(Michael's POV)
The day of me and my parents going back home has arrived.
The day we'd leave Great Britain and head back to France.
I sat on my bed, watching Mom methodically check our luggage,opening compartments, counting items, making sure nothing was forgotten.
"Do we have everything, tesoro?" she asked, glancing at me.
"I think so," I said.
"Your clothes? Your books?"
"Yup."
"The toy Grandma bought you?"
"In the bag."
She nodded, satisfied, and zipped up the suitcase.
Grandpa's voice called from downstairs. "Don't worry too much, Giulia! If you forget anything, we'll just bring it next time we visit or just send it in a package."
Mom laughed. "Thank you, Edgar!"
I blinked.
Next time they visit?
They make it sound like it's easy.
Then I remembered.
Oh.... Yeah
One of Grandma's specialty is spatial magic.
So it obviously includes teleportation.
I mentally facepalmed myself.
Of course.
Why didn't I think of that when she first explained her magic specialty?
They probably visit us all the time using teleportation spells.
And here I was thinking they were just super rich and could afford constant flights back and forth between France and UK.
Nope.
Just magic.
Magic is really convenient, efficient, and apparently casual enough that Grandpa doesn't even think twice about it.
That raised another question, though.
Why didn't we come here using magic?
I frowned, thinking.
Probably because I didn't know about magic yet when we first arrived.
And they wanted to keep it hidden from me until the right time.
Or maybe teleportation spells take a lot of mana, and it's not worth it for a casual family trip?
Dad probably knows how to do it...
I think.
Maybe.
Actually, I have no idea how good Dad is at magic.
He can do basic stuff levitation, enhancement spells for cooking but I've never seen him do anything advanced.
Did he even finish his training?
Or did he really drop out to chase girls and never look back?
I made a mental note to ask Grandma later before i left.
For now...
I sighed and stood up, walking to the window.
Outside, I could see Grandma and Lavinia sitting together on a bench in the garden.
Grandma was talking, her expression gentle and serious.
Lavinia was listening intently, nodding occasionally.
What are they talking about?
I still can't hear what they say considering the distance.
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Outside - Vivienne and Lavinia
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Vivienne sat beside Lavinia on the garden bench, her hands folded in her lap.
The ice doll stood a few meters away, silent as always.
"Lavinia," Vivienne said gently, "I want you to know something."
Lavinia looked up at her, curious. "What is it?"
"You're always welcome here," Vivienne said. "Even when Michael and his parents go back to France. Even when it feels like you're alone."
Lavinia's eyes widened slightly.
"Really?"
"Really." Vivienne smiled warmly. "If you ever need help, if you ever feel scared or unsafe, you can come here. My husband and I will always be here for you."
Lavinia's lip trembled. "But... why? You barely know me."
"Because you're Michael's friend," Vivienne said simply. "And because you're a good girl who deserves kindness."
She reached out and gently squeezed Lavinia's hand.
"And if you want," Vivienne added, "we can arrange for you to visit Michael in France sometime. With your guardian's permission, of course." And if that guardian refuses, I'll handle it myself, Vivienne thought,but didn't say aloud.
Lavinia's face lit up. "I can visit?"
"If you'd like to, yes."
"I'd love that!" Lavinia said, smiling so wide it made Vivienne's heart ache.
This poor child.
So starved for affection.
So desperate for someone to care.
Vivienne made a silent vow.
On she'll give hell for the person that killed her parents and cause her suffering.
One way or another.
"Good," Vivienne said aloud. "Then it's settled. I'll make the arrangements."
Lavinia nodded eagerly, still smiling.
Behind them, the ice doll tilted its head slightly.
Almost like it was... happy.
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Later - At the Front Door
-----------
We stood at the front door, luggage packed and ready to go.
Mom was double-checking everything one last time.
Dad was chatting with Grandpa about something probably about wine, though it could also be about something else.
Grandma meanwhile stood beside Lavinia, a hand resting gently on her shoulder.
I looked at Lavinia.
She was trying to smile, but I could see the sadness in her eyes.
She doesn't want us to leave.
I didn't want to leave either.
But we had to.
Since well i still have school,jeanne,and my home.
I then walked over to Lavinia and held out my hand and my pinky finger.
She looked at it, then at me, confused.
"What's this?" she asked.
"A promise," I said. "I'll visit you again back. we're going to stay friends. No matter what."
She stared at my hand for a moment.
Then she took it.
And squeezed her pinky as well.
"Promise?" she whispered.
"Promise."
She pulled me into a hug.
I hugged her back, ignoring the fact that I was,once again, a hugging magnet.
This time, I don't mind.
When she pulled back, she was crying but smiling.
"Thank you, Michael," she said. "For being my friend."
"Anytime, Lavi."
Grandma stepped forward, handing Lavinia a small piece of paper.
"This is our phone number," she said. "This our phone number. If you ever need anything-anything you call us. Understand?"
Lavinia nodded, clutching the paper like it was precious.
"I will. Thank you Grandma Vivienne."
Grandma smiled and gently patted her head. "You're a kind and brave girl, Lavinia. Don't ever forget that."
We said our final goodbyes.
Grandma hugged me tight and whispered, "Take care of yourself, mon petit. And keep practicing your magic."
"I will, Grandma."
Grandpa ruffled my hair. "You did well this week. Keep it up."
"Thanks, Grandpa."
Dad shook grandpa hand, then pulled him into a brief hug.
Dad then also hugged Grandma.
Mom hugged both of them after dad, thanking them for everything.
And then...We left.
I looked back one last time as we walked to the car.
Lavinia stood at the door, waving.
Grandma and Grandpa stood beside her, watching us go.
And behind them all, barely visible in the shadows.
The ice doll once more as it's continue watching us.
I waved back.
I'll see you again, Lavi.
I promise.
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In the Car
-----------
The drive to the airport was quiet.
I stared out the window, watching the countryside roll by.
Mom reached over and squeezed my hand.
"You okay, tesoro?"
I nodded. "Yeah. Just... thinking."
"About Lavinia?"
"Yeah."
Mom smiled gently. "She'll be okay. Grandma and Grandpa will make sure of it."
I looked at her. "Really?"
"Really." Mom's expression was firm. "Your grandparents are very protective. And very capable. Lavinia is in good hands."
I nodded slowly.
Yeah i should trust grandma and grandpa.
No not just them but also my parents.
I trust all of them.
I leaned back in my seat and closed my eyes.
Goodbye, Great Britain.
Goodbye, Lavi.
I'll be back.
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Meanwhile - Back at the House
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Vivienne watched the car disappear down the road.
Then she turned to Lavinia.
"Come inside, dear. Let's have some tea."
Lavinia nodded and followed her into the house.
Vivienne told Lavinia to go to the dining room first,she has to grabbed something first.
She nodded.
Lavinia proceeded going towards the dining room.
Edgar closed the door behind them, his expression serious.
"So," he said quietly. "What's the plan?"
Vivienne's eyes hardened. Towards his wife.
"As we discussed and agreed, We watch,and we wait. Until they make their move..."
She didn't finish.
She didn't need to.
Edgar nodded.
"Understood."
------------
Evening
------------
Lavinia stood at the front door of Grandma Vivienne and Grandpa Edgar's house, clutching Mochi the plushie tightly.
"Thank you," she said quietly, looking between them. "For everything. For being so kind to me."
Vivienne knelt down and pulled her into a gentle hug.
"No need to thank us Lavinia,You're always welcome here, Lavinia," she said softly. "Never forget that."
"I won't," Lavinia promised, her voice muffled against Vivienne's shoulder.
When Vivienne pulled back, she cupped Lavinia's face gently.
"And remember if you ever need help, you could go to us or call us. Day or night. Understood?"
Lavinia nodded, eyes shining. "Yes, ma'am."
Edgar stepped forward, his gruff expression softening slightly.
"Take care of yourself, girl," he said. "And don't let anyone make you feel small. You're stronger than you know."
Lavinia looked up at him, surprised by the warmth in his voice.
"Thank you, Grandpa Edgar "
He nodded. "Go on, now. Before it gets too dark."
Lavinia took a breath, squeezed Mochi one more time, and turned to leave.
She walked down the path, glancing back once to see them still standing at the door, watching her.
She waved.
They waved back.
And then she turned the corner and they were gone.
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Lavinia's Relative's House
----------
Lavinia finally arrived back and stood outside her relative house.
It was a plain, two-story building,it was very clean, orderly, but cold.
This isn't home, she thought.
It's never been home.
She took a breath and pushed open the front door.
Inside, her relative a distant cousin of her dad was sitting in the living room, watching television with a glass of bourbon in hand.
The woman glanced at Lavinia as she entered.
Her expression immediately shifted from happy to annoyance across her face , her eyes flickering from shining to dimming before she looked away, back to the screen. Not caring towards lavinia at all,her cousin's daughter.
"You're back," the woman said flatly.
"Yes, auntie."
"I see."
That was it.
No "How was your day?"
No "Did you have fun?"
Just cold acknowledgment and immediate dismissal.
Lavinia's chest tightened.
She lowered her gaze and quietly walked upstairs to her room.
Not wanting to spend more time with her aunt,who clearly hates her.
Meanwhile her aunt soon continues watching her show, with her eyes now shining again after Lavinia left the living room.
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Lavinia's Room
---------
The room was a small and sparse. But it wad clean and neat.
The room doesn't contain much
A bed,a desk,a wardrobe,and a single window.
No decorations. No warmth. Nothing that made it feel like hers.
Lavinia closed the door behind her and sat on the bed, hugging Mochi tightly.
She looked at the plushie the soft blue cat with its dopey, surprised expression.
Michael won this for me.
He smiled when he gave it to me.
He promised we'd stay friends.
She felt tears prick her eyes, but she smiled anyway.
I wish I could see him again immediately.
She turned to the window, staring out at the darkening sky.
Somewhere out there, Michael was on his way back to France.
Back to his life.
Back to his family.
And she was here.
Alone.
But not forever, she told herself.
Grandma Vivienne and Grandpa Edgar said I could visit them.
And Michael promised he'd come back.
She hugged Mochi tighter.
I'll be strong.
And they welcomed her to their house
Just like they said.
Outside the window, perched on a nearby tree branch, a bird watched Lavinia.
Its eyes gleamed unnaturally in the fading light of the night sky.
It tilted its head, with it single intent : Observing Lavinia.
And then, silently, it spread its wings and flew away,and to go back where it was told to do so.
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Location, Unknown
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The bird arrived back to it's owner, which it was currently inside a somewhat huge room in a random house somewhere.
The room was cluttered with books, scrolls, strange artifacts, and ingredients in glass jars. Shelves lined the walls, sagging under the weight of decades of collected knowledge.
At the center of the room sat an old woman.
She was draped in dark, flowing robes worn but well-maintained. Her hair was silver-white, tied back loosely.
Her face was lined with age, but her eyes were sharp, calculating, and cold.
She extended a bony finger, and the bird hopped onto it.
She closed her eyes.
Images flowed from the familiar into her mind.
The garden. The goodbyes. The car leaving. Lavinia returning to the house. The cold reception. The girl sitting alone in her room.
The woman's eyes opened.
A slow, satisfied smile spread across her face.
"Finally," she murmured. "They've left."
She stood, her robes rustling as she moved to a table cluttered with maps and notes.
"I didn't expect that old hag family lives here,not to mention her stupid son and his family to be visiting," she muttered, tracing a finger along a marked location on the map.
"That complicated things and delayed my plan a lot"
She tapped the map.
"But no matter. They're gone now. And even if Vivienne and her stupid husband get themselves involved in my plan,they won't unable to stopped me "
"And soon, the Absolute Demise user will be mine."
The old woman also known as
Glenda, Witch of the South, one of the most if not powerful witch of the group Wizards of Oz returned to her perch and sat down.
She steepled her fingers, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Soon, Absolute Demise" she whispered. "Soon, you'll be mine."
The bird familiar cawed softly.
And the room fell silent once more.
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How was the chapter,yeah the arc of his time in Britain may be a bit short which i didn't expect actually since from when i was writing it feel somewhat long. Though that's probably because of the drafts. Since the way i write chapters is a bit complicated.
Moving on look like our first antagonist has appeared. You probably know her from Slash/Dog. The events that will happened in lore will definitely change, not to mention i have already thought of some interesting characters. Though it being interesting is depend on everyone so it might be boring for some,or not, so I'll try my best.
Well that's all see ya in the next chapter đź‘‹
(I may have a lot of free time in the last few days so 4 chapters this week)
-AgentByteGOC