"Tell Mother what were you thinking having the headmaster change the first periodic exam just so you could change my mind"
Isabella was suddenly taken aback by Apollo's words, so her son took the liberty to elaborate.
"Back at the first periodic exam, I noticed sothing strange: you asked the headmaster to put all sorts of things to make change my mind. You tried to influence by showing the love Yuan and Jun have for each other. You have act as him so that I can feel the love he has for his older brother. Mother you tried to manipulate "
There was silence between them, and now Isabella couldn't even reply.
"I know I did sothing wrong but that is because I don't want to see my children killing each other"
"So that's it? Everything they did to I need to just forget it as if it never happened?"
"No... I am sure your brother I willing to reconcile with you"
"Yet it's been six years, and even once no one from that damn household ca and apologized to ...my, how can not see that Jun and Yuan love each other. That is why they are willing to make a sacrifice, but mom.....my brother does not love , he hates !"
"But he does!"
"Then how co I never felt it!"
Apollo's voice suddenly raised; however, as soon as he noticed it, he hurriedly apologized, "Mom I...."
"I know no need to apologize...but you see what I said is not based on my desire for the two of you to make up... it's because I once saw it"
"Saw what?"
"Saw how he used his life to protect you when you were just an infant"
"What?"
Shock filled Apollo while his thoughts were in chaos.
"That's ...."
"Impossible? No, he did. That is why I know he doesn't hate, however..." Isabella's expression suddenly went complicated, like sothing heavy was burdening her.
"I just don't know how it all ca to this," she weakly said, looking defeated.
At that mont, Apollo felt so much pain and confusion; the things he used to believe began to shake, and for once, he began to doubt, but soon he rembered the things he had to endure, and in the end, nothing seed to change. That man's word is still valid in this situation, he thought, but then again, he can't just say more words that will make his mother suffer even more.
"Just for tonight, I will be a forgiving person," he thought. Then he shifted his gaze at his mother, his eyes softening as he tried to ease her mind.
"It's okay Mom I understand no need to be that worry"
Isabella's eyes softened, but before she could respond, Apollo's sharp senses picked up on sothing—or soone—watching them.
He turned his head slightly, his gaze landing on a shadowy figure standing a short distance away. It didn't take long for him to recognize her.
"Athena," he murmured.
Isabella followed his gaze and sighed. "Of course. Her habit of stalking is still the sa."
Apollo's expression darkened as he watched Athena retreat into the distance, clearly uninterested in joining the conversation.
"Nothing change still the sa," Apollo muttered. "Can't she try changing her habit of putting a mask on public and then turning into an introvert with ?"
"Don't be too hard on her," Isabella said gently. "Athena has her own way of dealing with things. And Eros... well, he has his teacher whispering in his ear. I fear that man's influence has done more harm than good."
Apollo stayed silent, the gears in his mind turning, "Could that guy have done sothing to my brother as well?"
But he soon buried those thoughts and assisted her mother back to their dorms, and of course, Athena was still watching, following them until they arrived at the gate.
"You can enter. I am giving you permission," Apollo helplessly said while Isabella couldn't help but laugh at their awkward situation.
"Mom not helping"
As the festival's final day ca to an end, the atmosphere shifted. Parents and guardians began to bid their children farewell, the echoes of laughter and cheer fading as the hour grew late.
The tower mages, who had been Apollo's steadfast allies during the festival, gathered around him and his friends. Also, during the event with the acquaintance party, the group of mages tag along with Matilda and the remaining group of students inside the dorm, while so followed the rest to the forest.
"This was more fun than I expected," one of them said with a grin. "We'll definitely co back if there's another festival."
"You'd better," Blair replied with a laugh.
Alicia smiled, her usual stoic deanor softening. "Thank you for your support. It ant a lot to us."
As the tower mages departed, the group watched them go, their spirits lifted by the bonds they had ford.
The Closing Hours approaches and all things related to the festival have to be cleaned. Fortunately, the academy staff will be the ones to do the cleaning while the students focus on either resting or bidding farewell.
By 10 p.m., the festival grounds were quiet, the last of the parents and guardians having left. The students were ushered back to their dorms, the reality of returning to classes the next day settling over them. Even Vesta and several first-year students who planned to stay in the forest were asked to return to their dorms as soon as their guardians had left the site. Reluctantly, they complied since they had their fill of fun with their parents and guardians joining them for a bonfire.
And so before the clock struck 10:30, every student was already inside their rooms sleeping or was about to sleep.
Apollo lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The events of the festival played through his mind, each mont filled with different sets of revelations that his emotions stirred in such a crazy way.
But his thoughts kept circling back to three things.
"The student council, especially the vice president, my brother, and his bastard teacher," he murmured to himself.
If he wanted to uncover the truth and get the things he needed, he would need their support—or at least their cooperation.
With a determined glint in his eyes, Apollo made his decision. Tomorrow, he would begin his next move.
But before he could close his eyes he rembered how his mom looked at him when he said that his brother would lay his own life for him.
"Ah...so the point of the exam at that ti was for to rember the ti my brother tried to risk his life for ." he then felt a sudden heaviness as soon as he tried to recall when Eros ever tried to protect him. Soon, Apollo fell asleep, leaving his problems behind him.
The morning after the festival, Apollo stood at the front of the classroom, his classmates chatting amongst themselves. He clapped his hands together to get their attention.
"Alright, everyone, listen up," Apollo began, his tone firm but not unkind. "I need your help." Enjoy new adventures from empire
This was the decision Apollo ca up with since he didn't want them to worry for him, so he just let them be involved with his mission, so at least now they are aware of what's happening. And usually, they want to help out so although he can do it alone he still asks for the
His classmates exchanged curious glances, the sudden request catching them off guard. Blair was the first to speak up.
"Help with what? Don't tell you want to attend another party with us," he teased, leaning back in her chair.
Apollo shook his head. "Similar. But this ti. I need information—about the student council."
The room went silent for a mont before Agnes frowned. "The student council? Does it have to do with our investigation of last year's lower class or is this about sothing else"
"Your words are both accurate; one is for our predecessor, while the other is for my mission. That's exactly why I need help," Apollo said, his eyes narrowing.
McKenzie crossed her arms. "So we just how to do what we did last night? But they are very cautious with us how are we supposed to approach them?"
Apollo smiled faintly. "All of you have friends in other classes, right? Different years, different groups. Talk to them. See what they know about the student council—who they are, how they work, and if they've done anything... unusual."
The room erupted into murmurs, so nodding, others looking unsure.
"I get that you have a duty, Apollo," said Jillian, adjusting her glasses which Apollo doesn't know where he gets it, "But are you gonna get involved into sothing extrely dangerous again?"
"I don't think so since I was only ordered to investigate" Apollo replied. "the student council is my priority right now. If they're going to be this involved in how the school runs, I need to know who I'm dealing with. And if they're a problem... well, we'll deal with that when we get there."
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