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The Secret Heir and the Mistress of Fire
Chapter Three: A Lost Friend

Chapter Three: A Lost Friend

By the time they walked back to Cat's house, the word had spread of her exhibition. Phineas heard about the test from his brother Thomas. Thomas was one of the members of the crowd and he ran back home to tell Phineas immediately. Thomas was a year older than Phineas and a very strong, hardworking boy. He flung open the door and Phineas whipped around at the noise. “What’s all that commotion out there?” He asked. “You’re going to be so proud!” He said. “Why?” “Well someone is here from the academy and they just tested Catherine. She was amazing! I always really liked her you should go congratulate her!” “Wait what? She wasn’t supposed to take the test for a few months... What do you mean people watched? She was taking the knowledge test not the strength test, why would anyone want to watch that.” “No!” Thomas said excitedly, “that’s the best part! She tested for power!” “What!?” He yelled. “I know isn’t that amazing!” Thom said, misreading Phineas's tone.

Phineas couldn't believe his ears, he was completely shocked. He dropped everything and ran to her house.

The headmaster and her parents congregated in the living room while she sat in the front yard and applied her palms with salve. She looked up and saw Phineas walking towards her swiftly. She smiled at him. “Phineas, you will never believe what…” She realized he was angry once he got closer.

“How dare you test before me!” He yelled. “How did you do that?!”

“Oh, Well the other day, you left one of those large coins here and I went to move it and …”

“Where is it?” He asked.

“Oh, I think my dad has it.” She went inside. “Dad do you have the coin thing Phineas is here and he wants it back.”

“Oh I’m sorry,” Menthom said. “I have it, I’ll be right out.”

Menthom stood up. “Who’s Phineas?” He asked Catherine's parents after she went back outside. “Catherine’s friend,” she said.

"I feel like I've heard that name before, I don't think he's been tested yet." He pulled a book out of his pocket and flipped through the pages quickly. "Oh, yes, he’s on the list to be tested in a few months, can't forget a name like that."

Back outside Phineas became even angrier and Cat wasn't sure how to deal with his attitude.

"Menthom has your medallion, he's bringing it out in a minute." Cat said

“Who is Menthom?” He yelled.

Menthom walked out to join them. “I'm Menthom, I’m so sorry I believe I accidentally kept your medallion." He handed it to him. "You must be very proud of Catherine for getting into the academy today." He looked at her and winked. “I got in?” She said excitedly, “oh my goodness thank you!” She hugged him and he went back into the house.

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Catherine didn't realize it but Menthom saw something in Phineas that concerned him. He stood on the other side of the door in the shadows and watched them.

Phineas turned to Catherine. "I don’t believe it! You must have tricked them all!”

"What?" She said, “what are you talking about?

"You can’t have power, you don’t belong at the academy, I do!"

She was completely confused, "Phineas, there aren't limited spots, we can both get in…”

He began picking up flowerpots and throwing them. “You’ve been keeping this from me to make me look stupid haven’t you!” He threw another pot as he spoke, that time it hit the outside wall of the house. H paused then looked at her with a glare that was birthed from insanity, “I want to see your powers for myself.” He said inching towards her.

He held out the coin. She realized he was going to try and make her hold it. “Stop!” She yelled, “I haven't recovered and it could kill everyone." She tried to back away from him. The disc suddenly flew out of his hand and to the door where Menthom was standing. He caught the disc calmly and placed it in his pocket. “Give that back!” Phin yelled. “What is your name?” He asked, “that’s none of your business!” He spat.

Catherine had never seen him act like that before. He was a little cocky sometimes but never once was he mean or aggressive. Menthom looked at her. “His name is Phineas.”

Menthom waved for her to go inside. He pulled out a book from his inside robe pocket and opened it. “Phineas…Rotham? Correct? You have an entrance test to get into Vasti in two months. Here let me help you out. He scratched out his name. “ I think we are done here.” Catherine listened from the window. She thought she loved Phineas before that outburst, but after, she was pleased the headmaster shut him down instantly. “You can’t do that!” He yelled. “What power do you have?! Why do you have my name in your book!” “I’m reporting you!” Menthom was unexpressive until then and he turned around and made eye contact with Phineas. “To who?” He asked. “Who are you going to report me to?” Phin began to think. “The… the headmaster of the academy!” "I am the headmaster, and you just tried to force a young woman into expelling her powers which would've effectively used her as a breathing weapon that could've harmed all of us. Your actions are against the code of ethics here." Menthoms eyes suddenly became dark and he towered over the young man. "do not go near her ever again."

Menthom went back into the house to check on Cat. “Are you alright?” Menthom asked. She nodded, She was still surprised by his behavior. “He’s never been mean like that before.”

“Power can do that, though it won’t bring out any ugly behavior that wasn’t already there.”

Menthom returned to the living room and told Cats her parents what happened. He expressed extreme concern at something Phineas drew his attention to.

“Because of her caliber, there are some major dangers. Phineas tried to force his Numisma onto her skin, this creates a very large liability. She has to learn how to control the power now. Would it be alright if she started school immediately?" Her father was surprised. "I understand the concern, the best bet is to get her away from the city as fast as possible and of course, she can start school now." Her mother nodded.

“The faster we teach her how to control her energy the safer she will be. Honestly, she has a good start, in the field she did last a while holding back. That was very impressive, but she still has a long way to go."