Chapter 3 Not an Ideal Reunion

Minori POV

In front of me sits the Princess of Lakonia herself, Minerva. I haven't seen her since she was a girl, but now here she is all grown up. She has this intense look on her face, but I don't think it's because she's angry, I think that's just what her face looks like... Her light-brown hair is a nice contrast, but her dark red eyes only seem to further fuel her intense image... She's also wearing this green headband, although its mostly lost behind her bangs, so I'm not really even sure why she's wearing it...

The reason for Minerva's visit was well, because she had enrolled in Viribus Sentinel Academy! Her admission circumstances were a little special, like Ignis'. She was let in at the request of her father, she didn't go through the standard application, interview, and selection process. I mean her father is the king of an entire planet, it may seem like nepotism, but there was no way she wasn't getting in! Besides I know very well just how strong Minerva is! Her father had been my teammate and one of the strongest Sentinels before he was forced to retire and succeed his father as the King of Lakonia. She had trained under her father's guidance and supervision her entire life for this! Not to mention, Lakonians are naturally one of the strongest races physically speaking. So, when one of them is born with enhanced abilities, their strength is something to behold...

I go over the same forms with Minerva that I had gone over with Ignis earlier in the day. Minerva also views her profile to verify the basic information, as she does so, I check over it again myself...

Name: Minerva

Age: 18

Height: 5'4"

Weight: 120 lbs.

Everything appears to be in order... I didn't mention the attribute measurements to Minerva like I had with Ignis. The reason I showed Ignis his was because I thought it would motivate him to work harder... As I look over Minverva's measurements... I don't think she'll need that...

Strength: 8/10

Durability: 8/10

Speed: 5/10

Magical Power: None

These are some of the highest ratings I've seen for an incoming first year! Even without magical power, a strength and durability rating of 8!? Of course Minerva hadn't undergone the official assessment and selection process normal students did, but I know that her father wouldn't lie to raise his daughter's measurements! No, if anything he would estimate lower than they really are! With that I file away Minerva's forms and close out of her profile...

-Minori: Well Minerva, welcome to Viribus Sentinel Academy! I look forward to teaching you and seeing you grow throughout the next three years! I know this next part goes without saying, but I'm required to tell you anyway. Just because you come from a royal family, please don't expect any special treatment! You will be treated the same as the students who come from the poorest villages on the poorest planets. You're all Sentinels in training!

-Minerva: Of course Minori. My father always spoke very highly of you. I look forward to learning under you and continuing to grow into my powers. And of course I wouldn't want any special treatment. I plan to work just as hard, no harder than anyone else!

-Minori: Hah, that's a very similar response to what Ignis gave me-

-Minerva: IGNIS IS HERE?!?!?

Minerva had jumped out of her chair and was now leaning over the desk, her face just inches away from mine... Her eyes had lit up and the intense look on her face had morphed into one more excited...

-Minori: Um yes, he's out exploring the campus grounds at the moment... He left not that long ago, he couldn't have gotten very far, I'm sure if you head down you may find him close by...

Before I could even finish my sentence Minerva had darted out of my office, no doubt to go look for my son. I smile knowing that Ignis will have a friend here after all, someone he's familiar with! But then I remember something... Ignis had mentioned as he was walking out that he was used to being alone... I had also noticed that when Krista mentioned Lakonia to Ignis, there was a touch of fear in his expression... It was just for a second, but it was there... I can't help but wonder if I've said something I shouldn't have... It's probably nothing...

About 10 minutes pass and I can't quite get this out of my head... I decide I should go look for Minerva and or Ignis. I'm not quite sure what I'll do once I find one of them, but I'll figure it out...

I make my way outside of the main academy building and it appears I'm too late! Sitting on the ground with the biggest look of sheer terror on his face is my son Ignis, and standing over him with the biggest look of excitement on her face is Minerva! The smile on her face looks like she's having the best day of her life, but he looks like he's been sentenced to death! Also standing several yards away with angry, yet puzzled, expressions on their faces is a group of around 10-11 girls... Just what has Ignis gotten himself into?

Ignis: I-it's good to see you, M-M-Minerva!

Minerva: Ah good, you remember!

Ignis POV

Words cannot describe the dread I'm feeling... Seeing this she-devil again after all these years and remembering all of the abuse and torment I had faced at her hands when we were kids... That sadistic smile on her face tells me everything I need to know! She isn't satisfied with just having ruined my life when we were kids. No, she wants to pick right up where she left off and ruin my adult life! Minerva extends her hand out to me... No doubt she wants me to take it thinking she's going to help me up, but I know better! If I take her hand she'll pull me up only to knock me right back down or possibly even throw me across the courtyard!

Ignis: Uh-uh oh gods, I have to get out of here!!

Out of the corner of my eye I notice Mom standing several yards away looking on at this situation...

Ignis: Mom! Get me off of this planet RIGHT NOW-

Before I can finish getting the words out, Minerva scoops me up into a hug and lifts me off the ground! She squeezes so hard I think my spine is on the verge of snapping in half! I need to get this woman toput me down before she literally cracks me in half!!

Ignis: L-L-Let me go you fiend!

At first I struggle to get the words out, but I'm finally able to get my message across... Minerva loosens her grip and puts me down on my feet... Once I regain my composure, what I see leaves me absolutely dumbfounded... Minerva's entire face has turned red and the sadistic smile and the intense expression are replaced with the softest and most girly look I've ever seen...

-Minerva: Ignis, what's that all about? I was just so excited to see you and you're acting like I'm a criminal! I mean we haven't seen each other in almost seven years, I was just so happy-uh it's so embarrassing don't make me say anymore!

This has to be a joke right? A clever ploy to suck me in? Never once in my life have I seen this expression from this girl. Her, embarrassed? Not likely! I know that the moment I play into her little game it's not going to end well for me! Before I say anything else the group of girls who had been chasing me speak up...

-Girls: Hey! Don't ignore us!! This pervert was peeping on us!

-Fang Girl: And he tried to molest me!

-Ignis: Hey now that was a series of unfortunate misunderstandings! I didn't mean to see you girls changing! Really I was just walking around and heard voices so I thought I would investigate! And I did NOT molest you! I was running from all of them and I just didn't want you to scream and give me away! I realize I'm not completely innocent in either case, so please forgive me!

All of the girls look around at each other and consider my words, but suddenly Minerva's soft, girly demeanor vanishes, and left in its place is something truly terrifying... The intense expression she had earlier comes back, but this time it's much more extreme! Her eyes are laser focused towards the group of girls and I can feel murderous intent radiating from her...

-Minerva: HOW DARE YOU!!

Minerva throws her right hand out to her side and out of nowhere comes flying what is easily the biggest axe I've ever seen in my life! There's a large blade on side, which is easily bigger than her torso! On the other side is a spike that slightly curves downward, and to top it all off, the tip of the weapon has a spearhead on it! The handle of this thing is at least as long as she is tall! I can only imagine how much such a weapon weighs, but she holds it in one hand like it's nothing! Minerva begins to take a step forward with this new gargantuan axe in her hand as I just manage to get in front of her!

-Ignis: Whoah!! Hold on there! There's really no need for any of that!

Minerva doesn't want to hear what I'm saying...

-Minerva: Ignis, move. Not only did they interrupt us, but they've insulted your honor! Accusing you of such heinous and indecent acts!

Okay not good! Minerva has gotten it in her head that these girls have somehow wronged me, which isn't entirely untrue, but I'm also to blame so I think we could just call it even! However, I can tell just by looking at her that Minerva doesn't want anything to do with that! I can handle her messing with me to an extent, but threatening to harm other people? That's where I have to draw the line! Without saying anything I brace myself, and get ready for her to attack...

-Minerva: Ignis. Move.

She's not backing down at all! I don't want to get into a fight, not here, and certainly not with her! I mean yeah I have a magical power, but I'm not sure that would be enough to make up for the obvious difference in physical strength, and Minerva's no stranger to fighting! She has strength and knows exactly how to use it! My heart rate is through the roof and my palms are drenched in sweat... Minerva takes another step forward... All right here we go... Before I can even move, Mom appears, between Minerva and me.

-Minori: Minerva, that's enough.

Mom says this calmly, but also very seriously. I know she isn't messing around. And she shouldn't be! Minerva is totally serious about hurting these girls behind me! Minerva doesn't say or do anything for a few seconds... Finally after what feels like an eternity, she huffs and then lowers the axe...

-Minerva: Fine.

I think the situation is finally resolved until Minerva looks around Mom and myself to the group of girls...

-Minerva: If any of you mess with my Ignis again, it won't end well for you!

What does she mean "my" Ignis? I look at the group of girls behind me and see the fear in their eyes... It seems like most, if not all of them, are shaking... I think I even see one of them crying! Minerva then walks up to me and places her hand on my face as that sadistic smile returns! I'm tremendously disturbed by this; I'm expecting any moment for her to pick me up by my head and slam me down! Or maybe she'll put me in a chokehold! Who knows what she's planning in that sinister brain of hers?

-Minerva: Well Ignis, I'll be seeing you around.

She then winks at me and begins to walk off... I view her wink as a declaration that her savagery from Lakonia isn't over! After she gets far enough away, I gasp, and my knees finally give out... As I sit on the ground, I can hear similar reactions behind me. I look and see all of the girls with the exception of the fanged girl sitting on the ground and gasping for air...

Girl A: So scary!

Girl B: I thought for sure we were gonna die!

Girl C: What is that girl's problem?!

I can't say I'm surprised by their reactions. Nor do I blame them. I look at the fanged girl as she's only one left standing and I take note of her expression... I wouldn't describe the look on her face as scared, no it's more like concerned... I definitely think she was afraid of Minerva, but maybe not to the extent that the others were... She then notices me looking at her and we make eye contact. I catch what appears to be a faint smile before she walks away... I turn my attention back to Mom...

-Ignis: Mom, I literally thought I was going to die! For her to show up here, of all places! Then she tries to break my spine, then I think I'm gonna have to fight her because she wants to kill those girls! And what was with that crap she did just before she walked away?! I thought she was gonna try and rip my head from my neck! And that ominous wink?! She's definitely not done with me! She wants to make my life miserable just like she did on Lakonia!

-Minori: Umm Ignis, I think you may be misinterpreting some things here...

-Ignis: Oh no, I interpreted everything perfectly!

-Minori: Right...so I may have accidentally told her you were here and that's why she came looking for you...

-Ignis: YOU DID WHAT?!?!

-Minori: Geez calm down son! I didn't know at the time that you being here was some big secret that needed to be kept from her! And frankly, I'm still not quite sure I'm following everything! I also can't decide if telling her you were here was actually a mistake or not!

-Ignis: The fact that you even need to think about that after what you just witnessed...

-Minori: That's the thing! I'm not even sure what the hell I just watched! You looked like a scared child and she looked like it was the best day of her life!

-Ignis: Oh, I'm sure she was happy! Happy to know she gets to torment me for the next three years!

-Minori: There you go again with that! Will you please tell me what happened between you two in the past?

I sigh at this question. These were memories that I had tried and failed to forget...

-Ignis: She made the time I spent on Lakonia miserable! She was always bullying me! It started off small... Like just taking things and some minor stuff, you know? If I had something, she wanted she took it. If she didn't have enough money for something, she would force me to buy it for her. Then it got physical... She started pushing me down and even hitting me randomly! And I don't mean when we were training! I would just be minding my own business and she would attack me! She was always trying to fight me!!

-Minori: I mean, I can understand how you may be upset by something like that, but to me it just sounds like two kids playing...

-Ignis: Mom, she literally stabbed me...

-Minori: She stabbed you!?

-Ignis: Yes! One day I just walking along minding my own business, and she just came running out of the bushes and stabbed me!! She kept saying something about trying to toughen me up!

-Minori: Right right. Well I'd be lying if I said I didn't see where you were coming from even a little bit, but please try to be patient with her, it seems like she's changed!

-Ignis: Oh yeah, she's changed all right! She's grown into that freakish strength now! I think she could rip me in half if she wanted! Oh, and she also has an axe that's literally bigger than she is!! I mean did you see that thing!?!?

-Minori: Yes Ignis, I saw the axe...

I start to hyperventilate a little bit...

-Ignis: Mom I'm freaking out here! I don't know if I can do this!

-Minori: Son please just calm down! Listen I think the dorms are just about ready. By the time we get over there I think you'll be able to get in! I think the walk will help you calm down!

-Ignis: Yeah...alright, let's go...

And with that, Mom and I start off towards the dorms I'll be staying in for the duration of this year... It was an action packed, and emotion filled first day here at Viribus Sentinel Academy, and classes haven't even started! I can't say that all of the action was fun, nor can I say that all of the emotions I felt were positive... Despite all that, I'm sure if I keep my head down and keep pressing forward that I'll make it trough this! I won't let my sudden reunion with Minerva ruin it! I refuse to let it! A Sentinel is what I've always wanted to be, and I can't let some bully from my childhood keep me from my dream!

Minerva POV

I walk along the pathway and think about my first day here at Viribus Sentinel Academy. I'm so happy that I've been reunited with Ignis! I hope we can get along just like when we were kids! But something seemed...off... He didn't seem that happy to see me.... Not at all what I was expecting... Oh well, I'm probably just overthinking things!

END CHAPTER 3