Dark Reincarnation: Nightshade

Chapter 48

                       Alice's POV

              "Rose. I'm home!" I called out while walking through the front door after popping up seemingly out of nowhere in the front yard.

             "Mom!."

                   "Auntie Rose!."

    Hearing two sets of feet running through the house, I dropped my jacket and braced for the inevitable impact. Right on cue, I was hit by a couple of freight trains. Two very quick, over excited and very cute freight trains.

     Thankfully, I've gotten used to this kind of thing happening whenever I get back from a job. Time almost slowed to a crawl as they made impact. I took the first head on with my right arm and using her momentum swing her into the air. With time still crawling I then turned and caught the other while also swinging her into the air.

     As everything sped back up the two giggling preteens landed on the couch right next to each other.

            "Is that how you must greet me when I come home? You're in for it now!"

    Hopping onto the couch after them, I started to torcher the little gremlins. I went right for the weak spot, tickling them until they rolled off the couch and ran away.

      Getting up with a laugh and pulling my hair out of my face, I walked over to the kitchen to grab a quick bite. I could still hear Rose and her friend Cici giggling from Rose's room.

      Despite everything that had happened Cici has remained Rose's friend and the two have grown quite close. They're practically sisters. It's indescribable how it feels to see Rose so happy and carefree. I just know that I'm thankful that I have been able to make things work.

       She's already grown into a nice, mature and very responsible young lady. But the other night I had overheard her and Cici talking about wanting to attend an academy once they were old enough. At first I kinda panicked a little.

       My experience with magical academies was nothing less then traumatizing and terrorizing. Hell, I still sometimes had nightmares about the hell I went through. I will never allow Rose to have to live through any of that.

      But then I realized I was in a bind when I heard how excited they seemed about it. I felt like I'd break her heart if I told her she wasn't allowed to go. So steeling my resolve, I decided to look more into the academies hoping to find a legit place, not some crazy hellhole.

      I'll have to go look into this Fresia Magic Institute that the king mentioned. I'll head over there tomorrow and see what it's about. Thankfully I have my Lie Detector skill now so I'll know if anyone is lying. I have a long list of questions for the headmaster and teachers.

     Unless I can say myself that it'll be ok, I refuse to let Rose even close to the place. We may be on a different continent but that doesn't mean shit. I seriously doubt that the beast kingdom is all sunshine and rainbows.