The Beginning of the End

Time passed quickly in the Guestino household, Ojero and Orpham both spending the time practicing their magic, and both learned quite a few things.

For Ojero, shadow magic was definitely stronger than his time magic, and far easier to access. However, the purple crystal was unable to be used no matter what he did. It confused Ojero, because it was bigger and stronger than his black one.

As for his time magic, he was able to use it in short stints to rewind time a few seconds, but this heavily exhausted him. The first few times he blacked out, often hurting himself by the subsequent fall.

Orpham, however, made great leaps forward. His strength with both of his crystals was shocking for everyone. He could already summon and control minor 'black holes' as the texts on space magic spoke of. He wanted to go further with it, but both mother and father forbid it, claiming magic is too unstable. Once they got to the academy, he could practice all he wanted.

For all his advances in space, his work with light was even more impressive. He could summon and get rid of light at will, alter its shape, and could even add some minor thickness to it making things go through it act as if it was going through a thick liquid.

These accomplishments took precedence over Ojero's, and although not of their parents intentions, the small bit of good still in him grew smaller every day. It pushed Ojero harder, and his shadows too started growing more useful, but it felt like he was missing the purpose of his strength. Ojero ignored this nagging feeling, and continued trying to manipulate shadows purely as a defense art.

He was able to call shadows into the light from shadowed sources, and make a small wall. It had a thicker density than Orphams light, but was much weaker and took more mana out of Ojero.

During these 2 weeks, the entire family prepared their goodbyes and packed the two boys' bags. Orpham spent the last 3 full days simply saying goodbye to all of his friends, he was very popular. Ojero, however, only said goodbye to Vulkupa. He felt closer to Ojero than anyone else, because he felt Vulkupa understood him more.

He didn't care for emotions, he didn't care for sympathy, he only cared to learn and progress. With Vulkupa being his teacher, he put focus on these topics and allowed Ojero to grow this way. For that, Ojero was thankful.

Ojero didn't pack much. He took a few sets of his family's white clothes, and his favorite black and purple colored set. He convinced his parents to buy him a few more of those pea coats, claiming he would rather wear nothing than wear the 'white garbage' as he called it.

The hour before he left, he took the familiar scroll and ring from his hidden box. He left the gold, knowing his parents would give him some more before they left.

As Orpham and Ojero left the castle doors, the entire staff was standing in rows leading to the family carriage. His parents and Vulkupa were standing by the door. The brothers walked side by side down the smoothly tiled path, one in black the other in white. When they reached their parents, mother looked like she was holding in tears.

The second they stopped, mother grabbed both into a hug, finally starting to cry. When father finally pulled her off them, she turned away and cried into her hands.

The 3 men sat there and stared at each other for a moment before father spoke.

"You boys be good to each other at the academy, and work hard. This is not a goodbye, this is me sending you off to come back real men to me. Remember, no matter what happens there, you are both Guestinos. We are strong as a family, and will not falter. Orpham, you make sure Ojero settles in well."

A slightly pained look crossed fathers face, as he seemingly struggled to say the next bit.

"Now, I won't be there to monitor you for the next bit, so this is on you. You are both growing men, and this academy admits boys and girls too. You must uphold proper etiquette at all times. I expect both of you to... date... while there, and I won't stop you. However, you are both forbidden from going further than light physical contact. If I hear either of you break this rule, I will personally make sure you never enjoy a moment of life again"

Father said this last bit with a fire in his eyes, daring them to try and prove him wrong. Orpham looked confused for a moment at fathers words, then his eyes widened as his cheeks turned a fiery red.

"Father! I would never even dream of anything of the like before the proper marital vows are exchanged!"

Ojero remained silent, no change in his facial expression except for a slight nod at fathers words.

"Good, now both of you get in the carriage and get out there. I expect great things from both of you."

Orpham jumped right in, already in the window waving at his friends who gathered at the other end of the street to see them off. Before Ojero got in, he nodded to Vulkupa, who nodded back. They didn't need words, they didn't need goodbyes, they simply had a mutual respect for knowledge and that bonded them enough.

Ojero got in and sat down, his mind in a slight turmoil about what was going to come next. As Orpham continued to bump and push around to wave, he shoved Ojero who fell on the seat. Just as Ojero was about to jump up and shove him back, he felt the ring in his pocket.

He took it out, and looked into the gem. He turned it over, reading the inscription.

"For Ojero, from a future friend."

Ojero put the ring on his ring finger for the first time since getting the ring, and a rare smile graced his lips. It grew and widened, and Ojero actually chuckled a bit. The sound started Orpham, who rarely ever heard Ojero laugh at anything. Suddenly, Ojero went to the other window and waved to everyone too, shocking them all at this sudden show of emotion.

Ojero simply sat there, smiling and waving, looking like any other young child on a new adventure. Soon they were a distance away, and both brothers closed the windows and sat down. The smile never left his lips, and he felt like everything would be all right.

Ojero would not make the connection between his sudden personality change and his ring for a long time.

The carriage moved along, bouncing down the cobbles. The destination was Lumenbecs academy, where today two children would arrive that would not only change the academy, nor the kingdom, nor the continent. They would change the world forever after, and it all started that day. One happy and pure, the other selfish and evil hidden behind a strange gray ring. Every story starts somewhere, and this one started at Lumenbecs Academy for the Magically Adept.