It took the Guardian Council about three whole hours to find Elpis’ body. Her corpse was mangled almost beyond recognition, although her glassy eyes remained untouched as they stared eternally into nothingness.

The trio spent the whole week attending court and giving testimonies, even though the Veritas charm had already largely simplified the investigative process. After all, Benedictus’ and Elpis’ crimes were as clear as the sky due to the mounting evidence and eyewitnesses against them. The aftermath, however, was much more complicated to deal with.

Civil unrest filled the streets after the revelation of Benedictus’ actions as well as the true origins of magic. The metas were understandably upset and had completely lost faith in the government. Parents began withdrawing their children from school and workers started quitting their jobs, opting to band together and share resources with each other instead. Pockets of rioting broke out in different parts of the city, although they were small enough to be quelled at the moment.

Vulcan was confirmed by the Secretary Of State to be still alive, although his location was not disclosed for security reasons. After all, the vice president was next in line for Presidency, and nobody else wanted to handle the political mess left behind by Benedictus’ corrosive policies. Although Warlock Vulcan had already woken up, the Guardian Council had agreed to leave their leader in Cybele’s care until he made a full recovery.

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Intermittent sounds of buzzing equipment punctuated the air. Points of lights blinked on and off, performing their little dance routine like tiny faeries in the night. In the centre of it all, treated arcani coursed through thin, transparent tubes into the veins of a man lying on a clean medical bed. He had only woken up barely an hour ago, but his face was already radiating with relief and happiness.

“Kleo, you’re alright…” Vulcan held his daughter’s hand weakly. “I was so worried… that The White Locust would have gotten to you as well.”

“I’m alright, Dad… I’m alright,” Kleopatra choked back her tears. “I’m so glad you’re finally awake.”

“Ah… your old man is tougher than that.” Vulcan coughed slightly. “It’s gonna take more than a few simple hexes to get rid of me for good.”

“Don’t exert yourself too much yet, though.” Cybele chuckled. “You scared the hell out of me, Dad.”

“Thank you, my dear daughter.”

“I’m… I’m sorry, Dad.” Kleopatra’s face fell. “I should’ve listened to you. I went after Cleric Nerva, and things would’ve gotten so much worse if Sister hadn’t shown up on time. I’m sorry for being so hard-headed and making you worry.”

“Well, that’s just another trait you’ve inherited from me.” Vulcan leaned back against the soft white bed. “But it is I who should apologise. I have been too protective over you, Kleo. I was blinded by the pain of your mother’s death to see how tough you really are. I’m sorry for trying to clip your wings when you are clearly meant to reach the stars.”

The father brought his daughters into a tight embrace.

“Gods know, I’m proud of both of you. I always have been, and I always will be.” His face was wet with tears. “Go, and be what you were meant to be. Soar high and proud, my beloved daughters. And I will always be cheering you on.”

“Thank you, Dad.”

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Felix Pagonis leaned back with his palms supporting himself, basking in the cool autumn breeze. He looked over the school gates, watching students happily bounce out of the compounds after finishing the last day of their exams.

The meta, however, preferred to relax on the quieter school roof for a moment before heading home. Although Felix had no time to revise with all that had happened, he had no doubt that he had aced his final exams like every other meta student.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

Not that it mattered anyway. Most agencies out there did not recognise meta high school qualifications due to the much lower standard of education, so the average meta only had job opportunities at places that did not require their intellect. It was a simple fact of life in Sirius city. A fact that Felix was hoping would change along with the shift in governance.

“You’re really predictable, Felix. Y’know that?”

“Only to those who bother to stalk me,” Felix shot back at the magi student who had invaded his private ‘territory’. “Aren’t you going to go home, Gaius?”

“I just thought… y’know…” Gaius put his hand on his head nervously. Felix raised an eyebrow in confusion.

“W-wanna hang out… or something?” the boy blurted out, raising a fist for Felix to bump.

“Is there some business you wanna discuss with me, or-”

“N-no! I just want to hang as- As… friends.” The word ‘friends’ came out of Gaius’ mouth as though it was squeezed out of a toothpaste.

Felix chuckled warmly and hit the outstretched fist lightly. “Sure, friend.”

“Right,” Gaius piped and sat down beside Felix. “So uh… how’s the weather?”

“You ain’t never done this before, huh?” Felix teased him. “Loosen up a little, buddy. Now that our finals are over, have you thought of where you want to go after high school?”

“College. I’ve already applied for the entrance exams.”

“Aren’t you afraid that they’ll find out that you’re… y’know, you used to be a meta?”

Gaius visibly reeled in shock. “How did you know?”

“Oh, I uh…” It was Felix’s turn to stammer. “I accidentally found out when I read your mind in that storeroom back then. Sorry…”

“It’s fine. At least it’s you and not anyone else.” Gaius sighed, looking into the distance. “I used to see my race as a blight, something wrong with me. So in a way, I was happy to drop my identity as an unregistered meta citizen and register myself as a magi orphan.”

His voice dropped as he looked at the stump on his right arm with tiny fingers growing out of it. “But I realised now that it was my meta ability that saved my life. I always thought that I needed to be a magi to make a change in this world, and that the gods had given me this opportunity to do so. But now I see, they were showing me how a meta can do so much more good than magis.”

Gaius gave a warm smile to Felix. “They showed me how you did it.”

“Aww shucks, you’re making me blush.” Felix laughed heartily. “Well, I’m glad you think so, because I’m intending to join the Guardian Council as a full time member after I graduate.”

“Besides, I think we’ve just opened a can of worms by exposing Benedictus’ crimes.” His expression darkened. “Our cities are filled with riots everyday now. Society needs a stable force of good more than ever now, and it is my responsibility to use my powers for good. That is, after I’ve fully recovered them, of course.”

The door swung open.

“Did someone say… Guardian Council?”

Felix rolled his eyes. “Oh you have gotta stop doing that, Kleo. You’re going to give us a heart attack one day.”

The girl ignored him, bounding with glee towards them as she flashed a shiny new silver badge in their faces.

“I passed the admission tests!” Kleopatra squealed excitedly. “I’m officially a Guardian now! A Guardian combatant, to be more specific.”

“I never doubted you.” Felix stood up. “Congratulations, Kleo. I hope you’re ready for the gruelling training you’re going to get.”

“Bring it on!” She pumped her fists enthusiastically. “I’ll look forward to seeing you guys in training!”

“Hey, weren’t we supposed to hang out?” Gaius complained, getting to his feet as well.

“What do you think we were doing?” Felix grinned cheekily. “But this obviously calls for a celebration. Who’s up for a movie?”

Laughter filled the air as the trio left the school roof.