Elemental Knights

Chapter9: Rage Fueled Choices

It was a month after the death of Keith's mom. The academy that Clarissa had enrolled Keith into had accepted him and were going to send him the school uniform. However, Keith couldn't shake the taunting voice that constantly told him that they only accepted him out of pity. Keith gave a low growl. He was currently training with Aiden using wooden swords. He had refused to take a break and instead was hell bent on pushing himself. Something which worried Aiden.

Keith charged at Aiden, leaping into the air and swinging his sword at Aiden's head. Aiden parried the blow before blocking another series of attacks from Keith, each one being completely blocked, parried or dodged. Keith's fury grew each time he made an unsuccessful attack until he raised the sword and leaped into the air to hit Aiden. Aiden saw the attack coming and sighed. With a pitiful look on his face, tendrils of blue lightning coiled around Aiden's limbs is he dashed behind Keith so fast that Keith couldn't keep up. He kicked Keith's legs forcing him to trip and fall.

"That's enough," said Aiden as he began walking away.

"Keith looked at Aiden angrily. "I thought you said no elemental energy?!", yelled Keith.

"I did".

"So what was that?!", asked Keith slamming his fist into the floor.

Aiden looked at Keith annoyed. "That, that temper of yours, that's the problem", said Aiden angrily. Keith opened his mouth to argue, but closed it back. Despite how he felt he knew Aiden was right. Aiden sighed and said, "let's take a break, your uniform is meant to arrive today."

Keith and Aiden went inside and met Derek and Kaitlin about to eat and joined them. After eating, Keith and Kaitlin took a walk around the mansion with Kaitlin doing most of the talking, reminding Keith of their childhood times. She had been doing this since his mother's death, trying to keep him anchored, and sane. Keith hadn't replied to her at first, but she kept on pushing, reminding him of the old days until he slowly started talking back, joking with her about their memories, until he mentioned his mother. She still remembered how he had gone quiet, trying to change the subject while keeping his back to her. She knew what he was doing when his breathing became shaky. He refused to cry, trying to hold in the tears until Kaitlin hugged him from behind, and the thin wall he had built up around himself crumbled leaving behind a boy who had lost his mother. They had knelt down in the hall for only the Titans knew how long, some maids had come and seen them both, but none dared to ask for even those in the lowest of ranks would know what was wrong. Aiden came later and saw them and had instantly gone to hug Keith. After that, Keith had become more chatty, but the emotions he displayed at times told her that he still hasn't moved on completely and was trying to fulfill the promise he made on her grave. As she and talked about various things, their conversation shifted to the academy.

"Notus Academy", said Kaitlin, oblivious to the frown on his face. "The most prestigious quadra- elemental school in the Notus empire. They say the school is directed and funded by the empress herself. It's the reason why the school is always up to date on the latest spells and methods of teaching. Heck, even the professors are considered as elite", said Kaitlin, before noticing the expression on Keith's face. Her eyes widened. "Keith, is there something wrong?", she asked.

Keith looked at her for a moment before giving an audible sigh. "Why do you think they accepted me?" He asked, "a mere fox flame spirit got accepted into the most prestigious academy, why?".

Kaitlin opened her mouth to answer, but no words came out causing Keith to chuckle.

"They obviously did it out of pity", he said. "No they didn't", said Kaitlin. "Of course they did", said Keith his voice coming out sharp. "'The boy just lost his mother, oh let's pity him, let him in, after all his step-father is also an Elemental Knight so if we don't we'll look bad', that's obviously what they said", said Keith mimicking the owners of the school. "Cause there is no way they would let me in, be glad that they let you in for being a Salamander- flame spirit".