"Wait what?," Allen had asked, as the three of them were dropped with the completely unexpected news: William will be leaving the academy temporarily on personal business! Just what did he have planned? What kind of personal business?
"Hold on William," Rose cut in. "This is completely so sudden. What do you mean 'personal business'?"
William offered no answer as he did not keep eye contact with them. He kept his head down with his eyes facing his desk, surprisingly with no paperwork. Whether it was somewhere else or actually done for once, Allen did not care as his main concern was what was wrong with William. What was going on?
"Father, I am sure this 'personal business' of yours is important, but I agree with Rose on this. This came out of nowhere. What's going on? I-"
William had put his hand up to cut him off. "Look, while I would normally tell you why I would be leaving the academy on very short notice, this time I cannot offer you that. The only thing I can tell you is that it is personal, and something I have to take care of"
As Allen sat there taking in the situation, his primary concern was how William was acting. Whatever this 'personal business' was, it certainly meant a lot to him and was troubling him.
No matter what Allen has tried in the past, William, whether as his old mentor or as the academy's director, has always seemed so far away. There are so many things about him he doesn't know and he hates that. William has spent so much helping Allen out and he can't do anything in return.
"Well, I certainly don't approve of this!," Rose stood up, slamming her hand down on his desk, with no reaction from William. "First of all, this comes out of nowhere with no heads up. Just when are you leaving?"
"I will be leaving early next week. This upcoming weekend I will be getting ready and departing shortly afterwards," William explained, still not meeting eye contact with Rose.
"Okay, and how long are you going to be gone?," Rose asked, leaning in a little.
"I will be gone for a few days, to return most likely by the end of the week"
"This is going to be next week?," Rose raised her voice. "And you're just telling us this now? And this is before you're telling everyone else!"
"I understand Rose, I know you have your concerns, but please quiet down," William put his hand up.
"Quiet down? Why should I quiet down? Does Ms. Clark or Mr. Garet know about this? I-"
"Look Rose, I am sure he has his reasons," Stephen intervened. "Please, take your seat again"
"Fine," she shifted her head away from them as she crossed her arms and sat down again.
"Look father, I think we should get at least some sort of explanation. I am your son, after all? Allen was once your protege, and Rose is the student council president you directly work with daily. Just what is going on?"
"I-," William started to speak, but immediately stopped. It was as if he wanted to tell them something, but stopped himself. Was there something stopping him?
"William, if you don't want to tell us, I won't make you," Allen added. "But if there's something that I can-"
"I believe that is all for today," William interrupted. "Now then, I have some paperwork to get finished before my temporary leave. Now, I kindly ask that all three of you to exit my office promptly"
"But William," Rose stood up. "Can't you just-"
"I said, I have work to do," his voice became stern. "And I am sure you do as well"
"But-"
"Let's go, Rose," Stephen stood up as he put his hand on her back to get her moving.
"Stephen! I-"
"Let's go," Stephen declared as he forcefully started to move her out of the room, leaving Allen and William alone.
Allen didn't know what to say. William kept his eyes on his desk, not uttering a word. Just what could he say to him now?
"William," Allen tried to get his attention, just to get anything.
"Please go," he advised him, still not looking up at him. "I'm sure you have studies to do"
Allen was about to say something else in response, when he realized there was no point. The only thing he could hope for is that one day William would tell him. There had to be a reason he didn't tell him, right?
Allen got one last look at him before he finally turned around and left his office, closing the squeaky door behind him.
William waited a few moments as he heard the last of Allen's footsteps walk away from his office room, no doubt catching up with his son Stephen and Rose.
"One day, I am sure he will find out," William murmured to himself, once he was sure no one could hear him. "But for now, I will keep my promise"
It didn't take long for Allen to catch up with Rose and Stephen, who were just down the hall. They seemed to be discussing what had just happened in William's office.
"I can't believe he would really do that!," Rose exclaimed, as Allen finally could make out what they were saying. "He brings all of this out of nowhere, and then doesn't tell us anything about it!"
"I understand Rose, I understand better than anyone," Stephen sighed.
"Right," Rose immediately remembered what kind of relationship Stephen had with his father before his duel with Allen. "But even so-"
"As Stephen said earlier, I am sure William has his reasons," Allen finally pitched in. "As much as I hate that he never tells me anything, I am sure he's keeping it from us for a good reason"
"But even so, not one piece of detail?," Rose complained. "I work with him all the time, and he's always helping me out. But one time I ask him about something, he gives me the silent treatment. How do you two deal with it?"
"You get used to it," both of them replied at the same time, with blank expressions on their faces.
"Ugh, he just frustrates me," Rose flung her arms up. "I mean, you know something is really up when he tells us he's got paperwork to do! He never likes doing paperwork and we all know it!"
"True, not one day have I ever seen my father want to work at his desk," Stephen sighed. "But even so, we need to respect his privacy. If he doesn't want to tell us, then we can't do anything about it. That's just how he is"
"I suppose a fair point, but that still doesn't change my feelings about him," Rose crossed her arms. "He did the same thing last year, and I reprimanded him for it then too"
"Wait, he did the same thing last year?," Allen asked, surprised. "Was it the same time?"
"Hmm, I don't remember the exact day or week, but I'm pretty sure it was around this time last year," Rose put a finger on her chin in thought. "You two weren't here last year, but it went down the same I think?"
"Wait, you're telling me this could be a yearly thing?," Stephen asked. "You know, things are starting to add up a little"
"What do you mean?," Rose asked, prying for further details.
"Each year around this time, I would never see my father," Stephen pointed out. "Well, I didn't see him often, but never did I see him during this timeframe each year"
"So then, it could be a yearly thing!," Rose pointed out. "But what could be so important that it's yearly? It can't be his birthday, can it?"
"Surprisingly enough, no it is not," Stephen crossed his arms. "He doesn't like to talk about his birthday either, but he was not born this month"
"Okay, so I hate to bring this up, but could this be regarding your late mother Stephen?," Rose asked, trying to ask nicely.
"I-," Stephen froze for a second, obviously affected by Rose's question, but he decided to answer. "No, she passed shortly after my birth, and my birthday isn't coming up, so it cannot be that"
"Hmm, so what could it be then?," Rose asked, starting to think.
The three of them started to compare ideas and thoughts, hoping to reach some sort of conclusion for some form of closure about the whole thing. Each thing someone brought up was instantly brought down by someone else, knowing that it can't be true. After spending a while talking about it, and then diverging into other conversations, they decided to leave the matter be. After all, they could try to figure it out later, or may find out later regardless.
Each of them had their own places to be and things to do as well, so they all decided it was in their best interest to talk about it another time. They each went their separate ways, and would see each other again for the next training club session.
"-and so, this is why it is important to read and understand elemental magic history," Mr. Lyon started to wrap up his lesson. "Keep studying your textbooks, and continue to practice in the training room"
Allen was wrapped up in his thoughts about what had transpired yesterday, when he received a tap on his shoulder.
"Hey, are you okay Al?," Thomas asked him, a look of concern on his face.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Allen offered him a small smile. Allen decided it was in everyone's best interests if he kept what William told him between those Willam told.
"Alright man, just let me know if you need anything," Thomas offered him a kind smile. "Now then, I believe it's time for us to get some good training in! I'm not gonna be ready for this tournament just by sitting here and reading!"
"True, but it would do you some good if you actually sat down and read for once," Cecily pointed out. "All you think about is training"
"Well I could turn around and say all you think about is reading, dear Lily!," Thomas got up close to her face.
"I-," Cecily started to say, but her face immediately flushed up as she quickly looked away from him.
"What's wrong Lily?," Thomas asked, completely oblivious to the whole thing. "Oh-"
It seemed Thomas realized what he did, as he immediately backed up, and scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.
Those two never get old, Allen thought. Just when will they realize their feelings for each other?
Then again, Allen was no better. After all, he had no idea Rose had feelings for him until she dropped it all on him during their club trip. He still thinks time to time about the whole thing, and how Rose declared she will still try to get him to like her. So, in a way he's no better than the oblivious Thomas and Cecily.
Allen got once again so caught up in his thoughts, that he didn't hear the door to the room open up to an unexpected guest.
"Yo, mind if I drop in?," a familiar voice came from the door.
The girls in the room started to go crazy as Allen realized none other than Stephen had showed up. But just what is he doing here?
"Club president, I think it would be a good idea if you would show up on time for our training sessions," Stephen pointed out with a grin on his face.
Oh, that's right, Allen thought. The three of us got caught up in stuff that we didn't realize we didn't leave for the club yet.
Normally Thomas and Allen never forget, but it seems that they got so caught up after class they didn't think about it. And now Stephen shows up, causing a commotion with the students who haven't left yet.
"Yeah club president, I would appreciate it if you would show up on time," another familiar voice came from the door to the room, standing next to Stephen.
The boys in the room started to go crazy as Allen realized that Rose was now here.
Just what I needed, Allen thought. Both the popular kid, and the student council president to cause a commotion in our classroom.
"Allennnnnnnnnn," another familiar voice came from the entryway, one that Allen was not excited to hear.
Before he could stop her, Sarah was already at his position, up in his business. He would love nothing more than for her to put her glasses on and go back to the calm and collected Alice, but he knew she couldn't do that in front of everyone.
Just why did she have to show up instead of Alice?, Allen thought, with a blank expression on his face as Sarah was in the middle of hugging him.
"Sarah, I thought you knew better," Rose glared at Sarah.
"I have no idea what you mean!," Sarah gave her a mischievous smile. "I'm just here with my Allen!"
Oh no, Allen thought, as he was already starting to get angry looks from all of the boys in his room. He was pretty sure he could see Adam laughing in the corner of his eye, too.
"Did I miss anything?," the last training club member asked as he entered the room.
Immediately everyone turned their attention to none other than Prince August, who apparently also thought it would be a good idea to show up.
Now they had the boys going crazy over Rose and Sarah, and the girls going crazy over Stephen and August. All the while Allen was dealing with Sarah and Rose fighting next to him.
In addition, it also did not help that Stephen was giving what the girls wanted, as he too loved the attention. August seemed to not mind the attention either, smiling and waving at everyone.
"Uh, Al, what do we do?," Thomas asked, not sure how to handle all the new commotion.
"Maybe Mr. Lyon will stop them?," Allen asked. "Lily, what do you think?"
Cecily didn't offer any words as she was too busy wrapped up in her own studying with none other than Oliver, who appeared to join her. They moved their desks in the far back corner of the room, away from all of the commotion as possible.
"Well, I think we lost her," Allen sighed. "What is Mr. Lyon doing?"
Allen was sure Mr. Lyon would yell for the students to be quiet, but it appeared that he was nowhere to be found. The last he saw him was shortly after August entered the room, and he had seemed to say something to August. Just where could he be?
"Well, I think we're out of luck Tom," Allen lowered his head to the ground as he gave up. What could he do while Sarah was basically glued to him, Rose yelling at her, Stephen talking to all the ladies, and August going around greeting everyone and making more friends?
Someone, just please end my suffering, Allen thought as he tried to tune out everyone.
While the chaos ensued for a while, it slowly started to calm down as all the training club members started to realize they were wasting club time. Allen was finally able to get Sarah off of him, Rose finally came to her senses and stopped Stephen from trying to get all the attention from the girls, and August finally started to help stop the chaos in the room.
Well, what kind of day would it be without something odd happening, Allen thought as he couldn't help but smile about the whole situation.
After all, Allen could never have dreamed of something like this happening over half a year ago, before he started his time at the academy. While things may be chaotic right now, he mentally decided to appreciate the people he had friends, and be glad he is making so much progress with his magic and abilities this far into the academy year. While the academy year was close to being up, he looked forward to what next year may bring, provided he passes his conditions in the long awaited yearly tournament.
But what Allen did not know was that just in the next span of a few days after William temporarily leaves, that everything going for them would completely change, and he would definitely not be ready for it.