Chapter 27: Master

After Ren and I left the dormitory, we walked back to the school building and headed to the main gates. Since there was no other way to leave school campus than to leave through the main gates, we had to go back to the main building.

After we were let through, we both checked our schedules to check what classes we had. Other than the academic classes I have everyday from 8am to 12pm, I had 'Laws of Magic', 'Basics of Combat', 'Business Essentials', 'Agriculture', 'Fundamentals of Architecture', 'Introduction to Medicine' split into rotation. 'Laws of Magic', 'Basics of Combat', 'Business Essentials' were on one day from 1pm to 4pm. The rest were on the next day, right after the academic classes. Ren had a similar schedule, except instead of 'Basic of Combat', he had 'Fundamentals of Hunting and Killing' and instead of 'Introduction to Medicine', he had 'Magical Beast Training'.

We both passed through the marketplace on the third level, finding a bookstore easily. All academic textbooks were sold here. Ren and I were about to buy the books required for mathematics, geography, history and literature, but I saw a fellow female student, seemingly sulking by the books, blocking the path.

"Excuse me?"

"Oh! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to block the wa-P-Princess Liliane?!"

She quickly covered her mouth and turned pink. I could only sigh at this sight.

"Don't be so flustered. We're both students here; we have an equal standing."

"Really?"

"Yes."

She sighed with relief, and smiled beautifully. I reached out my hand and pulled her up.

"Um, hello. My name is Flora Brown. Nice to meet you."

I studied the student in front of me. I remembered that she was one of the applicants at the capital taking the elimination test. I think I saw her conjuring an Earth Golem when I was looking out from the carriage. I think she was one of the few commoners that actually passed the entrance exam?

"I believe you conjured an Earth Golem in the elimination exam, right? That was amazing."

"You were watching that?!"

"Yup."

She covered her cheeks that were turning red from embarrassment. Cute.

"Flora, if you don't mind me asking, why were you...crouching in front of the books?"

"Ah! Right...about that...I was wondering how I could buy them...you might know, but I'm a commoner, so I can't quite afford all of this."

True. Since this academy only supplies you with the teachers, you have to get the resources. For a economically strained person, that might be a bit difficult. I could just give her the money, but she seems like the person who would just reject it straight out...well, I guess it's worth a try.

"Then what about I buy them for you?"

"Nononononononono! I canot let the princess buy me textbooks!"

Yup. Thought so.

"Then, what about you try the second-hand book stalls? They might have a few used textbooks for cheaper."

"Ah! That's a wonderful idea! I'll go check them right away. Thank you, Princess!"

She rushed out the door, but I really do wish she would stop calling me 'Princess' here.

Well, both since that problem was resolved, Ren and I finally bought those books. There were about seven textbooks in total we already bought; one for mathematics, one for geography, two for history and three for literature. The store owner gave us cloth bags to put them in, so it was easier to carry them. We found the other necessary textbooks in other bookstores except for the textbook for 'Magic Beast Training' and 'Agriculture'. You would think that this island would at least have books that the Academy used in bookstores, but apparently the courses differ each year, so the textbooks change too.

We eventually found them after visiting a few tents and shops. After, we looked around for other things we would need. I bought some paper, a notebook, envelopes, ink and a few fountain pens. I also got rose-scented wax for sealing letters. Ren bought a skinning dagger for the hunting class and paper.

While we were walking back, I found Flora on the way. It seemed that she found the textbooks at a much cheaper price and still in good quality. I waved in her direction and spoke up to her.

"Were you able to get everything you needed?"

"Kind of. I was able to bring down the prices of the texts so my living expenses are saved, but I still need to buy a new pen. My old one is getting fainter after 5 years of use. But I don't know if I can afford it after some other things I need."

She sighed. I reached into my bag and pulled out one of the pens I bought. I got three of these, so it was fine to give one.

"Here, this is for you. You can have it."

"What? No! I can't accept this! It's such an expensive pen! It would be a waste on me!"

"Consider it as a proof of our...friendship. You are the first friend I made here, after all."

She accepted it much easier this way, but she still bowed many times thanking me.

"Thank you, Pri-"

"Liliane. We are friends, so you must call me Liliane."

"...Pri-"

"Liliane."

"P-"

"Liliane."

"Thank you very much, L-Li-Liliane."

"You're very welcome."

We smiled at each other and talked while we walked back to the dormitories.

I found out that Flora lived on the 80th floor, room 805. Right below my room. We said our goodbyes and left for our rooms. After Ren and I put away all the things we bought, we went outside to go for a walk.

"What time is it?"

Ren suddenly asked me that when we got outside. I lookout the pocket watch Ren gave me and checked the time.

"It's 7 pm."

"Already? That was fast. It's still bright though."

"It's the 4th month. The days are getting longer."

"Right."

Ren inched his hand over to mine and lightly took it. We walked around the second level for a while, holding hands. There was greenery everywhere; trees and flowers rustled in the wind. It was peaceful.

"*whistle* Lovebirds I see?""

A whistle broke the calm atmosphere and brought tension in the air. We let our hands go and put our hands on our swords. There was a powerful presence nearby. It suddenly appeared too. Was the person concealing such a presence until now? Since when?

"Haha, don't be so tense. I won't harm you. The geezer will kill me if I do. Besides, killing such a talent would be a waste."

The voice echoed from around us, never giving us a hint to where the person was. The voice was smooth and silky, presumably a woman's voice.

"You're such a cutie too."

I suddenly heard the voice right by my left ear. I tuned my head in that direction with a whip, my braid almost hitting the woman's face.

"Seriously, don't be so wary. I'm not going to hurt you in any way."

"Don't you notice how big your presence is? It's giving off such a dominating pressure. No one can be relaxed in this atmosphere."

Another voice appeared out of nowhere, sounding like a gruff man.

"Oh, right. I totally forgot."

The pressure suddenly disappeared, as if it wasn't there in the first place.

"You're so insensitive to these things, Remi."

A third voice came into the conversation, presumably a young male.

"Darius!"

"Other than that, shouldn't we show ourselves to the young lady already, she must be wondering who we are."

The gruff voice spoke again.

"Right, right."

Remi, the woman's voice responded nonchalantly, becoming more distinct on where she is. I glanced towards Ren's direction, and the woman coming out of a tree. The man called Darius appeared from the opposite direction, from a bush. An old man popped right behind me, smiling. He opened his mouth and spoke up,

"Let us introduce ourselves. I am Beech Tok, a master of earth magic."

"I am Remi Firo. A master of fire magic."

"I am Darius Brach. Master in light magic."

"""We wish to become your masters."""

All three of them spoke at the same time, perfectly in sync. I stood there speechless for a while, wondering what to do. Headmaster Riff already knew about this, didn't he?

"Um...Is it alright for me to have three masters at the same time?"

"Of course, we all decided that it would work out. I mean, you have four elements inside you right now. Earth is your major element and the other three are only accessible through your gems, but we're confident we can let you perform much more bigger spells. Plus...it seems like it'll be so much fun!"

Master Remi spoke in a very fast and excited manner, so it was almost difficult for me to catch. She continued with great enthusiasm.

"So, what will you do? Will you accept?"

"Well, I can't possibly think of a reason to decline your offer. I'll be in your care from now on."

I bowed, showing my respects to them.

"Perfect. You can go tell headmaster that you don't need to take 'Laws of Magic' anymore. We can teach you all about it. Magic will be learned solely by us. Understood?"

Darius was also quite forward with his orders. He was releasing this sort of...oppressing aura.

"Understood, Master Darius."

Master Darius froze on the spot. I think I just saw his left ear twitch.

"What did you just say?"

"Understood?"

"No, after that."

"Master Darius?"

"Again!"

"Master Darius?"

"Again!!"

"Master Darius!"

I almost shouted at this point. His voice got louder, so mine naturally got louder as well. It seems like he likes being called 'Master'. I wonder if Master Remi and Master Breech have that kind of attachment to the suffix of 'Master'. I sneaked a glance at them and found them firmly shaking their heads at me...I guess they read my thoughts.

The three of them told me to meet them here after school tomorrow to sort out a few things, so we parted ways for the moment.

While Ren and I walked back, Ren let out a long sigh.

"I really can't beat you, Lili. To think you caught the attention of three masters already...I already feel like I'm getting left behind."

He said the last part softly, but I could barely hear it. I slowed down my steps and sneaked behind. I slapped his back as hard as I could.

"Ow! What are you doing?!"

He turned around and held his back with hands, trembling a bit. I widened the space between my feet and put my hand on my hip. The other was pointing at Ren. This was my best arrogant pose.

"I can't have you being left behind, Ren. As your fiancé and self-proclaimed best friend, I need you to be right here, beside me. That means we are equals! I have things I need to work on, you need things to work on. But, we will work together to improve. You will support me, as I will support you. That's how it works. I won't have it any other way."

I stated it as I believed, even though it was completely selfish. I grinned evilly to set the mood, and laughed arrogantly like a villainous noble girl would. I walked away towards the academy, feeling satisfied with what I said. I couldn't stand to say such a cheesy line like that with a serious face, so this was my way of loosening it up.

"...What's with the self-proclaimed part? I already considered you as my best friend."

It was so faint that I almost missed it, but I was glad I caught it. A small giggle escaped my lips as I hummed all the way to the principal's office.

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"Come in."

A rough voice came from the opposite side of the door I just knocked on. When I entered inside, I saw the gentle headmaster sitting at his desk.

"It's almost curfew, young lady. You shouldn't be out this late, visiting the person who could suspend you no less."

"Well, I have a message from Master Darius. He insisted that magic would be taught by them, so I would not be taking 'Laws of Magic'."

"Hahaha, I see. You got three masters, I believe? Good for you."

"Thank you, headmaster."

"I will tell the teacher of the class know. You will have a free hour between classes, so use that time wisely."

"Understood."

"Here are your badges."

"Badge?"

"Getting scouted by a master after graduation is most common, but in some cases, they can be scouted before graduation. In that situation, the student is given a badge of acknowledgement. Since you have three masters, you get three."

"Do I have to put them on?"

"You don't want to?"

"It seems like a lot of trouble, honestly."

"Haha, true. But there are certain privileges you get if you wear them~"

"..."

"They each provide a protective barrier, they can become communicators between you and your master...you get to go deeper into the academy library, -"

"the library??"

"Yes, yes. Originally first year students aren't allowed in, but if you wear those badges, you can go in deep enough to where a department head teacher could go in."

"Really?"

"Yes. Will you put it on now?"

"Okay...but it's only for the books."

Our conversation ended as such, and I left the principle's office. I quickly ran to the dormitories, right before curfew. I locked the door shut and changed into my nightgown, falling asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

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