CHAPTER 24: THE MOST TERRIBLE VISION

Basketball practice wasn't any easier to bear. Most of the time, basketball helped Ace relax and focus, but today, Floyd Leech was in a foul mood. So Floyd didn't want to listen to anyone, he did the bare minimum of exercises, and all of his throws were duds because he didn't care enough to focus. Floyd's moods always dictated how he performed in everything—sometimes he was a model student and fun to be around, other times he was an absolute wet blanket and it was best to just stay out of his way. So his bad days ended up being bad days for everyone else.

Finally, club practice was over, and the basketball players all went into the locker room.

"Stupid basketball, and then there's Azul grillin' my tail about this and that…" Floyd grumbled. "And then Jade takin' his side, and ugh! I don't wanna go back to Mostro Lounge today!" He slammed his locker extra-hard and stormed out. So whatever he was upset about, Ace and the others weren't in his crosshairs, thank goodness.

"I don't know why Floyd bothers showing up to practice if he lets his bad moods get the better of him," Jamil remarked quietly. "Especially since on his good days, he doesn't even need practice."

"Who knows?" Ace asked wearily.

"You seemed to be distracted with something, too," Jamil said. "Are you troubled?"

"No more than usual. I just got back from an unbirthday party," Ace said. "I'm sure you know how that is."

Jamil frowned. "Oh yes. Every time Kalim wants to have a parade in Scarabia, I feel the same exhaustion."

"Parties are fun to have, but not fun to plan," Ace went on. "And when you have to do it all the time… blegh."

"Yeah. Blegh." Jamil turned away. "Make sure you find time for yourself, Ace. Otherwise you'll burn out."

"Same to you. Thanks," Ace said, and he left the locker room.

Ace made his way out to the courtyard, where there weren't many other students at the moment. He smiled as he took in the fresh air and warm sunlight. Maybe he could sit down in the grass, or find a nice bench and just do nothing—

Suddenly, he bumped into something and was nearly knocked off his feet.

"Watch where you're going!" said the irritated student. He was a fair-skinned boy with black hair and dark gray eyes. His deep purple magestone indicated he was from Pomefiore, and he had a blue portfolio bag in his arms.

"Dude, you bumped into me!" Ace shot back. "You watch where you're going!"

"I was," the other boy said. "You were the one walking around with his head in the clouds!"

"Whatever," Ace scoffed. He was about to walk around the guy when he glanced at the portfolio bag. "…What's that for, anyway?"

"Duh, it's to hold my art," he said. "I just got back from Arts and Crafts Club."

"Oh, that's Jill's club," Ace acknowledged.

"You know Jill? Wait…" the boy looked at Ace's face. "That heart on your eye… oh, you're Ace Trappola. Jill talks about you a lot. Guess I shouldn't be giving you a hard time, huh? Sorry about that."

"It's fine," Ace said, trying not to blush. Jill talks about me? What does she say?

"So, uh, who are you supposed to be?" he asked to change the subject.

"Myron Wallace, Pomefiore, second year," the dark-haired boy said mechanically. "And you're about to ask me if Jill's doing alright."

"Wha?" Ace was caught off-guard.

"How do I know that, you ask? It was just written all over your face," Myron said with a smirk. "It's no secret that Jill was asking everyone to find a way home, and she was turned down. Naturally, as her friend, you'd be more concerned over her than most. So I guessed."

"Lucky guess," Ace said. "So did she ask you guys in the Arts and Crafts Club for help too?"

"She did mention her plight to the club last week, yes," Myron said. "And then I offered to give her a vision. Of course, it wasn't what she wanted to see, so she just decided to ask elsewhere."

"A vision?" Ace asked. "Are you saying that you're…?"

Myron sighed and held up his hands in surrender. "My signature spell, 'Mirror of Truth', lets someone see a glimpse of their future if they ask me a question," he confessed. "I can't see the future myself—only the asker can. It's only a glimpse, and it's just the most probable future, so don't get any bright ideas about getting test answers or something."

"Oh, I wouldn't do something like that," Ace said innocently. "But it does make me a little curious…"

"You want to ask me if Jill's mental state will suffer after so many failures?" Myron guessed.

"No! I mean… maybe if you want to know, I can ask about Jill on your behalf," Ace said defensively, not wanting to let his concern show. "You said that you can't see the visions you give, right?"

"True. I'm a little worried myself. Alright, let's do this somewhere quiet," Myron said. The two stepped off the main path and stood on the grass under a shady tree. "Look into my eyes, and don't look away. Got it?"

Ace nodded. "Do it."

Myron's eyes rolled back into his head as though he was possessed, and he began to chant a spell.

You who have questions, I shall give you the answers
You who have doubt, I shall promise you beauty
Mirror of Truth!

Myron's eyes glowed blue, and his voice had a slight echo to it. "Now… speak your question."

"Will Jill Bones try anything reckless in the future?" Ace asked.

And just as he was wondering if he should ask a more specific question, suddenly everything disappeared and a new picture flashed in his mind.

The sky was dark, and Ace was in the middle of the sports field surrounded by others—he didn't know who from just one glimpse. He was on his knees, and Jill Bones was in his arms, unconscious, wearing some strange white uniform. Was she wearing a…?

And just as quickly as it came, the vision disappeared. Ace blinked and rubbed his eyes as he remembered where he really was.

"Well?" Myron asked. His eyes were back to normal. "What did you see?"

"Jill was…" Ace hesitated, not wanting to admit that she was in his arms. "She was hurt. And she was wearing something weird, like…" A white long-sleeved shirt, a blue skirt, a blue sash across her chest…

"Like what? Tell me," Myron demanded.

"She was… no, she wouldn't do that," Ace said. "She wouldn't try that! That would be the dumbest, most boneheaded…" He paused. "What am I saying? Jill would absolutely go for it! I gotta talk to her… no, she'll just play dumb. I gotta talk to Grim. He'll spill the beans!" He ran off, looking over his shoulder. "Sorry, Myron! I need to make sure that vision doesn't come true!" And then he was gone.

"Uh, okay? Hope I helped?" Myron asked. "Wish I knew what he saw… I can tell, it wasn't good."

"Worried about the future, Monsieur Mirior?"

Myron gasped and stepped away when he saw Rook Hunt step away from the nearest tree. "You! You were watching us!"

"Non, I was simply in the area," Rook said. He stepped towards Myron, only for the latter to back away. "Such a fascinating ability—to give other people visions while you yourself are blind! Such tragic beauty!"

"Mind your own business for once," Myron scoffed. "I don't want to answer any of your questions. Not after you and Vil used me for the VDC!"

"Yes, maybe I share some blame for that," Rook said quietly. "But I do not wish to use you—I want to help you, Monsieur Mirior. You want to know what Monsieur Heart saw, yes? What if I asked the same question and told you everything?"

Myron bit his lip, glaring at the grass… then glanced up as he realized Rook was right.

"Alright, Rook… ask me your question."