Embers floated through the air bringing with them a gentle light. A flame flickered, dancing in it's own reflection upon the wooden floor. The smell of freshly brewed cocoa beans wafted through the air. Holding his hands toward the fireplace, Kaito let out a sigh, sitting upright on a chair close by. Pina sat nestled in his lap, purring as he stroked her mane.
"I barely got any sleep Pina…" The parreton did not wake up.
"Are you all ready son?" A childlike voice questioned, before a small elf boy peeked his head in. His skin was mixed and hair as white as snow. This combination struck Kaito as unusual. But the elf's attire was even more odd. He bared robes that fell far below his feet, dragging on the ground as he walked, and a large staff taller than the entirety of his body.
"You look totally weird ol' man Kusa!"
"It's the responsibility of Madrigal's elders to wear the proper dressings." Looking him head to toe, Akusa's eyes fell upon a backpack sitting at Kaito's feet. "Speaking of which, you have yer books, gear and such?"
"Yeah yeah."
Akusa leaned over, fluffing his collar, and patting out all the wrinkles in his uniform. "Let's fix yer collar boy."
"So why is everyone treating Onsen's academy like its such a big deal? I'm already super duper strong. Why do I need to go?"
"Onsen's academy is the pride of Madrigal. It is because of warriors like you, we are able to maintain the peace with Enstinn."
"That place again? It's across the great bridge right?"
"Indeed. When one goes to Onsen's academy, there are two main purposes of going. Either you will set off into the world following the path Sanctus lays out for you, or you will serve Enstinn as a good willed gesture."
"Hmm, but isn't that kind of weird Kusa? We don't really have a choice."
"There are things bigger than you or me." Akusa smiled, as he held out his hand. Each finger held vast amounts of strange looking jewelry. He flexed his hand in and out. "People we must protect." Akusa grabbed Kaito's shoulder and guided him outside, leading them to a large wood balcony, overlooking a large portion of Madrigal.
"People I must…" His heart tightened as he looked around. Children younger than him were running the streets, with parents smiling upon them fondly. The all too familiar smell of pastries warmed his body. "Protect?"
"Dreams are powerful Kaito. You are still young so you may not know what your dream is, but there is something that holds true universally. Dreams are meaningless if the ones you love aren't by your side. If you had everything you ever wanted, and no one to share this abundance with, you have nothing."
"…" Kaito took a moment, saying naught a word. His red eyes scanned all the people and places, as the warmth spread even further. "Oh." He fiddled with his backpack, ensuring it was snug on his body.
"Its about time son."
"Yeah… Kusa." He raised his head, with a fierce look of determination. "I believe there is more than one way to protect others. But until I find it for myself…" Kaito looked at 3 towers, overshadowing its surroundings. With a dragon crest displayed on the front, the prestige of Onsen's academy could be denied by no one. "I'll follow the path."
And with that declaration, Kaito bounded down the wooden stairs. "See ya old man!"
Akusa stood there, watching him calmly, with a reassuring smile. Unsure why, he felt a flood of confidence wash through him. Kusa believes in me.
"Poor poor Akusa."
"Wait Mikele? How did you-"
"The entire kingdom could hear you yelling your farewells." Mikele flashed a smile, and waved at Akusa, who returned the favor.
"Pfft." Kaito turned, and bounded down the road. "Try and keep up you blue haired creep."
"Easy enough."
In the distance, Kaito heard the clinking of metal on metal, alongside the fire of a forge. Looking to his left, he saw a Blacksmith, eager to finish his next craft.
"You look gross Mister!"
"Oh is that Kaito?" The blacksmith looked up, sweat drenching his attire. "On your way to the academy right? Don't get in to too much trouble."
"When do I ever?"
Churr!
"Pina? When did you get here? You want to walk with us to school?"
Warmly, she jumped cozily on his shoulder in reply nuzzling her cheek against Kaito's.
Churr!
"Hey Mikele I've been wondering something." Kaito mumbled, as the trio made their way through the busy Madrigal square.
"Hm?"
"Why are your eyes always darting around? It's like you're always on guard," Kaito repeated, more curious than annoyed.
"Because you aren't," Mikele said.
Kaito opened his mouth to argue, then shut it. "Huh? That's… kind of cool, actually."
"Does that mean you're secretly some kind of bodyguard?"
Kaito grinned, proud of his new discovery.
Mikele looked at him for a moment, then chuckled. "Please. If I was guarding anyone, you'd be the last choice."
"Wow. Rude."
"You asked."
Kaito pouted. "Still kind of sounds like you're protecting me."
"I'm protecting my peace and quiet. If you get yourself killed, I have to deal with the guilt and explaining what happened to Kusa. Neither sounds fun."
Pina let out a soft churr, as if disagreeing. Kaito scratched under her chin. "Pina thinks you like us."
"Pina also eats bugs and chews rocks."
They walked farther up the gradual slope toward the Academy. The morning light shimmered against the stone walls. The city was waking. Vendors swept storefronts, kids chased each other between hanging lanterns, and the smell of fresh baked goods drifted through the air.
Kaito looked sideways at Mikele again. "You're still doing it."
"Doing what."
"The eye thing. Looking around like something's about to jump us."
Mikele shrugged. "Habit."
"From what."
"Places aren't always safe just because everyone thinks they are I guess. The whole 'close your door at night thing' has me a bit wary of this place you know?"
Kaito tilted his head. "So… you don't trust Madrigal?"
Mikele hesitated only a breath. "…I trust you to walk into a ditch."
"Hey!"
A smile tugged at Mikele's mouth. Just a small one. But it was there.
They passed the a shopkeeper's stall. A woman laying her wares out on display smiled gently and waved.
"You boys better not be late!"
Kaito waved back enthusiastically. Mikele gave a lazy two-finger salute without breaking stride.
As they turned onto the main road, Kaito kicked a pebble ahead of him. "You could just admit you worry about me, you know."
Mikele stepped over the pebble before answering. "And you could stop giving me reasons to."
Pina chirped approvingly.
Kaito rolled his eyes. "What a bother."
But he was smiling.
Ahead of them, the three spires of Onsen's Academy came into full view, cutting into the sky like stone blades. The air grew quieter the closer they got, as though the city itself held its breath.
Kaito's voice dropped to a whisper. "Think it'll be hard?"
"Yeah."
"…You're supposed to say something reassuring."
"You'll be fine. I'm the one stuck making sure you don't get yourself expelled before lunch."
Kaito grinned. "That actually kind of helped."
"Good. Now walk faster."
They continued up the path, side by side, only a few steps apart.
Mikele stayed just slightly behind him.
The path to the Academy widened, lined with lantern posts and stone carvings of dragons coiled around spears. Students about their age were heading the same way, some in groups, some alone, some crying into their sleeves as their parents whispered encouragement.
"Isn't it weird that everyone's parents are here, yet we're alone Mikele?"
"We're orphans Kaito. I'm pretty sure that means we don't have parents yeah?" Mikele said dryly.
"Yeah… and Kusa is always busy with his elder duties." His voice trailing off. He shook his head, snapping out of it. "Race you to the gate!"
Mikele didn't even look at him. "You'd trip in the first ten steps."
"So you're scared of losing?"
"I'm scared of the noise you'll make when you fall on your face."
Pina chirred like she agreed.
Kaito dramatically gasped. "You too, Pina?!"
They walked.
The towers of Onsen's Academy loomed higher now, their tops cutting into the clouds. The dragon crest above the entrance glinted in the morning light, wings spread like it ruled the sky itself.
As they neared the front gate, Kaito slowed. Not by much. Just a little.
You could tell he was thinking.
Mikele didn't say anything. He just walked beside him now, no longer trailing behind.
"Kaito?" someone called ahead.
A group of older boys stood near the gate. Second-years, judging by their silver-trimmed uniforms. The one at the front had sharp eyes and a smirk like he was born to wear it.
"Oh look. The loud kid from the training fields," the older boy said. "Thought I heard your voice echoing across half of Madrigal."
Kaito blinked. "Lysander? You're here too?"
"Of course I did. Some of us actually study."
The others chuckled.
Kaito smiled. Not offended, not angry. "Study this." Kaito raised his middle finger slowly, his smirk becoming more and more mischievous.
A pause. Then one of the older boys burst out laughing. Lysander did not.
"You know," Lysander said, stepping closer, "that kind of mouth gets people kicked out before orientation even starts."
"Then kick me out after I beat you in sparring."
Mikele stepped forward, just barely enough that his shoulder aligned with Kaito's. He was relaxed. Too relaxed.
Lysander noticed.
The grin dropped a little.
"Tch. Whatever. Just don't cry when the instructors wipe the floor with you." He turned to leave with his group, but glanced once more at Mikele. "And wipe that dead-fish stare off your face, blue-hair."
Mikele smiled lightly. "Sure."
The older students walked off.
Kaito let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
"You were gonna say something," he said to Mikele.
"Maybe."
"Why didn't you?"
"Didn't need to."
Kaito squinted. "You're weird."
"Mm."
The gates rumbled open.
Inside, carved along the stone walls were four words all first-years were expected to memorize before nightfall.
Walk in Light.
Speak no Lies.
Suffer for the Weak.
Do Good for Sanctus and for Man.
Kaito read them quietly.
Mikele didn't look at them at all.
Pina's tail flicked.
They stepped inside.