Throughout the entire year that Allen has attended the academy, the last thing he expected was Ms. Florence, his F ranked teacher, to sit on a desk in front of him, and tell him a story.
Ms. Florence had always been the type, or at least from what Allen could tell, to seem like she didn't care about her students, or the academy in general. She almost always remained at her desk, preoccupied with other matters while she left the students to self study.
She did teach every now and then, but it's possible she only taught because she may have had requirements to remain a teacher. Regardless of the reason, Allen was finally seeing a side to Ms. Florence he never would have expected.
"Let's go back about twenty years ago, back when William, Ellen and I were students of this academy…," Ms. Florence began, as she sat on top of the desk in front of him, with her legs crossed.
Well, I certainly can't tell Stephen or Thomas about this, Allen thought, as he tried to keep his eyes away from a view he was not expecting. But something about her and William's past? I don't think I've heard anything like this before.
"I was not a remarkable student by any means. I started off as D rank, did not really talk to other students if I didn't have to, and only completed the work that was expected of me," she said. "However, throughout my entire first year, there was one student that you could say caught my eye - William Windblade"
Wait, so William and Ms. Florence attended the academy at the same time?, Allen thought to himself. But there was one time Williamw wanted me to say hello to her on his behalf, way earlier in the year. So this must have been when they first met!
"At the time, William Windblade was a B ranked student, quite different from the other members of the Windblade family. A very studious and shy student, mostly focused on learning magic than anything else. In addition, his hair was a lot shorter than today, and he wore the same pair of… glasses, I believe they are called? I always thought that was strange…"
Wait, so William has been wearing those mysterious glasses since childhood?, Allen thought to himself. Just, what are they for? He seems to be very protective of them.
"Regardless, the important thing is not himself, or who he really was at the time. It was more of who he became involved with," Ms. Florence continued. "He became involved with many interesting students, but the ones worth mentioning at this moment was Martha Clark, and of course Ellen Marion"
"Wait, William and Ellen knew each other while attending the academy?," Allen asked out loud, without realizing it.
"Shush," Ms. Florence gave him a small glare, which Allen quickly nodded and let her continue.
"Both Ellen and Martha, which you know both of them now, were like William: very studious in nature, and were very interested in learning more about elemental magic. In addition, they also surprisingly helped William open up more, out of his shy nature he had once had"
"While I may not have been a big fan of William since then, I've always at least respected him, and been aware of his capabilities. Ellen however, there has always been something about her that's made me iffy of her since the beginning"
Ms. Florence shifted in her chair, shifted her legs, and took a deep breath before continuing.
"The most notable thing that I noticed from Ellen was primarily how she had looked up a particular member of the Windblade family - Christina Windblade"
Christina Windblade, Allen thought to himself. William has mentioned her before. She's-
"The eldest child of the main family of the Windblade's, in addition to being William and Solomon's eldest sister, Christina Windblade was a figure many have looked up to in the past, and for many good reasons. When Christina was a student at this academy, she was quite the role model, talented with both elemental magic and physical capabilities, and most of all she had treated everyone equally and fairly, regardless of their rank or status. She was popular with all of the students, whether low or high in ranking"
"But the most notable achievement that she accomplished during her time attending the academy was the fact she won the Annual Magical Knights Tournament all three years in a row, which is something that had never happened before, nor has anyone else managed to accomplish since then. This quickly earned her the title of 'The Prodigy of the Academy', and there were high expectations placed on her since then, if there weren't any already"
Wow, Allen thought. William's eldest sister managed to do all of that? That's so impressive. I can see why people looked up to her.
"In the end, I am not entirely sure why Ellen out of all people took a huge interest in Christina, probably most likely due to Christina's outgoing nature"
So, Christina was who Ellen looked up to, Allen thought, interested. Was she the name Ellen almost mentioned the other day?
Ms. Florence glanced at Allen for a moment before continuing, to make sure he was still paying attention.
"Many years later, after all of us had graduated and moved on from our academy years, Christina of course had taken over the once Council of Magic, become head of the Windblade family, and claimed the Spear of Air, which then became the primary height of her accomplishments and popularity. However, that did not last forever, as not too many years later, Christina had allegedly committed suicide, and with her death Solomon Windblade had taken charge"
"Many changes swept through England, most notably the former laid back Council of Magic converted to the now controlling Triumvirate. However, with Christina's death, I had noticed Ellen began to change…"
The Triumvirate, Allen thought. They were the ones behind removing William from office, and replacing him with Ellen. Not them again.
"Not only did Ellen lose the role model she had throughout her life, but she had also recently lost her eldest daughter, Lucy Marion. A shame, as Lucy was by all accounts an amazing magical knight. Regardless, this is when I suspect Ellen had her major changes, and became the individual she is today: resentful, yet very prideful. The need to then take control of her next eldest daughter, Rose Marion, as well as take control of our academy that Christina Windblade once attended"
So, that may have caused Ellen to be the person she is today, Allen thought to himself as he continued to connect the dots. However, this does not excuse her behavior to Rose, Thomas, Cecily, and even Ms. Clark.
"Assuming you are still following along Fleming, this brings me to my main point I wish to make - Ellen Marion is not someone I or many others will not approve of," Ms. Florence continued as she let out another deep sigh.
"I see," Allen said out loud. "Thank you for telling me that story"
Ms. Florence only offered him a slight nod. "Instead of asking if you have any questions, I will instead ask you a question. What do you think the purpose elemental magic serves?"
"What purpose it serves?," Allen asked, repeating her question as he gave it some thought.
Truth be told, Allen has never really given it that much thought before. To Allen, elemental magic is a tool in which mages learn and study to then use to protect the country. But was there more to it?
"Magic has and never been really important to me since the beginning, which is one of the primary reasons I was thrown into my position to teach the F ranked students as yourself," Ms. Florence gestured to Allen.
"Allow me to show you something," Ms. Florence spoke as she grabbed the book sitting next to her. "Take this, and read the cover to me"
Ms. Florence promptly handed her book over to Allen. As he held the book in his hands, he noticed it was rather old and somewhat tattered. It had four notable colors on the front page - grey, brown, blue, and red. No doubt for each element, which included surprisingly fire magic - a magic that was banned, and if any fire mages including Allen were discovered, they would be immediately executed, no questions or trial held.
"Magical Studies," Allen read the title out loud to Ms. Florence, as he was asked to do. "So, this was the book you have been reading all year…"
It surprisingly was the same book Ms. Florence once threw at Stephen for 'interrupting' her class, when Stephen and Rose one time came to get Allen, Thomas and Cecily from their class. Stephen had read the title out loud, but none of them gave it a second thought. Just what purpose is Ms. Florence showing this book to Allen?
"While that book in your hands is centered around the idea of its title, it also delves into some rather controversial topics, such as what the true purpose of elemental magic may hold," Ms. Florence explained, as she gestured for Allen to hand the book back to her.
"Just what is elemental magic? Where did it come from?," Ms. Florence asked, as she took the book back. "Why do we mages feel the need to use elemental magic? And is it only for combat related purposes?"
As Ms. Florence asked Allen those questions, he started to think about it a little. After all, to him, magic was simply magic. But Ms. Florence brought up very good points. What exactly is elemental magic?
"I want you to think about that rather than answer me," Ms. Florence advised him. "But I also bring this up because this pertains to you specifically, Allen"
To me?, Allen thought. Why me?
"I told you before and I'll tell you this again - Allen Fleming, you do not belong in my classroom. Nor does Cecily Rivertide, or Thomas Terrastone. But you especially"
"But why?," Allen asked, so confused. The easiest conclusion to draw was that she doesn't want him in his class because she does not like him, since day one. However, she wouldn't be bringing all of this up to Allen if she truly did not care. What was her purpose in telling him this? What did she mean?
"While there are many talented mages out there, who are currently above you in rank, there's something that separates you from them. Your unique abilities," she explained.
"My unique abilities?," Allen asked. "Do you mean-"
"You see, there's a distinct thing that really separates the mages at the very top, like Christina Windblade, from those who are just out of reach. Care to take a guess?"
"I-," Allen started to say, but he couldn't think about anything. They were just better? Had more skills?
"Their unique attributes, which really separated them from the rest," Ms. Florence elaborated. "Whether it be unique ways to use magic, using weapons alongside magic, or simply their minds working a lot different from others. The main point from this is that from everyone else's perspective, the top mages are simply put - weird, strange, unnatural. Whether its good or bad, is generally determined in the long run"
"A mage such as Christina may be a very good, or a very poor example, as she certainly was one in a million. Everything about her was strange. Her unique talent for elemental magic and how she used it, her physical capabilities, how she thought of and processed elemental magic, and in addition her personality was very much different, but in the end made her very popular"
"But, what does all of that have to do with me?," Allen once again asked. "How does someone as prominent as Christina Winblade have to do with a student opposite of her like me?"
"You're missing the point," Ms. Florence sighed. "Let me put it to you bluntly. Allen Fleming, you should not be in my class. You should not even be F ranked at all. In fact, I would almost argue the F ranked class shouldn't exist. The F ranked class is for students the academy deems failing. Those who need a sort of rehabilitation course to get back on track. It was mostly intended for students of high ranking to get their minds out of the gutter and get back on track with their studies"
"But, unique individuals such as yourself, should not be in this classroom. Tell me Allen, how is it that you, a mage who seems to lack potential in using your own air magic, has managed to complete more feats in their first year alone than most students who have attended this academy?"
"I-," Allen started to say, but realized he couldn't say anything on the spot.
Ms. Florence must have been referring to several things: His victory over Charles Rivertide in the entrance exam duel, his almost victory against Nathaniel Rivertide, the Infamous C Ranker no one has defeated before, his victory over Stephen Windblade, The A Ranked Genius and William's only child, Allen's former position as President of the Training Club, and lastly his once again victory over Charles in the preliminary rounds.
"I may have been silent this entire time, but I have seen what you are capable of, Fleming. You are capable of more than just a mere F ranked student at this academy. You could be capable of so much more, accomplish so much more, if those around you would let you"
"I-"
To say Allen was speechless was an understatement. He had never really thought so highly of himself. This whole time, he had been working so hard, to make sure he was worthy of becoming what he dreamed of most - to become a magical knight. But this whole time, he had been doing so much without realizing it. And people in the past, such as August or Stephen, have also realized his potential, but he almost didn't want to believe them.
True, there were still many things Allen needs to do and work on to become the magical knight he has dreamed of. But, he was a bit closer to his goal than he realized. His current setbacks were not a byproduct of his failures, but instead those around him failing to recognize his potential.
"Quite honestly, I can see why William out of all people have taken an interest in you. And I would take that as a compliment, as William isn't someone who would involve himself with those he could care less about, especially now"
Of course, Allen thought. William had trained me, and worked with me, for several years during my childhood. I always thought it was because he was friends with my adoptive parents and owed them a favor, but could there be more to it?
"I'm sure you have many questions you wish to ask him now that I have brought this all up to you, but you can't ask him now. He's been removed from his position, and I'm sure he's awaiting his trial with the Triumvirate," Ms. Florence sighed.
"Wait, how did you know about that?," Allen asked, very confused. From his understanding, not many knew that he was also going to be held trial for supposedly being involved with the attack. The Triumvirate, including Ellen, was keeping that a secret from the academy.
"The point is, our goals align, Fleming," she looked him in the eye. "With both of us not in agreement with Ellen as our new head director, I, along with several others, need you to help us if we wish to have William return as head director. We will help train you, if you join us"
"Wait, join you?," Allen asked. "Join who? And just what exactly?"
"I suppose you could call it a 'small resistance'," Ms. Florence said, with a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Currently comprised of Walter Garet, our only Vice Director now, and myself"
Wait, Walter is involved?, Allen thought to himself, utterly shocked. Him?!
"The question is, will you join us, Fleming?," she asked, as she stared at him, awaiting his answer.
With so much new information Allen has learned, and a new side of Ms. Florence now showing, he must now decide if he will join Ms. Florence and Mr. Garet in their 'resistance', in a possible means of getting his favorite head director back to his rightful position.