over at Nikolai who seemed to do really well, Erik was almost done it seems and Armin stirred his potion. Sigrun was holding a timer, probably doing a wiggenweld potion waiting for 30 second before stirring.
It was a real difference from the first term where none of them could even get their cauldrons hot enough.
After 2 hours, the strength potion was done. From it I could get 4 vials. I brought one of the to Arkadi's desk, he looked it over smelled it. And just nodded. "Good work as always Gray." He said casually before returning to his own work.
The classroom was already empty, my potion had taken the longest time.
The dinner hall was packed, stepping inside it made a few heads turn.
Nikolai who was sitting at the usual table turned towards Linus who was just taking his seat.
"Linus, look over there." He pointed towards a table in the middle of the hall. "That's Viktor Krum."
I looked over at the table, where a bold, kind of broad guy, he worked out. "Who's that?"
The question made Linus get a weird look from most his classmates. "You don't know who Viktor Krum is?" said Erik while looking at me like I was an alien.
Linus took a spoon of stew into his mouth before asking. "No, is he a good dueler?"
"I swear the only thing in your mind is dueling, no he's a world famous quidditch player." Said Nikolai
"Oh, okay then." Linus said as he kept eating his stew.
"He wont care if it doesn't have anything with duels or violence." Sigrun said after drinking her water.
Linus shrugged. "I just don't care about chasing some balls on a broom."
The next morning, the sky above durmstarng was a pale gray, thick snow falling in lazy spirals. The students filed out across the courtyard, scarves pulled tight against the wind. The banners above the gate fluttered weakly.
Linus and his group made their way into the dueling hall. Their boots crunching against the snow.
Today's lesson was practical combat magic, led by professor Volkov.
"All right you lot!," Volkov's voice thundering through the hall. "The holidays are over, and I except your spells aren't as lazy as your minds!"
The students straightened instinctively.
"Pair up!" he barked. "Standard rules, just don't destroy the hall or you will be scrubbing every plate after dinner!"
Linus exchanged a glance with Erik. "Partner?"
"Sure" Erik said nervously. "But, uh, easy this time."
"No promises."
Spells started flying, shields hummed, fire bolts sparked across the hall.
Linus raised his wand, calm and steady. "Expulso"
A wave of blue energy surged forward, forcing Erik to throw up a quick Protego. The spell shattered the shield instantly, sending Erik stumbling back.
"Too slow" Linus said, lowering his wand.
Erik sat on the ground, "How am I even suppose do defend against that?"
Linus thought for a moment. Before walking up to Erik, "Do you know the Protego maxima spell?"
Erik nodded. "Well yeah, but it's hard still."
"Look at my wand movements." Linus waved his wand, the movements were more simple than the normally taught movements. "Do this instead of the overly long one from the book"
Erik stood up and tried. It took a few tries but he did manage to put it up for a few seconds.
Linus gave him a approving thumbs up
That night in the common room. Everyone else was sound asleep, he sat looking at the fire in the fireplace.
[You seem bored]
'I am' linus kept the conversation in his mind.
[You actually have a reward if you would like it?]
'It didn't show before when I opened the status?'
[it was given after, the system is sometimes slow.]
'Alright then let's open it'
*Rewards received 2*
* Trait upgrade Ancient born of the veil – Ancient knight of the veil*
* port key (Random location, with enemies.)*
Oh well hello there. The upgrade added one line to the description, it now says that I can also use ancient curses. That's going to be interesting.
As for the portkey, this could pop me up in the middle of a hide out. I would have to prepare extensively before using this. But it gets me excited.