Chapter 4
As he began to eat, Tropin spoke up, "So, Peony, what do you think about Flower City?"
Peony hesitated in thought before opening her mouth, "It is a very beautiful place. It is abundant in mana and flora compared to other places. Even the children walk the streets without worry. Some volunteer to assist the government for the sake of the city's safety and everyone speaking so freely with one another. It is… peaceful… and quiet."
"Quiet?" One of the gargoyle looked to one another in confusion before the gargoyle who sat with Tropin shocked them away.
"You're going to set the humans in alarm once they realize we're all missing! Hurry back and leave this to the two of us!"
"R-right."
Once they were all gone, Tropin sighed as he put down his bowl, "It's been so long and that little girl who always asked for croissants is all grown up. To put things straight… I am sorry, Lotus. I made a promise to you, not just broke the promise but have made you and everyone in the Fairy Kingdom worry over little old me."
"After you went missing, not even the fairies in the city knew where you were. Everybody thought your time simply came, but the three of us knew you wouldn't go silently even if you did pass on. That's why, we never believed you died. However, I became afflicted with symptoms from my stages of growth and father and mother had to fend off my pursuers to keep me safe. All we could do was rely on the fairies in this city to find you. The royal family apologizes for our lack of action to find you sooner." She took a deep breath and bowed her head to him, "I also apologize for not finding you sooner, Master Tropin."
Shocked, Tropin made her sit down, "Please don't bow your head. You're a princess."
"But it is also a princess's responsibility to apologize for their own mistake and take responsibility for it. Is this not what you taught me as well, Master?" She replied. Tropin sighed, "That's… true… Lady Peony, you've truly grown up. I'm proud and am the luckiest person to have you as one of my students."
There was a deep silence as he looked out the window to see fireworks coming from the city, "They should be performing the Topsy-Turvy festival right now…"
"Yes." The loyal gargoyle nodded.
"The students from the other school are having a lot of fun." The other spoke up.
"Having fun… Yes…" He muttered in nostalgia as he stared out the window. Peony looked out as well as the fireworks continued longer than planned. Despite knowing how many schools there are in the city today, she somehow felt as though those fireworks now actually belonged to Grim and the others. After a while, Peony finally spoke up firmly, "Old man…"
The old man weakly waved a hand. A sign of reassurance to her as he spoke, "I know…"
He sighed with a hint of mixed emotions shone in his eyes as he whispered quietly and cracking, "What's done… Must be done…"
Hearing this, Peony took in a deep breath and nodded, "Before arriving, I've contacted the Board of Education and Council of Magic. He'll be here by afternoon."
"That's not fast enough…" Tropin shook his head, "Peony, tell me the truth. What has happened to our Fleur City during my absence?"
"So you can feel it…" Peony took in a deep breath before speaking up, "People from my world appeared and attacked the town hall. My servant saved the mayor, but she can't say for sure on the other's state. I just received full permission from the Shaftlands to deal with this matter as swiftly and carefully as possible with the people's safety as the main priority."
"Oh? So you finally have the officials working with you now? Good girl. However, what do they plan to do?"
"You're still sharp, old man. Good. Then listen carefully…" Peony responded and explained her plan to him. As an hour came close, the Headmage rested his chin on his head quietly in deep thought before he took in a deep sigh and turned to the gargoyle, "I'm sorry, Hue. But can you please bring me the item I spoke of last week?"
The gargoyle was stunned and questioned hesitantly, "Of course, Tropy. But, are you certain about this?"
He slowly nodded his head in response and spoke in a small cracked voice, "As the judge of the council of Magic, I have to be first a judge before I can be a father. I am already very fortunate to have so many children be so patient with me and give me their love and care for what little attention I can give them. Unfortunately, I was right in the end. It is time I start making bolder decisions in life… And give up my position to my chosen successor."
"So, you've decided." Peony muttered softly as she recited, "Nobel Bell College is not a grand school to be capable of comparing to Night Raven College or Royal Sword Academy. However, it's position as Headmage is one of the most vital cogs to the Council of Magic. In the light of day, they ensure that the future generations of judges are taught how to wield a blade in one hand and a scale in the other. They must guide them to navigate the world with a blindfold but not blind their heart. In the darkness, these Headmages must see the world with their own heart and knowledge, then pound their gavel on the sound board and deliver the cold yet impartial justice. Master, with all due respect, do you really think the current acting headmage is capable of this position? He's…"
"He is my matter to be dealt with." Tropin shook his head and received the box from the gargoyles as he slowly yet carefully took out each item from the box one at a time. A long blue bordered scroll, a large plume feather, a bottle of a beautiful hue of Royal Blue ink, Royal Blue wax blocks, and even a stamp stone made of gold with a beautiful oak wood handle was brought out one at a time before the cleared table. He held the scroll in his hands as over eighty years worth of memories came to him like a trickling stream. He could feel a rush of emotions go through his chest, but it all ended with the calm and quiet abyss of silence. Finally, he could think. As he unfurled the scroll with trembling hands, the gargoyle next to her was ready to assist him, but Peony stopped him and slowly shook her head. Realizing that this was a huge matter, they could only stand next to his bedside and watch. However, old man cracked a wide smile across his face as he put down the opened ink bottle. His eyes ironically shown a rare hint of both relief and weariness in this tense moment as he took the feather and dipped it into the bottle. As he wrote, the ink shone with spiritual energy. He smiled. For the first time in a long time, he had felt at peace. He recalled the painful past when everyone looked at him with disgust or disdain for his looks and weaknesses.
His father hardly paid him any attention…
Strangely, his father's passing left him emotionally confused as he still shed tears before his father's grave despite not having a single fond memory of him. He had thought that passing would mark the change in his life.
Ironically, it was the passing of his kind-hearted mother which marked the beginning of change for him. Years, he'd suffered from neglect and struggled to stand his ground to secure a place for himself. He would later find a deep love and respect for the professor of law from his school and continue down this path. Due to his handicap, he struggled but managed to travel as freely as he wished outside of the city. It was also with this newfound knowledge from his discovery and knowledge of those before him that he understood and create a book on the evolution of law, or so they say. However, he was simply a hunchbacked man who enjoyed doing nothing but traveling the world, meeting new people, and sitting by the candle to study his favorite things. He recalled when he received the candidacy to become the new Headmage and struggled, yet succeeded in his endeavors to earn his position while making a close friend between their competitive bond. He later met a beautiful and kind-hearted love of his life and lived happily with her. He recalled the grief that stung him when he lost his wife to the taxing birth of their only miracle child only to be healed when the child clasped his uneven fingers while laughing. The determination to become a good father and a good judge fought at him when he realized he neither had the power nor time to accomplish both.
A gentle wind rattled the scroll. The ink shimmered faintly.
"How peculiar…" he said, more to himself than anyone else.