Nightshade Academy | Episode 14 | What Could Have Been (Audio)

I vowed to abstain from sexual and romantic Pleasures henceforth pinzo paced back and forth across their living quarter nibbling at his nails how could you possibly be so reckless oh she leaned against the wall and crossed his arms quacks spoke ill of me so I don't like him either but you went too far Endo stopped and sat on his bed with a sigh he ran his fingers through his locks honestly Yoshi you should be terrified I wouldn't be surprised if the Guardians filtered you for misconduct Dr blimery called off medical class over an hour ago the Guardians had plans to filter me they would have done so by now you don't know that I gave quacks a black eye three weeks ago and he still selected me I doubt they'll filter me for giving him another one pinzo raised his chin meeting Yoshi's gaze that was you what you don't believe I'm capable I didn't think you were the type what type you know aggressive Yoshi rolled his eyes I don't understand why you're making such a big fuss about this because you told Val and I they would graduate together the three of us remember that I even helped you study for the exam and then you go beating at quacks sabotaging your own spot in the program like you're in this alone I thought we were going to help each other get to the final five I thought we were friends oh Yoshi looked at his boots I wasn't thinking about it like that well think about it a little more from now will you come on let's get lunch [Music] Yoshi and Pinto left room four to find Val in the lobby as they walked to the dining hall together she repeatedly tried to tie her hair into a ponytail despite it being too short every time her nervousness must have been contagious because Pinto was biting his nails again all eyes were on Yoshi as he entered the dining hall with pinto and Val they grabbed their trays and took their seats quacks hadn't shown up hey Val she didn't look at him what we could skip lunch and practice if you want I'll pass and so glanced at Yoshi then at Val I could practice with you instead I'm eating is your shoulder better now I'm fine Yoshi couldn't tell if Val was in a bitter mood because of the approaching Final Phase or because of what happened in the lab but he didn't dare to ask it was only after Vel took a sip of her beet juice when she lightened up her eyes widening it's the second dose how do you know the aftertaste is a bit sweeter you've got to be kidding me right when I'm feeling normal again yoshi-eyed a box of anti-serum under the serving table Dr blemery had set it there the day after their first dose explaining that they could help themselves as needed he stood to grab a vial for Pinto but Belle stopped him by the wrist don't take the anti-serum unless you think you may go unconscious otherwise it's self-sabotage makes you throw up the serum before your body learns to tolerate it so during our first dose I didn't learn to fight the toxins not at all a little this dose will be awful too won't it definitely yeah she sat down with raised brows he expected the news to outrage Pinto but it actually seemed to calm him Pinto understood exactly what to do to improve his tolerance suffer helplessly no anti-serum no relief but a plan was a plan and Pinto loved plans you'll want to finish your food first it'll lighten the symptoms huh and so narrowed his eye look as much as I appreciate the tips I must ask where does this knowledge of yours come from my brain Vel took a bite of her salad yeah pinto that's where thoughts were made I'm serious normal people don't know this much about plants none of us are normal that's why we got selected you didn't answer my question though stared at Pinto with pursed lips before slamming her fork down it was for my mother okay I studied medicinal plants and natural remedies mostly but if you read enough books you'll stumble into all kinds of obscure information Pinto grind oyashi questioned vel's answer her cheeks were red and she had raised her voice in a defensive way like she had something to hide after they cleared their plates Pinto took a few sips of beet juice and cringed fell drank hers in one steady stream what kind of monster are you poison or not it still tastes awful just hold your breath as Pinto struggled to finish his glass Yoshi squinted at his own on one hand taking the second dose might ruin his performance during the Final Phase that afternoon on the other hand skipping the doseman falling behind intolerance training and his body might respond horribly to the next one you're not drinking I'm thinking Yoshi tapped his fingers against the table try holding your breath vel's right it helps Yoshi shook his head I don't think I can risk feeling sick during the Final Phase I'll have to sneak the glass back to my quarter if I win I'll drink the rest later you could have been kind enough to share that idea before I chugged it all I only thought of it now it's your fault for drinking too fast you'll be fine Phil you hardly react it didn't take long for the other trainees to realize that the beet juice contained Belladonna KO was scanning the room with sudden jolts as though an invisible enemy were after him while the brackle Twins were leaving to rest in their quarters Sana only drank a third of his glass before snatching a vial of anti-serum and running from the dining hall Pinto leaned forward rubbing his forehead you should lie down before it gets worse I'll walk with you no I'm fine it's just a headache for now I'll bring your glass up too are you sure I can manage the two of you should focus on getting your pins Pinto stood from the table Sana will likely be in bad shape even after taking the anti-serm a mall is a planner but when his first plan falls through he never has a backup and fern well he's small but he can fight don't underestimate him and either of you should be fine pinzo grabbed Yoshi's full glass and headed for the door wait I just wanted to say thank you for making these last few weeks bearable and so looked back with a sigh oh don't make this a good buy Yoshi and I could be paired against each other I know then it could be goodbye yeah I know you'd be a perfect Guardian Pinto I mean it pinzo smiled at both of them before making a hasty exit from the dining hall perhaps the night he cut Belle's hair would someday be nothing but the start of what could have been a lifetime of friendship by the time the pinless trainees gathered for the Final Phase the redness in Santa's cheeks had drowned his freckles his hands were tucked into his pockets but it was obvious they were shaking Yoshi faced Vel next she ignored his gaze with a gulp to her left was Fern Irvine who was a bit shorter and thinner than Yoshi he certainly didn't look like a threat but his bold dark stare said otherwise Yoshi observed Amal travo last yeah she had seen him beat quacks in an arm wrestling match a few days prior so he feared them all would be the most challenging opponent here but as he studied him more closely he noticed that he was blinking slower than normal a sign of blurry vision this is the Final Phase anyone who does not earn their pin today will be filtered from the program yashikanya please enter the sparring range alone Yoshi bit his lip as he stepped onto the green zone Commander Ross stood in front of him and raised his hands not to fight but to hold up his gold and stopwatch today you acted in aggression without permission from a guardian the academy is not like citrus secondary where instructors may let that kind of behavior slide you're here to train the right way under guidance Yoshi braised himself for what he knew would be a personalized test you have 60 seconds to State your case after your Outburst this morning why shouldn't we filter you Commander Roz clicked a button on a stopwatch you may begin Yoshi closed his eyes he could feel the words weaving together like the story was being carefully crafted by a source Beyond himself when he opened his eyes he began to speak with the boldness that made Commander Ross raise a brow commander on our first day in the program you pyramid gets clocks for a defense demonstration I lost him because I considered him a close friend and I would never hurt a close friend but he's been tormenting me about my selection ever since one of the vows every Garden makes before Journal force is to support their fellow Guardians training like quacks who shines out the trainees will graduate to become a gardener who shuns other Guardians I fought him today because he disrespected me and I knew that without correction he will never change you're treading on thin ice quacks won a pin because of my deficits but he lost today because of my strengths it's only fair that I'm deserving of a pin myself Commander Roz clicked the button on his stopwatch again his light nod implied that Yoshi hadn't surpassed the time limit with that being said you did State your case well he stepped forward and attached a pen toyashi's caller congratulations as Yoshi returned to the group of trainees he pulled his collar and smiled at the glimmering flower son of rickaby and Amal travo please enter the sparring range son his arms trembled as he raised them but luckily for him amal's arms were shaking too you may begin well the match began Yoshi grabbed Val's hand and led her away from the sparring range far enough so Fern couldn't overhear their conversation Fern doesn't look like a fighter Vel nodded but like Pinto said I won't underestimate him I think he'll be the one underestimating you he was sick during the second phase he didn't see a close match against limbo this is the perfect opportunity to rush him and catch him off guard what do you mean Rush him as soon as the match begins go after him of everything you've got they return to the middle of the room to spectate in the green zone Amal was standing across from Senna his face red and rage his first plan must have fallen through and like Pinto had predicted he didn't have a backup son had grabbed them all's wrists and pushed hamal's elbows folded his arms collapsing into his chest he tried to free his hands but Sana took a few steps forward and drilled him into the black Zone Yoshi wanted to cheer but he contained himself I'm all you're filtered from the program a guardian is waiting in the common room to escort you home Amal opened his mouth to protest but despite his obvious effort to speak he couldn't bring himself to do it he closed his mouth and headed for the door they all saw what happened to Darling OZO after a mall left the room Commander Ross attached a PIN to sona's caller congratulations Senna please see Dr blimery in the infirmary for a quick checkup Sana nodded before making his way to the door he could hardly walk in a straight line I wonder if he'll be in class tomorrow Bill patura and fern Irvine please enter the sparring range Vel left Yoshi's side before he could wish her luck he twisted the buttons on his vest as he watched her face burn and raise her hands you may begin Vel took the initiative by sprinting after her opponent Fern flinched before throwing a quick jab and cross Bell ducked under them maintaining her momentum she launched herself at a mall and wrapped her arms around his waist they flew out of the sparring range together Yoshi's jaw dropped as Fern's back struck the black cell fell landed over him pinning him down Commander Roz grind none of the other trainees this cycle had thrown themselves into the black Zone with their opponent perhaps many others could have won their matches had they worried less about touching the black Zone and more about who would touch the black Zone first Fern you're filtered from the program Val jumped to her feet and offered Fern a hand but he ignored her and stood on his own he stormed out of the room and by the time the door slid shut behind him Fell's collar boasted a golden pen Commander Roz nodded at Yoshi and Bell in approval before leaving marking the end of their sparring filtration Yoshi faced Val to congratulate her but she wrapped her arms around him before he could say a word Yoshi's eyes widened he was about to hug her back when she pulled away her Palms lingering on his shoulders that could have been a disaster yeah it could have been Yoshi reached room 4 Pinto was riding hastily in his journal how are you feeling binto stopped riding and stared at Yoshi in disbelief forget about me he slammed his journal shot with a wide grin you're here I'm here and Val she's here too thank the Stars where is she Lobby talking to Summer and so immediately jumped out of bed and headed toward the door he looked much livelier than he had after taking the first dose of Belladonna I need to congratulate her and thank her for the Belladonna tips and talk to her I'll be back I want to hear all about your match I didn't have one oh mysterious when fenzo shut the door behind him Yoshi spotted a glass of beet juice sitting on his nightstand he grabbed it and stepped out onto the balcony the clouds were turning pink and gold preparing for Sunset I can handle the academy a gentle breeze caressed his face nature affirming his hypothesis he raised the glass and took a sip the Guardians only select exceptional after all [Music] foreign Belladonna book one Nightshade Academy written and narrated by Mel Torre Franca by Mel Tori Franca and Wilson Hensley edited and Mastered by Juan Pablo Diaz something went wrong we worked hard for this life that we don't want it all cover art by mad Studio score by G depita azri theme song composed and produced by James Sinclair stodd foreign starring Jason Brown Anthony Andreas echeveri Philip kryianov Melissa white Alex Bowie Patrick verzba Julia risto David John bores Connor Blanc Cody keel Ellie Chua Ben Autry Walter Mack [Music] are we EDS with us if it's really true [Music] dream the voices of Gwyneth Evans Jeff Rosenau Lucas Hensley Levi Titus Angie Eggers Willem dagar Allison Prophet Maria palmo Knight shield Academy is produced in association with Lost Island press if it's really true if it's really true remember