Magica Academy

10 Forgiveness

"And...that's what happened." Noel finished.

"Questioning your leader's authority because he didn't refuse a challenge..." Professor Cosmos summarized. "And it has caused this tension between you two."

"You're not mad, are you?"

She pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. "As much as I want to be mad Mr. Maddox, I can't bring myself to scold you."

"Why?"

"Hmm..." She was deep in thought.

Noel looked at her in concern. "Professor?"

Professor Cosmos slowly opened her drawer. "Just call me Elise, since we're alone."

"O-oh." He shifted in his seat. "Okay. Then you'll just call me Noel?"

"Yes."

Then she reached in, brought out a photograph, then placed it on the desk.

"Take a look." She said softly.

What Noel saw was a younger Professor Cosmos. Her hair was somewhat unkempt, and reached her shoulders. She wore a pair of black frame glasses, which she pushed up with one hand, and had a somewhat shy expression. In her other arm was a black book.

"That's you?" He asked in surprise.

Professor Cosmos laughed in embarrassment. "I used to be...untidy back then. Just go on."

Upon seeing another girl in the picture, he was even more amazed. There was no mistaking the petite frame, bushy gold hair, and joyful expression. It was Professor Cresswell bending over and winking at the camera.

"You and Professor Cresswell were friends?" He asked.

"The best of friends." Professor Cosmos confirmed with a nod. "As you can see, we were on the same squad." She sighed sadly. "And our leader..."

He looked at the young man in the between the two girls. His hair was a darker blonde color, and was swept to the right, and there were stray curls among the neatly combed hair. He grinned mischievously at the camera, and had his hands in his pockets.

"Who is he?" Noel couldn't help but stare at the man.

"That's...Henry...Henry Bishop." The Professor said sadly. "Together, we formed our own Squad Virgo. Those days...were some of the happiest in my life."

"What happened?"

"Time passes Noel, and when that happens...friendships can be worn away. You'll be lucky to stay close with your friends when you graduate, as Stella and I have."

"But..." He looked up at her. "What about Henry?"

"He's...a Rouge now."

Professor Cosmos sat up and paced around the desk.

"It was so many years ago...when we found out what he was doing behind our backs, Stella and I were devastated. We confronted him, tried to reason with him...but he refused to listen. I had not seen him for years after that."

"Elise..." Noel looked at her with sympathy.

She turned to him. "Noel, from this first day...you reminded me of myself when I was younger. Your knowledge and practicality has such potential...but it's also what keeps you from being the most effective leader."

"W-what?"

...

"Do you know why you were made leader of Squad Sagittarius?" Professor Dyke asked.