Val blinked at the name, it was somewhat familiar, but none of the other students had ever been going out of their way to be sociable with him, and he hadn't been very sociable with them.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(128, 128, 128)"> "I think I had a couple of classes with her, but my attendance was... spotty at best, so it's hard to say if I went while she was in attendance or not. Besides, from what I saw Mystera tends to keep to herself. She probably wouldn't have talked to me on her own without me seeking her out."</span><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(32, 178, 170)">"I tried to tell your mother that everyday attendance would help you the most, but she wouldn't hear of it. I told her that at your age, going to school every day is best, but she thinks that you boys need work."</span>Thomas grumbled, very obviously not pleased with the information he was sharing.<br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(128, 128, 128)">"For once, she's right, Dad. We don't have the money to send me to school every day. The only reason I can even go to White Castle is because of a scholarship, and that wasn't even an option until they told me to hold the device,"</span>Val told his dad. Thomas folded his arms, grumbling slightly.<br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(32, 178, 170)">"I think we could've managed just fine, but I'm just your old man, what do I know?"</span><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(128, 128, 128)">"Dad, don't be like that, I'm gonna miss you, and you'll be in this house with those two until you go out to sea again or pick up another farming job. It'll be rough for you," </span>Val folded his own arms, frowning.<br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(32, 178, 170)">"Oh, you stop it. Be happy for yourself," </span>Thomas told him,<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(32, 178, 170)">"Tell him, Annie. He should stop worrying about me and the rest of us and focus on himself for once. It'll save him lots of gray hairs in the future."</span>