The Fifth Season

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: I'LL MISS YOU

SNOH

             "Let me just read it one last time!" Koia cleared her throat dramatically, raising the paper up against her beaming face, blocking it from view before reciting the acceptance letter for what seemed like the hundredth time. "Congratulations Snoh Epona Encre on your acceptance into Clouiths Mystical Academy... we are truly pleased to support you in your journey of educational enhancement in the magical arts. We hope the next eight isos will grow you in many ways that shape the kind of elementist you choose to be. Once again, welcome to the class of Crescent Duzan!" Koia finished reading the acceptance letter with a proud smile on her face.

             "Are you finished?" I asked her, a small smirk playing against the corner of my lips.

           She nodded slowly and set the letter on the floor behind us, "I believe it is appropriate now to celebrate with the snacks you brought me." Koia gestured with her fingers to hand over whatever I had brought over with me. I sighed deeply knowing she was going to ask for this soon enough, but I had spent nearly an hour explaining to her the trip to the Empress's palace, Lulu leaving, the strange occurrences happening to me, and of course the recruitment center incident.

            When I was finally able to leave that building with my acceptance letter, everything felt quite surreal; I was oddly calm, not like I had imagined myself isos ago reacting to being able to attend a mystical academy. I assume I was still under the impression that this was all just a fabrication in my mind, something I had made up in order to compensate for my lack of power all these isos, but it was really happening.

              I was going to be a student at Clouiths!

              And not only that, but the Empress herself was sponsoring my education there! So many things were happening to me in a short period of time, it was great that I was able to still come back to this riverbank and just let it all out in front of Koia. There was no judgment between her and me, just pleasantries and plenty of snacks that she could eat.

              I handed my dear friend the cakes, cookies, and sweet rolls that I had managed to grab after my shift at the Corner Leaf had been completed. A lot of my co-workers had wondered where I had been and I thought it was best not to give them too many details concerning my whereabouts. I still had to talk to my mothers now that I had an acceptance and then about the Empress preparing for my departure, I wasn't going to have a lot of time here in Wegrea before I headed down to Oaocene since the school quarter had already begun.

               My time here was going to be cut short, perhaps several more days before it would be fit for me to leave. Just enough time to gather all that I could so I begin my education promptly.

              I still had so much to thank Empress Aquila before I left, but I knew the best way to thank her was to do well at the academy. Though I couldn't help but feel a bit of guilt as I thought of having to leave my best friend here while I went off and chased a life-long dream.

            "What?" Koia asked through a mouthful of frosted cake, I chuckled lightly as I noticed there was some frosting littered around her iridescent-colored lips. I pulled out a cloth and handed it to her, "You have frosting all over your face." I informed her.

           She took the cloth from me but waved her hand with it, "Thanks fine! I'll just lick it all off." She said nonchalantly. I shook my head, Koia and her sweet tooth would be the death of me, there was nothing she loved more than the taste of an incredibly tasty treat that was for sure.

           "Are you going to miss me?" I found myself asking her.

            Koia paused from forking at her cake, "Of course I am! I'm stuffing my face with cake to keep from crying because I won't have my friend to bring me treats anymore." She whined.