Asgard Academy
Epilogue: Final Part
[ Index ]
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It was a nice morning, if somewhat cloudy.
He noticed the boy fiddling with anything and everything within reach. It was only when his sister took his hand that he seemed to stop.
âEverything okay?â
âYes, Papa. Iâm just nervous⊠was kinda hoping Mama would be here too.â
He raised his eyebrows with a sympathetic smile. âI understand, but your grandpaâs fall is no joke. No matter what, heâs already a senior citizen.â
âI know, I know, itâs fine. No big deal.â
Clearly, big deal to him. For someone so extroverted, that kid seemed to melt away into shyness whenever a new, big thing happened in his life. Many years ago, following the very same train route, heâd felt exactly the same.
The girl used her fingers to gently comb her brother's hair, and then rested her hand on his shoulder, holding him close. All in silence, as was her way. This seemed to soothe the boy, and the rest of the train ride was as peaceful as one could expect the morning rush to be.
They hopped off at their stop, and walked the rest of the way there, like they had all the time in the world. They didnât, but he felt it would help the boy relax a bit before finally reaching their destination. And exactly when that happened, all the confidence regained during the train ride vanished.
He suddenly stiffened, frozen solid on the corner across the Academyâs main building.
âCâmon, weâre almost there.â
âW-wait, wait, wait. Give me just one sec, Papa. Just one- Two. Five!â
His sister had already clocked the surprise and without making a fuss, grabbed his wrist. The boy allowed himself to be dragged across the street with a heavy sigh, not paying attention to anything beyond his immediate misery.
Two women were gleefully chatting near the entrance, their hands gesturing as fast as possible to match their words. A girl with bright teal eyes was right next to them, politely trying to pay attention. Then, one of them turned around with a big smile.
âGood morning, sweetheart!â
âMam- Mother!â he managed to catch himself just in time. âHow come youâre here?â
âOh, thereâs nothing thatâd make me miss your first day. May I introduce Levina, Lady of the Auguring Rooster, and her daughter the lady Benya? Sheâs starting at the Academy today, Sköll, just like you!â
Like flipping a switch, the boyâs golden eyes sparkled in excitement as he turned to Benya, who inherited her motherâs copper curls. His hands signed skillfully as he gave her a short bow. âA pleasure to meet your acquaintance, my lady! My name is Sköll Fenrirsson!â
His father walked up to the other woman, who had an off-white helix piercing made of antler just like his, and kissed her cheek. âHowâs the old man?â
âHeâll live. Sprained ankle, nothing serious. Last time he plays sports with SkĂrnir without supervision.â
âGlad to hear that⊠Lady Levina, what a pleasant surprise! How have you been?â
They both bowed.
âAll is well, Lord Fenrir. Thank you for asking. I was just dropping off my Darling before heading off to work when I bumped into Lady Artica!â
By then, Artica was having a completely silent conversation with Sköllâs sister, based entirely on non-descriptive hand gestures and eyebrow wiggling. She gave the girl a solemn nod before realizing Levina was looking her way. She awkwardly cleared her throat.
âM-may I also introduce Hati FenrirdĂłttir, our oldest? Sheâs in Year 2 already, together with the Not-Twins.â
Levina let out a quiet laugh. âTruly! Those two do look like fraternal twins!â
The girl was slightly taller, and all silver, with her fatherâs hair and her motherâs eyes. She gave them a bow while she signed. âA pleasure to meet your acquaintance, my Ladies. Please let me know if you have any questions. I will be happy to help.â
Benya nodded in her direction, unable to reply as Sköll asked her something about their schedule. Her mother half expected a few more words, but nothing else came from Hati.
âOh, uhm. She, uh, speaks seldom,â Fenrir explained.
Seemingly out of nowhere, a girl with magenta eyes picked Sköll up from behind in a hug. âHello, hello, hello~!â
âAstrid! Put me down NOW!â he cried, already dead from embarrassment.
She did as he asked before leaning into the shoulder of the boy next to her. Looking at them was like seeing Syd and Bud as teenagers all over again, just with different eyes. He cleared his throat with a smile. âGood morning, my Lord, my Ladies.â
âAnsgar, Astrid! So good to see you!â Artica replied, trapping them in a hug.
Fenrir gave Levina and Benya a lopsided smile, signing âNot-Twinsâ just before greeting them too. Astrid got back to teasing Sköll, while Ansgar shared news from East Asgard with the rest, until Hati politely pointed to her wristwatch. This immediately popped everyoneâs bubble. Levina fussed over Benyaâs tie while reciting seven hundred reminders. Fenrir pulled his son to the side for a last-minute talk.
âI wanted to ask you for something, if thatâs okayâŠâ
âYes Pap- Father, of course. What is it?â
âIf there are any Blacks in your class⊠UhmâŠâ
âBe nice?â
âYeah, I mean⊠Scholarship students must maintain top grades, fulfill club activities, earn extra credits⊠Their schedules are usually a mess⊠Also, you never know what kind of person they might beâŠâ
Sköllâs eyes quickly darted between his parents, suddenly realizing what his father was trying to say. âOh, yeah, sure, Papa. No worries. Iâll be right there if I clock one who needs a hand.â
The man gently patted the boyâs head. Even now, Fenrir still worried about expressing himself clearly. It was a blessing Sköll, like his mother, was skilled at reading between the lines.
âThatâs my Wolfling,â he said, walking him to the Academyâs gates. âTime to go. The Welcoming Ceremony should begin shortly. Have fun.â
âIs Mama staying in the city, or returning north?â
âPretty sure sheâs gonna want to get a burger after this.â
Hati popped up between them, suddenly interested in their conversation. Fenrir wrinkled his nose at the silent insistence of her compelling puppy eyes. âI guess we can wait until dinner so you can join us.â
Deeply satisfied, and with a cocky grin, she kissed her father goodbye. Sköll and Benya did the same with their respective parents before following her and Ansgar into the school building. Artica suddenly remembered something and let out a groan. âNo, wait! I wanted to take a picture!â
âNo worries, Auntie. Iâll snap some with my phone and send them to you. Funny filters or normal?â
âFilters, obviously.â
âObviously,â repeated Astrid with a nod.
The sight of her with that long, curly hair in a high ponytail strongly reminded Fenrir of her mother. It was the bright, colorful ribbon that made all the difference, though. She never went out without one. âA few normal ones for me, please. Say hi to your parents too. Looking forward to having a drink soon.â
âYou got it,â she said, winking at Fenrir while doing a finger gun before turning around and finally joining the others.
Levina waved goodbye as she got in a car waiting for her. Fenrir and Artica let out a satisfied sigh and turned towards the city center. She stretched a bit before asking. âWanna get a greasy-ass burger?â
âHati was hoping we could all have them for dinner.â
They stared at each other for a moment before letting out a laugh.
âOh, like theyâll notice we already had some. Letâs go!â
A while later, Visa saw two of his favorite customers enter the shop and immediately started up the grill. After all, not everyone got to serve Visaâs Special to the Lord and Lady of the Northern Wolf.
The end





















