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The announcement came only a few weeks after his arrival in the class.
"Your trip to find your kyber crystals has been arranged, we leave in three days."
Maul was genuinely amazed to see all around him his classmates breaking their studious silence for excited chatter. He was not even from that Clan or that age group but he had been invited to hear the announcement, so he was... he was concerned, right? Force, make him concerned!
"Yes, young Maul?" The Twi'lek said when she saw him raise his hand.
"Am I concerned?"
"Of course you are, young one," Master Vant replied serenely. "I wouldn't have asked you to come otherwise."
"But Master Docent... isn't he too young for that? It's not like he's going to become a Padawan."
Maul was going to make sure that this brat had all his teeth knocked out before the end of the year or something worse. His damn white hair would be red with blood when he was done with him.
"Dear children, I know it can be difficult especially at your age, but some are just born precocious. Maul has all the practical and theoretical skills that one would expect from a Jedi apprentice, he will have his chance and may be selected. Or not. This will depend on the Masters interested in taking a student who are available this year. Don't be jealous but just rejoice for him, and celebrate this joyful moment together. A first kyber crystal is a moment to celebrate."
"Does this mean we have free time today?" Quinlan asked hopefully, looking excited.
"Free time?"
"To prepare for the party!"
"When I talked about celebration I was talking about the symbolic aspect of a memorable event and not-"
"Oh no!"
"Master, please!"
"Just this once, pinky swear!"
"We will be very calm, cross my heart!"
"Go clean up that spit immediately!" The Twi'lek snapped towards Muln who had literally spat on the ground before passing a tired hand over her face and signalling for them to calm down. "Alright. I'm going to cancel your classes for today, only today. The room will be tidied at bedtime which does not change and you will be in bed at that time. Do we have a deal?"
"YES!"
"Oh yes thank you Master Docent!"
"Everything will be clean, I swear!"
"I'll make sure Garen cleans up if he spits again, I promise."
"Bant!"
"Master Docent, do you want any particular food?"
The Initiates chattered around and moved around the room in a playful frenzy for a few more minutes before rushing out, everyone already having a list of things to bring back.
"Force... am I too old for that?" The woman sighed, rubbing her temples, as if trying to stave off a migraine.
"No, they're just ridiculous," Maul replied abruptly, not even being able to begin to understand how people did this every day, all year, for years, without going crazy or Falling.
They were probably the wisest Jedi of all.
"You all are," she replied before looking at him. "You included. You're obviously invited to the party."
"I know. See you later Master Vant."
"You can call me Docent too if you want, I won't be upset."
"I will think about it, Master."
They went out together and even from the door they could hear the Clan making a racket. Maul thought she would be annoyed, she seemed rather strict so far, but a tiny smile crossed her lips before being covered with impassiveness and Maul walked away without a word.
It seems that she is very attached to these hellions.
Later that day, Kenobi came to interrupt a training session Maul was having with Knight Di, accompanied by Siri and Bant. A real ladies' man, that one.
He did not want to go but he realized he did not really have a choice when the Jedi grabbed his bicep and pulled him after him, smiling and talking happily without even noticing that Maul was rolling eyes and silently calling out for help to the other older Jedi practicing lightsaber training around him.
These traitors all saw very well that he did not want to go and all smiled at his misfortune, making friendly signs and wishing him to have fun. Traitors who were making fun of him on top of that, the Jedi were truly the worst.
He socialized and ate a lot, unable to believe they were so immature.
They were going to get their crystals, so what? It was nothing incredible.
He certainly was not excited for so little.