The party that was being held that evening in the garden and lake area. It was splendid, very alive, lively, there were no resentments of any kind, it was just joy and learning, at that first moment everyone was killing their homesickness, each taking a corner to enjoy this moment.
Declan, Eve and Erik went to talk to their parents, they were all together as usual, they were very good friends.
– Here's the new QAN formation, boys, you guys did very well in this exam, you evolved a lot. – Thiago said proudly and hugging his son.
– But we lost, only Eve ended up winning in the end. – Commented Erik crestfallen.
– It happens, it's part of life, but you guys fought like Celestia's true mages… Eve lost too, but then came back on top, and like a puppet that made everyone shiver. – Maurice commented with a proud smile.
– That's true, you all demonstrated good group work, together and apart, that's already worth a lot. – Adriana said. – You have a lot of road ahead, and several other tests, the group missions, believe me they have more value for your assessment than just this exam. –
– Let's do our best to be worthy of being the new QAN. – Eve said with renewed sense of courage and effort. – And as for the Chimera Fiery Drill Doll, I made it analyzing the structure of the puppets and I saw that I had the possibility and I did it, I can't go easy, I have a great mage to overcome. –
– That's my girl. – Said the great puppet master Maurice Novel that he recognized his daughter's talent, no one could deny it.
– Yeah, we're working hard and we're going even harder to get to your level. – Declan said.
– This is very good, and you are on the right path, but I believe that now is the time for you to go have fun, no? You guys faced tough missions, deadly battles... Declan even ended up in hell, believe me, you need some break. – Thiago said with good humor.
– Right! – Said the three young mages who went to mingle in the middle of the party.
– These three, they can become better than us. – Adriana smiled.
– That's what we're hoping for, isn't it? – Maurice said.
– For sure. – Adriana commented. – We have to go talk to Master Anitta, she'll give us a hard time if we don't go introduce ourselves, Thiago and I have been away for so long because of some counter-espionage missions against the Stroika. –
– Yeah… And I still don't believe everything they've done, Declan protected his soul in his own personal hell, Eve has a real dangerous maniac puppet and Erik manages to master the quantum phases, I don't even remember if we used to do something like that at their age. – Said Thiago amazed.
Anitta seemed to find them before they had to look for her.
– Yes, they did boys, and they are very well on their way, they will be proud of the QAN tradition. – Commented Anitta.
– Master! It's an honor to have your verdict. – Adriana said.
– I still remember when it was you in their shoes, you won the triad exam, all three, but I would say they went through much more dangerous opponents... You were the geniuses of your time, in group work you only lost to the Astaroth team, and yet all of you are elite captains of the Royal Guard, among the most powerful. – Anitta nodded.
– And they are master mages. – Thiago laughed without resentment.
– As if you could not be said practically at the level of master mages… Your children are a pride, I want you to know that. – Said Anitta masterly and welcoming.
– It's an honor... And we better than anyone understand the pressure they must be under. – Said Maurice.
– Ah yes! Your mothers were one of the most powerful QAN trios, but I can tell you, you surpassed them in the last war... And I believe your children can surpass you one day. – Said Anitta.
– Let's not argue with the owner of the Tarot. – Adriana said that she had loved the master's prediction.
– I can't even remember the last time I used this power in battle. – Anitta laughed.
– It doesn't change that you still have it... Honestly, I've seen few powers comparable to your Zodiacal Tarot technique. – Said Thiago.
– Do not get attached to it, you are ruthless in your own merits. – Said Anitta affectionately.
***
Alana had gone to hug her grandparents and parents, she was so homesick that she couldn't explain it right.
– Grandpa, I'm sorry to disappoint you, I promise I'll get better. –Alana said she felt a failure.
– To disappoint? My dear you shone there, it was the most dazzling and cunning, I'm full of pride, defeat is part of it, we need some tumbles to get us up stronger. – Elijah said, hugging his granddaughter tightly, he was a drooling grandfather for his granddaughter.
– You were impressive my princess... You will become even more powerful, we have no doubts. – Diana said stroking her granddaughter's hair.
– That's right daughter, you went far and showed ingenuity, and did things that few mages your age can. – Said Dinah.
– You've grown up a lot here, and there's a lot to be done, I know you'll make it, and you'll enjoy it, because I can see from here that three boys have been watching you since you arrived. – Jean-Paul said smiling. – We have the holidays to spend more time together, enjoy, dear. –
– Of course Dad... And I'm glad I'm living up to your expectations, Grandpa, you know that everything I've been doing is for you to be proud. – Alana said emotionally.
– I know my dear. – Said Elijah tender and proud.
***
Megara had gone to talk to her parents, but when she got there, she was pleasantly surprised to see that Katherine was already there talking to them.
– Honey! You rocked there, we're proud of you, you showed your power my girl. – Kiki said, hugging and kissing her daughter's forehead.
– Even though I lost? – Megara said.
– I was telling your parents how much you were praised among the master mages, and to extract a compliment from Morrigan a person has to be really exceptional. – Katherine said.
– That's right my daughter, and you have several other opportunities to win, this was one more maturation. – Yoshiro smiled. – Mrs. Katherine was talking about how master mages think you can go very far… And she also made me a proposal to work with her. –
– Exactly, your daughter commented that you were my fan and I really like what I saw about your work, and I'm thinking about expanding to Nihondo, I know you have a lot of connections there, I currently work in collaboration with Daedalus Hecatrix , a third partner would be very useful for expansion. – Katherine said, she might not be a warrior mage, but she had ferocity and initiative when it came to the field of business and ventures.
– Dad, this is an incredible opportunity! – Megara said hugging her father and was very happy for him.
– I know you must be crazy to party go there dear, you did a lot to deserve it. – Kiki said. – Let's just end up talking business for now. –
– Of course! – Megara said that she was happy for her father and happy that her family didn't see her as a failure, she has a very inflated ego, but very serene and submissive when it comes to her parents.
***
Keith had gone to see his parents, they were with a face of great happiness and approval, so they hugged him tightly, they understood his feelings.
– You were the champion for us, don't let anything make you feel bad, you fought well and with everything, you showed courage boy. – Edmundo said with great affection and pride.
– What you did few can do, in addition to having qualified for the finals, you have a future here my son. – Fabi said, caressing his son's face, she didn't care that he was adopted, for her it was as if he had grown in her own womb.
– Thank you parents! I did it for you, to make you proud, to make up for all the headache I ended up giving you. – Said Keith crying lightly.
– That boy… We know that things were never easy for you, but we are here for you, but we realized that you made good friends here, so go enjoy it darling, we will always be by your side. – Said Fabi tenderly.
– In the meantime, let's take the opportunity to meet the other parents. – Edmundo commented.
– Of course! – Keith said that he hugs his parents tightly once again. – I have to go after someone, I'll introduce you to them later. –
***
Adam went to talk to his father and aunt he was very excited and at the same time sad for having lost with his mother's guns.
– Congratulations, my son, you've gone far... You just made a miscalculation, but it's part of it, you'll get better. – Dean said.
– We're sure Ava must be proud of you, no matter where she is. – Cordelia said hugging her nephew.
– Yeah, but I was defeated using her favorite weapons. – Said Adam.
– And? She also had her bad days, you'll get better, and she had a phenomenal fight, her fight against Target, you turned out to be an accomplished spellbook mage and the Novel girl had a trick up her sleeve that no one expected. – Dean said.
– I just know that I have to train more and master her four-weapon training. – Said Adam. – I will honor her legacy. –
– This is very good dear, but nothing prevents you from forming your own legacy, you showed that you control the sparrow daggers very well, as well as the explosive needles, don't let yourself be consumed by the past too Adam, I know you'll find your own way. – Cordelia said.
– And I think you better go have fun, leave training for tomorrow, go have fun for today, your mother always loved to go out to have fun after a hard mission, better enjoy, you don't have much time off in this place. – Dean laughed.
– Of course Dad! Aunt! – Said Adam who hugged them and then went after his friends.
– When are we going to tell him? – Cordelia said when Adam had already left.
– Calm down, he might need a little more time to know that his father is seeing his dead mother's sister. – Dean said, he gave Cordelia a kiss.
***
Sandy was beaming on her way to talk to her parents, she was so excited about the win and the promotion, she had worked really hard to make it this far.
– My girl, I knew I would make it, you are our treasure, winning or not, you are already doing extraordinary things. – Said Samira.
– That's right, you showed your roots… The Goddess must be very happy that the daughter of the Kora'q religion is here in the center of the world, in Celestia and proving her worth… Unlike those degenerate terrorists. – Said Amir happy and kissing her daughter's face tenderly.
– Thank you baba, mama… It was difficult, Theo and Alana were formidable opponents, I have to thank the Goddess a lot for giving me strength. – Sandy said, she was a young woman very adept at the religion of her people, and was grateful for the blessings of her life with humility and gratitude.
– You have a lot ahead of you, challenges, prejudice, but I know you are capable, my girl, your baba and I will never stop believing in you, never! – Said Samira holding her daughter's hands tightly.
– The Goddess Koralis says in the holy book that everyone is born with a destiny, a reason and a vocation, and yours is here... Defending those who cannot defend themselves, believe me my daughter we are very proud and we know that you always give your best, that you are a virtuous woman. – Amir said that he had an immeasurable admiration for the suitability of his daughter.
– And I will continue on this path that you showed me as a child, I will become a master mage, I will do this for all the celestial Kora'q. – Said Sandy hopeful.
Theo seemed to get closer to her and her parents, Sandy didn't understand why.
– Go... Good... Good Night Mr and Mrs Storm! – Said Theo who seemed a little nervous.
– Good night boy, what do you want? – Asked Samira.
– If... If... If it's not inconvenient I would like your permission to keep her company, court her. – Said Theo who seemed to have fallen in love after the fight.
Sandy blushed.
– Well, you have to ask for her permission, not ours. – Laughed Samira.
– And maybe it's good, after a good fight and so many challenges, you young people need to have fun. – Amir said with an ambiguous air between the resigned and the "helicopter daddy".
– BABA! – exclaimed Sandy, still red. – Well, why not, where would you like to go Theo? –
– I was thinking of going to the crepe stand, what do you think? – Theo said, he was nervous, he was kind of insecure for these things.
– I would love! – Sandy said that she was delighted by the idea, but at the same time a little nervous.
Sandy's parents were happy to see their daughter so happy and well, more than that, overcoming barriers and stigmas, she was a very hardworking, kind and religious young woman, she had faith and this helped her to move forward.
***
In one of the noble tents Queen Aria, Valtor, Emma and Ethan were waiting for Gale and Nathan who seemed to be doing very well, without any resentment, besides a lot of confidence.
– We rocked it, didn't we? Artê and Meg stole attention with that fireworks show, but our fight was a work of art, right? – Nathan laughed, who was very happy to have won, to know that he was on the same level as his teammates.
– Yeah, but don't forget, one more punch from me and you'd lost, cocksucker. – Gale laughed, who had intimacy, affection and good intentions to be able to call him that way whenever she wanted.
– It's good to see that you're okay like this, boys you really rocked in those fights and the fight between you, you prided the name Gallard, Your mother Gale, and your father Nate would be proud if they were here to have seen it. – Aria said, not to hold back on hugging her grandchildren.
– That's right, Nate, my son, you're wonderful, that performance… I was a little scared of the Inferis Descenso part, but it's part of it… You'll become a great mage like your father was. – Emma said, she was emotional and remembering her late husband who was a very skilled user of this spell.
– Thanks mom, I'm always doing my best, mainly to protect those I love and Polo mainly. – Nathan said with conviction.
– It didn't seem like he needed protection. – Ethan laughed excitedly. – And what scandal was that? I know that hormones scream at this age, but you could have held back, right... You thought Lucas was bad, but you did the same with Declan. –
– I know uncle, I was an idiot and Polo will charge me, you can be sure, I'll sleep on the sofa in the dorm, if he lets me sleep in the dorm... But that I'd never do anything to hurt him again I would not. – Nathan said, blushing with embarrassment.
– And as for you, my princess… You showed them who's boss, I want to see who will want to mess with you. – Valtor said making caress in her daughter's hair. – I know it will reach even higher levels, and I hope to be there to see it. –
– Of course you will, Dad... You've always supported me in everything, from the transition to all my goals, and I promise I'll become much stronger, I'll bring pride to the family name and defeat anyone in my path. – Said Gale convinced.
– You are my greatest joy and pride my girl, I know you will make us proud, your mother must be very proud of where she is to see this strong and beautiful woman that you have become. – Valtor said, he had Gale as his most precious gift in life, everything he did, he thought in part about her.
– I know this is a time to congratulate you, but I know you must be dying to go have fun, 16 years ago when I took this exam I just wanted to know two things, one was food and fuck. – Ethan laughed, who was the typical relaxed and unabashed uncle, spoke to his face what he knew the young people were dying to do, he was already their age.
– True, children will have fun, you've done a lot today… And Nathan, Morrigan was impressed by your talents. – Aria said.
– Serious! – Nathan said, who gave an involuntary leap of joy that looked like he was going to turn into a rocket and go to the moon with so much emotion.
– Yes, but remember there is much more to learn and improve if you want to be like her. – Aria said.
– And I will go! – Nathan said he was very happy and would go after Apollodro.
– And I'll see to it that Romeo doesn't end up dead, I still think Polo is pissed off. – Laughed Gale.
***
The Hecatrix twins had found their parents, uncles and grandmother, not surprisingly already close to the bar.
– And there are the new family stars, how do you feel with these brooches? – Daedalus said excitedly taking a whiskey.
– Yeah, Arte, you gave me two bottles of Gin by Maeve... Thanks for cleaning the floor with Baron. – laughed Otrera who was happy.
– Honestly, I thought I wouldn't make it at the beginning, but I was happy that I did, my opponents were tough, however, Astarte has been very heavy in training. – Apollodro said excitedly.
– I had no doubts that I was going to win, but that fight with Meg, that fight was heavy, even with the medical treatment I still feel the beatings, but I'm very happy, we proved that we are Hecatrix. – Artemisia said happily.
– Yes, you two, I was impressed, your strength and regeneration Polo; Artê flames, that was first rate. – Commented Hecuba.
– You are growing up very fast, the other day you were afraid of not entering and now you passed this exam, you are awesome, you know?! – Tristan said hugging his children by the neck, he was very excited.
– No objections, you showed what it's like to be a Hecatrix, you two are really exceptional, but the road is still long, poor man who gets in your way in the future. – Helena said very proud of her grandchildren and their achievements.
– But don't let it get to your head so much, the demands start now… Your team passed the triad exam completely, difficult missions could fall into your lap… And you made extraordinary demonstrations of power today, so cheer up not to be just luck, you'll be asked to maintain this level of excellence... But congratulations, you've done it in these tests without a shadow of a doubt. – Said Otrera affectionate and cautious at the same time.
– We know that auntie, we need to take all this seriously, otherwise someone can get really hurt. – Apollodro said.
– And that's why we're getting stronger every day, Time Astarte will be the best in the Academy! – Artemisia said, and for an instant Otrera saw herself in her place when she was 16 years old saying the same about her team.
– And no one can accuse it of having been a monotonous exam… Lucas Bull and Declan Allure, you love a good party… If the nephew is the same "size" as the uncle, you're brave to have endured it. – Laughed Daedalus maliciously.
– I didn't go until the last ones with Luquinhas, actually my first time was with Nate, on the night of the queen's jubilee. – told Apollodro.
– Classy… You have good taste, but you and the prince have some things to get right, right? And you too Artê is in the face of both of them that you have to resolve love issues, we're not going anywhere, but you, you need to act soon. – Daedalus said, he understood well the purposes of the heart.
– Your uncle who is on fire is right... Go there and have fun, this night is yours, after all you've been through, you need to rest and have a good time. – Hecuba commented that she loved to take one with her brother's face.
– Right! See you later so I love you! – Apollodro said, he went after Nathan, he was holding himself back to not do it.
– I'm going, but then we have to do a Hecatrix-style celebration just us. – Artemisia said.
– Leave it, with the chocolate pancakes just the way you like it. – Tristan said with a kiss on his daughter's forehead.
– If all my problems were solved with your pancakes, life would be so much easier. – Artemisia joked as she was leaving to talk to Keith.
***
Artemisia went to the lakeside, she loved that place, now that the exam was over she allowed herself to think back to all her feelings for Keith, and about what she had seen on Jubilee Day. And it wasn't long before Keith showed up, and not alone, Megara seemed to be on his way too.
– Art, I was really looking for you. – Said Keith who seemed nervous and approaching.
– Bringing Megara to our special place on the lake too? – Artemisia said sharply.
– He's my "friend", I didn't know you cared so much about it, Artê. – Megara said defensively.
– Not just "friends" from what I saw at the Queen's Jubilee. – Said Artemisia short and thick.
– So you saw that? – Megara laughed. – I kissed him, it wasn't his initiative, Artê. –
– It doesn't change that he accepted, you got ahead, I have to accept that. – Artemisia said, sad and angry at the same time.
– The truth is that I don't know girls, over time I ended up identifying with the two… Artê was the first to stand up to protect me and Meg has been an amazing teammate, maybe I shouldn't be with neither would not be fair. – Keith said.
– Are you not realizing the absurdity of this? Artê you like him, I like him, he likes you and me... And we also have to admit that for some time we've been having a tension between us in the dorm. – Megara said, she was taking things very well.
– Where do you want to go? – Artemisia said blushing.
– Why make him choose if we can share him? And who knows even more. – Megara said that she gave Artemisia a kiss.
Artemisia resisted at first, but soon gave in to the kiss, and when he least noticed Keith was led by Megara to kiss Artemisia and then to kiss her.
– And can it work? Like? – Artemisia said confused, she couldn't deny that she also had her feelings for Megara, she just didn't know until that moment that they were so intense.
– Never heard of triple couple? There's no reason why we shouldn't try, it's clear that you like him and have feelings for me, just as I have a lot of feelings for the two of you... And Keith was torn apart for months. – Megara said, she was a romantic when she wanted.
– Girls, please don't need to do this if you're not comfortable, but I can't deny that I like you both. – Said Keith blushed.
– I don't see a reason not to try. – Artemisia said, she was excited with the idea.
It would be complicated, but the three were willing to try this triple relationship between them, it seems it is possible to love more than one person and for different reasons.
***
Apollodro seemed to be looking for Nathan in the middle of that party, and ends up finding him accompanied by Gale at the grilled squid skewer stand.
– We need to talk, Nate. – Apollodro said. – Alone. –
– You're not going to kill each other, are you? – Said Gale.
– It's okay... Anything I scream or teleport away from there before he kills me. – Nathan laughed.
– You who understand each other, boys, just don't kill yourself. – Gale laughed, who left behind Adam or one of his other friends.
– So, do you want to talk about that? – Nathan said.
– Yes, but in a more isolated place! – Apollodro said.
– I have an idea! – Nathan said that he took Apollodro around the waist and transported them through the shadows to an isolated clearing on the central island of the lake, it was one of the advantages of dating a mage who manipulated the shadows, transporting himself through them.
The two were in the moonlit clearing, the two of them had to talk about what had happened in the round of battles.
– I know I fucked up, and I swear it didn't mean anything…please don't let go…again. – Nathan said he was worried about the state of their relationship.
– Knowing that your boyfriend was seeing another is not something that is easy to accept, but I can understand that you were very anxious. – Apollodro said.
– I shouldn't have done it anyway, that's the truth, but it never meant anything, that's why nothing so serious happened. – Nathan said, intertwining his fingers with Apollodro's fingers.
– We all make mistakes... I won't lie that it hurt me, but I also understand your moment of weakness, but if you really want to make it up to me, there's something you could do. – Apollodro said with a touchy tone.
– What for example? – Nathan said he liked where that conversation was going.
– Do to me everything you did to him and more. – Apollodro said, who gave Nathan a passionate kiss.
– It won't be a problem for me. – Nathan said that he was already taking off his beloved's clothes.
The two were undressing and kissing, soon Apollodro was sitting on Nathan's bare lap, they were in love and involved, their love was even greater than those misunderstandings and missteps.
– Promise me one thing… That you'll never leave me, that we'll always be together, and we'll never give up on each other. – Apollodro said that he was more in love than he thought he was.
– I promise Polo, and I would finish anyone who dared to take you away from me. – Nathan said kissing Apollodro's neck.
– I'm serious, partners for life, no more secrets, no more lies, always supporting the other in their decisions, in the most serious problems and also in the smallest ones. – Apollodro said.
– It looks like a marriage proposal, not that I care ... I promise to be yours alone, forever. – Nathan said, he was feeling Apollodro's naked body.
– We can leave that for later about the wedding, but you are the one I want for my life and I do not care about these little things, we all make mistakes. – Apollodro said attentively.
-– I already said I would do anything for you, but I repeat as many times as you want... You are the love of my life. – Nathan said that he was already entering Apollodro.
The two took advantage of that moment of privacy and had sex in the clearing, it was a romantic night and full of exciting fury, they released their wildest impulses, they did everything they wanted, it was a delivery of body and soul, each thrust, hair-pulling, bites and slaps only added to their energy and excitement.