After crying and repenting for her rash words for a few min, Samantha went up to her room. When she looked outside the balcony, she saw Pheonix sitting in a lotus position. She went through all her works, changed her dress to a sleeping gown and came back to the balcony door and saw Pheonix walking into the small pond and then like the night before, lay on the water floating. She stood there for more than half an hour and watched. But he was still laying there breathing deeply. Sighing, she went to bed.
Next morning as usual, Phoenix got up early did his routine exercise, then meditation for an hour. When he came inside the house and started to prepare tea, he noticed Samantha walk towards him. As usual he ignored her and continued making tea.
Samantha came and stood infront of him and held his hand tightly. " I am sorry Phoenix. I am ashamed of what I said but trust me. It was not out of spite or feel of superiority."
" Your father Simon Dragonheart, saved my entire family from hundreds of mercenaries while taking many injuries to himself. I thought you were seeking attention and showing off. I suddenly felt enraged when someone used the name of the hero of my land, my family. When someone suddenly said he was that great man's son I blindly spoke out of anger."
"Now also I am not asking for forgiveness because you are truely the son of this Nation's hero. But I know what I said was wrong. Please forgive me. If you want I can even go to my knees." After saying that, she went to her knees, tears in eyes.
Suddenly two strong hands held her shoulders and lifted her up completely from the floor and made her stand again.
"Honestly, Samantha, I don't know what logic was there for you to get so upset against me. But as I can see, you are truely repenting your mistakes, I will forgive whatever happened. Lets leave the past in the past and move ahead."
"That's exactly what I want to here my son. I am so proud of you." Kate came inside and hugged Phoenix who after a moment of hesitation, hugged her back smiling and shaking his head.
Then she turned towards her friend. "So Sammy, came back to our senses. Have we?"
"Yes Kate, I am extremely sorry for my behaviour."
"That's alright. When everything's fine, then it's fine. Lets drink the most delicious and energizing tea you had ever had."
While they spoke, Pheonix poured the tea into three cups and gave them.
" Its so amazing!!" Samantha's eyebrows rose up in surprise. "My tiredness and sleepiness just disappeared!!" She again said after a couple of more sips.
" Didn't I told you, this is the best tea ever." Kate beamed at Samantha's praise.
After drinking a couple of glasses of herbal tea. They all got ready and went out talking freely for the first time in 3 days.
The scene where a tall, broad and strong looking teen walking with two slender, elegent and beautiful looking girl drew the gaze of many students. Including the bulky teen.
The three of them planned to visit the north market and buy a few items.
"Nic, what do you want to buy? I want to buy a few simple silver jewelleries.
"I have to buy a sword Kate. Let's see. If I can find the one suitable for me, I will get one. How about you Samantha?"
"I will also buy some simple jewelleries and a short sword."
Let's go then. Nic any idea where to go?"
"For jewellery I know an honest man. We can go there."
"Ooooh, knowing a jeweller are we!!!! Got the jewellery for your girlfriends!!?"
"Nah, I bought a gift for my sister the day before the start of the Academy."
They gave their names before they left the academy at the side gate. Pheonix was impressed by the thought process of the headmaster.
While passing the gate, he looked around and smiled,
"Nice....."
"What's nice, Nic? Are you eyeing any perticular parts of a perticular someone.?"
"Kate, you are the most shameless girl I had ever met you know!" Phoenix shook his head in embarrassment.
"I was talking about the barrier placed around the academy. Our headmaster had thought about almost everything itseems. Even more than I had ever imagined about "
"Barrier ... What Bareier?" Both Samantha and Kate looked around and saw nothing.
Ah, forget it, you can't see or sense it. You have to have your magical abilities awakened to even have a chance to sense the magic around the academy. He shook his head helplessly.
Both girls exchanged glances and looked at Phoenix.
"I heard, you talking about it with the headmaster yesterday. Do you have to do anything with the bareier?" Kate asked tentatively looking around to make sure no one else was nearby.
"On the day we came into the academy, out of curiosity and by accident I took down the barrier that was placed earlier. So, I replaced the old barrier with a new conditional one, but I left the conditional activation to the headmaster."
"By the looks of it, I think he had already activated it and his conditions are a bit complicated. This time it might even give me a slight challenge." Pheonix had a wry smile.
"Is it! imagine, if you want to take the barrier down, how much time will you be needing? A day, 2 days or...?" Kate asked curiously.
"Hmmmm... Let me see." Pheonix fell into deep thought, looking at the academy wall. This time the girls did not disturb him and let him be. After almost 10 min, he smiled.
" Done. If I want, I can take it down now. Although I thought it will be difficult, the headmaster had done a marvelous job of placing the conditions. There are precisely 68 conditions."
"Excellent lad. Truely amazing. The headmaster walked towards them along with Master Xavier and a few more masters and teachers.
"Headmaster....." All three of them bowed respectfully.
"Well, what did I say, The boy is a genius." Master Xavier beamed and the Headmaster nodded his head in agreement.
"Headmaster, If you are fine with it, can I request you to let the boy takedown the barrier as he said? We all tried testing and to take it down from almost a day and we were unsuccessful."
"I don't mind, but placing it back is a big headache Larry."
"It's alright headmaster. I can place it back with all 68 conditions."
"In that case, I insist you take it down lad." An old man looking in his late 60's said with eagerness.
When the Headmaster also nodded with a look of defeat. Pheonix walked towards the wall and placed his hand. After muttering something for a few seconds, he grabbed the air and pulled it.
This time the Alarm didn't go on like the previous time. But all the men there gasped and were looking at the wall in utter disbelief.