- - - 1.3 - - -

After a few minutes, or so, judging from the position of the sun, I opened my eyes - this is going to be a habit, it seems -, and with a stupid thought, urged myself to stand up, and I did. Surprisingly, my movements were light, and springy - for lack of a better word.

I turned around, and Madame Vera had vanished, leaving the townspeople - who were likely absorbed in watching my ass, handed to me - and me, bewildered. Then a thought occurred to me, and I ran as fast as I could. No-one was following me. Turning around a corner house, I finally reached my house.

I rushed towards the door, and, with great difficulty, opened it. I ran up the stairs, each step killing me as thoughts of them not being there ran through my mind, and saw an old lady, closing the door to the twins' room. She saw me, and made a shushing gesture with her finger. I closed my eyes, and breathed out, a sigh of immense relief. They were still here. I sighed in relief, patting my pockets.

The old lady came close, and gave me a warm smile, before dragging me down the stairs by the ear. She led me to the kitchen/dining room, and forced me on the seat, while she sat down on the other side of the table.

I opened my mouth, trying to tell her what just happened, but I could only sputter.

She shut my mouth up with a finger, before wiping my face with her apron. "What just happened was my doing. Now, I'm sure you have things to explain but," Lola Leona said, glaring at me, "have you heard the rumors floating about of the growing concerns, or has that old bear told you?" she leaned, resting her arms, on the table.

I nodded, meekly, forgetting my very recent encounter.

Lola Leona leaned back on her chair, and crossed her arms, visibly relaxing, but still glaring at me. "The twins must leave the town, and go to a place that can protect them. With my age, I'm afraid, I can only do little... the twins wield a too incredible amount of mana, although, I'm sure you've noticed, but many people, far stronger than Madame Quack, will try to get them." she waved her hands, muttered something, and the bandages on my hands unraveled, revealing hands that looked like they'd been buried in charcoal. "I presume that's the old bear's handiwork?" she asked, looking at my partially-burnt arms.

I hunched over, head cast down, and placed my elbows on the table and my hands behind my head, the texture of my arm-skin, felt rough like leather, on my neck. "Yes," I answered. I looked up, meeting my gaze with her scowl. "I need a plan. W-We'll go to the capital, and, and..."

Her face warmed and she reached over, and patted me on the head, and then sat back down on her chair. "Already have one, dear." She waved her hands, and muttered once again, and three tickets materialized, between in her fingers. "You're nineteen now, Juan. You'll be going to school," she smiled, "and as for the twins... I called in a friend of mine, and he promised me, that the government won't be chasing you, besides you'll be going to school outside the country, so don't worry. They'll be with you."

It was one of the agreements of the Makiling Accord of 2089 (the treaty, made after the Philippine Civil War that happened just after the Anabasis, that replaced the Philippine Republic with the Philippine Federation): when a child had achieved a surge, he or she was obligated to partake in a mandatory Magic Aptitude Test, in the nearest Department of Magic tower - yes, the places where magic is studied and practiced is called a tower, pretty bland, really -, and in the event that they have high aptitude, they are taken to a tower that matches their test-results, regardless of what their parents or guardians might want for them.

I stood up, and slammed my hands on the table's surface, a jolt of pain snaked its way up my arms. "I-I don't have the money..." I went quiet, my voice was too loud, and I moved my face closer. "A-And passports..." I tried lowering my voice.

Lola Leona rolled her eyes, and flicked my forehead. "I've already made arrangements..." again, she smiled. "Don't worry, dear. You're like a son to me," she said. Her voice was gentle and warm. "Although, that would make the twins, my grandchildren, and that makes me seem old." she let out a chuckle.

"B-But what about Madame Vera? She's going to be super-pissed, if we're gone. I know you can stop her and all, but what of the town? This whole province?" I did not want to cause trouble for this village - to Harold and Lola Leona, especially.

She raised an eyebrow. "I'll have a proper talk with her, so don't you worry, dear." Her tone sounded dangerous for a moment.

I did not know what Lola Leona would do, but I knew that she was powerful. Very powerful. Then again, I did fight Madame Vera and got curb-stomped, but Lola Leona just snapped her fingers. I sighed, and sat back down, then asked Lola Leona what kind of school we'd be attending.

"It's a magic-school that fosters adventurers and interest in the exploration of magical areas," she said, before giving me an apple slice.

My face went blank as I stared at her, taking the apple slice and eating it. "Have you forgotten that I'm a Null?" I asked, chewing, maybe she did indeed forget. Although, the case of me being a Null was too severe to be easily forgotten.

She smiled, and snapped her fingers.

And I became many.

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