Japan.
The country of samurai, warriors, ruthless soldiers...
A country with a heritage that survived even the westernization.
Of course Richard gave special attention when he adjusted the world story.
This was the same country that while westernized most of its institutions, still found out a way to continue their traditions.
Schools taught kendo, judo, karate and Kyudo. And it would only make sense to bring this tradition to the magical world.
Richard stared at the man sitting in front of him inside the small enclosed room. It was lit brightly. Bright enough for him to clearly see the curved sword strapped at his hilt.
A katana.
Richard had to hold the impulse that screamed for him to grab it.
He had always wanted one. And now , that his collection only had the sword of Gryffindor as a replica, he was itching to get his hands on one of those swords.
"So then Mr Richard, from Britain... Why did you ask for me."
Richard had asked for him. Or rather anyone who was wearing a sword in vicinity at the moment, refusing to talk unless one of the swordsmen spoke to him.
"I like your sword."
The man blinked, the curled his moustache with a bewildered expression.
"Is that why you asked for me?"
"Yes I did." Richard admitted. "So, you can ask me anything you want. You fulfilled my demand, so I'll try to do my best to fulfill yours."
The man looked at him as if unsure to believe him or not, then leaned in.
"Then tell me, why are you here? What urged the child celebrity of Hogwarts to come to our humble country.And what was your purpose of using magic in midst of a muggle crowd?"
Right. He had done that.
Richard wasn't bothered by the fact that he was being held by law enforcement the slightest.
As Riser, he had mingled with those at the very top of the society. This to him, was nothing but a formality.
Instead, he thought calmly, completely ignoring the man who questioned him. Why HAD he done that. When thinking rationally, the choice he made to keep using the magic to accelerate was not sensible. Especially considering that he was in public.
It was an impulse.
That magic was impulsive. And channeling it requires clarity, if one doesn't desire to be overwhelmed by it.
It made no sense for him to run. He only had one proper leg for goodness sake.
"Young man?"
"Wait a second-"
Richard interrupted him, holding up a hand as he recollected what happened to lead up to it.
First, he woke up. Then watched Dragonball Z. Then he went to jog. He wanted to jog after watching dragonball Z.
But why? Because he was pumped up. When he was pumped up, he wanted to move his body. And when he moved his body, he wanted to do more.
The magic was triggered by his uncontrolled emotions. In other words....
"Accidental magic."
Richard placed his hand down.
"I'm sorry Mr..? What was your name again?"
" you can call me, Kojiro."
"Right. Sorry Mr Kojiro." Richard apologized formally. "I've actually been having some unstable magical episodes after my terrible accident, which I am sure you are aware of-"
Richard placed his peg leg outside from under the table just to be sure.
"And Me and my guardian had come here to have some peace and quiet while exploring the Japanese wizarding culture."
"-"
There was a moment of silence. Richard could see that they were considering what they should do. His identity as a foreigner, a famous figure, and current identity of a patient probably made their protocols a little hard to follow.
Richard spoke again.
"I'd like to apologize deeply for what happened. Believe me when I say that this was not something I intended to do. Even during that episode where I acted unreasonably, I still casted a disillusionment charm over myself to keep my presence hidden-"
"Alright. Okay." Kojiro raised his voice in defeat. "I get it. I'm sure my higher ups got it as well. No need to be worried. We don't lock up children in wizard prison for something like this."
He turned to leave, then turned back.
"When you said guardian, you meant the girl called Tonks , right?"
"Yes. She's my legal guardian."
"Huh." That made Richard raise his eyebrow in question. "Guess western people really move fast."
Yeah, no. This was a special case. Normal British people don't adopt children as soon as they graduate from Hogwarts.
Richard didnt say that out loud though. And within minutes, a very cranky, and very worried Tonks appeared in front of him.
She was dressed in a large T-shirt and large pants while her hair was standing up from bed head.
But her red eyes were open wide. And they were glaring at Richard with enough fire to make everyone feel uncomfortable.
"You little brat! What do you think you are doing, making me wake up, after only having two hours to sleep-"
Her hand reached for his ear, maybe to twist it, or simply grab it to drag him away.
Slap
Richard swatted it away casually, though his eyes turned cold instantly.
For a second, Richard stared at Tonks, and they locked onto her eyes which poured out frustration with a matching steel cold.
"Well..then. We will be going now." Tonks took away her gaze in seconds.
"Yes" Richard turned towards Kojiro. "But first, can I have my wand back?"
Kojiro looked at them as if trying to understand the dynamics between them, and then shook his head slightly.
"We can. But first, we need a guarantee that something like this will not happen again. Or at the very least a way to keep track of where you will be in case you cannot provide a guarantee."
His gaze moved between Richard and Tonks, as if he was trying to figure out who was in charge here.
"Of course we can guarantee you. I'm an auror, of the British ministry of magic-"
"Tonks" Richard interrupted her. Then turned to Kojiro. "How about this then. What if one of your colleagues follow us." Richard proposed. "We intended to visit magical sites, and I think having someone along would be really helpful. I understand if this isn't standard procedure, but It would be much easier and convenient for you instead of having someone tail us, or instructing others to be on guard, No?"
"That might be for the best. But I still need to check it with my higher ups."
"Please do then." Richard replied. "If thats sorted, then, can we return to our resident?"
...
Instead of returning to their muggle made residence, the Japanese auror provided them with a residence while Kojiro reported to his higher ups.
Richard and Tonks sat face to face in the low table, Richard with his legs in seiza while Tonks had her legs crossed.
The tea had been served though no one touched their cups.
This discussion must happen.
"Tell me...Tonks." Richard looked her in the eyes, her yellow eyes with no disguise. "Am I a child?"
"You are legally one. And one under my guardianship."
"Let me rephrase it." Richard asked again. "Do you think I, am a child?"
""
This time, she was unable to answer.
"I am not."
Richard stated firmly. There was no anger in his voice. But it was cold. And unyielding. He had acted as Riser Phenex of DXD, but that time had not turned him into that Riser Phenex. What he learned, what he read, what he experienced had changed him into what Riser could have been if he was sensible.
He looked at Tonks who stared back.
"I find it unnecessary to point this out to you, when you saw a part of my power the very day I bound you to oath."
He asked her.
"Or do you not believe me?" He asked. "Do you find it hard to believe me when I was the one who pieced your broken soul together and brought you back to life?"
Richard waited for her answer.
"You know what?" Tonks replied after a minute. "I don't believe you. You might be powerful. You might have saved me using some trick, but you are a child."
"In what way?-"
"In every way!" Richard raised an eyebrow at the sudden rise of her tone. "I am your guardian, legally. By law I am the one who is looking after a child who is six years younger than me. I am looking after a teenager who goes around acting like he's Merlin's reincarnation poking his nose into every cesspit while I have a heart attack every time I learn about your handiwork from the freaking newspaper!"
"The law doesn't apply to me."
"Well it does to me!" Tonks shot back. "Do you know what it is like being a teenager who adopted a kid from the same school you went to? Do you know what people talk about behind my back when they think I can't hear them? Adopting a child just when I turned eighteen, my mom and dad thought I was nuts. And now I have to worry about you-"
"I am not a child. I am an adult sho is capable of making my own decisions.And you don't need to worry about me-"
"Yes, I do!" Her voice turned to a shout. "Because this time you end up caught by aurors. Last time, you ended up loosing your leg. You can't make decisions. You always end up hurting yourself, and I am the one who has to rush to the hospital every time with my heart on fire.
You can't make decisions for yourself. You can't be responsible for yourself. And that makes you a child."
Richard looked at Tonks whose face and hair had turned red.
He didnt yell. Nor did he threaten her this time.
Instead he decided to show her.
In front of Tonks's eyes, Richard began to change. He was altering himself using his own magic. And the shift quickly came to a stop.
While before his eye level only reached to her collar, now he could see Tonks's crown without even looking up.
Richard pushed aside a strand of red and blond hair that appeared in his sight.
"This is me. This is what thats trapped inside this flesh body. Tell me, am I a child? "
Tonks couldn't answer.
"Tonks." He said to her. "The choices I made, I made them aware. And everything that happened..they happened with my choice. So if my choice lead to my leg ending up as a fossil, so be it."
For a moment he wondered why he was saying this to a character.
"You must understand. Tonks, my life will not be washed to the background. I am going to reach to somewhere no one can . And if those choices come with consequences,I will face them gladly."
"I might end up blind, or deaf. Or mentally crippled or even dead." As the words left his mouth, Richard himself became aware of them again. "But...I will still do it."
"And you will be there with me, because the method I used to save your life has bound you to me even deeper than the unbreakable vow had."
He placed a hand on hers. The first time he had touched her for reassurance.
"So you need to prepare yourself Tonks. Because you will see what I'm want to do will ignore the realm people call common sense. We might might not make it. But we are going to make a beautiful story, where WE are the main characters."
That was what he wanted to do. And that way, maybe..he could bring her to reality as well.
Being cared for, felt better for some reason.