Chapter 42: Chapter 40: A necessary journey II
"Good, great. I approve." Aleister spoke with a grin as his eyes bore into Mikoto; the man seed uncharacteristically ecstatic. So in the room could not help but feel unnerved by the sudden happiness. Especially Lucinda; she was very much used to the headmaster.
He was her own personal trainer at one point; not many in the kingdom could keep up with her rate of growth, so she was mostly self-taught. But Aleister was one of the few who could stand on equal footing with her, to so extent. He was by no ans an emotionless man, but then again, he was not one to just express himself.
Despite knowing the man for a good amount of ti, he was still unreadable. Which is why the ’sole’ spawn of Octavia found his outburst a bit eerie.
"Tch, c’mon, let’s cut the crap already." Mirabella chid in, sowhat impatient. "You going to keep dancing around on why you brought us here?"
"I must agree." Agatha surprisingly stated: "I an no disrespect, but our ti could be better spent elsewhere."
"Yes, yes." Aleister humd, sparing Mikoto one last glance. "I suppose I got a satisfactory answer, so I’ll cut to the chase. You were recomnded to participate in this year’s Sorcery War Gala, or this year’s festival." Lucinda was not surprised by his words; she was always going to have to participate in the festival. Like she had to last year when she was going through her ’phase’.
But barring Victoria, the other three were first-year students.
"Forgive , though I do not question the Academy’s choice, but is it wise to send first-years?" Victoria spoke up, speaking Lucinda’s thoughts. "And I myself am not that adaptable in combat."
"You were all recomnded by various professors, and I trust my colleagues judgnts." Aleister replied smoothly.
"I suppose you are not just going to send us straight in, should we agree." Agatha surmised.
"Correct, there was a special curriculum we developed." Aleister confird. "Of course we will not force you, so do you all agree?"
"Oi hag, my old man is okay with
participating?" Mirabella questioned, directing her gaze at Guinevere.
"Of course, little Mira." She answered, smirking at the princess’s annoyance at the small nickna. "In fact, he encouraged it."
"Fine, I’ll get to fight so strong guys, right?" Mirabella grinned. "Anything to improve my power." This was not an opportunity to take lightly. Not only was it a great honor, but it was also a great opportunity. ("I’ll see you there, big sis.")
"I suppose I shall agree as well." Agatha followed suit with an answer. It was not like she could be confused; even if she was not recomnded, she would be forced to participate. All due to her father, the festival was a rare opportunity to test herself after all. But furthermore, she would not deny that she was sowhat excited; despite being a first-year, she had the opportunity to participate in a festival in honor of the Goddess of war, magic, and navigation. She was sowhat honored.
"Well, I was always going to participate." Lucinda stated, as the only spawn of Octavia and an Inheritor, she had little choice herself. The kingdom would always pressure her to participate, and it was thanks to her master that she had ti to at least prepare before she ultimately participated in her first festival last year. Then again, most saw this opportunity as an honor.
("It is a rare opportunity, I suppose.") Victoria internally mused. It was already a great honor to participate in the festival, even more so when one was recomnded by a professor. But this curriculum Aleister spoke off, though she did not know the specifics; she assud it was a training regi. She might be away from ho for awhile.
("Just when mother is in full health...") She wanted to refuse, but she knew very well how that would turn out. Her mother always wanted her to take advantage of any opportunity that presented itself. She did not want to drag down her own daughter, even when Victoria deed that not to be the case. She heaved a small sigh. She would be doing her kingdom a great service with this and no doubt making House Eizenberg proud. "I accept as well." She concluded that she would make her family proud.
"Is there a reward for participating, or sothing else? I don’t want to be doing this for free." The words left Mikoto’s mouth, and then he received incredulous looks from everyone barring the headmaster.
("Is this guy serious?") Mirabella could not help but think. Did he not know what the reward was for winning the festival?
("As uncouth as always.") Agatha could not help but think that, if there was anything that was constant with Mikoto, then it was just how unbothered he could be despite the situation.
"Hmm, you wish for a personal reward?" Aleister questioned. "A bit unfair, no? No one else will be granted one. The reward for winning the festival a total of a hundred tis ans a reward for the kingdom the individual represents, not the individual themselves. Their reward is the honor of serving their kingdom."
"I get that, but see, I’m pretty strong." Mikoto casually stated as he jabbed a thumb at himself. "I’m a foreigner too, so I’m not exactly loyal to Galadriel."
"Such confidence." Guinevere mused, a smirk adorning her features. "Is it just pride, or are you so sure of yourself?"
"Who knows? All I know is that I’m valuable." Guinevere humd at his answer, her interest further deepening.
"I see. Well, I suppose if you put it that way, we could grant you sothing should you accept and succeed. Seeing as you’re a foreigner, there can be an exception." Aleister explained.
"A deal it is, then."
"Good," Aleister stated before turning to Guinevere. "You take it from here."
"Alright, then we’ll be going over your curriculum briefly." Briefly glancing at Lucinda and Victoria, she continued. "As I understand it, the two of you are in your third and fifth years, respectively. So you’re not exactly lacking in experience, though you’ll be included in the curriculum to get more used to each other."
"What exactly are the specifics of this curriculum?" Victoria questioned.
"Our other sister nation, Verdantis, has had so trouble there as of late." Guinevere started invoking slight confusion from most in the room. "You lot will be traveling to Verdantis to redy a small situation there. As part of your training."
"Hold on, you an to send us to another nation for a re curriculum?" Agatha asked, befuddled. "Why can’t we just remain in Galadriel? I am sure there is much that can help us here." She argued.
"You make good points, dear." Guinevere acknowledged. "However, the situation with Verdantis is unique, and it will surely be beneficial to you in the long run. But if you do not wish to stray too far from ho, then it is fine."
"Tch, are you actually going to get hosick, Blondie?" Mirabella snickered.
"Quiet you oath." She snapped. "I do not care if I have to go far; as long as I can learn from this curriculum, then all is well."
"Alright then, if that is sorted out, I suppose there are no further objections." Guinevere started. "Good, then all of you will be leaving by ship tomorrow."
"Further, you will be accompanied by our ward expert, Professor Eugene, and an assistant teacher, Fiona." Aleister explained.
("Fiona, hm? This will be more fun than I suspected.") Victoria mused.
("Fiona, I haven’t spoken to her in awhile. It might be as good a ti as any to catch up.") Mikoto thought.
"Though we still have other students that might make the cut, those few will be trained here at the academy. For now, it will just be you few; be sure to be at the docks in the capital city at eight. Professor Eugene will inform you more about your task should you reach Verdantis. Now all of you are dismissed."
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[Later]
[Luminare Academy]
"Whoa, I can’t believe you actually got recomnded." William murmured from his seat in the dining area, with Ruby next to him and Mikoto seated across from him.
"Indeed, I did not expect a bully to be recomnded." Ruby dryly replied. ("As expected from you, Mikoto~")
"C’mon, are you still pissed about the training?" Mikoto questioned bemused. "I said I was sorry."
"Hmph!" The aqua-haired girl rely pouted as he just shook his head. ("How noble~")
"So you’ll be traveling to Verdantis tomorrow?" William asked as he nodded his head in confirmation.
"Apparently. And don’t worry, she may be pissed at , but I’ll still keep an eye on your sister." Mikoto stated.
"Heh, thanks, Mikoto." William smiled at the masked boy. "You’re a really good friend."
"Nah, I would’ve been a good friend if I had stopped your sister beforehand."
"But you eventually did, no?" William spoke, waving him off. "And besides, I kind of deserved that beating. But thank you, Mikoto, for looking after Agatha and continuing to do so. I know she’ll warm up to you eventually."
"I find that impossible. Mikoto is a bully." Ruby stated it matter-of-factly as Mikoto sighed. But then he recalled sothing.
"Right, I won’t be at the academy for awhile. So William, think you can check sothing out for ." William looked at Mikoto in confusion as the masked boy reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. "I found this laying around; could you find out who wrote it and give it back to them?"
Taking the note and unfolding it, he just montarily went over the structure of the sentences.
"A poem?" He questioned Ruby as she tried to take a peek.
"Yeah, I won’t have ti to see who that belongs to, so you think you could?" Mikoto requested.
"Of course, it’s the least I can do." William agreed.
"Thanks, man." Mikoto spoke as he stood up from his seat. "Though I’m going to have to retire early, I have to get up early tomorrow. I’ll make sure to bring souvenirs. See you."
"Bye, bye."
"See you, Mikoto."
With his parting given, Mikoto grinned to himself.
"Finally, so progress."
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