Vassal State of Ernon. Agora Institute.

The freezing wind continued to rage on as three people carefully made their way down the steep mountain. Their thick clothing prevented them from freezing to death. As one loomed over the view from up high, one could see the dark castle from the distance that could stretch on for miles. Snow continued to pile up until it was about waist high, making it hard to navigate with the biting frost nipping at their skin.

“Are we there yet?” A yell came from behind.

“Not yet.”

Sierra Mountain had several ranges one could climb up. Whether it be to hunt the native animals or forage for winter herbs, any one of the mountain ranges were not easy to traverse. Even after living here for the past six years and daily trekking up the mountain, the harsh weather made it impossible to traverse without sufficient skills.

“Where are we now?”

The person leading them caressed the head of her companion. “Dispan Forest. Careful, there are boars here. They don’t like us students that much.”

Boars of the forest of Dispan were known to be terrible aggressive against the students of Agora Institute. As they walked through the dark forest, the sound of teeth chattering never ceased that their other companion had to shut him up halfway through their journey back. A sack of game hung on their belt as they strode towards the massive gates of the castle. When they arrived at the common hall, they each piled up their catch on a table and settled by one of the fireplaces.

“How many did you catch today?”

“A deer and a bear. Though I only cut out the bear’s hide. I gave the meat to Porte, he only managed to catch three rabbits.”

“As for me, I caught a deer!” a young man with shaggy hair and large body puffed out his chest with pride as he slung an arm over the skinny Porte. “Did fawn have a hard time catching game?”

Porte, who remained flushed in his entire face, gave him a fierce glare before slipping away and snuggling closer to the crackling fire.

“Did he cause trouble again? Too bad I didn’t see you two while hunting.”

“I’m just glad we managed to catch anything before the harsh winter stormed." Ethel rubbed her hands together and threw a warning look at the man. "And please Albright, stop teasing Porte. It’s your fault his teeth kept chattering. I told you not to run off while we hunt. It makes him anxious.”

The glow of the fire warmed her up as she stared at her breathe from the cold. Albright threw Porte a smirk before he settled down between them. “Well it’s not my fault it was Porte’s first time hunting in the mountains."

“Don’t mind this brute, Porte. You know how he is. If you don’t believe me you can ask the others how he performed during the third year assessment.” Ethel winked at him as she elbowed Albright’s side, to which the latter responded with a red face and a groan.

“Telling my secrets to the fawn again. You just love embarrassing me, don’t you?”

“Yes.” Ethel smiled, showcasing her grin with a crooked tooth.

“Stop calling me a fawn! I don’t resemble one at all!” Porte protested.

Unfortunately no matter how you looked at it he did look like a fawn. His brown shaggy hair and doe eyes closely resembled how big and adorable a fawn’s features were. Not to mention how he acts in an innocent manner. Ethel and Albright shared a look before looking at Porte’s furious expression, bursting out with laughter as they wiped the tears from their eyes. “That’s a damn good joke, fawn!”

“What about your name? Albright doesn’t suit you at all. Ethel is right!”

That was also true. Albright, who stood at a towering height and rugged facial features that made him look several times older, Ethel would sometimes call him Old Man Al. A redhead like him, who did not suit his name, would earn a bundle of laughter every time Ethel scolded him.

“Why you little–!”

She ignored them after that. Several rounds of fights and a hearty dinner later, Ethel left the common hall and through a passageway to the girl’s dormitory, a small building in the east wing of the large castle.

In the institute, the ratio of men to women was 50:1. She greeted several other young women who stared at her with looks of admiration and walked to her room. The size of the room was in no way small as it was comparable to luxury suites in hotels. One side of the room was decorated quite extravagantly, as compared to the other side which sported the most basic of furniture.

Ethel tucked away her weapon underneath the bed as she changed her clothes. She hadn’t sweat at all in this weather and was too lazy to take a shower with the other girls. Her eyes traveled to the other side

of the room. He roommate, an outstanding young woman who specialized in the art of the spear, a trait she had never failed to boast about. Too tired to wait up for her, Ethel succumbed to sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow, not at all bothered by the fact that she did not shower.

When the sun rose the next morning, Ethel was up and had changed into her training clothes while trained in the vicinity of the east wing before the sun had rose. Several female students had volunteered to train with her, but she rejected the idea as she preferred being alone. It was only when she made her way to the baths did she come across Fleur, dressed in her uniform with a towel slung over her shoulder.

“Where were you last night? I asked the other girls and they said they didn’t see you come back. Did you–?”

“Curious now, aren’t you?”

“Well yes, because if you did then I have to go to the west wing again to send my condolences.”

Fleur winked and Ethel had to hold back a groan before slumping her shoulders.

“What? I had a splendid night! He was extremely skillful and –”

“Please stop talking. You’re going to taint the junior’s innocence.”

Ethel took a glance at Fleur’s body.Her out of this world beauty had the impression she was loved by gods. A sensual woman who knew her own charm- it was a vice that men continuously fell for. And quite literally too. She let out a sigh as Fleur’s melodious laughter rang through her ears.

“And what will it be this time?”

“A yellow rose, if you please?” Fleur smiled seductively as they bathed. The language of flowers is truly beautiful.

“Name, branch, and year?” Ethel asked as she wiped the sweat off her body.

Fleur bit her lip as she enjoyed the bath of rose petals. Where she got the flowers, Ethel didn’t know. And she dared not ask.

“Rudolf. A second year from the Verutum Branch.”

Ethel let out a ‘tsk.’ “I had no idea you favored younger men.”

“And neither did I! Whoever knew how innocent and curious they were...”

“Please stop with the explicitness. Marie can hear you.”

They turned around to look at Marie, a first year student who specialized with the bow. Her face had turned beet red as she overheard their conversation. “Oh please! They should ought to learn all about it. I mean, sooner or later they will have to be skillful in the art of seduction if they plan on getting married.”

“This is a school for warriors, not those nobles who attend Anfer Academy.”

“But even so–”

“Just please stop talking.”

Ethel wrung the cloth in her hands so tightly it looked about ready to tear by the seams. After that, Fleur clamped her mouth shut and enjoyed her rose bath. Ethel had to apologize to Marie, who had run

out after hearing the word seduction from Fleur’s mouth. When they got out of the baths, it was then Ethel spoke in a soft voice. “You have to act carefully, you know?”

Fleur looked at her with a deep gaze as she patted her back to assure her. “Don’t worry. Whatever you’re thinking of won’t happen again. I trust you. Do you trust me?”

“Of course I do! It’s just that–”

“It’s not exactly the best time?”

“Well yes and–”

“Father had already assured me that no other associates of that man will ever come to this school. You’ll at least believe in him, right? Who better to trust than a Duke?” Ethel hshut her mouth. She was right. There was absolutely no point in wasting time worrying about something that might not even happen.

“If you say so...”

“Yes now don’t you have somewhere to be? I’m sure I overheard you talking in the common hall about holding a sparring match with Jespir?”

She let out a snort as they reached the room and replied, “He’s not all that good. If it wasn’t because he was friends with Albright, I wouldn’t be wasting my time sparring.”

“Ouch, way to hurt that innocent man’s feelings.” Fleur jokingly said as she laughed.