Pressure and darkness, this was all Finn could see and feel. He was floating inside God’s mighty energy, just one of his whims away from drowning inside it.
On the surface, the boy looked terrified: He was curled up in a ball with his face scrunched up in fear. However, deep inside his mind and soul, different thoughts and intentions gathered up like a storm.
‘I have to use this… This shitty, overpowered, shallow, garbage of a god… Why is he set on making me stay put? Why doesn’t he outright kill me?... I have to make him talk.’
“Help me…” The boy’s voice was broken and pathetic. His face was scrunched up and sad.
“What do you want, Mark? You think I’m some charity case? I’ve already given you back your life, your LIFE, Mark.”
“Yes. I do not want to squander your gift, but the way things are going, I won’t make it past graduation.”
“Perfect, I mean, not my problem. Refuse the academy’s quest, and you won’t have to die.”
“Then I’ll be kicked out! Everyone will see me as a coward and no one will ever buy my products.”
“People will forget.”
“Refusal is paramount to treason. Sure, they won’t punish me yet, but as soon as I’m 18, they’ll send me off to the north, hell, maybe even the south.”
“They won’t…”
“But do not worry, O Mighty God. I’ve trained for this, I can use both magic and the warrior’s breath. Even if they make me fight in battle after battle, in every corner of the empire and beyond, I will definitely survive.”
“Wait!” The darkness shifted for a moment, and Loki appeared in front of Finn in all his mustached glory. The sight of a humanoid inside the endless darkness almost made the boy smile. “Let’s not do anything rash.”
“What choice do I have? If the academy or the army sends me on a tour across the planet, whether I like it or not, I have to obey.”
“By Daddy’s name… Surely, you’ve thought of something, Mark. You don’t want to die, do you?”
“Of course not.”
“And you don’t want to risk your life all across the planet, do you? The traveler’s lifestyle suits you like a rash.”
“I can’t argue with that,” Finn smirked. “My ultimate goal is a safe and peaceful lifestyle.”
“Alright. So, what’s the plan, how can I help?”
It took great effort for the boy to keep his smirk from growing. ‘My God, he’s gullible. I mean science… I mean…’
“What’re scrunching up your face for?”
Finn crossed his arms, making a complicated expression. After a few more moments, during which Loki leaned forward like an impatient child, he finally exposed his master plan:
“The only way to refuse the army or the academy’s orders is to become so strong they have to let me be. It now takes me about an hour to switch between the warrior’s breath and mage mode, so if you could help me shorten this transition…”
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“Nope, no, nonono. Mark, you either sink or die, live with it.”
“But if I die…”
“I won’t attend your funeral.” Loki looked to the side while his lips curled up.
“Then, I have no choice but to obey the academy’s order.”
Loki frowned.
“I’ll go north with Count Fistacia and try to end this conflict as fast as possible. If it escalates…”
“It will.”
“Then I should at least try to earn some merit. If I stand out now, maybe I can skip the coming conflict.”
“So, you’re saying…”
“Where can I earn the highest achievement?”
“Hmph,” Loki’s smile returned with a vengeance. “That’s easy, Mark. And you’ll even get to reunite with a friend…”
……………………….
About an hour later, a group of teens entered Madam Isabella’s office. Among them, there was her favorite first year and a prime witness to her latest headache. The old director raised her eyes and almost spilled her cup of tea in surprise. After stabilizing the cup, she crossed her fingers, leaned forward a bit and waited until the group’s green haired archer stepped forward.
“We want to go to Labyrinth city.”
“Why?”
“Because that’s where we’ll make the most impact.”
“The enemy has not been sighted in that area.”
“I know.”
“Your friend over there has yet to give his statement.”
“I know.”
Madam Isabella dropped her palms on the desk.
“Children, as much as I enjoy your little antics, the current situation is serious. Your colleagues are joining Count Vistacia at the gates. Why should I make an exception for you?”
“Count Pistacia can handle himself, and you have nothing to lose. Besides, we could use a miracle...”
Madam Isabella turned towards Annie who pursed her lips and nodded firmly.
“This would all be much easier if you would tell me what you’re looking for in the west.” Isabella looked at Michael who averted his eyes and at Natalie who tried to stare her down. Tommy kept a neutral expression and Finn did not budge from his spot.
For a moment, the old director closed her eyes. Then, as soon as she opened them, she tapped the table with her index finger, and Phoenix, in all of his magical, fiery, glory materialized out of thin air.
“You are free to go. However, Phoenix goes with you. He will observe and grade your actions, drag you back if necessary.”
“Perfect,” Finn’s grin almost reached his ears, and Madam Isabella raised an eyebrow.
In the meantime, Annie spoke firmly: “We can handle ourselves. Phoenix should go help the count.”
“The fact that you think a count of the empire needs more help than five, first-year students shows the opposite.”
Annie tried to rebuke, but Finn nudged her before bowing politely.
“We thank you for your assistance.” 'We'll need it.'
He then grabbed Annie’s hand and pushed everyone out of the office. Behind them, the beet red parrot started pecking at the director’s fingers. The old woman sighed and leaned back in her chair, while the bird ruffled its feathers.
‘What’s wrong?’ it whispered inside her head, in a deep, masculine voice. ‘Do you really want me to go with them?’
‘No, just send a clone. Send clones to spy on the counts too and to watch over the older children who have taken on quests.’
‘Are you sure?’ The bird scratched its beak. ‘If there are spies within the empire…’
‘There are.’ Madam Isabella lowered her head. ‘That much is abundantly clear. There’s not a shred of doubt in my mind that they already know of your identity.’
‘Then we must fight!’
‘Eventually. I will not allow them to take away my children.’
Phoenix jumped onto her palm and the old woman stroked his feathers. Flames burst out of his body, setting the office ablaze. The old bird burrowed inside his master’s palm, and a few moments later, he fell asleep.