"So what's up now? I don't think that I've really done anything exceptional this time." I say. "If the headmaster wants to see me he could just schedule an appointment or just come out and say he wants to talk. No need for these roundabout, uh, tests. Has he done this to the previous first year students?"

Hector shrugs his shoulders, "No, and the only thing that I'm sure of is that he's interested in your magic. Honestly, I'm wondering what that seal is for too." he doesn't say anything for a while. "I'd be nice if you told me?" he asks politely.

"Ask my master." I tell him. I doubt that my master would tell him either.

"Reinhard right? He seems like an interesting fellow. The headmaster was very pleased when he received contact from him. He was a little bit more upbeat that day. Quite a surprise he got when he was asked to put you into the school you know. He was also interested in you after hearing some details from your master."

"That's why he let that lizardman get the shit kicked out of him right?" I have to say, he still should've stepped in to do something.

"About that... the headmaster wasn't really intending for anyone to get hurt."

"But then he let him get beaten." I say. "Wonderful."

Hector slows his pace so that we're walking side by side.

"Look." he has his palms facing upwards. "The headmaster, yeah, he's not the nicest man around but he cares for his students."

"Are you ignoring what I've been saying?" I wonder if my words are really being processed by him.

"Based on the few stories that I've heard from the headmaster himself, Reinhard is a very very strong man."

That's true. I have, or had, the bruises to prove it. Fighting against him is like a peasant trading blows with a knight, not a something one would call a match. Though, now I can get a few hits off against him.

"What would you do if your master put a seal on another person and then called a close friend of his for advice? The headmaster was only trying to be cautious, he needed to gauge your abilities." Hector explains.

"But-"

"Yeah, his method for doing it was definitely not the best and even maybe wrong. But at least don't absolutely hate him for it. I was against his way of doing things too, until you knocked me out in one blow. I even stunned you, yet somehow you got back up."

He has a point there. I don't recall getting back up but I eventually saw the little hole that was made when supposedly Hector's head hit the floor.

"Fine." I say. "I'll listen to the headmaster. It's not like I have much of a choice anyways. I've already been playing along until now."

Hector purses his lips as if he wanted to say something but chose not to. Finally upon making it to the office of the headmaster, he opens the door. Sitting with his back straight, he has his fingers locked and his chin resting upon it. His eyes look on unmoved by my appearance as if he were already expecting this.

"Rainen." he says. "Do you know why you're here?"

"Because I tossed my spirit ever so cruelly into the air? In my defense, I was instructed to do so."

"I see you share Reinhard's humor but no. Let me ask you, what do spirits do to their contractor's magic?"

My eyes widen .

"I see that you understand. Now why do you think we'd do something like putting on a ring that regulates the power output of your magic?"

"More accurate results." I say. This answers a few questions I had as well. Alastar must be pretty special or at least, very powerful. Despite what Miss Ein said, I somehow managed to contract with Alastar even though I couldn't do it with other spirits. She could've been wrong though.

"Correct."

"And how is this important enough for you to call me here?" I can understand him taking an interest in my spirit but I doubt that he would've had just anyone who's spirit made it very high up come. I doubt that I would be the exception, he's probably looking to talk about something else.

"It's not. What I'd like to talk about is your recent trip to the Green City." he stops resting his chin on his hands and gets up. "As I've been told, you're a member of the Yurfray family?"

"No. I'm not associated with them." what is he getting at?

"But your sister is."

I look over to Hector. He instantly turns his head away and starts whistling. How much was the headmaster told about me?

"What of it?" I say.

"Why would your sister be a member of the Yurfray household if you're not? You are related to the Yurfray are you not?" he asks. I have no doubt that he already has an clue to why.

"I am. I'm just not associated with them."

"Hmm. Interesting. Were you by chance kicked out?" he asks while stroking his beard.

What does he want from me? Shouldn't Hector have told him all of this already?

"No." I say. "I've never been a member."

"Hoh. Is that so? Well," he sits back down and puts on his glasses. "you are free to leave."

I do just that. I don't want to stay here any longer. Still, why would he ask such vague questions?

-----------

A while after Rainen left the room, Hector spoke up.

"Did that confirm it?"

"Yes." the headmaster responded while jotting down a few notes. "Now that I take a closer look at him, he resembles Rowan greatly. His relationship with the Yurfray family only further goes on to prove the point. The last name is also a point but a little too common for it to have meant anything."

"What is so interesting about this Rowan person?" Hector asked while wondering why he was the only person without a clue even though he was so close to the headmaster.

"Ha. He was just an interesting adventurer I met a few times over the years. Initially he struck me as a swordsman."'

"Ah. So he was exceptional with the sword. Were you wondering why his son chose to become a magician instead?"

"Haha. Not quite Hector. You're free to leave for today as well." the headmaster said.

"Thank you."

After Hector left, the headmaster rubbed between his eyes.

"You died and left your son with quite the burden Rowan. It's hard to believe that a magician of your caliber would die in a fire. You were only ever good in one area of magic though." he sighed. "I wonder if Reinhard knew about their relationship."

------------

"Hey Rai. Come take a seat man." Axel pats the ground next to him. He's sitting there a little unsteadily while watching the other students practice.

"Should you have come to school today?" I ask. He certainly doesn't look like he needs to stay in bed but looks can be deceiving. Two days should be good enough to push back a cold, probably not enough to completely eliminate it but enough for the person to get around.

"I'm just fine thanks. Are you going to sit down or not?" he asks.

"I thought you didn't want me to get sick."

"I'm fine, really." he says before he starts coughing. He chuckles a little which makes him cough even more, "Eh. Maybe I'm not so fine, but you can still take a seat."

I lean against the wall and slide down, letting my clothes lift up a bit. The outside walls are very smooth.

"Make sure to get some warmer clothing Axel." I remind him. "Winter's just right around the corner. Soon enough it'll start snowing. By that time you might just be dead."

"Okay mom. I'll make sure to spend the money that I don't have on some nice, warm, cozy, clothes." Axel says sniffing.

"Uhhh..."

"Just joking Rai. I've got the money. I'll go get some warmer clothes later." he puts his hands to his mouth to warm them. His breath's as visible as the clouds. "Man I hate winter. I mean, the snow's great but," he shivers. "the cold."

"I like it." I say. "The cold."

"EHHH~? Really? I wonder if it's because you fire affinity guys can cheat and warm yourselves up with fire." he says the last part with dead eyes. Guess he's a bit jealous.

"You're affinity is wind right?"

"Yeah. But it isn't so good when the outside is cold."

"Ah, yeah. Right. Who's your partner sparring with?" I ask without looking.

"Oh come on Rai. You know who it is." he coughs while pointing at me.

Blue Hair. That's right, she wouldn't have a partner if I left. So it's Feno and Ellar going against each other. Looks like a simple barrier exercise that Miss Ein has been having us do. It's been awhile since I've used any of my layered barriers. I wonder if they've gotten stronger, or more like, I wonder if my magic has.

Feno attacks Blue Hair with light spells. Is he even trying to do any damage? Even my magic does more than that. He smiles as he flings the spells one after another.

"Uh... what's he doing?" I ask Axel who's hugging his knees now.

"I think he's playing? Never does that with me. Maybe I'm the exception. This is their third rotation."

"Uh huh. I think it's more like Blue Hair's the exception, or girls in general."

Miss Ein walks over to them. She doesn't look too satisfied with what Feno's doing. To her, and to all of us, it seems like he's just messing around. Knowing what I do know about his personality, I would say that it's to be expected or at least it shouldn't be a surprise.

Miss Ein says something and Blue Hair deactivates her barrier and clasps her hands together. Feno's eyes switch to her for a moment before he bows. It's a really nice one, he's perfectly bent at a ninety degree angle.

Ellar immediately rushes over and gestures for him to stand up. Miss Ein nods once and cups her hands over her mouth.

"Class!" she yells. "We'll be returning inside!"

I get to my feet using my knee as support.

"Rainen." Axel calls out to me with one hand out. "A little help here?"

"All right." I sigh.

After pulling him up, Feno comes over to us. He's giving off a vibrant aura, his lips are stretched from ear to ear.

"Hey guys!" he says raising his hand.

"What was going on over there?" I ask returning his gesture.

"Ah. I messed up a bit but Ellar forgave me." he nods once. "Yeah. She's really nice."

I'd have to agree. She's not very friendly but that's just because she's a little bit timid. Well, maybe not just a little bit.

"Let's go inside guys." Axel rubs his arms. "I'm cold."

"Better go buy some warm clothes then." Feno says.

---------

I met with Miss Ein after school. She and I discussed the book a little bit. So far she's enjoying it. I'm glad. That book was really fun to read as a child and I was worried that I wouldn't like it as much when I grew up. Since Miss Ein and Rainen had a positive response, I should give it a read after Miss Ein finishes it.

Right after talking with Miss Ein, Iris and Elis dragged me around on a short fetch quest. Sometimes I wonder how these people can lose their pets so frequently. It makes for good and easy money but it really puts to question their responsibility. I'm not really one to judge, I've never had a pet. Unless you count Byu, but she's really obedient.

"May I take your order." Anne says bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Anne? How come you're working so late?" Iris asks.

"Yeah yeah!" Elis says. "I always thought that you got off before six. Not that I'm not happy that you're here."

"Haha. Thanks Elis." Anne taps her pen on the pad. "There was an incident before where I told a few customers to leave... they were causing a disruption and-"

"I-it's their fault!" I yell out. Anne's nice and a good waitress. Call me biased but she wouldn't do that unless they were causing a really really big disruption. "T-the restaurant shouldn't punish you for doing your job!"

"Glad you're on my side too Ellar, but that's not it."

Oh, whoops. Hehe. Maybe I jumped to conclusions a little too quickly.

"I took some of the time off to go talk to a friend."

That actually sounds a little bad Anne. My comment might just backfire on me. I had faith in you! I still do, she's a good person after all.

"Ah. Actually, you guys know that friend. Rainen." she says.

My ears perk up.

"What are your relationships with him?" Anne asks all of us.

"Classmates." Iris and Elis answer in perfect unison. Uwah, they're leaving me out to dry.

"Ellar?" Anne calls on me. I still don't like it even if there aren't eighty or so pairs of eyes to stare at me. Being called on while I'm not ready leaves me stuttering.

"P-p-partners." I manage.

Anne raises her eyebrows.

"Sp-sparring partners! W-we're just sparring partners!" I say.

Anne frowns, "Really?"

"Y-yeah."

"Hm."

"What's your relationship with him Anne?" Elis asks. "Did he ask you out?"

"Ahaha. Nothing like that, no." Anne taps her pen on the pad once again. "We're just friends."

"Ouch." Elis says.

"What would you guys like to eat?" she asks us.

"The usual." we all say.

"But this time, I'll be having mine with some of that hot sauce." Elis says. She's talking about the sauce that Anne mentioned before. None of us have tried it yet but Elis really wants to.

"Okay, coming right up." Anne, with her steady gait, goes into the kitchen.

Our window seat lets us see the outside without having to feel all that cold air. The street's brightly illuminated by the lanterns and lamps hanging and on top of the stands. A nice orange glow. The feeling that I get from watching the stands and the people walking by is a warm one. Everyone's so lively, even in the night around here.

I never really liked the nighttime. That's when I couldn't read because there wasn't any light. No chance to look out my window either because no kids were up at that time, until later that was. Sneaking out a night to play huh? I wonder if that's what some of these kids are doing.

I don't exactly miss those days of playing with the other village kids. You'd think that it'd be my dream. It was, for a while. I really enjoyed the time I spent with them. Remembering it now just brings back bad feelings. If only I was normal, I wonder if I could still be playing with everyone at the village.

"Hey El, what's up?" Elis asks me with worried look. "You seem a little bit down."

"Haha. Maybe."

Elis frowns at my answer and turns away for a moment.

"BLEGH!" Elis pulls at her mouth making a strange face. "No reaction? That usually works on Iris."

"N-not true! I only giggle a little."

"Hehe." I laugh while smiling. "Thanks for cheering me up Elis. I feel better now."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Really."

"Aha! I told you it was a good trick Iris! Now you have to try the sauce with me!" Elis declares.

"But I'm not a fan of spicy things." Iris protests.

"Too bad! I cheered El up."

"Because I helped you with my comment."

"No. El only thanked me."

"Because she felt bad for your trick." Iris says while poking her.

"Uuuuu. You're going to try it!" Elis grabs onto her hands.

"No!" Iris says.

The two of them start wrestling. I laugh while watching them. I wanna stay with these two, I'll work hard so that my powers stay under control. I want to enjoy my time with them.