The night went by fast considering I was sleeping. I had a light breakfast of eggs and toast with some brambleberry jam, the cherry one. We left soon after and when we arrive at the academy, I could see 4 burly men shooting shit to kill time standing next to what I assume was my furniture. They point at us and read some papers before their boss comes jogging towards us. He stops at a safe distance considering my armed guards.

"Ahem, are you Master Drinker."

"I am."

"Great just let us know where you want your things unpacked and placed, we'll do everything."

Captain Vesimir goes to inspect the goods for quality assurance. He immediately noticed an item that wasn't on our order list.

"What's with this desk, we didn't order this."

"Sir that was Mr. Chao's doing he didn't want the young master not having a desk while we got his order prepared."

"Very well then, what if its damaged when he gets it back."

"Don't worry Sir, Mr. Chao is more excited to make the acquaintance with the Drinker family than to care for some possible damage to a desk.

Vesimir deems everything fit to the order aside from the additional rented desk.

I get them to place everything where I wanted, the desk facing the wall next to the window, the wardrobe on its left, and my bed along with its frame towards the entrance away from the window.

A short break to give you a visual of the room.

____W__________

1T C 1 W = window, T = Table, C = Chair

1T 1 B = Bed, / = Door

1WD bbb1

1WD bbb1

1WD bbb1

______/__________

Once I was satisfied with where everything was placed, I sent the men on their way. I had to sign that that the delivery was satisfactory and that none of the furniture was damaged which didn't take more than a minute to read along with Vesimir over my shoulder to make sure everything was good and they weren't trying to pull a fast one on me. It made me glad that he was so careful but it also made me feel like I dumb. Granted from his perspective I was a child, not someone with more years of experience of avoiding scams and the like. The rest of the day was spent unloading my clothes from home and choosing my favorites into my wardrobe with the occasional visit from messengers sent to pick up or check on orders. The next week was mind numbly boring since everything I needed was set in order, the extra work given to me done, rechecked and done again. I started making flashcards to test my memory which some of my tutors' thought was an interesting idea but questioned if I was learning and understanding the subject. That next day Mrs. Stein sent a messenger to see if I wanted to go to a picnic with them, a much need distraction from the repetitive and monotonous last week. I told the messenger that I was eager to join them on their picnic. Captain Vesimir and the 4 soldiers came again as I enjoyed the I view on the Capital hillside overlooking the river.

"So, Adam have you settled in?"

"Yes Mrs. Stein, the places you told me helped a lot."

"I'm glad, how are your studies going then?"

"Mmm it's boring, I learned all of it already."

"Really could you watch over Damian then? He doesn't have many friends as I'm guessing you as well. You two could look after each other."

I just gave her a nod as I was munching on a peanut and jelly sandwich. It was a peaceful day we spent much of it looking at boutiques and eating at restaurants. As we walked Damian had his eyes glued on an opaque window showcasing plate-mail with chain mail underneath.

"You like swords and armor?"

Damian gave me a nod.

"I like it a lot, Papa always looks so cool when he wears his, so I want one too, but Papa said I'm too small for one."

"Maybe if you're lucky you Papa will get you your own when we get older."

"Mmm Mmm."

We go inside to sate Damian's curiosity, I can't say I'm not excited at the idea of being the knight in shining armor but there certainly wasn't some damsel in distress that I need to save. Mrs. Stein decided to take her daughter to visit the cloth stores next door. Vesimir goes to the counter and asks the attendant to get him some oil since he was running low as he did it at least once a day.

"So, Damian which type of sword do you like?"

"I don't really like swords, spears look cooler, specially lances. One time my Papa let me see him fight at the tournament and he blew the other guy straight of his horse. The other guy was really strong too he got back up and he knocked my papa off that next time. But they were both so strong and cool ramming right back into the fight. You know what I mean?"

Damian looked so excited he was basically frothing at the mouth. Afraid to get rabies I readily agree that spears and lances are cool.

"Mmm I know what you mean spears are cool but I like swords more."

"Why do you like the sword when you carry a dagger?"

"Oh, this one? My Dad gave it to me when I left home, plus its' kind of like a short sword when I use it."

"Hahaha if my dad gave me a spear if would be a sharpened stick."

We continued to goof off as we went around the store, I gazed at some of the armor showcased like the plate-mail from earlier. But what caught my eye a green colored brigandine, it looked like scaly leather studded with navy blue metal rivets. It was warm to the touch, and the inside was a strangely fluffy textured wool of some sort.

"That's Kelpie leather… "

"Ahh!! Vesimir you scared me." I slap his thigh as hard as I could.

"Huahaha, I'm sorry young master that wasn't my intention." He was laughing so hard he had to wipe his eyes for tears.

"You that this is kelpie? Like the water horse?"

"That very one. This one seems to use an older kelpie considering the color and suppleness of the leather."

"What about the mesh inside?"

"That's wool from Cloudmist Sheep."

"What's Cloudmist sheep?" Damian said after hearing my scream.

"Young Damian, Cloudmist sheep are a variety of sheep valued for their wool that makes them float ever so gently."

"What if they get blown away by the wind."

"I won't say that's never happened but its uncommon as the magical quality only comes about after a certain age from the sheep and it would take more than a mere gust to sweep them off their hooves."

"Wow balloon sheep wool."

"Ball- What young master."

"Oh, don't worry about Vesimir."

"They aren't flying merely floating."

After our discussion on the difference between floating and flying Damian's mother has a servant to fetch us as we had been browsing for quite a while already. We stop by the Stein family's estate for a small dinner, after which I head back to my room at the academy. The rest of the week after Damian was settled into his room, on the first floor by the stairs we would end up talking more often as the other students started to flood back from their vacations. Damian and I ended up studying together as he wasn't sure against some topics like mathematics and vocabulary. We also wanted to spar against each other because Sir Henry's advice, since we were close in build and height. Mrs. Stein wasn't happy about the suggestion but seeing as how vehemently Damian wanted to participate in the sport she agreed along the lines that we needed supervision and adequate protection as she didn't want us to hurt each other and miss the first week of the semester. My tutors finally had free time again as they finished their background checks along with their required paperwork on their credentials besides the recommendation from my parents. Sir Henry focused on reinforcing my footwork and stances while he enjoyed at teaching Damian spearmen basics with and without a shield. He even taught some forms from staves should Damian lose his spearhead. Damian was excited to learn soon realized how much hard work he would need if he wanted to use something as big as what his father used, which only served to motivate him. So much so that Sir Henry had to tell him to slow down as he could've hurt himself from his rush.