Magic Theory, Mathematics, Science, Human Tongue, and History. In the other column next to it on the paper, there was a score of 100 in every box. In a different font, on the bottom of the paper below every other class, another score of 100 could be seen next to where it said Magic Engineering. Between this 100, and every other 100, there existed the number 65 corresponding to the Course "Magic Combat".
There were two of these papers, exactly identical to each other, all except one number at the top of both. One said "Grading Period 1", and the other, "Grading Period 2".
Arthur looked completely at ease in the mirror, a faint trace of confidence lingering in the corners of his mouth. His messy brown hair reached the base of his neck in the back and along the sides, falling in loose, uneven strands that framed his face without care. From the front, it funneled down toward his nose, untamed but deliberate, as if he preferred it that way. His deep brown eyes, steady and unhurried, met his own reflection without doubt or hesitation. The navy-black uniform fit him neatly, its polished trim and clean lines doing little to disguise the quiet arrogance that came with knowing exactly who he was—and what he was capable of.
His book was open, alone in the center of the table where the sunlight from the window shone.
He was basking in his own radiance, until Cedric entered the room with a towel around his waist, ruffling his hair with another towel.
His bare skin was clear-white, all except the six large individual markings that remained in the middle of his chest, the front of where his left arm and shoulder met, the medial side of his right forearm, the backside of his right thigh, and the lateral side of his lower leg.
The Physical blessings all had different symbols in the center, but they all had the same markings that surrounded them. Two circles, surrounded by a much more unique ring, much further out than the rest.
In accordance with the distance between the two presently existing circles, there could be five, even six of them between the second and the last ring, but there weren't.
Arthur ignored the peculiarity, he did not want to think anything that would acknowledge anything positive about him.
He recognized the symbols. They corresponded to the four Primary Elements of Earth, Fire, Water, and Wind, as well as the symbol of the Celestial God. The symbol on his back however, he could not recognize.
Not that he cared, it wasn't his first time seeing it after all. In fact, he had noticed the disappearance of Cedric's blessings by his second week at the academy. He has thought about it, and smiled so many times, he became numb more than a month before.
Cedric tossed his towel onto his bed, revealing his short fluffy brown hair. He had been taking care of it, unlike Arthur who let it grow long. He managed to maintain it for the three months since they left the ground.
"What's this? Are these your report cards for the last two Grading periods? It's nearly all hundreds! Do you want to see mine?"
"I don't particularly care to see it." He doesn't even give him the respect of being acknowledged.
Cedric sneaks up to him while he looks away, and lightly pinches a strand of his hair.
"Woaah! Your hair has grown so long! It's so pretty, you almost look like a girl! Hehe."
Arthur slaps away his hand, and stares at him in utter disgust, nose wrinkled, eyes cold, lips curled, and his chin raised, as if even looking at him was beneath him.
"I don't recall giving you permission to touch me."
Cedric's mouth hung open, and his eyes were lost.
He tried to smile again, and turned to something different.
"You like reading books right? You're always with that big book every time I see you."
He crouched under his bed, and pulled out a small, closed box. Arthur had never seen it open before. From it, Cedric took out two paper manuscripts. Together, they would not make up even a third of the width of Arthur's Holy Text.
"You're having some trouble with your Combat Instruction Class, right? I have this book on Sword Teachings, I actually wrote it hehe-"
A mage trying to teach a swordsman magic? You must think so lowly of me, Cedric, how arrogant. But I suppose that means you've finally begun to develop a consciousness. I have no need of any teaching, I'm sure I could match the strongest in the Honor Class if I actually try to win.
"And if you want to learn Spellcasting, I have this great book on how to improve magic control." Cedric continued.
Arthur lets his teeth clench together.
"I didn't write this one, but I can teach you how to read it! It's a really great book–"
"Enough." Arthur said. Cedric politely stopped when he heard his voice.
"I've had enough of your nonsense. How much longer will you mock me? It seems that you're no longer a child, so I won't treat you like one either."
He collected the book from the table, and slung the bag onto his shoulder.
"Why are you acting like this, Arthur? This isn't like you!"
"Telling you would be a waste of breath, if you couldn't notice such obvious signs already, you're beyond saving. I don't associate myself with people like you."
"But mom would want us to be friends with each other!"
"DON'T CALL HER THAT! That's a pathetic attempt at manipulating me, playing the victim, huh?"
He put his hands in the air, and shifted backwards in a mocking gesture.
"She's not your mom."
Arthur pressed his finger into Cedric's chest bone, digging an inch deep.
"We're not even related. You're just some sort of monster that looks like me. Don't forget that I was the one who picked you off the street, I'm the one who convinced MY parents to take you in. And now, you're trying to take everything from me. But I won't let you."
He looks him up and down once more before ambling out the door.
"You really said that?" Derrick asked in a somewhat surprised tone, eating quickly, but in a composed manner.
"I always believed the two of you were twins. I mean, I thought he left and came back when I saw you, but when I looked back at the front of the line, there he was, and you also just looked… more tired."
Arthur's plate was half empty.
"Yeah, but do you think I went too far?" Arthur dragged his fork along porcelain, back and forth.
There was no hesitation.
"No, what you did was definitely just, people like him, who waste their gifts need to be put in their place. Honestly, I envy you, I wish I could've said it to him myself."