19 The Past

I had been friends with the Prince of Soltica sine we were both infants. My family was very caring of others and gained much trust of the kingdom by kindness. It was gratefully blessed with both children of each family getting more acquainted with one another.

*Back when they had just left for the academy

"I very much appreciate you accompanying me in the castle this evening, Lord Silvia." The King says. "Your son and mine have been getting along quite nicely."

"Indeed, old friend, they seem as lively as we were in our young ages." Lord Silvia says.

"I must say, Adam is becoming quite the man." The King says. "I know that someday he will be helping Lucas in dire situations, wouldn't you think the so, Fredrick?"

"Indeed, though, I must ask, why and how?" Fredrick says. "Bondrit, Lucas has gone through triple the amount of training than Adam has…"

"I just have this strong feeling" Bondrit smiles. "That there will come an important time where Lucas will be protected by a strong and wise Adam."

"I see." Fredrick smiles as well.

*Now back to the current time*

"During your sleep, Al Krelin exited your soul." Lucas says. "His form is now only a presence; he will assist us no more."

"Then, that means…" I sigh. "Finding his body will be far more difficult…"

"Indeed, we must wait for the others to come back." Lucas says. "They must be informed that we will be leaving the academy soon."

"Soon?" I ask. "How long is soon?"

"Soon," Lucas responds. "Hopefully in a few days or less."

I ponder in thought of what could happen with little to no knowledge on our ways through this goal. There were times I never had expected that this would be possible. I had never gone through the forests of Soltica. Lucas, he has gone with his father for training multiple times.

Lucas taps on my shoulder, interrupting my thoughts. Though, I look up as he points to the others who just came back surprised to see me finally awake. Jacob hesitantly looks away and goes towards his room.

"I will go speak with the academy principal." Lucas smiles. "Adam, I will entrust you with the information to give them."

"Wha-" I stutter. "L-Lucas!"

Lucas had already closed the door and began walking to the front office. Julio and Marcus stared at me in confusion, and I nervously laughed.

"What is it, Adam?" Julio says.

"We are hoping to leave for the forest in a few days or less." I sigh. "Lucas had explained everything to me, now all that is left…"

"Food?" Marcus asks.

"Yes…" I say. "Along with food, there must be everything we need ready to pack."

"I have all the food and supplies ready!" Marcus says.

"I have all my potions and incantation scrolls ready." Julio says.

"Lucas says he has the weapons ready…" I say.

"Jacob had the position of gathering up our basic needs." Julio says. "Adam, you are to take care of clothing."

"I see, Jacob, is he doing alright?" I ask.

"Jacob is… confused." Julio responds. "He wishes to be of help, but because of what Al Krelin said of him, he does not know if he should join us."

"Is it okay that I speak to him?" I say.

"Yes, it would be better for him." Julio says.

I walk over to Jacob's door and knock. He opens the door a few seconds later and stares at me. For a moment, he is frozen, until I attempt to speak with him. Jacob puts both his hands behind the door and proceeds to close it.

"Wait, Jacob-" I sigh. "No matter what Al Krelin says that is his own opinion of you."

"Are you sure?" Jacob cracks the door open. "You are the reincarnation of Al Krelin, how come you do not think the same."

"Do I look the same?" I ask.

"No…" Jacob responds. "Apologies, Adam."

"Need not worry Jacob." I say.

"I am such a cowardly prince…" Jacob looks down. "My family had never chosen to acknowledge me after seeing how weak I was born to be…"

"You are no such thing!" I say. "If cowardly is what you are, then you would not have been with us now."

Jacob looks at me in surprise and smiles as he gives me a hug. Though, I awkwardly accept this and hug him back with a few pats on the back. Once finished with the hug, Lucas returns and brings us surprising news. We all take a seat in the entry room.

"Jacob, Julio, Marcus, Adam…" Lucas says. "Our leave of absence has been approved!"

We all cheer at this great news and start getting all the packaging ready to leave the next morning. I head to my room and rest for the next day of my new (yet old) life. I wake up to the sound of clanging and howling of the others in my room. Once I sit myself up, they quiet down.

"What is the meaning of this?" I yawn.

"Adam!" Lucas says.

"Yes, Lucas?" I say.

"We have made breakfast." Lucas smiles. "Wash up, then you can meet us in the front room."

"I see, thank you." I sigh.

The four then leave to the main front room of the dorm. I finally stretch and head over to the washroom and walk alone. I think to myself, 'This is strange, I feel… excited. Traveling with princes, another lord, and a commoner.' I smile to myself and enter the washroom. Though, as I begin to get in the water, I see Al Krelin in the reflection next to me. I pause my movement and stare for a second, seeing him then vanish. I sigh and proceed to enter the water and relax my body.

I look up and popping out of nowhere another boy looks down at my face. Startled, I jump and both our foreheads bump into each other. I hear groaning from the boy and feel my blood pounding in my forehead. I calm myself for a moment and look behind me. The boy was crouching on the floor with his hands covering his head.

"My apologies…" I say.

"It is alright!" The boy says. "Though, I am bleeding, quite a way to start a new day…"

"I deeply apologize!" I say. "You had startled me, and…"

"Need not worry, I can handle it." The boy says.

He places his hand on my forehead and the other on his while incantating a spell. I feel the pain leaving my head and see that the boy had stopped bleeding.

"Amazing…" I say. "Are you professing in magic?"

"Indeed, I am!" He responds. "I know you; you were the one who used the ancient spell that Professor Klint is known to use."

"That, that was just a test of my abilities." I say. "I was glad I managed to do the spell."

"Are you professing in magic?" He asks. "You must be quite powerful, ancient spells can only be done with very high levels of experience."

"No…" I respond.

"What?!" The boy says. "B-B-But, your magical ability!"

"I apologize for the misunderstanding." I nervously laugh. "I am much better in hand-to-hand combat."

"If you have this magical ability, you must master it!" The boy says.

I shake my head and sigh, then turn back to relax once more in the water. The boy goes into the water as well and faces me with his hand out.

"My name is Gilbert." He smiles. "Gilbert Frohn."

'Gilbert Frohn?!' I think in shock and stare at him.