Chapter 1: A chance meeting

"Heck, that was quite a day! I wish Adele could see the firecracker I put under Mr. Blair's chair!". Luso Clemens, who was just outside playing some random pranks with his close friends, is now heading home. He just can't wait to get back to his room and start writing about what happened. After his "trip" 2 months earlier, his point of view change dramatically. He get to see things which normal person can only see though their imagination – Ivalice, the land of sword and magic, and at that place, everyday is an adventure. There're days when he would go out with the clan to finish a request, days when he get to go sightseeing with his friend, days when he have to training like his life depend on it … Now that he's back to his hometown, he tried a lot of things to keep his life as thrilling as before, but of course, we all know that no pranks and games can never catch up to the feeling of using magick to do what you want. Luso know that, but still he's determines to make this a memories he can never forget

"I'm back.", his usual greeting to the only family member currently inside the house.

"Wait, Luso. I need to talk to you about your action these days." His aunt, who's inside the kitchen, called out for him to wait. It seems like lots of complain have been made to her about his everyday "routine". "Do you know how many times the neighbors have been complaining about your action? Please, I know you're still young and you want to have the best time of your life but please think about the consequences of your actions…". It's the usual lecture, but Luso is listening to this very carefully (though he'll just forget it the moment it ends). If it's in the past, he would get out of the house immediately, but only after his journey that he found out just how much his relatives weight inside his heart. There were times when he was almost crying after seeing something that reminded him of his aunt. So he vow to forever treasure his family and behave himself (at least in front of them)

"…Do you understand that?". 'It seem like her lecture is finally over.' Luso answered that he'll change his ways of behaving in the future. But his aunt instantly says: "No, I don't think you can change more than you do for the last few months. It's like you're a kid I've never met before. Just remember, don't go too far with something, or you'll regret it". He know that she only want the best for him, so even though she's a gentle person at heart, she gather all of her spirit to teach him the way of life so he really do respect her. Then he find his way to his room, continue to write on the grimoire that give him a journey of a lifetime.

"Wow, it's almost out of page.". Of course it is, after all he has spent over 2 years in Ivalice plus the time of his return till present. So he need to get a new book. Maybe he'll goes back to the library to asks Mr. Randell for another one, the one he used to make his "dream" come true

On the next day, he got up earlier than usual since he wants to get to the library and ask for the book before doing any "routine stuff". He put his journal inside the backpack and head out just a bit before 7.

- Hey! At least you need to eat breakfast before leaving the house

- No can do. I need to see Mr. Randell

- Again? Since when did you start to love books?

- I don't. I just like to hang out with Mr. Randell, that's all

He quickly run out of the house before his aunt has any chance to questioning him further.

Since his returning, Luso had been begging for Mr. Randell to hear his story. So one day, he was told about his story, his lessons, and most of all, his book (since Luso threaten to burn down his library and stuff like that). After that, Luso drag him out every Sunday to "hang out" as he said. Seems like having a person who can understand what you're saying is important too. So that's why his relationship with Mr. Randell is improving significantly

Walking on the usual route, he finds himself standing in front of the library. 'This is the place that started it all', he think. Opening the oversize door, he found the reception table right away. The one who's sitting there is, of course, Mr Randell, though he look kinda different somehow. His hair is combed, his clothes are not the usual, it's like he's waiting for someone special.

- Hey Mr. Randell, are you meeting up with your girlfriend?

- Oh, Luso. You mean my look? Yeah, later I'll be meeting with some friends who was travel with me to "that place"

Mr. Randell did say that he was not the only one who travels to Ivalice. There are 4 of them, but they're separated now, and Mr. Randell has been keeping his book as a reminder of the bond between them since he was 14. Now, 6 years have passed and he still holds dear to that book. 'But I'll persuade him to get that as my new book', that was his thought until now, but the part about meeting up with his "friends" seem more interesting.

- Can I meet them too?

- Sure, I don't think that's a problem. So, why're you here today? Have you finally lose your head and wanting to learn from all kind of books

- No thanks. I'm not the type to read the manual, I would rather experience everything myself, you know that Mr. Randell

- Haha, indeed you are. I expect no less from a child who go all out on his first battle after being throw into some unknown place

- Yup, call it stupid or reckless, that's just my style. Well, the thing is, my book is almost up, so can I have your? I can go to the store and fetch something to write on it, but it won't feel right

- So that's your true intention, heh? Let me think about it …Sure, although I love this book more than anything else, I surely don't want my library to be on fire because of one of your revenge attempt. Here

- Sweet! Thanks Mr Randell, I'll treasure it

- Just remember to preserve it. I'll need that back someday

- Ehhhhh?

- Just kidding! Hold on to that, will you?

- I will!

Luso quickly stuff the grimoire into his backpack. 'That's one down', he thought, 'now then …'

- What time will you friends arrive here, Mr Randell?

- Consider their personality, I think the couple would be here first, but then the girl will start dragging the boy all over the place and while he's complaining, he still gonna go along with her and end up late. As for the other one, I guess he'll walk straight here

- I thought you said one of them have to sit on a wheelchair?

- He was. Until 3 years ago. That's when the rehabilitation for the disables is release, and he was the first to try that out. At the beginning at was painful, but with his brother and his soon-to-be sister cheer him on, he can finally walk a couple of steps after the first 3 months, so his leg should be fine by now, though I don't think he'll be ready for running at the moment, but maybe someday in near future

- That's so cool! I definitely have to see him now!

- The problem is, he might not go stray on the road, but since he can only walk slowly, it'll take a lot of time

- So basically, what you're saying is that they're not gonna be here for a while

- Yes, so you'll have to wait for them maybe a couple of hours

- Never gonna happen! I'm out to play pra- I mean out for "research". Call me when they're here

- Hey, don't go over boat! Listen to me, will you? Hey!

Luso run away before he can finish his sentence. 'That boy', Mewt think, 'hopefully nothing wrong will come to him'. Since his returning to the real world, Mewt have developed some kind of sixth sense. Every time something troubling gonna happen, he always get a chill. And that's what he feel when he saw Luso this morning. He hopes that just for once, he's wrong

Running down the hill, Luso's first thought was 'I'mma drop by Mr. Blair's house for a little "visit"'. Suddenly, when he reaches the corner, a certain man is also running straight at his direction. With his current speed, a collision is inevitable

- Watch out!

- Yikeee!

CRASH! They both are down for the count. This make the two grimoires in Luso's backpack got toss out on the sidewalk.

- Hey! Watch where you're going! – said Luso

- Sorry! I'm kinda in a rush right now. Wait! Where's my book? Where is it?

The stranger seems to be in panic. 'He's a new face, I guess. I haven't seen him around'. The stranger is a blonde with ponytail hair, and he has strand of hair pointing out, which is kinda funny. He has a blue T-shirt and a black pant. By the look on his face, maybe he's around twenty, about the same age as Mr. Randell. The only strange thing is his eyes – blue eyes which fill with a sense of maturity. It's like he only look like a young man, but in fact he's a man who have seen though many thing not many adults can see, like battles, wilderness, and death. But, of course, that's only Luso's guess. His eyes mesmerized Luso for a few seconds, before he snapped out of it and starts searching for his and that man books

- Found it!

Luso got back his two grimoire and hold on to it with his left hand and intended to use his right hand to deliver the man's book. But as soon as he find it and say:

- Hey! It's her-

He stopped. 'It can't be, my two grimoire are here, so that's definitely not mine. Then is it his?'

Hearing Luso's word, the man turn to his direction, only to find Luso holding onto two grimoires

""That's a grimoire"", they both say it at the same time. Then come a period of silent. They just stare at each other, simply like that. They both figure out that the other party also knows about the world of sword and magick.

Other people walking around start to whisper about them, so Luso is the first to act. He surely doesn't want to become a topic for the housewives (but little does he know, he has become a hot topic thank to all his pranks) so he stand up and say:

- Here's your book. Let's go somewhere to talk. I have a lot to ask, you know?

- I'm thinking the same thing. Surely I don't want to become a laughing stock after returning to my town

Luso pick the third book with his right hand and hand it over. That should have been what happened. But as soon as the stranger touch the book, it start to shine

- Oh no, not again!

- Wait, not now!