Surprise Visit

The sense of hope flows throughout the academy, none have it more than Haruto and Lila practicing more spells. Lila swings Haruto around as she has all of her books floating and lightly puts them back on their shelves.

“After the past few days, we deserve a break. Don’t we Haruto?” Lila remarks.

Haruto wiggles in Lila’s palm.

“I know you still can’t hear me but I’m proud of you Lila. I’ll tell you when we connect telepathically again.” Haruto exclaims.

Lila lays on her bed, happy and relaxed. With the two staring at the ceiling, they still see the essence of Hope throughout the bricks.

“I wonder what’s going on with the building. For the past 10 minutes, we have been seeing this all over the bricks.”

Haruto glances all over the ceilings, seeing specks of hope travel through every crack and spore of brick.

“I wonder what’s happening, it feels very comfy at least. I just hope the school isn’t in trouble like those manga's I've read before.”

Brrrr

Hearing an unfamiliar sound, Haruto and Lila see a small portion of the wall become wavey. Its own flows remind Haruto of ocean waves on a beach. The wall glows bright blue as a piece of paper transports its way through.

Floating towards Lila, she looks bewildered by this use of magic. Upon grabbing it, she sees nothing on the paper. Haruto looks in confusion as well, while he remains in Lila’s palm.

A few seconds upon touching it, the letter begins to brightly glow blue. Becoming transparent, the paper’s form changes to an orb of pure light energy. In an instant, it shoots up to the ceiling, surprising Lila and Haruto.

“What just happened?” Haruto says.

Haruto immediately begins to wiggle to get Lila’s attention.

“Um…I have no idea what happened. Let’s talk.” Lila says.

She clears her throat to pronounce the incantation.

“Telepathi…”

Knock Knock

“Excuse me, Lila Mizuki. This is Principal Merlin. I have to ask you to let me in.”

Lila's eyes opened hearing the name. Haruto does as well.

“Uh…give me a moment. I’ll be at the door.” She says to Merlin.

“I’m sorry Haruto, we’ll talk later.” Lila whispers.

Lila puts him on her waist holder as she reaches for the door. Opening it, Merlin enters her room in an authoritative manner.

“How are you feeling after yesterday’s quarrel with that student?” Merlin says.

“I’m alright sir. But I’m glad Taro is still alive. He is alright though, right?”

Merlin nods.

“Yes, he’s fine. But I’m here to talk about what happened with you though.”

Lila feels her body motions stiffen hearing Merlin.

“Um, what would you like to talk about?”

“It’s the amount of hope you used to subdue that troublemaker. What do you focus on that channels that amount of hope?”

She appears shaken by the question but clears her throat.

“I found a new friend that has been supportive of me. The amount of belief and care he has for me has been the center for my hope.”

Haruto slightly blushes hearing Lila’s claims while Merlin appears to be impressed.

“I see, your friend must have been the biggest encouragement to give you that amount of hope. But tell me, how do you control it when according to your grades, you barely passed your old classes?”

“It takes a lot of focus and control, all I think is my friend and what he would say to me.”

Merlin nods.

“Hmm, and your wand. Why does it have eyes?”

Haruto and Lila froze hearing his question.

“It’s for encouragement and it fuels my hope.”

“May I see it please?” Merlin reaches his hand out.

Lila stares at Haruto for a moment and picks him up. She hands him over to Merlin as Haruto keeps his eyes completely still.

Merlin inspects him and immediately sees the eyes. He stares and touches them, although Haruto feels no pain from it. Lila looks stressful as Merlin looks all over him.

“According to a log filed by Mrs. Irigami, she treated your wand for a crack. It’s not here anymore or the bandage wrap that held the sap and wood chips.”

“I’m as surprised as you are sir. I have no idea how my wand healed that fast.”

Haruto remains still while Merlin hears Lila’s answer.

“Whew, I wonder how long this will take?” Haruto says to himself.

“Oh, I’m about done young man.”

Haruto’s pupils dilate upon hearing an unknown voice in his head. Looking at his holder, he immediately knows who it is.

“Um, hello Mr. Merlin. I’m a big fan of your work.”

Merlin grins and hands Haruto back to Lila.

“Young lady, I know you have someone as your hope enhancer.”

Lila gasps as she holds Haruto close to her.

“Please sir, I’m so sorry! I was just desperate and I ended up conjuring someone not even from this world. Don’t blame him at all, blame me!”

Merlin holds up a palm in front of her, signaling her to stop talking.

“Lila, you do know how much trouble you are for doing something like that.”

Merlin looks at her sternly.

“Yes sir. But please don’t get rid of my best friend. He was the first one to ever understand me.” Lila holds Haruto with both hands.

“Lila, listen. Even though it breaks a massive amount of rules, I’m allowing you to hold on with that young man.”

Haruto and Lila couldn’t believe what they heard as the tension fades away.

“What?” She exclaims.

“You have done a service to the school for saving another student. Also, it turns out a few other students were getting their hope from malicious means like the one you stopped.”

Haruto blinks, hearing the news.

“You have done more for the school than any other student so far, even if you and Taro caused that ruckus with the troll.”

Lila awkwardly chuckles.

“I’m expecting you to behave properly from now on, and to focus on your classes.”

Lila nods.

“Yes sir! Thank you so much for understanding!” Lila says as she bows. Merlin slightly bows in return.

“Tell me this, how did you even conjure him up? We don’t even have books on that here.”

Lila ponders in confusion.

“Well, that’s the strange thing sir, I did find one as looking through the library in hope is finding a way to improve my hope. It was hidden away behind a few reference books.”

She goes to a drawer and takes out the book that conjured Haruto.

“Here it is.”

Merlin grabs it and looks enthralled.

“Fascinating. This book is not supposed to be in our library. There’s not even any names on it. Thank you for bringing this to my attention Lila.”

Merlin puts the book in a pocket, which swallows it up. Haruto admires how his pocket appears to be a void that can hold anything.

“Now get to class young lady, I’m expecting you to shine hope for our academy.”

“Yes sir.” Lila says as she bows again.

“Also, Haruto is a hopeful young man. I can see why he’s a great friend.”

Lila looks stunned hearing Merlin mention her best friend.

“How did you know his name?”

“Hehe. The moment I picked him up, I heard his inner thoughts and immediately had access to his memories. He’s been through a lot in his world, but he’s supportive of you and your other friends.”

The duo are both shocked hearing the extent of Merlin’s powers. Merlin smiles as he heads for the door.

“I have business to attend to with the Overseers, keep your hopes up you two.”

Merlin exits the room, leaving an astonished Lila and Haruto to calm down. Lila sits on her bed to contemplate everything.

“I can’t believe Merlin arrived in my room, and I get to keep you too Haruto!”

Hugging Haruto, he wiggles to get her attention again.

“Oh right, Telepathia.”

Glowing blue, Haruto concentrates.

“I’m so happy for you Lila!”

“Thank you so much Haruto! I couldn’t have done anything without you.”

“Just know that I’ll be here with you no matter what. We’ll keep improving and make sure you pass your classes.”

Lila smiles.

“Thank you. I will keep my promise to send you home one day.”

“Thanks Lila.”

Lila hugs her best friend close to her cheek. No longer afraid of being expelled, she is full of happiness and hope. The essence of blue aura covers her arm, giving her a warm comfy feeling. Looking forward to any challenges, she prepares for her classes for the day with her best friend.