I couldn't move, or speak. I had no sense of any of my surroundings, but I was still conscious.
So apparently, using apocalyptic flame control zapped a huge amount of magicubes and internal dark magicubes, but thanks to a sub-skill of [Oracle Engine] – [Analysis and Replication] I could replenish my dark magicubes.
By processing the gallanite ores it allowed for a breakdown and development of reactive dark magicubes, but as of now it wasn't required.
There was a sense of warmth on my forehead, much more than I've felt in days. As I opened my eyes ever so slowly, I discovered it was a palm that rested gently below my hairline.
"Hey, are you hurt?" the voice asked.
With my neck ponderously turning to the left, I could see my mother's face, her warm smile.
Iʼd almost forgotten how beautiful her blonde hair was and her affectionate smile. So radiant you'd think I was her child by birth.
"Mom?" my voice was still a bit constricted, rising up to sit on the bed still seriously exhausted, I discovered she wasn't the only one in the room.
Gertrude Hornet our school principal was present, and so was my mother's personal attendant.
"We heard what happened.." my mother's gentle voice uttered; Dona Besimios.
The question was, did they know of my abilities now? Did they know what I'd done in that battle?
Apparently, the girl who informed me about the evil arrival also informed the school board which was the smart choice. If only they'd arrived earlier than they did.
I felt I had to apologize nonetheless "I deeply apologize.." a vague feeling of regret fell upon me.
I made them worry for so long, if I recall I'd been out for three days according to the estimated time period relayed to me by Scentia.
"It's okay, your father would've done exactly the same... don't beat yourself up, in the end everything eventually worked out and sooner or later you'll be out of this sickhouse.." as expected from mother. Always so lighthearted.
This somewhat assured me that they hadn't seen what happened, my secret although poorly secured was safe.
I finally remembered, "Where are the others!?"
Gertrude stepped in, "They're fine, just a little magical energy deficiency but all of them have fully recovered since thanks to your contribution.." contribution? I basically vanquished the entire guild single-handedly, but I suppose they may have met me unconscious and assumed I tried to put up a fight.
As I contemplated, my mother placed her palm atop my head, resting easy on her wheelchair her only source of mobility.
Her smile as easy as ever, which was expected. "I'm so relieved to know that you're okay.." she'd been with me all the while I'd been unconscious but it was time she took her leave.
"Come visit me when you have some time." she turned her chair mounted on large wheels and moved toward the door.
"I will..." that was an assurance.
Before the her personal attendant; Stera departed she had some news to relay.
Leaning toward my right ear, she whispered "Listen Nyx, I think it's important you know she was extremely worried about you, please be sure to get plenty of rest... you need it." it was no surprise.
Now only Gertrude and I were in the room. There was a brief moment of discomfort which arose from the sudden lull.
"I was originally against you joining the academy, in my opinion you needed more time to understand yourself. What you are... there were many other academies to choose that weren't obsessed with status and magical power. I couldn't stomach the idea of another individual being discriminated for their inability to use magic. I knew they'd treat you as something lesser than a human... I didn't want you to have to go through it."
Perplexed, yes that's the word to describe this scenario. I hadn't thought of the principalʼs views on my schooling here, I'd only ever spoken with Headmaster Polpe.
"Your parents and I have a lot of history between us, but when they came to make the proposal that I allow your entry to this school. They didn't pull any strings, rather they begged me with their heads faced down... they wanted you to experience life in the academy both good and bad, you may have been friends with Belitha but with the knowledge that she was going to the academy... they had no interest in leaving you isolated in solitude, alienated because you were different."
One piece of information she didn't add was, that was the day my mother cried.
"All that for me?" I was their child, of course they'd do that. Adopted or not.
Outside the academy, Stera gently pushed my wheelchairbound mother, now on their way back to the carriage.
All this time she'd been holding in her tears trying desperately to stay strong in front of me, "I'm so glad Nyx is okay!" tears of joy. "Lady Dona, I'm sure he knows how much you worry about him." Stera offered her a kerchief to wipe her tears, she was the perfect maid. There to support domestically and emotionally.
Between-time, I was still in shock. "So try and enjoy your school life and find your path to happiness... that is my sincere wish, and Donaʼs." as the principal left the room having delivered such inspiring words, teardrops rolled down my cheeks.
In the silence of the room, alone, "Yes ma'am." I uttered with a minor asphyxiation.
Some minutes later, my companions came to visit...
"You guys came to see me?"
Quickly answering "Of course!" was Belitha, she stood the closest to me then Laia and Alaric.
"So uh... are you okay?" there was some concern in Alaricʼs voice.
"Yeah, quite fine.." notwithstanding the way I responded without lustre.
The teachers may not have known of the feats I displayed, but my friends surely did. I owed them an apology, I wasn't strong enough to prevent this from happening, I could've done more to ensure they were safe. I had only myself to blame. Incompetence.
"Iʼm sorry I didn't do better to protect you guys, we all got through it, but I wish I could've done more... I was too confident, that was my downfall.." the same thing that made me lose against Rosemarie happened here again, but maybe even worse, I focused on showing off rather than doing the needful.
"It's funny how I try to be useful and end up becoming a liability to make you all worry, I'm not even worth the time."
I couldn't bring myself to look at them. Instead, I looked at my palms in dismay.
Was I that foolish to believe having these new abilities would make a lick of difference. The unbelievable shame I felt, I tried so hard to hide the fear of failure from others.
My hands were stained with unbearable shame, how undesirable.
As I wallowed in my own pessimism Belitha was there to pick me up. She grasped my left hand, "That's not true, we're glad you're here... I believe in the person you are, you're strong, thoughtful and caring." she passionately conveyed this to me.
"Yeah Nyx.." he placed his hand upon my slouched shoulder, "You're my guy and cool one too, we'll always be friends.." Alaricʼs words touched me.
"I'll always be right there by your side Nyx no matter what! I mean like a normal friend of course..." Laia shyly uttered, but sweet nonetheless.
Back to Belitha, "Geez I'm actually kind of surprised you thought I'd bail on you, I'm your number one friend in the whole world.." she reached in to hug me tightly, I could only show my astonishment by my still eyelids, not once had I blinked. "We're your friends okay!? We'll always treat you as one, and nothing less.."
I had no words to express my gratitude. Friendship was truly a beautiful thing, my fear of isolation made me forget that.
Later that evening...
Dilbert made his way into my room in the school clinic, "Oh hey, Mister Filum.." I formally addressed him yet with a polite tone.
He seemed very pale and partly liveless but it'd do me no good pointing that out.
Ostensibly, he had something to say but he held back his words maybe out of dismay. A speculation I made based solely on his appearance.
Rising once more from the bed accompanied a few groans "I certainly wasn't expecting you.."
"Listen, I'm sorry for the way I've treated you, the things I've done can't simply be taken back.." he bowed his head so submissively it made even. I uncomfortable. "Apology accepted, let bygones be bygones." I wasn't one to hold a grudge, they were incomprehensive and made no sense.
Why wouldn't he be surprised? "You forgive me? So easily?" his voice no longer had that high and mighty tone he was usually characterized by. He was humbled by reasons unclear to me.
"I gotta say, Dilbert, I really appreciate the way you owned up to your mistakes and gave a sincere apology. It takes a lot of guts to do that, and I can tell you really meant it. I mean, you couldn't even keep it in for a day, you had to tell me right away! That's some serious honesty and courage right there. I admire you for taking responsibility and I'm grateful for your sincerity." my smile at him was nothing short of pure and welcoming.
He nods, "That's it, Besimios." he felt relieved.
"You can call me Nyx... at least that is what all my friends call me." I was happy to welcome him anytime, keeping malice only blackens your soul with no apparent value added to your life.
"I don't know how you can stay so strong without straying from your path, tell me Nyx.." but I had no answer for that request, that was a question that had varying compositions as an absolute answer.
As contradicting as it may seem, that was the best manner in which I could interpret it.
Giving him the answer I felt was right seemed ideal "Wow, your surroundings can really mess you up, huh? But don't worry, I'm here to help. Listen up, if you've got some people in your life who actually give a damn about you, hold onto them tight. And don't be a jerk, okay? Instead of putting others down to make yourself feel better, try looking at yourself as someone who's got some room for improvement. It might take a while, but with the right mindset and some good friends like me, you'll get there eventually." that was the only thing that came to mind.
"I wasted my life hating others... out of jealousy and insecurity, I have to change!" he could've burst into tears at that point.
He thanked me for my words, and I did the same for his cooperation.
No one is entirely bad, just misled.