Imperfect

Like a Déjà Vu, Kazen saw all the kids around their grades on the wall. As the year was passing more and more Fulgor got worried if he would be capable of getting a future with his grades.

More than his own, Fulgor fixated on Auron’s grades, as he saw the name ‘Auron Venti’ in third place, with only 85% of answers correctly, behind Miles and Barb.

The wind elemental was nowhere to be seen, preventing Fulgor from throwing in the ‘failure’ on his face, even if he barely got 60%.

Kazen remembered Auron’s father when he got a 97%, he feared to think what would happen with an 85%. He looked through the school window, noticing a storm coming as the cold wind passed through the city.

The next day Auron also did not come. Kazen began to worry as the school staff were warned that he was hospitalized. Without caring about his responsibilities, Kazen left the school and flew to the hospital (passing through all the hospitals in the city until he found the right one).

He quickly found what room Auron was in. The boy was covered in bruises, with some broken bones, but overall, he was fine.

“What happened?”

“Why do you care? Leave me alone, you’re the least person I want to see right now.”

The man could notice it would not be easy to get information, but he was honestly worried about it all.

“Was you father…”

He did not complete his phrase, but it was enough to make Auron laugh.

“I mean, technically yes, but that old man would not touch me.”

Kazen analyzed Auron's concentration, as the boy was thinking if he should tell Kazen the truth or not.

“It is a family problem, nothing to concern you.”

“Auron, I am your teacher, kind of. I care about your well being and I can’t leave you without knowing what the problem is. This is more than me trying to have adventures.”

Auron went silent for the next few minutes. He was not in pain, at least not physical one and his face reflected that.

“They took the Elemental Star. I was not strong enough.” Said the boy completely defeated.

Immediately Kazen worried, he looked around to see if there was any hidden enemy and started to think about the other two stars.

“Don’t worry. It was my family who took it. The Wind Star is an heirloom of the Venti Clan, they just wanted it to be with a worthy member of our clan. Someone perfect.”

He continued explaining his story. His father was the older child of the clan, destined to receive the Wind Star. His younger brother, Turbo, always hated him for that, thinking he was more worthy, but never was capable of defeating his dad.

His father then had a child and gave the star to Auron when he was ten. It is customary of the Venti Clan to give it to the most perfect descent and, since Auron’s mother died after he was born, Auron was the only option.

His whole life Auron was under pressure to be perfect at everything, if he failed it was like his own father failed and that was unacceptable. Thinking he was not worthy, his father called his brother, saying that if any descendent member of the Venti Clan could defeat Auron, the Star would be theirs.

So he had to face Turbo, his uncle, who technically is a member of the Clan, even if his father was meaning one of his descendants. Auron achieved the first release in this fight, but Turbo summoned a sword from the air and liberated the second release.

In the end Auron was humiliated and hurt. His father did not even bring his son to the hospital himself, ashamed of his child.

At this point of the story, Fulgor and Lapis entered the hospital room, interrupting the conversation.

“I changed my mind; you are the least person I wanted to see.” Said Auron pointing to Fulgor and feeling the pain passing through his body.

“I just wanted to see if you are alright.” Answered Fulgor more seriously than Kazen has ever seen him.

“We heard what happened at school and decided to cheer you up.” Continued Lapis, what made Auron’s heart to accelerate.

Auron repeated the story to his friend after some insistence from Lapis as Kazen was making a plan on his head.

“Where does your uncle live?” Asked Kazen.

“He is in the Venti Temple, it is in another district. Why?”

“I’m going to get your star back and show to them what I think about bullies that get what they want with brute strength.”

The tension in Auron's face was visible, being very different from the posture he tried to show normally, almost comical.

“You can’t do that! This is a Venti Clan problem; I have to get the Star back by my own worth.”

“Your friends are your own worth. Besides, there is no way you can stop me. I have decided to destroy the Venti Clan and grab the Wind Star back!”

Auron could not continue to talk hearing all that nonsense, but Fulgor could.

“I agree! You can even teach the second release for us on this trip.”

“No way. I told you I was over teaching. Besides, I don’t know how strong this clan is, I can’t put you in danger.”

“Auron is our friend, we must do that for him. Please let us come.” Plead Lapis.

Kazen felt pressured and thought that the kid could also use some adventures in their lives.

“Ok, but you must obey my every command. Also, I can’t miss any more days of work, so we go on the weekend.”

They decided all the details of the expedition as Auron died from shame and could do nothing but protest.

The next day, Kazen was in the teacher’s room as new information was given. The school received a call from the hospital saying Auron had escaped and Kazen knew exactly where he was going.

“Guess we have to accelerate our plans.” Said Kazen running to find Lapis and Fulgor and stop Auron to do anything stupid.