Ladd walked about a dozen steps before something piercing flew through his mind. He lost his hold on the magic, and the Water around him dropped to the ground. Ladd’s ears were ringing, and he thought they felt a bit wet. Like he was bleeding? His chest was too heavy. He sank to his knees, the icy floor scratching at old scars through the pant leg. He was dizzy.

“Ladd!”

He finally heard Kyle calling for him. It brought him back to reality. He took deep, labored breaths.

“Ladd, what happened?”

“I did... a lot? I feel like I did a lot.”

“Yeah, you did. A lot, a lot. How were you even doing so much at once-... Never mind that. Are you okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Nothing is hurting or anything?”

“Everything is hurting.”

“Dammit, that means you’re not okay.”

“Don’t swear, Kyle. Only bad boys do that.”

“Yeah. Sorry.” Ladd smiled at him. “What’s, what’s hurting? What’s everything?”

“My...head? A lot. And my ears. They’re calming down now, though.”

“Okay. So your head hurts?”

“And my chest. So much.”

“Like how much?”

“Like I’m dying.”

“You’re dying?!”

“...Maybe not?” Ladd laughed a little, which eased some of the pain. ‘I'm fine.”

“You are so not fine.”

“I’ll be fine in a minute.”

Kyle’s doubt was written all over his face.

“I promise. If I’m not good in like... five minutes, you can go get help.”

“You promised. I’m counting.” Kyle started from three hundred, going down. At two hundred and sixty-something, Ladd stopped him.

“That’s very annoying.”

“Can you get up now?”

Kyle rose first, offering a hand. Ladd took it and found it bearable. Once he was standing upright, breathing was much easier. He started walking towards the dorms. The concern in Kyle’s eyes was replaced with relief, and he followed close behind.

“You are never doing that much again.”

“Okay. No taking the water for a walk. Got it.”

“Huh? No, that was probably fine, whatever that means... you’re talking about carrying it next to you, right? That's fine. Maybe? I don’t know. But I meant the other thing.”

“What other thing?” Ladd’s voice was getting stronger now.

“Doing two separate water tricks. That had to take a lot of mental strain.”

“I was only doing one, though? Just asking it to walk with me.”

“No, I’m talking about the second bottle.”

Ladd was confused. “Yeah, the second bottle is the one I was talking to. The first one fell, remember?”

“No-” Kyle’s voice was full of exasperation. “The third bottle, then. When you were Moving two bottles at once.”

Ladd stopped in his tracks.

“What?”

They had reached the building, so Kyle put a finger over his lips. He whispered, “We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

Ladd, stunned, couldn’t work up a reply.

Regardless of Ladd’s daze, tomorrow arrived and he found himself at the tree grove once more. Kyle brought just one bottle this time.

“What if I fail by accident?”

“Too bad. I can’t risk yesterday happening again.”

“What even happened? You still didn’t tell me.”

“You... had one water bottle amount by your shoulder, right?”

“Yeah?”

“And the last bottle’s water was going to you at the same time.”

“...No?”

“Yes. You weren’t even looking at it, so I don’t know how you were able to Move it.”

Ladd stared at Kyle in wide-eyed shock.

“The third bottle was Moving without me?!”

“You really didn’t know?”

“Why wouldn’t I tell you if I knew? Whoa! ...How did that happen?”

“I don’t know. I don’t know anything, Ladd, I-” Kyle inhaled deeply. “I don’t like this.”

“Don’t like what?”

“You’re surpassing me.”

“What, you’re openly jealous now?”

“No, it’s not that. I’m scared.”

“Of what, Kyle?”

“It’s getting out of control! I don’t have the answers anymore. I only knew up to a little bit, but you can already do that. And more.”

“So?”

“So, what if you get hurt? Like yesterday.”

“Indeed, that’s reason enough to stop.”

The boys froze. Kyle blinked at Ladd frantically, panicking. Ladd made to open his mouth, but fear got the better of him. He gulped.

Director Sylvie Wiosenne stepped into the grove, hands folded behind her back. She did not appear amused.

Kyle jumped as the Director put her hand on his shoulder. He started to apologize, but she cut him off.

“What do you think you’re doing, Kyle?”

“I.. I was...”

“I’m listening.”

Ladd ran over to Kyle’s side. “Director, wait!”

“Silence. I’m speaking with Kyle now.” Kyle was shaking.

“I’m sorry, Director-”

“Answer the question. What were you doing?”

Kyle hung his head. “... teaching,” he mumbled.

“Teaching what, Kyle?”

“Magic.” He choked on the word.

The Director sighed. “I suppose it’s better that you don’t know how to lie.” Kyle looked up, hopeful. “Not that it would have helped. I’m not an idiot.”

“Director, it’s my fault-”

“I know.”

“What?”

“Wait your turn, Ladd Korr.”

Ladd tilted his head down, matching Kyle’s pose.

“Kyle, are you aware that you are not on Academy grounds?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And you know what the consequence of practicing magic off Academy grounds before graduation is?”

Kyle swallowed a lump. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Then you should have no issue with whatever happens to your enrollment status now. You’ve brought this on yourself.”

Kyle was nodding, but Ladd interjected.

“No! It was my fault. I made him do it-”

“That’s not possible. Did you torture him or something, Ladd?”

“Wh- No. I just...No, but I- I-”

“Speak clearly.”

“He made a promise before the Examiner came that he would teach us whatever he learned in school, and I forced him to keep it.”

“How?”

“Huh?”

“How did you force him?” Ladd sensed that the Director was looking for a way to shift the blame, to give Kyle an excuse and let him continue attending the Academy.

 “I, um, I... held him... hostage?”

Ladd looked at Kyle, who sighed.

“Don’t bother, Ladd. We knew it was gonna be like this.” Tears were flowing from his eyes freely now.

“Ladd.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“There has never been a case before of a child practicing before even being evaluated, but I imagine the penalty will be barring you from admission as well. Do you understand?”

Ladd’s jaw fell. “I can’t go, either?!”

“Most likely. I have to send in the transgression report to the Academy and to the Throne. We’ll see what they say.”

“The Throne?” Kyle and Ladd both shouted.

“It’s a crime, children. It needs to be reported to the Sovereign for judgement. Especially considering your unprecedented circumstance, Ladd.”

The two boys were shaking with fear. Director Sylvie let out a sympathetic huff. “I’ll put in a good word. You have nothing to worry about. I’ll do my best to protect you, okay?”

“Why can’t you keep it a secret, Director?” Ladd wiped his face with his cold sleeve.

“The law is in place for a reason. For your own safety.”

“How-”

“You got hurt, didn’t you?”

Ladd gasped softly.

“Like I said earlier, that’s reason enough to stop you.”

Kyle put a hand on Ladd’s head, pulling him into a hug.

“I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry.”

“No, Ladd. I’m the one who should have said no.”

“No, I’m the one who pushed you-”

“Shh, children. Come inside. It’s much too cold out here and it’s very, very late. You are supposed to be asleep by now.”

“Oh...” Kyle looked as if he had just woken from a stupor.

“I don’t want you boys growing up learning how to behave like bad kids. Go to your rooms and sleep.”

Kyle took Ladd’s hand. “Watch the ice.”

“Yeah. You, too.” They were both sniffling but regaining their composure. Kyle looked back as he passed the Director.

“I’m right behind you.” She put a hand at each of their backs. “Don’t worry... No, don’t even think about anything, okay? I’ll shield you with everything I have.” She glanced at Ladd.

“Legally,” she added.