He began telling Noah everything.
"No wonder I can sense mana around here."
"The reason why I came late and wet was because of that bastard."
"Never say that sort of sentence with a straight face again."
"Get your mind out of the gutter, you know what I meant."
"Yes, and that's what scares me. I'm guessing he's a water mage."
"A strong one at that."
"Stronger than Captain Regina?"
"What I can say is that it'll be a close one."
"But you managed to beat him."
"Barely, he was just toying with me like a pet. We have to keep this between us."
"Why? There's clearly a mage out there as strong as a Captain out to get you and maybe even us."
Nathan responded with a worried look, "He knew my name and where I was headed. Don't you think that's weird?"
Noah tried to process as much as he could.
"Most of our information is archived with the school and the officials, so it looks like someone must've given him. A rat, perhaps?"
"It's a possibility we shouldn't rule out. He even said his 'lord' knew who I was."
"His 'lord'?"
"Even I couldn't believe it at first."
"With everything you just told me, it seems like this is an entire organization or a cult after us."
"There's something else."
"What?"
"He had this strange tattoo on his right hand."
"What did it look like?"
"It looked like 2 horns facing opposite directions from each other."
"What type of horns?"
"Why does that matter?"
"It could tell us if there's a structure built on strength or authority in this horn cult."
"Is that what we're calling them?"
"Do you have a better name?"
"Never mind,… they looked like deer horns or something like that."
"I see. Let's head back before Ariel starts firing the place down."
After a series of dialogues, they agreed that silence was safer. They took a carriage from a nearby town and arrived at the Kingdom of Elarion in the country of Luminaris.
Stellanova's Academy loomed familiar and unwelcoming as they returned. Dirt-streaked and battered, they drew stares from other students. Soon after came Prof. Nowell's office, where they saw both Ariel and Daniel leaving the room.
Nathan stood alone before him as Noah was to leave.
"What were you doing," the professor asked calmly, "while your group nearly died?"
Nathan couldn't speak.
"Mr. Valen, I do hope that you understand the severity of the situation that you're in."
No response came forward.
"Fine, I've grown tired of this. You and your group will be suspended for 2 weeks from the academy and commission work."
Nathan's voice burst out with refusal.
"So, you can speak? Oh, how a miracle has been bestowed upon me (sarcastically)."
Nathan found his voice and took a deep breath before speaking.
"I'm sorry for what has happened today, sir."
Prof. Nowell rubbed his eyes in exhaustion.
"I didn't ask for an apology; I asked for your input on the matter."
"I'm sorry, sir."
"I clearly said no apologies."
"(quietly) Sorry"
Nathan then told Prof. Nowell everything from start to finish, leaving out the cloaked man.
"That was quite the tale, Mr. Valen. I almost felt pity for your nap time."
"I'm so sorry, sir. Whatever punishment you would've given them, give it to me. I take full responsibility and promise to reflect on my actions and will never abandon them again."
He bowed his head after giving his speech.
"Mr. Valen, how did you feel when you saw your group in that situation where one of them seemed to be on the brink of death?"
"Regret… fear… anger towards myself."
"I see. You are suspended for 1 week from the academy and will take no commissions during that time. Make sure you clean up every chalkboard in the whole school. You are now dismissed."
Nathan got up from the chair with his hands and feet still shaking. Prof. Nowell noticed this and said, "Let this be a lesson and a reminder of why you came to this academy. What you felt today should be an indication of whether or not you are cut out to be a mage. You aren't from any noble or royal background, so whatever mistake you may have, whether it results in the death of your team or the death of others as part of casualties, there'll be no one to cover it up for you then. One slip up and a family loses a loved one, a life is gone. Do better next time, Mr. Valen."
Nathan clenched his fists in frustration as he responded to the professor.
"Yes, sir."
Later on that day, Nathan met up with Noah outside the entrance as other students went out the gates after school, and they began talking about what Prof. Nowell said. That early evening, Nathan finished cleaning the chalkboard of every class. He bumped into Ariel at the exit.
"What are you still doing? School ended 2 hours ago."
"What's it to you?"
"Are you still mad about today? I'm sorry."
His apology was in vain as she continued to leave.
"Prof. Nowell wanted to suspend all of us for 2 weeks."
She was brought to a halt after hearing this. Nathan continued, "He wanted to suspend us, but I couldn't let you guys take the fall for it along with me, so I took responsibility for it. She turned to him and said, "Do you want a party to be thrown in your honor. Do you expect praise for learning how to walk? What you did was to be expected of you because all the trouble that occurred today was on you. We needed you with us, but you came when we were on our last legs. If you had envisioned me applauding, then you're sorely mistaken."
Nathan expected this from her, so all he could do was apologize again and make amends with her with an offer.
"Noah offered me dinner at his mom's restaurant. I want you to go in my place."
She responded and asked in a suspicious tone, "Why?"
"Think of it as my final act of forgiveness. And before you refuse, just know that you're letting go of free duck saute'd in berries." She refused at first until her stomach gave out a loud growl.
"Should I take that as a yes?"
"SHUT UP!"
Ariel reluctantly forgave him, irritation giving way to something gentler.
Later, at home, his mother's smile washed the day clean.
Sleep claimed him quickly.
Elsewhere, beneath the same tree, another figure studied the lingering magic. A trail stretched toward the kingdom.
The man followed it with his eyes.
"…Son?"