Chapter 519 - Hereditary Ⅳ (2/2)

Reginald paused as he felt he had would reveal too much of his terrible childhood. ”Suffice to say that I naively believed in many things,” Reginald murmured instead, before steadily continuing, ”I followed the ancient marks written on an old map in one of the clan head's journals. Much of the landscape had changed but the old signs were still there if one looked closely. And so, with the aid of a luck potion, I did indeed find them.”

The twin's eyes glimmered with obvious interest in wanting to learn more about the story. ”Our ancestors came from the east, the land once known as Persia,” Reginald explained. ”The remnants of the clan still lived up high in the mountains in small impenetrable magical fortresses. But unlike us, our cousins still practiced the old ways.”

Reginald paused in memory as he fingered an old scar wound on his arm. ”Our cousins first instinct is always to attack and ask questions later. However, I had borrowed the seal of the clan head from my sire without his knowing, and which is still passed down to every head of the family to this day.”

Reginald paused to stare at Severus as he solemnly says, ”And it too will one day be yours.”

Severus swallows, but Reginald glances as his gaze turns once more distant lost in long ago memories. ”Our cousins thankfully finally ceased to attack me but still bound me and took me before their leader. They still doubted my tale as I did not look very much like them beyond my dark eyes, and hair. And though my face still possessed some of our cousin's sharp features, I am infinitely far paler when in comparison to their bronzed skin thanks to our European ancestry. As such their leader was not convinced and had me tested.”

There is a trace of embarrassment in Reginald's face as he says, ”I have never lost quite so badly in a duel as at that time. However, my survival of the duel proved to them that I still carried the clan's blood no matter how distant and foreign. Still, our cousins could not allow me to join as I had my own family to return to. That being said, they did agree to train me for the rest of the summer. And I learned much under their tutorage with the condition to never return again.”

”Why?” Severus asked clearly startled at the response.

”We are considered foreigners,” Reginald calmly explained. ”We do not look like our cousins thanks to our European heritage. And though we have kept some of the old ways alive, it is not enough in their eyes. And yes, though tragic in its way, I am glad. Despite their being incredibly talented people, they are cold and harsh in ways that I am not comfortable with. I much prefer our ways no matter how weak it may see to them.

On the other hand, they were rather envious of my power. Though they possessed unimaginable skills and talent, they lost heavily when it came sheer magical power. Once I learned to duel, I easily overpowered them all including the head of their clan. And unlike our cousins, the Prince's have mixed with many powerful European bloodlines to maintain the family's power.

However, our cousins were not so lucky in that regard. In order to maintain the clan's secrecy, they often married second or third cousins. And despite their careful efforts inbreeding had already begun to take a severe toll on them, and it clearly showed.”

Rowan nods her head in understanding as Severus crisply asks, ”In that case, when the time comes will Rowan and I be trained in the ways of old?”

”No,” Reginald firmly replied. ”Only the next Head of the Clan will learn the old ways. And even if I wished for your sister to learn, she lacks the capabilities in order to do so.”

Severus opens his mouth to vehemently protest when Rowan interjects, ”It's fine, Severus, really. And besides, I am certain that the reason I cannot learn has something to do with the fact that the males are born with an innate gift, while the females are not.”

”That is indeed correct,” Reginald replied sending a sharp glance at his granddaughter.

Still Severus looked rather unconvinced by the stamen. And he even understood that his grandfather most likely was in fact telling the truth. But that did not mean that he had to like it.