“That was what happened, Leo was so amazing,” Jason said to them on the dining table. “You're just exaggerating. You were more amazing,” Leo counterattacked as his head swelled. After defeating the boar, Leo and Jason went back to the Maho Jo, where Jason explained everything that had happened to Varrick, Darwin, Sydney and Alex. “Nice save, boy,” Sydney praised. “I thought you would be a wimp and run away.” “That’s amazing. You are more than prepared to go to Scarlet Magic High School,” Darwin said, impressed. “Thank you Master Darwin and Sydney but I am still yet to learn how to control it. Meaning, I am still learning,” Leo responded. “No need to be humble about it. We know you like the praise,” Varrick said, hitting Leo on his back and chuckling. Leo fringed and removed Varrick’s hand from his back. “Yeah, right,” Leo said as he glimpsed at Varrick. “I did not think you’ll outshine Jason in a battle against a mere boar. I’m sorry that he was weak and you-” “Dad, I’m not
“It was obvious for someone who was close to Abigail. She was the only person in Ivandale, who was strong enough to seal off a person’s magic orb,” Alex said. Darwin threw his face away, knowing fully well that he had completely forgotten about that. “We totally forgot,” Varrick whispered to Darwin. “Yeah, right,” Darwin said. “We did not mean it this way; we were just trying to protect Leo.” Alex became confused. “I don’t understand what you mean by protect Leo?” Alex asked, trying to clear his confusion. Darwin sighed as he rubbed his chin. “Well, you know… we thought that you would arrest him and then brand him a rebel and kill him,” he said, looking away from Alex. Suddenly, Alex burst into laughter. “Sorry, sorry… but, why did you think that?” Alex questioned, still laughing. “He is the son of your mortal enemy. The reason most of your family members are dead,” Varrick replied, with no remorse. “But he is also the son of Abigail and he did not grow up with the dragon k
After the perfect plan suggested by Varrick the previous day, Leo and Jason set out and started Leo’s preparation into Scarlet Magic High School. It was a new day and the ray of sunlight penetrated through the curtains of Leo’s room. He had slept over in the Maho Jo because he needed Jason’s help. Soon enough, he heard a knock on his door. “Leo, rise and shine. You only have a week and I only have this weekend,” Jason said, speaking through the wall. Leo’s eyes quickly opened as he sat upright on the bed. He stretched his hands in the air and yawned. “I’ll be down in a few minutes,” Leo replied as he slid his feet into the flip flops. He stood up and he walked in the bathroom to refreshen up. He was done and he left his room, meeting Jason downstairs. “Let’s go,” Jason said, as they walked out of the Maho Jo. Leo followed Jason blindly, without really knowing what they were going to do. “Uhm… Jason, where are we heading to?” Leo questioned, gazing at Jason as they walked out
The man made a futile attempt to escape after grazing Leo’s face. “Mild flare: Gunshot,” Leo said, releasing little fire bullets from his palms, which was shot at the man. The man groaned; the pain of small fire bullets made him collapse. Leo was satisfied as he rubbed his hands together. He walked up to the man and bent over to confirm if the man had really passed out. “Okay, he’s not breathing but he’s not dead. Good enough for a criminal like him,” Leo said, standing upright. The young lady, who he saved, ran up to him and unconsciously touched his face. “Are you okay?” she asked as she used her handkerchief to clean the graze on his face, which had begun to bleed again. Leo remained silent. He was too stunned to talk. He had never imagined that a day would come when a pretty lady would hold his face. Before he realized it, his face turned red. As the lady cleaned his cheeks, he stared right into her eyes. Seconds passed and she stopped smearing his face after she met his g
“Let’s go, what are you waiting for?” Carmichael said as he walked away. “We’re… we’re right behind you,” replied Leo as he followed him into another chamber, together with Jason. They walked into the work chamber, where all the wielding, crafting and smelting is done. It was dark, with a little furnace at the center, making the place warm. “Hot!” Leo exclaimed as he used his hand as a fan. “Behind the scenes of the magic swords seen in the display room,” said Carmichael as he turned on a switch, which illuminated the entire chamber. “This is so cool,” Jason said. “Simply amazing.” “Jeez, you don’t need to say it out loud,” Carmichael replied, his voice lacing with pride. “Creepy,” Leo muttered under his voice as he watched the dwarf fund over compliments. They walked round the furnace and to a crafting table, where a black blade with a black handle, with traces of red on it, laid. Carmichael carried the sword from the table and followed the blade with his hands.
Leo and Jason wandered through the streets of Aranthia. Jason helped Leo get everything he needed before the entrance exam. From the swordsmith, they went to a magic potion store to get healing potions, magic level increment potion and also stamina increment potion. “I thought all this will be prohibited in an exam,” Leo asked, as he placed the potion into a bag, which he hung on his shoulder. “Not definitely, taking potions like this is like taking steroids before a sports competition. The only difference is that one has to do with sports and the other, with magic,” Jason replied, as he giggled sarcastically. “Funny,” Leo said as he gazed at Jason. “I’m…I’m sorry,” he stuttered, as he cleared his throat. “I just thought you needed some humor.” “You complained we don’t have time but you still have the time to create humor,” Leo replied, as they both walked out of the magic potion store. “You can’t take a joke,” Jason spoke as he slapped Leo on the back. “But you don’t have anyth
Leo and Jason were surprised about the change of the date of the entrance exam. “I thought the exam is not till after a week,” Leo asked. “I thought the same too,” said Jason as he stared at Darwin. “Well, we all thought so but it was pushed forwards because of some unknown reason,” Darwin responded. “There’s a rumor about the daughter of the Duke of Siv also transferring, so the duke pressured them to move the date closer for unknown reasons.” “But then the Duke of Aranthia did not inform us about it and he was here just a few minutes ago,” Leo replied. “What does Duke Felix have to do with the Duke of Siv?” Varrick asked Leo. “He is the real owner of Scarlet Magic High School,” Leo responded. “He would have mentioned the change of dates, maybe he is also not aware.” “It’s impossible for him not to be aware,” Alex spoke. “Everything that happens or everything that is meant to happen reaches him before any other person.” “Then what is going on here,” Leo raised his voice. “I’m
Varrick, Darwin, Sydney, Leo and Jason were all surprised by Alex’s big news about a dinner party, which they had to prepare for in less than an hour. “I have prepared some clothing and shoes for everyone, it’s been placed in your rooms,” Alex said. “See you all in an hour and I’m sorry.” “Why are you talking from so far away?” Varrick asked as Alex stood on the stairs to talk to them. “To avoid any other form of attack,” Alex responded as he walked upstairs. “Later.” Darwin sighed. “Let’s all go and prepare,” he said as he also walked away. ~~ An hour passed and everyone had finished getting ready. Leo walked up to the window in his room. He lifted the curtain that falls from the ceiling to the ground, and he peeped to see the guests, who flooded into the Maho Hall. “This will be my first time appearing in front of a very large crowd,” he said to himself as he held his chest. His heart was racing. He was dead anxious. What if he messes up? Suddenly, he heard a knock on his
Sylvia and Leo walked side by side through the crowd, neither saying a single word. Leo would always turn several shades of red, even if their hands simply brushed against each other."Friday was amazing, by the way. We had a lot of fun," Leo said, breaking the awkward silence."I don't think your friend thought so. Do you think she hates me?" Sylvia asked, staring at him intently."Who? Anaya? Of course not. She just doesn’t warm up so easily. Don’t take whatever she says to heart—she’s mean to everyone," Leo replied plainly."I see..." Sylvia murmured, thinking deeply. She shook her head as if making a mental note and then continued to ask Leo about how he had been doing these past days and how he was adjusting to school life. She proceeded to ask about his family and other personal matters, seemingly engrossed in his everyday life and wanting to know more by the second.She was essentially asking intrusive questions that Leo couldn’t answer without thinking deeply. He still had to
After dinner, Jason reminded Leo of how upset Anaya was yesterday and thought it would be best to apologize to her sincerely tomorrow. Leo knew that Anaya wouldn't forgive so easily and wondered what would be the best way to apologize. Sydney advised the boys that if they really wanted her forgiveness, they needed to do something incredibly thoughtful and sweet, like baking a cake. They loved the idea, but the only problem was they didn't know the first thing about baking.Sydney sighed at their ability to fight beasts and conjure up magnificent things, yet they couldn't do something as simple as baking a cake. She rolled her eyes, wondering how Varrick Darwin or Alex couldn't teach them such basic skills, but then again, how could they teach what they had no knowledge of? She agreed to help them out, and they stayed up all night just to prepare it.The boys always found a way to mess up the cake in the blink of an eye. Sydney was even afraid to blink, worried they would add too much
Anaya walked into an ancient building filled with cracks of time and layers of heritage. She entered her coldly colored room, took off her uniform, freshened up, and placed the white book on her study table, ready to analyze it as she had done for the past few days. While engrossed in the letters that only she seemed able to see, Anaya once again found herself puzzled by the book's secrets and enchantments.A figure slowly emerged from her slightly ajar white wooden door."Anaya, darling..."Anaya turned to see a woman in her late seventies with beautiful long white hair and wrinkles that spoke of a life well-lived. She smiled brightly as the woman walked in."Are you back from school?""Yes, Ma. I'm back," Anaya replied."How was it? How are your friends?" her grandmother asked."They're fine, Ma. Everything's fine," Anaya answered simply."I'm sure my darling Anaya is so popular and has lots of friends. Do you want food? I'll make it," her grandmother offered."No, Ma. You've been o
Leo, Jason, and Anaya made their way to the detention room with sad and solemn expressions, taking measured steps toward three hours of boredom and annoyance."Can't you just make the Dean fall asleep again?" Leo asked hopefully."And what will we do about Derek?" Anaya countered."Can't you use a sleep spell on him too?" Jason suggested."Believe me, I've tried, but he has some super strong force field on his mind," Anaya replied, frustration creeping into her voice."Is it impossible to break?" Leo asked, curious about the kind of magic required for such a spell."Yeah, if you're an amateur. But don't worry, I'll deal with it soon enough," she said confidently.They stood by the door, hesitating between staying or running back home. The Dean walked by, spotting them instantly. He quickly pulled out a wand from his pocket, pointed it at them, and yelled,"What are you three still doing there? Time for detention!"They sighed and groaned, lowering their heads as they shuffled into the
---When detention rolled around and the four students sat quietly as the Dean watched them closely. Anaya and Jason hadn’t spoken a single word since Leo left them earlier, and their silence made him rather uneasy.Derek, being his usual self, tried to get Anaya’s attention as much as humanity would allow, but his efforts were anything but fruitful. The moment the clock struck five, Anaya left without sparing them a glance. Jason let out a sigh and placed his books in his bag. The Dean told them to leave as soon as possible so the workers could clean in peace. Derek picked up his bag and sneered at them before leaving with the Dean.Leo and Jason stood on the steps in front of the school's main gate, only to realize their carriage wasn’t there. They glanced at the row of fly cycles parked nearby and remembered Varrick’s words: They needed to start traveling on their own; the school run was over.Jason sat on the stairs, not in the mood to ride home just yet. Leo joined him and sugges
Leo got home with a solemn expression on his face. He had barely eaten his dinner and didn’t even flash his famous smile. Anytime Darwin, Varrick, or Sydney asked about school, he would only give one-word answers, which was unlike him. Darwin and Varrick assumed it was just the stress of school getting to him, so they didn’t press further. They were certain Leo couldn’t have been bullied—he was stronger than most of his peers and knew exactly when to fight and when not to. Sydney, on the other hand, thought otherwise and decided to speak with him after dinner.The night grew quiet once dinner was over. Darwin and Varrick, exhausted from running around Ivandale with Alex, quickly lay down to rest. The only sounds that filled the air were the night critters and animals, adding to the soothing sounds that come with the night.Leo had already snuggled under his covers, and the oil lamp was about to be blown out when two light taps came at his door. Instinctively, he said, “Come in.” Sydne
"I'll be back," Leo assured his friends, getting up to follow Sylvia.They moved to a quiet corner, and Sylvia struggled to get her words out."Why..." she began but trailed off, her mouth opening and closing with hesitation."Why are you hanging out with her?" she finally managed to ask."Who?" Leo asked, confused.Sylvia, too ashamed to clarify, looked away. Leo followed her gaze, his confusion growing when he realized who she meant."Anaya? She’s my friend. And if you really think about it, she’s the reason I’m in this school to begin with. Besides, I’m hanging out with Jason too," he explained, trying to clear up any misunderstanding."Please... please stop hanging out with her," she stammered, still avoiding his eyes."Why?""Because you can’t." Sylvia slapped a hand over her mouth, shocked by her own outburst. Her face flushed as she noticed the curious stares from nearby students."You don’t have a reason?" Leo asked, growing more puzzled by the second."I do! But... I can’t te
"What are you three doing together?..." the Dean echoed, grabbing Derek by the collar. They immediately dispersed and took their assigned seats. The Dean shook his head, too tired to even nag."You have a new inmate," he said, emphasizing the word inmate so sadistically it felt like they were in some inescapable prison—as if they wouldn’t leave in the next two hours and be tortured for his entertainment. He casually shoved Derek forward and pointed to a seat."Take a seat and be quiet..." he snapped. "Taking out a book or two wouldn’t hurt either," he added taking his sat at the table right in front of the class.As he took a sip of his coffee, Anaya stared at him intently and unwaveringly. The boys noticed this and became increasingly curious. After mere seconds The Dean yawned for a moment before completely passing out.Anaya couldn’t help but feel annoyed at how long it had taken her to perform a simple spell and make the man fall asleep. She silently promised herself to get better
---"Hello," she said with a smile."Hi?" they replied, clearly unnerved by her sudden friendliness."Candy?" she asked, offering a variety of sweets in her palm."Yes, please!" Leo exclaimed, eagerly taking one. Jason followed suit, unwrapping his piece and popping it into his mouth."It's poisoned," she stated with the straightest face.Their eyes widened in panic as they stared at her."I'm kidding," she said, laughing hard. "Goodness, you two are so gullible."Leo scoffed. "That's not funny.""You have to admit, it's a little funny. You should’ve seen your faces," she added, laughing even harder.This was the first time they’d ever heard her laugh, and it was so infectious that they couldn’t help but laugh along with her. It was impossible to stay mad."Did you find anything new in the book?" Leo asked, grabbing another "poisoned" candy."Not much," she admitted. "I found a few strange codes and some vague riddles.""Like what?" Jason asked curiously.Anaya opened her mouth to exp