“Mm? So Guy ’as to keep ’is distance? Alas, ’e will be missed,” Rossi said, leaning his elbows over the back of a chair.
When the Sword Roses reached the lounge, they’d found Team Andrews already there and got to talking; they’d only just finished filling them in on Guy’s situation.
“If you need merry made, turn to me,” Rossi added. “My arms are long enough for everyone, yes?”
With a grin, Rossi spread his arms out, demonstrating. Naturally, all five students ignored his offer, looking past him.
“Andrews, Albright, you were a great help in the lava tree mold,” said Oliver.
“Mm! A splendid performance!” Nanao agreed.
“We merely pitched in a bit at the end,” said Andrews. “You got to the trunk faster than us, and Mr. Greenwood’s safe return is primarily to his own credit.”
“Proving his aptitude for wrangling at a critical juncture… Talk about cocky,” Albright grumbled.
“Try ’arder, would you? It will take more than that to dissuade me!”
Rossi was rocking his chair back and forth, kicking up a fuss. Deciding he’d been a bit too hostile, Oliver made a face and turned toward the Ytallian.
“…We’re kidding, Rossi. Naturally, we’re grateful to you, too. We were just deeply appalled by your tactless offer.”
“Forgive us, Mr. Rossi,” said Chela. “I feel exactly the same. I merely wanted to assert that even if there were a hundred of you, you all would not equal Guy’s little toe.”
“A pair of charming smiles, yet you ’url spiteful remarks! Do not make me start liking that!”
Rossi clutched his shoulders, shivering. Blocking that display from his peripheral, Albright got back to the point.
“Either way, you decided to follow Greenwood’s lead and figure yourselves out? I’ll lend an ear, but I can’t offer much advice. My path is the Gnostic hunts—always has been.”
“And I’m saying you needn’t be that committed to it, Albright. In my eyes, you have a knack for teaching. A future where you’ve built on that foundation is entirely viable.”
“Teach where? At what school? A house with no name is one thing, but I’m heir to the Albrights. I’d argue that’s a path you should consider yourself. Sounds like you’re fitting right in on the council.”
Albright and Richard started arguing the point. Chela wiped a tear, touched that Richard would be so concerned about his friend’s potential. Rossi, meanwhile, was just watching this play out with a smirk—when all eyes started gathering on him, he looked startled.
“Oh, me? I ’ave not spared a thought to it. My life is like a walk upon the clouds.”
“…How like your fighting style.” Chela sighed. “A classic example of someone who needs his feet on the ground.”
“See, Nanao? We can’t end up like him,” said Katie.
“I am not a mirror to your own flaws! I ’ave good reason for my lack of plans—I swore I would defeat Oliver before I settled upon anything!”
“How many years are you planning on attending Kimberly, Rossi? That’s a thorny path to follow.”
“Ah! Ahh! Pete, your tongue ’as grown so ’arsh!”
Ignoring Rossi’s passionate gasps, they turned their focus back to the raging debate. When he caught their looks, Richard broke off, clearing his throat.
“Pardon me. Fact is, those with multiple aptitudes always face a tough decision. Chela, Oliver, none more so than you. Meanwhile, those who have a single standout aptitude need merely pursue it to its fullest. Not to deliver the most stock advice possible, but it’s true.”
“Hmm, then in my case…,” Nanao mused.
“Sword arts or brooms,” said Chela. “Major in either, and Instructors Garland and Hedges will be waiting with open arms.”
“It’s very much worth attempting to attach yourself to one or the other. They both take picking apprentices seriously, but that makes it all the more worthwhile. And with you, Ms. Hibiya, it’s absolutely in the cards,” Richard assured her.
He wasn’t quite meeting her eyes, but his bashful act failed to disguise the reverence behind his words. Oliver and Chela found that delightful and struggled to conceal it.
Albright nodded in agreement. “Aalto, Reston, the same approach should swiftly narrow your options. The opposite applies to you, McFarlane—but in your case, you’re more likely to be bound by your house than your talent. Perhaps even more than I am.”
“…I wouldn’t compare us. But if I’m honest, I have my share of binds. I am not entirely at my father’s command, yet…”
“…You’ll have to tell us more about that someday. I know it’s not easily shared…,” Katie said, tugging at her sleeve. Chela immediately gave her an appreciative hug.
Albright shifted his focus away. “You’re the one I’m most intrigued by, Oliver. Obviously, I’m well past dismissing you as a jack-of-all-trades. But acknowledging your abilities does not tell me where you’re headed.”
“”
Oliver just stood there, lacking any immediate answer. Realistically, he could not imagine a future the way his friends could; he simply did not have that much time left. A fact he’d long since accepted—or so he thought, but now that turmoil came boiling back up. Trying to trample it down, he managed an awkward smile.
“Hate to disappoint, but honestly, I haven’t even thought about it. Ever since I reached Kimberly, I’ve been too focused on the problems at hand. Never had a moment to look ahead.”
“Aha! Much like myself!” Nanao crowed.
“Same—!”
“Hardly.”
Rossi tried to jump in, and Pete cut him down.
A pleasant scene that cut Oliver to the quick. How sweet it would be if he had as much time as they did.
Albright closed his eyes, snorting. Oliver had expected a torrent of insults, but none seemed imminent.
“Hmph. Afraid I saw that coming,” said Albright. “Take a moment to pull yourself out of other people’s problems and deal with your own mess. Do not give me that same answer the next time we meet.”
Some harsh words, but mostly sound advice. Oliver appreciated it, but today, everyone was being so nice, and that was just making it worse. Was the impact of Guy’s withdrawal showing on his face? If so, he really had to get it together. He was in no position to go around revealing his weaknesses.
At this point, Richard took a step toward him. Interpreting Oliver’s struggles to control himself as fretting about his future, Richard lent a helping hand.
“Consult with me whenever you like,” he said. “If you want a lengthy chat somewhere out of the public eye, I know a good place in Galatea. Should I see if I can wedge in a reservation for a private room this weekend?”
“Uh, thanks, Richard. I may…ask for that at some point, but not just yet. I want to give this a good think on my own first.”
This generosity was too much for him, and Oliver threw up both hands, smiling. Realizing he was perhaps being overbearing, Richard backed off. Chela put a hand on Oliver’s shoulder and smiled at him.
“It’s not just Rick—many people here are eager to offer help. No need to rush things. The connections you’ve made are more valuable than anything.”
Her warm words provoked a whole litany of emotions, but Oliver merely nodded.
With that topic settled, Albright looked at each face in turn.
“…One last word of advice,” he said. “Not to any one of you, but the whole group—Greenwood included.”
That sounded significant, so everyone straightened up.
“Don’t get reckless,” Albright growled. “Everything we’ve discussed is founded on the assumption that you will live to graduate without being consumed by the spell.”
“……Yeah, point taken,” Oliver managed.
Five heads nodded. The best advice they could receive—but to Oliver’s ears, the irony of it was all too clear.