After leaving the facility, the three boys continue walking down stairs. The three have been walking down for sometime, and are starting to get tired. Azul takes deep breaths at each step and is feeling exhausted.
Riddle turns to Azul, "Are you all right, Azul? Sounds like you're out of breath."
"Don't... mind me..." Azul answers, feeling out of breath, "How long... does these infernal stairs... go on?"
"Please, you're not fooling anyone," Riddle says. "You've been carrying the Thunder Spear ever since we got in sector six. Even with Tanzania's help."
"And you haven't had any sleep. It's no wonder you're exhausted," Tanzanite says.
Riddle agrees and says, "Here, I'll take the Spear." And then casts his magic, "...Hrgh!"
With that, Riddle begins to carry the Thunder Spear with his magic, on his own.
"Phew... You made it look so light," Azul says, still tired, "Showoff."
He then says, "Surely you're just as exhausted after taking point in all those battles."
"I told you, I spend most of my life learning magic. I have ever since I was born," Riddle points out. "This is well within what I can handle."
"Spoken like a true athlete... How old were you when you first started training in magic, Riddle?" Azul questions.
"I was already receiving specialized lessons by the time I was three," Riddle answers.
"THREE?" Azul and Tanzanite say in shock.
"My goodness... You must have been quite the prodigy," Azul adds in shock.
However, Riddle says, "...I wouldn't say that. My mother apparently went to every possible length to ensure I'd be an exceptional mage, starting from when I was in the womb. I can't be certain if I had any special talent to begin with."
Then Azul asks, "If you were that good from such a young age, couldn't you have skipped several grades?"
"Grade-skipping isn't really done in the Queendom of Roses," Riddle answers, "I went to a private school before enrolling in Night Raven College... And they didn't allow it either. Besides, you have to be at least 24 to get a medical license in the Queendom of Roses. So I doubt my parents saw much point in me skilling a grade or two."
"Oh right, your parents are both medical mages. So are you going into the same field once you graduate?" Azul responds.
"... That was my original plan," Riddle says.
That piques Azul's interest, "Oho. And now you're having second thoughts?"
"I'm... not sure. It's hard to say," Riddle says. "Ever since I became housewarden, I've developed an interest in the law."
"Then why not just get licensed in every field that interests you?" Azul asks.
"Ever one?!" Riddle questions, flabbergasted.
Azul says, "With your talent, you could excel in any field you wanted. It would be a waste to settle for just one. You could easily be a doctor, a judge, a lawyer... even a magic marshal or part of the Arcane Response Unit."
"That's a bit much for one person to handle," Tanzanite points out.
Riddle chuckles, "Heh... haha. Why am I not surprised to hear you say that? You put your greedy fingers in every pie you can find."
"You only live once, you know. You miss out by NOT being greedy," Azul says, "For my part, I don't plan to content myself with just food service. I'll be trying my hand at many different industries. And it would be extremely convenient - ah, I mean, reassuring - to have a very-licensed friend whom I could call on in a pinch. Heh."
"...You and I are friends?" Riddle questions with a somewhat straight expression.
"After going through all this, I wouldn't accept any other label. What else would you call people who challenge each other and share their future dreams?" Azul adds.
Tanzanite softly says to himself, "Future dreams... huh?"
Then Riddle says, "I'm not very knowledgeable about the rules of friendship, but I thought friends would be more-"
Suddenly, they hear splattering sounds.
"Hm? Something just fell down from above us..." Riddle says.
Azul looks up, "... KEEP GOING!"
Azul suddenly kicks Riddle with his leg., causing him to stumble and almost fall down the stairs. Azul quickly uses his hands to grab Riddle's wrist and Tanznantie's wrist. Then they all run down the stairs. Tanzanite turns back to see what begins to chase them,
"A Phantom?!" Tanzanite panics.
YOU ARE READING
Twisted Wonderland Book 6: The Watchman of the Underworld
FanfictionAfter Grim attacked Briar after the SDC, she and her friends search for him, but captured by Ortho. A few days later, the school has been invaded by strong people is armor, and has captured, Riddle, Leona, Azul, Jamil, Vil, and Briar, and has Grim i...
