I marched towards the table and sat at a nearby chair. At the table were the usual things one would put in an office, Richard"s wand, and a moving picture of a young girl, which I guess was Ariana, Richard"s sister. She looked like she was 12 at the time the picture was taken.Richard sat in his chair that looked like throne.
"So, did you like my mansion?", he smiled.
I nodded then added: "There is something still bothering me".
"Tell me".
"Why are we alike? I mean by the appearance and voice."
"You are my clone Hasan, my other self", he kept his smile.
"I am what?".
From yesterday, I accepted many things. Yes, even the voice in my head. But being told that you are the second body of someone, that I couldn"t accept.
" How can I be your clone? Aren"t clones supposed to have the same thoughts and the same soul? And don"t they have the same age? ", I asked still refusing to believe that.
"Usually, it is like this", he said, "but you are a special case. You developed an independent mind and soul. Nevertheless, you still have a connection with me".
"How did this happen?"
"A thousand years ago, I had to cast a spell that would let me lose some pieces of my soul. Your soul is one of these pieces, though it shouldn"t have survived since it was too weak. But for an unknown reason, it still developed and gained strength over this millennium then it gave birth to you".
I nodded. I still couldn"t believe what he is saying, but he had a point. Every soul that is weak coudn"t host a body.
"Still, why do I look like to many of my relatives? Do they also have a connection with you?", I asked in a mocking way.
"Like I said before, the Hamadan clan was one of the ancient wizardry clans. It is the descendant of my son Ra, king of Ancient Egypt. So it is normal for some of them to look like me".
"Ah. Then I am your great great great - how many "great" should I count? - grandson? And do I have to call you grandpa Richard? "
Richard laughed and said, " Yes, you"re my great grandson. But just call me in my proper name".
"Alright, grandpa", I said while also laughing.
"Now enough of that. Let"s meet my disciples and make you formally my student" .
And as if they have been waiting for him to say that, 5 people came in smiling.
"h.e.l.lo Hasan", said one of the men. He was an old man with long white hair and a long white beard. He wore a kind smile on his face that gave me a fealing that even the ones that would want to kill him, will be charmed by it and go away.
The man on his right was a big bald man in an ancient armor and a black beard. A battle axes, carved with Nordic runes, was hanging on his waist. Two flaming blades where at his back. And a head with horns at the other end of his waist. He nodded at me.
Oh G.o.d.... The last man was from the upper human, and from the lower horse. I remembered a legend about half human and half horse creatures, they were called "Centaurs". This centaur had a bow in his hand and a quiver on his back. He smiled at me gently.
As for the women, the first one was wearing imperial robes that no one still used in this era. But I must admit, they suited her perfectly.
The last one was a pretty teenage girl that looked the same age as me. She had a wand in her hand. She smiled a mischievous smile like she was preparing a prank.
" Hasan", Richard said, " I want you to meet my disciples; well, the ones that hadn"t died. Anyway this is Fárbauti, Mimir, Merlin, Chiron, Freya, and Tulip".
While he was saying their names, he gesturedat them respectively: the big guy, the head, the old man, the centaur, the imperial robed woman, and the teenage girl.
I saluted them and looked especially at Merlin, my eyes full of surprise,"So you are Merlin? The one who they keep jocking about?" I asked
" Yes son", he laughed, " I am. I also hear those jokes about my beard".
"And pants", I added. They all laughed, even the scary big guy. We exchanged salutes.
"You look my age", Tulip said, "How old are you?"
"Um 15", I answered, not really knowing if she was my age or not. Look at Richard for example , he looks like a man in his 20s but is actually older than 3 million chaos cycles.
She must have been reading my mind since she said, " Don"t worry, I am really your age".
"Oh..."
"Now, dears, let"s stop jocking", Richard said, "let us make Hasan your formally junior apprentice brother".
All of us stood. Richard spread his hands as if he was holding something.
"Hasan Awada", he said, his tone deadly serious, "come in front of me".
I did as he asked.
"Do you accept to be my disciple and student where I will be your master, teacher and your guide in your training?"
"I accept".
"Do you swear to follow the rules of the Mansion Of Night like any other student here?"
"I swear".
"Do you swear on your life that you won"t reveal the techniques and cultivation methods to anyone only if I allow you so?"
"I swear".
"Then I, Richard Percival Dumbledore, the Dark Phoenix, the Lord Of Chaos, make you my latest disciple and student. Let the blessings of G.o.d fall appon you in this life and in the other life."
A rainbow bathed me in its light. I had a new feeling that I couldn"t describe.
" Now, I bless you with one of my feathers to make your wand with it, two vials of phoenix tears in case you are injured, and a piece of Pangu"s blade to make your weapon and fuse it with your wand. Accept these as gifts from me, your master", he simled and gave me the items.
However, the others were full of disbelief, when I say all I mean everyone except Tulip.
"Richard", spoke Freya, "are you sure about the blade?"
"Yes", he said, "believe me, I put it in the good hands".
He winked at me then added:"Mimir, tomorrow you will teach Hasan about how to make a wand. Merlin, you will teach him charms and magic. Chiron, archery. And Freya, healing abilities".
He turned to the big guy, "Fárbauti, I will teach him some martial arts first, then you will take the post. Now, shooo. Go to your works".
All of them left me and Richard alone in the room.
"I will send you to your home now, Hasan", he said, "you have a big day tomorrow".
He pointed his wand to a pen and said, "Portus".
He added while smiling, " I expect you to return the pen. Bye Hasan, see ya".
And without letting me to say anything, I found myself on my bed holding the pen. The first thing I did was vomiting.