Noah's shocked expression swept his face and asks,
"WHY, there's clearly a mage out there who is out to get you and is as strong as Captain Regina. He'll maybe even come for some of us."
Nathan responds in a worried look,
"That water asshole knew my name, and where I was heading to. Don't you think that's weird, that not only did he know my full name but also knew where I was going along with who I was going to.'
Noah tries to process all of this as much as he can.
"But why, most of our information is archived and only known by the school and kingdom officials."
"True, but what if there's someone who gave it to him."
"Do you think there's a rat?"
"It's a possibility we shouldn't rule out. He even said that his boss, no, lord knows me too."
"His lord?"
"Even I couldn't believe it at first."
"With everything you just told me, it seems like this is an entire organization or cult behind this."
"I hope you understand why I asked you not to tell anyone."
"I get it you're trying to be safe."
"Thanks… but there was something else."
"What?"
Nathan tries to wonder whether this is valuable information to even give.
"What is it?"
"He had this strange tattoo on his hand."
"Well, which hand?"
"Does it really matter?"
"Yes, because if we were to meet up with his friends, we would see if they are connected."
"(sigh) Fine. It was on his right hand."
"What did it look like?"
"Looked like 2 horns facing the opposite direction from each other."
"What type of horns?"
"Again, why does it matter?"
"It could tell us if there's a structure built on strength or authority in this horn cult."
"Is that what we're calling them now?"
"Do you have a better name for them?"
"Never mind."
"Alright. Let's go back to school before Ariel starts firing the place up."
After Nathan tells Noah everything that happened, they both agree to keep it a secret as they set off back to the academy.
After taking many carriages, they finally arrive at the Kingdom of Elarion in the country of Luminaris, both schooled at Stellanova's Academy of magical brilliance.
They both walk in looking battered and dirty with their schoolmates looking at them with weird looks.
Noah becomes irritated with their looks and says,
"Damn, it's like they're looking at ghosts."
Nathan responds,
"Let's thank our debris-covered clothes for that."
After walking past all the strange looks from the others, they wash up and change into their school attire, getting ready to meet up with their teacher who assigned them that commission.
They enter his office where surprisingly Ariel and Daniel are already sitting down with the teacher talking about the aftermath of what happened in the village.
Daniel finishes off his side of the story.
"…And that's what happened Professor Norell."
Prof. Norell thanks both of them for their time and energy and sees them off, then turns his attention to both Nathan and Noah.
"Nathan, have a seat."
They both look at each other and Noah asks why doesn't he also give his perspective.
Nowell gives a demeaning look to Noah and tells him to leave so that they can both talk.
Noah leaves him with the angered professor, scared for his friend and the pressure he's in. And so, Nathan sits down in front of Prof. Nowell feeling intensely nervous.
Prof. Nowell sighs and asks Nathan,
"What were you doing when all of this transpired Mr. Valen."
Nathan losing the ability to speak, not being able to find his voice with his nerves being shot sky-high.
"Mr. Valen, I do hope that you understand the severity of the situation that you're in, so do yourself and your friends a favor and speak.
No response from the young man.
"Fine, I've grown tired of this. You and your group are now suspended for 2 weeks with no pay."
Nathan bursts with refusal, catching the damning Professor's attention.
"Well now you can speak? How the ones from above have given such a miracle. Now speak."
Nathan finds his voice and takes a deep breath then speaks.
"I'm sorry sir for what happened today."
Prof. Nowell rubs his eyes in exhaustion and says,
"I didn't ask for an apology, I asked for your input on the matter."
"I'm sorry sir."
"I said no apologies."
"(quietly) Sorry."
He tells Prof. Nowell everything from start to finish.
"That was quite the tale Mr. Valen, I almost felt pity for your sleep time."
"I'm so sorry sir. Whatever punishment you would give them, give them to me. I take full responsibility and promise to reflect on my actions and never do that again."
He then bows his head after giving him such a speech.
Prof. Nowell looks at him and asks him,
"Mr. Valen, how did you feel when you saw your group in such a difficult situation with one of them who seemed to be on the brink of death."
"Regret…fear… anger towards myself."
"I see… You are suspended for 1 week with no pay and before you leave the school, make sure you clean up every chalkboard in this school. You are now dismissed.'
Nathan gets up from the chair with his hands and feet shaking. Prof. Nowell notices and says,
"Mr. Valen, let this teach you a lesson and a reminder of why and what you came to this school to do. What you felt today should be seen as an indication of whether or not you are cut out to be a mage. One slip up and someone's life is gone, a family lost a loved one and it can't be changed. Do better next time Mr. Valen."
Nathan clinches his fists in the utmost frustration as he responds to the Professor,
"…Yes…sir."
He looks at his pupil walking out of his office in despair.
Later on, Noah catches up to him after school and asks what happened.
"Did Prof. Nowell really say that?"
"Yeah…"
"I know nobles are ruthless assholes but this was a bit too cold-hearted, even for him. Damn… but you didn't tell him about that water mage right?"
"Yeah, I didn't."
"I'm sorry, I started this."
"It's not your fault, I…I should've been there from the start. And he's right, one mistake and someone's life is gone."
"I'm sure he's been taking the life out of his wife every time he gets home."
The two of them laugh from the joke to ease the tension.
"Thanks again Noah."
"Don't mention it."
"(groans as he gets up) Let me go slave away for master so he doesn't punish me."
"(laughs) Master gonn' make sure you don't miss a single spot there boy."
"(laughs hard) I'll see you later Noah."
"Don't forget about tonight, it's on me."
Nathan then gives a thumbs up and goes to clean the chalkboards as punishment.
As he's cleaning, he gets a surprise visit from Ariel
"Hey Ariel, what are you doing here, shouldn't you be home by now?"
She ignores him and walks over to her desk to get her worksheets.
"Are you still pissed off about today?"
She continues to ignore him and walks to the exit. He cries out to her with a regretful expression,
"I'm sorry about today, Ari. It's my fault that it got as bad as it did at the village, you're right to be mad at me and call me an asshole."
She responds with her back against him,
"Is that all you have to apologize for?"
"I'm sorry I said redheads can't control their temper."
"And."
"And how you were using your flames around wooden houses and buildings."
She turns to him and says,
"I forgive you."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
She looks at his chalk-covered hands and asks,
"Hey, why are you cleaning them anyway."
"It's Prof. Nowell's punishment for me, he said I'm suspended for a week and I have to clean up all the chalkboards from every class today."
She looks at him shocked.
"Why did he give you those punishments and not the rest of us?"
"You guys got hurt because I wasn't there, think of this as a sort of redemption act Ari."
He smiles at her.
"Don't waste your worries on me Ari, go home."
"I wasn't even worried… idiot."
Nathan chuckles at her failed attempt of looking cool.
"Hey, Ari."
"Yeah?"
"Noah offered me dinner at his mother's diner, how about you go in my stead."
"I'm fine, he offered you so you can go once you're done."
She begins to walk out the room but he prevents her leave by saying,
"Are you sure? His mom makes the best duck."
She stops by the door hinges as he smiles knowing that he has found her weakness. Roasted Duck with thyme and berry juice.
"Imagine eating that juice duck with rich seasoning that compliments its rich meat. Mmhhh, delicious isn't it?"
Her stomach growls with every one of his descriptions of her favourite delicacy.
"And after eating that whole roasted piece of divine meat, you wash it all down with that savoury berry jui…"
She interrupts him.
"SHUT UP."
He continues.
"You can silence me, but you can't silence the sound of that duck sizzling with each turn."
She turned her head angrily to him and said,
"If you keep talking, I'll roast your ass and feed you to those beasts caged up in his majesty's chamber."
Their brief silence is broken by the sound of her growling stomach. He laughs at her and she reluctantly agrees and leaves.
Nathan is then left at school alone, cleaning up today's lectures. Once he's done, he finally leaves to go home. Staring at the dark night sky, he recalls all the events that happened from the moment he woke up to now trying to figure out how it all happened… and why?
He arrives home to see his mother cleaning up her bakery. She gave a happy smile, a warm and welcoming smile that erased all his worries and pain from his joints.
"Nathan, why are you so late?"
"Sorry I'm late, I was cleaning up at school as punishment."
"Why did you get punished, did you do something wrong? Oh my, your face, there's a scratch on there."
He chuckles from her worries and reassures her that he is fine. She squints her eyes as she said,
"Why is that school so strict? It's not too late to drop out of that place, you can help me around the bakery, I could always use a hand around here.
"I told you to hire someone so that you don't work so much."
"You know I don't trust anyone else with my dough and tools."
Their conversation lasted for a few moments until Nathan began to yawn.
"Are you tired, let me make you something before you go to bed.'
"It's fine, I'm just sleepy that's all."
"Are you sure? You're going to wake up with an empty stomach."
"I'm already going to wake up on an empty stomach."
"You know what I mean."
He gives a last chuckle before heading upstairs to his room.
"Goodnight mom."
"Goodnight, sleep well."
"You too."
He opens his bedroom door only to have his eyes fixated on the bed like a long lost friend. He drops his body on the soft bed, releasing a deep and due sigh. Nathan's eyes start closing slowly on their own as he tries to recall the man who worked for his lord, but sleep conquers his mind as he drifts away.
The sparkling sky directs us to where Nathan's battle with the mysterious man took place with another mysterious figure looming over the place Nathan casted his binding spell. The man had a muscular build, scars on his face and a beard so untamed it would've been mistaken for a rodent's den. He examined the spell even further, feeling a sort of similarity he hasn't felt in years. Afterwards, saw a trail that leads to the Elarion Kingdom. His hands opened up in hope and realization. Looks at the direction of the trail, his mouth trying to say the words he never thought nor believed he'd say after so long,
"Son…?"