[scene :Colt sitting in class as diana explains things]
Things got settled in the magic academy.
There are two ways to be in a good position in the hierarchy: one is to have power and status. Two is to be close to someone who does. For some reason, the Starlea siblings took a liking to me. Since they're nobles and silent casters, that puts them a step above Robert and his band of merry nobles.
[scene :Robert looking back to where Colt sits to find an empty seat]
They still try to pick a fight every chance they get. But, they'll have to see me first if you know what I mean.
As for Diana
[Shows a scene in the classroom]
Diana : "Magic in this school is not only graded on power or casting. It's also graded on its elegance. For a mage must be able to reassure the people not only with power but skill as well."
Oh yeah that makes sense. If a spell is elegant enough it'll bring ogres to tears, nicely done teach.
[in the courtyard]
Diana : "As you all should know, magic gets stronger the more you practice.. and after casting spells for thousands of times, you begin to achieve silent casting. The more talented you are , the faster you cast the spell."
So there is a number…
Diana : "And what better way to practice our magic than a few mock battles? So, for our magic practice you students will face each other in mock battles, of course, no offensive high level spells allowed."
And so it went…
[scene: Colt is facing another silent caster noble]
*The noble casts water ball*
*Colt uses earth wall*
He casts in about 7 seconds, I casted a high level spell in 8 which means..
*Colt casts earth bullet*
Using 6.5 seconds intervals..
*The noble barely manages to dodge it*
*Starts casting*
*Colt moves in for a punch*
*The noble dodges it breaking his concentration*
*Colt casts fire ball*
Diana : "ENOUGH"
Diana [smiling] : "You both did admirably, I am so very proud of you… however, Dolion"
Colt : "Yes?"
Diana : "Your magic was more focused on power than beauty."
So that's their game…
Diana : "I am proud of your improvement and ingenuity, you had it close but you won this duel… however…"
Here we go.
Diana : "You can still learn from your classmates, your magic may yet improve."
Colt : "I will take that to heart."
Diana[speaking to the noble] : "Your magic was marvelous, such raw talent, you'll become a great mage."
*The noble looks at Colt, starts to act smug*
Lea [stands near Colt speaking in a low tone] : "Don't listen to that. You did very well. Be proud."
Interesting… she doesn't appear to be under Diana's influence. Can she see through her as well?
Either way, I still don't know why she and Luc are helping me.. are these two merely puppets to test me?
I can't tell.. damn it! Luna would solve this in 2 seconds. I haven't experienced anything like this conundrum before.
Colt : "By the way, where's Luc?"
Lea [with a bit of disappointment and a blank stare, points] : "He's… over there"
[shows Luc standing with the other students, following every word out of Diana's lips]
Seriously??!!
I mean the rest of these idiots I understand but Luc didn't seem the type.
Or… is it all a ruse?
Lea [murmuring to herself] : "Honestly, brother."
Luna…
[back at home]
Colt [talking to Luna] : "And that's basically what happened today."
Luna [gently stroking her growing belly] : "You're usually angrier than this. Today you're more confused than mad."
Colt : "Well, I can't keep getting mad over everything they do. I knew what I was going to find when I chose to go. But the Starlea siblings confuse me; I can't tell what they're thinking."
Luna : "Why?"
Colt : "Well, I haven't seen something like them before."
Luna : "I see."
Colt : "Diana is simple for me because you were there and her tactics are obvious, she just keeps covertly saying that nobles are better without making you lose heart, she encourages trying harder with that damn smile of hers and people fall for it… but these two."
Luna : "Maybe they're just nice."
Colt [looks at Luna for a second… puts his arm around her shoulder, pulls her close] : "I don't know… are things really that simple?"
Luna : "I've seen them. They have no ill will towards us."
Colt : "I trust your judgement completely, I will treat them as allies then… by the way where are your parents?"
Luna : "They love the sea so much… so when you're here they usually go for a swim"
[internal laughter]
Awww, that's precious.
Colt[smiling] : "Maybe after you give birth, we'll go for a swim together again."
Luna[closes her eyes, rests her head on Colt's chest] : "I'd love that."
*after a few moments of silence and bliss*
Colt : "So, there is no magic academy tomorrow… what do you want to do?"
Luna[opens her eyes, looks at Colt] : "Don't you have something you were working on for the past 3 weeks?"
Colt : "Well I got my affairs in order in the academy, and what I've been working on is done… so tomorrow is yours."
Luna : "As you can see, the baby has grown a bit and we should tell your parents, it's their day off as well right?"
Colt : "*sighs*You're right"
Luna[looks at him closely, speaks in a bit of a mischievous tone] : "You're not happy with this, tell me what's wrong."
Colt[freezes for a second, looks at Luna] : "This'll be so awkward."
*Luna laughs*
[the next day]
*Mark, Clarissa and Clarice come out of the gate*
Colt : "LUNA, WE'RE BACK"
*Luna comes from inside*
*Clarissa looks at Luna for a second, rushes towards her, stops right before Luna, hugs her*
Clarissa[full of joy] : "My sweet child, thank you, I'm going to be a grandma."
Mark [looks at Colt] : "So she's…"
Colt : "Yeah"
Why is she so happy?
Clarissa[still holding Luna] : "I can't wait to hold it, I'm so happy"
Clarice : "Big brother, why is big sister so fat?"
Oh dear.
After that comment Lana and Clarissa explained to a 7 year old that Luna has a baby
Clarice : "But, where do babies come from?"
*Everyone freezes, they start looking at each other*
Clarissa : "I'll tell you when you're older."
And with that out of the way we threw another party.
[scene : Colt Mark and Zenon are sitting in the living room]
Mark : "You need to take care of your wife and be very careful from here, pregnancy is hard."
Zenon : "We're here to help, but he's been doing everything and more to ensure our well-being, your son is a great man, I'm proud to have a son like him."
Mark[smiles] : "Thanks, I'm proud of him too."
Well, this is getting awkward fast…
Colt : "So tell me dad, how have things been going on your side."
Mark : "It's been peaceful, everyone is happy, Clarice is getting very high scores in school, also your friends Ken and Bella left the town a while ago… thought you'd like to know."
Colt : "I appreciate that, thank you for telling me."
Mark : "No, I should thank you, for being a great son, you always had a good head on your shoulders, you were kind, sincere, you even took care of us at some point."
Is that how he sees it? He knows I've been testing them…he knows the truth… so why?
I still believe I did what was necessary for survival, I don't regret it, but, what am I feeling then?
Colt [his look changes to very subtle sadness] : "Come on, you know that's not true."
Mark : "No, it is… you took care of your sister when we were exhausted, you've helped us since you were young, I'm grateful."
I don't know what he's talking about.
If I have ever helped them, then it was for purely selfish motives.
And yet…
Colt : "I… don't know what to say, I am the one who's grateful… to have a father like you."
[scene : A gate is open, Colt hands Mark three gold coins]
*Mark Clarissa and Clarice walk through it, Colt waves goodbye*
Clarissa wanted to stay but Lana assured her that she and Zenon had it covered.
Besides, Clarice still has school.
It was another joyous day… to be honest a very welcome break from all the fighting and magic. Just living with my family a peaceful quiet life even if it's just for a day.
I…had fun…
I… was happy.