Your eyes ease open and you stretch as a yawn escapes you. A shift beside you makes you freeze and look over to find that Julius had joined you on the roof in the middle of the night, and he seems to have brought one of your blankets to share.

          "... Julius… You had a bed." You sigh rubbing your eyes. He hums in response. "Why are you up here?"

          "Why are you up before the sun?" He retorts with a grumble, rolling over to put a hand over your face. "Go back to sleep." You blink a few times through the gaps in his fingers. A bubbly feeling rises to your chest but you snuff it out with a small huff. 

         'This guy…' You think, carefully picking up his hand from your face before sitting up. You peer at him before standing and bundling him up in the blanket, ignoring his groggy protest as you pick him up and hop off the roof. You take him inside, passing your foster father along the way to your room to drop off Julius on your bed before going back out to where your father readied breakfast.

         "Were… You two sleeping on the roof?" He inquires, tilting his head slightly.

         "I was there first. When I woke up he was there… I don't understand. He was in my bed at the beginning." You shake your head with a slight sigh, making him chuckle before passing you a bowl. 

         "Alright. Let's get the day started." He rumbles. You both eat before starting work on the fields. At some point Julius emerges from the house, watching curiously before attempting to help. 

         Julius was a bit clumsy at first and you had to correct him a few times but he quickly understood. 

         "Heh. This is kinda nice." He hums. 

         "This is your first time away from the noble realm?" Evan inquires.

         "Yes. I never camped before either until we were on our way here." Julius smiles.

         "So that's why you took so much time." Evan peers at you.

         "He isn't used to traveling on foot." You shrug, glancing at the sun as it finally peeks over the horizon. 

         "Well it's good you're back. Gavin was starting to worry." He breathes.

         "Your friend?" Julius guesses.

         "He calls me his best friend and rival." You nod, starting to finish up. 

         "___!!!” A distant call sounds and you look over your shoulder as the raven haired guy appears down the street, racing toward you. 

        "There he is." You straighten up and turn to him. He soon crashes into you with tearful eyes.

        "Yer finally back! I missed ya! Why did you take so long!?" He complains.

        "It was only five days." You blink.

        "It should have only taken you four!" He argues. "And that still felt like forever!"

        "Maybe you should have come then." You state.

        "Eh… I told you why I couldn't. So what did you…." He trails off as he finally notices Julius, blinking at him.

        "What's up?" Julius waves. 

        "Um… Who are you?" Gavin asks.

        "I'm Julius Novachrono. I met ___ back in the noble realm and I'm staying here until the grimoire ceremony." Julius points to himself. Gavin looks him over before his jaw drops and he looks at you in shock.

         "You brought a noble home!?" He gasps. "You were only supposed to go check out the general store! Not nab yerself a nobleman!"

         "... Nab?" You echo in confusion. "I didn't steal Julius. He followed me home."

         "And you just let him?" 

         "It's to clear my debt." You nod. 

         "Debt!? What the hell were you doing in the noble realm!?" Gavin questions in alarm. Julius chuckles and you look between them blankly.

         "Oh right. Your gift." You hum going into the house. 

         "Huh?" Gavin watches after you, utterly lost now. You return, handing him the dagger. 

         "Julius said you shouldn't get the holster before the grimoire since you don't know what yours will be like. So I got you this with my money… And he helped me pay for it." You tell him. He unsheathes the dagger, looking between you and it, seeming in shock.

         "You… Put yourself in debt to get me a gift?" He tries to wrap his head around it.

         "You would've been disappointed if I came back with nothing. Here's your money back." You point out handing him the pouch as well. He sheathes the dagger and hugs you with a sniffle. 

         "You really do see me as a friend." He breathes. 

         "... Well yeah. You said we were." You state, blinking as you awkwardly pat his back. 

         "I can't tell with you sometimes." He sighs pulling back. He looks over the dagger before looking at Julius. "Ah… Thanks for this… and for looking after ___.”

         "No problem." Julius smiles. "Are we done now?" He adds to you.

         "Yeah. You kids go ahead and show Julius around." Evan tells you three with a wave. 

         "Okay." You wave before looking at Gavin. "What do we show him?" 

         "Hmm… Have you ever left the noble realm before, Julius?" Gavin asks him.

         "Nope." Julius shakes his head.

         "Then we HAVE to take him to the demon." Gavin points at the remains that overlooked Hage. Julius lights up at that, seeming excited about the suggestion. 

         "We sure do if he's going to make a face like that." You comment starting for Hage. 

         "... Wait, ___ look at me real fast." Gavin requests. You look back at him as he tilts his head.

         "Hm?" You hum in question.

         "Did it sound like ___ was smiling to you?" He murmurs to Julius. 

         "Did sound like amusement." Julius nods.

         "I wasn't smiling. I was just commenting." You assure them before carrying on. Gavin hums with a frown. 

         "Dammit." He grumbles following along with Julius. 

         "So the stone face is normal?" Julius guesses.

         "Yep. Can never tell what ___ is thinking." Gavin sighs. 

         "I see… That just makes things interesting then." Julius rumbles, moving to your side. You glance at him before looking toward the demon remains. 

         "Gavin used to spend hours trying to get reactions from me." You hum. 

         "Oh? Any luck?" The blond peers at him.

         "Not really. But I did manage to get a glare before. Not recommended. I wanted to cry." Gavin informs.

         "He was convinced I hated him for days after that." You breathe.

         "I see." Julius chuckles. "You're soft hearted. Aren't you Gavin?" 

         "What? Nah. I'm tough. Like iron." Gavin raises his chin. "I wouldn't be surprised if that was my attribute actually." 

         "You don't know?" Julius blinks in surprise.

         "Not really," Gavin shrugs. "But I'm sure it's linked to that element. My mom had iron magic from what I heard." 

         "I see… Is she…?" Julius tries to ask carefully. 

         "Don't know. She just took off when I was small. Left me at the orphanage." Gavin shrugs, arms moving behind his head. 

         "We think she left the kingdom altogether." You chime in.

         "Hm? Really?" Julius tilts his head curiously.

         "From the little that I could remember she was always in a hurry to get away from places. So we figure she was an outlaw or something." Gavin explains. 

         "I see… Do you remember her name?" Julius inquires.

         "Nope. Wouldn't have remembered my own name if she hadn't given me the note for Sister Dawn." Gavin rumbles. "Anyway Julius. I'm interested in what possessed you to follow ___ home." 

         "Me too." You peer at him.

         "Well… I've always been curious about the Forbidden realm. And I just wasn't ready to say bye yet." Julius says sheepishly. 

         "Okay." You nod. 

         "Really? At least pretend to be flattered that a noble wants to be your friend." Gavin huffs.

         "I just find the situation weird." You admit lightly. 

          "Ah…" Julius breathes looking down. You peer at him and pause.

          "But. I don't mind it. Julius is nice." You add looking away. 

          "I would hope so. It would be really messed up if he was just acting nice." Gavin comments.

         "He's good. I'm not concerned." You nod.

         "... You get concerned?" Gavin marvels. 

         "Just because I don't show it doesn't mean I don't have feelings." You tell him.

         "You have feelings…?" Gavin tilts his head and you deadpan at him. 

         "Why are you so convinced I don't?" You inquire. 

         "I told you a million times that I can't tell." He replies with a huff. Julius chuckles lightly as you two bicker, listening quietly. 

         Before too long you all reach the remains. You peer at Julius as he stares up at it in awe. "This really brings those stories to scale." He murmurs before looking at you. "Can we go in?" 

        "Sure. We can go up top to see the first wizard king's statue too if you want." You hum as Gavin takes the lead cheerfully. 

        "It's been a while since we came here last… We used to play in here when we were younger… Well… I used to play. ___ would just watch me looking lost." He huffs.

        "I wasn't lost. I thought you were amusing." You tell him. 

        "Amusing huh… As long as you were entertained I guess." Gavin sighs as you wait near the mouth while Julius looks about curiously. Gavin peers back at you as he guides Julius into the ribcage. "So, your parents aren't going to cause ___ trouble are they?" 

        "No. It'll be fine." Julius assures lightly, tapping on a rib. 

        "Good… Hm?" Gavin stops as he spots someone ahead of them. He raises his arm slightly in greeting as the crouching man spots them. "Hello, are you-” Gavin cuts himself off to knock Julius to the side and dodge the fire creature that suddenly flew at them. 

        "How unfortunate for you." The man breathes. 

        "Unfortunate is my middle name. Or. Should be anyway." Gavin sighs, jumping to his feet and drawing the obsidian dagger from his boot. His greenish magic starts to surround it. 

        "You're fighting?" Julius blinks in surprise.

        "With my luck we're probably going to have to." Gavin breathes as the man releases two more flame creatures. They both dodge the creatures, Gavin slashing at one and getting knocked back by a blast of fire. 

        Julius raises a hand, capturing the other in a small bubble. "Phew." He breathes with a frown. "What's the meaning of this?" He asks. 

        "Hm? A noble kid here? What luck. Give me your Mana. I still have a ways to the border." The mage breathes pointing a black jeweled wand at Julius. It starts to glow and Gavin swiftly moves between them, stiffening as his Mana is pulled toward the wand. 

        "Gavin!" Julius huffs in alarm. 

        "Tch. What the hell is that?" Gavin breathes. 

        "Get out of the way, Commoner. Your Mana isn't worth stealing-" The mage pauses as a surge of mana comes from above, making him look up as you leap down from on top of the ribs, the pink and purple flame surrounding your fist comes down on his face harshly. Gavin rushes forward, snagging the wand swiftly. 

         "Just in time! But, what were you doing up there?" Gavin huffs to you as you put the mage in a tight headlock. 

         "I was making sure there was a safe way up to the statue for us…" You blink at him calmly.

         "I don't believe you." Gavin deadpans. 

         "What does it matter? I was still able to help." You scoff, looking away.

         "Did you hear that tone and see how she looked away? Means she's embarrassed." Gavin tells Julius, pointing at you. 

         "Is this really the time to question her?" Julius inquires.

         "Yep, because she can't walk away to avoid it." Gavin smirks. 

         "... There was a really pretty butterfly…." You mumble.

         "Hm? What was that?" Gavin leans forward with a smirk. 

         "I was following a pretty butterfly. Okay?" You huff, meeting his gaze, a light pink blooming across the cheeks of your blank face.

         "There it is. The rare confession that you were being cute." Gavin snickers.

         "I should have let him beat you up." You tell him. 

         "Hey! What are you kids doing here?" A call makes you and the others look toward the entrance. The dark haired guy blinks as he comes in with some magic knights following. "It's not safe-" He stops short once he can see you and the unconscious mage. "That's him!" 

         His exclamation draws the rogue mage back to consciousness and he suddenly gets up, lifting you at the same time. Gavin swiftly jumps on the mage's grimoire before it can open for a spell. You tighten your arms around his throat, making him choke and struggle with a snarl.

         "I wouldn't struggle if I were you. Not even boar's can survive that hold." Gavin tells him, passing the grimoire to the white haired magicknight that comes forward. 

         "You can release him. I won't let him escape." The magicknight tells you. With a nod, you release the rogue mage and before he can move a blanket thick mist wraps around him and he is lifted off the ground. You quickly move to join Julius and Gavin, peering over them briskly. 

         "Are you okay?" You ask.

         "Yes. Thanks." Julius nods while Gavin gives a thumbs up. Julius peers back at the mist and relaxes before lighting up. "Is that a mist binding spell?" He gushes to the magicknight. "I've never seen that before." 

          You, Gavin and the magicknights blink at him for the sudden burst. 

          "That's right… You seem familiar…" The magicknight tilts his head. Julius pauses, and shifts behind you slightly. 

          "You're mistaken." Julius smiles carefully.

          "Hey kid. You should let us handle that thing." The blue haired guy accompanying the other magicknight points to the wand in Gavin's hand. 

          "Oh right. Here. He was trying to steal my Mana with it." Gavin hands it over carefully. The blue haired guy blinks his green eyes at Gavin before looking to the white haired magicknight. 

          "You hear that Captain? Makes it the third-"

          "Quiet Bam." The captain scolds him before looking at you three. "You did well. But that was a bit foolish to take him on when you don't even have grimoires. Be more careful in the future." He adds.

          "Yessir." Your group responds, watching the magicknights take their leave.

          "Magicknights huh… Those ones didn't seem as stuck up as the last ones that came here." Gavin comments. 

          "Of course not. Castor is a good man and captain… Or so I hear." The man that had lead the magicknights there says as he starts to usher you three out. Gavin blinks at him and pauses. 

          "Ah man. It's Orsi. Sister Dawn is going to scold me when she finds out." Gavin murmurs to you. 

          "And she ought to. You're always in some kind of trouble when I see you Gavin. And as always ___ was there for the assist." Orsi scolds you both. 

          "I'm telling ya! It's the family curse! Must be!" Gavin claims. 

         "Hush with that…" Orsi sighs, stopping outside of the mouth. "Just be careful on your way back home." 

         "We will. But first, we're taking Julius up to the statue." You point. 

         "Eh?" He follows your point. "Fine. I'll give you three a ride up to it. It'll be safer than leaving you to your own devices." He sighs, grabbing his broom. He takes each of you up separately with his limited magic. Once there, Julius looks about before focusing on the statue, reaching it and seeming to zone out in deep thought. You and Gavin wait nearby, watching him quietly.

         "So what do you think of him?" Gavin asks quietly. 

         "He's different. Very different compared to the ones I saw in the noble realm." You murmur.

         "I'd say. I actually felt compelled to shield him back there… That's not normal." Gavin breathes.

         "You protect me all the time… Though it's usually your fault when it's bad." You point out.

         "That's because it's you. I don't really care about the nobles." He shrugs, putting his hands behind his head. "I don't know why but… It just feels like he belongs." 

         "... Yeah. I suppose you're right." You nod in agreement. 

         "Anyway, how long is he going to look at the statue?" Gavin moves forward, leaning to peer at Julius' face. You move to the blond's otherside to do the same. Julius blinks, peering at you both before chuckling sheepishly. 

         "Sorry, did you two say something?" He asks.

         "Nope. So, were you looking into the future or something?" Gavin teases lightly. 

        "Maybe." Julius chuckles sheepishly. "I was just thinking, what kind of person he must've been… And how cool his magic probably was." He beams. 

        "You really like magic huh?" Gavin chuckles. 

        "Yes. I can't wait to see yours and ___'s!" Julius rumbles, sending you a smile. "Your affinity is fire, but it's really unique."

         "Ah… Yeah. I think my mom had a unique flame too…" You scratch your cheek and glance to the side. 

         "I can't wait." He grins. "But I don't mind if the dandelions are a bit late this year. Being around you two is fun."

         "We'll see if you can say that again in a few days. Gavin is a bad luck charm." You point at the said guy. 

         "Oi!... But she is right." He sighs to Julius sheepishly. 

         "So you run into rogue mages a lot?" Julius tilts his head curiously.

         "Rogues, thieves, angry boars… You name it and it'll find me anytime, any day." Gavin rubs his neck. "It's tiring."

         "A month ago the orphanage got attack by the giant wasps with electric Mana… Apparently those wasps weren't even from this region. We blamed it on Gavin's bad luck." You explain.

         "One got into the bedroom where I sleep and caught my blankets on fire. Only mine…" Gavin scowls. "But luckily for me, ___ had extras at her place." 

         "And now I don't have enough for me and Julius." You murmur. 

         "We could just share you know." Julius hums. 

         "... You're an odd noble." Gavin states. "I mean. Aren't we Commoners like rats to you?" 

         "I never thought so. You're people too." Julius shrugs with a tilt of his head. "So how about it?" He peers at you.

         "No." You respond bluntly, making Gavin snort. "The nicer you are, the more suspicious of you I get." 

         "I'm not up to anything. I promise." Julius pouts. 

         "Sorry. I can't just trust your words." You turn away. "Let's get back now. I need to go hunting and I want to see what father wants to eat." You say, starting for one of the horns to slide down carefully. Gavin follows but slips, nearly falling off but you catch his arm quickly, nearly slipping yourself if not for Julius grabbing the back of your top. 

          "... Gavin…" Julius sighs.

          "Yeah. Sorry." Your best friend chuckles uneasily. Another feeling of bubbling in your chest makes you cough, a slight sound leaves you, making Gavin pause and peer at you.

           "Did you just chuckle?" He gasps.

           "Nope. Now focus, you're low enough for me to let you go." You tell him. 

          "Okay." Gavin peers back down and you release his arm so he can land safely. Julius carefully helps you down as you both follow. It wasn't necessary for him but you didn't comment that, he seemed happy to do so. 

          With that you three head back to your home. Evan looks over as you approach. "Ah. Good timing. I was just thinking we could treat Julius to a bandit's feast tonight." He smiles. 

         "Yes!" Gavin gasps excitedly. "I'll go tell everyone at the orphanage!" He cheers rushing off.

         "Bandit's feast…?" Julius peers at you curiously.

         "We get the ingredients from the forest and some of the other villagers bring over crops and food to help make a great big feast." You tell him.

         "That's right. With you here and Gavin and ___ about to get grimoires, it just felt like great timing… Now, as for the meats… I want to use a king boar, and a monster salmon." Evan rumbles thoughtfully.

        "Sounds kind of fancy." You remark, raising an eyebrow.

        "Well it's Julius' first. Lets make it special." Evan places his hands on his hips at that. 

        "Okay." You hum turning for the forest.

        "Can I come along?" Julius inquires, moving to your side. 

        "... Keep up. If you get lost I won't come find you." You tell him. 

        "I'll stay right by your side then." He chuckles.