As Darcy is explaining the differences between creation and transmutation in alchemy and magic she spots a raised hand. Excited as it's the first student to ask a question in the whole thirty minute lecture, she could barely contain herself from being too enthusiastic "Yes! A question! Fina- Uhm I mean, yes. Your question?" "Thank you for restraining yourself Miss Darcy, and my question is are you the only Alchemy teacher in this whole school?" Darcy was disappointed and embarrassed , seeing as though she had been talking so earnestly about alchemy basics. Nevertheless she would answer "Yes, I am. Why do you ask?" "Well, you're alchemy in theory would work but doesn't it feel too outlandish?" "Oh uh, sorry I never realized. Uh yes in truth these concepts are a tad bit of a stretch and they do only work in theory-" "Then why would you teach it?" Surprised by the boy's sudden reply she was stumbling to find a good response "Well you see I-" "Maybe instead of wasting our time and yours by teaching us alchemy that doesn't work, don't you think we'd be better off with a more grounded teacher that gives us proper lessons?" again stumbling on her words she was tongue tied "Sure they may only work in theory belut where's the fun in-" "Fun? You teach alchemy for fun? I thought it was about an alternative to magic. I guess what other scientists and alchemist teach must be wrong if it's taught to be fun" She was in shock, disbelief, she had never lost ground in an argument against Arthur or anyone but...
Somewhere deep inside her was this sinking feeling
A writhing doubt that had not surfaced in a while
She was still a teacher so she tries to recuperate "I'm sorry if my teaching isn't to your liking Mr.?" "It's Morgan Ecsolcta, and your right... No one should have to sit through this nonsense for two and half hours if the first thirty minutes are nothing but a theorists delusional rant" Morgan storms off and slams the door on the whole class.
An awkward and heavy air filled the once light and cheerful room. Darcy who sensed it early on knew this and decided that the students should not lose heart "Well... So far, who can tell me what happens to mitrosium when you expose it to pure liviscot? Hmm? Anybody?" there was a still silence until Molly raised her hand "Ah yes! Molly?" "It releases a foul odor, due to pure liviscots Morsen effect" with Molly's courage and Darcy's splendid guidance it seems the class was able to resume just fine.
Later on...
"Ok that settles it! Class Is over! Go and uh I don't know, gallavant your way outta this library" In all the years she's been teaching Darcy still had doubt inside her, and it seems to have resurfaced, she went to a small corner in the hallway her pride slowly being swallowed as she breaks down. "Just for a while right? It's ok, just for a while..." all she had on her mind is rest, just a small break from the smiles and laughs just a break.
"Darcy!" "Arthur?" Darcy quickly peaks around the corner to see Arthur searching for her "Darcy! Darcy where are you?" Darcy didn't want Arthur to see her the way she was, so she covered her mouth and controlled her rugged breathing, as she leaned against the wall trying to avoid making contact with him
On Arthur's side...
"Darcy! (Where is this lady, I swear...)" Arthur notices a faint smell of salt as he walks by Darcy's hiding spot "Hmmm? Sniff* sniff* Darcy?" "I guess you really are the best at hide and seek Arthur. Sniffle*" "OH dear! Darcy!? What happened?" "Sniffle*Oh its nothing I can't handle sniff* I just need a minute" "Darcy please, tell me what happened" "No, Arthur no. sniff!* I'm fine. Come on let's go to Lunch" Arthur was still worried but decided not to keep pushing, it seems he knew that if he did Darcy would never let him hear the end of it.
But, he knew if he didn't ask it would eat her alive "So... What happened?" "You're really not going to let this go are you?" "Nope, not while I'm still a rat" Darcy chuckled her mood seem to have lifted "Ok then Mr. Rat-" "Great Zahara please kill m-" "As I was saying! I just let the comments of some kid get into my head" Arthur wonders what kid could possibly do this? Then he remembers a stort about a certain boy "Was his name Morgan?" "Yes! How did you know? Did you read my mind?" she exclaimed. "No, there was just a rumor about a kid that excelled in every area of education except for Magic, the boy was born without the aptitude for it" "What about his sister?" "What sister?"
CRASH!!!*
"What the-"
"ATTENTION ALL STAFF THERE IS AN UNSANCTIONED MAGIC DUEL IN PROGRESS! PLEASE ESCORT THE STUDENTS TO SAFETY! AND RUSH TO THE 8TH FLOOR SPARRING ROOM !"
The sudden alarm was a surprise to both teachers as they make there way up to the 8th floor "Arthur, over here!" Darcy open up a passage to the 8th floor sparring room from the ground floor "Are we almost there yet?" Darcy tries to find the latch as quickly as possible, when she finds it she turns the handle but it won't open "It's not opening! I think it's stuck!" "Here let me-" Arthur turns the handle the other way, and turns to Darcy as she just shrugs and smiles. They exit through a painting with a secret door. And they see a huge crowd of students that have gathered to watch the fight
Before...
"Hey! What was that!" "I'm sorry are you talking to me?"
Niora was furious at Morgan "No one should disregard the hardwork a teacher puts in to make it an interesting and fun class" Morgan scowled as he replied "If you're here to have fun, then you shouldn't be here! This is a place of learning! Not goofing around. Magic has a responsibility to it that you can't seem to grasp, it's not about fun spells, it's about protection and power not the ideals of the delusional" their little spat turned into a big scene as people were starting to stare "Niora, please let's just leave. He's not worth it" Jack trying to defuse the situation gets Niora to calm down "Fine" "What? That's it? You're going to leave? And here I thought you had some fight in you. Little Orphan girl" just as they walk Jack stops and turns around to walk toward Morgan "What?" "Take. It. Back." Morgan puffs up his chest as Jack leans back to throw a punch "Oof-" Everyone is stunned at the boy who punched an elf "The world is moving so slow" Jack looks at all the gaping mouths and his eyes catch Niora mouthing something to him "what?" He starts to listen more intently and he hears "RUN YOU FOOL!"