CHAPTER 11 - Doubts and Suspicions.

"Where were you for so long? You even missed todays class that was so important. Now only one more day is left before the initiation test and the situation isn't getting any better. Anyways, come fast and I'll tell you all that the teacher taught us today."

As soon as Azyl came back to their dorm, he was greeted by Zewoulf's strong and concerned voice. For the first time he could tell the genuine emotions that his friend carried for him. A bright smile came across his face as went and sat down on his bed. Turning towards Zewoulf, with his face grinning, he opened his mouth to explain, but-

"PAT"

"Ouch, tch, tch, why are you hitting me now?" Azyl rubbed his head, looking at Zewoulf who had just hit his head. It only sting for a second, but he felt aggrieved at this.

"You ran away and then disappeared for the whole afternoon, making me worried and then return with a foolish smile on your face. Can you imagine the rage in me? AGHHHH I can't believe you" Zewoulf spoke.

Azyl sniggered when he saw Woulf make such a frustrated face, as it was the first time he saw him lose his cool. Woulf had always remained stoic so he couldn't help but let out a little laugh in that situation. After his long talk with teacher Ren, he felt a lot better. Although he might not be clear minded about his path yet, he had some ideas now. But Woulf could not help but scowl as he once more got ready to scold him,

"I get it, so stop for a second and let me explain now. I was just feeling chaotic before, so I couldn't help and barge out on you. Even though all that you had said was correct, I couldn't help act childish at that moment. But now that I had time to think, I am feeling better and also have a plan in mind now. At least some direction to look forward to. So just calm down Woulf." Azyl hastily replied as he moved a little back to avoid getting hit again.

Zewoulf paused and looked at him inquiringly.

Azyl then slowly explained to him all that had happened after he left and carefully explained to him about how he was determined to pursue his dream of what he thought of being a hero was and wanting to become someone cool that was looked upon by others. As he spoke to him, he found that his conviction to improve himself and venture out into the world became more firm.

Woulf once again took a serious stance as he went in his contemplative mood.

"So you are going to work hard and bet your chances on the next years initiation?" He finally asked Azyl a question.

"Its not that I am giving up on this time. But as teacher Ren said, my chances of getting in this time are extremely low. So while I give my all this time, I don't want to keep huge expectations that will push down my will later at disappointment." Azyl slowly answered him.

"But you do remember Teacher Ren's words right? Elementalists are not what they tell us to be. Wanting to join the elements class might not the right choice."

"You are joining them all the same though. Even though you know about this. I haven't thought that far but I guess since you seem to have some plan, we will be in for it together, that is if I manage to get in." He laughed.

Once Zewoulf heard this, he could feel that in the small time that Azyl was alone, his mentality had improved noticeably.

'Was he always like this? Rational and calm when required? Maybe he is talented somehow, but his lazy attitude makes it difficult to make it appear on surface. I knew my intuition would not be wrong in leading me to this kid.'

Woulf thought, as he remembered the first time he had seen Azyl during the time all new students were gathered in the ground.

At that time, they had all just arrived at the academy. Asked to assemble in the grounds, they were given a quick rundown on what will be taught to them and also informed about the initiation test. Standing among the forty students, Zewoulf had felt a strange feeling when he had taken a quick glance over the crowd. Like there was someone among them who he knew. Not from his present life, but from his past life. It was a strange inkling, but should not have been possible.

He did not have clear memories of how he had died, but he knew for sure that his friends from back then had survived. It was a strong feeling, but he knew he must have somehow protected them and his death had probably got to do with that. But now that he got a strange familiar feeling he could no longer be sure.

Following that feeling he had, he came to face Azyl. The kid in front of him an appearance that really made him stand out.

Zewoulf had seen a lot out striking appearances, so he was not fazed by the dull and messy silver hair the kid sported. He could tell at a glance that this kid was a lazy ass, who was disinterested in most stuff around him and liked to fantasize about nice stuff falling from the sky in his lap. Not at all a hard worker like Woulf. Or else he was someone who was a hypocrite and acted like this. But his emerald eyes were sparkling. They were untainted and innocent. They held a curiosity within that wanted to discover more about the world.

But his guess was proven right on the third day when he saw him fall asleep even before the teacher began his class. He observed the kid from the corner of his eyes, even as he continued to focus on the class to learn about new stuff. But then later when he heard from Azyl about the dreamscape and the battle field he described, a strange reaction occurred in his body. He could immediately recognize the words that he used to describe this place.

And then his suspicion increased as he thought that maybe Azyl was just like him, someone who had reincarnated from his world. Maybe they were even comrades, but he could not make any hasty decision without being sure. He did not know who to trust and thus remained silent. But as his instincts had guided him to Azyl, he felt that there was a way for him get answers to the gaps in his memories.

But the more he listened to Azyl's descriptions, he started to realize that maybe it wasn't as he had thought. Even after he revealed to him that he had similar visions randomly, Azyl only seemed to think it had to do something with an inheritance or that this place was somewhere in their world. His actions did not seem at all like someone who was reincarnated. And when he heard from him about the naive dream of looking up to Elementalists, he could confirm that Azyl was only a simple child. A twelve year old who was caught up in this through chance.

But this was his only way right now to find more answers. From the day that he had been able to understand the language of this land, he had paid attention to find more. When he learnt there was a way to become stronger, he had tried even harder to grab that chance. Because he understood that only with strength he had any chance to return, to remember and to not be tied down.

Zewoulf looked at Azyl in front of him, as he came back from his reminiscing. The kid did not look handsome as he did not bother to straighten his hair or comb it. Neither did he try to behave exceptionally and usually tried to blend with his surroundings so that he won't be pointed to do some labor work. But right then, Zewoulf could see a glint in those emerald eyes of his, a shine that said he had made up his mind to follow upon his words.

And Zewoulf could feel some anticipation build up in his gut, as he wondered what adventures he would get to see in the future now.