The Animagus: From Hunter to Monster-Chapter 109: The Unknown

'I'm surely not going to sleep this night, right? Should I accept the invitation? After all, I will now be closer to Emra's protection.'

Buji rose from his bed and went to the standing mirror. The tray of empty plates on the stool was no longer there. He stroked his hair several times backward, glancing at himself in the mirror.

"So, I am really the owner of this handsome face," Buji retorted, feeling his facial skin.

"But come to think of it, being a hunter might not be best but will be for the better. Money is involved, don't forget."

Buji's statements were directed to the image formed on the mirror; the image of his very self. Looking at the tickling hands of the clock on the wall, it saw the hourly hand resting on 9, while the minute hand was on 11.

It was 9:55 p.m. in the night, and Buji was still awake.

He could have easily gone to the kitchen and helped himself with making some coffee. Unfortunately, he wasn't the type to do that, all in the name of being reserved. He looked at himself in the mirror again, and after seeming to look satisfied with the image that appeared on the mirror, he turned his direction towards the wooden drawer by the side of his bed.

After searching through the piles of books in the upper part of the drawer, he found it. A rather rusty-looking brown book, rich with its production compared to books published at a similar age.

The book that had been handed over to him years back as a child.

'…the universe is full of mysteries waiting to be unraveled. Always keep exploring, asking questions, and seeking answers.' His father's words flashed his thoughts immediately.

Seek, Explore, and Ask. Acronymically, SEA.

Then, he looked at the book he held in his hands. It bear a name that was the same as the acronym he thought about.

SEA…

'What a coincidence,' Buji was rather bemused than surprised.

Being intrigued, he got more curious to know what the book concealed. He opened the first page of the book. As if a repetition of what had happened while in the car with his father, it revealed familiar words.

Nature holds mystery beyond its reality and imagination.

'What does that mean?'

Buji's eyes hovered again to the next page and found another scribble. This time, it was in the form of a list.

Animagi – Dragon I, Dragon II, Dragon III, Fox I, Fox II, Phoenix I, Phoenix II, Unicorn I, Unicorn II, Snake.

Buji spent more time on this particular page. He tried to figure out what each animal represented. Not only that, each animal looked as if they were ranked, except the snake.

'What does this mean?'

Seek answers, Explore mysteries, and Ask questions…

His father's words reverberated in his mind. Just then, he observed what he hadn't noticed. The animals mentioned were written in red ink, except "Unicorn II" and "Snake" which were written in green ink.

As if the book was Mother Confessor, the letterings of "Unicorn II" let out a vague red glow of light, the letters scattered for a bit, and when the glow calmed, Buji saw it. The Unicorn II was now with red ink, leaving Snake to be with the green ink.

"Woah," Buji shouted and threw the book off his hand to land with a thump on the ground.

Suddenly seeming to realize it was night, he searched his room with his eyes and positioned his ears to listen. No one seemed to be approaching, therefore no one heard him. Maybe he hadn't shouted anyway – false though. He was only lucky his room was a bit far from Emra's, who would be the only one to care enough to check on him.

Lucky or unlucky. He couldn't dictate which was certain for him, considering what he had seen.

'Magic…'

Upon this thought, he mustered to courage to pick up the book. The page that he opened was still staring at him, and it had pitied the word Snake, leaving its lettering still on green ink.

Explore.

He had no one to ask any questions at the moment. Even if there was, that person would surely be Emra's father and Buji had developed this weakness of inferiority within him whenever he faced that man. He couldn't seek also, since there was nothing to find for the moment.

But for the book, it is now a mystery. So, he must explore.

Flipping to another page of the book, he saw another inscription. Boldly written and in uppercase.

Visit fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm for the best novel reading experi𝒆nce.

INTELLIGENCE, PROTECTION AND RESERVE

Putting a slight smile on his chin, Buji scribbled something on the book with his hands. They didn't show anyway, but what he wrote resonated in his mind.

'R.I.P.'

"Word game," he muttered, chuckled softly, and flipped to another page. The book was getting more interesting, especially for Buji who was in full possession of the book at the moment.

End of Major Contents. Sub-Contents ahead.

Somehow to Buji, every major content considered by the book served as nothing but… but time gaining concepts. But on second thought, he flipped back to the beginning of the book and started all over again.

'Let me think this over.'

[SEA] not really sure of the real meaning but if it was as I thought, it means this book is in to reveal unspeakable mysteries.

Coming to the sentence on the first page.

Nature, mystery, reality, and imagination. These four words tend to reveal a kind of prologue, so presumable, this chapter was going to deal with highlights and stories alike, maybe analysis too.

'Let me not be logical, rather let me leave it at the presumption.'

Over to the next page, the most intriguing page so far. What lies beyond that word, Animagi? Probably, it was going to start with what an Animagi is and then, continue to explain other concepts.

'These animals… that explains the word Animagi, right? But let's not be sure anyway.'

"I am mostly interested in that animal on green ink lettering."

Flipping over, Buji ignored the next page. He had thought similar things about each of them before, so disturbing his mind now would be unnecessary.

He flipped and flipped again. But surprisingly, he saw a text, much unexpected.

Continuation must be a day before your first raid!

'Don't open this book until a day before your first raid.'

Buji fell to the floor after stumbling over someone's leg. It was probably a trap set with the leg. He hit the ground with a dull thud, his knees scraping against the cold floor. What followed next was an echo of laughter from those who surrounded him, sharp and mocking.

'This is enough!'

The thought burned in his mind, but reality betrayed him. His body was frozen and helpless. His hands placed on the floor as he struggled to push himself up. He gaze was fixed downward, unwilling and unable to meet the taunting eyes of his tormentors.

Buji still knew not what to do and remained still as if trying to figure it out. But then came another blow, landing on his head. The force made his arms to give out, and his face slammed against the floor.

"A weakling. That's what you are," sneered one voice.

"I wonder… not even an attempt to fight back."

"Show us what you've got. Anything!"

"Don't just let him blow you out. You are a boy like him."

"A boy you regard him? He's not even worth calling a boy."

The mockery came from the voices around. Others laughed at him, their laughter was more humiliating. Phones clicked as some jerks took pictures, while one boy leaned in close, recording a video of Buji's humiliation.

'This is shameless,' Buji thought bitterly. How had he fallen into this life of endless ridicule?

The laughter exasperated in his ears, pulling him from his thoughts. With a shaky breath, he began to rise, dragging his bag along with him.

"Perfect timing," the bully from earlier smirked. His boot kicked hard, slamming into Buji's side.

Buji's body flew backward, making loud contact with the wall. Everyone in the hall made a collective gasp, following was silence.

Buji's body crumpled to the ground, motionless.

For a moment, no one moved. No one knew what the outcome of the kick had become. Everyone, even the bully froze, staring at Buji's lifeless form. The hall's atmosphere was filled with the breath of fear mingled with uncertainty.

***

Buji remained still, his world faded, consumed by a memory.

Memory of what had happened in the past…

In the night's darkness, a silver Rover could be seen travelling along the deserted road, the only sound heard being the hum of the car's engine. Streetlights assembled by both sides of the road, casting their sharp glowing light on the road, steadily illuminating the empty pavements.

Mr. Yinyin was having control over the steering wheels of the car, while 5-year-old Buji made use of the passenger's seat, battling with the object in his hands. His eyes was wide with excitement, proving his innocence.