First week of March, teacher/headmistress Margareth's sealing class, she was teaching how to seal objects for later summoning, a kind of extradimensional warehouse for battle, some students already mastered this because they had related spells, but it was something versatile that everyone could, and they should learn, it was a hand on the wheel for any warrior mage, class was almost over and Artemisia wasn't focusing as much on class, her mind was wandering thinking about Keith every week of class and he kept away, away, that's it. intrigued her.
– Next week we will practice sealing physical objects on scrolls in connection with a warehouse dimension, I hope that by next week you will be able to. – Margareth said ending the class a few moments before the bell rang, she was very methodical and efficient.
Artemisia and company were walking through the Academy corridors, they were heading to the student lounge, Artemisia had her head on Keith, curious about him, something caught her eye.
– Artê, I know you're not the most concentrated person in the world, but what are you thinking about? – Gale laughed, who realized that his friend was blushed.
– I'm thinking about that student who lives isolating himself from everyone else, Keith, something there catches my attention. – Artemisia said thoughtfully.
– OH! A lot of things draw attention, he's hot, those green eyes, that beautiful skin, those arms and the distance between the thumb and the index finger... – Apollodro said, who had also been enchanted by the Badboy.
– Sometimes I forget that you are very good at anatomical analyses, too much. – Adam laughed.
– Do I dye my hair black and put on green contact lenses? – Nathan said low to Sandy, he had been slightly jealous.
– Silly... If it's going to be, it will be, but Polo likes brunets. – Sandy chuckled, she understood Nathan's passion.
– And what is between the thumb and the index finger? I didn't understand this one. – Artemisia said.
– The size of the toy, Artê, the size of the toy. – Gale laughed making the aforementioned sign.
– There is something on your head, other than sex? – Acid Artemisia laughed.
– We have, but you who got into the subject of the handsome badboy, it's a trigger. – Polo laughed.
– At least it's good to see Polo focused on something other than studying, he spends nights reading medical magic books. – Adam commented.
The friends continued to go to the lounge, but through the glass walls of Academy, she could see Keith going the way that led to the lake area, she found herself wondering why he was so isolated.
***
At lunchtime, Artemisia and her friends were in the outdoor dining hall, the dish of the day was chicken, young Hecatrix's favorite, and there at lunch she realized that Keith had arrived, but had been seated alone at a table for two, not expressing happiness or sadness, she then decided to get up to go there.
– Sister, where are you going? – Asked Apollodro.
– See what's up with our little frowning friend. – Artemisia laughed.
– Artê! – Called Gale.
– What, Gale? – Asked Artemisia.
– Thumb and index finger! – Gale laughed making the sign, pissing off her friend.
– He'll pick you up, Gale. – Artemisia laughed going to see Keith.
Artemisia then went with a tray and wherever Keith was, she had an impression on him, wanted to see if she was right.
– Hey, What's up?! – Artemisia said.
– Needing something, girl? – Said Keith rather harsh and suspicious. – Also wanting to tease me? –
– Not me, I just wanted to talk to you. – Artemisia said.
Three sophomores entered the cafeteria, and Keith in particular was elusive.
– I'm not really into it. – Keith said, he got up and leaved, he was nervous.
– Strange. – Artemisia said alone.
The three students were:
Rachel Hare, 17, her eyes were hazel brown, her straight hair with shoulder-length bangs, her brown skin; a very pretty girl, as for her character, that was already somewhat questionable, a sensorial and emotional manipulation mage.
Yan Kaze, 17 years old, his eyes were brown, his black hair, full and sensually ruffled, his skin white, he was of Nihondess descent; a handsome young man, but not so delicate; a wind magic mage.
Harry Strong, 17, had blue eyes, grayish brown hair and white skin; a handsome young man, tall, a young man who looked very nice, his magic is that of earth.
Artemisia returned to her friends' table.
– He left out of the table. – Commented Artemisia.
– From day one he acts weird. – Commented Adam.
– Badboy are the best. – Apollodro commented blushing.
– I think you better change your wardrobe, little prince. – Gale laughed just for Nathan who understood the nudge.
The funniest thing about the situation was that Nathan was writing in his notebook: "1. Dye hair black; 2. More work out; 3. Green lenses; 4. Change wardrobe." He was really in love with Apollodro.
***
11:45 p.m., female dorm, Artemisia, Gale and Sandy's accommodation, they were on the third floor, the room was very neat and tidy, there were five beds, only three were occupied, the girls kept their things in an almost communal way in the wardrobe , which was from one, the others could also wear, which didn't make much difference considering they spent most of their time in uniform. The walls were pretty burnt gray with porcelain parts, Sandy was at her study table reading some books on elemental convergence of solids and non-corporeal; Gale was listening to music with headphones upstairs and flipping through a magazine and Artemisia was in her silver nightgown sitting on a poof next to Gale upstairs, she was very thoughtful still.
– You still have that boy in your head, right? – Gale said, stopping reading and paying attention to his friend.
– Yeah, do you think he's there? – Asked Artemisia.
– Where? – asked Gale.
– In the lake, he keeps going there. – Artemisia said with her head in the handsome badboy.
– Come on then, silly, go and bump into him. – Said Gale.
– You know what, I think I will. – Artemisia said decisively.
– What are you wearing? – Sandy said that when she heard "going out" and knowing that it was a boy, he cheered up.
– Just this robe. – Artemisia said. – I'm too lazy to put anything, not to mention it's not a date, I just want to talk to him. –
– You're right, go there, and anything interesting, tell me when you get back. – Gale said with a mischievous smile and handing the robe to Artemisia.
Artemisia put on her robe, went downstairs and left the room, she went to the lake to see if she could find Keith.
***
The night was very beautiful, a nice and pleasant wind, Artemisia's hair blew in the wind and his bet was right, Keith was there, sitting by the lake, wearing only boxers and a tank top, he was throwing stones from white pebbles bouncing in the water, he was smiling, it was the first time that Artemisia had seen him smiling, she was approaching him without his noticing.
– Beautiful night, right? – said Artemisia who was approaching.
– You again, girl? You won't leave me alone, will you? – Keith laughed ironically.
– So you laugh? I just see you frowning. – Artemisia said sitting down.
– You really like this lake, I always see you coming here. – Said Artemisia.
– Are you chasing me? – Keith said suspiciously.
– Just curious, since that first day of class you have been an enigmatic figure. – Artemisia said.
– And your brother looking at me… He's cute, I would fuck him easily. – Keith said, he was looking at the lake.
– Get out, he might be looking at you, but he likes someone else, he's just tricking himself for now, I know that's silly. – Artemisia laughed, who paid attention to all the details, she just didn't talk as much, but she was keeping an eye on everything that happened around her. – And about the lake, what's the story? –
– Peace, calm, where I can stay with my thoughts, be at peace. – Keith said.
– And your roommates? – Asked Artemisia.
– Ms. Margareth managed to put me in a lodging alone, I prefer this way. – Keith said.
– Why do you isolate yourself so much? – Artemisia asked sincerely in her voice, and Keith felt confident in her, he couldn't explain.
– Because of that. – Keith said, he showed the mark on his wrist "002959-Y". – I ended up in juvie several times for juvenile delinquency, but I gave the police and security officers so much trouble that they thought I could have a future here. –
– Sounds like a good opportunity, that's all? – Artemisia said.
– Aren't you going to judge me or anything? – Said Keith surprised.
– I? I'm the last person who can judge anyone and I know things aren't always what they seem. – Artemisia smiled. – Without wanting to be arrogant, do you know who I am? –
– Artemisia Hecatrix, no? – Keith said.
– Artemisia Borkov-Hecatrix... I'm half stroikan, I even had an accent when I was little, but I don't know why I lost it... My father is Tristan Borkov, the greatest stroikan spy of the World War VI, I know what it's like to grow up being looked at crookedly because of something like that, me and especially Polo were bullied a lot, but we would never dishonor our dad, and he's the most amazing guy I know... I grew up having to be strong, until after a while everyone accepted my father, even the queen liked him, my grandmother and the queen are friends and he makes them tea and plays cards with them, where would you imagine that the guy who was the biggest enemy spy, even became Mrs. Aria's gambling companion. –Told Artemisia.
– Shocked... Really, but my story is a little different... I lost my parents because of the war, in an attack they made in Yaxley, I was four years old, I ended up going to the orphanage, I ended up being adopted by a couple, but the guy was an abuser, I was nine years old, I ended up running away, I went into crime, I turned around, until I arrived in Belladona, I stopped at the orphanage again, another family, but they gave me back. I was involved with some bad company... I was adopted then by the Haze, they are nice parents, partial connection with the nobility, but that doesn't matter, what matters is that they are good people, but I got involved with some acquaintances and I went framed, and then teacher Margareth decided to give me a chance here at the Academy, but some students, they don't like someone like me around – Keith told exposing his feelings.
– Those students who entered the cafeteria earlier today? – Asked Artemisia.
– Part of them yes, but I don't know who I can trust, I've already been hurt a lot. – Keith said.
– Well, you can count on me, you will be very well accepted in our group of friends. – Artemisia said putting her hand over Keith's hand.
– There's a very dysfunctional group there, two half-stroikan half-celestians, a kora'q, a gay prince in the direct line of succession, a very beautiful trans princess, just Adam looks like a "normal guy", yeah, I like it. – Keith laughed.
– We are a very diverse group... And we don't judge our friends, starting tomorrow you can stay with us... And if you get tired of being alone, I bet the boys will love having you in their dorm . – Artemisia said knowing the fire in her brother's ass.
– One thing at a time, let's see if it works, but thank you very much. – Keith smiled.
– You know, I think you need to let people know you, you're very handsome, you have a badboy way, and in the end you're sensitive, you can be very popular. – Artemisia laughed.
– Thanks, I think. – Laughed Keith.
– I also like this lake, I always liked the moon, enjoying it near the water... I think it has to do with my name, in honor of the moon goddess Artemia. – Commented Artemisia.
– Just out of curiosity, what did you keep from your Stroika ancestry? You and your brother even have the features stopping to look. – Keith laughed.
– Well…apart from my minor ice magic, and this wonderful skin… Thanks daddy for those genetics…a good liver, an accent I can still scratch out from time to time and an inexplicable crush on vodka. – Commented Artemisia opening up.
– Really, you and your brother are very beautiful, this mixture worked very well. – Keith commented.
– Thank you for the complement... I'll sleep, until tomorrow. – Artemisia smiled, standing up, kissing her new friend on the cheek.
– Good night! – Keith replied, he had blushed.
So Artemisia ended the night with a new friend, she really liked him a lot, it would be nice to have him around, he would be someone nice to talk to.
***
She arrived in her room and her friends were waiting.
– Hey! And the thumb and index finger? – Gale laughed making the sign.
– Go take a bath, Gale. – Artemisia laughed. – But his hand is really big and his index finger is really wide. –
– You guys are priceless. – Sandy laughed.
– I'm going to sleep. – Artemisia laughed as she went to her bed and collapsed in her sleep.
***
The next day, it was early in the front yard, Artemisia, Sandy and Gale arrived together, all dressed up and ready for another day, Artemisia had taken extra care in getting ready, she didn't even know why. Soon Nathan, Apollodro and Adam arrived, they were about to go upstairs, but Artemisia was waiting for someone.
– Wait, I'm waiting for someone. – Artemisia said.
– Is that who I'm thinking? – Polo laughed.
– Yes. – Said the sister.
Keith appeared in the hall, he was different from usual, he was smiling, but with his style, the vest and blazer were open, only his shirt closed, but surely half the students in that hall wanted to see him without his shirt, without any clothes on, actually. Keith approached the group and everyone welcomed him, but something happened, Harry, Yan and Rachel were there and they pulled Keith by the collar and threw him to the ground.
– Are you bold, kid? Stay close to the crown prince? –Yan said.
– A delinquent who keeps returning to the reformatory, his place is neither here nor near the crown prince, nor the Grand Mistress's nephews. – Said Harry who kicked Keith on the ground.
– Wait, stop it now. – Said Artemisia, who got in the way.
– Are you going to defend this criminal? A delinquent doesn't deserve to be one of us. – Rachel said.
– Who does not deserve to be one of us is the one who judges others by their origin. – Apollodro said, who imposed himself into the argument.
– And if you don't know, our father is Tristan Borkov, he was once Celestia's enemy, so if you want to judge him for something like that, then judge us for being his children. – Artemisia said with her perfect stroikan accent.
– Exactly, and then? – Apollodro said with his accent too.
– This mistake is not your fault, it's different. – Rachel said.
– Mistake? I'm not ashamed to be his son. – Apollodro said mad.
– Me neither. – Artemisia said, outraged.
– So they need a corrective to return to normality and stay away from this marginal. – Yan said, he tried to punch Apollodro.
– Take your chances! – Apollodro said, who held Yan's fist.
Headmistress Margareth was passing by and went to see what was going on.
– What is this fight? – Margareth asked.
– Those three assholes picking on Keith, thinking they're superior, judging him for past mistakes without knowing about his life. – Said Artemisia stressed.
– We can't allow this rogue around here, and still wanting to hang out with the Crown Prince gang. – Harry said.
– I would be ashamed to walk with you. – Nathan said, he was helping Keith up.
– I see… Since I know you'll end up killing each other one way or another, I'll be the judge of a fight between you 2v2 in the combat room, now! – Margareth said mad.
Everyone was wide-eyed, a fight between two first-year students against two second-year students, the disparity in theory was great.
– Polo and I are going to fight to defend Keith's honor against these assholes. – Artemisia said intensely and without hiding her accent.
– Let's break you. – Harry said that he believed the Hecatrix were lost.
***
First floor combat room, students in the hall and friends of the Borkov-Hecatrix twins were there to cheer, even Alana and Megara came to watch. Margareth was with Apollodro, Artemisia, Harry and Yan at the center of the battlefield.
– Pay attention... This is a serious fight, the team that loses will be penalized... They will be expelled, in the case of the first year, Keith Haze, in the case of the second year it will be Harry, Yan and Rachel... Fight. – Said the Director who released the fight.
Artemisia went after Yan and Apollodro fighting Harry.
***
Apollodro was facing Harry who was much more experienced, the veteran student started conjureding a spell of blocks of earth that hit the youngest against one of the walls. Soon Harry was quick and threw a series of punches with stone fists.
– Why do you protect this delinquent? You're not even friends. – Said Harry who threw a powerful punch with an earth projectile.
– He's about to be a new friend and I don't judge people by their past, what matters is the present, I learned that from my father. – Apollodro said, who gets up after the punch and returns with a powerful punch that sent him far away, soon after he advanced with quick volleys of water in his hands.
– Did you learn that from your bastard father? – Taunted Harry who conjured a series of quadruped earth beasts to advance against Apollodro.
– Don't you dare talk about my father! – Apollodro said, who was advancing, breaking up the beasts with his water blades and leaving to attack.
Apollodro was committed and facing his opponent with everything, but Harry was more experienced and stronger, managed to grab the wrist of young Hecatrix, twisted and began to hit him with a series of brutal blows and even prepared a more complex spell.
– After all, you're just a weak, ordinary medical mage… Thousand Rock Punch. – Conjured Harry, it was a classic technique of earth users, he casted a series of stone fists that hit the target in all directions, it was a brutal blow and that left Apollodro full of bruises.
Apollodro was very hurt, but he didn't surrender, he got up, he had to get extra time, he was very injured and he was a medical mage in training, he didn't know how to perform the miracles that Otrera knew how to do.
– I may not be anywhere near my aunt's power, but I'm not a helpless medical mage… Icely Spears…Healing Cells. – Conjured Apollodro that showed a great mastery of his ice magic causing a series of ice spikes coming out of the ground, one hit Harry's thigh. The second spell with his hand he touched the bruised regions so that they would heal while the ice thorns slowed Harry down.
Apollodro had a very strong will, he always got up and continued to fight, he was a medical mage, but he had other weapons at his disposal, his combat training was to use water blades in his hand, he was already able to throw these blades as projectiles and creating new ones soon after, he had her agility for support, he couldn't deny, his physical abilities were phenomenal. Apollodro threw a concentrated punch, but Harry managed to dodge and punch him straight in the stomach, reinforced by earth magic, sending him high into the air.
– Now you pay me... Piercing Arrow Strike... Supreme Regenerative Skill: Advanced Mitosis. – Conjured Apollodro, the first spell still in the air launched a shower of water piercing projectiles, the second spell was the most advanced he could master in the field of medicine, this spell accelerated the mitotic process of cells making regeneration faster, but it wasn't even close to the potency of Otrera's techniques, although they allowed Apollodro to recover during the battle and from the moment that he is stable with this active technique, he gradually increases the other attributes, with some magical circuits of an organic pattern as a mark on the mage's face.
Apollodro had mastered the technique of turning the water blades of his hands into raging water whips, he managed to land a series of powerful blows, dodged another spell from Harry and landed a well-aimed blow in the region of the cerebral cortex discharging a wave of energy that left the opponent temporarily quadriplegic.
***
Artemisia was fighting Yan, both were of a very rough and direct style, Yan showed his greatest experience as a student at the academy, he delivered the spinning kick with his hands on the ground and conjuring wind currents with the legs that hit the young Hecatrix.
– Give up, you have no chance, daughter of a traitor, associating with a delinquent, I don't know what to expect from the daughter of a stroiko spy. – Yan said, launching a wave of wind needles.
– Don't put my father in this, you bastard. – Artemisia said, she blocked the needles with a wall of fire and Artemisia even managed to transform her into a single flame dragon against Yan crashing into a wall.
– A simple fire dragon! That's fire user basics, don't expect that to be enough against a sophomore, do you? Raging Storm. – Conjured Yan using an advanced technique of the wind users, the spell provoked cutting vortexes that chased Artemisia.
Artemisia tried to escape them, but ended up being hit squarely by the blow that was very powerful, she couldn't deny that her opponent was more powerful, more experienced, but that just made her much more excited to break his face.
– Could it be that the Hecatrix have also weakened? – Mocked Yan who moved quickly and delivered a series of physical blows mixed with his wind magic, he was filling Artemisia with a beating.
Artemisia had been hit several times, but when he missed a punch, Artemisia showed a wit by pulling him by the neck and shoulder by landing a flaming knee to Yan's abdomen and then began a furious streak of magnetized blows in flames fed by the wind, flames were really crazy, and would not alleviate, grabbed Yan's neck and released an electrical charge directly at the mage, threw him high and prepared the attack.
– Thunder Flaming Impact! – Conjured Artemisia, on the right side she emanated thunder, on the left side emanated fire, she advanced with wit hitting several impacts with electrical and flame damage. Artemisia had been training these techniques for a long time, they seemed simple but demanded a high elemental control.
Yan got up, he still seemed to have the gas to fight.
– Girl, you fight well, but I'm much stronger… Blade Wind. – Conjured Yan Conjureding a series of windmill discs to cause fatal cuts.
Artemisia escaped the blow and paid back.
– Dynamic Spiral! – Conjured Artemisia who also knew how to use projectile spells, she launched a comet of pure fire and thunder, fed and expanded by the wind furiously.
The blow was right in the stomach and took the opponent to the ground.
***
The fights were over, the twins had won their respective fights, they had won sophomores, even though they weren't the strongest but average sophomores, they were still more experienced students. Everyone was impressed by the improbable victory and the first year students were euphoric with the victory, the defeated students were there hurt and humiliated.
– Artemisia and Apollodro were the winners... And as promised Yan, Rachel and Harry will be expelled. – Margareth said resolute and serious.
– Ms. Margareth, can I ask for them not to be expelled? – Keith said that he realized the value of maturity and friends by his side.
– Of course, it's your prerogative, but why? They were so disloyal. – Said Margareth, who actually wanted this reaction, but wanted it justified.
– I wouldn't be being better than them, and not to mention that I came here to have my opportunity, and I don't want to take the other's. – Keith said.
– Noble... And I hope that everyone has learned from this situation, we are all here for a single cause, the good of the nation, we have to be united and not be prejudiced and intrigued, if they are in Belladona, it is because they proved theirs. value and they are all equal... As for the three, they will not be expelled, but they will be penalized, two months without being able to take missions. – Margareth decreed. – They are released! As for the twins, my congratulations, you are a pride for your clan and your parents, besides having preserved the greatest value of this institution, union and brotherhood. –
– Polo, Artê! Thank you so much, thank you so much for fighting for me, I don't know how to thank you. – Keith said that he hugged the two twins tightly.
– You can say thanks for being part of the group. – Artemisia smiled.
– Yeah, being our friend, open and being yourself. – Polo smiled.
– Welcome to the group! – Said Gale who was approaching.
All members of the group went there to celebrate and welcome the mage to the group, Margareth who was there was perplexed. She was standing there thinking to herself how skilled the Hecatrix twins were, it was almost like seeing Otrera and Edward in their academy years, in their first few months. They would go a long way if they continued like this and she was amazed she had seen a miracle, novice students defeating veterans, as well as having done it for a noble cause. She would keep an eye on this little group, it seemed to be a group of talented young people, it was like seeing the birth of a new generation of great mages who would mark history.