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Timothy was aware that his words could annoy people—he was honest and blunt. He didn't get why people needed to mince words. When Han was being an idiot, he called them out for it. And so his conversation with Iola ended tense because of it, he probably shouldn't have brought up her family, but he had to. He only did it because he was sure that some time soon, she would need to leave soon. What kind of family wouldn't look for their own child. 

Although as he stepped into Potions room, he realized, maybe it was a bad thing to bring up? The two of them weren't at that level yet to speak candidly with one another—regardless of their living conditions right now. His mother even told him to be more delicate when talking with girls and he completely ignored it that time, didn't he?

She hadn't slapped him or elbowed him like Becky would, but she was visibility upset—

"Timothy," A familiar woman popped in front of him. And for the first time, Penelope didn't look quite happy with him.Her brows furrowed together, "I noticed that you didn't join the others and I for lunch?"contemporary romance

His absence was that obvious?

He coughed. This felt like one of the moments that his mother caught him travelling too much in the Enchanted Forest, "U-uh… I noticed that there was tension with uh, the group of people with Han, and decided to run away?" It was a bad excuse, but it was what he was going to go through with. 

"O-oh," Penelope blinked and folded her hands together. She pursed her lips, "I suppose the thing with Diov Brande was surprising, but you didn't need to run away like a cat!" She frowned and wagged a finger at him, "My brother was eager to discuss a schedule regarding your tutorial...and I've been sort of looking forward to dining with you."

Timothy honestly didn't know why she was being nice to him. "I see, sorry about that." He had no clue on who was Diov Brande, but he'd go along with it. As for her brother… he'd forgotten to discuss this with either Han or Iola. But did he even need their permission? This was his life. "As for your younger brother, perhaps—oh, you're there."

Elliot appeared beside his sister from out of nowhere. Had he been [ Invisible ] the entire time? "Yes, I'm doing this as a favor for my big sister, but I hope that you take this seriously. Your grades in Combat Class are—"

"Now, now." Penelope was quick to turn to her brother, "Timothy is quite talented, you've seen how he did during the Trial Test, I'm sure he'll rise through the ranks."

How the young woman was this confident in his skills was flattering but also pressuring. Timothy turned to the younger boy, "If it won't be too troublesome to train during the night?" He could bring Iola dinner and then head out to meet Elliot, that was possible. Han seemed to rest early in the night so he couldn't invite the man—and he didn't want to place too much burden on the boy. 

"Very well. I'll see you tonight at Dewrowan's Tower's courtyard. Tip-top at seven in the evening."

Penelope tilted her head, "Why not have it at six? We could all have dinner—"

"Seven is good with me." Timothy cut her off and looked at Elliot. He had to pretend that he didn't just hear that, unfortunately. Just an hour or so to bring dinner to Iola and maybe read his spellbooks on his own. He didn't think that Elliot or Penelope have access to the library, and perhaps he could share them...but they probably could afford their own books.

He needed his.

"Anyway, I think I'll get to my seat now and uh set up my cauldron?" Timothy began to move back to his seat and waved at the two before reaching the back of the room. He glanced at his right and saw that the Half Elf wasn't there yet. He needed to thank her for yesterday didn't he? 

Although the search for the book of the Illusionary Mage didn't go as planned, she managed to save his neck for more times than what was possible there. It really made his own strength seem like nothing, he really needed to ask Professor Lavelda regarding his studies. Wait, he looked down at his table and found no cauldron. 

It wasn't Potions Class but Magical Specialization—he slapped a hand over his face. "I'm not getting enough sleep." And yet he didn't have much time to slack around, he needed to get the Mage class soon. 

.

.

.

"Hmm, you haven't gotten the Mage Class yet?" Professor Lavelda pushed up her spectacles. It was the end of their class but the young man had stayed to consult with her—and it took them long enough to finally accept her help. "What exactly has been Professor Carnus teaching you? You're also listening to Professor Pierce in regards to the Theory of Magic right?"

"Er… I am, at least for Professor Pierce, Professor Carnus has been throwing me and my friend out because we don't know a single Spell."

She gripped her staff in her hand and looked at the young man standing in front of her desk. Everyone else had already left and although he would probably run a little late to his next class, this class was much more important than Homeroom so Orleans wouldn't really mind it. "Even then, you should have been able to get the Mage Class by the mere lessons we're already having." She scrunched up her face and tapped the table. "You have a lot of potential, but if you can't even get the Class—"

"Then it's a huge problem."

She pursed her lips and nodded, "I'm afraid so, your Cook Class and the way you managed to use your Skills, particularly that [ FireStarter ] there is ingenious, but do you have some mental block…?"

"I want to be a Mage," Timothy spoke up, "And then I'll be able to consolidate—"

"Yes, it's quite likely that you'll consolidate the Cook Class with your Mage Class and perhaps gain the Alchemist Class, or Potions Brewer." Professor Lavelda eyed the young man once again. "But there's also the possibility it won't happen?" 

"...It won't?"

She gave a firm nod, she needed to ascertain something. "I'm not sure if you wish to become an Alchemist, do you?"

"I'm able to do it without much trouble, Professor." He answered and even pulled out the potions they've made from the class earlier. "It's easy for me, my [ Ingredients Sense ] Skill somehow works with brewing—"

"I can see that, but do you want to be an Alchemist?" She would have rested a hand underneath her face if she wasn't holding on to her staff. 

"Yes. Rockfall Village never had their own local Alchemist because of its size, once I become an Alchemist, I think I'll be able to ensure that my village is properly equipped with potions like Healing Potions and other potions necessary."

"I see." Professor Lavelda tapped her staff on the man's shoulder, careful not to smack them too hard with the orb on it. "You're quite a kind young man, aren't you?" She smiled lightly.

She watched the man flush and shake his head, "Far from it actually, Professor. I'm just doing what's needed."

"Really?" A smile tugged on her lips. She wondered if she needed to say it now, she would have liked the young man to discover it themselves. The hurtle between reaching the Mage Class, was obvious to her. But somehow he didn't seem to get it did he? It was a little pitiful if she had to spell it out for him.

"I also managed to learn the [ Light ] Spell today." The young man blurted. "Shouldn't I be getting the Class—

Today? That was talent right there! "You don't need the Mage Class to do magic, boy." She chuckled and waved her staff, "The Mage Class is for those who intend to go down the path of Magehood but not everyone needs a Class."

"But there's a need for Students here to get to Level 10 prior to enrollment—"

"And yet you're still here, aren't you?" Professor Lavelda shrugged, "So that means that it isn't actually that required. Getting the Class will be helpful no doubt, you can gain [ Spells ] for free without learning hard if you have the Mage Class, but you can still study magic without it."

"Are you suggesting that I become a Student under the Mage Curriculum without even gaining the Mage Class?" The young man frowned and crossed his arms together.

"No, I mean, sure you can—but, I have no doubts that once you figure out what's hindering you, you'll gain the Mage Class this very moment."

"Is it really that easy?" He sounded dubious.

And it was for a good reason. One couldn't just believe everything that they've read or seen. Professor Lavelda gave them a look, "Well, you need to put in the work. You can't just flick a wand and call yourself a Mage, but with effort and will, along with the innate talent to become one—you'll become one."

done.co