(A/N Big thanks to everyone for the Power stones and Golden tickets, they mean a lot. As usual, please don't hesitate to comment or drop a review. ENJOY)
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"I'm just that good," He said with a gloating expression while panting.
"No, you're not," Iris said plainly, wiping the expression off his face.
"But I'm not going to bother you about that. When you're ready, you'll spill. For now, I'm off." She said before getting up and walking away.
'She's scared, ' Orion thought.
[And she's right to be,]
'I guess,' he thought.
"Alright, let's get showered," he muttered, sniffing his body.
Later at night, after dinner, Orion could be found in front of his parents' room.
Knock..knock..
"Is something wrong, Orion?" Aurora's voice sounded from inside.
"No, I was hoping to speak to you and father", Orion said through the door.
"Come in", Aurora said.
He walked in to find his parents seated on a couch, both with a book in hand.
His gaze lingered over them both.
"You're staring at us as though, fascinated. " Erevan said with a chuckle.
"Not really, just struck by how generic this setting is," Orion said with a smile.
"You don't have to sugarcoat, saying boring is fine," Aurora said with an eyeroll.
Orion just laughed.
"Something on your mind?" Erevan asked.
"Yes, actually, a lot," Orion admitted.
"Go on," Erevan said, pointing to a seat opposite them.
"Well, I was planning on bringing it up at dinner, but I changed my mind. I'm kind of dumbfounded by how underwhelming and unremarkable the prospect of me going to the academy has been." Orion said.
"It's like the excitement is just absent, and trust me, the excitement is in me, just not outside me."
"No offence, but I've grown bored of this mansion. I want to meet more people and relate and do all sorts of things, and the academy is my only prospect of doing that."
"So I'm curious what it's going to be like, but nobody even talks about it, Aunt Iris is Aunt Iris, and you guys just mention a few things when I bring it up. I'm not even sure when exactly I'm supposed to resume."
"Everybody's just chill about it, and while I understand that it might not be as important for you guys as it is for me. I'd love to hear more about it." Orion finished.
[You sound like an attention-seeking child.]
'Oh, shut it, ' Orion thought.
Erevan and Aurora were visibly stunned at first.
"Firstly, sweetie, nothing that is important to you is irrelevant to us. I had no idea you were this concerned about the academy. And as for us not talking much about it, well, there really isn't much to talk about; getting to experience it first hand is much better." Aurora said.
"So, there's no information to give", Orion asked again.
"Non", Aurora replied.
"This whole sob story just to gain info, you're getting desperate." Erevan chuckled.
"Well, I'm desperate but mostly bored," Orion admitted.
"I'd say you aren't training enough, but anymore and I'd be concerned about sending you there", Erevan said.
"You are not deceiving anyone. The last thing I'd expect is to breeze through. I'm sure you've set your obstacles down already, but no matter." Orion said with a smile.
Erevan just smiled back.
"You still haven't told me when exactly I'm going", Orion said.
"In a week," Erevan replied.
"When were you going to tell me?" Orion asked, with a raised brow.
"Tomorrow," Erevan replied.
"Alright, I'll be sure to prepare. Good night." Orion said, getting up.
He stopped when he got to the door.
"Almost forgot, when is Lyri going to be back?" Orion asked.
"Oh, not for the foreseeable future, she's busy," Erevan said with a smile.
"Secret?" Orion asked.
"Yes", Erevan replied.
"Alright, goodnight," Orion said with a sigh before walking out.
"Goodnight," Aurora replied.
A week soon passed with Orion making his last-minute preparations, which were mostly just sparring with Iris.
The day before his departure, Orion and Iris could be seen on the field, both panting. After their spar with only swords, they'd continued as they both enjoyed it, and Iris claimed that was the only area he could put up a challenge.
"Are you sure you aren't going to miss me after I leave?" Orion asked.
"For the last time, Orion, no, I am not", Iris replied, frustrated.
"Oh, you definitely are, you just can't tell yet," Orion said with a small smirk.
"I'm leaving immediately you're gone," she said.
"Seriously?" He asked, sceptical.
"Yes, I have other responsibilities," she said.
"You make it sound like I'm a responsibility", Orion scoffed.
"Yes, you are. I was basically hired to tutor you." She replied with a sigh.
"Yeah, right, like you didn't do it cause you lacked friends." Orion laughed.
"I'm not starting this argument with you, Orion," she said, walking away.
"Just know, in case anybody asks, you now officially have a friend!!" Orion shouted after her.
[Are you okay]
'I'm perfectly fine, ' Orion replied, surprised by the system's random text.
[You have been acting strange]
'Look who's talking, did you seriously just ask me if I'm okay?' Orion thought with a chuckle.
[You've been talking a lot the past few days]
'Again, check yourself system. Wait, did you have an upgrade that I don't know about? You're speaking weirdly.' Orion said, noticing the change.
[If such were to happen and you do not notice, I believe you'd need an update]
'Ok, yes, you've definitely changed, spill'
[I'm learning, I guess]
'You guess! Are you sure you don't have some kind of virus? And what do you mean you are learning? I think speaking stuck up fits you far better' Orion said with a chuckle.
[If you wish for me to revert, you simply have to say so]
'No, just kidding. You seem to be speaking a lot more now, maybe I'd be able to get more quests'
[Very well,]
Orion stood up, walking away. Tomorrow, he was finally going to leave this mansion after four years.