"What exactly do you mean by 'fun'?"
"Tell me, Lawrence, what do you think the king of Elarion does over this country?"
"Keeping the peace or whatever crap it is."
"True, but how?"
"Where are you going about this?"
"I'll say this in the simplest way I can. This world is filled with individuals who can control magic within the elements with just a mere flick of a finger; others can control magic outside of them, like yourself and your son. But there are also those who hold even greater power, power that can level countries if they so wish to. My job isn't to handle such power, but to observe. Because right now, a new generation of mages is upon us, where even I couldn't measure up to."
"Then why take an interest in my son? I understand that our magic isn't exactly the norm, but still, there's something else you know."
"He doesn't know of his lineage as of yet; let him know before it's too late…"
Lawrence looked at Augustus, baffled at what he said, and asked,
"Too late before what?"
"If I tell anyone what happens, it won't happen."
Lawrence began to shout out his concerns in irritation,
"JUST TALK DAMN IT!"
Imperial guards heard the loud yelling and ran up to Augustus' room, knocked on the door to check the situation,
"Your majesty, is everything alright in there?"
Augustus glanced at Lawrence's frustrated expression and asked him,
"Is everything alright in here, Lawrence?"
He then calmed down and took a deep breath.
Afterwards, Augustus responded to the guards' concerns and sent them back.
"It's getting late, Lawrence. How about you go see how your son is doing? I'm sure there are a lot of questions he wishes to be answered."
"I have one last question."
"What is it?"
"What magic can you control?"
Augustus stared at Lawrence before bursting out in laughter.
"The hell is so funny?!"
"I'm sorry, please forgive me(laughs) because it sounded like you wanted to fight me."
"(angry) Fight you?"
His laughter started to settle down.
"It's just that when people ask me that, I just assume it's a threat or a challenge."
"You were laughing because you thought I was threatening you?"
"I laughed because I was imagining a fight between us."
"Do you think you can win?"
The room went silent with malice filling the air.
"I don't see how I'd lose."
Their gazes fixated on each other as they both restrained their mana from exploding out.
Augustus broke the silence by asking Lawrence to leave.
Dawn broke as Nathan woke up to a new day. He willingly got out of bed and washed up without being told to, and afterwards went downstairs to his mother.
"Good morning mom."
His mother turned in shock to see her son already prepared for the day and shed a tear.
"Wow, it's…it's a miracle."
"(sarcastically) Thank you for a fresh cup of irony, mother."
"(chuckles) Don't be like that, I was just toying with you. Anyway, how are you feeling?"
"Don't know to be honest. I don't feel happy, angry, or even sad about it. (sits down) Is there something wrong with me?"
She then comforts Nathan after hearing him out.
"No- no sweetie, there's nothing wrong with you. It's something you'd just have to get used to, I'm sure you'd be fine as time goes on."
"But how are you feeling, since you know, the biological father is around?"
"I'm surprised, that's all. Can't believe you thought I would even be with a man like that."
"(chuckles) Yeah… I knew I was adopted, but after what I heard yesterday, I couldn't believe it."
She then softly smooshes his face and looks at him in conviction,
"You are my son. No matter what anyone says, you will always be my son."
"I know."
She let go of him and stretched her back to get ready for the bakery's opening.
"Are you going to help me out today?"
"(groans) Should've stayed in bed…"
As he got up from the chair, a transmission came up from his ear. He heard a woman's voice.
"Hello, Mr. Valen."
"Hello, who is this?"
"I am calling from Stellanova Academy regarding your suspension. As of today, your suspension has been lifted."
"(shocked) I'm sorry, but may I ask why such a sudden change?"
"I'm afraid I can't disclose that under instructions I was given by my superior."
"I understand. So does that mean I can come tomorrow?"
"You can come today if it's alright with you."
"Okay, thank you for the call."
"No problem. Goodbye."
*transmission ended.
His mother overheard his conversation and eagerly asked Nathan what had happened. And so, he told her everything and that he is no longer suspended.
Overjoyed at hearing the news, she asked him when he was going back, and just before he could answer, the sound of a customer entered.
"Today sounds really great."