High Stakes

Months passed, and Aloisius and Llouie searched up and down for ways for him to harness Aether through the Wisteria paper.

"Through this, you can harness the power in the paper!" shouted Llouie raising his glasses. Aloisius trembled with excitement. He pricked his finger and proceeded to test the theory.

They figured out that the Wisteria tree is a living being. A sentient one. With its papers being able to receive orders. Llouie can make Aether devices through runes. A secret magic of the Faes that they passed onto him. Each part of a rune symbolizes something that can harness the user's magic to work.

Combining both theories. They figured to write the runes on the paper. However, it won't work because there are no orders that the paper and rune can take from an Aetherless Aloisius. However, because he has Aetherian blood in him and perhaps a little aether they decided to use his blood. But still no response. However, they discovered something.

By processing the blood like aether, thinking of it as an energy, the rune glowed. Using the Aether on the paper as its outflow for the spell the work. Aloisius shook with relief, he could now be a full-fledged Aetherian. He can share this knowledge and improve the lives of many half-humans like him!

"S-sir, I-I can't believe this, t-this would change many half-humans' lives!" he exclaimed shedding tears. 

"What?" Llouie asked, laughing mockingly.

"S-sir, we must share this knowledge," he said wiping away the tears.

"W-we can but the faes, You do know you are using their secret techniques right? They only permitted you to learn because you're a student of the chosen academy," Llouie said putting his hand on Aloisius's shoulder. 

Right. Aloisius shaken, nodded absentmindedly. He stood up and walked out of their laboratory. He walked the grand halls of the school, now head held up high. Changed from his time in the school.

Aloisius excels in his classes. With the unfortunate curse of not being able to do the practice and applied magic activities. His performance keeps him afloat and far from being suspended. His classmates still kept him at bay however by luck, he made quite new friends in this academy.

He looked around and felt good to be alive. Maybe there is a chance for someone like him out in this world.

BANG

A flash of fire swept past his face and onto the wall beside him. With quick reflexes, Aloisius jumped back and looked at the attacker.

Kurei.

Why won't this man just let him be?! He grunted. He wished nothing but to take out his runes, hit that man with his own spells, and get revenge for all his bullying. Kurei tsked at the failure and strutted away before flashing Aloisius a smile.

He can't wait to tell Yandel the good news. Aloisius just shrugged off this incident. He wouldn't let Kurei ruin his mood. He would think about asking the faes to share this knowledge later. He hummed his way to their hangout place. No longer radiating separating walls but accepting happy ones. 

Some students looked at him amused. What could have happened to make Mr. I hate everyone smile? Could it have been Honey?

"Um, Mr. Houston?" a guard approached Aloisius. 

Aloisius stopped and felt all his happiness falling out of the tallest tower in this academy. He knows what this guard is going to tell him and he knows that the guard knows that he is just going to say no.

"No, I-I don't want to see him," he said running his hand through his hair feeling frustrated. His father is a drunken man. He couldn't even believe that he still held the title of a Baron while he continued to live his life less than humans.

"No, sir he sent something for you. I would like to think it's an apology letter, however..." The guard shook his head and stretched out his hand giving Aloisius a seed.

Aloisuis nodded. His father is an Earth magic user. He is gifted in Earth Aetherian magic. A reason why he is barely a Baron. Holding the seed in his hand, Aloisius walked back.

He went to one of the most desolate places in the academy. A serene place he discovered while running away from Kurei. He sat down on the grass and crushed the seed. Letting the wind carry it away as a hologram opened in his hands.

"Listen up bastard. The Moores want money man, and your Academy has been sending me enough sum to pay my debt. So stay in that school you hear me? If you ever come back here, better have a ton of fucking money or your mother gets it. You hear me?!"

Aloisius's eyes darken. A feeling of anger bubbling out of him. How dare this man threaten him with the safety of his mother? That's his wife and yet he still mistreats her. It is even though she still takes care of him even though he is nothing but a useless man.

"I'm sorry for your father love, Don't worry about his debt. I got it handled, though the money that the School does send helps, it's not meant for your father you know? It's for you. So when you come back cause well, I know we don't have Aether and you need Aether to graduate. Whatever, it doesn't matter. Whether you get expelled or not love, I still love you. I'll save some money for you as much as I can and Don't worry about me AGH. I'm COMING! Love you, dearie,"

Aloisius sighed, watching his father pull his mother's hair broke his heart. How can such a sweet woman like his mother get married to his father?

"Announcement to chosen, please get to the main auditorium immediately!"

Aloisius dismissed the hologram and leaned his body on the castle's wall. This is the upcoming announcement he used to fear. Aloisuis smirked, he might get a chance to win the whole thing perhaps.

Skipping on the way to the main hall, Honey looked around. Searching for her little crush. Oh, what can she say, he is just but a sweetie. Honey gushed and squealed. She followed the crowd. Everyone knows the announcement or more specifically what it is. It's just something to make the whole thing official ya know?

"Dear chosens, a pleasant afternoon to all of you. You must be excited about the upcoming Munus Of the Chosens. The thing is, dear students that this year our school had a quite lackluster performance," Ashel's bored eyes inadvertently fell on Aloisius.

Honey followed her line of sight feeling awkward pity for the man. That is something she can't help him about. It's just quite mean for her that the Teachers always have to point it out.

Aloisius's bored eyes didn't change. He shrugged the comment off like a champ. Honey smiled. Her eyes trailed back to the woman begrudgingly.

"And so, in the ranking of the Munus, the top 90-100 students will be expelled. That's all, enjoy your day students,"

This announcement left the students stunned. This is the first time the school will expel students, based on rankings! Some students who were lazying around felt panic coursing their veins. Returning home would be a stain on their families' reputation, much more than not getting into the school in the first place!

Munus is not just a basic applied magic activity, It's duels! It means sacrifice for the dead, an honor to the ancestor chosens who went to war years ago. Honey shrugged it off. No one can shake her position. She's always in the top 5 after all.

But she can't help but get worried for him. Will he be fine? Well, fate will lead the rest. She just hopes he can stay at school. Her eyes met his. Surprised, she smiled and waved before walking off.

"Aloi, you think you can stay at the school? Thi-this is unfair! They can't just expel people! Wha-what if the Goddess of Light gets angry again?!" Rolvenik exclaimed frustratingly. Aloisius really knows that he is just worried for himself. After all, he doesn't pay attention to the classes.

"I'll manage," he replied patting his friend's back gently as the man looked at him with puppy eyes. Rechelle rolled her eyes at the man's pathetic behavior.

"Come on Rol, we all know you're lazy, stop bothering Aloi," Varana said grabbing Rolvenik by the collar. 

"Plus, If I have to bet, you will be the first to be expelled among us," Rechelle mumbled making Varana and Yandel laugh.

"Well, I can help you in your written works, but not in applied magic you know?" Aloisius said sitting beside Rechelle. Rechelle gave Aloisius a push.

"I don't think so Aloi, I heard you and that hot senior Llouie" Varana asked, "Y'know Rechelle is jealous of you being too close to him and not us."

"N-NO, that is not it Varana! It's just, that I know you and he found a way to harness the Aether in the Wisteria paper," Rechelle said face red and glaring at Varana.

"Girls, I don't know who you like more, Our dear Aloi here or that Llouie man," Yandel tuned in poking fun at Rechelle.

"Put your hand away mister," Rechelle said looking away and making the whole group laugh.

"I did, we did," Aloisius said looking down, embarrassed. He didn't know what he wanted to hear, he didn't know how they'd react.

"T-that's GOOD! OH, I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU ALOI!" Varana spoke first hugging the man. Aloisius was surprised feeling his walls finally crumble to dust around his friends. He felt tears form in his eyes.

"I'm proud of you brother," Rolvenik said putting a hand on his shoulder. Varana still crying in Aloisius's arms. Rechelle smiled at him nodding. He looked for Yandel. His best friend.

He saw him smiling sadly, like a proud father. "I'm so glad for you man," he said.

Forcing a smile, Yandel can feel an ugly feeling bubbling up him. He can hear Kurei's words swirling in his head. He should feel proud, and happy but he can't. Jealousy felt like vomit creeping up his throat.

He opened his mouth and said, "I'm so glad for you man."

"Everyone, let's take a picture right here. A moment for our Aloi!" Varana said, sniffing. Aloisius thoughtfully gave her a tissue she blew her nose in. They all huddled together and with Rolveniks aether device, they now have a forever-frozen scene of that day.

"Yandel! Wait up!" Aloisius claimed running after his friend. "What is it?" Yandel asked not slowing down. 

"I'm just wondering if you want to practice duel with me and all my past applied magic activity?" Aloisius asked finally catching up with Yandel. Yandel looked at him for a moment and smiled apologetically. "Sorry man, I can't. I have a lot on my plate right now," he lied.

"Oh, that's fine, I'll ask Rolvenik," he said stopping. He can sense something odd. Aloisius looked worriedly at his friend's disappearing back.

Rolvenik and Aloisius entered the training ground. A lot of aether is being spewed out left and right. Aloisius got dizzy with the feeling of overwhelming aether all around. Rolvenik tapped his shoulder leading him to a more deserted place. Aloisius took a deep breath, stabilizing his feelings. 

Suddenly he saw in the corner of his eye, Honey. She was wearing a tank top. with bandages around her hands. She pushed a punch and with it a bunch of aggressive aether. Aloisius felt awe at her aether control but she shook her head as if disappointed at herself.

As if caught in a trance, Aloisius watched her take a deep breath, hair in a high ponytail. She opened her eyes, now glowing more brightly than before and punching the air giving out more aether. 

She is wonderful.

"Aloi?" Rolvenik asked tapping Aloisius's shoulder. 

"Let's get started, Viscount," Aloisius said looking at her practicing. He seems to be affected by her studious look.

"Ok?" Rolvenik replied smiling, ready to learn TOGETHER with his brother in arms.