TBATE - Never Ending

// Virion Leywin //

"Give your big sis a hug." Ellie came at me with wide open arms whilst waddling like a penguin.

"Didn't I already -"

"You didn't hug me back." she cut me off, as she stops right infront of me, fiddling with her dress.

Is she shy?

"Pfft."

"What so funny?" she hit me in the gut, I just laughed it off.

"You're acting more like the younger sibling." I smiled at her. "You are so cute tho -"

She hit me again.

My mother and brother snickered which only seemd to irritate her futher and kept hitting me in embarrassment.

I wrapped my arm around her and she settled down, falling into my embrace.

"It's good to see you again."

"Yeah. It's good to have you back." Arthur chimed. My mother's smile practically radiated like the sun. I let my eyes close for a moment, as if to etch this into my memory.

I open my eyes again and break away from Ellie. "Anyway, you have arrived just in time for dinner so lets go take our seats while we wait."

"Umm." a meak voice came from behind me.

Turning around, I look up at the glasses-wearing boy with short black hair, green eyes hidden behind the glare of his lenses while dressed in casual clothes.

It was Elijah Knight.

"Oh right, Virion, this is Elijah." Arthur came up with a hand resting on my shoulder and the other gesturing between us as he spoke. "Elijah, this my little brother, Virion."

"Nice to meet you." I stretch my hand out to him.

"Likewise." he clasps my hand with a rather firm grip. He lets go and turns to the others. "Uncle Vincent and Reynolds are waiting in the dining room."

"Let's not keep the good waiting then." Tabitha was the first to follow out the door and we soon followed. I was at the back of the group along with Sylvie.

"Kyu~" she was practically drooling.

Reaching the dining room, you can hear two voices talking to one another. "... uld you get them though?"

"Of course." Vincent's voice rang out proudly as we passed through the double doors. "We'll -"

"What are you two boys talking about?" Tabitha took her seat next to her husband.

"Just something." father nervously chuckles. What were they planning?

"Are you sure it's just something?" mother joins in on the tag team, putting on the heat as she stares suspiciously at father.

"Yeah." he looks the other way, avoiding his wife's gaze as she sat next to him.

"So welcome back for your favourite child?" I chimed in as the group infront of me disperse to their seats.

"Virion!" Vincent snaps his head in my direction from his stool almost throwing of his glasses.

"Son!"my father stood up in his chair with a loud thump but with a glare from mother, he quickly sits down again.

"Glad to know I'm still the favourite." I smiled as I walked down the table to my empty seat across from Ellie and Elijah.

"Hmph." Ellie pouts in father's direction with a scowl.

"Look what you did now." mother nudges him in his side, a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Your brother... is just being silly." father tried to speak through the constant elbows in his ribs.

"So how was it?" Vincent changes the topic.

"It was fine. And thank you for abiding by my request." I simply replied.

"It was no problem." he gave me thumbs up. "I'm stll confused as to why you didn't choose a normal conjuring staff."

"It's because I wanted to train my mana manipulation and using a plain staff helped quite a lot."

"You can do that?" Arthur asks.

"If you just went to school you would know." I gestured with an open palm. "There are certain elements that have a low conductivity."

"Uh, yeah." shocked at the sudden jab his way. "I'll keep that in mind."

"I'm a little lost here so umm..." Elijah lifts his hand earning a raised brow from me. "Are you a mage?"

"Yes."

"Wha! - I mean, I'm surprised." he cuts himself off, clearing his throat.

Everyone has a little chuckle. "It's okay, Elijah. That was our same reaction when we found out as well." Tabitha sympathized.

"Oh yeah, I saw Lilia at the academy a few times."

"Really? How is she doing? Does she have a -phulp" Vincent hugged his ribs, laying his head on the table. Tabitha had also used her elbow.

Ive never seen an elbow be so effective. Is it some secret technique that wives inherent?

Woman are scary.

"Clam yourself. It hasn't been that long since she left." she bore his eyes in the back of his head.

"Don't worry. I took care of the few boys that I saw approach her." I gave him a thumbs up. To this, his head immediately shot up with sparkling eyes.

"You've put your skills to great use." Vincent, Arthur, father and Elijah nodded approvingly. I've now been officially knighted, I let tears of joy flow down my cheeks.

Not really though.

On the other hand, my mother and Tabitha had dark expressions as if they had witnessed an execution.

Sylvie and Ellie shared confused gazes.

Suddenly, the three maids and a butler came in with trays, each carrying two plates, balancing them in the palms of their hands. They sat plate down for each of us and some side dishes in the middle. Everyone mumbled their 'thank you' as their dishes was handed out. Just as quick though, they made their way out.

"I forgot to ask but what stage are you at now?" Arthur asked the question that was probably on everyone's minds.

The room grew silent for a moment, quiet enough that you could hear Sylvie chewing on Arthur's meat.

"I'm at the bottleneck of light orange." I said before cutting my steak in bite pieces and skewing one with my fork.

My mana heart is two stages behind despite consistently purifying mana. I suppose, the Beast Will pushed my mana core ahead. Perhaps it is my physical body that is holding it back.

How I wish I was any other race besides a human now.

"Huh." Elijah not knowing how to process this took it out on Arthur, vigorously shaking him back and forth by his shoulders while keeping his gaze firm on me.

"If you don't stop now, I might just barf all over you." Elijah immediately scooted away from Art, clearing his throat he mumbls an 'excuse me'.

"That's just..." Vincent breathed. "At this point, I'm running out of adjectives."

"You have already caught up with your old man, huh?" father smiled, proud but a hint of melancholy as well.

"I don't know but maybe we should test that out tomorrow." I smiled at him while chewing on my steak.

"Heh. You read my mind." my mother just sighed at our antics while mumbling something along the lines of childish.

"What stage are you at?" I turned to Arthur, he might've progressed futher than originally or maybe lag behind. In truth, I don't remember what stage he is at here.

"The same as you."

Is that right?

I hummed taking another bite sized piece, savoring it's taste. I really didn't know how to respond.

The rest of dinner was spent mostly quietly with some small talk here and there. As to not spoil dinner the dinner for everyone, I decided to wait until they done eating. But how should I start this off like do I -

"So now that your back, what do you plan on doing?" Vincent ask as he leaned back in his chair, rubbing his tummy that was now full. "Or are you not done with training yet?"

It seems I'm quite lucky today, no? Now I just have to sell my performance.

"I don't know." I shrugged.

"Maybe you can stay a bit at home before you go to school." my mother proposed.

"I actually wanted to go adventuring." I paused. "That's if you will allow it, of course." I quickly interjected, letting my voice dwindling near the end.

Unlike the previous surprises, this time the silence was deafening and the tension immediately sprung into the atmosphere.

"We are gonna..." Tabitha stood up while dragging Vincent by the arm. "... give you some space."

Elijah also followed behind the couple, feeling out of place. He closes the door behind them.

"No." my mother's voice was now barely audible. Her hands was now fidgeting, rubbing her right index finger. My father only sat in silence as if contemplating the idea.

We are off to a rough start, I suppose.

"And you father?"

"Didn't you hear me?" my mother frowned at me, tears brimming at her eyes. "I said no."

"Honey, I -"

"Don't you start, Reynolds. He is just a kid."

"But that didn't stop you from allowing Athur to go." I chipped in.

"Well, I shouldn't have." she wipes a stray tear. It was clear she thinking about the ring that lit up as Arthur's mana levels dropped.

"I agree with mom, Virion." Arthur looks sympathetically at me. "I was lucky to just have received a few scrapes."

How should I go about countering this? I don't think acting immature would help my position.

"That was just bad luck on your part, no?" I gestured with an open palm." my voice a whisper but clearly audible in the silence. "And besides I'm of a higher level than you were. I don't see any logical reason as to why you would hold me back."

"Don't talk to me about logic, Virion Leywin." my hissed.

"Calm down, honey." my father tried to mediate, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Then why did you let Arthur go?" I asked. "Wasn't it because you thought it would be good for him?"

"That's different." she rebutted.

What's that supposed to mean?

"Different how? Just because of his luck I must now be robbed of my opportunity?" I strained my voice. "I know I'm not like Arthur so don't put him next to me. Or any other kid for that matter. I'm not interested in making friends nor do I want to play around."

"Virion -"

"The only reason I went with the Director was for this very reason. Now your just throwing my dreams aside because of what happened with him?" I pointed my finger at Athur, shaking. In a way this reminded me of my past.

"I want to go out there, experiment with mana and collect cores." I paused, taking a breath. "Those... are what I consider my friends."

Is this enough? The last part was cringe worthy but I think it was necessary.

I look up at them, mother seemed to avoid my gaze, guilt or shame was now eating at her, I suppose. I turn to Arthur across the table. He seems to have reluctantly accepted it, biting his lip.

"That's it." my father slammed the table also on the verge of tears. "We'll let you go, that is, under the same terms we presented Athur."

"But before any of that, I think we should have a spar so as to bring some sense comfort to your mother."

"Honey..." my mother's voice was weak. We stayed silent, waiting. "It's fine."

She couldn't find it in her to object anymore. I suppose, she just needs a bit of time..

"Don't worry." he places his hand over hers in an attempt to sooth her. "Virion, you will be facing your brother and I'll be the referee."

"Okay." I tried to sound dejected.

I honestly don't know anything else to say. And to be honest, it's kinda awkward. I guess it'll stay this way for a while.

"Sure." Arthur agreed, his voice laced with a subtle bitterness.

"Then it's settled then. I'll ask them if they're up go it. " Dad declared.

Suddenly, Ellie jolted out of her chair and dashed across the room, busting through the dubble doors and runs off to who knows where.

"I'll go after her." mother rushed out the room as well.

I could only sigh internally.

I jumped off of my chair and walked around the far end of the table. "Goodnight." I said to both of them as I left through the doors.

I have to prepare myself for tomorrow then.

.....

// Eleanor Leywin //

I shut the door to my room behind me and lean back against it slightly hitting the back of my head against it. I didn't mind though as it help destract me from this overwhelming feeling bubbling inside me.

I tried to hold my tears back but few went escaped and roled down my cheeks.

I don't even know why I'm crying. Is there even a reason for my tears?

I don't quite understand.

I push myself of the door and slowly dragged my feet across the floor to my bed. My shoulders slumped and my hair hanging in my face. As soon my foot touched the bed, I let my myself slop onto it.

Is it because I'm the one being left behind?

Why me?

Like Lilia, I also received help from Art and later on Virion during the awakening process yet unlike her I'm still stuck here while she headed on to Xyrus. And I'm attending some school for manners and whatnot.

I succumb to the feeling, my sniffles muffled by my bed covers that I buried my face in. I felt the sheet stick to my fave as they absorbed the tears.

*knock knock knock

"May I come in?" moms comforting voice rang from behind the door.

I kept my mouth shut though. Perhaps I was afraid she might here my voice crack. I wanted to show that I can be just like them... but why?

It was quiet until I heard the twist of the doorknob." I'm coming in." she announces as I heard the door close behind her with a click. Her footsteps rang in a rhythm that strangely bought me peace of mind. I felt how the bed moved as she sat down next to me, her hand gliding over my back.

I wanted to say stop, that I'm not a child but something was holding me back.

I couldn't be like them. No matter how much I tried, I couldn't.

"Why did you run off?" her voice a whisper.

Isn't it obvious? I clench the bed sheets, turning my on its side away from her.

"Why haven't I awakened?"I could my voice quiver but I managed to hold it together.

"Ellie..." my mom hesitated. "... you just have to give it some time."

Time, huh?

"Why?" I move my arms under me, pushing myself up and pulling my legs under me, sitting on them. "Why am I being left behind?"

There was silence.

Of course, it isn't like my parents had favoured them. It just happened for them and now I was being helped because of that. So why am I like this?

Is it not because of their awakenings then?

I felt my mom's arm slip around me and pull me into her embrace. At first, I didn't do the same but slowly my arms met up behind her.

It was warm.

"I'm sorry." her arms subtly trembling as they embrace me. "I'm such a bad mother, aren't I?"

"No." I remove my head from her chest and practically snapped my head up at her. Her eyes were red from crying. "Don't say that."

Why are you apologizing mom? You did nothing wrong, you are just looking out for us.

It's Virion's fault.

Why is he like that? He is so...

"Aw, thank you, Ellie." she wipes dries her eyes but they only seem to grow more red. She puts my hand on my head, ruffling my hair a little.

"But Virion was right. I shouldn't push normal lives onto you." she continues to pat my head back and forth. "It's just that I feel... guilty like this is my fault."

"Whatever you think it is that you've done, it's not your fault." I said earnestly, hugging her tighter.

She didn't say anything afterwards and we stayed like that for a while until I fell asleep.