The trio leaves the inn, and Sarah takes Theo directly to a noble beauty salon and gets him a full treatment that involves a new medium-length haircut with the sides shaved and some subtle waves on top.
That new haircut, combined with a full but low-trimmed beard, gives him a great youthful, and masculine appearance, making both Sarah and Lorien approve vigorously. Theo is also offered a skin treatment, but his skin is already flawless, so that is not necessary.
Next, Sarah takes Theo to a large clothing store and starts choosing several luxurious suits for him to try on. Theo has no habit of wearing that kind of clothing, but since it seems important to Sarah, he wears all the ones she suggests until one makes her eyes shine more brightly.
"Perfect! It will be this one." Sarah nods several times while looking at Theo wearing a long black suit with many blood red details, such as the tie, shirt, collar, and sleeves. "Red is totally your color." She comments, and Lorien nods in agreement.
"I like it, it is more comfortable than I expected." Theo smiles while adjusting the suit on his body. "And it is not that expensive either, I can pay for it." He means with the gold coins Eruina left for him, of course.
"Good," Sarah approaches and helps Theo adjust his collar and tie, making them exchange cheerful glances and gentle smiles. "You should wear it for a while and see if it needs any adjustments before we go back. I also need to go to the women's section to buy something for myself, after all, I need to look beautiful at your side."
Theo gently holds Sarah's chin and makes her look at him. "You are always beautiful," He says in a loving tone, and Sarah smiles but steps away before he can try anything. "I will not take long." She winks at him before heading to another side of the store.
"You already seem quite intimate…" Lorien comments in a low tone while looking at Theo with bright eyes. He just smiles kindly at the boy. "Sarah is an exceptional woman in every sense, so what man would not want to be intimate with her?"
"Not all, I assure you." Lorien stands up and lets out a frustrated sigh before looking around. "I also need new clothes. Try not to get into trouble without me." As the boy prepares to leave, Theo cannot help but throw him an amused smile. "Are you going to the women's section too or the children's?"
"Ha-ha!" Lorien laughs sarcastically and shakes his head. "You are not the joking type, Big brother." He comments and then leaves, heading toward the women's section, in fact, making Theo laugh alone.
Just as Sarah said, Theo checks the suit several times to make sure the size is correct, then he enters a fitting room with a mirror to have more privacy. While he looks at the suit in the mirror, the moon pendant on his necklace starts glowing and vibrating, surprising him.
"Huh?" He pulls the pendant out from under his shirt and holds it firmly, then, even more surprisingly, he sees his reflection in the mirror change, giving space to the vision of Eruina, sitting at a small table drinking tea. "Eruina?" Theo calls her name and quickly makes a sorry expression. "Professor Eruina."
"Professor?" Eruina gives him a funny smile. "Look at you, trying to be a good student… But I prefer that you call me Mentor, and only in the future, when we formalize our relationship, of course."
"Understood… Eruina." Theo says her name in a respectful and friendly tone, making her nod at him and then take a good look at his body from top to bottom. "You look excellent in that suit, truly handsome."
"Thank you, My Lady." Theo cannot help but feel proud receiving such praise from a woman as beautiful as Eruina, yet he makes a curious expression. "But I doubt you came here just to see me in a suit, correct?"
"Yeah," Eruina continues analyzing him with a thoughtful face. "Are you well? I mean, did you feel anything different or strange this morning?" As soon as she asks, Theo becomes slightly concerned. "Something strange? I don't think so, I feel great. Actually…"
Theo makes a confused expression and explains. "Yesterday, I was surprised by my strength a few times. I thought this pendant would restrain my flames, but it may not be working so well."
When Theo starts speaking, Eruina looks curious, but in the end, she just laughs. "Do you think the pendant I crafted so carefully is inefficient?" As soon as she says that, Theo makes a sorry expression. "I did not mean-"
Eruina waves her hand and interrupts him. "It is fine, boy, I understand why you think that. But I assure you, this pendant is a treasure far more impressive than you could understand. What is happening is that your power was sealed for fourteen years, and during that time, it did not stop growing; it only remained dormant inside you."
Theo listens carefully to Eruina's words, and she continues. "The pendant is indeed preventing your flames from going out of control, but it cannot stop your power from growing, especially now that it is free. You must learn to control your new strength."
"Got it," Theo nods with a happy expression, after all, his power seems impressive. But Eruina seems concerned about something. "If that was the only thing you felt different… Perhaps it was nothing, never mind, I am keeping an eye on you."
Theo feels curious about that, but he trusts Eruina and therefore does not question her. Her expression changes from curiosity to a proud smile. "I also want to congratulate you for yesterday, you managed to surpass my expectations, which were already quite high. Knocking down a half-giant with your fists? People will never forget that fight."
"Sounds worthy of your future first apprentice, does it not?" Theo smiles confidently, and Eruina nods. "Exactly, my good boy, you are on the right path." Her gaze shifts again to something more serious. "But by drawing so much attention, you also need to be more careful."
Before he can say anything, she continues in a serious tone. "The help I can give you now is very limited, and as we agreed, you need to make your own way at first."
"Of course, My Lady." Theo nods, and then a curious gleam appears in his eyes. "I guess it was not ideal, but I thank you for the help yesterday with that quill. I mean, it was you, right?" He asks, and she nods.
"That was nothing, I only removed some unfair obstacles from your path, it did not affect our agreement." She comments gently, and Theo grows more curious. "May I ask why that professor seemed to have something against me?"
"Harold?" Eruina laughs. "That depressive old man hates everyone. But he did not have anything against you in particular, he just could see something in you that most cannot see. Something very powerful and dangerous… that is why he wanted to uncover your secrets."
Looking at it from that perspective, Theo does not think Harold was entirely wrong, but he still intends to take revenge on the man who insulted his dead parents and threatened Sarah.
Eruina can see a flame in Theo's eyes, making her reveal a cruel smile. "Harold is one of the oldest professors at the Academy. If you want revenge, it will not be easy."
"Would that be a problem for you?" Theo asks, a bit concerned, but Eruina laughs. "A problem? Did I not tell you? The plan is that it will be us against the whole fucking world. There is no way to reach the top without stepping on everyone else along the way."
"So…?" Theo looks slightly confused, and Eruina takes a sip of her tea before winking at him. "You are free to make as many enemies as you want, my dear. But since my expectations of you are high, I want something grand. Make that stupid old man regret ever looking down on you."
A cruel smile appears on Theo's lips, too. "I will not disappoint you." He says confidently, and Eruina nods. "I know. But before I let you continue doing your good work, I need to give you one more piece of advice to ease your journey in the Academy."
"I am listening," Theo makes a serious expression, and Eruina does as well. "Both Professor Harold and Vera are the least of your concerns, as well as those Dalemmar. They will create problems for you, they will try to manipulate you and even attack you directly, but that is the kind of thing you already expect from them."
Theo does not understand where Eruina is going with this, but she continues. "You see? They are the simplest type of enemy because they are predictable. They are not the most dangerous type of person you will encounter in the Academy… The ones you should truly stay alert about are people who approach you with smiles and kind words."
"Oh, I think I got it," Theo comments, and Eruina smiles, then points at her own smile. "The more someone smiles at you, the deeper their intentions may be, and most of the time, they may be dark. Doubt especially those who try the hardest to appear as your friends."
Thinking about that, Theo can't help but feel a bitter taste in his mouth. His serious look makes Eruina giggle charmingly. "Fufufu~ I know what you are thinking, boy, but in this specific case, you have nothing to fear. The girl does not wish you harm, on the contrary…"
"You know her?" Theo becomes curious, and Eruina nods. "She is almost as special as you and actually a pleasant surprise. When I saw you together, I almost reconsidered my opinions about destiny, but in the end, it just seems like a huge coincidence. And a great opportunity for you."
"Opportunity? Well, I truly enjoy her company," Theo comments with a caring expression, and Eruina smiles charmingly. "You enjoy much more than just her company." He smiles and nods, then Eruina continues. "There is nothing wrong with that; in fact, I encourage you to deepen your bond with her."
"Why?" Theo becomes slightly concerned about Eruina's mysterious intentions regarding Sarah, but she quickly explains. "As I said I would, I have already begun preparing a list of people and families possibly involved in what happened to your family. And most of the names that appear are the same names that girl hates so much."
"It means…" Theo looks surprised, and Eruina nods. "You two share many things in common. I mean, a lot of enemies. When the time comes to go after them, she will be an excellent partner for you since your goals will be aligned."
"I see." Theo now understands why Eruina mentioned his meeting with Sarah as a coincidence and also a great opportunity. Yet, he has a doubtful look on his face. "Did she know that? Was that the reason she approached me?"
"Oh, no," Eruina shakes her head. "I am sure no one here has any idea who you are; your parents seem to have ensured that you became a ghost. As for the girl, well, she noticed you because of one of her special abilities."
"Her strange sense of smell, right?" Theo laughs, remembering that. "She said she could smell the scent of my power… She meant my flames, right?" He asks, and Eruina nods again. "Exactly, she can smell the unique scent that old bloodlines carry, something extraordinary without a doubt."
"She is extraordinary," Theo comments with shining eyes, and Eruina giggles. "Are you not curious to know who she truly is?" She asks, and Theo immediately shakes his head. "If she does not end up trusting me enough to tell me herself, then I will not deserve her."
"Good, very good," Eruina lightly applauds, and Theo looks at her with a serious expression. "But we may have a disagreement in the future, after all, she also wants to be your apprentice."
"No chance," Eruina responds quickly. "She may be impressive, but she is not like you. And of course, I doubt she would be willing to make the same sacrifice you will. And is it not better that way? There can only be one apprentice of mine, and you must be the only one to assume that position."
"I agree, but you have to promise me you will not harm her," Theo says in a respectful yet firm tone, and Eruina giggles even more. "Of course, I have no reason to interfere in your romances. As I told you, your enemies will become mine just as your allies will, so I will have no reason to hurt her."
"That's good," Theo nods to Eruina, and she smiles, but then her expression turns cold again. "I will not touch that other person either, but I must warn you now, the name Caelis is near the top of our list and also on the girl's list."
Theo already expected that, which makes his expression turn thoughtful while Eruina continues speaking. "A time will come when we will have to go to their cold castles in the north, not for a social visit but to discover everything they know about what happened to your family…"
Eruina's gaze becomes even more cruel. "And when we are burning the Caelis to ashes, your friend may not enjoy the sight, right?" Eruina's words may sound harsh, but Theo does not plan to show mercy to his enemies, so his friendship with Lorien could truly end badly.
"Now I must go," Eruina says goodbye to Theo, and her image in the mirror begins to fade. In the end, she winks at him with a charming expression. "Continue the good work, and don't forget your choice during the ceremony."
Eruina disappears completely, the pendant stops glowing, and the mirror returns to normal, showing a clear reflection of Theo. He looks at himself and notices an excited smile on his face.