The Fair wife

Chapter 6

Ciel cut into the strawberry cake using the delicate silver fork. Across from him sat his older brother Duke who was distractedly watching outside through the window of the campus café they occupied. His brother had slowly changed over the years—becoming slightly more matured in appearance. His limbs had started to become longer and his jaw lost the baby fat that had stubbornly clung to his face. His voice had even deepened to a lowered timber.

Ciel finally sighed as he placed down the fork and picked up his tea cup, taking a long sip and considering what to say to break the silence.

"What's wrong Duke?" Ciel finally asked as his cup clinked onto the saucer.

Duke chewed his bottom lip, his fingers tapping on the table.

"If this is about the attacks..." he said and Duke shook his head before he reluctantly nodded in agreement.

"There's been some rumours" Duke whispered whilst leaning closer. "Some students have apparently 'disappeared'"

Ciel frowned in confusion. "Disappeared? Weren't they just attacked?"

His older brother shrugged. "That's what I thought at first. But then four students from the grades above us suddenly never returned"

"Maybe they just went back home to rest?"

Duke pursed his lips. "One of the disappeared students was one of my friends cousin. Apparently his mother had to leave and comfort her distraught sister in the country"

Ciel's mouth popped into a surprised 'o'. They sat in heavy silence and Ciel stared into the clear depths on his tea. "What do you think they want" he murmured. Duke shrugged before he resolutely looked into his younger brother's eyes.

"Listen Ciel" he said. "Its not safe anymore. Something's going to happen and I just want you to be prepared"

Ciel nodded his head as he smiled at his brother gently. After a while Duke slapped his own cheeks and grinned as his brother.

"How about I show you the new spell I learnt?"

"Sure" Ciel laughed before he savoured the last of his tea and got up, following his brother outside. It was one of those rare sunny days and the bright light streaked down from the sky and brightened the grass and surroundings. A mild wind teased them as they made their way down the cobbled paths towards one of the training buildings. There were multiple buildings such as these around the institute with seven floors for each grade and VIP rooms for students that had earned them through special merits.

Duke led his brother towards the third level and selected a random room. The walls inside was padded with special material that was meant to withstand great stress and on the opposite wall were three targets. Within was also a medium oak chest filled with wooden swords of different sizes that each student could use to practice their sword play.

Ciel went to stand within a yellow circle drawn in the corner closest to the door. A white light rippled around him as a field of faint blue rose up in a dome. After Duke made sure his brother was safe he went to stand in the middle of the room and shut his eyes in deep concentration.

"Arise power from within. I plead with you to strike down my enemies that destroy the obstacle between me and my goal". Ciel watched as a bright light began to build in Dukes palm which he extended out in front of him. The air buzzed as small heat waves arose and wavered, distorting the air. Then with loud shout the light streaked out and struck, a loud boom similar to thunder echoing.

When Ciel blinked the light from his eyes he saw that the edges of the dummy had been burnt. Duke started to shyly laugh as he rubbed the back of his head. "I still need to work on my aim" he wryly muttered.

Ciel grinned at his brother as he walked out of the safe circle and walked towards his brother.

"You did great" he said. "I can't wait to learn something like that"

Duke hummed as he rubbed his sore hand on his robes. "But you might lean more towards the healing arts instead of battle magic" Duke pointed out gently. "It's something you cover later though"

"I read about that" Ciel crossed his arms as he tilted his head to the side. "They didn't really explain what caused it but hypothesised it was something to do with personality, family background and the feel of your magic". Ciel found it fascinating that each person's magic was like their fingerprint.

"You'll be able to see the uniqueness of your magic in third year" Duke chuckled as he wrapped an arm around Ciel's shoulders. Duke's own magic was fiery and passionate—even though he could learn basic first aid his magic was too volatile for the greater healing arts but was advised for battle magic.

"I can't wait" Ciel answered.