“Hm… So you’re searching for substitutes for a lot of ingredients to make a potion? I suppose it makes sense, a lot of the ingredients are expensive or rare to find in the market. But mana potions are rarely in demand…” Zielle idly talked as she browsed through the long series of lists of ingredients stated in the book. She glanced at Aediva as she placed yet another book after a quick browse, among the piles in the left.

“Hm. Exactly why it’s annoying to even try and complete one according to the textbook” Aediva murmured a reply, tapping her pen on the paper she was scribbling on from time to time. She rests her head against her fingers, frowning a bit as she looked at the notes she was writing.

“... Aediva. I thought mana potion is a third year’s alchemy syllabus?” Zielle said upon realization. Aediva merely smirked as she took another book.

“When you can’t use magic properly, the least you can do is be better at other things and make use of them. I can make potions but infusing my mana into one is a tedious work” Aediva replied, sighing right after. She glanced at Zielle.

“Of course, you’ll help me with creating the potions later right, Zielle? You’re my friend, after all” she said with a smile - responded with Zielle’s giggle.

“Geez, you’re quite a pushover aren’t you? You’re supposed to be a little nice to a new friend not push them around from the very first day” Zielle said. Aediva turned back to the book in front of her with a faint smile.

“I see. I remembered almost rolling a boulder down towards Eden and kicked Arthur in the face to avoid him from accidentally stabbing me with his sword though…” Aediva said responded with Zielle’s amused giggle.

“That’s some adventure you’re experienced with them, huh? Fine, fine. I’ll help you. What’s a friend if not helpful right?” she giggled. As Aediva returned back to the books, Zielle noticed a familiar someone approaching them. She closed the book with a soft thud and looked up to the boy who looked just like her with pale green eyes and hair kept kempt. Zielle noticed Aediva was merely glancing at the newcomer but seemed to be pretty disinterested if anything.

“Zielle! I’ve been searching for you! Why have you abandoned your post?!”

Aediva’s pen fell from her hand the moment she heard the loud voice of the male student who is actually shouting in the library.

“Zayen. As noisy as usual. Keep your voice down. We’re in the library, you know” Zielle replied, her voice calm and composed unlike her younger twin brother. The young man called Zayen flinched, instantly quieted his voice down the next time he speak. He glanced at Aediva, his eyes widened when noticing who Zielle is with.

“Did you left the Young Master’s side in order to be with this human?” Zayen asked, scowling with his fangs out as he glowered at Aediva who honestly, didn’t even bother to look at him.

“Hey, be nice to my new friend! Young Master allowed me to leave and I think you should try to not stick to his side way too much! You’re a clingy ‘girlfriend’, Zayen. He can live without you being noisy about everything” Zielle said, resulting in Aediva snickering at the conversation. Zayen raised his eyebrow, glaring at Aediva who leaned against her chair.

“What are you laughing at, human?! Is listening in to Lord Naffael’s loyal servants’ conversation that amusing to you?” Zayen asked, annoyed.

“Your voice is too loud I said!” Zielle responded with equal volume. Aediva let out a sigh, feeling the monster in her hood pouch at her back stirring from his slumber. Silently she packed the books she wanted to take away and the notes she had been working on as Zielle and Zayen bickered at the back.

“EIII!!! YOU NOISY PEOPLE!!!” Cath screamed.

As she would expect, the noise from the three creatures around her would only result in all four of them getting kicked out from the library. Aediva let out a sigh as Zielle looked guilty and Cath turned annoyed that his afternoon nap was disturbed. Zayen on the other hand, grumbled as Zielle had to drag him out by force from the library.

“Sorry Aediva. I got a little excited if this guy is involved. I should’ve not shouted at him back” Zielle apologized. Zayen crossed his arms, grumbling in response to Zielle.

“... Why are you apologizing to a human out of all things…” he muttered.

“Plus, we’re proud servants of our master! I’m merely worrying about him! As you should too, Zielle! We are Lord Naffael’s servants after all!” Zayen proudly announced, simultaneously scolding Zielle’s laid-back nature.

Aediva turned to her back, lips trembling as she frowned. Only after Zielle and Zayen looked at her, did she burst into a laugh at the sight of Zayen straight form like a ramp being held by Zielle who was holding the back of his collar. Not to mention, that guy is huge. Taller than the two girls to be exact.

It’s comical how he was proudly announcing things with pride while he was being dragged around by his much smaller twin sister. Aediva sighed after laughing, walking away as Zielle - with Zayen in tow, walked after her.

“Oh yeah, come to think of it. Don’t we have a combined magic alchemy class after this?” Zielle said, ignoring Zayen yapping for her to release him.

“Is it? I never really remembered my own schedule. Ah… Wait, it’s Ms. Rachel’s class isn’t it?” Aediva sighed.

“Yep. She kicked you out last week, right? A little harsh for someone who’s supposed to guide students” Zielle commented. Aediva only let out a silent scoff. It was apparent that she didn’t need to even say anything about it as Zayen spoke first.

“Hmph! No weaklings are going to be accepted anywhere! This is a prestigious academy for capable students. No one have time for people who aren’t able to do the basics of things!” Zayen said. Zielle hissed, letting go off her sibling - promptly making him fall to the ground like a log.

“Agh! Zielle what are you---”

“Zayen! Can you just shut your damn mouth for a minute when you feel like saying bad things to people other than the Young Master and Lord Marith?! You even insulted Sir Aerelle as incompetent guard! He’s also the Young Master’s family, you know!” Zielle yelled at Zayen who growled at her. She turned to look at Aediva who didn’t seemed to bother turning to look at the twins.

“I’m really sorry for my brother’s behaviour, Aediva. He is an insensitive prick most of the time to people” Zielle said. Aediva turned her head a bit enough to show her faint smile to Zielle. The young woman with sea green hair couldn’t help but notice how the wind was brewing like a familiar occurrence when her Young Master is a little upset. She looked at Aediva as she turned back around.

“Don’t worry about it. I know my weaknesses are really unlikely in the school anyway. Let’s go, we’ll be late to class. Ah, wait. I think I forgot my lab coat at the lockers. Why don’t you both go ahead first and reserve me a seat? Since the two boys are gone, I’m actually without a friend in that class” Aediva said, waving at Zielle before leaving - what Zayen said, albeit a little softer did not go unnoticed.

“Who would want to share a table with someone like you? Why am I dragged into this as well? Tch! Ouch! Oi, Zielle. Why did you hit my head?!”

“Can you just shut up already?!”

“Man… My afternoon nap got ruined by a bunch of noisy kids. Aediva, pick people who are more silent next time as your friends! They are as noisy as Eden is!” Cath said, tapping on Aediva’s forehead as he complained while the girl made her way to the lockers. Aediva remained silent, stopping when she heard familiar voices right around the corner. She stopped dead in her tracks.

“Oi, Aedi--”

Aediva placed her finger on her lips - quickly silencing the monster on her head with her other hand. The hallways were almost cleared off students since classes are almost starting. When they peeked around the corner, they instantly spotted the two persistent souls who had apparently lay off with their annoying pleading since this morning.

“... Hey, Hanzel. Is everything really going to be alright?” Fay asked the tall one year older boy beside her as they stopped by the lockers. Hanzel only let out a tired sigh, glancing at Fay as she leaned against the locker behind her.

“Honestly, Fay. I don’t know. Daniel is getting more and more agitated. The preparation with Orbelesia Grace is slowing down since a lot of our students are getting sick after their practices. At this rate, it’ll just turn worse unless we can ask for someone’s help to make up for the lost manpower” Hanzel said, his tone a little too discouraged for it to sound like good news at all.

“Hmm… If things go on like this, Daniel is going to get even more angry as days pass. The festival is in the next two weeks too… Should we go and ask for little Aediva’s help again?” Fay asked. Hanzel immediately shook his head.

“She’s just as persistent and headstrong as any of us. She won’t lift a finger unless she sees money on the table and even with it, sthe chances of her actually helping us is slim. It’s unfortunate, but what Daniel did that day really made a mark on her impression of our dorm…” the young man with glasses said. Fay let out a sigh, a frown appeared on her forehead as she tapped her foot on the floor.

“... Daniel wasn’t that impulsive before. Maybe bringing Aediva to the dorm was a mistake after all? He seemed to be really displeased by the mere mention of her name after that day” Fay sighed, sounding regretful. Hanzel let out a sigh as well.

“Plus, even if we wanted to hire her, we wouldn’t have much money for any other things. I was sure to keep track of the funds for the event, wonder where did I go wrong?” Hanzel said, now his voice a little softer as if whispering to Fay. At that moment, the young male suddenly turned his head to his back when feeling like he was being watched. Suspicious, he went straight to the intersection of the hallway yet finding no one at all. Fay went to his side, a little confused as she looked around as well yet finding no one around but them.

“What’s wrong, Hanzel?” she asked the Vice Dorm Leader of Efren Dorm.

“... I don’t know. I think I heard something…” Hanzel replied as Fay rubbed at his back.

“You must’ve been overworking yourself. Healing students that have been stuck in the Gallows and whatnot. Let’s go to the infirmary. You need to rest too after handling everything for the past few days” Fay said. Hanzel only nods at what Fay suggests. Maybe it was the fatigue playing tricks on his mind. Before he left with Fay at his side, he looked back one last time.

“...”

Tap!

Tap!

Tap.

“Now what exactly is your excuse for being late to my class?”

As expected, Ms. Rachel didn’t waste any time to hold her at the door - blatantly ignoring the rest of the students at her back passing right beside them. The girl in pure white lab coat with Cath on her shoulder, glanced to the side - looking at her classmates and students from the class next door before looking back at the female teacher with dark orange eyes and deep purple hair.

“I went to take my lab coat,” Aediva said. Rachel scowled didn’t diminish as she glared down at the student in front of her.

“Didn’t you say, better late than not wearing the appropriate attire in your class?” Aediva asked. Rachel scoffed.

“And what exactly are you going to learn in my class? Didn’t I tell you to learn how to trap magic elements first?” Rachel sneered at the younger girl. Aediva remained impassive-looking.

“This woman is nuts. Is she looking down at us? Can I burn her already, Aediva?” Cath whispered at Aediva.

“I may not be able to trap magic in a test tube but I don’t think that would hinder anything. I won’t touch anything in the class relating to practical magic. So, can’t you let me join the class?” Aediva said, noticing how Rachel was literally fuming when hearing what she said. She had little idea why that woman is targeting her specifically but two weeks of this charade is really starting to piss her off.

For a lecturer, she’s completely unprofessional. And for a teacher, she’s an abhorrent example for students. Aediva didn’t bother to wait for Rachel to reply to her words, seeing how she’s glaring daggers at her just for being there. Though the malice is certainly something.

When she sat beside Zielle, she was met with yet another strange experience. While Zielle chirped at her happily, the other students looked at her like she’s some sort of maniac.

The rest of classes proceed relatively calmly…

Yet Aediva couldn’t really say she was comfortable at the very least. Rachel kept aiming for her - fortunately she was able to answer all of her questions that aren't even in the first-year’s syllabus.

“The level of pettiness of this woman is unbelievable…” Aediva sighed at one point during the class - just staring down at her book as drowsiness started to get to her.

The time the school hours were over that day, she felt a lot of her energy just disappeared into thin air. Just like “Blackhorns” who had disappeared without telling her yesterday.

“Huh…” Aediva let out a dragged out sigh as she scratched the back of her head, loosening her ponytail. She stopped I her tracks, pondering whether to go to the garden to see “Blackhorns” but her fatigue weighs heavy on her shoulders - especially when some black-furred monster is sitting on her one shoulder.

“Ugh… Why am I so tired today?” she growled.

“Aren’t you just always tired whenever you attend that hag’s class?” Cath said, munching on the sweet bun he kept for snacks. Hearing what Cath said, Aediva stopped in her tracks.

“Wait, what do you mean by that…?” she asked the monster who blinked at her.

“Everyone got drained after her class ended. Didn’t you notice how those brats always slouched like they’re carrying a boulder on their shoulders?” Cath asked.

“...” Aediva fell silent.

“Hmm…”