Twisted Wonderland 2

Temperature Rising

Azul and Riddle leave the facility. The researcher thanked them and rushed off to escape. As the boys continue further down the steps, Azul quickly gasps for air while carrying the heavy spear.

"Are you all right, Azul?" Riddle asks. "Sounds like you re out of breath."

Azul shakes his head. "Don't.. mind me. How long... do these infernal stairs go on?"

Riddle rolls his eyes. "Please, you re not fooling anyone. You've been carrying the Thunder Spear ever since we got it in sector six. And you haven't had any sleep. It's no wonder you're exhausted. Here, I'll take the spear."

Riddle takes the spear from Azul who immediately breathes a breath of relief. "You make it look so light. Showoff. Surely you're just as exhausted after taking point in all those battles."

Riddle just carries on walking. "I told you, I spend most of my time learning magic. I have ever since I was born. This is well within what I can handle."

"Spoken like a true athlete." Azul tilts his head. "How old were you when you first started training in magic, Riddle?"

"I was already receiving specialized lessons by the time l was three." Riddle answers.

"THREE?" Azul exclaims. "My goodness... You must've been quite the prodigy."

"I wouldn't say that." Riddle shakes his head. "My mother apparently went to every possible length to ensure l'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."

"If you were that good from such a young age, couldn't you have skipped several grades?" Azul's asks.

"Grade-skipping isn't really done in the Queendom of Roses." Riddle says. "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 twenty four to get a medical license in the Queendom of Roses. So I doubt my parents saw much point in me skipping a grade or two."

Azul nods. "Oh right, your parents are both medical mages. So are you going into the same field once you graduate?"

"...That was my original plan."

"Oho." Azul grins. "And now you re having second thoughts?"

"I'm... not sure. It's hard to say." Riddle runs a hand through his hair. "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 suggests. "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."

Riddle chuckles. "Why am I not surprised to hear you say that? You put your greedy fingers in every pie you can find."

Azul shrugs. "You only live once, you know. You miss out by NOT being greedy. 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."

Riddle quirks an eye. "...You and I are friends?"

"After going through all this, I wouldn't accept any other label." Azul grins. "What else would you call people who challenge each other and share their future dreams? I'm not very knowledgeable about the rules of friendship, but I thought friends would be more-"

A black glob of ink drops in front of the boys, interrupting Azul.

Riddle states at the glob on the stairs. "Something just fell down from above us..."