It had been a month since Nagan was forced to leave Carvolier. A month since seeing Master Dagmire. A month since their world had been turned upside down.

It had only been a month, yet it seemed so much longer.

Many things had changed in that month, ranging from the Arclovens and him needing to move further north to Master Arcloven being called to the front. Originally they wanted Madam Arcloven, seeing that she was a real battle talent as an infiniti, yet she insisted on staying. To keep her family safe and to educate her children.

Madam Arcloven, who Nagan had begun calling Aunt Cilara, proved to be a tough educator. She may have been more qualified in teaching Az, but even Nagan learned enough to begin casting silent incantations. After drilling them in magic and correcting their etiquette, by the time the Turn of the Year celebration was to be held, both boys had begun showing signs of becoming fine gentlemen.

Or so outsiders would think.

For the time being, Madam Arcloven watched with silent disappointment as the two boys across from her bickered. Granted, it was about magical theories so she couldn't scold them too harshly, but they could at least be more diplomatic about it. It was a small carriage after all, and the bumps in the road made it even more unpleasant.

"Boys."

She repressed an amused smile as both boys turned and straightened their postures.

"If you wish to argue," she began, "treat it as a debate. At least you will be productive in some aspect instead of useless bickering."

Nagan groaned at that. "Az will win if you let him do that, even if he's obviously wrong." He ignored Az's offended scoff.

"All the more reason for you to practice then," she said in her usual clipped tone. "We are about to arrive at the Honorias. Be on your best behavior."

The way her gaze sharpened was enough for both boys to nod hastily and reply in unison, "Yes, ma'am."

She settled back in her seat once the boys continued their "debate", though no less quiet from before. Stroking the curls of Florine's head, who was fast asleep in her lap, she couldn't help but wonder how the small child could sleep through such noise.

And just like Nagan's previous experience, Turn of the Year parties were solely there to test his patience.

In this case, he was once again cornered by Master Honoria himself.

"You look to be faring well, Master Elvar." Master Honoria still couldn't seem to cope with the fact he must call a child a master.

"As do you, Master Honoria," Nagan replied, wanting this conversation over. "But surely you have other people to entertain than me."

Managing a polite smile, Nagan turned himself away slightly, signaling his intent to leave. "Your pardon."

"Now hold on a second, no need to leave the conversation now." Master Honoria slipped in front of Nagan as to stop his retreat with a nervous chuckle. "In fact, I do have something I wish to discuss with you."

Great. "Oh?" he feigned interest.

"I must apologize for my previous behavior, Master Elvar," Master Honoria began. "It was wrong of me to underestimate your abilities without knowing them in the first place. Perhaps you could enlighten me? Why does Master Dagmire think so highly of you, even to make you his apprentice? Surely it isn't just because you are the son of a dear friend."

Nagan refrained from sighing in exasperation. Of course he'd ask this question. Yet it was the possible motives that made him apprehensive. Was he asking for Carthadeus' sake or for the war? He would have to speak carefully from now on. An ability he was lacking in. Where was Az when he needed him!

This felt like a trap to him. On one hand, he could get Master Dagmire in trouble for favoritism (Which, admittingly, really was at its core. Even if at the time they barely knew each other.), but on the other, he felt it was a bad idea to expose his abilities. But...they already knew of his time magic, didn't they?

"Because of my father, Master Dagmire had previous experience with time magic," Nagan said, deciding there really wasn't a correct answer if he didn't want to be caught lying. "It was only common sense that he's the one to guide me on the subject."

Master Honoria's eyes lit up at the mention of his time magic. "Then you confirm it yourself! You are a Time Mage! A rare talent indeed. Tell me, how far have you progressed in that?"

"Not as far as you're anticipating," Nagan replied truthfully. "There's not much information on it. Instead, I've been focusing on incantations and my casting ability."

"Which I've heard great things about, Master Elvar. You are also extremely proficient in combat I hear. But surely you've improved your time abilities all the while." It was obvious he was not about to let the subject slide.

"I am able to cast the spell a number of times and hold it briefly before exhausting my limit," Nagan said vaguely, relishing how Master Honoria tried to hide his frustration. If there was one thing Nagan could do better than the rest, it was to keep a straight face.

"I see." Master Honoria was strangely silent before continuing. "It's a shame we do not know your father's whereabouts. I'm sure he could have taught you much more."

He gave a long, dramatic sigh. "Such a shame. He was extremely talented as a Time Mage. Best ever recorded. And he must have taught himself since there isn't much known in the first place. As father and son, you two would have been a force to be reckoned with. Ah, if only he was here to teach you."

Nagan knew this tactic. He would not rise to the bait. But that didn't mean it didn't sting and make him want to grit his teeth. "I'm doing my best to reach his expectations." Not yours.

His mother had always said his father was proud of him since the moment he was born. He will not doubt her words. Not now, not ever.

"Nagan!"

Better late than never. Relief flooded his veins as Az approached them. Az turned to acknowledge Master Honoria the moment he stood by Nagan's side. "Master Honoria! A wonderful party you have hosted this year! Dare I say it nearly tops last year's. Certainly a much-needed break during these trying times."

You would have to be a fool to buy into the sugared words, yet Master Honoria seemed to preen at such high praise. "Why, Young Master Arcloven, you speak too highly of my family. But why nearly?"

Az laughed lightly. Nagan envied his friend's ability to converse like this, but Az had been exposed to this sort of banter much longer than himself. "Forgive me, Master Honoria, but as an Arcloven I must hold onto my pride. I'm sure you'd do the same."

Master Honoria chuckled at this. "Indeed, young one, indeed."

Seeing an opening, Az seized Nagan's arm and flashed Master Honoria a dazzling grin. "Pardon us, Master Honoria, but Master Elvar and I have been summoned by my mother. It's best not to keep her waiting knowing her temper."

Az barely waited for a reply before dragging Nagan away.

"You couldn't have come any sooner?" Nagan teased once Az let go of him.

"I was a bit busy having my own conversations," Az shot back, but soon looked at Nagan curiously. "What did he want?"

Nagan shrugged. "He asked me a few questions about how I became Master Dagmire's apprentice and about my abilities. I didn't give him anything more than what he already knew."

"That's odd..." Az tilted his head up with his brows furrowed as he thought.

"What's odd?" Nagan asked.

They stopped near the edge of the ballroom where the crowd was thin.

"Another councilman was asking me almost the same questions. About how I'm coming along in potions and infiniti training." Az looked back at Nagan with a worried expression. "We both agree coincidences don't exist, especially now. What do you think is gonna happen?"

Nagan leaned back against the wall with his arms crossed, his heel tapping it intermittently. A posture he learned from Master Dagmire when he was thinking. "I'm not sure. It's only happened once, and only between us as far as we know. But we should keep pushing ourselves in our training just in case."

"We should be doing that anyway," Az said with a grimace.

Though it was not said, both boys felt multiple pairs of eyes on them. They could only watch as the councilmen whispered amongst themselves.

And without a doubt, they were talking about them.

•____________________________•

WHOO IT'S BACK BABY!

And diving right in to the plot too heh

After my little break, I couldn't help but miss writing this series! Even though I was suppose to be working on my ONC.

...Don't worry, I'm still writing it, but I don't think I'm gonna get to 20,000 words on time XD I'll just complete it in my own time.

ANYWAYS, welcome back to the Resilience Series, everyone! And I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy writing it!