Walking back into the orphanage, he found Kai and Emily were relieved to see him come back unscathed.
"So I'm guessing it wasn't an ambush?" Kai asked.
"No, he just wanted to gloat" Brandon replied.
"That couldn't have ended well for him" Emily chuckled.
"Well, I did wait long enough for his shame to kick in," Brandon said.
"I presume Bruce is coming over as well," Kai said.
"Yeah, he will be here" Brandon replied.
A few hours later, the double doors opened to reveal Bruce with a huge basket of gifts.
"Wow, that's a lot," Kai said.
"That's what I said too, but she wouldn't listen", Bruce said as he placed it down.
"You are here; come on guys, dinner will be ready soon; I will carry the basket," Brandon said.
"Thanks" Bruce replied.
The evening atmosphere was filled with chuckles and gasps as Brandon and Bruce told their story, with Brandon using the flames from the bonfire to provide a visual display of their time at school.
When they finished, the other kids were all clapping and cheering at the beautiful display they had just witnessed.
"With all that adventure, I'm hoping your grades weren't bad," Master Trevor said.
"Despite being more of a brawn guy, Brandon is actually doing really well," Bruce said.
"I can't say, I didn't expect that," Master Lancelot said.
"Well, we haven't seen their results yet," Master Raion said.
Bruce's eyes lit up as a holographic display of their First Year results and accomplishments.
"Well, those are indeed impressive" Master Desmond commended.
"I expected better from him; I mean, his friend is at the top of the class despite leaving school for a week," Master Trevor humphed.
"Come now, Trevor, the boy did well beyond your expectations; while he was away, you were always saying he would return weak and at the bottom of his class", Master Drake said.
"Still, I could have done better in my days," Master Trevor said.
"But you didn't" Brandon replied.
"Well, that escalated quickly" Master Cerian chuckled as Trevor's face turned red hot.
"I honestly don't know why you still even attack the boy like this; he hasn't done anything wrong,", Master Raion said.
"He will eventually, and when he does, I will come down on him lightning", Master Trevor growled.
"In that case, Bruce could just deflect you; despite having lightning as an affinity, he's still stronger than most lightning mages," Brandon said with a smirk.
"That's it!" Master Trevor yelled, lunging at Brandon, who just backflipped out of his reach.
"He's fast, really fast, t," a girl said, d coming to sit beside Bruce.
"Alicia, nice to see you again," Bruce said.
"Likewise, I guess I missed the storytelling" Alicia replied with a light smile.
"I'm sure Brandon wouldn't mind telling you again" Bruce replied.
They don't to the Masters, who seemed to be enjoying the spectacle unfolding before them, especially Master Cerian.
"I guess they want to see how strong he has gotten,", Alicia said.
"Oh, they are in for a treat", Bruce chuckled.
Brandon kept effortlessly dodging Master Trevor's hands. The old man had yet to use his ability to attack him, m and Brandon did the same thing.
For years past, Master Trevor seemed to have some form of deep seeded hatred for Brandon, most thought this was just because Brandon spoke back at him even as a little child but others felt it was out of place, Trevor would punish Brandon for something he could just easily forgive, some predicted that it might have been because Brandon wouldn't become Trevor's disciple despite many public and secret attempts to sway him over.
"Stay still, you little brat" Master Trevor scowled.
"What's wrong? too old to catch me?" Brandon teased.
A vein bulged on the old man's forehead as he increased the speed of his lunges.
"Brandon is definitely enjoying this" Kai said as he sat beside Alicia with Emily.
"Of course, he is; Master Trevor put him through a lot, especially when Master Cerian travels", Alicia replied.
"Yeah, I remember the day he wandered to our house because Master Trevor locked him out," Bruce said.
"Thank God you were sobbing at the gate that day; Brandon would have frozen to death", Alicia replied.
"Yeah, he was barely breathing when he found me," Bruce said.
"For most, that story would be embarrassing, but not for you,", Kai said.
"Yeah, I have no reason to regret that Day; it was the day we met, after all", Bruce replied,d, looking back at the frustrated elder chasing a teenage boy.
"I have had just about enough of this, you little that,", Master Trevor said as he shot a vortex of wind at Brandon.
"Not this time" Brandon smiled as a heat wave burst out of him, countering the wind vortex.
"Is that all you have got old man?" Brandon taunted.
The air around swirled dangerously as Trevor's eye reddened.
"Shouldn't we interfere?" Master Desmond asked.
"Well, seeing as you are still seated, I'm guessing you want to see how far the boy can go as well" Master Drake replied.
Master Trevor created a huge cyclone of wind blades and sent it towards Brandon who covered himself with his wings.
The other elders were ready to interfere if Brandon didn't move.
"Don't?" Master Cerian said.
The others were surprised as they all felt Master Trevor would surely injure Brandon if they did nothing.
But their worry soon disappeared as a cyclone of flames enveloped Brandon cancelling out the wind cyclone that surrounded him.
"That's enough, Trevor; the boy isn't attacking anymore", Master Raion called out.
Brandon landed and leisurely walked back to the crowd, seeing the proud smile on his face, Master Trevor lost his temper.
Brandon was still walking towards the crowd when Bruce suddenly shot a stream of lightning right at him, dashing out of the way, he turned to see Bruce's attack clash against Master Trevor's wind attack.
The other masters quickly stepped in to stop Trevor from doing anything else.
"Thanks, buddy,", Brandon said.
"Anytime" Bruce replied.
"Alicia, how have you been?" Brandon greeted.
"You know, just painting and sculpting" Alicia replied.
"Have you registered for the Arts Display competition?" Brandon asked.
To this, Alicia just gave a bitter smile; Brandon turned to Kai, who didn't have a much better-off expression on his face.
"What happened?" Brandon asked.
"They wouldn't let her register" Kai replied.
"Why? Her art is definitely up to their standards, if not beyond,d, Brandon asked.
"Because of our background, with no one to back us up, they take pleasure in depriving us of the spot", Kai replied.
"When's the deadline?" Brandon asked.
"Tomorrow" Kai replied.
"Did they destroy any of your art? Is everything still intact?" Brandon asked.
"They didn't touch it, they wouldn't even let me unveil my registration piece", Alicia replied.
"You are getting into that art show tomorrow, it's not up for debate," Brandon said.
"Cool, I will come with" Bruce added.
"All right, everyone, time to eat,", Master Cerian said.
They all gathered around the bin fire to have their dinner with some light chatter here and there.
The next day, the kids made their way into town; they arrived at the registration point, which was sparsely crowded.
When it got to their turn, the mind behind the counter let out a sneering laugh.
"Back for more aye" He snorted.
"Why did you turn her away before?" Brandon asked.
"Because I wanted to" " the man replied, not liking the tone of the unknown teenager beside Alicia.
"I would like to register for the art display," Alicia said loudly.
"That won't make anyone help you; I'm in charge here; anything I say goes", The man replied.
"I wonder why the higher-ups would say if an Athena called to make a complaint", Bruce said.
"You are joking" " the man replied, but as he took a second look at Bruce, he noticed the medal that adorned his chest; it was unmistakable to anyone with any form of education; the man's face turned pale as sweat rolled down his back.
"Are you going to register her or keep staring at me?" Bruce asked snapping out of his daze.
"Of course, sir, right away", he replied.
He quickly passed a tablet to Alicia, where she filled in her details and handed it back; after scanning it into a system,m, he handed it back to her.
"All the information concerning the art display will be sent to the tablet; thanks for coming,", The man said, trying to fake a smile.
"Thank you", Alicia replied, and they turned to leave.
"I almost forgot how horrible people can become once given a little taste of power" Bruce sighed.
"Yeah, good people still exist as well," Kai said.
"Not enough apparently," Bruce said.
"Is there anything else we need to do before going home?" Brandon asked.
"Not really, though there isn't much to do back home either" Alicia replied.
"Brandon, why don't we check out our favourite ice cream joint?" Bruce asked.
"Sounds good to me" Brandon replied.
Walking briskly across the busy streets, they made their way to a place they usually hung around after classes in high school.
"I can only smell that vanilla milkshake" Kai said as they stepped in.
"Is that Brandon Flare?" A man asked.
It was a middle-aged man with a gruff beard, his curly golden hair bound in a hair net.
"Val Derek, you have grown quite big" Brandon laughed as he greeted the old man.
"Brandon, Bruce, my boys, it's good to see you again, I take it school's on holiday now?" He asked.
"Yeah, we got back yesterday" Brandon replied.
"Have a seat; I will be right with you", Derek said.
Val Derek short for Vanilla Derek was a young employee of the sweetened Crust when Brandon had been dragged here by Bruce, back then they made an odd pair with Bruce being the cheerful outspoken friend while Brandon was the quiet reserved kid who hated talking to people and because of this most waiter and waitresses avoided their table except Derek, he kept attending to them whenever they came and Brandon eventually warmed up to him.
"Here we have a vanilla milkshake for Kai, a coconut milk ice cream for Alicia, Vanilla peppermint for Brandon and Blueberry ice cream for Bruce" Derek said as he dropped a tray before them.
"Wow, you still remember how orders," Bruce said surprised.
"I may not have seen you for approximately a year, but customers like you leave a lasting impression on a person", Derek replied.
"So how has work been?" Brandon asked.
"Well, I got promoted to manager and between running this place and handling the twins, it's been a handful," Derek said.
"Wow, that means you didn't have to serve us; why didn't you have one of the waiters bring it?" Brandon asked.
"Come on, I believe we are past all the unnecessary formalities besides, I like it" Derek replied.
They spoke as they had their treats and soon left back to the orphanage, Brandon was surprised to find some bags being parked.
"What's going on?" He asked.
"Master Cerian is going somewhere" A boy named Jeremy replied.
"Really, where?" Brandon asked.
"Not sure, but it sounded important", Jeremy replied.
"Selena, don't forget the medicine," Jeremy said to a nearby girl.
"Do you know how long he would be gone for?" Brandon asked.
"No, but I'm sure he will be back before I have to leave for school", Jeremy replied.
Not wanting to distract the boy, Brandon stopped questioning him and helped with packing the things needed.
Later that afternoon, Brandon was summoned by Cerian.
"Master, you summoned me," Brandon said.
"Yes, I will be leaving for a trip soon, but before I leave, I wanted us to discuss your situation", Mater Cerian replied.
"Oh, I see," Brandon said.
"I know you have grown attached to this place, accustomed to calling it home but you will soon reach the age where you can no longer do so, I already have some things prepared for you, I recently sent Eugenia to deliver some things to your friend for safe keeping, see around boy," Master Cerian said.
Brandon just stood up to leave; he knew this day would come; he had expected to feel sad, but with everything that had happened, he just accepted it as it was.