Within the vicinity of the academy, the trio who went into the shopping spree finally came back with a lot of bags being carried from each of their hands. They have managed to at least spend more money buying all kinds of stuff that is not usually available in the whole district. Needless to say, they had fun, and Aran got to experience many different things and gained at least one speck of confidence, making him more lenient and convincible on a large-scale basis.
After arriving at the gate of the academy, Aran quickly took off to find Huck and left the three girls on their own outside the academy.
"What? Where is he going?" Mahrisse asked.
"He'll probably talk to Huck about the thing that we have discussed earlier. He seems to be more excited than the rest of us." Lisa answered with complete dependence on her intuition.
"Oh okay, well I guess we should also head back to our rooms and rest. We have done plenty of activities for today. Again, thank you so much for going with me and spending your time. It will serve as a major event for me." Mahrisse bowed. The two were both shocked by her overwhelming formality that they managed to chuckle for a little bit.
"You're welcome. Hahaha, come on, let's get inside." Eunice pats her head and they headed inside the academy.
Mahrisse smiled for the efforts they have exerted and for the good outcome.
(Still, though, I wish me and Aran could've been alone. Well, since our dinner is postponed until tomorrow, I have more time to pick clothes to wear. Hihi~) Grasping the fluttering feeling inside her chest and mind, she quickly dropped by to go inside the hall.
***
Meanwhile, on the training grounds.
"Huck! Where are you?" Aran's screaming echoed through the long tunnel of the hall, gradually reaching through the garden and into the training grounds.
"Hmm? Is that Aran?" Huck noticed the call to his name and stopped his training. Using the towel that he had brought, he snugged it upon his face and rubbed all of the sweating that has been bursting out of his skin.
"Huck!" Aran reached the corridor near the entrance of the second hallway and saw Huck on the training ground.
"Aran! What's up, how's the shopping for clothes?" Huck greeted him, still rubbing his head and hair with the towel.
"It is pretty good! I actually had a lot of fun and the clothes are great. It is kinda expensive but Mahrisse said it is okay." Aran answered.
"Oh! I can't wait to see you put that on. But wait, shouldn't you be actually putting that on for today?"
"Ah yeah, well, Mahrisse's father postponed the dinner because of some work reason. She said it will be continued for tomorrow so I think still have a little bit of time to prepare. And, I will use that time to make you help me with something." Aran moved closer to him.
Huck was taken aback by something that is concerningly abrupt. He never sees Aran to withheld or ask for a request ever since they met. Aran always keeps everything to him, and by the time it is over, all of his other close companions would've been there to help him and have them work. But this time, he is now the one asking for something that could be useful for the sake of their sections' future.
"Oh, that's new. What is it?" He threw the towel on the ground and sat on the nearby bench with Aran standing up in front of him.
"About the upcoming Triathlon. I have a plan now!" Aran conceded.
"Triathlon? Woah, are you saying that you're going to join! Man, that's–"
"Wait, no no no, I am not joining. I don't have the physicality to join that kind of thing. But I have a plan on how are we going to push our section's luck to win the three events."
"Oh, I see... I thought you were going to join. That would actually push some luck on our side, you know?" Huck replied.
"Well, only for a little bit. But this plan has more indication of a chance than my own. You see, all of our classmates have been struggling with their composition of magic, right?" Aran began explaining all of the details.
"Yeah? I mean, I know that and all because the whole event will be configured through the use of magic and whatnot." Huck answered.
"Well, I figured that if we boost their morality and have them train for the rest of our free week, we could totally turn this thing around. Like, right now, they have no confidence or motivation to implore themselves in joining the whole triathlon. And if that happens, our section will literally return to the ground full of nothing but bags of dust. I don't want that to happen."
"Indeed, we are the only section so far that has a few notable contestants. I even plan on joining with Eunice. But then the others are relying on our power which is kinda lacking in strength and competitiveness. But how are you supposed to win their hearts? It is not like scolding or giving them some speech will help them regain the motivation you wanted." Huck asked.
"I know, and that's where your part will come in." Aran approached Huck and pats his shoulder. "Huck, can you go talk to your father and ask him if he could bring William Smith to this town again and have our classmates train under him?"
"What?! Did you want to bring William Smith here to train our classmates? Why? Isn't he a bit weird and all that strict? And I doubt that everyone knows him." Huck leaned back in shock.
"Well, that's where you are wrong. I have talked to Mahrisse and the others. William Smith is actually one of the most famous magicians in the whole kingdom. I think, if I remember correctly, he was like a founder of the whole Magikill Federation and he owns a lot of magic shops and libraries in this world. He actually just tricked us into believing that he is not known. But then, learning his background and nature, I think we just got trained by a powerful person. And it looks like everyone knows his existence. So my plan is if I bring Mr. Smith here to the academy and have them train under him, we would be able to boost their morality and have them gain more confidence and become stronger. That is actually a perfect idea for those who are still insecure about their power and stuff." He answered.
An interval of time placed through their entire conversation as Huck tried to comprehend what Aran has said. Afterward, he finally began to talk.
"Hmm, well, you're right about all of those. But then, I am not sure if my father would be able to contact that man. After all, since you said that he is a powerful guy, he might have been tracking a lot of work and must be busy. We have our chances." Huck agreed.
"Yeah, I know. But I think you could do something about that, I am entrusting that task to you, buddy." Finally becoming dependable towards his companions and friends, Aran let out a wide smile, entrusting all of the persuasion act to Huck. Noticing that Aran had changed, he returned the curled lips and stood up from the bench.
"Yeah! I will take care of it, buddy." Both of them fist-bumped each other and returned back to the hall of the second building.
The day ended with everyone being exhausted. The whole candidates spent the rest of their time trying to hang out, and so the time to become tired of the activities that they have implemented throughout their course were finally culling to edge. Soon enough, Sunday had come. Almost everyone including the masters and facilitators of the whole Academy was given enough time to rest.
Huck used the time to get up very early and headed through the town to visit his father. After arriving at the town center near the shopping district, he gets out of the carriage and knocked on the door.
"Come in" A faint sound of welcome came on the other side of the door. Once opened, he saw Veldrey and William Smith had a blast of their own drink on their rest day. Veldrey stopped his movement, surprised by the fact that Huck visited him.
"Hoh! Huck! You're here!" He stood up from the table and embraces his son out of excitement. He really misses him.
"Yo, dad. How's it going right here?" Happy to see that he is still okay, he dropped his things on the sofa and sat near them on the table.
"Oh well, you know, things are looking gloomy as usual without anyone barging in on the shop to get something. But then, I wouldn't really have to worry about that." He answered.
"Well then, how's your two months inside the academy, Huck," William asked him as he pours another glass of wine.
"It is pretty arduous if you ask me. I don't exactly know why, but trouble always comes and I really hate that we have no time to breathe on every session. It is pretty rough, but I am already used to it." Huck answered.
"I see, well that is pretty normal for the academy. Full of troubles and stuff, I remember almost giving up on the session. But then, you never know, you may become one of the most prestigious men if you managed to get out of that obstacle. Hahaha!" He chuckled.
"Yeah? You mean like you?" Noticing his presence, William applauded his eyes and got startled by the fact that Huck knows his nature and background.
"U-Umm... Well, I don't know about that, you know? I was just a physician and a professor." Still keeping on his act towards Huck, he sighed and threw the gas on the flame.
"Stop with that hiding already, I know who you are and I can't believe you have kept us for that long while deceiving us," Huck said, irritation can be found on his face.
Sighing in defeat, William finally admitted his true nature. He raised both of his arms upward indicating that he has no more to hide from him.
"Well, you got me. Who told you?" William asked in a serious voice but his expression is smiling.
"The whole academy knows, gossips and stuff. And yeah, I don't really have anything to do with it nor do I care if you're famous or not. I just need to ask you for a favor." Huck brought up the topic. Concerned and interested by this discussion, William placed the glass on the table and lend his ears to him.
"Hou...?"
"We have an upcoming Triathlon event this coming week and we absolutely have no idea on how to progress or win through it. Our classmates have been getting demotivated over the past month and if this continues, we would be setting ourselves to becoming a failure in which I don't want to happen." Huck explained the first clause.
"I see, so they are still holding that event every now and then, huh?" William leaned and placed his hand on his chin while thinking.
"You know that kind of event?"
"I do, well, I was actually the one who proposed it. Though, I didn't know that they were serious about implementing it. The real purpose of that Triathlon is to test the candidate's affiliation with their physical body and how they can adapt through every natural and environmental nature. I just don't know why they changed the prospect of its gameplay. They have embedded the magic rule. Doing so disregards the fact that they need to test their body without any magic and that is not what I wanted. But then, I am not a member of the board who handles the whole academy division so it is not my department to change its rules from my own perspective." William explained the true concept of the triathlon.
"Right, and that's actually the reason why we are getting demotivated lately. It is because of that rule that we don't have that much morale to participate. Magic is very important to this event and since we are in section C, the section wherein almost all candidates don't have the capacity to wield magic, it is pretty much hard for us to participate and join it. We lack magic." Huck continued.
"I see, so what are you guys planning then?" William asked.
"I want you to please go to our academy and train our classmates..." Huck bowed. The look on William's face exceeded the fact he is only expecting a small contribution for the whole event. He was left shocked by this proposal and request.
"W-Whose idea is this?" William gazed down.
"Huh? Why does that matter? It was Aran's idea. I came here on his behalf." Huck answered.
"I see, that boy really knows how to handle the situation well."
"What are you talking about?"
"Well, for the foremost of the problem, he wanted to gather the attention of his classmates by bringing themselves to him. And since he is having trouble with interaction, knowing that he is not really capable of leading them, he wants me to go there and have them train under my own regime, is it not?" William confirmed.
"Oh yeah, at least that is what he wanted to subject,"
"Well, it is not a bad idea. Knowing him, he leads himself to a foundation of good resolutions. I really admire his quick thinking of the situation. However..." William stood from his seat and gazed down at Huck. "I apologize, but I wouldn't be able to infer that much help for your problem." He turned down the request and bowed.
"Wait! Can you at least tell me the reason why you declined?" Huck insisted.
"Well, I think you already know the answer to that. Considering that I work in the different departments all the time, I don't have that much time to goof off and teach a bunch of students that are in distress. After all, I think it would be easier if you guys would have solved this problem for yourselves." William replied.
"No time at all, huh..." Huck muttered.
"Mm?"
"If you have no time at all, then you shouldn't have shown two months ago when you trained us. And you shouldn't be drinking at this time of the day!"
(GULP!)
"I, uh..." William stepped back on his way for a little bit.
"Yeah, that's right... Haha!" Huck stood up as well and tried to negotiate with him once again.
"No, that's actually..." Trying to bribe in to get out, Huck approached him.
"I think I know the reason why you came upon us... Dad!" Huck called his father.
"Hmm?" he responded.
"I know that my father gave you a quarter of his income and earning from that Alexandrite gem."
"Oh shh! How the hell did you know about that?" Veldrey staggered.
"Well, it just came upon me after knowing the true nature and background of this man. Without the payment, you wouldn't be able to spend the rest of your week trying to train the three of us. I know for the fact that you didn't just come here without receiving anything." Huck busted them out.
"Yeah, that's right..." Veldrey admitted.
"Also, a quarter of that price, one week is not even enough, you should've asked for more days!"
"But then, you wouldn't be able to enter the academy by that time, you guys only have a time limit of one week," Veldrey replied.
"That's true, and now, I am using that opportunity to you, Mr. William." Huck turned his position to him.
"You got me? What do you want me to do?"
"I already told you, for now, you should just come. Aran wants to speak with you anyway." Huck replied.
"Wait, the money came from you and your father, why are you entrusting the decision to Aran?" William got confused
"Huh? Well, that's because Aran is the owner of the Alexandrite gem."
"WHAT?! You're kidding?!?" Shocked by the sudden revelation, he shifted his head through Veldrey to confirm to which he nodded.
"Yeah, the alexandrite gem originally came from him and he just gave them to us. Honestly, I don't even know what to spend with the amount of money that I am getting in that stone. It was so rare and expensive, and he didn't even take half of the money. He just quickly gave it to me without any hesitation. I didn't procure the stone because I want the ownership of it, I just took it because that's his request. So technically, the stone and the money all belong to Aran at this point. I didn't really sign the contract. All of the demands and requests will be coming on his own approach." Veldrey explained.
William sat down with his head gazing downwards, getting absolutely no idea of what just happened. The truth has come out and he was so lost for the fact that Aran sacrificed a lot of money.
(That boy... He just gave them a lot of money without hesitation. He never ceases to amaze me...)
"At this point, he will become your client. He is actually the one paying you if you don't consider us holding the money. So what now, are you still busy?" Huck tried to push him once more.
"No, I think I don't have any more reason to decline. I am just, really surprised that he is the one behind all of this. How did he even manage to get that gem anyway?" Concerned by this aspect, he asked both of them in which Huck and Veldrey looked at each other.
"It is a long story, ever since he was a kid, he has been mining down on the cave near the farmland. He spent five years collecting different kinds of stones and minerals. All of them were given to my father because of his loss. That is how good Aran is." Huck explained the story.
"I see, I understand now... Well then, since we got ourselves into this topic, when should I come?" William stood up.
"Wait, are you sure? Aren't you going to attract a lot of attention once you got into the academy?"
"You don't have to worry about that, you just have to trust the man himself to explain the process of the training. Also, I still need the permission of the academy. How are you guys going to deal with that?" William asked.
"Miss Lisa said she will be transpiring the message to her grandfather. You don't need to sign another paper or write one. That old man really loves his granddaughter more than anything." Huck answered.
"But then again, we only have at least six days left. The event hasn't even started yet it is already getting on my head."
"I will take care of everything once I am there. I just need some time to prepare. I will be leaving the work to my other co-workers the next day. Oh and by the way, Tell Aran not to worry anymore. I am pretty confident that he has something on his sleeves to win the event that I have proposed." William instructed.
"Sure, I will go tell him now," Huck replied.
"Alright then, I will be on my way now. I need to talk to my workers first. See ya!" Leaving Veldrey's shop, he closed the door on his way.
"He is really a pain in the ass, how come he tricked us into believing that he is just an ordinary person?" Huck sat down and took a swig.
"You can't blame him, that man has his hands full of conflict and distribution. If he were to get swarmed by many people, it will be hard for him to settle down the nuisance. That is one thing that you need to take care of when you get popular." Veldrey answered.
"I see, now I get how Aran feels now..." Huck sighed.
"Aran? What do you mean?" Veldrey asked.
"Well, you see, he has been getting a lot of attention lately. You know that masked magician incident last month right?" Huck asked.
"Oh yeah, I heard about that, I was really worried about you guys though, I couldn't hold myself until Henry announced about the safeties of the candidates. What happened anyway?" He asked.
"Well, Aran saved the academy. For some reason, the magician's attack didn't get in his way and he fought to hold him off until the knights arrived on the scene. It was really good, his heroic tale became known all over the capital. He was even titled "The Hero" by the other candidates. And knowing his nature, his reactions are pretty gloomy and he is not happy with the attention he keeps on getting. So at some point, he must be similar to William."
"Mm, I see..." Veldrey responded.
***
Aran was hanging out in the garden while submerging himself in the deep flow of the wind. He opened his mouth and smiled in a menacing manner.
"Heh!" Aran ganged up.
"Aran? Can I have a moment?" Suddenly, a woman's voice came inside the hall and called Aran. He glanced behind him and saw Julia.
"Oh! Ms. Julia! Sure, hold on." Aran went inside the hall to confront her.
"What's up?"
"Well, you see, about the upcoming event. As your adviser, I can't really hold into it to support you guys. I know that it must have been hard for most of you to participate but I already tried my best to persuade them. And notice you, you might have a plan, am I right?" She asked in a worried expression.
"Oh umm... Well, we don't really have a conclusive plan, this solution was just our last resort at this point and I really hope that it turns out to be good," Aran answered.
"I see, well, whatever it is that you guys are planning to do, I am a hundred percent supporting you guys. I've done all of the things I can muster up in my sleeves, but it seems like you know them better than I do, Aran. So um... I am leaving them in your care." Glancing through Aran's capabilities, she held the position and gave the direction to him without any hesitation. Knowing that he is full of surprises, Aran smiled with full confidence in his mind.
"Yeah! Leave it to me!"
"Thank you so much. Well, I will see you guys at the event..." Soon after that, Julia left the hall and headed back to her room.
(Huck, I hope you got to persuade William. Our plan will fail in this one step that you are taking. I can't risk using my own base as well to persuade them. I am not good at becoming a leader and neither do any of us have the authority anyway.)
Aran continued to walk around, leaving the second building. He made into the long hall surrounded by the wide field with the pillars having their foundation. Aran took a break and quickly scrolled through the area. While browsing it, he suddenly saw a girl drooping on the other side of the field nearby an oak tree.
"That girl... Is that Nikki? What is she doing there? Sleeping?"