His meetings with the human child were random.

Malleus found himself new places to hang out and enjoy his loneliness. Abandoned storages. Empty classrooms. Sometimes, the coliseum.

Ruined buildings.

But Ramshackle's garden had something special, so he would try to return once per week if his mood allowed it. There was something very alluring about the place. There was something subtly magical, too, but Malleus couldn't exactly pinpoint what it was. Not that he minded, nature was a strange thing and some locations just felt different from others.

Somedays, he would float on his own, minding his own business. Once or twice he saw the Child of Man through the windows. His boisterous companion was there, too. Malleus let them be.

Not that he minded. At least they were not noisy, in comparison to his dormitory.

Imagine if Ramshackle dorm had belonged to Octavinelle. It would have been terribly annoying.

Ashengrotto was arrogant. Malleus didn't like the merman nor his hypocrisy. He would boast of himself to hide his insecurities, or worse, say mean things to Malleus. They weren't Children of Men and both had to pass as them in order to fit in that school, yet Ashengrotto would be a bastard to him. Talk about bigotry.

He even had the guts to mention underwater dragons who dealt with ice magic. Everybody knew dragons above the earth were the strongest!

Lilia would listen to Malleus and have a good laugh at his complaints. Then he told Malleus to look at himself in a mirror and reflect on his insecurities.

For weeks, Malleus didn't bring the subject of Ashengrotto up to Lilia. He wasn't some child in need of assistance.

So, yes, Malleus was satisfied with the outcome of the Child of Man's little adventure. That boy who lived in Ramshackle wasn't as naïve as it seemed. Innocent and confused, yes, but he could also be smart when he wanted.

Oh, Malleus would have loved to see the face of Ashengrotto.

But soon, he had other issues in mind.

His bodyguards noted his frequent outings and would follow him. The rules stated he needed to be escorted due to being royalty, but he could take care of himself pretty well. Lilia was clever enough to pay the other cheek.

Still, deep down, Malleus suspected Lilia probably knew about his acquaintance with the Child of Man. Silver or Sebek must have spoken. If not, then it was due to watching over him.

After all, the magicless child's presence in that school stood out like a sore thumb. The first week, many talked about how a cat-like monster started a mess during the entrance ceremony. The same event no one told Malleus about, so, naturally, he didn't ask too much about the occurrence.

He didn't like to think about it.

When he saw Asim and Viper wearing the ceremonial robes, it should have been too obvious. That was what annoyed him. So close, yet so far. Later, once they were in the Diasomnia dormitory, Sebek yelled about the disgrace of not inviting his young master to the event.

It only worked as an ugly reminder of something that could not have been fixed, so Malleus properly disciplined him about the matter with lightning magic.

Luckily, Sebek was sturdy and resistant. And some catharsis is not bad every once in a while.

Lilia, Silver and the other students were smarter and kept their mouths shut on the issue. If only Sebek used that bright head of his in social situations too…

The fact that both the Child of Man and his noisy companion resided in a place with unique magical energy wasn't a detail that Malleus missed once when his meetings with the boy started. But he let it pass, after all, the Child of Man was pretty harmless.

And so, his casual acquaintance with the boy grew. Lilia always wanted him to make a friend, but Malleus didn't like at all the idea of having to make one under the nose of his guardian. He dearly loved Lilia, but Malleus wasn't a child anymore. He was old, too. He could very well make independent relationships on his own, thank you very much.

But Malleus went on in his visits to Ramshackle dorm. His meetings with the Child of Man slowly became longer. Malleus refused to answer questions concerning his identity but listened to the boy and his comments on school life. Malleus didn't understand the references made by the Child of Man, but paid close attention to the details concerning another world. That was interesting. Information about another dimension. Lilia knew a lot about that subject. He also learned a little, even if his more basic education was oriented to dealing with ruling and matters of State.

But Malleus didn't speak of it to the boy.

He was content with listening to Yuu.

One cloudy night, Malleus saw the Child of Man in the backyard of Ramshackle dormitory. The wind was cold and chilly, an autumn torment was coming. Normally, the headmaster would regulate the climate inside the school terrains, but that was a Sunday night. And besides, some things are better left alone.

The promise of a violent thunder resonated outside and Malleus felt an electrifying chill run down his spine. He liked those nights. Raining days when things would be turned into savagery for a while as if Mother Nature Herself got tired of the routine. He saw the Child of Man shuddering at the surprising thunder and Malleus found it oddly cute.

He manifested in front of the boy. Yuu was startled again and Malleus secretly liked the reaction. Things couldn't have been more casual: Yuu was using an old coat above his pajamas. Candy papers were crumpled next to his naked feet. There was a trash bag, but the wind had turned it upside down and the boy ignored it.

''Child of Man, on nights like these, farmers would hide in fear of the Wild Hunt''

The boy looked at him with surprise. He didn't understand the reference.

But then, to Malleus's surprise, the boy's eyes shone. It was the feeling of recognition written all over Yuu's face.

''So, this time do you know what I am talking about?''

Malleus smiled. Some of that enjoyment was ironic.

He didn't let the boy speak.

''Where I am from, even the strongest learn to fear the Wild Hunt''

Malleus turned around. Another thunder resonated behind them: white lines that lasted a few seconds but made a terrible grave sound. The pattern inside the clouds was like a twisted spiderweb that grew without order, but it disappeared as soon as it came to be.

''That's such a shame. I'd like to join it at least once. The leaders always change''

The Child of Man looked puzzled but made no commentaries.

Malleus felt a relaxation he hadn't experienced in a while. There was something free and chaotic about the promising torment. He liked it. It almost felt like feisty days in the Valley of Thorns.

Winter was coming close. It was his season.

There was a reason why they were called the Unseelie Court.

He hadn't felt that good in a long time. That must have been why he spoke to the boy.

''Did you know, Child of Man, what people say of the Wild Hunt?''

Malleus didn't expect an answer and the boy looked at him with attention. His eyes were focused on Malleus with childlike curiosity.

''Folklore states it is led by Wotan. But they only say so because Wotan is the most famous. He even had many names''

''Odin?'' Asked the boy

''That's how the Norsemen call him. How interesting, even in your world people know the All-Father. Where I'm from we call him Wotan''

''And…?''

The Child of Man started a question, but Malleus was faster. The lesser the boy knew, the better.

It was for his benefit.

''The truth is, the Hunt had many leaders. In the Country of Roses*, people speak of Herne the Hunter and Woden, for they too adored him. But that's in the past. Other leaders were Gwyn ap Nudd, Theodoric the Great, Valdemar Atterdag and Herla. There were women too, like Frau Holle and… '' He shut his mouth just in time ''But I can't name all the leaders''

He continued talking. But Malleus normally wasn't like this. It must have been the night.

''The Wild Hunt is accompanied by spectres, elves, monsters and other freaks. It is said some murdered those who were encountered, others were trapped into following the Hunt and the luckiest would find themselves in an entirely different location. The not so lucky would end up in a different time than theirs''.

Then, Malleus looked at the boy.

''Hey, Child of Man, what do you see in history lessons from the first year? That's a basic topic''

The boy looked at him in wonder. He opened his mouth to speak and looked confused, so he offered some candy to Malleus, who looked at it with curiosity. It was the type of thing one would buy at the school's store. Silver and Sebek would often come back with that same brand of candy.

He accepted what Yuu lend him, for it would have been impolite of him to reject it. And it was obvious it wasn't poisoned.

Once the boy cleared his mind, he spoke.

''I knew some things. But others are entirely new''.

''So, you had to take the hard path''

Malleus understood.

Indeed, that Child of Man must have stood out like a sore thumb. The things (or rather, complaints) Sebek voiced about the monster who accompanied Yuu showed that both were rather alone in that mess.

''If you want, I can teach you some things. But I won't make things easy. I'm strict''.

The boy politely declined his offer and Malleus felt a little disappointed inside, but he didn't show it.

''So, you are telling me that in your homeworld people knew about some things''

''Yes, we call the god Odin. But that's an old belief… and I knew a bit about the Wild Hunt''

''And where did you learn about that?''

There was a shine in his eyes.

''From The Witcher 3!''

Malleus was puzzled.

''Child of Man''

''Yes?''

''What is The Witcher three?''

''A videogame''.

Malleus didn't know what to answer.

*I read once that the Country of Roses is based on England.