Chapter 5: Taking care of things

Just when I put my foot outside the door frame, I was stopped by Irel.

“You fool, taking Void as your affinity. You really are stupid. You want to be a punch bag so much that you want to even make bags?”

What a horrible joke. He’s too conceited. If he won’t change it, than he will surely die in the future.

“I just did what teacher told us. Choose affinity that calls to you and so I did, just like you no doubt.”

His mocking expression changed and he started to ponder about something. This guy, even though he acts like that I think it is just a mask. I just know it. Like I could see into his soul. What is this feeling? I never felt it before. Does it have something to do with awakening? Looks like he’s done. Let’s hear it.

“Yeah, you’re right. I chose what caught me too but that still does not change the fact you are useless.”

And with a smile I replied.

“What is useless and what not? You never can be sure. Even the ugliest sword can be better than most beautiful one. You should not believe what others want you to believe.”

This took him by surprise. What is so surprising by it? I know we are just 10 years old, but that should be enough to understand it.

“Ok then. If you want to prove me that Void is not useless, then show it to me.”

“I won’t mind, but I don’t think it’s right time now. Unless you want to be expelled.”

“Are you scared?”

And again, mocking expression.

“No, but why should I risk it when there’s no point to it? And I’m pretty sure there will be plenty of opportunities for that.”

“You’re still chicking out but no matter. As you said, there will be plenty of opportunities, like when there’s no one nearby. Ha ha ha.”

And he left. Looks like, he is much more approachable without his two brothers. He probably must keep face before them.

“Nice job.”

That scared me as hell. Who the hell was it?

As I looked around I saw that black robed guy.

“Calmly talking and not showing any weakness and what’s more changing his view about Void. You will get far in the world, if you will work hard that is.”

And with a grin, he left.

What the? He looked like he hated me and now his so nice? I wonder why? Maybe because of that connection I felt? Like someone said once ‘All questions will be answered with time.’ I really like this quote.

While I was pondering I remembered I need to sign up for my secondary classes and so I hurried up. On the way, nothing happened and I reached faculty room. I took one last look on secondary subjects and made my decision.

I stepped before counter where some old lady was sitting and reading a book. She placed her book on the counter and spoke to me.

“Do you need something sweetheart?”

Such a nice old lady. Let’s be nice too and it’s not because I don’t know my grandparents and all old people always were kind to me and helpful. Definitely not!

“Hello, my name is Risiel and I came to register for my secondary subjects.”

“Certainly Risiel, just take this form and write which subjects you want to study. I probably don’t need to say it but you need to choose at least 3 and at most 5 and no, I won’t tell you what are those classes about.”

“Ok, thank you for your help, granny but could you tell me why you can’t tell me about those classes?”

“Risiel, don’t call me granny but auntie ok?”

That smile she’s showing me is terrifying. Even demons would shudder before that.

“O-ok. Then you can call me just Ris.”

“Ok, little Ris. And now, for your second question. Most of those classes are self-explanatory and those that aren’t are like that to see, how good your intuition is.”

Intuition? That sounds like bullshit. But no matter. I already chose anyway.

And so I wrote my choices on the form I was given.

Secondary classes registration formNameRisielAge10Martial arts

Enchanting

Survival

Beast taming

Control

Why I chose these? Simple.

Martial arts - To get stronger body and learn how to wield weapons.

Enchanting - Just because it sounds interesting.

Survival - To survive on my own in all kinds of environments.

Beast taming - I want to have a companion on my travels. Being alone is not really a good idea.

Control – I don’t have any idea what that could be so let’s say it’s intuition like auntie said.

And so with my choices I gave the form to auntie. She looked at it and started with

“Ara ra. Ufu fu. You made some pretty interesting choice. Not many choose martial arts because they think it’s stupid for mage to use their body. Enchanting is not really practical because you can conjure or enhance your weapons with your element. Survival is really harsh so most stay out of it. Beast taming is popular because some students don’t want to be hurt and if danger arises they want to have someone to make a decoy. And control, well because no one knows what it is they go with safe choices instead so you really are something to choose these.”

I just smiled. God, is it really so hard? You just need to work hard and seriously, using your own pet as a fodder? That’s a little bit too much. But control sounds nice. When auntie was talking about it she was happy for me and I really believe this auntie. But not too much. You never know.

And so I bid farewell and went to walk around and get used to campus and where my classes will be held.

I really must say, this academy is huge. I’m walking for one hour and I just went through 30% of whole thing. If I would not have my orientation sense it would take even longer.

While I continued my exploration, I reached a massive door made of dark brown wood and I could see a certain glow from it. I could hear voice from behind the door. Naturally, I placed my ear on the door to hear what they say.

“-ase, just show it to me. I need to know!”

“No, and that’s final. I won’t disclose personal information of other students.”

“But, but there must be a way. Just say it.”

“Only the owner can get his own information so only with his approval you can see it.”

“I can’t do it that way. Just please, show it to me.”

“No means no and that’s final. I won’t disclose results of student’s Risiel’s test.”

When I heard it was about me and when I heard the voices talking a knocked and went inside. I knew afterall who was talking with probably director and I wanted to tease that person.

“Hello, I wanted to ask about scholarship and I heard you talking about my results so I went inside. I hope you don’t mind.”

With a perfect smile I went inside step by step. Director calmed down but the person next to him started to go pale with my each step.

“I, I…….I’m sorr—y.”

The person who spoke that was Lilian. Our little elf princess. She looked embarrassed by her actions and guilty of what she did. And she should be. When I told her my score she looked like she let it be and now she is here and tries to get her hands on it without my knowing. I don’t care at all, but I can’t miss such chance. To tease her will be awesome. And so I started.

“Elf princess was trying to get information on me. I don’t know if I should be honored or dejected. I thought we were friends. I even apologized for my actions I did to you yesterday and now, you use my trust to do such a despicable thing. How could you?!”

I was acting like I was hurt and shed a tear or two. She started to speak again but I cut her before she could start.

“I, I”

“I still can’t believe it. Was this how you wanted to pay me for what I did unconsciously yesterday? Even though I apologized? I thought you were better. I thought you weren’t like normal princesses. Such betrayal hurts, you know?”

“I’m really sorry. Please forgive me.”

And she started to cry. And now, let’s end it.

“Ok then. I will forgive you.”

“R-really?”

“Ofcourse. But you must agree to a certain condition.”

“I’ll do it.”

“Even before I tell you what it is?”

She just nodded and looked at me with a firm eyes.

“You really shouldn’t do such a things. You are a princess you know. What if I would tell you to become my slave? Or my lover? Promises must be kept. Especially as a princess you should honor them even more.”

She blushed and thought about what she did. She went dejected again.

“Well, at least you learned your lesson, but don’t worry, it’s nothing like that. I just want to call you Lili no matter where we are.”

She looked up and felt relieved with both my advice and the condition. She just nodded and said.

“Yes!”

I just smiled at her and went to the director.

“Ok then, now that we have taken care of one thing lets do the rest. Please, take my results from the test and show them to us.”

He looked at me with a stupid look and Lili too.

“What? You could have just asked Lili, you know? I would not mind showing you and I even told you that I did not lie. You really could have just asked, but at least now I can call you Lily.”

She started pouting and looked at me with a corner from her eyes whenever she would lift her head. Director in the meantime brought it over and placed it on the table. Lily still did not notice and so I took her hand and forcibly took her to take a look. She was like a tomato and her hand was warm and soft. But because of my dampened feelings, I did not blush but I was happy, at least a little.

I showed her the paper and we both took a look. There really was 116 points there. She looked directly into my eyes with a fir gaze. I knew what she wanted and so I just nodded.

“How come he got 116 points? It should be impossible, right?”

“Normally, that would be the case but some of his thesis were so profound that it could not go unnoticed and even without that, he would still get 100 points. All his questions were right.”

She squeezed my hand and I knew she was frustrated and so I consoled her by embracing her. What am I even doing to the princess? I hope her dad won’t come to punch me. With my luck everything is possible.

“Don’t be dejected. You scored 92 points. Not many people can say the same. There’s always someone better than you. The same goes with me. There is someone smarter somewhere or stronger or more talented. You just need to work hard so that you can keep with them and finally surpass them.”

When I said that she smiled and her hand wasn’t squeezing me anymore. She wanted to go but I told her I need to ask about scholarship and so we bid farewell but she looked like a heavy weight was dropped from her shoulders. It was nice. No, I can tease her even more. *Grin*

“Well then, can you tell me how it is with scholarship?”

“Kid, you really don’t know what is good for you. Play in such way with a princess.”

“Don’t think I don’t know what I did and don’t play dumb, you knew I calculated all of that.”

He smirked and looked out of the window.

“It looks like there will be much fun in this academy.”

“I think so too.”

And we both started to laugh. After a while, he started to cough to clear his throat.

“Well, anyway, you wanted to know about scholarship, right? It’s quite easy. I will give you this black card and every month you will get 20 gold on it. You can pay directly with it or take coins from it by infusing it with mana and thinking about amount of money you need. It’s useless to steal it because without owner’s mana it is just a piece of metal.”

20 gold! Every month! We needed one year to save 1 gold and now, I get 20. I will send some money home.

“It does not look like everyone gets this, right?”

He just smiled and said.

“Take it as my gift for fun times that will come.”

I replied with my own smile and just went my way.

I took a last look around campus because there still was time and when it was close to 6 pm I went back to my room.

When I went inside, door was opened so I knew Alice was inside but what awaited me was something harsh.

When I went inside, Alice was sleeping on the bed still in her maid uniform. She looked like a doll when she just stood but now, when she was like at her side a little bit like a ball with her hair on white sheet and with her delicate hands close to her chest with soft breathing and her skirt going up, showing her bare legs, well you can imagine what was harsh on me. I wanted to jump next to her and use her as a pillow. Even with dampened emotions, I’m still man you know.

I looked on her face and waited until she wakes up. After a few minutes, she started to wake up and flexed her hands showing her arsenal in full glory, but still covered. I just asked.

“Did my little princess slept well?”

When she woke up from her half sleep state she blushed and started to apologize.

“It’s okay. I told you, you can use it if you want.”

“Even so, I’m sorry for letting you wait.”

“Thanks, for your apology.”

She cheered up and told me that dinner is ready. I did not think she will cook today and because throughout the whole day I had nothing I was hungry as wolf and could not wait to taste her cooking.

She went somewhere, where I did not even know it was there. There were slide door in the room. They were like masked. I really did not see them there, but what they hid was kitchen. I could smell fragrance of her cooking. I was almost drooling.

She took 2 meals and placed them on the table. We both sat at the same table and started to eat. But after 3 bites I could not take it and just devoured it. It was so delicious. I took seconds and when we were done I helped with washing dishes.

“It was so delicious. You will make a great bride, hell I would even make you my wife if only I wasn’t so young.”

Yeah, I love teasing and it was half-truth. Which was which, I will let to your imagination.

I took a look and she fidgeted until she calmed down.

“Thank you, Ris, for your kind words.”

“I really meant it.”

Her eyes almost budged out. God, it’s such fun.

“I see. Maybe in a few years.”

The last part was a muttered under her breath but I still heard it. Oh damn. Well, it will be much more fun now.

I told her to make a comfort to herself and I went to clean myself and try that bath. I did not ask her to come join me even though I wanted it. The reason was simple. She would probably really do it. I just asked her, if she would like to take a bath after me too and she said she can’t possibly use it. But with a few words she readily took it.

When I went out, changed into my undergarments I looked at my tomorrow’s schedule and meanwhile Alice took a shower. Even though she could bath, jeez. She really needs to relax a bit.

I told her that I’m tired and will go to sleep. She said she will leave then but I asked her, if she wants to sleep here, but she politely refused.

“I can’t force you, well I can, but I won’t it’s just, I want to do something for you. You prepared me such a great meal afterall.”

“I’m sorry, but I need to go home. My family waits for me.”

“You should say so in the first place. If I knew, then I would not tell you. I hope I will meet them one day. Oh and I got my scholarship so I will pay you tomorrow for meals and good night and take care.”

She looked really happy and went out of the door and said

“Good night.”

And I could hear a little sobs until they faded in the distance. Tears of happiness. I hope I did the right thing.

And with all the little things done today, I went to sleep without knowing of what awaited me.

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Hope you enjoyed.