2 Prologue, Chapter 2

October 4, 627 A.R.

7:26 A.M.

"What the fuck Cass."

I continue to glare at the idiot trying to burn him with my gaze. I probably could do it again. Combustion Magic isn't very difficult but most of his clothes are already burnt and I don't fancy seeing another man naked.

"Did you seriously use Combustion Magic inside your own house?" He's both exasperated and impressed. I'm still mad at him though.

"You dragged me off my bed." Therefore it's only reasonable I retaliate.

"You set off a fucking explosion in my face and spewed a fucking flamethrower at me." He's amused. I'm tempted to combust an even bigger one and see if he thinks this situation is funny.

I take deep breaths and try to calm myself, "Out of my room." I'd rather not do anything more rash than what I've already done.

He looks at me and he's very smug right now as he quips, "Just a friendly reminder that not everyone can take an explosion to the face, so you best hold your violent impulses in my gloomy friend," his smug smirk pretty much looks like it's going to split his face with how wide it's gotten, "remember that our classes in the Institute are gonna start soon and you don't want to ruin your reputation before the semester even kicks off right?"

Haaaa, I can feel my rage literally boiling as my magic shimmers the air around me in intense heat, my cheek and brow twitching as I try my best to hold back and calm myself from burning my own house to the ground. The idiot across from me would hardly be harmed anyway. Mediocre as he is in physical technique, he more than makes up for it in his talent for Physical Magic.

"Another word out of you Marcus Brutus and I swear I will make you choke on your own tongue." The words were practically being spat from my mouth. I made a promise to better my temperament and I'd rather not break that promise because the idiot that likes to call himself my best friend can't hold his tongue.

The buffoon had the gall to laugh in my face, "HAHAHAHAHA! You really talk like one of those Dark Age villains sometimes, you know that Cass?" His amusement at the situation only makes my magic burn hotter and just as I might have decided to burn the idiot-

"Oh look, your carpet's burning."

A few moments later.

My temper truly does need betterment. While replacing the carpet isn't difficult, the fact that I need to replace it at all is concerning.

Clank.

Marcus has set his utensils down and stares at me. He's concerned, "Unless you decide to start using your magic, you're not going to be able to eat by staring at your food."

I let out a grimace, "Sorry." I pick up my own spork and knife to start eating and notice the toughness of the meat. Information floods into my mind only to confirm my suspicions. I hate beef.

As if reading my mind he quickly interjects, "Pork prices have gone up. Apparently Gryphons have been attacking the farms."

Gryphons? That doesn't make any sense. My brows furrow as I ponder on the matter.

Marcus continues eating but between bites asks me for my opinion.

"Gryphon attacks don't make any sense whatsoever," I state glibly.

Surprise. Understandable reaction I suppose. Despite their threat not many people are all that educated about Magical Beasts. Marcus swallows and questions, "How so?"

I shrug as I ponder, "Plenty of things I suppose, our location, the current season, and the gryphon's habits. In the shortest summary however, we're too far away from any mountains for any Gryphon to claim even any of the farmlands as it's hunting grounds," I take another bite and soon continue, "A blood moon also recently occurred which also means quite a number of Magical Beasts are going into a sort of hibernation period which includes Gryphons and lastly, pigs are too small."

Marcus is confused, "Too small?" His brows furrow as he scoffs, "They're pigs!"

I nod, "Indeed, yet to a Gryphon what is a pig to a cow, a horse?"

His eyes blank in understanding, "Oh."

I stand up and start clearing the table, "I can't exactly be sure what's going on but it's probably best to avoid buying pork for now. The pigs might be sick or something."

Marcus walks back into the living room whilst I set all the dishes to wash later. I walk after him to find him preparing a backpack.

I look at him puzzled. He doesn't seem to be in any rush to explain to me what he's planning so taking matters into my own hands I decide to use Insight to see if I can find out anything. Just a tiny bit more magic into my eyes and brain and all the information that I usually sense is suddenly tripled as I fully activate my Original Magic. Yet the information I'm getting only leaves me with further questions, funny how consistent that is with everything. I close my eyes and cut off Insight.

"I'm going to the gym later," he suddenly interjects.

This entire thing doesn't make sense and I suddenly have a bad feeling I'm going to want to burn him again later. I pinch my nose and sigh as I ask "Are you going to tell me anything?"

He chuckles and starts pulling me along out the door to wherever we're supposed to go.

A long ride through the kingdom later.

I stare blankly at the compound where dozens of people seem to come and go. There are a lot more people here today surprisingly but that still doesn't answer my question of, "Why are we at the gates?"

Marcus standing at my side just grins while still searching the crowd for someone. A nervous feeling suddenly makes itself apparent while my urge to burn him only seems to intensify, "You'll know soon enough."

I grimace while the sinking feeling only continues to grow and my magic itches to ignite his face, "I swear if we're here for one of yo-" I'm cut off as Marcus suddenly shouts, "OVER HERE!"

Definitely not one of his little girlfriends then but who- I suddenly seize up and feel my whole body turn rigid once I see the person he was calling over, " Akh- Ugh! Bla!" I seem to have suddenly become unable to speak as gibberish starts to flow freely from my mouth.

"I'm back Cassius."

I do my best to maintain the little dignity I have left as I start to turn lightheaded while I greet, "W-w-welcome back Medea."