This book and the book of oneshots were illegally copied to another website, so I had to unpublish the book for a few days! Sorry for the inconveniences.

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"Holy Mother of Universe!" Potsdam shrieked when Win opened the door, "who did this to you, lad?"

Win swallowed thickly. "I fell while organizing the library", he lied.

"The floor split open your lips, broke your nose, and bruised you, I suppose?" The Messenger asked, "And what else?"

"Potsdam, please", Win breathed out. He can never say it was Hendry picking fighting on him ever since that day.

The day at the stable. The day was horrendous, to begin with- the dream, the pain, and the fighting back against Hendry. Only he knows how courageously he stood at the table service beside Sir Tine answering his questions on his split lip.

"It's alright if you don't want to answer, Win. But don't try to do anything stupid", the Messenger walked away, "I am off to bring the medicines, don't go anywhere".

Win wanted to bolt the door once again, but he obliged Potsdam's request. He has got no other choice. He cannot say people how some trash like Hendry who is infamous for his trash talks and filthy curses can beat him down. No! He has to show and prove to them that he's got the guts and bravery- the one that Sir Sarawat talks about and the one that Sir Tine teaches about and the one that has its roots deep down the Numanic History.

He was no more a human who has only to graduate from University and start attending his father's business as an heir. No.

Every night he goes to sleep thinking how a greater responsibility rests upon his shoulders. He doubts whether he is worthy of all the trust those people have in him. After all, he is a weak Numan whose powers are not out yet. He can have all the Numans with him helping him fight, but in the final fight, he has to do it with Megatrix - all alone.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Win burst his bubble of thoughts finding Potsdam with a marble dish. "Are you alright, Win?"

"I am alright, Potsdam, don't worry".

"You are alright for sure", he made a face before putting the paste over his split lip and broken nose, "be steady", he warned before putting his fingers on his broken nose and closed his eyes.

An orange glow emitted from his fingertips, and a prickling sensation invaded Win's senses. With a crack sound, Potsdam removed his fingers with a smile, "all done. It's good as new".

"Wait, how did you do that?" Win touched his nose, which was coated with the herbal paste.

"I used my Healing powers", Potsdam answered.

"You can heal?"

"A little, thanks to my mother who was a Healer", he answered, wrapping bandages on his split lip.

"So that means you are mixed?" He asked.

"You can say that", the Messenger shrugged, "this should do. Take a rest, while I bring you some food", he stood up walking away.

Win was about to fall asleep when he heard the knocks.

"Win, are you in there?" It was Joss' voice.

"I am", he answered, trying not to sound pathetic.

"Open the door then. Why didn't you come to join us for the supper?" Love asked.

"Open the door Win, it's me, Carmel."

"I am fine. Just very tired", Win answered hesitantly.

"Open the door, Win. It's an order", Bright ordered.

Win had no other choice he got up and opened the door, bowing his head down. He was glad it was dark in here. They might not get to see the bruises on his cheeks and band-aid on his lips.

Bright put his cold finger under his chin, raising his face. He clicked his tongue at the view.

"Who did this to you?" Bright's voice was dangerously an octave lower.

"No one. I fell while organizing the library", Win lied again.

"It was obviously that Catrode Hendry, wasn't he?" Joss growled, "Just tell me Win and I'll beat him till he can't recognize his face".

"I said no one did this, Joss!" Win snapped, turning his face away.

Bright let out an audible sigh of defeat, "We cannot force you to speak up. But whatever you're planning to do, do wisely".

"What's the fuzz here, eh?" Potsdam entered with a bowl.

"Hello, Potsdam", Bright nodded acknowledging his presence.

"Your Majesty, you should go with your friends down to the supper. I'll stay here with Win", the Messenger bowed.

"Alright, Potsdam. I trust you. Make sure Win eats everything", Bright replied before walking out with the final words of farewell.

"Whatever Win says I bet it's the prick Hendry that did him that", Carmel punched the air, proving his point when they were in Joss' room.

"But he isn't confessing it!" Love pointed out.

"I am going to beat Hendry up nonetheless", Joss gritted his teeth.

"Stop you all", Bright asked calmly, "why don't you all get it? Win wants to fight alone."

"But Hendry knows his powers. He's a Flasher! He's gonna crush him out like a Catrode, literally!" Love squeaked.

"But he wants to prove his bravery, Love!" Bright pointed out, "I finally get why he didn't tell us about the stable story! He wants to prove he's no weak creature."

"Bravery? He hasn't even discovered his powers yet, Bright", Joss stated, shaking his head in disbelief, "Win thinks this is funny? No! It is not. He might die in the process!"

"But if he can defeat Hendry, he'll prove he is very worthy", Bright nodded, "we will help him without letting him know. We will do this in his way."

"I am worried about Win. What if it turns out... Bad?" Love asked.

"Trust Win", Bright said and smiled, "Universe cannot choose someone randomly".

•••

"Win, can I talk with you?" Sarawat asked the next day.

"But, I have Sir Tine's class to attend, sir", Win answered, wondering what did he do now.

"Oh! I have talked with him about that. Come on", he led the way into his room.

"Did I do something, sir?" Win asked sitting down on the appointed seat in front of the teacher's table.

"Not in that way. But I need to know something", Sarawat said, sitting down, "answer me honestly, will you?"

"I'll try", Win said contemplating whether he'd say yes or no.

"Tell me about your split lip", Sarawat began.

"I...I fell in th-the Library, sir", Win answered.

"How long are you going to use the same excuse?" He smiled.

"Until I achieve what I have to achieve", Win answered, honestly.

"And what is that you need to achieve?" Sarawat asked.

"That I am afraid, I cannot tell you, sir", Win replied, fisting his hands.

Sarawat sighed, "I know everything, Win. I can read minds".

Win froze on spot, "Wh-What?"

Sarawat began with a very soft voice, "Yes, I have read your mind. It is not very ideal to do so. I've got no other choice but to do it. Can you say everything now? Everything that's bothering you, including Hendry. Can you?"

Win fidgetted his fingers, "he picking fights on me, sir".

"And you're thinking of fighting him yourself, am I right?" The Saver asked, putting his fists under his chin, supporting it.

"I am, sir", Win lowered his head, going red in embarrassment. Sir Sarawat might think he's such a cantankerous persona who takes impulsive decisions.

"That's not a good plan, Metawin!" Sarawat shook his head, "he's a tough one to deal with for you, lad".

"I know", Win mumbled, "he's a Flasher, he has his powers and is excellent in fencing".

"Not excellent I would say. Just a raw beginner", Sarawat nodded his head.

"Everyone is a raw beginner for you", Win made a face making Sarawat chuckle.

"You got me there, youngling", Sarawat replied, patting his shoulder, "I would recommend you to practice even harder than you do usually."

"I do not understand, Sir", Win said, reluctantly.

"I and Tine argued. We came with the outcome that I would teach you some hand tricks, how does that sound?" Sarawat asked.

"But wouldn't it be cheating?" Win asked eyes widened in surprise.

"Teaching a Preserver trick should be more than some greater privileges for me", Sarawat reasoned out, "Besides you are a weaker one and dueling will trigger your powers to come out sooner".

"Isn't Dueling prohibited till Flasher year?" Win asked.

"We aren't talking about power dueling, youngling".

"I see. Alright."

"You will have to forget having any free time in the future. And this must be kept as a secret, are we clear?" Sarawat asked, his soft tone turning to a serious one.

"Secret as in not allowed to tell even my friends?" Win asked.

"Secret as in not allowed to tell even your friends", Sarawat nodded dryly.

•••

The next week for Win went in constant practices with Sarawat at night and working on his studies in the morning.

He would be so tired that the moment he would roll in his bed he would instantly fall asleep!

Joss and Carmel had beaten Hendry into plum two times that week. And the shameless pig went back towards Win again to punch him some more. Win's laid-back casual demeanor was irritating the shit out of Hendry. Even though Win punched some more in return, yet Hendry could feel Win was just not fighting with all his force. It was as if he was saving for the future.

Win's shoulder pain doubled with the strenuous exercise and practice sessions. But he was determined to prove to everyone he was not a coward. He was not something that Dug and his friends back on Earth used to tell him, no! He was brave, and he was courageous.

Soon one month went away, rolling towards the cold wintery mornings. Win started learning with Sarawat's heavy sword.

"Just remember you can do it because you have to do it, okay?" Sarawat asked one day watching Win slump his tired body on the bench, heaving.

He looked at his teacher, "do you think I am ready?"

"Soon, youngling ", Sarawat smiled, before ruffling his hair.

That night he sneaked into Joss' room, shaking him out of his slumber.

"Win, what happened?" Joss asked groggily.

"Take to your father's diner", He demanded.

"But it's prohibited to sneak out of the palace at night!" Joss reasoned out.

Win looked at him with an unwavering, determined look.

"Feisty. I liked that, Raven head!" Joss grinned, before getting out of his bed and dressing up taking two traveling cloaks from his cupboard.

"Here, have one Raven-head", he threw him one, "you'll need it."

Soon they were out of the Page's Wing walking towards the south of the Palace. The unfamiliar territory seemed too eerie, yet Win chose to keep quiet during their journey.

"I know a secret about this Palace, Bright told me years ago. You shouldn't let out this information, are we clear?" Joss whispered.

"Yes", Win whispered back.

They walked and walked until they were out on the open compound. The night sky looked beautiful. Midaster didn't have stars it has the translucent view of violet and red planets outside its atmosphere.

They stopped at the high brick wall.

"Remember, this is the only place to go out without getting caught. Look at that place", Joss pointed at the uneven curvature on the wall, "we just have to push it and there, it separates the rest of the wall", he explained as a small portion of brick wall from the down got detached from the rest.

"That's wonderful!" Win whispered.

"It is, now hurry", Joss swiftly went out of the opening. Win, too, followed the suit.

The City was glowing in front of them as they put on their traveling cloaks. The journey was a relatively short one because Win and Joss were literally running.

Win entered the alleyway, tracing exactly the same pathway before finally entering the dinner. It was buzzing with chatters and songs with people running errands with food.

"Win will you tell me why are you here? Were you hungry?" Joss asked, totally clueless about the ravenette's intentions.

"Help me find Luke", Win answered, wrapping himself fully with the cloak.

"Why him?!" Joss furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

"Joss, please... I cannot tell you anything. You must understand my urgency!"

Joss wanted to ask some more but he stopped finding Luke amidst the crowd serving dishes to the customers.

"There!" He pointed at him and pulled Win, making his towards Luke.

"Luke?" Win called having an utterly confused Luke look around. He soon spotted two unruly dressed people amidst the crowd.

"Is that you Win?" He went near them and asked.

"Yes, it's me. I come with Joss", he whispered.

"Why are you whispering?" Luke furrowed his eyebrows.

"I need to talk to you." Win began, "it's urgent."

"About what?" Luke asked, keeping the tray on the table.

"I'll tell you, but not here", the ravenette answered.

Luke looked at them for good two minutes before nodding, "Alright, give me a sec".

Win and Joss stood outside of the diner in a dark spot where people might not notice them.

"Win, what exactly are you up to?" Joss asked impatiently, "you know right, Bright doesn't know about us sneaking outside the Palace."

"Trust me, Joss. Bright will get to know it soon too. Just let me do it! I have to do it!" Win answered.

"You're forgetting Win, despite being a friend, Bright is also a Prince, did you forget that? He can perfectly punish us for breaking a rule!" Joss shook his head.

"I didn't forget it. I am not an idiot, Joss. I have no powers and I am not so powerful like you all, but I am not so ungrateful! I'll tell Bright myself, but you need to trust me as for now!" Win said, looking at Joss squarely.

"It better be an important work, Win! I don't understand why of all Numans you need to meet Luke in the dead of night!" Joss huffed, scratching his hand.

•••

Luke came out, wrapped in a tattered jacket, "Win, how now? What's the problem?"

"Luke, I need your help", Win said with a latch of desperation in his voice.

"What help?" He asked, faltering his smile.

"I need you to teach me the way you fight", Win let out very softly, looking from right to left with caution if anyone caught him talking to Luke.

Joss flabbergasted. He finally understood what Win was up to. So Bright was right! Win was indeed trying to prove himself stronger and braver!

"Can I know the reason behind this request?" Luke asked before looking at Joss and then at Win.

"I cannot say that, I am sorry. And I thought helping a Preserver is the greatest privilege a Numan can have?" Win tilted his head challenging Luke to say otherwise.

Luke looked at him, pursing his lips, contemplating whether to do something or not. Finally, he nods to himself, "follow me".

"To where lad?" Joss growled.

"To the master. Figured Preserver should learn from the best!" Luke smirked before disappearing I'm the dark alley.

"Come on, Win", Joss gripped Win's arms guiding him.

"Joss you don't need to guide me", Win said.

"And let you go with that suspicious boy? Bright will chop me and feed me to dragons if something would happen to you", Joss gritted his teeth, pulling him.

This journey was unlike the previous ones, it was of total darkness. He was letting his eyes get used to it when suddenly a bright exit, flared in his eyes. Win shielded a hand over them.

"We are here", Luke announced.

Win snapped opened his eyes to find a pub-like area. His nostrils were invaded by liquor smell and sweat.

"Where are we, Luke?" Joss asked, amidst his gasp.

"To the right place", Luke replied with a grin before disappearing into the crowd.

"Where did he go?" Joss looked around, panicking.

"Let's wait here for a moment", Win answered. The place gives him creeps, but he decides to trust his friend.

A few moments later, Luke comes out of the crowd with a bulky man with thicker eyebrows.

"This is Mill, Win", Luke introduced, "And Mill, this is Win".

"Nice to meet you Win", Mill shook Win's hand with a gentle smile.

"That's Joss", Luke introduced.

"Nice to meet you, Joss", Mill gave a handshake to him too.

"You must be Phukong's, I mean Sir Sarawat's brother's husband?" Joss asked.

"I am. If you know Sarawat, you must be from the Palace. A Royal?" Mill asked.

"No, I am a Saver", Joss corrected him.

"Ah! Of course, another traitor!" Mill twisted his face in displeasure.

"What do you mean by a traitor?" Win questioned.

"Let's sit somewhere and discuss. It shouldn't be a breaking news tomorrow that the Preserver had come to meet the Free Wing in the dead of night", Luke explained.

Earning a nod from Mill, he showed them an empty room upstairs. They took their seats instantly.

"Want some tea?" Mill asked.

"You perfect know Preserver might not come to you in the death of night to drink tea and have a little chat", Luke reasoned out.

"Right, what are you here for boy?" Mill asked, impatiently.

"I have met Luke a few days ago. He said the Savers who doesn't believe in the bookish knowledge have their own fighting techniques, am I right?" Win asked.

"You're very right", Mill nodded as he saw Win taking a deep breath.

"I need you to teach me your fighting techniques", Win breathed out, hesitantly.

Mill looked at him for a few moments, "Why do you need to learn those?"

"I cannot tell you the reason now", Win sighed, "but I need you to help me".

Mill scratched his chin, thinking something, "helping a Preserver is the greatest privilege!" He bowed down at him, "we will help you with everything we can".

"It's a deal then", Win smiled, jutting out his bunny teeth.

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Okay, so there's a thing no one asked for but I am still letting you know.

The caste system of Numans were inspired from Indian caste system. It isn't to hurt anyone. Infact, I am one of the non supporter of this system, because it sounds too harsh and inhumane.

The reason I have chosen to depict it in the book is not to ridicule the supporters but to build the imaginary world in a way more realistic sense.

Okay, so I have opened a instagram page! My username is : @iamstellsola
Let's connect then!:)