Another day has passed in this Sol forsaken city, with its countless heretical residents. Soon however, I’ll get to see my previous companions. Who knows, it may only be a short while till I get to leave this place. There are so many things you just can’t get used to in this country: the variety of races, the colour, and the different religious symbols. It makes me nauseous thinking about it. Wouldn’t it be nice if they just didn’t exist?

The morning proceeded as per usual, involving peeling Silk off of my arm, before readying myself for the day ahead. I mentioned the previous night that the heroes would be arriving today, to Serenity, and she’s been surprisingly insistent that she accompany me. I never knew she was attached to those fellows. Then again, I suppose she was around them for quite a while. Even I, who doesn’t easily grow fond of people, don’t hold too much ill-will towards the heroes and co.

Consequentially, I cut out a smaller sheet and cut out two small eye holes in it, draping it over Serenity and placing her on my shoulder. She protested to begin with, but in the end she fell silent in response to my flawless logic: she’ll be less recognisable this way, after all. It only took an hour or two to convince her to wear it. By my side was a small sheeted figure and upon my shoulder was another. Don’t we make quite the team?

Ok, now before we get to the college, I do need to remind myself of these heroes. So there is Yuki, the strangely generic-looking one… Wait wasn’t he poisoned a while ago? These fellows must have cured him already. Ok, our relationship wasn’t bad if I recall correctly.

Then there was Rin. The small hero. The polite one, yes that’s the one. She was a healer of sorts wasn’t she? If it wasn’t for her intervention I wouldn’t have been chosen as a party member. Yes, she isn’t of a bad sort.

Hina… The impolite one. Uses a bow, and quite recklessly if I do say so myself. I think our relationship was beginning to improve towards the end, or maybe it was my imagination. Ok, so she’s the unpleasant, rude one.

Now for the two companions. Deane, who was from the royal guard, and Catherine, from the adventurer’s guild. Deane was quite the refined fellow, while Catherine had more of a wild side.

Oh yes… there’s also that one isn’t there? The snot bag, Melissa… I may as well rescue her while I’m at it, if they didn’t just kill her off already. Although… she wouldn’t be my slave anymore; they’ve probably removed the collar with their heretic ways. If she wants to come, she can come.

Well, without further ado, it is best we set off!

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What a crowd. Students and teachers by the hundreds had all congregated in the main College Pavilion, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the heroes. I saw a few of my students amongst the crowd, not surprising considering how much of their spare time they spend talking about this. The little heretics were polite enough to greet me, but I didn’t appreciate the strange glances they cast towards Serenity, who had fully embraced her incognito costume. Fortunately they didn’t pry.

There were only a few more minutes before their arrival. I wonder if they’ve changed much. Will they arrive as part of some sort of grand display, or will it be less flashy. My smile cramped a bit as I thought back to how these bloody heretics just took our Kingdom’s summoned heroes. Really, that is a bit much. I understand that we have a difference of beliefs, but to think they’re so willing to antagonise the Kingdom of Sol.

Oh? That’s a familiar lump of muscle heading my way…

“CYNE! It’s been a while!” exclaimed Burg, his face beaming. Oh dear, I’ve been trying to avoid this fellow for the past few days. He seems to have somehow come to the conclusion that we became friends. Due to his size and intimidating appearance, very few have been willing to approach him, so he’s probably feeling lonely. It wouldn’t be so bad if it wasn’t for that constant sweaty smell mixed with strong cologne that emanated off of him.

“Oh, Burg. It’s good to see you. How are you going?” I engaged him in friendly conversation. I’ve dealt with far more irritating people in the past, so it’s not too difficult to feign interest in his general affairs and act pleasant.

“Oh, you know! It’s been good. My wife had been in such a good mood since I stopped adventuring, and I can even spend more time with lil’ Jess (his daughter).” He laughed. Oh and the cycle repeats itself. The conversation will centre on his family, and how proud he is of his daughter, and things like that.

“Hmm?” he made a pause, and his attention turned to the sheeted individual on my shoulder, before looking back to the other sheeted individual latched onto my arm. His brows furrowed as he attempted to use his brain. He then said, “Cyne, did you know you’ve got another one of those things following you now?”

“Yes, I know” I replied, not really wanting to focus too much on my companions. Come on Burg, go back to talking about your family. Unfortunately he seemed quite concerned about these two for whatever reason.

“Cyne, I didn’t want to mention it before, since you seemed okay with it, but back in my tribe there were legends of evil spirits. They were pale white creatures with no distinctive features, which would latch onto their victims and slowly drain their energy. Are you feelin’ alright?” said Burg. Ok, so Burg is a superstitious fellow… as well as being incredibly below par when it comes to intelligence. Most people would be able to figure out these aren’t evil spirits.

Feeling too tired to explain, I waved him off and thankfully the sounds of the school bell interrupted this brain numbing experience. I looked over to the gate where a group of people had arrived. They’re here. All dressed up in the same school uniform. Oh, so Melissa’s not dead.

They walked slowly into the pavilion, following the lead, of a handsome, blonde-haired fellow dressed up in grey robes and also sporting a scraggly, blonde beard. That would be the Headmaster.

Yuki was looking well, and not poisoned, so that’s good. We wouldn’t be able to put him to work, fighting the shadows if he’d gone and gotten himself crippled. He, as well as the rest of the group all looked fit and healthy, and even exuded a more self-assured aura. Unlike his previous, average self, he now masquerades as a brave hero, and his performance is doing quite well. I can see a few of the ladies swooning in the crowd.

There’s Rin, looking quite nervous still, but not as much as she was in the past. She seems to stick quite closely to Yuki, so not too much has changed there. She even looks to have grown a little in height, although she still lacks womanly curves. She may have grown, but she still looks childish, and seems to have kept her curly, brown hair short.

Hina is also by their side. She appears worldlier than last time we met, projecting a mature aura, despite her relatively young age. The males amongst the crowd seemed quite enraptured by her feminine features, droopy eyes and large assets.

Catherine is there as well. She seems the same as she was: dark-blonde hair cut short, sharp maroon eyes, healthy tanned skin, giving her quite the wild look. She too seems to have a few admirers.

And there’s that feminine-looking pretty boy, Deane. Auburn hair, grey-blue eyes. Why are there people who look that attractive? I’m not too bad in the looks department, but seriously? This guy always looks perfect.

And, last, but not least, Melissa. No slave collar. Her blood-red hair had been tied back in a ponytail, revealing her pointed ears and scaly red patterns decorating her cheeks and the rims of her eyes. Her tail was twitching nervously as she followed the pack.

“I see quite a large crowd has gathered!” exclaimed the headmaster, sweeping his eyes over the students and faculty. He gave a light smile before continuing, “As you can see these six people will be the newest addition to our college; the three heroes and their talented companions!”

He looked over to the group and gestured for them to say something and so they did. One by one they stepped up and addressed the crowd.

Yuki- “Hello. It’s nice to meet you all, I look forward to being in your care.”

Hina- “Hi, we’ll be here for the foreseeable future, so I’m pleased to make your acquaintance”

Rin- “H—hello, nice to meet everyone…”

Catherine- “Not a hero, but I look forward to studying here all the same!”

Deane- “I too am not a hero, but hope to improve myself at this college.”

Melissa- “U-umm. Hello. Nice to meet you.”

Their speeches were quite poor and really weren’t very impressive at all, and yet the crowd still gave them a cheer. These fellows are far too excited to see heroes. Surprisingly enough, the male demi-human crowd gave quite a large cheer for Melissa. It would seem she’s actually quite popular? I suppose if you took away the non-human features, she would qualify as a beauty.

The headmaster motioned for the crowd to disperse, and so they did. I left with the crowd, casting a few glances back at the heroes. Unfortunately they don’t appear to be poorly treated… I hope they haven’t gotten overly fond of this heretical country.

As I was looking back with my masked face, I saw something that nearly stopped my heart. Melissa was taking in deep whiffs of the air, a confused expression making its way onto her face as she began to turn her head in my direction.

Oh dear, I forgot about her sense of smell… Her gaze became dead set on my mask. She looked confused initially, but as her gaze caught a glimpse of the sheeted figure on my shoulder, a moment of clarity seemed to overcome her. A number of emotions flashed across her face. Surprise, relief, excitement, and even a few tears came to the corners of her eyes.

Thank Sol, she seems happy to see me. That snot bag could have ruined my plans just now. I do need to be more careful. I moved a finger up to the lips of the mask I wore. In response she came to the realisation that now was neither the time nor the place, and regained her previous demeanour albeit with a smile creeping onto her face.

Why did she seem so surprised to see me?