Chapter 5: Training at Dawn

Roran somehow makes his way to Max's location in the forest with Alex and spots Max. upon reaching, he thinks to himself "Was this the technique he was gonna teach me? I mean, he's just moving around in circles and swinging a wooden stick. Why was Alex so mesmerized by that? Well, this isn't gonna do, how about I launch a surprise attack from the back." As he observes from a distance.

Max: Ah, Roran, Alex, come closer.

Roran (surprised): Did…you just sense us.

Max (laughs): Ha! Nonsense, I didn't sense you, I sensed your mana.

Alex suddenly claps in excitement as he reads Max's lips saying those words, Max thanks him and brings his hand forward for Roran to shake. Roran, skeptical at first, decides to brush off his doubts and brings his hand forward. Just then Max moves and suddenly sweeps his leg.

Roran: Ow, what was that for?

Max: Lesson 1- Never trust anyone.

Max proceeds to take his stick and tries to hit Roran with it, luckily he dodges but Max launches a barrage of attacks on the poor kid, Max then shifts his aim from Roran to Alex, making Roran jump to protect Alex, just as Max was about to make contact, Roran blocks the attack with his gauntlet and is knocked back with Alex.

Max: Lesson 2- use your head

Max: And finally, always save magic for dire situations.

Saying this Max pulls up the two kids and teaches them some basic kicks and punches. Just then, Louis also shows up; Max smiles at the sight of him and says "Welcome back". He trains the trio to be balanced fighters and in no more than 3 months, they became stronger than they were ever before.

During these times, Max's attendance was very irregular, his studies suffered drastically, and he had easily become Ms. Elara's least favourite student. Max was now sitting outside the principal's office, as his teachers discussed what had to be done about him, Max sat nonchalantly with his eyes close.

Principal: I think expulsion is a bit too harsh, Ms. Elara.

Sir Ronald: I agree, the kid has just missed a few classes here and there.

Mr. Hawthrone: This isn't about his attendance Mr. Ronald, it's about his influence on this academy.

Ms. Elara: Max has broken this academy's code of conduct several times.

Sir Ronald: And those noble brats can do it anytime they please?

Ms. Elara (irritated): Oh, here we go again.

Sir Ronald: What, your "code of conduct" doesn't apply to those brats.

Mr. Hawthrone: Arguing is pointless here.

The scene shift to a confused Avery being tutored by Kamui in the library, the only place unknown to Avery since day one. There, she is accompanied by the Aristocrush.

Avery: So… how did you girls get that name?

Emily: It's pretty simple actually.

Lily:  It all started as a joke... Emily thought it sounded 'powerful,' and Sophia just wanted something with 'crush' in it. And you know, since we're all nobles—

Emily: —Aristo, like aristocrats, obviously.

Sophia: And 'crush' because we crush our exams, crush at magic duels... oh, and hearts, of course.

Lily (adds in): Mostly hearts.

Emily (excitedly): We had to make it sound cool!

Kamui (with a smirk): The Aristocrush? That's a stupid name.

Lily (raising an eyebrow): Really? Says the guy who just got the basic principles of elemental transmutation wrong in class today. It's not vibration, it's resonance.

Kamui (crossing his arms, defensively): I wasn't wrong, it's just a different theory.

Lily (rolling her eyes): A wrong theory. Maybe you should spend less time critiquing our name and more time opening a book.

Kamui (stepping closer, teasing): At least my book would have a better title than Aristocrush.

Lily (smiles): And yet the one writing the wrong answers is calling my name stupid? Now that's funny.

Kamui (narrowing his eyes): I wasn't wrong—

Lily (cutting him off with smug face): Admit it, you were wrong. It'll be the first step to not being... well, stupid.

They stare at each other, tension rising, both refusing to back down. And for the first time, instead of annoyance, there's a flicker of something more in their gaze.

Just then, Avery, the soft-spoken voice of reason, stepped into the fray. She had intended to study with the Kamui after hearing that Max would help him with potions. But now, with the trio surrounding her, she felt caught in a dilemma.

Avery (stepping in nervously): Um, guys, maybe we should just—

Lily (pulling on Avery's arm): Come on, Avery! You'd be better off studying with me. I can help you figure out the more… exciting aspects of potion-making! Plus, we have much better names to discuss!

Emily (smirking at Kamui) Yeah, we all know you can't even brew a simple healing potion without blowing things up. Not exactly a great teacher material.

Sophia (giggling): Seriously! How are you going to help her when you can't even follow a recipe?

Avery (looking at Kamui): But I was hoping to go over the potion notes with him… I think he really understands the subject.

Kamui (seizing the moment): Exactly! I can help you with your notes and maybe even help you avoid another explosion. You can't learn much from just 'excitement,' right?

Lily (glaring at Kamui): This isn't about you! Avery deserves better than to waste her time with someone who can't even brew a simple potion without making a mess!

Kamui (defensively): And she also deserves to work with someone who knows what they're doing, not just someone who thinks they can charm their way through everything!

Emily (stepping forward with her arms crossed): You're just jealous because we actually have fun, while you're busy drowning in your books.

Sophia (chiming in): Yeah, Lily's right! If you were half as smart as you think you are, you'd know that potion-making can be fun and not just a bunch of boring formulas!

Avery (trying to calm them down): Okay, how about we all study together? We can work on potions and come up with some cool names while we're at it.

Lily (crossing her arms): Fine, but if he starts another explosion, I'm holding you responsible, Avery!

Kamui (smirking): Noted. But if I help her avoid blowing anything up, you'll owe me a thank you.

Emily (raising an eyebrow): Avery, you'd better be ready to thank him in style if he manages to not mess up!

Sophia (snickering): Or maybe we should throw him a 'No Explosions' party!

Avery (sighs with a smile): Alright, let's just get started before this turns into a debate on whose potions are better!

The scene shifts to the principal's office where the teachers argue on what has to be done with Max, as the teacher argue, the principal closes his eyes and thinks for a while. All of a sudden, Max's words hit him.

Principal: SILENCE!

The teachers all look at their employer in awe as they have never heard his voice going above 60 dB

Principal: Let Max carry out his regular routine.

Ms. Elara cold blue eyes widen in disbelief, "was this the same man who detested tardiness and was willing to go to extreme lengths for law and order?" She thought in her head. "Was it Max's influence? What did this man see in him."

Ms. Elara: But…

The principal raises his hand signalling her to let him finish first.

Principal: That will only be if he can pass the midterm exams. That will be all, you may leave now.

Everyone leaves except for Ronald, who stood there smirking at the principal. Although his grand stature may intimidate most people at first sight, but deep down he was a gem at heart.

Principal (irritated): What is it?

Ronald (chuckles): You haven't changed one bit

As Ronald leaves, the principal gets up and stares at his office window. He observes the students, some played with each other, forming long-lasting friendships. Others, sparred, forming a healthy rivalry and possibly a long-lasting comradery.

The principal touches his right pec, revealing a scar. The smile on his face fades away as he recalls his past and mumbles to himself "I fear you may be right, Ronald."