Once Hades and Aden arrived they both went to their favourite mall and had brunch at their favourite Japanese restaurant, window shopping to check out the latest magic weapons and armour, pickpocketed a handful of weed from the cannabis store - making their last day of high school one of the most memorable days to look back to in the future.
As the sun starts to set, Hades and Aden went to the closest park. There lies all their memories they used to do together as a child; building a small 'base', and role playing as heroes fighting imaginary beasts. Little did they know that it would become a reality one day.
Aden took out a rolling paper, sprinkle some of the weed that they stole, rolled it up and lit the joint. He took a huge puff off weed, and his mind slowly drifted away.
As he passed the blunt to Hades, his smile was then flipped upside down as he had something to get off his chest.
"I'm joining the Army…" as he eyes cast down towards the dirt ground.
"Wait? Aren't you not going to magic university?"
"Well, my magic abilities are all top notch, but, all my university applications have been rejected due to many failed subjects. If only I had your brain, I would've been able to become not only the strongest, but the Einstein of any university in the world."
Hades had realized for the very first time how many people would die to be as intelligent as him, whilst he has been dying to find a way to be awakened all these years.
"What are you going to do in the army?"
"I looked up the army website and I saw that joining one could be a blessing in disguise."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I am considered one of the best combat mages in our high school. I think I could progress further up my army career to one day lead an army as a General Battle mage and become the strongest general in Zarsia."
As Aden talks about his goals of becoming a General Battle mage, Hades experienced a sudden tightness in his chest, "Oh not again, am I going to experience a heart attack!?" as he whispers to himself whilst beating on his left chest trying to 'wake up' his weak heart.[[ Hades was speechless… he knew Aden wasn't bluffing as he had an added advantage of having two elements; Fire and Earth. Only he had them in our entire school.
But, this time it was different. Hades wasn't feeling any pain and his breathing was just fine. "Oh, I know what this feeling is… it was jealousy".
Hades has long forgotten this sense of jealousy for quite some time as he finally learn to accept his faults by grinding on his studies to becoming the smartest students in his class. Nobody really cared that he was first, except for himself, hoping that his intelligence brings him 10 steps closer to becoming part of Zenith Institute of Magical Arts & Science (ZIMAS)
But this time, knowing his best friend Aden, who enjoys to slack off at school, skips almost every class, and yet be one of the strongest mage in the whole school, who possess two elements which only 1 in a million people all over the globe has the ability to achieve his future. This is not a matter of hope for Aden, it's certainty.
Aden looked concerned and holds onto Hades as he noticed his foreheads creasing, lips tightening, and eyes squinting. "Buddy! Are you okay? Not another heart attack again!?"
Hades lightly pushes Aden back, "I'm fine, nothing to worry about."
"I'm glad that your okay. So Hades, What's your goal now that you have finally gotten out of that hell hole called high school?"
Hades paused for a moment, despite knowing his goals of joining ZIMAS, he didn't actually know what to do right after university. He only started thinking about it at the library and didn't have the opportunity to find the answers.
Without mana, his knowledge will not be suffice as he would constantly need a partner by his side to transform his knowledge to something practical. That partner has now decided to take a different route, leaving him technological handicapped.
Hades knew his time was ticking and needed to find the answers from the books he collected.
"Oh would you look at that, the sun looks very tired. I think it's getting pretty late I'm going to head back home." Hades replied.
As Aden extends his hands, expecting a firm goodbye handshake, Hades turns his heel and walks away without a single word. Aden looked confused, but was still high.
"Oh, he just left me hanging" Aden thinks to himself. "Now how am I going to reach home high?"