Scales

After The Trial

Not being accpeted in Gedonelune was the reason everything started. She didn't even care about trying again. She had trained so hard, day and night, with someone who now, she thought, loathed her. There was no use, she would never be worthy. All of the hope she had gathered in her heart this whole time vanished when the Scale of Judgement went left.

As she walked to the dorm for one last time, the headmaster's words echoed in the back of her head. "You must never forget not to delve in the arts of dark magic." It was true that dark magic was no good. It only causes misery to whoever gets involved in it. "No, I will never indulge in it. I'm destined to better things. I came here with a purpose..." But now...how would she fulfill her dreams?

Suddenly, she remembered Klaus, and her heart warmed up. The memories, the moments they spent together, and the feelings she had for him made her feel that it was all worth it. However, she knew he would be mad at her, and trying to explain herself would only make it worse. But what she didn't want to see was, actually, the disappointment in his eyes. This was a chance for him to prepare for his teaching years, and now she had screwed it all up. So she decided to go before Klaus found out.

She picked up her things and said goodbye to Amelia, the one true friend she had had in that place, and ran away as soon as she could.

The road back home was full of held back tears, hollowness and flashbacks. She thought about Azusa, she thought about Serge, she thought about everything she had learned. And she thought of Klaus. He popped in the back of her mind a billion times, and a billion times she stopped herself from crying her heart out. She would miss him badly, every day, every night, until the very end.

"You must never forget not to delve in the arts of dark magic"

Again, Randolph's voice. She wasn't interested in dark magic. It wouldn't change anything, it wouldn't make Klaus go after her.

"You must never forget not to delve in the arts of dark magic"

But these feelings that were dwelling in her heart...hate, resentment, desire for revenge, desire to show everyone who had underestimated her power...she tried to brush them off. They were normal, she said to herself. Rejection was never easy to handle at first, she would get over it...right?

But the days went by, the seasons changed many times, and yet she never found peace. The darkness in her heart grew stronger each day, fed by the bitterness of Klaus' absence. So she left her village once again. But this time, she would never go back.

He woke up that morning with a bad feeling. He tried to calm himself, recalling all the time they had spent together practicing magic. He had taught her many things, which she had learned. Hence, he didn't worry any longer and carried on with his duties.

Until he bumped into Headmaster Randolph.

"She didn't make it, Klaus. I'm terribly sorry."

He straightened up. He wouldn't allow himself to show tears. He nodded, as if she were just another one of the many rejected students he had come across. But she wasn't. Oh Lord, she wasn't.

He forgot his duties for once in his life and ran, not caring about the countless stares he received as he crossed the campus. Screw them. What did they know.

He stormed into the girls' dorms. She must still be there, waiting for him, he thought, as he knocked ferociously on her door, only to be greeted by Amelia's melancholic eyes. Then he knew. He felt his heart sinking.

"She thought it would be better off this way."

He couldn't believe Amelia's words. Why on Earth would she think that way? He loved her. They were together. He was furious now. But he would not forget her, ever.

He thought about her every single day. He wanted to go after her, grab her back and never let go. He wanted to yell at her, he wanted to demand an explanation for her actions, and even though Klaus would never forgive her for going off on her own like that, she still was all he wanted. But he resolved she needed time to think. He tried to put himself in her place. If it was him, he wouldn't want to go around giving explanations.

A few weeks passed, and he started to worry. Klaus was sure she would at least write to him. But every morning he would wake up only to find mail from his family. He would go to the Headmaster's office every day, asking him to send her another acceptance letter, but Randolph would always tell him that it was not the right time yet.

"I'm sure she has a lot of potential. I saw it myself."

"Klaus" The Headmaster looked at him in the eyes. "It is not my choice. I know she can do amazing things. But that is not up to me. If it was, she would still be here, believe me. Now let's talk about you."

"Me? What about me?"

"Well you see, I heard she became your buddy. Am I wrong?"

Klaus tensed. The whole academy knew.

"Yes, sir."

"But may I ask, Klaus, and forgive me for being so invasive, but...she means a lot more to you...doesn't she?"

"...No. She is just another trial student. She got rejected. She means nothing to me now."

"Then why do you come to me every day insisting to bring her back?"

Klaus swallowed. Now he had no argument.

"She...I just think she could develop an acceptable ability if taught right. My feelings for her have nothing to do."

Randolph smirked. There was no use trying to fight him back.

"Very well, Klaus. However, the teachers and I have noticed changes in your attitude since she left."

"A...change?"

"Yes" Randolph said, his voice becoming serious. "We noticed you became a lot more light-headed, as if there was something troubling you. I'll just remind you that you are allowed to get out of the academy if that's what you need."

Klaus didn't like a single bit of what he was hearing. It was the first time in his life the Headmaster said something like that. He felt the rage building up in his chest and hurried to get out of the Headmaster's office. Still, he followed his advice.

That weekend, Klaus took a train to Liz's village. He recalled the day he was asked to escort her to the academy, when he waited for hours for her to show up. He was so mad then, but now that fury turned into desperation.

After getting off the train, he looked around. It was a small village, but warming at the same time, like those fairy tales towns. Klaus walked for some time and finally got to Liz's door. Before he could knock on the door, an old lady approached him.

"Hi young man, are you looking for someone?"

"Yes," Klaus responded "Liz Hart. She lives here. Is she not home?"

"Oh, no dear. She left some time ago to Gedonelune Academy."

Klaus petrified. That woman must be mistaken.

"I'm sorry, but she was not accepted there."

"Oh I know, she came back and said she didn't pass the trials, but she could be called again anytime. And she went away without saying a word a few weeks ago, so she must be there."

Klaus looked through the window. The lights were off, her stuff seemed to have not been moved in a while, and some dusty things could be seen. It was obvious she didn't leave there anymore, but it was impossible for her to be in Gedonelune without anyone knowing. He realised she was missing.

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