Kael and Martin were still talking in his room when they were interrupted by a knock on Kael's door. Opening the door, they saw the tall figure of Sean standing in the hallway, amusement evident from his expression. "It is already pretty late, and neither of you has eaten yet, right? Why don't you invite your friend down for a meal before he has to head home?" Both of them were shocked when they looked at the time. "Woah, it's already past nine?" Martin's reaction was a lot more dramatic than Kael's, though he felt much the same. "Damn! Right. Sean, thank you for stopping by and telling us. I'm sure we would have just talked until one of us got too tired to continue. Is it alright to bring him down though, I don't want to make more work for Eduard than I already have." - "No need to worry that much, Kael. There are still things you don't yet know about the inn, and that is by design, but while you are here, this is your home. So treating your friend to a nice meal at home is normal, right?"

The tone of Sean's voice had a different quality to it as he talked about the inn. There was a shadow of something hidden there that was gone just as quick as it had appeared. If Kael had not gotten used to his improved senses, he would never even have noticed it in the first place, making him question if he had seen anything at all. Storing the information somewhere at the back of his mind, he turned to Martin again. "You up for some food before you head home?" They had only known each other for a few weeks, but his love for good food was something Kael knew very well. When they had talked about him coming here again before, Martin had mentioned the good food more than once. Thus his answer was something that Kael had already predicted: "Of course I have time. You know that I told you it was the best food I have had all year, right? That chicken was just excellent, and that panna cotta was just divine. Thank you very much for the invite, um, Sean?" - "Sure. Then get your things, and let's go downstairs."

There were only a few tables free when they reached the dining room. Luckily mostly the large tables were occupied, while the smaller ones appeared less popular in comparison. They quickly sat down, and after introducing Martin to Marcy, gave her their order. "So," asked Martin while they were eating, "you told me all about how and why you ended up here. What your terms with Barbara are and all that, but you never said how you felt about the whole thing.”

Kael, just about to take another bite of fish with tartar sauce, froze mid-motion. Setting his fork down, he stayed silent for a few seconds, thinking. “Good I guess?” He started, taking his time to formulate his sentences before he spoke. “It happened so quickly, that there was no time to think about it really. There are also so many things that are still unclear that it feels like I am on a ride called my life, waiting for the next attraction to pop up, be it a fire or a million credits. Last month I was still thinking about somehow finding a job. Now I have a room and work in a prestigious, practically ancient restaurant, in addition to learning what I will be learning.” The table turned quiet again after he had finished talking. “What about you?” Kael suddenly asked, interrupting their silent meal. “Huh? What do you mean?”- “Well, what do you think? Did I make the correct decision? What do you make of the entire thing?”

“Well, first of all, our circumstances are different, right? So, from my perspective, I think you made a rash but understandable choice. You probably had more choices that we did not know about. Whether they are better or not, who knows, but more information is always good. All in all I think your decision was correct. This seems like a good place for you and when you go to school this or next year having a stable environment is important, that much I know for a fact.” - “Mhh” Their conversation had ended again, though both of them were contemplating now instead of just Kael. They were already on their dessert when Martin interrupted their silence. “So, something else I wanted to tell you.” From the tone of his voice, Kael knew that the heavy part of their discussion had ended, and it was time for something more lighthearted. “Jason came back to school for a few days. No comment about his absence, no comment about our little incident. He just sits there, listening to the lessons without responding to anyone. After class he is the first one out and no one can find him for the rest of the day. I don't know what is going on man, but at least it seems that he hasn't mentioned you to anyone.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

“Oh? Do you think this is still about our fight? It sure sounds like his character has made a complete one-eighty.” Kael's impression of Jason was that of a loud, entitled brat, and everything Martin just said did not fit that mold. “Yea! Exactly! He doesn't even look at me when we pass in the hallway. It is as if I am simply invisible to him. He got paler and looks even a little sickly by now. I know he is an asshole, but he is still one of my oldest friends. I can't help but worry about him, you know..” - “Do the teachers do anything about it?” Kael asked. “No. Not yet at least. There are rumors going around in school about Jason and one of his teachers though. Apparently, he visits that teachers room during most free periods. In addition, just like you mentioned before, they were seen in some of the seedier parts of town late at night.” - “Oh? Who saw them? Strange place to be for a high-schooler right?” Martin fought hard to keep the grin off his face as he answered. "Oh I don't know what you mean, good sir. There is nothing untoward going on here. Nonono." By the end, he utterly failed to keep a straight face and laughed out loud.

"Haha! Right!? It’s always just someone you know or something you heard from someone else. No one wants to be the one that is wandering those places at night.” A solemn look returned when he continued: “But you know what the strangest thing of all is? Despite how pale and sickly he looks, his magic, his magic is getting stronger. Much stronger in fact. He was right at the middle of the pack before our fight, and now he is rivaling the strongest two for their spot. That speed is just unheard of, especially considering that he is a mediocre talent at best and owes much of his power to the help of his rich parents.”

Kael knew nothing about magical talent or how wealthy parents could help their children train. But if what Martin had said was true, and why would he lie, meant he had better keep his eyes open. Just in case Jason comes for revenge one day. Thinking of revenge, he also told Martin to keep his distance and avoid meeting him in dark and lonely places. “I know, I know, but I live in a different district than him so the chances of us meeting are very low. In addition, there is no way I would frequent the places he has been seen. Even if I wanted to go, I just don't have the money. Hahaha!”

Soon their dessert was gone, and it was time for them to part. “You better get settled in for now. Seems like you have it ok here at least. Testing phase is coming up and I don't think I will have much time for the next few weeks. Can't afford to get grades that are too horrible, or my parents are going to ground me for the entire summer holiday.” - “Mhm, that's fine. I have a lot to learn anyway, and keeping a clean head might help. Maybe Barbara will get around to teaching me a little as well. Anyway, You better get home before you get grounded again..” With a shake of their hands and a quick goodbye, Martin was on his way home. Leaving Kael with the wonderful task of unpacking his new clothes. Maybe tomorrow would be the day Barbara started her lessons. Then he would finally learn more about this new and improved version of the world he had entered.