From this chapter going forward, I'm going to be referring to Tombo as Haru since that's his real name. Hope that's not too confusing for you guys!

Fourth Spell: Tamaneko

"My real name…is Haru Ryuji?" Tombo looked at Higa in disbelief.

"It sure is," Higa said and held up a piece of paper. "Here's your birth certificate if you don't believe me."

Tombo took the paper from Higa, and indeed it was a birth certificate with the same name as on the letter from Mahoutokoro.

"But Warumo…he called me something other than 'Haru,'" Tombo said.

"Can you remember what it was?"

Shaking his head, Tombo sighed. Then something occurred to him. "Why weren't you at the house when Warumo attacked?"

"I had left the house earlier," Higa responded. "But I wasn't too far away to not see the smoke, so I was able to rush over and save you."

"Except for my parents and sister. They may not be my blood relatives, but they're the only family I have."

"And that's why you need to attend Mahoutokoro. You'll not only be safe from Warumo there, but also learn the skills you'll need to face him and save Daichi."

"Like magic spells and such?"

"Exactly! So do you want to respond to this letter? The Spring Semester begins in two weeks."

While a light rain fell over the river, Tombo's thoughts were a chaotic mess. There was so much information to take in, yet one thing was clear: his life was never going to be the same again.

"Yes," Tombo nodded. "I would like to respond to the letter."

"And do you mind if I call you 'Haru' from now on?" Higa asked.

"No, I don't mind."

Once the rain stopped, Higa and Haru emerged from underneath the bridge and walked down the sidewalk where tourists and everyday people walked about. Haru used to hardly pay attention to them, but now that he knew he was a wizard his perception of them was different now. To distract himself, he looked at the list on the back of the letter he received from Mahoutokoro.

First-Year Primary Students Will Require:

- Items

+ 1 Kimono (Provided)

+ 3 Plain Inner Garments, Brown

+ 1 Hanten (Winter Kimono), Tan

+ 1 Pair of Dragon-Hide Gloves (Provided)

+ Parchment and Notebooks (Provided)

+ 1 Brush and Inkwell (Provided)

+ 1 Granite Mortar and Pestle (Provided)

+ 1 Set of Test-Tubes and Measuring Cups (Provided)

+ 1 Set of Brass Scales

+ 1 Celestial Globe

+ 1 Traditional Tea Set

+ 1 Wand

- Books (Provided)

+ Spells and Charms, Level 1 by Miyoko Genji

+ The Five Elements of Magic by Aisuru Waka

+ Japanese Magical History by Basuke Bītsu

+ Kampo Herbs and Spices by Pikuru Sora

+ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

+ Yokai and Other Dangerous Creatures by Furu Eru

- Optional

+ 1 Custom Brush (Not Enchanted)

+ 1 Familiar: Crow, Cat, or Snake

"Is it possible to find all this stuff in Kyoto?" Haru asked Higa.

"Sure," Higa said confidently. "If you know where to go."

Taking a side-street, Higa led Haru to a small traditional teahouse that was tucked away in a niche called 'Tamaneko' that had paper screen doors and small tables where people in kimonos sat cross-legged drinking tea from small cups served in ceramic teapots brought by waitresses with bundled-up hair. While most of the patrons ignored Haru and Higa, a few took notice.

"Well, well, if it isn't Rakurai Higa," said a middle-aged man with a pot belly sticking out of his blue robe. "Haven't seen you around here in a while."

"Still being Mahoutokoro's errand boy?" asked an elderly man in a green robe, which made him and the pot belly man laugh.

"Funny you should mention that," responded Higa. "Because I am here on Mahoutokoro business. Gotta get school supplies for this Osozaki here."

"An Osozaki?" The elderly man looked at Haru with intrigue. "Haven't seen one of those in a long time."

"Yeah, they're increasingly rare nowadays," the pot belly man noted. "What's the kid's name?"

"Haru Ryuji," Higa stated.

The elderly man scratched his chin. "Haru Ryuji…why does that name sound familiar?"

Suddenly, the pot belly man snapped his finger. "I remember! There was a story in the Maichi Yosoku about 'The Boy Who Vanished.'"

"Right! And the boy's name was Haru Ryuji." The elderly man gave Haru a skeptical frown. "So you mean to tell me you're the same kid who disappeared eleven years ago without a trace?"

"I guess," Haru said.

"Wasn't your dad that follower of Warumo?" guessed the pot belly man.

Overhearing the conversation, a waitress dropped her tray full of tea cups in shock. This made everyone stare at Higa, Haru, and the two men.

"You idiot!" The elderly man snapped as he slapped the pot belly man in the stomach. "Don't you know it's inappropriate to say his name without the proper honorific? It's 'Warumo-Uragi'!"

"Uragi?" Haru glanced at Higa for answers.

"It's used to refer to those who've betrayed the Japanese Wizard Code, like criminals in the Manai world," said Higa.

"Japanese Wizard Code? What's that?"

"Looks like you have your work cut out for you, Higa," the pot belly man remarked. "Not only does the kid know nothing, but he's also the child of a disgraced witch."

Frowning, Higa placed his hand upon the hilt of his katana. But seeing Haru's concerned look, he let go.

"We're not here to cause any trouble," Higa assured and turned to the waitress who was picking up the broken tea cups from the floor. "I'll pay for the damage and leave."

Higa reached into a satchel attached to his robe and took out a gold oval-shaped coin, which he gave to the waitress. The waitress blinked in surprise just as Higa pulled Haru to the back of the teahouse into a miniature Zen garden outside.

"Sorry you had to experience that," Higa apologized. "I should've mentioned you're kind of infamous for disappearing after your mother died."

"How did she die?" Haru asked. "And why did those men know about her?"

"I'll explain later. For now, we have more pressing matters to take care of."

Then Higa took out his katana and hopped onto the center rock of the Zen garden. Haru followed him, and watched as Higa used the tip of the katana to touch the surrounding rocks in a particular order. After this was done, the lines in the Zen garden moved creating ripples of sand that shot into the air and swirled around the rocks. Closing his eyes, Haru felt the ground shake beneath his feet. But soon the sensation passed and Haru felt a tap on his shoulder.

"You can look now, Haru," said Higa. "We've arrived at Tateroji."

To be continued…