November had arrived, and with it, the spirit of the Exigros season filled every corner of Willowgate. The halls were vibrant with team uniforms and fluttering banners, while the rhythmic chants and dance practices of the cheer squads echoed through the grounds.
Caught up in the excitement, Simon and his first-year friends took Toad's ill-advised suggestion to go spy on the dancing seniors. Unfortunately, they were caught red-handed by the caretaker. As a result, they spent their entire evening scrubbing old, tarnished trophies until they shone—a dusty and grueling punishment for their curiosity.
Kai was relentlessly grumbling at Toad, who refused to back down and kept firing back with sharp retorts, sparking a heated argument between the two. Finn, worried that the caretaker might return and double their punishment, desperately hissed at them to keep quiet. Meanwhile, Simon remained silent, focused on polishing the trophies while watching his friends' antics with a calm, amused expression.
As Simon was polishing away, he realized that the cleaning solution used to make the trophies shine had run out. Remembering the caretaker's instruction that extra supplies were kept in the back storage room, he headed toward it. He pushed open the heavy oak door and stepped inside. The room was cramped, containing nothing but a small shelving unit and various cleaning tools.
Simon moved toward the shelves and began searching for the bottle. While searching for the bottle, Simon dropped to his knees. As he scavenged through the lower shelves, he noticed something protruding slightly from the back wall—a small object wedged awkwardly into a narrow gap. He gave it a tug and revealed a small box. The spot where it had been hidden left a noticeable indentation; the box's color matched the wall so perfectly that it was nearly invisible.
The box was no larger than the palm of his hand, coated in a thick layer of dust. Driven by curiosity, Simon pried it open. Instead of the cleaning solution, he found a weathered medal on a ribbon and a faded, aging photograph.
Simon picked up the medal first, tracing the engraving of a figure triumphantly hoisting a flag onto a gold plate. But when he looked at the photograph, his eyes widened in shock. The man in the picture looked exactly like him. From the messy black curls to the tan complexion, it was like looking at a mirror image of himself. The only difference was the radiating confidence; the man in the photo was winking, biting down on a gold medal with a wide, daring grin. Simon stared at the image, frozen. The thought hit him instantly: Is this my father?
Simon stared at the photo, transfixed. The boy in the picture bore no resemblance to the "murderer" or "monster" people claimed him to be. He looked vibrant, filled with a raw purity as he savored his victory. After a long moment, Simon turned the photo over to read the inscription on the back:
November 21, 19—, a snapshot of my love's very first Exigros victory. I love you so much, my dear Cain.
From your future wife, Althea Blackburn
Simon's heart hammered against his chest, racing with a frantic rhythm. Was Althea his mother? While he was all too familiar with the dark reputation of his father, Cain Blackburn, the name "Althea" was a complete revelation.
"Is this my mother? Is Althea really her name? Then why has everyone stayed silent about her? Did they simply not know her?" The questions haunted him.
At that moment, Kai appeared at the doorway, his gaze darting between Simon's face and the object in his hand.
"What's that?" Kai asked. Simon hesitated for a split second before showing him the photo. Kai took it, and his eyes widened in instant shock.
"Is this your father?" he breathed. Simon nodded silently.
"Whoa... he looks exactly like you!" Kai remarked, turning the photo over to read the inscription.
"Althea... is that your mother?"
"I don't know," Simon replied, his voice heavy with longing. "I've never heard a single word about my mother. I know nothing at all... but I want to. I want to know who she was."
As he looked at the photo in Kai's hand, Simon spoke with a soft, aching sincerity. Even if his father was the criminal everyone feared, he held onto the hope that his mother might have been the kind of woman who would have held him close and loved him.
Kai looked from Simon to the faded date on the photograph, his eyes gleaming with resolve.
"So... should we look for her together?"
Simon's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Look for her?"
"Yeah! She must have been a Chosen. Even if she wasn't famous, there's bound to be a trace of her in the Academy's archives. You'll finally get to see what your mother looked like, who she really was..."
As Kai spoke, a flicker of genuine hope ignited in Simon's gaze. He stared at Kai and gave a slow, grateful nod.
"Yeah... thank you."
"Don't mention it! That's what friends are for. Oh! but we can't do this alone. We have to drag Jackiee into this too..."
"I don't think he'd want to help me," Simon intervened quickly. "I don't want to burden him. It might make things awkward for him."
"There's nothing awkward about it! We're just asking for a favor. Besides, he loves acting like the smartest guy in the room..he won't be able to resist helping us. Once we're done with this punishment, we'll find Jackiee. He basically drinks the library water for breakfast; if anyone can dig up those old student records, it's him!"
Simon stared at Kai for a long moment, hesitating. He didn't want to put Jack in a difficult position; after all, helping the son of the man who killed his uncle was no small ask. Yet, seeing how Jack had recently started talking to him and showing a bit of concern, Simon decided to trust in their growing bond. He nodded. While he carefully put his father's medal into box and put it in safe hiding spot in the wall, he couldn't bring himself to leave the photo behind, slipping it safely into his pocket.
Once their punishment of polishing trophies was finally over, the group headed back to the dorm. When they couldn't find Jack in their room or the common area, Amy Bolly, a bubbly first-year girl, informed them that Jack had headed to the library with Susan.
Kai knit his brows in confusion.
"Since when did those two become so close?"
"Well, they're both bookworms and share the same interests. It's not that surprising they've become buddies," Amy replied with a grin, handing over a box of cookies.
"Here, eat these! I snagged them from the kitchen. You guys deserve a treat after that long punishment."
Amy was the most energetic and social among the three first-year girls. Being a New-Blood herself, she got along famously with Kai and Finn.
"Aww, Amy! You're the best!" Kai exclaimed, stuffing a large cookie into his mouth. Toad and Finn followed suit, and Simon took one as well.
"Thank you, Amy..."
"You're very welcome!" she chirped.
Munching on cookies, Simon and Kai made their way to the grand library of Willowgate. The library was a massive, three-story hall, its walls lined with towering shelves overflowing with ancient books. It stood as one of the most historical and storied locations within the Academy.
The library was managed not by masters, but by small, blue creatures known as Belanas. Though they resembled tiny fairies, their skin was a deep shade of blue, and their ears were larger than their own heads, granting them extraordinary hearing. They served as the silent guardians of the books. If anyone dared to disturb the peace or cause trouble within the library, these creatures would swarm out to bite and chase the offender out of the hall. Also, if you failed to return a borrowed book by its due date, the Belanas would hunt you down wherever you were and nip at your heels. Despite their small size, they were remarkably terrifying.
Simon and Kai entered the library and began their search for Jack. Finding the ground floor empty, they headed toward the stairs leading to the second floor, where they bumped right into Susan. She was heading down, clutching a thick, heavy tome in her arms.
"Oi, Susan" Kai called out. She glanced up at him.
"Yes?"
"Where's Jackie?"
"On the second floor."
Without another word, she brushed past them and continued downstairs. Simon and Kai hurried up to the next level and scanned the aisles until they finally spotted Jack, who was already packing up his books to leave.
"Jackie!" Kai shouted, completely forgetting where he was. In an instant, the Belanas swarmed out from the shadows and began biting Kai relentlessly.
"Ah! Ouch! Sorry! Ahh, sorry!" Kai yelped, trying to dodge their tiny, sharp teeth.
Simon stared in shock, trying his best to help Kai, while Jack—watching from a short distance could only stare with his mouth agape before letting out a long sigh and rubbing his face with his hand.
"Idiot..." Jack muttered under his breath.
It took a mountain of apologies before the Belanas finally let Kai go. His face was now covered in tiny red bite marks.
"Those things are worse than mosquitoes," Kai grumbled, gingerly rubbing the sore spots. Simon watched him with concern, while Jack stood with his arms crossed, looking at Kai with pure exasperation.
"What are you doing here anyway? I thought you said libraries destroy your soul," Jack remarked dryly.
"Ow... I didn't come for me, I came for Simon. He has something to ask you. And apparently, the library isn't just out for my soul—it's trying to ruin my handsome face, too... ow..."
"That's your own fault. Don't you know the rules?" Jack snapped before turning his attention to Simon. "What is it?"
Simon focused on Jack, trying to steady his voice. "I want to look for someone... by the name of 'Althea.' I need to find her in the old student records. If... if it's not too much trouble, could you help me?"
Simon spoke with hesitant, soft words. Jack stared at Simon for a long moment before pushing up his glasses.
"The name Althea could belong to many people. We would need to know the specific year she attended..."
As Jack spoke, Simon slowly pulled out the old photograph and handed it to him. Jack took the photo, and as soon as he saw the image, his face filled with shock. He looked back and forth between Simon and the photograph, his eyes wide.
"This is..."
"My father, 'Cain Blackburn.' There's a year written on the back of the photo. Could you check it for me?"
Simon pleaded with hopeful, desperate eyes. Jack examined the date on the photograph, quickly calculating the year in his head.
"Come on. Follow me."
He handed the photo back to Simon, grabbed his own stack of books, and made his way downstairs. Once on the ground floor, he approached the Belanas at the circulation desk and made a request in "
Mythaion. The Belanas hesitated for a moment before handing him an ancient, rusty key.
"Whoa, Jackie! Since when did you get so fluent in Mythaion?" Kai asked, catching up to him.
"I'm 'Old-Blood', Kai. I grew up listening to Mythaion," Jack replied matter-of-factly.
Taking the key, he turned to Simon.
"Let's go."
He headed straight for the old elevator, knowing the stairs would take too long. The wooden elevator was a peculiar sight, but having lived in the wizarding world for a while, they had encountered far stranger things. It ascended steadily to the very top. Though the library appeared to be only three stories, there was a hidden attic level dedicated entirely to student archives.
As they stepped out, the pitch-black room responded to their presence; ancient lanterns flickered to life one by one, illuminating rows upon rows of towering shelves with narrow, cramped aisles in between.
"This is where the student records are kept. Students aren't usually allowed here," Jack explained.
"Then why are you allowed?" Kai asked, eyes narrowing. Jack smirked with a hint of pride.
"Ahem. The Belanas see me as someone who respects the rules, and I actually do. They grant those who follow the regulations access to any part of the library. Alright, let's look," Jack said. They began searching through the archives based on the years Jack had calculated. Finally, they pulled out a heavy volume and flipped it open. Each page contained a student's photograph alongside their personal details.
As they turned the pages, they came to a dead stop at one particular photo. It was the spitting image of Simon. The piercing onyx eyes and the messy, dark curls were identical to the boy standing before the book. The name underneath read "Cain Blackburn." He had been a student of the now-shuttered Blackburn Chamber. Simon stared at the image for a moment before turning the page again.
After a few more flips, he finally found it.
"Althea Ophilas, Old-Blood, Tavian Chamber"
The girl in the photo looked to be around their age. She had brilliant blue eyes and cinnamon-colored hair. She was strikingly beautiful and possessed a charming aura.
Simon's fingertips traced the faded edges of Althea's photograph with a visible tremble. Her cinnamon hair and those brilliant blue eyes seemed to radiate a warmth that reached deep into a part of his heart he never knew existed.
"Is this your mom, Simon? She's beautiful," Kai remarked, leaning in to get a better look at the portrait.
Simon kept his eyes locked on the image. He couldn't be absolutely certain yet if this woman was truly his mother, but deep down, he desperately wanted her to be. If she were real, if she were his mother, then maybe she was still out there somewhere. For a boy who had spent his life in the shadows of loneliness, this photograph was the brightest beacon of hope he had ever seen.
"Yes... she's very beautiful," he whispered softly.
"I still need to know... why have I never known her? Why does the world know my father, yet no one knows her? And... did she leave me behind? Or... is she... dead?" Simon's voice trembled with every word.
Kai quickly stepped in to steady him. "Whoa, slow down there, mate. We don't know anything for sure yet. We've only just begun. Now that we have a lead, we can keep digging. Don't lose heart yet," Kai said, giving Simon's shoulder a supportive squeeze.
Jack looked at Simon, then gently took the book from his hands.
"If you want to know more, you should ask Master Valandor. He's an Elf, and he's been teaching at Willowgate since our ancestors' time. I suspect he might remember your mother... but I can't say for sure. After all, he has taught countless students over the centuries."
Jack's suggestion sparked a new flame of hope in Simon's eyes. As an immortal Elf and a long-standing professor of the Academy, Master Valandor might hold the missing pieces of Althea's story that the written archives couldn't provide.
The three of them climbed to the highest floor of the castle, where Master Valandor's quarters were located. When they knocked, the Master himself opened the door. Since it was his private time, he wore a simple, flowing robe, and his long, silver hair cascaded loosely over his shoulders. His appearance was so youthful and ethereal that one would never guess he was an Elf who had lived for over a thousand years.
"Oh, children, what brings you here?" the Master asked, surprised. "At this hour, you should all be in your dormitories."
"We know, Master," Simon stepped forward, his voice trembling slightly. "But... I have something I need to ask you."
Master Valandor gazed at Simon's face for a long moment. "What is it you seek to know?"
"Althea Ophilas. Do you know of her?"
The Master paused, reflecting for a moment before giving a slow nod.
"Althea... a truly vibrant and brilliant girl. I remember her well. She was exceptionally gifted in my Mythaion class—always scoring perfect marks. Why do you ask about her?"
A surge of hope washed over Simon. His mother wasn't just a name; she was a person of talent and light. He pressed on, his voice filled with urgency.
"What was her relationship with... Cain Blackburn?"
Master Valandor looked intently at Simon upon hearing the question. "Why do you wish to know? What makes you think there was a connection between the two?"
"Because... I believe she is my mother," Simon replied.
The Master fell into a brief silence, reflecting, before finally speaking. "Althea was the one betrothed to your father. After graduating from Willowgate, she returned here to teach Astronomy—the very position Master Velen holds now. Your father, as a member of Willden, the elite monster-slaying force of the Chosens, was constantly away purging monsters at the gods' command. Because of that, their marriage was delayed for a long time..."
The Master's expression grew somber as he continued. "But... after your father turned into a criminal, she left this place and vanished. She claimed she could no longer stay here due to the shame brought upon her. Since then, no one has heard a word about her. Also, the Ophilas family also left Mythaion out of shame," Master Valandor continued. "Their intended son-in-law had become the greatest criminal Mythaion had ever known."
At those words, a sharp pang of guilt and pain shot through Simon's chest.
"Does that mean... she abandoned me because she loathed me?" Simon asked with a trembling voice. The Master looked at him with profound sadness, while Kai and Jack stood by, their hearts heavy for their friend.
"Well, that remains uncertain, boy..whether Althea is truly your mother. When you were found... it was the moment the current Headmistress captured your father. He was holding you in his arms. Before he was taken to Burgundian, he pleaded with her to protect you. However, no one knew who the mother was at that time, and Althea was nowhere to be found."
As Simon unraveled the fragments of his past, the weight on his shoulders grew heavier. Had a man like his father truly held him close and begged for his protection? Was that why he had been sent away to the Ordinary world, placed into the care of Mr. Grabby? The more he learned, the more burdensome the truth became.
"Thank you, Master. If you'll excuse us," Simon said, his voice barely a whisper.
As the three of them turned to leave, Master Valandor called out Simon's name. Simon stopped in his tracks.
"We cannot change the past, nor can we foresee the future. The present is all we truly have. So, instead of hunting for shadows in the past, try to live fully in the now. Cherish the friends you have. Love those you care for deeply. Write your own destiny, Simon."
Simon gazed at the Master for a long beat, then offered a resolute nod. "I will keep that in mind," he said before joining Kai and Jack, who were waiting nearby. Master Valandor remained behind, watching Simon's retreating figure. Simon was silent throughout the walk back, his mind racing with everything he had learned. He looked at Kai and Jack, who were being unusually quiet for his sake.
"Thank you. I wouldn't have uncovered all this without you."
"Don't mention it, mate!" Kai beamed, giving Simon's shoulder a friendly pat. Jack simply nodded. "You're welcome."
"So! Since Simon had such a long night, I say we skip class tomorrow morning!" Kai announced, draping an arm around Simon. Jack frowned immediately.
"That makes absolutely no sense!"
"Jackie... you really don't know how to think ahead, do you?"
"Huh?"
Watching his friends bicker, Simon couldn't help but smile. He reached out and pulled both of them into a side-hug. While Kai didn't mind, Jack stiffened slightly. It was a level of intimacy he wasn't used to with Simon. Though he had once wanted to distance himself from the son of his uncle's killer, the events of the past few days had softened his heart. He didn't push Simon's arm away.
"Let's go. Leon from the second year is probably performing in the common room by now," Simom suggested. Kai's face lit up.
"I'm going to out-sing that guy tonight!"
"Oh, please. Spare our ears from your screeching," Jack retorted. Kai shrugged it off.
"Well, ignore the words of the jealous." Jack rolled his eyes, making Simon chuckle.
This was his life now. He was no longer the boy from the orphanage with no past and no future. Even if his history wasn't as bright as he had hoped, his present was filled with light—with friends, seniors, and a world full of wonder. He would hold onto this life with everything he had, proving to the world that he was not his father.