Wizardly

Chapter Twelve: Dustin

I explained to the Captain what Dustin had said to me and he looked as if he wanted to say something, but was debating with himself.

Eventually, he sighed, leaned back in his chair and shook his head saying, "I do know what he was referring to, but it is not my story to tell. I can say that it does have to do with your parents. Unfortunately, if you want to know more you will have to ask Dustin yourself."

He then went back to work and I left kind of surprised. I never expected Captain to say that. The guy wants nothing to do with me so how does Captain expect me to get anything from him? Even after I told him everything that happened earlier and in the past he wants me to face Dustin again?

Naxos ran into me on my way back to my room and obviously wanted to know everything. I explained everything to him. His face went serious for the second time.

"I'd say give Dustin time to calm down and then try talking to him again. From what you're telling me he didn't try to hurt you right? So maybe him trying so hard was to get your attention," he offered. Hmm, I had never really thought of it that way before.

"Despite how you act sometimes, you really are a smart dude. This reminds me why we're friends," I said with a laugh. He made an offended look, then laughed with me. "Oh, by the way. I finally got to spend some time with Lillyana and well, she agreed to go out with me," I added. His eyes practically lit up.

"Oh really now? That's no surprise there, but I really am surprised on the fact that you had the balls to actually do it. I bet it was awkward as hell. Wish I would have seen it," he said laughing and smacking me on the shoulder. I rolled my eyes at him. "Still though, good job," he added.

"Good job for what exactly?" I asked and he gave me a mischivious smile.

"Well, for getting the girl and growing a pair of course," he said then said he had some training to get done. Once he left I sighed. Well, Lillyana, I couldn't hide it now even if I wanted to. No doubt he'll tell everyone.

"Crap, I probably should've told Captain about that too," I mumbled to myself and stood. Todays training took a lot less time so I'm really not sure what to do with myself the rest of the day. Maybe I could go train a little on my own.

Once down in the basement I headed to the work out room. Master did say I should do that after our training anyways. Plus, I want to get stronger.

However, as soon as I opened the door Dustin was heading out and we ended up face to face. The people who noticed gasped and held their breath and I did the same. He seemed surprised too and no one moved for a long moment.

"Um, sorry," I mumbled trying to break the tension in the room. He pushed the door back open and glared at me.

"Come with me, loser," he muttered and shoved me out the door. "Stop gawking and get your asses back to what you were doing," he said to the others and shut the door behind us. What the hell does he want with me? Does he wanna fight again? "Spar with me, that's the only way I'll talk," he muttered as he led me to the mats. What?!

"Okay, deal. But tell me, do you plan on using your power or not?" I asked taking my stance across from him.

"That depends on you," he muttered. I nodded, that's fine with me. "Show me what you've got that you've been holding back from when sparing with Master. I've seen it, you know more than you are letting on," he added and came at me. I dodged him and reclaimed my stance.

"You're right. All those school trips and even the trips Captain sent me on to learn, I didn't waste a single one. My turn, What exactly did my parents do that pissed you off so much?" I asked and dodged his punch as he blocked mine.

"They're the reason my parents and my brother are dead," he said throwing another punch. I grabbed his wrist and tried to throw him to the ground but he turned it around and managed to get me to the ground instead. I knew then that he wasn't just angry, but hurting too. I shoved him off me using my knees and we both stood again.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked as we squared off again. He shook his head saying it was his turn.

"So, your friends here. Are they the ones who helped you during your trips?" He asked and started circling me.

"Some of them. The one that helped the most is no longer here," I said and continued, "So, what did you mean they're responsible for your family?"

"They were useless and drug the whole team down. As a result they didn't get out fast enough so a few stayed behind to fight and help the others escape. My parents and two others ended up dying for your parents incompetence," he said angrily, "the cowards didn't even try to help them, they ran and didn't get back up."

He punched me hard in the face and I hit the ground. Not as powerful as Master's, but it still hurt a hell of a lot. So my parents left his there to die and I don't blame him for being pissed.

"You're right, they were cowards and I'm sorry. But had my parents stayed they would've been in the way and they would've died for nothing," I said getting back up. "I won't be like them, I will not be a burden. That is why I train so hard. I may not have magic, but I can fight on my own two feet," I added and punched him back. He didn't hit the floor, but he did stagger back two steps.

"Prove it, pretty boy," he muttered and actually gave me a come-at-me grin. Fine by me. If this is the only way for him to release his anger I'll oblige.

When the Dinner bell rang we were both surprised and out of breath we dropped to the mats. Man he's good, I'm out matched to him in strength but my high pain tolerance lets me keep going. Something I learned fighting Master is that I'm a resilient bastard.

"I have to say, you're not half bad at all. Why do you hold back with Master, you'll never get stronger if you hold back," Dustin said.

"Well, I'm not really one to show off in front of people. Besides, fighting for real is a whole lot different from sparing. The enemy could strike right after training, if I go all out I wouldn't have any energy to fight," I said.

"Yes, but you didn't hold back this time. I mean I did say it was a sparing match," he replied and sat up. I sat up too.

"That's because I knew you wanted me to show you the extent of what I could do and you could've used your powers at any point. I owed you this much, because of my parents. I can't change what they did, but it is my burden now to carry. Since they are not here to make it right, I will do what I can," I said and to my surprise he held his hand out to me.

"Just take it, Loser. Don't make it weird," he muttered and I shook his hand. "You should go talk to your friends and go to dinner," he added as he stood up.

"You could join us you know. Get to know the people you've been rude to all week," I said standing up too.

"Don't think this makes us friends alright? I do not intend to start hanging out with you losers," he muttered, "Though you are correct, I owe them an apology." We agreed to meet up later. Of course I wouldn't make him apologize in front of the whole guild (though I should).

I didn't tell my friends anything except that Dustin and I got into a fight again. They saw the bruises so no sense hiding it from them. Of course Lillyana made a fuss and had Lana heal me a little. I asked them to meet me about an hour after Dinner in the unused training gym.

Of course when every single person arrived they were surprised to see Dustin there. When they looked at me I just looked away and leaned back on the bleachers. They'll understand soon enough. It seems he hasn't gotten any healing yet and that surprised me a little. The last to arrive were Lillyana and Theo.

Dustin took a deep breath and began to talk, "Sorry to drag you all here this late, but well I owe you all an apology for my behavior. I turned my anger towards all of you and I am truly sorry," he said and bowed respectfully. Wow, who knew he could apologize so sincerely?

"W- What?" Lillyana mumbled taken off guard. Yeah this is some what of a surprise.

"Most importantly, Tyrian, I apologize to you as well for everything I did to you," he said and I waved him off. He said all he needed to earlier. I understand everything better now. He nodded to me and I nodded back.