[center][url=https://fontmeme.com/the-beginning-after-the-end-font/][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/250421/d7aa01bc7055ee1aa6539241718027de.png[/img][/url][/center]

Rodin just watched in surprise as Balbys quickly dashed off just as quickly he gave him the explanation though it was hard to keep secrets from an elf, even a half breed. His ears detected the frustrated mutterings of the butler though what he heard was far more surprising. It took no genius to figure out who Balbys was speaking of given the context of their conversation. 

[color=ed1c24][i]That... That does not track. The Vincent of this time is supposed to be a compliant, sweet kid. Then that could mean...[/i][/color] The reality that he was not the only one sent back in time became very real. The question then became who else was sent back and who wasn't. Were it everyone that participated in the final battle or was he narrowing it down too much and many others from past conflicts with the demons were sent back? 

[color=ed1c24]"No... That's not what it looked like. Was it only us then?"[/color] Rodin muttered to himself as he walked down the halls. That moment after his death, he remembered it so vividly seeing the remnants of his kin. The only one that could not have been sent back to time was the Patriarch or the Demon King. He saw it, their essences were shattered and they absorbed it. 

Rodin stopped in his tracks. [color=ed1c24]"...Is this Martenos' doing?"[/color] He took a deep breath. No, do not jump into conclusions without knowing the pieces yet though the implications of this possibility were endless. However, that was the least of his immediate worries. [color=ed1c24]"I can't let Mother wait any longer."[/color]

What would he say to her? It has been years since he had last seen her, but to her it would've only been yesterday. His thoughts raced and raced until he stood in front of the doors to the parlor. His chest rose and then descended before he pushed one of them open and was greeted to of course a lavish room though none of that mattered to him right now. All that his eyes could focus on was a person in this room, a beautiful elven woman with long black hair that shimmered with a blue hue in the morning light and ruby red eyes. She was dressed in black dress with silver and blue jewelry. On first look, she could've understandably mistaken to be in her early twenties though Rodin knew far better than that.

His mother looked exactly the same the day that he left.

The woman smiled sweetly at her son, placing a book and pen down on a glass table before standing up. [b]"Good morning, Rodin."[/b]

Had his legs always moved so quickly? Before he knew it, he was already across the room with his arms hugging his mother tightly. There were no thoughts in his head, only the moment of being reunited with one of the most important people in his life. 

Myrrh hesitantly returned her son's hug though she looked quite understandably perplexed by her son's sudden show of affection. [b]"Rodin? What's wrong?"[/b] Asked his mother with a tinge of concern. 

Rodin's eyes widened when he realized what he had done. He must have seen her yesterday so of course she would be concerned by his unusual behavior. He removed himself from her and stepped back and looked at her for the first time in years. [color=ed1c24]"Nothing, nothing's wrong."[/color] Knowing that his behavior was unusual, especially for how he was as a teen, he still could not help, but to smile at her. How could he help it? He was too happy to see her. [color=ed1c24]"Good morning, mother."[/color] 

He glanced around the parlor. It really was just them. [color=ed1c24]"Where's father? And Bazin and Verusya?"[/color]

Myrrh's brown furrowed in confusion. [b]"Your father is meeting us at the Collegem, remember? As for siblings, they're having breakfast. Are you sure you're okay?"[/b] 

Rodin could only maintain a poker face. Of course it made sense that they talked about it yesterday. The problem was that the he of today was not there yesterday, but fighting in a death march. [color=ed1c24]"Right, of course. Sorry, just a little nervous."[/color]

[b]"It's okay. It's a big day after all."[/b] She gave her son a once over, a self-satisfied smile spread across her face. [b]"I knew you'd look good in this. You're too handsome for those gaudy outfits that your peers' mothers make them wear. You're gonna stand out from the crowd."[/b] She cupped her son's face with her black gloved hands.

He could not help, but to roll his eyes. [color=ed1c24]"Mother..."[/color] He groaned in embarrassment. No matter what age, physical or mental, there was no limit to how embarrassed a child could be from the affectionate doting from their mother.

[b]"Just let me dote on you."[/b] She removed her hands from his face and the tone of her smile changed. It became worried and anxious. Her eyes conveyed well [b]"I know things have been hard on you lately. Just do your best okay? We're always going to be proud of you. That won't ever change."[/b]

Rodin stood in silence. Shame simmered away deep in his gut as he looked at the person that loved him unconditionally. The same person he turned his back on all those years ago all because he sunk into a pit of self-pity. What a failure of a son he was.

A lump formed in his throat as he choked out, [color=ed1c24]"I'm going to work so much harder this year. Things will go differently this year, I promise."[/color] The half elf felt tears well in his eyes before they trickled down his cheek. He wanted it to stop. He needed it to stop, but they just kept coming. [color=ed1c24]"I'm sorry."[/color]

It was quick, but he was pulled into his mother's shoulder. She was warm, real. [b]"It's okay, it's okay."[/b] She said in a hushed tone.   

For the first time in a very, very long time Rodin felt the burdens that weighed down on him were lifted. It was comforting, a feeling that he had forgotten for a long time, but it was all in the past now. He was here now and now he could do better. Every regret could be rectified and he was not going to waste the chance given to him. 

Eventually, Rodin pulled away from his mother's shoulder. She gently wiped her son's teary, slightly snotty face with a handkerchief. [b]"Now, go and have some breakfast okay? You've got a big day ahead of you."[/b] 

Rodin nodded. [color=ed1c24]"Right, I, um, I'll see you later mother."[/color]

[hr]

Rodin sat in a steady carriage with his mother staring at two young twin elves, a boy and a girl, with black hair and red eyes that stared at Rodin as if he had worms crawling out of his ears. Well, it had not helped that his eyes were still slightly red and puffy and he earlier looked at them as if he had not seen them in years. His two younger siblings, Bazin and Verusya. They gave each other unsure looks before they focused on their mother who was sitting next to their older sibling.

[b]"Why is Rodin acting weird?" [/b]Verusya, his younger sister, asked.

[b]"He looks like he's seen a ghost."[/b] Followed Bazin, his younger brother.

[i][color=ed1c24]Not the first time I've heard that today.[/color][/i] Rodin thought to himself. The last time he saw his little sister and little brother was the same day he left home and vowed to himself to never return. He remembered how they looked at him, the disappointment in their eyes. Back then he was a complete failure as an older brother to them, he could admit that now. All those stupid ideas that ran through his head back then got in the way of what was important. 

[i][color=ed1c24]How could I have been such a fool?[/color][/i]

His mother's voice interrupted his train of thought. [b]"Bazin, Verusya don't be rude. It's natural to be nervous when going back to school."[/b] Gently chided his mother.

Rodin laid a hand on his mother's shoulder and smiled softly, sitting straight up. [color=ed1c24]"Mother, I'm fine. Really."[/color] His gaze turned back to his younger twin siblings and he leaned forward to be closer to eye level. [color=ed1c24]"I'm gonna show you two something really cool. But don't blink or you'll miss it. Can you two do that for me?"[/color] They both nodded excitedly. Rodin's hands reached out and ruffled their little heads of hair. [color=ed1c24]"Good."[/color]

[b]"Oh Rodin! I had their hair done perfectly too!"[/b] Myrrh complained, quickly pulling out a hairbrush from a black handbag, fussing over her twins' hair. 

While this happened Rodin looked out the window. It was hard to believe, but he really was back in time. How had he longed for the view of beautiful Kaidisyum from the family estate though he of all people knew what it took to build and maintain it. How it was built on the backs of those less fortunate than him. Hell, as a mercenary he was no stranger to slumming it with those on the bottom rung of the social castes. They were the first to go when the demons invaded, expendable though no one dared to utter such words. They deserved better than to be treated as such, they deserved better than what they had now. 

What could he do for them?

[i][color=ed1c24]Forget it Rodin. Focus on yourself before you can worry about others.[/color][/i] His eyes focused ahead on the looming presence that will make up his teenage years again, the Collegem Yllustre. To be more exact, it would be its grand arena. He paid attention to or cared little for the fanfare of what was practically a parade. 

Once they exited the carriage, they were led into the colosseum to a box of seats reserved for the Kaides family. Sitting next to Sylas was Rodin's father, a man with normally a wild, adventurous appearance this time dressed in formal attire. Well, he still had his scruffy beard. 

[color=ed1c24]"Father!"[/color] Rodin rushed over to his father with the biggest grin on his face. God, he missed him so much and the only thing keeping him from hugging him like he hugged his mother was the fact that even calling out to him like this was undignified for a noble. The half-elf cleared his throat and gave his extended family a polite bow. [color=ed1c24]"Uncle Sylas, Aunt Viatrix. I hope that you are well."[/color]

His father grinned to his pale blue eyes and gave his a strong pat on the shoulder, almost knocking the wind out of him. [b]"Well someone's excited! Ready to get started with the school year again are you?"[/b]

[color=ed1c24]"Um, yes father. I am,"[/color] said Rodin hesitantly.

[b]"Dear, it's going to start soon. Shush."[/b] Myrrh said to her husband and son. 

It was certainly a nostalgic experience to sit through the orientation again. It was hard to believe that back then when he was a child, the first time around, that returning to the Collegem felt like the end of the world to him and now it felt so small by comparison. Well, it was not like he really was paying attention to what the staff were saying either. It was more like he was waiting for something. He bounced his leg restlessly. 

And there it was, the class ranking announcements. Rodin was about to raise his hand when he saw a hand shot up: Vincent's hand. The red head was wearing a completely different outfit than what he was supposed to, but even beyond that he should not have known about this method of ranking up. It all but confirmed to Rodin that he was not alone in returning to this time period. 

Rodin's hand then shot up as well. [color=ed1c24]"I wish to participate in the Class Challenge as well. Michel Beckman is who I pick for my quarrel."[/color] If there was anyone he was not going to feel bad about knocking anyone down from their place within the hierarchy, it was going to be one of his tormentors that mocked him for his heritage. Now, he was not one to hold a grudge against a child but you know what? He was a child too now. This was all fair game.