Mystery Makes Her Decision

After spending the entire afternoon getting to know each other, it was time for everyone to return to their places. Kisara and Freya left the palace together and promised to return. They were getting used to being around new people and having new friends. Both Mana and Mahad decided to attend to their lessons in the magical arts for the remainder of the day. Since it was Seto's first day in the palace, he had the rest of the day to himself and wouldn't begin his own training until tomorrow. He was still trying to settle in and familiarize himself with the palace. Atem stood beside him to keep him comfortable and in case he needed anything.

Mystery decided to go home and talk to her parents about what she had discussed with her friends about joining the magical academy. She walks up to her house, but before she enters, she notices two royal horses close to the front door. Wondering what's going on, she calls for her parents.

Mawile and Meowstic come in their place and bring Mystery and Jirachi into the house. She sees her parents talking to two of the pharaoh's courtiers, Aknadin and Shimon. "Master Aknadin, Master Shimon," Mystery says, a little startled, "welcome to our home. It is an honor to have you here."

"To what do we owe the honor," asked Jirachi.

"I believe we both know the answer to that question, Jirachi," said Shimon. "We have something we need to discuss with Mystery."

Seeing she has no choice but to take part in the discussion, she enters the family room and sits between her parents. "Is something the matter?"

"We have come on behalf of King Aknamkanon to present to you a sacred treasure of the Great Goddess herself," said Aknadin. He stands up, carries a book, and gives it to Mystery. Seeing that it's old and delicate, Mystery gently opens it and looks through the pages. "This spellbook contains all of the spells and secrets of the Great Goddess Millennia. We meant to give this to you after you received the Millennium Star, but we decided to wait until you were used to having Millennia's powers. At the same time, we wanted to prepare you for this."

Mystery was having a difficult time trying to read the inscription on the pages. The book was written in an ancient writing that could only be read by those in Millennia's family or her followers. Again, she heard Millennia's voice, deciphering the texts on the pages and making them clear for her to understand. The book didn't just contain spells, but also rituals, secrets, and prophecies.

"This book," Mystery was saying, "Can I use it to learn and control my powers?"

"You will learn so much more than that," said Shimon. "Other than that, since you are still only a novice, you will be training for many days and may become a great magician in the next decade."

This was exactly what Mana and Mahad were both telling her. Now that she was in possession of the Millennium Star, she had to learn to control and properly use it. But she also wondered if any other magicians would be learning the same material she would be learning or if she would have to learn on her own with a private instructor. Mystery also wondered if she would be learning the same things as her fellow magicians-in-training. She really didn't want to learn on her own, but her friends had already promised that they would support her. Also, Mystery had already promised she would be committed to learning everything she needed to about Millennia and all of her powers. She finally speaks up and says, "I have something I would like to say: I wish to join the royal academy for magicians."

Shira and Serin were shocked to hear that. "Mystery, are you sure?"

She nods. "I already discussed it with my friends and I already thought it over." After explaining her reasons and all that she had thought about, she faces her parents and tells them, "Mama, Papa, this could be good for me. So far, I have just been guessing and improvising with my powers. If I attend the academy and join the royal magicians, I can come to understand my potential. Besides, the Great Goddess will be here to guide me like she always has since they day we first met."

Tears fill Shira's eyes. "But if you go, we can never see you again." She holds Mystery close to her and starts sobbing. "Mystery, my dear, sweet, little Mystery, please don't leave us. I can't bear being apart from you. It's one thing for you to be gone all day protecting the city you love, but for you to move in to the palace?"

Serin sighs and places his hand on his wife's shoulder, "Shira, my love, even we both knew that this day would come." He dries his eyes and faces his daughter. "Mystery, your mother and I love you very much and we want you to be happy with whatever you decide. Just don't lose sight of what's important to you. And don't ever let anybody change who you are."

"Your father's right, Mystery," Aknadin tells her. "This is all based upon your decision alone. We won't force you to do something you don't want to."

Tears fill Mystery's eyes as she thinks about what everyone is telling her. She didn't think that joining the royal academy for magicians meant moving in the palace and leaving everything at home. She had already devoted herself to the Great Goddess, but she didn't want to leave her parents by themselves. She removes herself from Shira and holds her hands. "Mama, you and Papa have raised me well, but it is time I went my own way. But you both promised me that you would always be there to support me and help me come through to the end so I can be happy. I know can never return all that the both of you have done for me, but know that I will always be with you, should you need me. And I will come and visit you whenever I can."

"Mystery, look at me," Shira tells her, placing her hands on her cheeks. "If it gets to be too much for you, or if you decide you've had enough, then you come straight home."

Serin smiles and rubs Mystery's head, "You really are growing up. But you'll always be our little girl. And we'll always be proud of you." They all hug and stop sobbing.

Mystery dries her eyes and faces her masters. "I have made my decision. I wish to join the royal academy for magicians. Also, I am more than willing to work in the palace to-"

Shimon raises his hand to stop her. "Being a student alone will suffice. We have no intention of making you a servant. The people of this kingdom need their hero of the desert. Still, your rescue missions will have to be limited from this day."

"I understand, Master Shimon. And I will be sure to teach the Egyptian people well to learn from my examples so they can help one another in my place just as my teachers have been doing before me."

"I dare not doubt my masters," Serin was saying. "I know you will all take good care of Mystery and Jirachi just as you have taken care of me when I was training under you."

Shira finally smiles. "I have every confidence as well."

Mystery faces her parents and tells them, "Don't worry, everyone at the palace is our friend. We'll all be helping and taking care of each other." She thinks about her parents and asks them, "But then who will take care of you?"

"We'll be fine, dear," Serin tells her. "We know you'll be close by, so we'll have nothing to worry about. And we can come visit you as well."

There would be no sense in convincing Shira and Serin to move into the palace as well since Shira was still a bit of a free spirit and wouldn't be able to keep still inside the palace. Serin would never choose anything over his wife even if it meant returning to the home and family that took him in. "Well then, it seems everyone has made an understanding of the matter," said Aknadin. "Mystery, I suggest you pack your things and get some rest. We will come for you in the morning and get you settled in."

Mystery bows gratefully and wishes her masters well on their return to the palace. Mystery loved and wanted to be with her friends, but she felt the same way towards her parents and couldn't choose one over the other. She knew she could have it both ways. For now, she would spend the remainder of the day with her parents and not let anything keep her from doing so.