“... She must remain in the academy” that was the only thing they demanded. After pointing out his mistake from the very first day in the very same Hall. He could at least be relieved that he was in the presence of the reclusive future king of the Valleys of the Dragons and his loyal guardian, Marith.

To think that Marith berated him right in the presence of the Council of Mages. How could he forget about the very same incident that happened three years ago. How had he forgotten that the Black Mirror could only measure a person’s capabilities within its limit? But thanks to Marith too, he could avoid a certain demise of a girl who remembered nothing of her own past up to the moment she woke up in the Coffin.

It was also thanks to Marith’s valid arguments that the Councilmen backed away - realizing that the girl is being protected by the Dragon himself.

Krow didn’t know why the Kazbelius Dorm committee, no, the ruler of the Valley of the Dragons even did what they did.

“A lot of flies will try to take her away for sure” Marith said albeit with a calm smile.

“Unfortunately, we can’t exactly keep an eye out if she’s outside this domain. What's worst is that she’s still at the imminent risk of relapsing again. You know what that means right, Krow Faraday? If that happens one more time, and outside of where we are, that girl is going to be terminated the moment she breaks down again. For a reason we can't disclose, that's the last thing we, on behalf of the Valleys of Dragons, wished to happen” the albino said, their ruby eyes clearly serious this time round.

“... We wish you luck, Faraday. You’ll need it to persuade that little child” Marith said, soon following their dragon lord out of the hall. Krow let out of a sigh as he was left alone in the hall.

Krow shuddered just remembering the troubles he had gone through in order to keep everything under control. The piling scholarship offers from the rival schools and even universities.

He had been able to control it while Aediva was stuck in her coma but now that she is wide awake, the real deal starts at that moment. Henry sure didn’t waste any time to try and bring the girl to his school - not even bother to hide his desire to try and research the girl’s abilities. Krow’s heart dropped the moment he heard Aediva said “Sure.”

But then he heard the question and he was equally confused as Henry and Finnian - the boy he recognized as the rival school’s Head of Student Council. It was at that time that Krow noticed, Aediva is not even slightest tempted by the offer.

“How do you feel about monsters? Do you take them as students as well?” Aediva asked with a subtle smirk and mischief in her argent eyes. Henry blinked moments before he started laughing boisterously.

“Ah, what a good joke, little lady! Of course, we don’t!” he answered with a laugh. Aediva’s face hardly changed in expression but her eyes were showing a new emotion entirely.

“Monsters are either meant to be subjugated or tamed as familiars, Ms. Aediva. Some may speak and say they’re smart but we all know it’s just a pretense as they imitate us humans! Ah, forgive me. I thought you know that monsters are not something humans mix with all the time. They’re basically animals. So unless they’re your familiar or pet, they do not qualify to even be a student of Hazdinel Pristea” Henry said, rather proudly.

“Of course, as a student, you’ll learn how to defeat these mindless monsters. So, what do you say, Ms. Aediva?” the man with ashen hair said. Then, immediately, she said, “Yeah, I change my mind. I reject your offer too.”

Henry froze the moment he heard the words escape fluidly from Aediva’s lips.

“Eh?” he looked at her baffled.

“You can take that offer and shove it up your--- Ahem” Aediva immediately cleared her throat and gave beautiful smile.

“I’d rather you leave this campus right now, Mr. Henry Claines and Mr. Finnian Gauwis. I’m tired so I rather go to sleep right now. I’ve lost a few brain cells just seeing your face” Aediva said, her insults jabbing at the two uninvited guests as she smiled.

“W-wait! A-aren’t you giving me an answer a bit too fast?” Henry tried to refrain Aediva from leaving.

“Hah! Did you lose your hearing aid, old man? I said no! No! No! No! NO!” Aediva hissed at Henry who turned shocked at the girl’s childishness.

“Hearing aid?! H-how dare you!” Henry retorted as Aediva scowled at him.

“Yeah, I dare! You think you’re being a saint while muttering on about the offer while you look at me like you’re going to dissect me. Who the hell, would go with some shady-ass old man like you! Bwehh!!!” Aediva stuck her tongue at Henry who is once again, taken aback at Aediva’s attitude. He thought she’s just a meek little lady but it turns out his expectation was severely betrayed by the girl’s wild and childish behaviour.

“And you can take that princely student with you as well. Kissing the back of my hand like that! Disgusting!” Aediva said, shocking Finne who visibly stepped back after hearing what Aediva said.

“EHH?! D-Disgusting?!!”

“I’m going back to Aval Dorm. Goodbye!” Aediva said the moment she turned to her back and stormed off like a tempest - leaving Henry and Finne frozen solid from shock and Krow holding in his laughter that quickly got out the moment Aediva gone from their sight.

“Hahahahaha!!! That is quite a show, Claines! How does it feel to have someone rejecting your offer!?” Krow cackled as Henry trembled, boiling in anger.

“Don’t think this is over, Faraday! I’ll not let you monopolize another rare mage like you did to the two fire mages! Mark my words! Let’s go back, Finnian!” Henry retorted with clear shame in his voice before turning to his back with Finne looking back to where Aediva went.

“FINNIAN! THE PORTAL!” Henry shouted, snapping Finne to his senses. The young blond bowed to Krow and turned to follow his school’s principal who soon disappeared behind the blinding white veil that had appeared in front of them. Krow watched as the portal closed and he sighed a breath of relief before walking towards the Aval Dorm.

His work has yet to be done.

The moment Aediva slammed open the door, she was greeted with the sounds of popping and confetti falling to her head.

“Welcome back!!!”

Aediva blinked, startled when seeing Eden, Arthur, Cath and even the ghosts of the dorm all grinning at her. She didn’t get to say anything when Cath jumped on her face and hugged her. Once again, her face buried in his fluff as he ruffled on her hair.

“Aediva!!! Finally you’re home!” Cath practically yelled at Aediva, excited before losing his grip on Aediva’s hair and slipping to the floor with Aediva left messy after the monster ruffled her hair. She stared at both Eden and Arthur, frozen in place as they stared back at her - Eden smirking right after, seemingly amused.

“Ah~ She doesn’t even make that much expression when shocked. Boring~” Eden commented. Arthur chuckled, nodding at what Eden said. Aediva let out a sigh, catching Cath jumping towards her and placing the monster of her shoulder. She let her guard down for a second, almost forgetting the bird who was chasing after her earlier. Until she started to walk to the inner lounge area and found the masked raven-haired male was waiting for her with a cake and a smile.

“Welcome back, Ms. Aediva!” he cheered, startling everyone present except for a certain blonde female.

“PRINCIPAL KROW?!” the boys screamed.

“Huh… What a persistent bastard” Aediva sighed.