Arcadia's Knight Academy was located in the very heart of the city. It was a colossal mass of interconnecting structures surrounded by a giant wall. Flying buttresses and corinthian columns combined to create an impressive aesthetic. Hallways connected buildings built to look like ancient temples of the old kingdom, the elven kingdom, all of which centered around various courtyards that students could admire while walking to class.

Five towers jutted from the wall that surrounded the academy, forming what, from a bird's eye view, would have been a pentagram. They loomed over the city, these towers, like monolithic guardians standing their silent vigil, or fingers grasping for the heavens.

As Caspian, Elincia, and Christo entered through the main gate, a massive portcullis that used a system of levers and spirit crystals to open and close, his best friend was given her first glimpse of the beautiful cathedral-like buildings that made up the academy.

"Oh, wow!" Elincia gazed upon the beautiful building. "I never expected the academy to be so pretty."

"It's quite the sight, isn't it?" Caspian asked.

Too bad the people who live there don't live up to the academy's splendor.

Elincia nodded. "Yes! It reminds me a lot of home!"

They walked across the courtyard surrounding the main building. Several people were already awake and ready to start their day. Students dressed in the rich civilian wear of nobles walked in the opposite direction, clearly ready to hit the town on their last day off before the week started again. All of them stopped and whispered when they saw Caspian and his companions walk by.

"Who is that?"

"She's beautiful!"

"What is she doing with Sol?"

"How can she stand to be in that guy's presence?"

"The peasant must have seduced her with lies."

"Disgusting."

Elincia's grip on his hand tightened. "Caspian, what are these people talking about?"

Caspian thought about lying, but he knew that wouldn't solve anything. Whether from him or from someone else, Elincia would eventually learn of how his peers thought of him. It was better that she heard the truth from him than from another.

"I told you before, didn't I? That I'm not very well liked around here? It's not just the people in town who dislike me. My peers at school aren't fond of me either."

"B-but why? What have you ever done to them?"

That question had so many answers that Caspian didn't know which one to give. At the start, when Caspian first arrived at the academy, he'd done nothing to earn such hatred. They'd simply despised him because he was a peasant who'd upset the status quo.

These days, Caspian was also hated because, rather than put up with it like he'd done before, he pushed back. If someone insulted him, he returned it with an insult that was twice as vicious. If someone tried to goad him into a fight, he would slander their family's name until they either threw the first punch or wised up.

Fighting wasn't allowed outside of the sparring mat, but that didn't mean it never happened. Caspian always made sure that, should someone pick a fight with him, he never threw the first punch. By goading the people trying to start something into attacking first, he gave himself an alibi by turning it into a case of self-defense. Fortunately, while most of the staff would love to see him gone, the headmaster was always on his side.

"Because they don't want the status quo to be disrupted."

"Wh-what?" Elincia didn't seem to understand.

"What Caspian is saying is basically that the people here are jerks to him because he's not a noble," Christo clarified.

"Oh." From the expression she wore, it was clear that Elincia still didn't understand.

"Try not to worry about it," Caspian assured her. "I don't really care if these people don't like me anyway. Your opinion is the only one that I care about."

Elincia squeaked at his words. Her cheeks turned pink, and she turned her head, as if it would keep him from noticing. He frowned.

Why is she so embarrassed? She should already know that she's my only friend.

"Oh, nice job, Caspian! I never knew you were such a player!" Christo gave Caspian a thumbs up.

Caspian deadpanned. "I don't know what you mean by that, but I suggest you shut up."

He, Elincia, and Christo entered the main structure, a massive building of flying buttresses and miniature towers that jutted from the exterior like spokes. The hallway they wandered down was wide, and the depressed arch overhead was supported by hundreds of vertical shafts, which were further braced by horizontal transoms, creating a grid-like appearance. The windows on the left side of the hall allowed natural sunlight to filter in and coruscate off the white marble floor.

Caspian led the way to the headmaster's office. Having been there many times before, he knew the way by heart. Elincia stuck by his side. They only encountered a few other students, but every time they did, the loudly whispered words caused his friend to clench his hand all the tighter. Christo strolled along on his other side, whistling a jaunty tune, seemingly oblivious to everything around him.

When they reached the headmaster's office, it was to see someone guarding the door. Garbed in the outfit of a butler, the man's appearance seemed both young and old, as if his physical age did not match his mental one. Caspian thought it was because of his severe expression. The man's face was etched into a near permanent scowl.

"Is the old man in?" asked Caspian as he, Christo, and Elincia walked up to the door.

Wrinkles appeared along the man's brow as the scowl that he wore deepened. "Sol, what are you doing here?"

"I see that you're conversational skills haven't improved since we last spoke," Caspian quipped. Soren's scowl became even more intense. "Look, I don't really care about whatever problem you have with me. I need to see the old man about something, so just let me through, and we'll get out of your hair."

"Unacceptable," Soren retorted. "Headmaster Strattelo is a busy man. He doesn't have time to deal with whatever nonsense you've gotten yourself mixed up in."

"Are those his words or yours? Because I'm thinking they're not, and you're just being a prick."

Soren's clenched fists shook as if struggling contain his fury, all the while, he glared at Caspian like he was trying to kill him with his eyes.

"Regardless of what you may think, the headmaster is still too busy to speak with you. Leave."

Caspian scratched his chin, considering his options. If he left, then it meant he wouldn't be able to help Elincia. Really, there was no option.

"Yeah... how about no." Soren's eyes narrowed behind his spectacles. "You see, my friend here is in need of some help, which only the old man can give me. If you think acting like a cantankerous old fart is going to make me leave, then clearly, all these years you've known me have been wasted on you. Now, let me see the old man."

"And I told you, Sol, Headmaster Strattelo is—"

"Curious to know why you've brought a girl into this academy."

"Yes." Soren nodded. "He's curious to know why—wait." Blinking, Soren turned his head toward the door that he'd been standing in front of. "H-Headmaster Strattelo!"

The headmaster of Arcadia's Knight Academy stood within the doorframe, gazing at the figures before him with razor keen eyes. His headmaster's uniform, which looked more like a military uniform, was crisp and neat as ever. Caspian even thought his medals possessed an extra shine, making him wonder if the old man might have been polishing them before they'd arrived on his doorstep.

"Hey, Old Man. You're looking spry as ever."

"And you are as rude as ever," the headmaster returned fire. "You also haven't answered my question."

"About that... would you mind if we had this discussion in your office?" Caspian asked.

Headmaster Strattelo nodded. "I believe that would be for the best. Soren, please ensure that no one interrupts our meeting."

Soren clicked his tongue, but bowed all the same. "Of course, Headmaster. I shall do all in my power to keep everyone away while you and this... boy discuss why he broke the rules and brought a girl into the academy."

Elincia paled. "I-is it really against the rules to bring a girl here? Caspian, why didn't you say anything?"

"Because it wouldn't have changed anything." Elincia opened her mouth to speak, but Caspian placed a finger over her lips. "I'm not about to let you wander around on your own, especially not while we have so many foreign guests coming to Axium."

All sorts of odd people were entering Axium to watch the tournament. Just today, they'd seen what appeared to be an entire circus troupe wandering the streets. With so many people inside of the city, Caspian didn't feel comfortable leaving Elincia alone—in fact, even if there hadn't been a bunch of people entering the city, he would have never left his friend alone.

"I understand," Elincia said after taking his finger from her mouth. Her lips curled in such a way that the sun itself was but a pale gleam in comparison. "Thank you for worrying about me." Her smile turned into a pout. "But you know, you're not the only one who did some growing up. I might not be any good at fighting, but I'm not helpless either."

"If you say so."

The pouting intensified. "I do say so."

He and Elincia shared a smile. Christo looked like someone had just smacked him in the face. Even Soren seemed flabbergasted.

"Soren, quick! Pinch me!"

The look Soren gave Christo was half-disgusted, half-confused. "Why, pray tell, should I pinch you?"

"Because Caspian is acting friendly with someone—no, not just someone, but with a girl. I must clearly be dreaming. I need you to wake me up. Now pinch me!"

"Um, no."

"Come on! Hurry!"

"I'm not going to pinch you!"

***

Caspian and Elincia were left alone with Headmaster Strattelo.

Christo had complained, stating that, as Caspian's best male friend, he had every right to be present for this meeting. Caspian had then proceeded to knock the other boy unconscious, and the headmaster had ordered Soren to take Christo to the hospital. The last they'd seen of the annoying boy was of Soren dragging him across the floor by the legs. After that, Headmaster Strattelo had locked the door behind them, and thus began their meeting.

While his friend sat in a chair in front of the headmaster's large desk, squirming and clenching the fabric of her dress, Caspian stood directly behind Elincia, a supportive hand on her shoulder. On the other side of the desk, standing by the window, Headmaster Strattelo gazed upon the pair with hawkish eyes.

"Now, then, I believe this would normally be the part where I ask why you've decided to bring a girl into the academy when you are well aware that anyone who does not belong to either the faculty, staff, or students, are allowed entrance."

There was a distinct pause. Caspian felt tense, though he couldn't determine the reason. Elincia's shoulder grew stiff beneath his hand. No doubt, she could also feel the rising pressure within the room.

Headmaster Stratellow relaxed. "However, there is no need for me to ask pointless questions. I already know who she is and why you've brought her here."

The tension, which had felt like a boiling cauldron about to overflow, evaporated as if it had never existed, leaving only confusion in its wake.

"Y-you do?" Elincia asked.

"Young lady, just who do you think I am?"

"An old man who enjoys trying to be cryptic," Caspian sniped.

"Better than a young man who acts like an ass," the headmaster's reply was swift and without mercy. "But, yes, I am well aware of who you are, Elincia Fairchild, ward of Sylvia de Floresca, and the sorceress who this year's tournament is being held in honor of."

Caspian clicked his tongue. "Let me guess, Sylvia realized that Ele was missing and sent you a missive, asking you to locate her, right?"

"More or less."

"I should have known."

"Excuse me," Elincia said. "But, since you know who I am, what does this, um, what's going to happen to me?"

"There isn't much that we can do now that you're here," Headmaster Strattelo admitted. "And since you are here, it would be a waste to have you travel all the way back to Cassadina, especially since Lady de Floresca is already on her way."

Elincia winced. "I-I see. Is she... is Lady Sylvia... mad at me?"

"You would have to ask her when you two see each other. I cannot ascertain her disposition from naught but a letter." The headmaster turned around to look out the window. "In either event, Lady de Floresca has asked that I give you accommodations and a bodyguard until she and her Knight arrive. As you and Mr. Sol are already acquainted, he shall be your escort during your stay here."

Caspian and Elincia shared a hopeful glance.

"I have already prepared you a room. It is near the servant's quarters," the headmaster continued, turning back around and rummaging around in his desk until he found a key, which he tossed at Caspian. "That is the key to your room. Caspian knows where the servant's quarters are, so he can show you the way. Is there anything that I'm forgetting?"

Looking at each other one more time, he and Elincia shared a silent conversation. Elincia shook her head, and Caspian nodded in agreement. He turned back to the headmaster.

"No, I think you've pretty much covered why we came here," Caspian admitted.

"In that case, you two are dismissed. Go enjoy the rest of your day."

Helping Elincia to her feet, he and his friend were about to leave...

"Oh, and Lady Elincia?"

... when the headmaster spoke up again.

Elincia turned around. "Yes?"

"In the future, I suggest you act with more care. While I do not condone what Julius and his comrades tried to do, I also would like you to know that I do not believe erasing their memories was your best option. Please keep that in mind... during future occurrences."

Caspian felt a jolt. He looked at Elincia, who's paling face and startled expression matched what he felt. The blonde girl could do nothing but nod before, without saying another word, she and Caspian left the headmaster's office.

***

They walked in silence for a time.

Elincia glanced at Caspian out of the corner of her eye. Even though he was the same person that she'd known since childhood, he seemed so different from what she remembered. He was still protective, it seemed, but he'd gained something of a sharp tongue.

And why is it that everyone hates him? Is it really because he isn't a noble?

Elincia didn't understand. Perhaps it was due to living in isolation, but she couldn't comprehend why being a noble should matter. She wondered if these thoughts were naive.

"Is something bothering you?" Caspian asked suddenly.

"O-oh, no. I was just thinking," Elincia answered.

"Tch. You can't fool me. I've known you for way too long. I can tell that something is bothering you. Come on. Talk to me, Ele."

Was she really that transparent? Well, she supposed she was to him. Regardless of the changes that he'd done through, Caspian was still her best friend. That much, at least, had not changed.

"I was just... all of the people are glaring at you," Elincia said. "I don't like it."

Caspian started paying attention to his surroundings and saw that, indeed, everybody within visual proximity was glaring at him. Elincia thought she saw something flash through his eyes, an emotion that she couldn't place. It was gone so quickly, however, that she wondered if perhaps she had just imagined it.

"I wouldn't worry about these people," Caspian told her, his voice loud enough that the people they were talking about could hear him. "These people are just cowards who don't like the fact that a peasant is doing better than they are. They won't actually do anything."

"I see..." Elincia looked at the ground. Her hair fell over his eyes, shadowing her face. "I still don't like it. I don't like how they're treating you."

"Thank you, Elincia," Caspian said, using her full name instead of her nickname.

She looked up to see an honest smile on his face. It wasn't the best smile. She had a feeling that Caspian wasn't used to smiling anymore. Still, it was a genuine smile, and that was more than enough for her.

She felt her cheeks heating up. "Y-you're welcome."

Caspian squeezed her hand. "Now, how about I give you a tour of this place? It's pretty big, and I don't want you getting lost or anything."

Elincia stared at Caspian with some resembling shock. However, upon seeing his grin, which looked more like a cocky smirk, she smiled back and squeezed his hand back.

"I would like that," she said, and together, they set off once again.