"So Mr Jonathan, there are few things you should be aware of," Shia gestured as they walked through the glazed stone path. "Your surname, you might have to change it."
"What's wrong with Thorne?" Jack was confused.
"For someone thrown out of the family you don't care about changing it or anything?" Shia pressed.
"Umm, no. Besides it was given to me."
"Aww, that's very noble of you, unfortunately your family has made a specific statement asking you to change your surname Mr Jonathan."
"They did?"
"Yes, we received it this morning," Templeton added.
"How did they know I'm joining?" Jack asked.
"Because of a specific loudmouth," Templeton spoke as he pointed at Shia.
"Hey I wanted to make sure my precious professor wouldn't be bullied."
"Bullied," Jack gasped. "What am I, a child?"
"Not quite, I mean you are a little too innocent making you prone to... adult-abuse?"
"Really?" Templeton muttered. "Weren't you just boasting about your new teacher?"
"Change my name?" Jack muttered. "I..."
"Names are a delicate matter, each word has a meaning of its own. Take it into consideration Mr Jonathan," Templeton explained.
"Hey, do you need me to come along with you?" Finn asked as he tugged at Jack's hand.
"Then... Mrs Shia could you help me?"
"Speak away."
"Can you get him his uniform and some clothes he can wear, I'll pay."
"You pay? No need I'll do it. Templeton, take him and get him everything."
"Alright," Templeton turned to Finn. "Let's go."
"See you later oldie."
"Cheeky brat."
The two split up into two groups, as Templeton and Finn walked away while Jack and Shia entered the large building through the open door, the inside worthy of being called the best architecture ever.
"Mrs Shia, I'd like to ask another favor."
"What is it?"
"Can you give me a surname?"
"Me?!"
"Of course. A name is a gift for both; the giver and the receiver. You have given me an opportunity to teach at this prestigious academy, it is only right I let you do this."
"Fine I'll do it but I'm not telling you until I decide and change it officially. I'll tell you after I've done this."
"Thank you."
"Are you excited to meet Hailee?" Shia spoke as she pointed towards a long stairway.
Jack did not respond instantly, hesitation clouding his eyes, his heart thumping harder than ever as they walked towards the stair and began climbing, his hand sliding on the polished black rails.
"Miss... do you think she..." Jack paused as he mustered enough courage form the words, "will hate me?"
"Maybe. Maybe not, but you must face it. Isn't it your responsibility or are you a goldfish?"
...
A silence fell upon them, a silence built on understanding, understanding that he too was a victim of the world, an enemy if you must, hanging under a delicate thread, clinging on for his sanity.
"How do I start a conversation with her?"
"You two were childhood friends, right? Ask her something from when you guys were kids."
"Like..."
Shia sighed, "I'm afraid I can't help you with such matters."
"Why not?"
"I'm not that good with people."
"Hmm. I agree," Jack nodded.
"Huh, what's that Mr Jonathan, aren't you supposed to say that's not true and that I'm a great social person?"
"Not sure if that's the case, especially after your specific methods of persuasion," Jack chuckled, awkwardly.
"Yeah maybe I'm bad at it, but you pointing it out has made me even sadder," Shia feigned sadness.
"Did you... um, face any problems with hiring me?"
"Nope."
"Is that it?"
"Well at least not yet."
"That's not reassuring."
"Yes, I know and I do think you should be careful."
"Why? Am I in more trouble?"
"Have you heard of any of the rumors about yourself?"
"I've heard people gossip about it here and there."
"Leave the general public, I meant the rumors around nobles, heard any of them?"
"I do know a few. There is one going around that I tried to force Elias to go to the battlefront, are there more?"
"That's all you've heard! There are many, many more hurtful ones, I believed a few until I met you yesterday."
"Funny how things change, right?"
"Now I don't trust rumors, although I must say, you have quite the harmful reputation."
"I do."
...
"I recreated your Gungir," Shia exclaimed as she welled up her chest.
"Not mine, besides it isn't that difficult."
"It's yours, because Gungir is an advanced spell, whereas you broke it down and formed it using smaller spells," Shia added.
Silence befell them once more, as they continued to climb more stairs, Jack finally breaking the silence.
"How big is this place, we've been walking for some time."
"We're here, besides walking a little hurt your feet?" Shia teased. "Aren't you someone who does physical labor?"
But Jack did not respond to the lighthearted comment, as they reached a room at the center of the hallway. He clenched his fist, preparing himself for whatever was on the other side of the room.
"Relax," Shia said, patting him on his back.
KNOCK KNOCK
"Why are you knocking isn't this your room?" Jack voiced his thoughts.
"Oh my how did you know?"
"Uh, it's written up there..."
...
The door creaked as it was pulled open from the inside. Shia and Jack stepped in, the room cooler than on the outside. As soon as he entered his eyes were met by a pair of hazel eyes, staring deep into him but he did not avoid it.
"Woah, you've grown big Jonathan," the man exclaimed.
"Oh, Marquis Ember," Jack scrambled as he gave a slight bow.
The man walked towards Jack, pulling him in for a warm embrace.
"Glad to see you're alright."
"You're still the same, Marquis."
"Yeah, I don't really change. Where were you so long, Hailee's been dying to meet you."
"Meet me?"
"Why don't you say hello," the Marquis moved aside, his big frame shifting revealing her behind him.
She stood before him, casual attire clinging to her small frame, accentuating her curves. Her vibrant scarlet locks mirrored Jack's own fiery hair.
"Hey there," Hailee muttered as she pulled back a strand of hair.
"I have something to discuss with the Marquis," Shia said. "Maybe you two can take your reunion outside, and while you're at it show him around the campus, Hailee."
"Please follow me," Hailee spoke in a low voice as she exited the room.
"Have fun," the Marquis whispered.
Hailee walked out of the room first with jack following behind her.
_________________________
"Finn, right?"
"Ahh, yes Mr Templeton."
"Oh, no need for formalities."
"Forgive me but I'll stick to Mister."
"Alright."
"So, Mr Jonathan, you're his?"
"Oh, I found him by coincidence."
"Coincidence?"
"Yes. You know how much a talent assessment costs right, I don't have that kind of money."
"You were recommended by Eldric Valeson, and yet you don't have any money?"
"Oh, grandpa left for some trip a month ago, I'm not sure where. All he gave me before leaving was a piece of paper with some breathing and core formation techniques."
Grandpa?
"And how did you meet Mr Jonathan?"
"Well he was the only one offering jobs at the time or yesterday. I mean he wasn't, the bartender sent me his way and he just accepted me."
"That's how you paid for the assessment, with one day's payment?"
"Um, no. He asked me why I needed the money and offered to help after hearing my case."
"Seems like a nice guy, but I don't believe he is that nice of a man," Templeton said as the two continued the walk.
"Why?" Finn asked, sensing the intent behind the words.
"Well he isn't as good as you believe he is."
"I don't think so. He was the nicest person I've ever met, I don't think I'll ever meet someone like him ever again," Finn defended.
Templeton let out a hearty chuckle, "I was just testing you, sorry."
"Testing... me?"
"Well you're Mr nice guy uncle has a lot of bad rumors around him, and I wanted to hear what someone who was with had to say."
"What kind of bad rumors?" Finn queried.
"Eah, I'm not telling you any. Besides once the academy starts you'll hear plenty."
"Plenty?"
"Plenty."
The two continued walking, through the busy streets. The streets were usually busy around this time all around the continent. It was the season of harvest and time for merchants and shopkeepers.
Templeton spoke, breaking the silence, "anyways what's your talent?"
"I shouldn't go around revealing it," Finn replied cautiously.
"That's the attitude someone at Nexarion should have."
"Are you testing me every chance you get mister?"
"Sorry, it's just that I've been cooped up in the office too long because that bitch wouldn't do her work."
"Bitch...?"
"Sorry, I shouldn't have said that out loud."
"I think you have somethings to get sorted out."
"Yeah, with everything going on around in this world."
...
_________________________
Hailee and Jack walked through the empty grounds with rarely any children passing by. This was because there was still a week before the school re-opened, and very few kids came early to the dormitories.
"Good afternoon Miss Hailee," a child greeted her as she walked past them.
...
"How have you been?" Jack asked, his fingers fidgeting and sweat drops trickling down his temples, which occasionally wiped off with his wrists.
Hailee remained silent, searching for easy to answer the question. Am I okay? I am. How am I? Fine. Should I answer this question? Yes. Is he still the same, I think so. Did he miss me? I should ask. Is he still scared of heights? I should ask him.
After a long moment of pause Hailee answered, "I'm fine. How have you been?"
"Fine, I guess," Jack replied as checked his Vördr.
There was so much they wanted to ask, yet their thoughts couldn't take form. Questions poured in yet all they could do was walk in the uncomfortable silence.
"How is teaching at Nexarion?" Jack asked.
"It's alrig—, why didn't you come see me after you came back or after you got in so much trouble?" Hailee blurted out.
"It's... I... didn't know what to do, I was..." Jack said, his voice breaking after each word.
"You should have come to me," Hailee replied tears flowing out.
Jack seeing Hailee shed tears panicked, "Hey, no. Please don't cry, I'm sorry."
"Are you?" Hailee retorted.
"I am sorry," Jack replied as he knelt down, "I didn't know."
"If you didn't know maybe you should have asked me," Hailee spoke as she knelt down in front of him and held his hands.
"Can you forgive me this once," Jack said as he forced a smile.
"You're still the same," Hailee muttered.
"Is that a yes or was that shameless of me?"
"Both, it's both."
Hailee threw her arms around Jack, connecting them behind his back, "You've gotten so big."
"Really, I still feel like the small boy around you."
"All this muscle and you're still a child," Hailee spoke as she wiped off her tears and stood back up.
"I'm sorry, I thought if I ran away I could forget about everything."
"And how is that working out for you?"
"It was alright."
"Could you sleep at night?"
"After a long day and some ale, Yes."
"Oh, you even started drinking."
"It's not like I wanted to."
"That's what they all say."
"I wasn't alone."
"You mean the Spirit Sovereign?"
"Who?"
"The ghost floating around you?"
"You can see him?"
_________________________
"Well what is it Miss Shia?" Marquis Ember asked.
"There have been strange things going on."
"What do you mean?"
"Did you hear of Kanor's disappearance?"
"No! What happened?" The Marquis raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"There is no way you would have known," Shia sighed. "The people vanished without a trace."
"How?"
"We don't know, Synthelis is looking into it, but even they have no idea."
"Even Synthelis doesn't know!? Some cult?"
"Not just some regular cult, something much worse, I think."
"They aren't the remnants of that group, right?"
"If it's them we'll need better preparation."
"So why'd you tell me?"
"Watch out for trouble, I'm just saying."
"Is that all?"
"Actually, Yes."
"I have a question?"
"Ask away."
"Jonathan, how did you find him?" The Marquis probed.
"The princess, she was the one who recommended him," Shia replied
"The princess?"
"I myself was surprised when she recommended him, but after seeing his skills he sure is the real deal."
"His skills?"
"Holding on against General Radagar, is enough validation."
"General Radagar? What's next, the princess gave up succession?"
"How'd you know that?"
"What?"
"I'm not even guessing anything anymore."
"That's for the best."
KNOCK KNOCK
"Well the General is here," Shia replied as she stood up.
_________________________