Cineraceorum - Chapter 2 Friends With Detriments

(Lana)

A smile creeps across my face as I stare at the two unconscious boys. When had Damian gotten so strong? I guess he’s been growing up while I wasn’t looking. That other kid Leone is impressive though. To go toe to toe with Damian for that long is no small task. Leone may not be a match for him magically, but it’s clear his physical abilities were on another level. It’s nice to see that he made a new friend so easily, especially considering his personality. I should be happy, but I wish he didn’t have to hurt himself for it

“Alright now that the two idiots have knocked each other out someone’s gotta take them to the infirmary. So, who wants to be a good student and help their classmates?”

I take the barrier down and look around hoping one of my students will volunteer. When no one says anything, I start to wonder if I have to force someone to do it.

“UmmI’ll go miss Lana.”

I recognize that voice, it belongs to that inquisitive girl from earlier. What was her name again?

“Ok greatI’m sorry what was your name again?”

“Oh, I’m Mika Chantile. I guess we didn’t really have time for introductions huh? Hehe.”

“Alright thank you very much Mika. Alright we have one volunteer, but you guys aren’t gonna make her go, alone are you?”

I look around but no one says anything. Maybe if I offer extra credit

“I’ll go teach.”

I turn to look at the speaker, and I recognize him almost immediately. Talion Vetala, the future head of the Vetala family, a clan of nobles who are also considered some of, if not the strongest, wind users in Valoria.

“Ok Talion thank you for volunteering. After Leone and Damian have been treated bring them back to class pronto, you hear me?”

“Yes mam.”

Talion releases two miniature cyclones which he uses to lift the two boys up, and starts carrying them in the direction of the infirmary. After walking for a couple seconds, he stops and turns around.

“Are you coming Mika?”

“Oh, yeasorry.” She replies meekly.

Well now that that’s done with, time to start class. I turn to face the rest of my students

“Alright kids come on. It’s time for us to attempt to have a somewhat normal start to the semester.”

(Damian)

All I hear is screaming and all I smell is blood. I cannot see where I am, but I know it all the same. This is where I was born, a nightmare. I open my eyes and I seemy parents? Something’s different this time, they’re just standing there staring at me. At this point they’re usually dead. Amidst my confusion the male (my father?) starts talking to me.

“It looks like you’ve finally made a friend Damian. We were starting to get worried for a while there. You’re going to need powerful allies like him for the road ahead of you.”

As he finishes speaking my vision starts to blur, almost like I’m waking up, or being forced out of this dream.

“Wait! Please tell me, who are you people? Are you my parents? And why do I keep having this dream, what is this place?”

“In time the answers will reveal themselves. Now hurry up, people are waiting on you.”

As soon as I blink, I find myself back in the real world. I’m laying down but I don’t recognize this room. I turn my head and see Leone talking to two other students I don’t recognize, a boy and a girl. Leone stops talking when he sees I’m awake and flashes a smile at me.

“Hey, Damian! You’re finally up! Look these guys were nice enough to bring us to the nurse’s office.”

“Hmm. That’s great, so where the hell is the nurse then?”

The other boy smirks at my question.

“Look he said the same thing you did, Coruscare.”

“I’m not surprised, great minds think alike right? Anyway, I told you to call me Leo, didn’t I?”

did they just forget about me?

“Sorry to interrupt, but would you mind answering my question Leo?”

“Oh yea, sorry Damian. According to these two, she fixed us up and then she had to leave.”

“Well that’s as clear as mud. Do you know why?”

“Well apparently, someone blew up the cafeteria.”

“Wha-what the hell?! Like the WHOLE cafeteria?”

“No, no not the whole cafeteria. Just a couple tables and maybe the kitchen. I think a fight broke out or something.”

“Jeez this school really is something else isn’t it? Anyway, you there, the girl, what’s your name and why are you here?”

The girl jumps a little bit like I shocked her, before answering my question.

“Oh, me? Hehe sorry, my name is Mika Chantile, it’s nice to meet you.”

“Yea it’s nice to meet you too Mika. So, I’ll ask you again, why are you here?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Well the teacher asked for volunteers and so I volunteered.”

“That’s lovely Mika, but you still haven’t said WHY you’re here. And stop saying sorry so much it’s a little bit annoying.”

“Oh, I’m sor”

SMACK!

I smack myself in the head to try and calm myself down. Its not working.

“AHHHHHH! What did I just say?”

This girl I swear. But I’d be lying if I said I was seriously irritated. If she wasn’t cute I probably would be.

“Oh, right haha. Well if I’m being honest, I saw your fight and I was kind of impressed. I’m a light user too but I’ve never seen someone use light magic like that. So, I was wonderingCOULDYOUTEACHMEHOWTODOTHATANDWILLYOUBEMYFRIEND?!”

“ACK! What the hell?! Slow down, your words are blending together.”

“Ahem. I’m sorry when I get excited I kinda just do that. I was wondering if you could teach me how to fight like that, and if possibly, you’ll be my friend?”

“Oh okay. Um sure I don’t mind helping you out or being your friend, but you know its gonna take some work before you can fight on my level right? What kind of light magic can you use anyway?”

“Oh well, I’m good at purifying things and I can heal people pretty well. Oh yeah, I’m also pretty skilled with barriers!”

“Well my next question is if you’re so good at using support magic like that, why do you want to be a fighter so badly?”

A dark look flashes across her face for a split second before her smile resurfaces. What the hell was that?

“Well you see, I just want to be useful you know? We’re all here to become better mages and I just want to be strong enough to join Valoria’s royal guard when I graduate.”

I’m not even gonna bother unpacking what’s wrong with that statement. Maybe I should just play along and offer to train her. I can probably get some answers out of her when we’re alone.

“Okay fine. Don’t make any plans today, we’ll be starting right after school, got it?”

“Yes of course! Thank you!”

“Eh don’t sweat it. Now you, what’s your name and why the hell are you here?”

The other boy looks at me like I’m the biggest idiot he’s ever seen.

“Where are your manners? It’s not polite to demand an introduction from a stranger, when you haven’t even introduced yourself.” He replies.

“You’re actually serious, aren’t you? What era are you from?”

“Please Damian? I want to hear about you too!” Mika pleads.

“Yea I’m kind of curious too Damian. You’re strong as hell, you’ve got to have an interesting story!” Leo says.

Dammit, why’d that guy put me on the spot like that? It’s not like I wanna tell everyone my life story, but with both Mika and Leo asking, I’d feel bad for saying no to them. I can’t exactly call myself a good friend if I can’t even bother to open up a little.

“Ugh, dammit finebut you’re going next Leo.”

“Wha-”

“Nope no complaints.”

What should I tell them anyway? It’s not like I even know myself that well. Screw it, they get what they get.

“Well let’s see My name’s Damian Grayscale. I’m fifteen and I specialize in Light and Void magic. My pastI don’t really know what my past is like. My memories start from when I was about eight. Our teacher, Lana, has been the one taking care of me since then. What I do know of my past comes in the form of a nightmare. The only details I have are what I assume to be the deaths of my parents and me sitting in a pool of their blood.”

I look at everyone’s somber expressions and start to feel bad. This is why I didn’t really feel like talking.

“Alright guys cut that out, I’m fine. I’m happy with the way my life is now. New school, new friends and meeting Lanaanyway come on Leo it’s your turn.”

From the look on his face, you’d think I just stabbed him. Seeing anything other than a smile on his face doesn’t look natural to me.

“My turn, huh? Well, I knew my family very well unlike you. We do share one thing though, I had the privilege of watching them die right in front of me. I came to this academy to get stronger. Once I graduate, I’ll become a commander in the royal guard, then I’ll use my connections to track down and slaughter the bastard that took my family from me. After that? Well, I’ll go home and have a nice dinner.”

What the hell, that’s seriously depressing. I get up from my bed, walk over to Leo’s, and place my hand on his shoulder.

“Don’t worry Leo, we’ll get stronger together and we’ll nail that son of a bitch alright?”

“Listen Damian I- ”

“No Leo, you listen. I haven’t known you that long and I don’t know all you’ve been through, but our fight earlier taught me all I needed to know. You’re a good man and I know in my heart of hearts we’re gonna be good friends from now on, so your problems are my problems. And don’t worry I don’t plan on interfering. When we find him, he’s all yours. Besides, you don’t really wanna have that victory dinner all by yourself do ya?”

That did the trick, his smile’s back.

“Yea you’re right, thanks Damian.”

“No problem Leo. Besides, I’ve gotta keep an eye on you. I wanna see just how strong we can get together.”

“This is really touching guys but now that the introductions are done, I think it’s time for us to get back to class now” the other boy says.

“Oh hell no you slick bastard, you’re not getting away that easily! You thought we forgot about you huh? Get a load of this guy Leo!”

“I know it’s absolutely shameful. He’s probably used to dodging personal questions all the time the asshole.”

“I know right? Screw this guy he really is a”

At that moment the boy finally blew up.

“ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT DAMMIT GET OFF ME! Ahemmy name is Talion Vetala”

Leo and I stare blankly at each other for a second before Leo finally says something. “Umis that supposed to mean something to us?”

“Yea I know right? This guy just says his name and acts like we’re supposed to understand everything. How self centered can one man be?”

I don’t know why but intentionally pissing him off is fun.

“OH MY GOD! DO YOU NOT EVEN RECOGNIZE MY NAME? I’M FROM THE NOBLE VETALA FAMILY, YOU KNOW, JUST THE STRONGEST WIND USERS IN THE CITY?”

“Dude calm down, we know your name, but who are you? Why are you here, what drives you, that sort of thing? I can’t be your friend without you telling me a little about yourself.” I reply

“Yea I feel the same” says Leo.

“Same here!” Mika exclaims.

Talion takes a deep breath, visually composing himself.

“Well, I came to this school to get stronger. I’m in line to be the next head of the family and my parents want me to get some real world experience before I become an adult. Where better to hone my skills and experience the real world than the prestigious Helix Academy? Oh, and I’m expected to get married after graduation to the woman of their choosing to carry on the bloodline and secure ties to another powerful family in the region. Don’t ask who, my parents haven’t told me who they have in mind yet and I don’t feel like asking them. I’d rather just enjoy my high school years in peace before the harsh realities of life come crashing down on my head.”

Wow that wassomething.

“So um Talion buddy? Thanks for sharing. I don’t really know what to say to that, but you do know that this is your life to live right? If you don’t want the path they’ve set for you, you don’t have to follow it.”

“It’s not that I don’t want this life. If I had to put it into words, I just feel that as future head of the family shouldn’t it be up to me where I go, what I do and who I marry? I just feel as if my parents still see me as some naive child who needs sheltering, and hopefully by the time I graduate I can show them I’m a man capable of leading not following.”

“Hey Talion, I’m with ya man. We’ll get stronger and when we graduate let’s shatter these family traditions of yours, but to be fair, if the girl they want you to marry is hot is it really all that bad?” Leo adds.

“OF COURSE IT’S BAD! I want to you know, love the woman I’m gonna spend the rest of my life with.”

“PFFFFFFFFTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!”

Unable to hold it in, I start to laugh uncontrollably.

“HAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHA! Oh man, I thought you were just weird and secretive but you’re not a bad guy after all. I’m with Leo, Talion we’ll help you with your family situation after we graduate. Welcome to the crew you’re stuck with us now!”

Now everyone’s laughing, even the somewhat reserved Talion. After calming down Talion starts to speak again.

“Alright guys we’ve had enough fun for now, let’s go back to class before Lana freaks out on us.”

“Oh, that’s right! We still have to attend class haha.” Mika says.

Aw dammit, it HAS been a while. I can already hear her screaming “YOU’RE LATE IDIOTS, SIT YOUR ASSES DOWN!” or something like that.

“Alright guys Talion’s right let’s get a move on.”

As we’re walking down the linoleum floors of the hallway, I think back on the dream I had earlier. Those two were acting differently, they’ve never talked to me before. And of course their message had to be something ominous. If that dream was serious, this school year isn’t gonna be as easy as I hoped, and I’m gonna need my newfound friends if I plan on surviving it. I’m also gonna need to train harder, I’ve never had someone challenge me like that. Every school I went to before, I was always the strongest student, but it looks like that’s not the case anymore. Maybe I can work some extra training in when I’m done working with Mika. Once again I find myself in front of Class 1-A. I have to get stronger not only for myself, but my newfound friends too. They each have their own issues to work through, but I’ll be damned if I let them go through it alone. And for some inexplicable reasonI know they feel the same way.