66

Chapter 66

Flange Orphanage, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, the Year 2030, Planet: Grimoire

Combat magic, healing magic, offensive and defensive magic. High, intermediate, low-level, and tier magic. All of it was categorized into different tiers and levels. None of it was helpful for him to even touch. Tch, what a waste of time to bemoan something unavailable to him. Grifton shook his head.

"Don't mind me. I'm just sulking right now." He admitted to Brinton with a sheepish expression.

Oh yeah, his inability to use magic bothered him greatly. That was a sore point with Grifton. Everything but magic, in that category, he had nothing to show for his efforts. Theoretical, yes, but practical, no. A sigh escaped him.

"Well, you have the transformative skill and your psychic gifts." Brinton pointed out what he already possessed. "Those may very well be a critical assist to someone when least expected."

Grifton snorted. "As what? A shock tactic?" He shook his head.

Brinton shrugged and surprised Grifton with his response. "Actually, yes." He spread his hands. "What you can do instinctively is something others struggle to do daily." He smiled faintly. "Well, you have time."

Yeah, yeah, yeah, so what else was new? Grifton sighed heavily. Unfortunately, if his dreams were precursors, he didn't have as much time as anyone believed.

Brinton glanced at his downcast face and cleared his throat loudly.

"Though if I were hazard a reason why you're struggling with magic..." He waved a hand, and a small creature popped into their view.

Grifton looked at it in shock. He'd seen those before. What were they? He eyed Brinton in confusion when the spirit giggled at his surprise and then vanished in a puff of cool air.

Brinton shrugged. "Why don't you look for information on spirits and elementals. That also might explain why you're blocked." He smiled faintly. "They're jealous, little brats. Much like those bullies. Unlike the bullies, though, they will help when called upon." He rubbed his jaw. "I'm surprised you don't see them more often. All of the elements are swarming around you and your cousins constantly."

He had spirits and elementals swarming all around him? That was the first Grifton heard that happening. "I'll think about it." He agreed. Maybe because he'd wound up in a dreamscape too many times, he'd blocked his other vision?

Well, whatever the case, Grifton would look into it as a possibility. It was a new avenue and considered more advanced, but it beat feeling as if he waded through mud that dragged him into a pit of despair.

"What else did you want to talk to me about?" Grifton knew that Brinton hadn't come to merely inquire about his lack of abilities in the magic sphere. Ther had to be something else. That's when he noticed Brinton had retrieved that nasty sphere and put it somewhere invisible.

"Hmm? That was about it. I am to escort you safely back to the playground." Brinton tilted his head when chimes were heard. "Well, maybe to wherever you all go to eat."

Grifton's stomach growled. "Yeah, it is the midday meal. Everyone will head to the second largest banquet hall for that meal." Usually, that was when Director Moline made any relevant announcements regarding assignments and such.

"Please lead the way." Brinton gestured for Grifton to take the lead.

"With pleasure, I shall do so." No doubt his arrival would startle anyone else who'd wanted him dead today.

~*~

While conversing with Grifton, Brinton began to understand why Darmono and Director Moline were so worried about the boy. He had such a bright future ahead of him in any career he chose. Unfortunately, because of the stigma of being unable to use magic, he was being seriously bullied. How rotten was that?

Also, Brinton has begun to understand Grifton's aloofness and why he seems detached from everything around him. He was often beaten up because he didn't look the same as others. He also matured rapidly, showing his draconian heritage in how he grew so fast.

A sigh escaped Brinton. He was at a loss to help him. Also, was he now under attack from other empires and kingdoms? That was just ridiculous and an extra burden on a boy who wasn't even ten years old, no matter how big he was.

Hmm, had they bypassed the area where that orb was? Brinton looked around and located it. He used a unique retrieval device to avoid touching it physically. Who knew what evil tidings that thing might inflict upon whoever foolishly touched it.

Now that it was safely stowed away, Brinton glanced around in confusion. He needed to take Grifton back but wasn't sure how to bring up the subject.

Not only that, but he noticed Grifton was lost in thought again. "What're you thinking about now? Brinton could almost see where the boy's thoughts were going. "Try looking up information about spirits and elementals." He shook his head. Such a pessimistic viewpoint.

Sadly, Brinton understood where he came from since he'd had a similar problem.

On the other hand, Grifton had much potential for transforming into a dragon. Not only that, but he was a rare psychic already very powerful when it came to receiving, projecting, and building communication layers. While he didn't seem aware of it, he was also a magnet for spirits.

Brinton did recall a few incidents in which Grifton had been viciously attacked, but no one could ever recall what had done it. He wondered if it was hostile spirits belonging to spirit-wielders and controllers. If so, what was their reasoning behind attacking Grifton?

He wanted answers to all his questions, but only when Grifton was ready to go searching for those answers. Brinton shook his head uneasily. He had a feeling the boy was going to be in for a shock when he did find some of the answers he sought. However, for now, he was merely a hungry kid who needed some way of getting food into him so that he could focus easily.