Fools Paradise

The infirmary was bleak and uninviting. Not like the warm worn down bedroom of Lana's. Wittorf was unconscious and lying in a bed. Steel was sitting in a chair next to him while a nurse took the boys temperature. She turns to face the Teacher.

"Thanks for bringing him in Mr. Steel. It's exactly as you suspected." The nurse looks back at Wittorf and puts her hand on his. "He over worked his core and now he has mana sickness."

Steel looks at Wittorf with a solemn expression. Wittorf's eyes flutter a little as he wakes up slowly. He noticed the room he was in was not one he was familiar with. What had happened to him. Last he knew he was standing in front of the class about to show Caiman up and now he's waking up here?

Steels expression changes to one of a serious teacher. "How are you feeling Wittorf?"

"I'm fine just a little tired is all."

"You're more than tired Wittorf, you have Mana Sickness."

"Mana Sickness?"

Steel grabs some meds and water from the night stand and hands them to the boy. He knew it was partly his fault for not watching Wittorf closer while he was in class. "When a mage over extends themselves too much they get sick in a way only mages can." Steel continues "Think of it like a strained muscle. You're going to be out of commission for a few weeks while you recover."

Wittorf takes the meds and finishes the water then comes to a realization.

"What about my studies?"

"Don't worry about that I have you covered."

Steel pulls out a piece of paper that has the words 'Chill the F out' on them. Steel hands it to the kid. "You need to practice meditation while you are sick." Steel puts a finger up. "Along with everything else on that list."

Wittorf nods and looks at the paper with determination as Steel begins to head out of the room. "Alright let's get right to it!"

Steel pokes his head back into the room with bloodshot eyes. "What did I just say about taking it easy!"

***

Loat is walking out of class and heading to his locker. Another day completed but this time Wittorf was not in class. Loat was worried but he tried not to show it. Diel and Sedian walk up behind him. Diel looked concerned and Sedian looks deadpan like he normally does.

"Hey Loat, where's Wittorf?" Diel asks in his usual classy voice.

Loat shrugs "I heard he is in bed for the next few weeks while he recovers."

Sedian chimes in with his monotone voice. "Kai and Sai wanted to hang out after class was over and was wondering if you and Wittorf wanted to join us?"

Loat grins. He had been asked a few times in the past to join them but he was always busy practicing for the entrance exams. He decided today was going to be different. "Well Wittorf can't leave his room but I don't mind tagging along!"

Diel wraps his arm around Loat and boasts with confidence. "Today I Diel, will finally get Kai to go out with me!"

Sedian reminds Diel. "Or she will knock you out again for asking."

Loat smiles "It's good to have goals in life." They all head out towards the entrance to the academy. Waiting for them are Kai and Sai. Kai walks up to Loat and asks with a coy smile.

"So where's the cute one?"

Diel replies "I'm here my love ready and waiting!"

Kai promptly punches him into a wall without even looking. Sai winces and smiles with a concerned expression.

Loat shakes his head. "It's always Wittorf this, Wittorf that. What about Loat?"

Sai pipes in quietly. "I'm glad you're coming with us Loat."

Loat nods "Thanks Sai."

Diel returns with renewed strength! "So what are we doing today my beautiful blue rose?

Kai elbows Diel in the gut promptly removing all the oxygen from his lungs as he gasps. "Today I figured we could all go to the mall and have some fun."

Sedian nods "Sounds good to me I need more tools."

Loat looks a little uncomfortable. "You mean more traps to set for unsuspecting victims."

Sedian looks blank faced. No one really knew what he was thinking ever. "Yes."

Diel starts to walk ahead of everyone "Let's do this, everyone aboard the party train!"

The group walks down to the mall and quickly disperses into groups Diel follows Kai and Sai while Loat and Sedian head their own way. As the day goes by the number of bags Diel is holding grows quickly. Kai loves the expressions Diel is making and every smile and laugh she gives motivates Diel to keep on pushing forward. Kai makes a pit stop at the lingerie store with Sai who looks very uncomfortable. Shoving different undergarments in front of Sai who quickly blushes and looks away. Sai loves her sister but wishes she would stop teasing her. Diel is oblivious due to the amount of bags blocking his view. He just waits by the store entrance like a good little bell hop.

On the other end of things Loat and Sedian are buying mysterious supplies from what looks like the back ally of the mall? Loat is not even sure where this area came from but he knows for certain he does not want to be here anymore. After Sedian buys his tools they stop at a toy grabbing machine and tries his luck. Unfortunately luck was not on his side today. As he struggled to even get the toys off the ground.

The group finally ended their day at the burger shop. Kai is walking with a clearly flustered Sai and a worn out Diel. Sedian has his normal blank expression and Loat looks overly sad at his loss of coins. They all sit down for some burgers and recount their days exploits. Kai starts it off.

"That was a lot of fun. I've never been able to shop that much on my own. Perhaps I should bring Diel with me more often."

Diel moans "I can't feel my arms."

Sedian nods. "Today was a success then."

The day fades into night as the group all decide to head back to their dorms. As Loat walks past Wittorf's door he can hear him scream.

"This sucks!"