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“You know, they’ve done pretty well. Defeating Shadar, and all that- oh, don’t look at me like that!”
Solomon grumbled, tearing his eyes away from the fascinating Solosseum battle to glare at his assistant.
“Just because they achieved something, doesn’t mean they’re not pathetic little children. Of course, I’m very wise by admitting that.”
Umbopa merely nodded in response. Hmph! Solomon wanted to watch the rest of their fight anyway. The four of them had become quite talented - thanks to his fine tutelage, of course. It was almost time for him to face them. Actually, it may take a while. There was no way they were good enough to even reach him.
Somehow, they were good enough.
Solomon stood at his side of the arena, directly across from the gaggle of them. Gossiping like school children, they were!
“Right! Of course, I will be your final challenge. I don’t expect you to win.”
“Ollie-boy, if we can defeat ghostface-”
“And my father!”
“-and her father, we can blimmin well defeat this pipsqueak!”
“I am not a pipsqueak! And don’t even begin to compare me to Rashaad! I have more power in one of my toes than he has in his whole body!”
“That’s… A really strange image.” Oliver mumbled, glancing at his companions. Good, it was important to start your opponents off confused, even if you expected them to be incredibly easy. Which Solomon did, of course.
Seeing as they were only children, he sent out his easiest familiars. Wasn’t that so kind of him? He meant to lose in that fight. Definitely. They all looked very pleased, and it was important, as the Supreme Sage, to boost their egos.
“I was going easy on you all, of course. Isn’t that right, Umbopa?”
Solomon smiled as he settled back into his seat, his companion giving a nod.
“...indeed.”
“But I suppose you have some promise. Of course, given that it took four of you to beat me, not much promise.”
“Oi! Five of us!” The fairy cut in, sounding grumpy.
“You were even more useless than the others! Now where was I? Ah, yes, obviously your victory was thanks to how well I trained the Great Sages before you. They must have passed my advice down.”
The group shared a look that Solomon was not fond of. It insinuated they found him silly, or perhaps even thought he was wrong! Whatever. Their tiny brains wouldn’t know greatness if it slapped them in the face. Although, thinking on it, it was pretty interesting how it was just his previous trainee’s kids who won. A swell of pride rushed through him. Not pride for them, of course - pride for him, training such good families. He wouldn’t be surprised if given a decade or two, Khulan’s kid comes running through. Ugh. There were so many wannabe sages these days.
“So, your supremeness… If that was the final trial, do we get some kind of title?” Oliver spoke up. Solomon stared down at him.
“Uh, no? Bragging rights, mainly. And the potential for cool titles in the future.”
“What? Is that it?” Swaine retorted, eyebrow raised. “All that work, for nothing?”
“You’re throwing a fuss! I suppose, for all your work, I can give you a new familiar to share. Now go rest up, or whatever, while I find it.”
It only took him a moment to find the creature, but he decided to give them a bit longer to rest, because they’re all idiots. He couldn’t entrust such a powerful familiar to a bunch of tired idiots.
“Here! The Mandragorer. It’s a feisty thing, so prepare to be bitten.”
“Oh, it’s adorable!” Esther squealed, immediately going to pat it. The day she listened to someone would be the day Old Smokey froze over, Solomon was sure.
“Really? I think it looks weird. What a dumb prize-”
“Shut up, Swaine. It’s not like you did enough work to earn it-”
“Oh yeah? I seem to remember doing more than you-”
“Anyways!” Oliver interjected, “Now that we’re done, we may as well be off..?”
“Yes, yes, shoo. I’m very busy, and you’re all causing a ruckus.”
“Thank you for running all these trials!”
Oliver smiled at Solomon. Solomon sort of smiled back, but only because he was ready to see them all leave.
“Yes, you’re welcome, I’m amazing, I know.”
The whole group finally, finally turned to leave. Solomon anticipated the peace and quiet that he would be left to, just him and his familiars. And Umbopa too, he guessed.
“Wait, hang on.”
Esther paused, stopping in her tracks. Great, what was it she wanted now? The promise of peace slipped from Solomon’s grasp.
“Marcassin? If all the Great Sages have beat Solomon, does that mean you have?”
“Well, you see, I don’t remember much of my previous visits here. A lot of my memories are quite a blur.”
Marcassin brushed it off with a small smile.
Oh, but Solomon remembered. He remembered the most pathetic being he’d seen in his whole career, carrying a staff that definitely wasn’t meant for him. The child was like the human equivalent of a wet paper bag. It was honestly the most secondhand embarrassment he had ever felt.
“Sage guy? What was Marcassin like?”
Swaine looked over at Solomon, who thought for a moment before answering.
“Why do you think I’d know? Like I pay attention to every sod who comes in here. I have more interesting things going on then you guys waltzing in, you know.”
“...I’m almost hurt I’m not interesting enough to remember.” Marcassin furrowed his brows whilst Esther laughed.
“Well, fine. If that’s the case, we’ll come and be more memorable then!”
Oh no.
Anything but that.
“I’m sure I’ll remember you all now, no need to keep coming here! Unless it’s to ask for my excellent advice, of course. But even then, go bother someone else first.”
“If you say so!”
“Thank you for everything you’ve done for us.”
With one final godforsaken smile, they then all left the place. As silence finally fell, Solomon slumped back in his chair. They certainly made life very interesting, he’d give them that. Not that he’d miss the excitement.
“Umbopa, for the next Solosseum challenge…”