Chapter 2: Thoughts on the Future
'What do I want to be? It would be good if my answer can be considered "normal"...
'But alas, I'm already beyond saving am I? Hehe.'
As Leo was being amused with himself for his true feelings, he noticed he was habitually drinking more wine than he ought to.
'Not good, I should probably not indulge myself too much. At this rate, there's still a minimal chance I could end up embarrassing myself like Austin...'
Slowly putting his cup down, he decided to observe his surroundings.
His friend was already getting over the recent incident and was happily drinking along with other students around him.
Over at the next table, he saw one of his teachers, Gerald Armstrong, currently digging up some dessert. Leo smiled to see that his teacher was one of the only few people at that location.
Deciding to start another conversation to distract his thoughts, he walked over.
"Hey Mr. Gerald, you still don't seem to be following etiquette these days. Who fills most of their plate up with dessert before eating the main course?"
His teacher was a tall broad-shouldered man with closely clean shaven hair. A teacher who taught close combat with mana, he had once served in Bavalon's military and retained a habit of always sporting a set of clothing that were easy to move in. At times, you could even see a weapon strapped on him.
He often carried a serious expression with him at whatever he does, such as eating dessert.
Although being strict, he does have his funny sides.
Gerald casually turned around and looked down at one of his students. Without stopping, he continued to pile up more desserts while talking with Leo.
"Leo Ester, etiquettes are routines that restrict one's thoughts and imagination. Opening up one's mind to activities not commonly done can help improve your capabilities in combat.
"Also, please refer to me as Mr. Armstrong. Don't use my first name when we're in school."
"What's the problem?" Leo smiled, "We're not in class right now. I am safely chatting with a close acquaintance."
"There is never such a thing as being safe."
Gerald kept his eye on his plate and started eating a chocolate pudding. His pupils changed as the taste was better than he expected, though the majority of his face still remained the same as always.
"If that's the case, why are you still eating that pudding? Mr. Gerald, it could be poison! At least get a dog to sniff it."
After teasing him, Leo casually tried to take the pudding away while his teacher attempted to shrug him off. Nearby, another teacher noticed the commotion and decided to join the fun as well.
"He's right you know. At least let me try it. I have an antidote for most poisons on me right now, so I have the highest chance of survival among the three of us."
The newly joined person was Sharon Oakshield. A well-endowed woman of blond hair, she mainly teaches alchemy at Halo Academy. Known for being an eccentric person in her own right, Sharon liked to randomly mess around at school, though she still remains very professional with her subject.
Reaching her hand out, she was groping for the pudding as best as she could. Now Gerald had two people to work with.
Flinging his hands around, he was exasperated by the quick change in the situation.
'Why do you guys have to be so immature? I just want to enjoy eating!'
In the end, Gerald's dessert was ruined.
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At the end of dinner, the teachers and students left the enormous hall and walked down separate corridors. The halls had the color of hazel and was already cleaned of dust by the time people arrived.
Walking to his assigned room along with Austin, who was slightly wobbling after getting drunk, Leo finally reached his door and pressed his right hand on the handle (his other hand was being used to steady his friend). The handle immediately glowed after recognizing the person and was unlocked. After a few seconds, Austin did the same thing at the neighboring room.
Inside were the stuffs the students left behind. Of course, if students wanted to take things outside the castle and have them sent back, the school possessed enchanted ravens which they could use to send and deliver objects.
Before going in, Leo turned to his friend who was unsteadily trying to hang onto the door. Shaking his head, he decided to first help Austin settle down.
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Pah!
Leo fell back onto his bed with a thud. After taking care of his friend, he was finally able to prepare things in his own room before falling back down to sleep. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't seem to stop thinking.
Turning around in his sheets, he decided to go to his window. The dorms that were set aside for students were located closest to the outside walls. As for the teachers, they were given the castle's towers.
Opening his window, Leo decided to head out and stare at the night sky. The stars were clear for all to see.
Because his room was on one of the top floors (not counting any towers), he was able to easily climb up out of his window and ascend the castle wall. He could only do so with his body without using magic, otherwise the school would be able to detect it.
Sitting on the ledge of the wall, he gazed up at the stars to try finding any constellations he was familiar with. Suddenly, he sensed movement behind him.
"So you're in deep thought after all." A voice called out from the dark.
Turning around, Leo found his teacher Gerald standing a distance away. He was partially concealed in the shadows of the castle.
Walking toward his student, Gerald slightly smiled at the boy's alertness.
'If nothing else, at least he managed to hone his instincts from his teacher's class.'
Startled, Leo soon turned his head back. He tried to breathe steadily.
"What do you mean? Can't I look at the stars whenever I want?"
He decided to act cool. Nonetheless, Gerald wasn't fooled.
"Don't play dumb." Gerald's voice was stern, "You always have important things to think about when you sit up here."
Walking closer, Gerald also decided to sit on the ledge. A meter away from Leo, he too gazed at the stars.
"It was said that some of the stars had changed from their previous positions since the Dawn of Magic, forming a few new constellations. They supposedly represent the Heaven's wills.
"Are there any that stick out to you?"
Hesitating for a moment, Leo decided to play along. Pointing upwards, he traced his fingers to accurately find his favorite ones.
"There's Orthos with his spear next to him... also Felgrand, the White Dragon...."
In less than a minute, Leo quickly finished recounting all the ones he liked most.
Without facing his student, Gerald continued speaking.
"Yes, and they all represent some of the things young men like you often love right?
"Most of the time, people are able to grow up and decide to seek out a happy life. But you are probably one of the exceptions-"
"It's not like I also don't want to settle down." Leo interrupted him, "I like thrills as much as the next person, but I know how to hold myself back."
Though it was disrespectful to cut his teacher off, he felt like he needed to make his stance clear.
Gerald casually glanced at him. He stopped talking but he still stared. Soon, he turned his head back.
"Is that so? But you are up here now, staring at the stars of heroes. You must have a longing you can't get rid of, right?
"In a few months, you'll have to leave this school. If you don't settle on your feelings now, it'll probably never go away."
As Leo remained seated and listened to his teacher's preaching, he turned silent and kept his eyes up. However, he wasn't looking at the stars anymore. His pupils were glazed and he appeared to be lost in thought.
Gerald remained polite and decided not to disturb him. As a mentor (and a friend), it was important to give people time to sort out their feelings.
As Leo was struggling with his thoughts, his mind seemed to be split between two sides.
'Life can be either long or short. It's about what you choose. Some people live and die in the same place they were born in, yet achieved true peace. Others have explored beyond the boundaries of their homes, but they often did not fulfill their dreams.
'But it is still important to try. Otherwise, you'll never be able to truly test your limits. It is important to find out what kind of person you are.
'It's also important to stay alive and enjoy life. Why can't a person discover their true selves in their own home? Why seek unnecessary danger that may not teach you anything?
'Many people have already done that. Besides, it is all about self-worth. Find out what you're truly capable of...'
Torn between his opinions, Leo drew his attention to the figures in the sky.
'Orthos... A tall hero of great strength and endurance. He also had a choice between living a peaceful life or experiencing the more perilous path. Despite that, he persevered, and is the hero with the most accomplishments.
'He also had the most tragic death... Not even in his thirties, he was killed by both his enemies and the people he trusted.
'Mandias the Clever. He lived a long fulfilling life and died of old age. Although not the most powerful, his mind helped him survive numerous encounters. Often possessing the funniest tales, he could truly been said to have been happy.
'But he was sometimes supported by stronger allies. Not to mention, even with that, he still nearly died on a dozen occasions. He faced odds too stacked against him to get out unscathed.'
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In the distance, there was a phoenix carefully controlling the brightness of its flames.
Its head was staring at a youth and his teacher sitting on the edge of one of the castle's walls.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone