Chapter 15

Third person's POV

Aria graduated from high school after two years. She is now at her school, wearing her toga and sitting with the other students, waiting for her name to be called on stage with the nine protectors in the graduation ceremony.

Today is also Aria's 18th birthday, which she promised the nine protectors would be celebrated with them. The nine protectors who were also present at her graduation were delighted to see their master's graduate from high school.

"Aria Ximena," Aria heard her name called because her surname begins with the letter' X.'

"Congratulations, Ms. Ximena; I hope you study hard in college and earn your bachelor's degree," Aria's professor said. She received her diploma and shook hands with the other professor on stage.

When Aria looked up, she saw the nine protectors clapping their hands for her and smiling. Aria bowed in the middle of the stage and then went down to her seat.

"She's so beautiful," Lucas murmured, drawing the attention of the other protectors.

"What? Did I say something terrible? "Lucas inquired.

"We all know you can't wait for her to grow up and tell you how you feel about her!" Lucas crossed his arms as Jaxon spoke.

"If she remembers everything, she will remember my love for her as she did in the past, but I am not in a hurry," Lucas said. The other protectors fell silent and listened to him.

"By the way, will her parents let her celebrate her birthday and graduation today?" Irish inquired of Lucas.

"We need to talk to her parents, and I'll use my dark spell on you and me again, so they don't notice," Lucas said, shocking Irish.

"But if we don't dress like Aria, they'll think I didn't graduate here," Irish said, and Lucas thought about it.

"You're right, we need to find clothes like Aria's wearing today, but the problem is if you didn't get called at this stage, they'd be suspicious," Lucas said, scaring Irish.

"What should we do? I'm terrified right now." Irish stated as she panicked and played her hands.

"Irish, relax, don't worry, everything will be fine. Right now, we can rely on Lucas." Ezekiel said, and the graduation ceremony was finished, and Lucas fixed his clothes.

"I'm not sure if this will work, but I'll cast a dark spell on Aria's parents to see us as one of Aria's classmates. We'll appear to be teenagers like Aria as we did before." Lucas said, and the other protectors looked at each other to see if that was a good idea.

"We're counting on you, and I hope your plan works," Logan said, nodding as Aria's parents hugged their master.

"I believe they congratulate her," Lucas said as Aria's father presented her with a bouquet of flowers.

"Are we going to move now or not?" Jaxon asked. Lucas is now ready to approach Aria and her parents. He is also holding a bouquet of flowers made by Irish.

"Congratulations, Aria," Lucas congratulated Aria as he handed Aria the bouquet of flowers and decided not to cast his dark spell on Aria's parents.

"Lucas, I had no idea you were all here," Aria stated, and her parents were not perplexed.

"Aria, you haven't told us anything about them; are they your friends? But why are they all adults?" Aria's mother inquired.

"Mom, I apologize for not informing you about them, but they are all my friends and good friends." Aria's mother was taken aback.

"Oh, that's great! You have nine friends, and thankfully, no one is bullying you anymore," Aria's mother explained.

"Could you please introduce yourself to me? And thank you for attending my daughter's graduation ceremony." Aria's mother spoke up, and his father remained silent.

"Aria is our good friend. We wanted to celebrate her 18th birthday today," Lucas said, Aria's mother tapping Aria on the shoulder.

"Aria, you are now 18 years old, so you are free to hang out with your friends, and we will be grateful if they bring you home. You are also mature enough to know right and wrong, and your decision-making is quick. Remember that you still need to attend college," Aria's mother surprised Aria.

"Thank you so much, Mom! Yes, I intend to attend college." Aria hugged her, and his father patted her on the head.

"When you're in your 20s, you need to stand on your own two feet without relying on us. We're just here to support you, but from what we've seen, I think you know how to handle yourself," Aria's father said, and Aria smiled.

"Don't be concerned! I adore you both, Mom and Dad." Aria's parents smiled.

The nine protectors introduce themselves, and Aria's parents are pleased to meet them. They leave Aria's school campus, where the graduation ceremony was held.

"Take care of Aria. See you later, dear," Aria's mother said as they got into the car, and Aria waved.

"Thank you all. You won't have to use the dark spell again," Aria said to Lucas, looking at the other protectors.

"Is it just me, or is your hair overgrowing?" Logan observed and inquired as Aria touched her hair.

"I'm not sure why, but maybe it's because of the Auxier Stone?" Aria inquired, and Lucas turned to face the students leaving campus.

"We'll discuss this at Isaac's bar," Lucas said. Aria was taken aback by the question she had just asked.

"I apologize, but let's go celebrate my birthday!" Aria said, and Lucas was watching her because the Auxier Stone could awaken her memories from the past, and they needed to be prepared.

Aria sat in Lucas' sports car, admiring the bouquet of flowers Lucas had given her.

"I'm not sure why you know what flowers I like." Aria inquired as Lucas started the engine.

"Buckled your seat belt. You're so excited," Lucas said, and she was taken aback and buckled her seat belt.

"You can start driving now, and I appreciate the bouquet!" Aria thanks Lucas as he returns her smile, and the other protectors have their cars as well.

"You're most welcome, master," Lucas stated as he began driving to Isaac's bar.

"Is it okay for me to drink now? I'm no longer a minor! Because we're going to celebrate at Isaac's bar, which is his place of employment?" Aria inquired while Lucas was driving.

"You are not permitted to drink because you have just turned 18, and we need to see if the Auxier Stone will be awakened," Lucas said. Aria nodded as she looked at the bouquet.

"You're right, don't worry; I'll observe myself, but I hope it doesn't get hurt. I hope our enemy doesn't approach us when the Auxier Stone awakens," Aria said. Lucas focused on driving while listening to Aria.

When they arrived at Isaac's bar, Lucas halted, turned off the engine, and unbuckled his seatbelt, which Aria also did. Lucas and Aria get out of their sports cars. The other protectors also park their vehicles and exit, with Lucas and Aria being the first to enter the bar.

"Hello, Lucas. Do you have another appointment, or is Isaac with you?" The waitress asked Lucas, looking at Aria.

"Who is this person with you? She appears to be a minor," said the waitress.

"Hello, she just turned 18, so she's no longer a minor, and Isaac is with me." After Lucas responded to the waitress, the other protectors entered the bar.

"This is a cool bar; I like it," Aria said as she walked towards the customer staring at her.

Many people were having a good time, and the music was blasting. As the other bartenders prepare their drinks, the bar war is packed with customers.

"Aria, you can't just approach the customer; they need to mind their own business," Lucas said, and Aria nodded.

"Let's go upstairs to the private room for all of us," Isaac said, and everyone nodded. Aria followed Isaac, and Lucas stood beside her.

"Excellent location! How much money do you make? I want to ask you a question if you don't mind," Aria inquired of Isaac.

"Well, I'm earning so much money because some of my customers are rich, so that's why, but even though I earn a lot of money, I still save up money, and being a bartender is also a hard job, good thing I have studied culinary arts, fine dining, and bartending and I have built this business," Isaac replied, and Aria nodded.

"Let us see, and I want a bucket of fried chicken pasta, salad, fries, mashed potatoes, and some mojos, iced tea," Aria said as she sat down on the sofa and the other protectors set up the karaoke.

"All of your favorites," Lucas said as he sat.

"I have already received your orders; I will return and speak with my kitchen staff," Isaac stated.

"That's all I can eat because you said I couldn't drink right now," Aria said. Lucas just smiled as Isaac went outside with a list of what Aria wanted and to his kitchen to prepare the dishes she requested.

"I'm delighted that we can now celebrate our master's birthday! Let us all wish when the master wishes!" According to Jaxon, Lucas noticed Aria's smile and watched the Auxier Stone see if it would glow.

After a few moments, Isaac and his kitchen staff arrived in Aria's private room with the food and drinks she had requested and the party supplies. Aria felt a sensation in her chest. She took a deep breath and didn't tell the nine protectors.

"This is my homemade black forest cake! Congratulations on your graduation!" Isaac congratulated Aria, and Aria looked at her cake, which had a message that said congratulations.

The waitress placed the cake on the table, and Isaac lit a candle. Aria's eyes widened, and she immediately stood up.

"Take the fire away from my face!" Aria yelled as she pushed the table, and there were so many whispers in her head.

"What's going on, Aria? Tell me, please. Are you in pain?" Aria pushed Lucas away from her while holding her head.

"I have no idea what is happening to me!" Aria spoke as the Auxier Stone began to glow, and her eyes began to glow red.

"Lucas, put her to sleep!" Irish yelled, and Lucas used his dark spell to put Aria to sleep, and the Auxier Stone was out of control due to the fire, as it is linked to firepower.

"That is not awakening, but it is reacting to the fire because Auxier has firepower," Irish observed, as the other protectors were taken aback by what had occurred.

"I was shocked. Thank goodness I didn't use the firepower because it's the most dangerous to use," Isaac said, and they all agreed.

"You are correct. Let's take Aria home and cancel the party because she needs to rest," Lucas stated as he carried Aria.

"I understand; I will tell my staff to have the food she ordered packaged for take-out," Isaac explained.

Lucas and the other protectors did not expect this on Aria's high school graduation day.