Races: Online (VR Smartphone App)

All the lies that the man told and breathed were a part of him as much as any other facets in his personality. 

To truly live in the world without putting some kind of barrier? 

A facade to keep people from seeing the most vulnerable parts of yourself? 

That was insanity.

Who would do such a thing?

People were bound to believe that it was him. He who poked fun and knew how to infiltrate into other people's hearts and minds, the young man made a certain difference that kept others looking at him as if he was doing something brave and extraordinary.

On the contrary, that was actually his facade.

Here he was. Nobody special in most people's eyes and yet there was something about him that drew people in. 

Whether it was the trio at the pinnacle of the Academy conversing with one another, talking about their next step after graduation to even the friends he left behind to join the ones who he was meeting today.

Yes, this was what he found himself doing. Consciously. Unconsciously. Something in between them. Bits of truths, a couple of self-made lies he believed and a little oomph to create a spectacular show that grabbed people's hearts and minds.

Loud. 

Tremendous. 

A powerful voice enough to shake up the entire world—or at least for his classmates and those in the Academy to hear and know his presence. 

The kind of look and attitude that was both annoying and yet difficult to ignore.

A person who knew how to brush off slightly rude commentary and simply laugh at it. It wasn't fair to say that he was the only one who did this kind of thing… because down the course of living day to day with others, people learned how to fall into line.

At least if that was what other people do.

In one word?

Conformity.

Not shaking the boat—well, knowing how far you could shake and rock the boat—to earn laughter and some banters from friends and family but never enough to sink the boat and earn the ire of others.

This could have been anyone.

Everyone really did do this—it would be wroth to say that there were only a few others like him. He would have shouted it up into the rooftops—you, me, everyone here has a mask.

But now wasn't the time for any of those.

"Well, uh, the Guardsman from yesterday thought I had done some kind of crime. Naturally, I said that was a lie and then ran off." Han scratched his head and laughed sheepishly. 

"Running makes you seem more guilty." Kai pointed out.

"Yeah… he's right." Ellynn said quietly. Her thoughts strayed back to the earlier days with her father, but she forced herself to pay attention back to Han. 

It must have been hard for him to tell this to them, but because she insisted for him to tell the truth and not hold back any secrets—he admitted it aloud. 

But right before Ellynn could cast a bubble around them to prevent his words from  being heard, she noticed Kai pull out his wand and presumably do the same.

The Mage winked at her. Ellynn sighed and decided to leave the boy to it.

"Wait. So how did Sybeth get into this part?" Theodore leaned forward, his hands clasped together. "I thought she heard a nasty rumor about you and decided to decline your order, but how would she figure that one out?"

"Sybeth somehow managed to learn of it because I found her private forge." Han coughed. "I somehow got lucky—or unlucky by seeing her."

"But you've only been falsely accused right?" Theodore asked. "I can reassure her that it's nothing but gossip. Sybeth just kind of hates dealing with nasty people because they're terrible to be around with. Untrustworthy folks, if you know what that means."

"Er, that sounds great and all." Han admitted. "But you can just let her simmer down a bit."

"What about your weapons though? How exactly are you participating in your combat classes?"

"Combat is pretty much just some spars and the rest is Professor Uriel doling out a ton—and I mean a ton of adventurer advice." Han replied. "I think I can hold out until then."

"The girl knows how to bear a long grudge," Kai said and shook his head. "Not everyone is as gracious and sweet as your friend, Ellynn. Then again, what are mundane weapons forged from fire to magic?"

Han stared at the Mage and tried not to toss a glass at him. While it was true—he didn't want to make Ellynn too uncomfortable by those kinds of statements. "Oi, that sounds really supremacist of you to say." 

"Most Mages are kinda snotty." Theodore coughed. 

Kai's expression shifted at that. "I didn't think that you had it in you to say that. You fall under the hierarchy of Mages, so that refers to you as well."

"I'm excluded from that?" Theodore said and then after a moment, glanced at Ellynn. "You're also pretty cool too."

"Um, thanks, Theo." Ellynn smiled a little.

"When did the two of you have pet names for one another?" Kai tossed a suspicious look at Theodore.

"It's just one way though." Theodore rubbed his chin. "But if I must give a nickname for Ellynn, does the name El or Lynn sound good? Would it be alright if I addressed you closely like that?"

The Half Elf blinked, a bit taken aback, but then slowly nodded. "Either is fine with me."

"Great!"

… Han didn't think that it was all that great. Maybe he could have come up with a better nickname—argh, who was he kidding? Han cleared his throat and then pulled up to his feet. "You know, Ellynn and I will be leaving and getting to our own classes." 

Ellynn paused, but then nodded. "Sounds good to me."

"Do you guys really have to leave so soon?" Kai asked and clicked his tongue.

But there was no stopping the two of them as they left the table and dispelled the silence circle that he cast.

Maybe it would have been better if the two of them didn't reconcile so easily? Kai could have gotten something more out of a private conversation and lured Han elsewhere.

At best though, Kai did come to know that Professor Owen was dealing privately with Han. As to what reasons those actually concerned with—well, that was up for him to figure out. It was never quite the end until everything was sorted out.