Elincia was used to a life of luxury. Having spent her days living in Lady Sylvia's mansion, having maids wait on her hand and foot, and eating only the finest cuisine, residing in the servant's quarters was a startling change of pace.

The room that she slept in was tiny, being only about a third of the size of her room at Lady Sylvia's. While her bed was nice and comfortable, it didn't compare to the one in her room, which even most nobles could not afford. White carpet covered the floor, but it felt slightly coarse, rough, as if it was made from something other than carpet. The walls were beige, but some of the paint was chipping. The bathroom only had a single tiny shower unit and nothing else.

Elincia loved it. Here, in this place, with no one to look after her but herself, Elincia had freedom for the first time in many years.

Sunlight streamed in through the room. Rays of light warmed her bed. Elincia had woken up about an hour ago, but she hadn't wanted to move since the sun hadn't been up. With sunlight now brightening her room with its warm splendor, Elincia rose, sitting up in bed and stretching out her arms and legs.

Climbing out of bed, she slowly stumbled into the bathroom, where she slid out of her pink nightgown and took a warm shower.

Humans really are amazing, she marveled at the shower as hot water rained down from above. The shower was another piece of magical technology. Run on water-type spirit crystals and heated with fire-type spirit crystals, showers could be either hot or cold, depending on how much power one wanted to drain from the crystals. When the crystals ran out of power, they would be replaced.

Elves didn't have this kind of technology. Being the old-fashioned creatures that they were, elves believed themselves to be superior to everyone else and refused to adapt to the changes happening elsewhere in the world. As an elf herself, Elincia understood that better than anyone.

After spending nearly 15 minutes in the shower, enjoying the hot water, Elincia stepped out and wrapped a towel around her torso. Padding back into her bedroom, she wandered over to the full-body mirror that had been given to her by the headmaster.

She studied herself. Dripping wet blonde hair trailed over her left shoulder and went down to her hips. Wrapped around her slender body, the towel showed off the modest swell of her bosoms. Frowning, she hefted her chest up with her hands.

"They're not very big..."

She bit her lower lip. As an elf, she would never have a large bust. Elves were slender, not busty. However, she'd read in Sorceress Weekly that men, especially teenage boys, liked women who had larger chests.

Is that the kind of girl that Caspian likes? Elincia wondered before quickly shaking her head, berating herself for having such thoughts. Caspian wouldn't be so shallow.

"I mustn't think like that," she said to herself. She nodded several times, reaffirming her thoughts. "I'm sure that Caspian finds me attractive. He said so himself several days ago."

That's right. The day that she had arrived here, Caspian had told her that she was pretty. He'd never lied to her before, and she couldn't see him doing so now.

Elincia's heart warmed as she thought about Caspian. Being able to see her childhood friend—her only friend—after being apart for so long, was like a dream come true. Even though most of their time was spent in class, they always went off together afterward, either to the library or an unused courtyard where they could sit and talk. Her heart hadn't felt this light in years.

A knock at the door startled her.

"Elincia?" It was Caspian. "You ready?"

"J-just a second!" Elincia shouted as she scrambled to put on her clothes. She could practically feel her cheeks coloring. She couldn't believe she'd spent so long standing in front of the mirror. How embarrassing!

After putting on her undergarments, Elincia threw on a purple dress, slipped into her sandals, and dashed toward the door. She paused upon reaching it, but only long enough to finger comb her hair and calm her racing heart. Opening the door, she was greeted by Caspian, whose lips were quirked in what she knew was amusement.

"Having trouble getting ready this morning?"

Elincia just knew that she was blushing. "N-no... I was merely distracted and lost track of time."

"Distracted by what?"

"... Stuff."

Caspian raised a single eyebrow. She turned her head. He chuckled. It was such a warm sound that Elincia felt her embarrassment slowly fade, and she was soon giggling with him.

"Ready to start our day of boring lectures and annoying students?" he asked, holding out his hand. Elincia took it, and they walked off.

"You shouldn't talk about your peers like that," Elincia said. "And I think the lectures are interesting."

"I doubt they're telling you anything new. I bet you know more about Spiritual Evocation, spirits, and history than any of these old codgers could possibly glean in their lifetime."

"That may be so," Elincia started, "but I still think their lessons are interesting. You really shouldn't make fun of them. I'm sure they're doing this because they love to teach."

"Or because they failed to become a Sorceress's Knight and didn't want to join the Peacekeepers."

His words caused her to frown. Elincia had learned something about Caspian these past few days. He wasn't quite the same boy that she remembered. While he treated her with kindness, he seemed to treat everyone else with disdain, and he held a very low opinion for the instructors of this academy. Several times already, he had badmouthed students and teachers alike, sometimes to their faces. She didn't know what to think about this side of Caspian, who was openly confrontational when he didn't have to be.

To be fair, Caspian never started anything. It was always the other person who antagonized him. Even so, Caspian never failed to respond. Elincia had been surprised by the vitriol in his tone during those times.

"Caspian!!!!!!!!!" shouted an overjoyed voice. Rushing around a corner, Caspian's strange friend, Christopheles, ran at the pair, waving an arms in greeting and wearing a wide grin. Caspian clicked his tongue. "Caspian! Elincia! Good morning—"

"Will. You. Be. Quiet!"

"—GURK!"

Elincia watched in mute silence as Christopheles ran throat first into Caspian's outstretched arm. It was strange, watching as the joyful teen was flipped through the air with a most atypical sort of grace. She followed the arc that he made, until he landed on his back with a harsh thud. Then she winced.

"Was that really necessary, Caspian?"

"Yes," Caspian answered solemnly, though there was a large vein pulsing on his forehead. "Yes, it was."

"That was so cruel, Caspian!" Christo leapt to his feet. "Why do you always treat me like this? Why are you so abusive to me?!"

"Because you're an idiot," Caspian answered bluntly. "Not to mention annoying. Maybe if you didn't act like a thickheaded simpleton, I wouldn't have to hit you."

"That is just too cruel!" Christo cried into his sleeve. "My own best friend is so violent! Whatever did I do to deserve this abusive relationship? I should sue for marital abuse."

Caspian twitched, clearly annoyed by his roommate's words. Elincia giggled into her hand, trying to be quiet, but her red-haired friend must have heard her. He looked her way, but when all she did was give him an apologetic smile, he sighed and relented.

"Stop acting like an idiot, Christo. We have class in two minutes. Let's hurry up."

"Yes, sir!" Christo saluted. Remarkably, the tears that had been staining his face were gone, vanished, as if by magic.

Maybe his family has the blood of a water nymph in them, Elincia theorized, giggling at the absurd thought.

They entered the classroom to find that it was a lively place. Students chatted with each other, smiling and laughing. Elincia didn't know what they were talking about, and she would never get the chance to find out. The moment she and Caspian entered the room, all manner of conversation ceased, and they became the centers of attention.

Elincia did not like being stared at. Perhaps it was because of her isolation at Lady Sylvia's, but she'd never enjoyed it. Having people stare at her, knowing that other people's eyes were on her, made her self-conscious.

She squeezed Caspian's hands and shuffled closer to him. He noticed this and did what he used to do when they were younger—stepped in front of her and glared at whatever made her uncomfortable. In this case, it was the numerous male eyes.

"Don't you people have something more productive to do than gawk at others?"

Under his intense gaze, many of the students looked away. There were a few, however, that weren't intimidated by him, and they had no trouble glaring right back. He scowled at those people before gently tugging on Elincia's hand.

She followed quickly, trying to ignore the many eyes on her. She didn't know why, but she felt almost naked under their gaze.

"You have such a way with words, Caspian," Christopheles said with a grin. Elincia giggled while Caspian clicked his tongue.

While they were traveling up the staircase, a foot suddenly slammed into the ground in front of them, forcing Caspian to stop. The foot belonged to the boorish boy who'd insulted her friend—Julius, she thought his name was.

"Julius. I see you're still impeding the path of others with your unwieldy size," Caspian said. Elincia would have been surprised to hear the hatred in her friend's voice, but she was already aware of the enmity between these two.

"And you're still a diminutive, unprincipled plebeian." Julius scowled at him. "However, if you want to crawl up to your seat, then be my guest. I do not wish to speak with you anyway." He turned away from Caspian and stared at Elincia. "My Lady, why do you sully yourself by spending time with a man of such low birth? Please, sit by me, and I shall do my utmost to ensure that you are well looked after."

He really doesn't remember what happened back then. Thank Odin for small miracles.

Clenching her free hand, Elincia didn't know how to feel. She didn't like this boy. Julius had picked a fight with Caspian and insulted her. She understood, right now, that he was only being nice because Headmaster Strattelo had announced that she was a sorceress to the entire academy a day after their meeting. Were it not for that, Elincia had no doubt that his disposition would not have been as pleasant.

"No, thank you," Elincia said in a tone of forced politeness. "I'm quite fine sitting with my childhood friend."

Julius gritted his teeth while Caspian's cold eyes gained a triumphant gleam. "There, you understand now, right? Elincia does not wish to sit with a pompous ass like you." Elincia had never seen Caspian's smile look so cold. "So, please, move your foot out of the way."

"Very well," Julius ground out as if he'd swallowed a can of pepper. He moved his foot and tossed them both an insincere smile. "My apologies... Lady Elincia."

She didn't know why, but the way he said her name made Elincia's skin crawl.

As if sensing her feelings, Caspian tugged her away from Julius, who scowled at their backs. Christopheles followed them, oddly silent—at least, until they reached their seats.

"Man, is it just me, or is Julius being even more of a jerkoff than usual?" he asked no one in particular.

"I think it's just you," Caspian retorted.

"Hm, maybe."

Elincia didn't say anything, but she knew that it wasn't just Christopheles. While Loki could erase memories, feelings were another matter entirely. It wouldn't have surprised her to discover that, in spite of not remembering it, the anger and frustration that Julius felt at losing the duel to Caspian a few days ago still lingered within him. It was probably even more frustrating because he didn't know why he was so angry.

As the instructor entered the room and class started, Elincia settled in and listened as the teacher lectured them on the theories of Spiritual Evocation. She wondered if he knew that some of his facts were wrong?

Probably not, she concluded silently.

***

De'Falco Genitore arrived in Axium by train. The car that they had accommodated him with, while luxurious, could not compare to his mansion. He'd expected as much, however, thus he did not begrudge the common folk for their lack of aesthetics.

The car was silent, save for the sound of wheels running along the tracks. Sitting across from him was a young woman. With her legs swinging back and forth, gently kicking the rosewood seat as she leaned back against the velvet cushions, she looked almost like a child.

Duke Genitore wasn't fooled.

"I apologize for the lack of proper accommodations, My Lady."

"'Tis fine," the girl said in a voice of saturated smoothness and articulate elegance. "I am accustom to worse arrangements than this."

"Even so, I feel like I should have done better," Duke Genitore insisted. "Perhaps I should have invested in my own train company. Then we wouldn't have to ride in such plebian decor."

"You worry too much, Duke," the girl chided. "'Twood cost more than a small fortune to own a train company, and making an aesthetically appealing interior would be impractical. None of the peasants would be able to afford transport, and they are the ones who use these trains the most."

"I suppose you are right."

The girl smiled at him. "But of course."

Duke Genitore turned his head to watch the passing scenery. As farmlands flew by, a mere blur of green shades, the rosewood door slid open on silent hinges, and a young woman wearing a maid outfit entered, two silver trays in her hands.

"My Lord, My Lady, I come bearing the fare that you have requested."

"Excellent. You may come in."

She was a very young woman. Her body had yet to reach the fullness of adulthood, and indeed, she was only 17 years of age. Plain hair the color of tree bark trailed from her head. Eyes a dark brown revealed themselves on a pale face with several freckles along the bridge of her nose. She was not very tall, standing about a head shorter than himself, but her posture was erect and proud, as befitting a maid of the Genitore household.

He'd discovered her many years ago, living on the streets and took her in, having her undergo training to become a maid. While she was still a peasant, and therefore not someone worthy of his attention, he had a policy to at least help children. After all, it was not their fault that they'd been born into such an unseemly life.

"Oh, my," the girl mumbled as the maid set food down in front of her, along with a cup of Earl Gray. "It has been so long since I have tasted peasant fare. What an amusing treat." Her lips curled into a smile of feigned cheerfulness.

"I apologize for unable to find something that suits your palate better, My Lady."

"'Tis fine. There is little that can be done under such circumstances."

"You are too kind."

"Has there been any word on how much longer it will take to reach Axium, Seras?" Genitore asked.

Seras paused in her task, but she quickly resumed, setting a cup of tea onto the tray that she'd placed in front of him, then placing his meal down as well, giving him the answer that he sought at the same time. "I have spoken with train conductor, My Lord, and it appears that we will arrive within another hour."

"That is good to hear. I do not wish to be confined in this place for too much longer," he said as Seras finished setting down his food. It was a basic meal, a plain beef sandwich. Normally, he would have never deigned to eat such simple fare, but as the circumstances were extenuating, he made an exception this once.

"My apologies for not being able to better accommodate you, My Lord."

Duke Genitore waved Seras's apology off. "It's fine. One cannot expect to travel like this without mingling with the common folk. Had we gone by carriage, it would have taken much longer. And MAFTs are not made for long distance travel."

"You are too kind." Seras curtsied. "I also believe you would like to know that I have sent off your missives this morning. All of your comrades have agreed to meet at the arranged time."

Although she was of ignoble birth, Seras was probably his best maid. Perhaps it was because she'd been personally trained by him, but the girl almost seemed capable of reading his thoughts. It truly was a shame that she was a peasant. She could have proven to be a productive member of the nobility had she been born to a good family.

"I am glad to hear that. When we arrive at Axium, I believe I will get you something nice, as a reward for doing so well."

Seras eyes widened, but she quickly hid it behind her bow. "I thank you, My Lord."

"You are quite generous, Duke," the dark-haired girl childishly swinging her legs said, hiding her smiling lips behind the sleeve of her dress.

"And you are quite devious, My Lady," Duke Genitore replied just as quickly.

The girl's eyes crinkled as she smiled at him.

Outside the car, the scenery past them by unabated.