Chapter 31: Baku’s Plan

(Setting: Crystal Kingdom: Royal Palace- The King's Study)

(Scene: Baku goes to speak to the King)

*Baku appears in the King's Study.

*The room was dimly lit by blueish-green crystals and carpeted with a large desk decorated by a beautiful and detailed map of the city. A neat globe of the planet below was rotating on top a floating disk, a piece of technology similar to that found in the High University's classrooms. There were many dust free bookcases and shelves with records of the Crystal Kingdom. This is where the King would go if he wanted to get away from his family for some peace and quiet.

[King Jeremiah Cree]: Ah, Baku. Thank you for joining us.

[Nicolatrice Cree]: *Smiling* Good afternoon, Master Baku! How was your day at school?

[Baku Cree]: Oh hey, Mom! It was nice, I hung out with the Princess and her friends afterward at the mall...

[Nicolatrice Cree]: Oh! You mean the super nice and expensive one? That sounds wonderful! Did you buy anything nice, sweetie?

[Baku Cree]: Hehe, no Ma. Just because I'm royalty doesn't mean I'm rich too!

[King Jeremiah Cree]: Hm? Did you need money, Baku? I could've lent you any amount if you asked, my son.

[Baku Cree]: *Siigghh* ... I'm fine... Also, you're not my dad…

[King Jeremiah Cree]: Anyhow, I'm glad you had a splendid day. Now then Baku, I asked for your presence because I wanted to know if you were aware of the Crystal Dome Games being announced today?

[Baku Cree]: *Knods* I did see a poster advertising the event at a store we visited. It seems pretty early than normal, though...

[King Jeremiah Cree]: Yes, it is being planned to take part sooner this year than the ones before. So then, you understand how critical it is that you participate in and win the tournament, correct? You absolutely must under any circumstance win the champion prize, Baku.

[Baku Cree]: Yeah, I'm aware... But, I don't really seem to understand why the Crystal Sword is being used as a trophy in the first place… Isn't it supposed to be a weapon?

[King Jeremiah Cree]: You see, Baku... The last World Guardian from the Crystal Kingdom lived more than 15 years ago. Because of this, the legendary sword hasn't been used for many years and has been laid to rest, being used primarily as a trophy for the champion of the games every year.

[Baku Cree]: Well, why don't you save us some time and use your royal powers to just give me the sword or something?

[King Jeremiah Cree]: Please understand, young lord, the Crystal Dome Games have been a tradition done every year since the Crystal Kingdom was built in order to celebrate the brave heroes and warriors that not only fought for their kingdom's protection... But also, more recently, for those who've risked their lives to explore and journey throughout the farthest reaches of the Crystarius Galaxy and beyond it…

[Baku Cree]: .........

[King Jeremiah Cree]: If the sword was ever just given to any random person, no matter who they happen to be... I am confident that not only the entire kingdom would be furious with my actions, but it would also disown the lives of the many men and women who've sacrificed themselves and served our country. Do you understand this, Baku?

[Baku Cree]: ... Hm... *Knods* ... Prince Majorku and I plan to begin my training early tomorrow morning.

[King Jeremiah Cree]: Excellent, I am excited to see what you become out of it. The prince is a perfect warrior, so perhaps you will learn a few things... So now that we are aware of your activities for the weekend, Baku, what are your plans to improve your grades in time for the Mid-Term Examinations? Do you have that paper I asked you to obtain?

*Baku hands the King a paper with his grades on it.

[Baku Cree]: Um... Study really hard?

[King Jeremiah Cree]: .......... Th-this is... absolutely horrendous......

[Baku Cree]: *Embarrassed* Geez, you don't have to say that in front of my mom…

[King Jeremiah Cree]: How could you let your son's grades become so bad?

[Nicolatrice Cree]: Well, Baku always said that the High University taught useless information…

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

[King Jeremiah Cree]: *Embarrassed* Don't try to blame this on my school!

[Baku Cree]: We're not blaming it on you, we're blaming it on Master Grendar…

[King Jeremiah Cree]: *Embarrassed* That's not the point!

[Nicolatrice Cree]: *Smiles Softly* Either way, I'm confident that Baku will succeed in increasing his grades in time for his test.

[King Jeremiah Cree]: *Sigh* ... I hope for that little girl’s sake he does... Listen up, Baku, I will arrange a group of tutors to help you study for your test alongside your training with Prince Majorku. It will be hard, but I'm sure you know now the increasing complexity of what you must do... So, I'll leave you to it…

[Baku Cree]: ... And I'll do it…

[King Jeremiah Cree]: *Hmph* ... We'll see…

*The King exits his dimly lit study and leaves Baku and his mother alone in silence.

[Nicolatrice Cree]: How are you feeling, Baku?

[Baku Cree]: …... I'm fine…

[Nicolatrice Cree]: Are you sure? You can tell me if something is bothering you…

[Baku Cree]: Really, Mom. I'm okay... How was your day?

[Nicolatrice Cree]: ... *Smiles softly* My day was swell, I spent most of it learning all sorts of new skills and techniques from the maids and butlers to help me be more fancy like. I finally figured out how to walk down the stairs without dropping any books from my head! But everything else was so overwhelming, I couldn't possibly remember it all…

[Baku Cree]: I'm feeling overwhelmed, too...

[Nicolatrice Cree]: About what, Baku?

[Baku Cree]: ... I... I feel like I put myself in a hole in terms of digging myself out of my terrible grades... I wanna get Millia back to Barrtio and Finn... I miss them like crazy, and I haven't seen them in forever... *Sigh* ... And then, I'm going to have to win the Crystal Dome Games... I never thought I would ever have to say those words. On top of that, I know I may have to fight either Prince Majorku and, or, Lady Yamabushi...

[Baku Cree]: Finally, after all of that, I still have to find a way to save the world and I don't even know what I'm up against! ....... Mom... *Sniff* ... I'm scared... *Teary eyed* If I fail any class, Millia won't come back to the school. If I lose the tournament, I won't get the stupid sword. And if I don't save the world... It'll be destroyed! And it will be all my fault! ... I ... I don't know what to do…

*Nicolatrice wipes the tears from Baku's face. She looks deeply into his eyes of aventurine and smiles.

[Nicolatrice Cree]: *Smiles softly* Aventurine... Try not to worry about too many things at once. The maids told me today, that when they get overwhelmed with a lot of task, they take a step back and take on their chores one by one. That way it doesn't seem like things are piling up on them, and they can calmly work on one thing at a time... Why don't you focus on your training and studying for now, and not specifically for the games or your exams. And then you can knock out those when you get to them!

[Baku Cree]: *Sniff* ... Mom…

[Nicolatrice Cree]: When the time comes, you will learn more about your upcoming journey so that you are fully prepared for what to expect on the planet below. Then, when it's time to finally go, it will be all natural and you will leave all of your problems behind as you will need to move on and become the World Guardian of Planet Eternia.

[Baku Cree]: But... what if I fail on my mission?

*Nicolatrice hugs her son tightly.

[Nicolatrice Cree]: You won't fail, Baku... I believe that you will find ways to make things work out somehow... I also believe that you will meet many people who will help you reach your goal! And even though you will be far from home, I will always love you and happily wait for you to come back, knowing that my son is changing lives and making the planet a happier and healthier place to live in… Because at the end of the day, I'll forever be proud of you no matter what you choose to do…

*Baku finally smiles back at his mother. Everything she says always makes him feel better. No matter how bad he ever felt, hearing his mother’s sweet and caring voice was all he ever needed. She was the embodiment of purity, and the only woman who could truly bring ease to Baku’s being.

[Nicolatrice Cree]: *Smiling* I'm glad you were able to open up to me, Baku! It’s been so long since we’ve had such a heartfelt conversation with each other!

[Baku Cree]: *Smiles softly* I know I don't always talk about my feelings with you, Mom... I’m just not the type of person to talk about those kinds of things… You should've had a girl, haha!

[Nicolatrice Cree]: *Smiling* Maybe one day you'll give me a beautiful granddaughter!

[Baku Cree]: Haha! Now you're the one talking crazy!

*The mother and son laugh together. Suddenly, a maid rings a bell and announces that dinner is ready.

[Nicolatrice Cree]: Would you like to meet our new family for dinner, young master Baku?

[Baku Cree]: Yes, let's go, milady!

*Baku and his mother leave the king's study and head for the dining hall.