Lucifer's POV

"Is going to the academy really that important?"

A clang drowned out the silence as my mother dropped her fork onto her plate.

"What? No! I mean, why? What happened, Luc?" Her distress was evident, her eyes searching mine for an explanation.

"I just... what if I stayed here and helped Dad with his work? Why do I have to go to the academy when we can have a peaceful life here in Denham?"

Mom's face hardened, "Luc, you were so happy to go to the academy just yesterday. Why today? What happened?"

I fumbled for the right words, feeling a strange mix of fear and determination. "No, Mom, it's just... I want to know why. Why do I have to go? What's so important about it?"

There was a moment of silence, thick with unspoken words. I mustered up the courage, hoping they would confide in me, trust me, I am their son after all albeit an eight-year-old. I needed to understand why they were so desperate to send me away.

"Can't we just stay here, in Denham?" I urged.

Dad, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. His expression was grave, his voice firm. "Luc... the academy... you should go. No, you must go."

His seriousness took me aback. Dad was rarely this intense.

"But why, Dad? Why is it so important?"

Mom sighed deeply, her gaze distant. "Luc, the academy isn't just about education. It's about preparing you for what's to come."

I looked between them, confusion and frustration bubbling up. "What's to come? What are you talking about?"

Dad leaned forward, his eyes locking onto mine. "Luc, you're special. It's not safe here, not for someone like you."

My heart raced. "Not safe? What do you mean? Are we in danger? just because I have golden eyes? Is that it? but I don't even know how to cast a spell-"

"That's why Luc, I know you can't cast spells even though you are blessed with golden eyes and that's all the more reason you should go!"

Dad...he never screamed at me, so why....

He gently hugged me, caressing my hair as he whispered repeatedly that I must get accepted into the academy. "I am sorry Luc for yelling, but Luc you have to go there, just remember that is where you belong, you understand us right Luc?"

His voice and gestures seemed to be desperate but...I could feel it. My unnecessarily nosy power, once again, made me realize there were layers of human emotions, and as we peel one after another, the deepest desires are reflected. I closed my eyes, letting the sensation wash over me. The emotions pouring out of Dad were complex, a mixture of fear, hope, and a deep sense of urgency. It was as if he was holding back something monumental, something that lay just beyond my reach.

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1st December, XXXX

Our small house buzzed with activity as we made final preparations for the journey to the academy town. Bags were packed, supplies were checked, and nerves were on edge.

"Lucifer, did you remember to pack your spare quills and ink bottles?" Mom's voice carried a note of concern as she approached me, a list in hand.

I nodded, showing her the pouch tucked securely in my bag. "Yes, Mom. I've got everything I need."

She smiled, though a hint of worry still lingered in her eyes. "Good, good. And don't forget your application form. You'll need it for registration."

I patted my pocket, feeling the crinkled paper within. "It's right here, Mom. Don't worry, I've double-checked everything."

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Meanwhile, Umbral hovered nearby, offering occasional comments and observations. "Master, don't forget about your enchanted compass. It'll come in handy if we get lost."

I chuckled at Umbral's reminder. "Thanks, Umbral. I almost forgot about that."

Meanwhile, our neighbour Mrs Thompson couldn't contain her curiosity as she peered over the fence, her eyes gleaming "Where are you off to? Is it already time for the academy admissions?" she called out, her tone laced with thinly veiled jealousy.

Mom smiled warmly, though there was a hint of weariness in her eyes. "Yes, Mrs. Thompson. We're heading to the academy town for Lucifer's exams."

"Ah, yes yes" Mrs. Thompson nodded knowingly, though her gaze lingered a moment too long on me "Such a bright future ahead of you, young man."

Carol, the local busybody who never missed a chance to pry into others' affairs, couldn't resist joining the conversation. "Oh, going to show off his magical talents, is he?" she quipped, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Dad exchanged a polite but curt nod with Carol, his patience wearing thin with her intrusive comments. "Something like that, Carol. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have a carriage to catch."

Just then Leo and Canary, my closest friends, had come to see me off. Their presence brought a bittersweet smile to my face knowing that it may take a long time to see them again.

Leo, with his ever-present grin, approached me first. His eyes shimmered with unspoken words, and he clapped me on the back with a force that conveyed both his pride and his reluctance to say goodbye. "You've got this, Luc!" he said, his voice a mix of enthusiasm and a hint of sadness. "Show those examiners what you're made of!"

I smiled, trying to keep my own emotions in check. "Thanks, Leo. Your confidence means a lot to me."

As I reached out to shake his hand, the contact triggered my newfound ability to sense emotions. A flicker of jealousy pierced through the connection, stark and unexpected. It left me momentarily speechless, a knot forming in my stomach. Leo, my best friend, harboured feelings of envy. Nonetheless, who am I to judge, when I had too harboured the same sin; to envy my friends? I quickly masked my surprise, determined not to let it taint this moment.

Canary stepped forward next, her calm demeanour, soothing my thoughts. Her eyes held a quiet intensity, reflecting the depth of our bond. "Remember, it's not just about magic. It's about resilience and determination. You've worked hard for this moment."

"I won't forget, Canary. Thank you."

We embraced, and in that moment, the reality of our parting hit me. The weight of it pressed down on my chest, making it hard to breathe. These were the friends who had stood by me through thick and thin, who had shared in my joys and my sorrows. And now, I was leaving them behind.

Leo, sensing the shift in my mood, tried to lighten the atmosphere. "Hey, don't get all sentimental on us now. We'll be here when you come back, probably causing trouble as usual."

I laughed, though it was tinged with sadness. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

Canary's voice softened a rare display of emotion. "We'll miss you, Luc. But we know this is the path you were meant to take. Just promise you'll write to us, okay?"

I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. "I promise. I will write whenever I can"

As the carriage driver called for us to board, the finality of the moment sank in. We exchanged one last, heartfelt embrace, holding on just a bit longer as if we could delay the inevitable parting. The realization of what I was leaving behind hit me with full force. My heart ached as I watched Leo and Canray wave, their figures becoming smaller with each turn of the wheels. I bit my lip, trying to keep my composure, but the flood of emotions was overwhelming.

Leo called out one last time, his voice carrying over the distance. "Remember, Luc, we're always here for you!"

Canary echoed the sentiment, her voice steadier but equally heartfelt. "We'll be waiting for your letters, Luc. Don't forget us."

Tears blurred my vision, and I blinked rapidly, not wanting my parents to see. I raised my hand in a final wave, the motion heavy with the weight of our shared memories and the uncertain future ahead.

Inside the carriage, the walls seemed to close in around me. The silence was deafening with only the rhythmic clatter of the wheels against the cobblestones. Umbral, ever the observant companion, sensed my turmoil. His voice was a soothing balm, gentle and reassuring. "You'll see them again, Master. And they'll be proud of all you accomplish."

I nodded, taking a deep breath to steady myself. In a voice barely above a whisper, I confided to Umbral, making sure Mom and Dad wouldn't overhear, "I know, Umbral. I just didn't realize how hard it would be to say goodbye."

The carriage rolled onward, each mile taking me further from the life I had known. The familiar landscape gradually gave way to new and unknown territories, marking the beginning of a journey. With every passing day, the reality of my new life at the academy drew closer, mingling excitement with the lingering sadness of parting. The tears I shed were not just of sadness, but of hope and anticipation for the journey that was just beginning. As dawn approached, casting a soft glow on the horizon, I couldn't shake the feeling that this journey was leading me toward something far more significant than mere exams and magical studies. As we ventured farther, the questions that haunted me remained unanswered, but I was more determined than ever to uncover the truths that lay hidden.

The academy awaited, a place of learning and discovery, but also a place where secrets and mysteries could be unraveled. The journey was just beginning, and as the carriage rolled on, I couldn't help but feel that we were on the brink of something extraordinary, something that would change our lives forever.