《The Orphan Fox》Chapter 17: Back to school
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When me and Cyan finally separated, he then immediately fell asleep, as he probably didn’t have enough sleep last night. After I laid him down without much effort, I put the blanket over him, seeing his relieved smile.
I then take some fresh clothes and go behind the wooden changing-wall. But when I take off my shirt, I finally understand what Luna meant with sealed tattoo. On my left arm is a tattoo of Luna, beginning from my shoulders, curling alongside my arm until her head reaches close to the back of my hand. On the back of her head shined the mark she had before, but this time a lot more complicated. The other spikes of the star all represented an element, from light and dark until all four basics with their advanced ones. When I continue staring at it like this, the tattoo suddenly starts to shine and the small golden dragon rises, as though jumping from my skin. She then flies around my head for a while, before she settles around my left arm once more.
When I ask her why she is this small all of a sudden, she just answers that this is her physical body and she could grow immediately back to her massive size, but because it’s inconvenient inside this room she doesn’t do so. It seems that the mark has certain abilities, but she can’t determine them yet.
She then glowed in a golden hue before she once again vanished, turning back into a tattoo. Even the mark reappeared on her head. I actually wonder, can I hide the tattoo? It doesn’t look bad, but over time it might get annoying. Thinking about that, the tattoo suddenly lights up before it begins to slowly fade away. After it’s completely gone I don’t feel much different, but there was not even a trace of the tattoo from before. I don’t know why, but I know that it is still there.
Putting away my fleeting thoughts, I pick up a fresh shirt and make my way to the dining-room. Uncle Black is already seated while enjoying a cup of tea. Then the chef, Sarek, enters the room, asking what I want for breakfast. I tell him that he should just bring me whatever he thinks is good, he then nods and leaves for the kitchen. Turning around to Uncle Black, I ask him about what occurred yesterday after I lost consciousness.
“Well, a few monsters appeared as well as a few people with power. They were rather interested in making contact with me. I, told them to come again at a later time. You don’t have to worry, I believe that they will take their time, at least until their wounds are healed!“
I think I heard Uncle Black muttering something at the end of the sentence, but I don’t worry, because whatever he does, he mostly thinks of me. Anyway, asking him about today’s program, he just smiles and tells me:
“You’re going to school today, Elrion will bring you there.” (Uncle Black)
Saying so in a happy tone, I am dejected. I know that Uncle Black has things to do, but still. Looking down on my feet which dangle from the chair, I suddenly look at Uncle Black…
“Can’t you bring me there? It is after all my first day.” (Arin)
Uncle Black looks at me with wide eyes, before looking around and focusing back on me. He then sighs and speaks in a satisfied tone.
“Fine, I’ll bring you. But you can’t reveal my name alright? If they ask, just call me Uncle Black like usual okay?” (Uncle Black)
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“Okay.” (Arin)
Happy about the fact that I managed to gain Uncle Blacks permission, I show a wide smile. I don’t know why, but the maids who bring the food are all blushing. Anyway, I understand why Uncle Black doesn’t want to be revealed. He is one of six living Ancient Dragons, so he must be something like a celebrity. And I believe that the light-show yesterday didn’t help, resulting in even more attention.
As it stands, breakfast was awesome. So after leaving satisfied, I and Uncle Black begin to walk towards the school. Cyan is also following us, as the school is also useful for him. Well he does only look like 14 / 15 years old. About him, when I was eating breakfast he suddenly appeared, his hair was messy but his complexion and expression were like the morning sun. He ate his food rather hasty, but he still managed to eat with proper manners. How does he do that?
Anyway, after walking for about half an hour, we finally arrived in front of what seems to be a two floor building with walls made of brick while the roof doesn’t look much different from a modern tile-roof. The building is easily more than a hundred meters in length and seems to able to hold multiple classes. The majority of windows and entrances are tall, probably because most youngling-dragons can only take a bipedal dragon form.
Once we entered the building, we immediately went to the master of the school, registering me and Cyan. The master of the school, unlike my imagination, looked like a thirty year old man with white hair and tails. He seems to be a fox, a three tailed one at that. He greeted me and Cyan in a kind manner and introduced us to the school. The school is only in the morning with few exceptions, mostly because most races going to school here have long growth-periods and most of the students still help their parents one way or another. Because of this, there are only three days of school in the morning, and two voluntary ones in which you could train with the other kids under the instructions of a teacher or guest such as a Dragon-Guard. Dragon-Guards seem to be the ones we met when we first arrived, they are responsible to keep unwanted guests outside of the mountains and have a duty equal to knights in human countries.
However, back to the school info; there are 5 classes. They go by age, so me and Cyan would be in different classes. By estimate, I actually count as a 12 year old with my appearance, but as I was a human before my growth was faster. Sadly, Uncle Black told me that, after I evolved, my growing-speed has massively declined, probably at least halved while my mental growth seems to have been sped up. Anyway, the classes teach things such as language, reading and writing, common sense, math, magic basics and other such things. magic combat and physical combat are only taught on the two voluntary training-days, making it possible to focus on other subjects on 'official' school days.
After taking up out identification, he then begins to lead us through the school. Actually, I didn't know I had an identification, but it seems one was made for me. My registered second name is Regium, which seems to have been the family name of Lumi. So my current full name is Arin Regium Geyser, as the guardians name is always added at the end for easy identification.
(AN: Regium means Royalty in latein)
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Being led through the halls, It reminded me of the old roman buildings, but its structure seems to have more, literal, 'magic' added to it. After seeing the training-yard as well as the special halls such as the alchemy study and the library, we waited for our teachers to arrive. While Uncle Black returned home, Cyan was led away by his new teacher. Afterwards mine arrived as well and brought me to the class-room. Her name is Cynthia and she is a True Adult Dragon from the Fire-Dragon Tribe. Her hair shone in a crimson color while her tail and horns gave off a fiery glint. Anyway, after reaching the class-room, I introduce myself to the about 15 students in the class.
“Hello everyone, My name is Arin, nice to meet you.” (Arin)
Greeting everyone like this, some of the other kids begin talking with each other. Cynthia then tells me to take the empty seat in the back, which I do. Afterwards she begins her lesson, talking about math problems and questions, but the rather simple ones. Addition / subtraction / multiplying and dividing, all in the 1000 zone, easy as pie.
When she suddenly asks me a question, I look up. She says that I don't have to force myself, but well. The question is 143 + 92, so when I immediately call 235 as soon as she finished writing, she makes a surprised face. She probably didn't expect me to have already learned such equations. Well, it seems that the school-system here on Treia is a lot more loose than on Earth. The whole class becomes silent or the moment before a few begin to laugh because of Cynthia's funny reaction.
We then continue having class, before Cynthia then announces break-time. Just as she put down the chalk, suddenly all the students rushed to my table, asking questions about me. There were questions such as where I come from, what my magic-affinity's are and how I already know math so well.
Most of the question is could answer with vague replies such as I arrived her with my Uncle and such. On the question of my affinities I just said ice and earth, while my math knowledge came from prior experience.
There were many questions thrown at me, mostly about my silver hair and fur, as well as my three tails. Most of the kids in this class were from the fox-clan or demi-humans. There weren't many dragons in this class as they grew up slower than fox-people, but that didn't mean there weren't any. While conversing about things such as my favorite food, I accidentally answered with lasagne, but none of the kids knew what kind of food that was.
When the question of my hobby came up, I answered with painting and small crafts, which resulted in laughter coming from a certain corner in the room. The one who stepped forward was no one less than Rune, a five tailed 12 year old. His Hair and tails have a rust-red color, like the foxes back on earth while his face gleams with pride and discontent. His features are more on the handsome side, while his size is probably a bit larger than his peers. The reason I know him is because Uncle Black warned me before we arrived in school. He seems to have a connection to the annoyances Uncle Black mentioned. Realizing that I'm looking at him, he just snorts and speaks in disdain:
“Little bastard, just because you have silver fur and are goof in math you think you are high and mighty? I am a prouth member of the fox-clan with five tails, and even if you have filver fur, you only have three, do you think you're my equal?” (Rune)
I am astonished, he won't shut up. But I had to contain my laughter as he is lisping while talking, even if only a little, but the timings were just too perfect... And what is he even blabbering about, I'm only surrounded by the others because I'm new and they are probably curious, so what is his problem? Is he so stuck up that he needs to look down on everyone? The kids around me had unpleasant expressions, but they didn't dare speak out. It seems that he has a high position, but does he have to act so arrogantly?
“Does any of this have anything to do with it? I'm only answering questions, what is your problem?” (Arin)
“Nonsense, you, I told them you weren't worthy... but for you to act like a plain plebeian, you disgusth me! How come not someone like me, someone worthy of it, to be born with the silver fur, but you... such a disgrace of all of Fox-Kind!” (Rune)
“Hey, I didn't do anything, what are you even...” (Arin)
“Don't speak to me you filphy maggot! Why are you even here, Get OUT OF MY SIGHTH!!” (Rune)
Oh my god, that guy lost it completely. Normally I try to talk it over with people to reach a peaceful conclusion, but I can't even talk to him. The other kids around me seem to also become more and more annoyed, some even shuddering in fear. It seems that he is the local tyrant, even worse than Benjamin was back at the orphanage. But, hehe, I somehow can't take him seriously with his lisping, it makes him look ridiculous.
While he kept screaming at me, seemingly in a frenzy, I ask myself what the school-master thought by placing me in the same class with such an idiot. Anyway, my ears hurt, so I silently begin to manipulate the air in my surroundings. By keeping the strings of mana as thin as possible, the other kids don't notice them.
By changing the air in the mouth of Rune, I make it so that the sound has a harder time passing, making his screaming nearly mute. The other kids are astonished when they notice that Rune seems to have stopped pestering them, but made wide eyes when rune was still screaming, yet mute, right in front of them. Even he noticed shortly afterwards that something is wrong, but just as he tried attacking me, a girl about my age intervened. She has black hair and ears as well as one tail which was completely black to the tip, giving it a shining luster.
She stood in front of him, blocking his path. She doesn't utter a word, yet an invisible kind of pressure leaks from her body. Rune flinched before he hit her cheek with his hand, then clucked his tongue. He turned around and left after spouting some especially nasty words at her.
The Girl then collapsed, tears in her eyes. I kneel next to her, using my attainments in light-magic to ease her pain. She just looked at me shortly, showing her silvery eyes, reminding me of Luna. She just nodded lightly before she picked herself up and went to her own seat. It seems she sits at the corner of the room, all on her own. As soon as she left, the other kids clustered together and tried to warn me of something.
“Hey Arin, be careful around her. It is said that those who are nearby her would have their magic-affinity's go haywire if you remain too long.” (Random Kid 1)
“Yeah, I heard that she is cursed, resulting in her black hair and fur. It is also said that her clan refuses to grant her a name, fearing a calamity.” (Random Kid 2)
Such words were said, making me curious. When I healed her I sensed something weird, something that resonated with the healing-magic, yet dispersing and reconstructing it in a weird manner. I could imagine that 'normal' people or monster would be influenced by this, but I didn't feel any interference, as though I was immune, or more like I also was related to such an phenomenon. Though the feeling that it has a connection or relation with Luna is getting stronger.
Anyway, after Cynthia returned we had history lessons before school came to an end. After leaving the classroom I saw Cyan waiting for me at the entrance. He was surrounded by young dragons where I could tell by instinct which gender they were, but not by appearance. He noticed me shortly after and so we walked back to the mansion. We told each other how school was and it seem the subjects are the same. Cyan doesn't like math and he even requested help from me to which I easily agreed. While lost in thought about all the weird things that happened today, we quickly reached the mansion. The day is not yet finished and I have already so many questions.
Closing in on the mansion, I can see Uncle Black waiting for us at the entrance, while the Crimson-Wolf mother stood right next to him with her pup standing between her legs. Both begin walking in our direction the moment they spot us at the entrance, welcoming us home.
I wonder what the wolf mother was up to as I haven't seen her since we arrived, but it seems my question will soon be cleared as Uncle Black is showing an unnatural smile...
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