203. Stupid Stuff
Aw, co on, Saffron!
I threw my hands in the air. It was just a date whatever that was. It didnt matter I was sure Nolan didnt care that much!
Why cant I just delay it by one more week? Itll be fine!
Absolutely not.
The pink-haired noble marched ahead of . We were leaving the dorm building, headed for our classes. She spun on her heels and crossed her arms.
Youve seen what happens when you disrespect a potential suitor by dismissing him so brusquely. Im not sure whether Jacob Axworth was the first, but Im going to ensure hes the last.
But nothing bad even ca from it!
I spoke, exasperated. Saffron shook her head.
Youve managed to elude the consequences now, especially since Jacob Axworth was extrely petty, even for a noble. However, that doesnt an youll be so fortunate in the future. What if King Lamarr isnt there to bail you out the next ti around? What if you get into real trouble, by angering the wrong person?
Ill just deal with it as I usually do.
I shrugged, and she raised a brow.
By punching them in the face?
By clawing them in the face.
I corrected her. She sighed, turning around. Saffron continued down the busy road as I followed after her.
But why should I care about what they do? So what if they retaliate just because Im a little bit rude? Theyre not my companions. If they attack because of a few words I said, then Ill be in the right if I defend myself, no?
Unfortunately, the world of the nobility and the rich doesnt work that way, Salvos. What matters is who you know and who knows you. Yes, Ill admit, Ive underestimated just how important you are, despite being aware of your status and achievents. It took the King of Traith intervening for to fully recognize that.
I bead and gave her an eager nod.
Why, yes, Im quite important. Im glad you finally recognized that.
Thats not what Im saying. Anyway, Im just offering to teach you so basic etiquette. To learn how to behave like a refined lady, befitting that of any noble.
Behave like a noble? And not just pretending to be a noble?
Saffron raised an amused brow as I tapped a finger on my chin.
Youre still new to this world of the upper class. Every small action you take is recorded. And it will be recorded no one knows much about you other than the fact that the bare basics. You killed a Greater Demon. You fought for the Valiant Drears. And you liberated the Plaguelands.
She listed off my most notable feats, crossing off her fingers as she finished.
Now, theyll want to know whats your favorite food? Whats your background like? Who is this Salvos really?
? Im Salvos!
Yes. Yes, you are. But they dont know that. And theyll want to know. You rember what Ivonne said rumors spread when there is interest, and you are an interesting individual. Thats why, to prevent any suspicion from ever being raised against you, youll want to learn how to at least behave like a proper lady. The first way to do that is to treat your potential suitors like theyre actual suitors. Tell again, who is it thats attempting to charm you?
Nolan.
I answered, and Saffron rolled her eyes.
Yes, yes, Nolan. But Nolan who? Theres thousands of Nolans out there. You cant expect to know each and every one of them. Who is this Nolan? What has he done? What is he like?
He calls himself Nolan the Mighty Warrior? I think I may have heard of him before hes probably famous. I just dont rember why he sounds so familiar.
Nolan the Mighty Warrior?
Saffron wrinkled her brows. I cocked my head.
Why? Is sothing the matter?
Ive heard things about his character. Dubious things. Especially regarding won. But thats simply from rumors. Ill have to ask Matthew to carry out a minor investigation into him. You dont want to sully your reputation by romancing with a playboy like him.
I opened my mouth, and she waved a hand off.
Ill explain later. Were both going to be late for our classes. Just tell , Salvos, are you going to accept my help to deal with this matter delicately? Or are you going to brush him off once more, possibly creating more problems for you to deal with down the line?
I hesitated. Then I raised my hand.
This is what nobles do, right? Like Princesses?
Yes. That is how any refined lady should act.
I sighed.
Fine. Ill go searching for the Enigmatic Heart next ti. Ill go on this stupid date with Nolan first, if it ans I can be a Princess.
Very good. My schedule is already fully booked today, but well et up again tomorrow. How does that sound?
Sure!
I grinned, and Saffron was off. We both headed to our classes for the rest of the day. I put my mind off this date, focusing on studying for my upcoming tests.
--
When all my classes were done for the day, I found myself sitting out in a busy park, next to Gallus, scribbling on a notebook as he leaned over, an eyebrow raised.
What are you doing, Ms Salvos?
Im revising. This is the symbolic formula professor Isais wants us to rember, right?
I showed it to him. He frowned.
I cant read that, unfortunately. Your handwriting is like a toddler squiggled all over a piece of paper.
Hey! Ill have you know, Ive improved significantly since two months ago.
I dont know if I should be happy for you, or sad for you, Ms Salvos.
His voice was casual, but he still addressed formally. It was a habit of his, from growing up in the Vaun Qieur Empire. They often used honorifics sothing Id need to rember for the future. Gallus was fine with calling him just by his na. But he was Gallus, not everyone else.
A loud buzzing sound drew my attention. The two of us glanced up, watching a beetle hawk, one about the size of my head, zip up the side of a tree to the canopy above. It was dark here, even though the sun hadnt fully set just yet. That was because we werent truly in a park. It was more like a botanical garden. Except, it was a miniature rainforest.
I ca here because I wanted to know what a rainforest was like. Also, because I asked Gallus if he wanted to co and study with . We had what was called a midterm this week. It was an examination designed to evaluate our performance at the halfway point of the academic term. It wasnt exactly at the halfway point closer to the two-thirds point but it was supposed to be important.
We exchanged notes to each other, sharing everything we knew about the class to ensure that wed both perform well. It was the power of teamwork. Id learned this back when I first t Haec: there were so things you couldnt do alone, so you should do it with others!
I asked questions, he answered them.
And what about this symbol? I dont get how thats supposed to make any sense?
Its not sothing youre truly supposed to create, Ms Salvos. Youre ant to imagine weaving the threads of mana around you into this shape. It may be hard to parse, but thats why it is such
He asked questions, I answered them.
...what exactly do you feel youre doing when you use that Skill?
[Scatter Shift]? Im not too sure. It just feels like Im plopping an item sowhere else? Look you can see how its threads of mana
By the ti we were both ran out of questions and answers, the sun had already long since set. We walked out of the misty rainforest, sared by the ruddy lights of magical lamps that shone only during the night. We were both ntally exhausted, so we spoke of simpler things things of lesser import, unrelated to theory and studies.
...so, you went down this path of learning space magic because you t a Fairy as a child?
It was technically the truth. I was, supposedly, still a child. At least, for Humans. I didnt think I was one, but I wasnt averse to lying and bending the truth when the situation required it.
I t the Fairy again more recently. She was very proud to see how far Ive co. However, she couldnt teach as much as she wanted. Sothing happened? Im not too sure, honestly. But she recomnded that I go to an academy if I really wanted to better improve at space magic.
Fairykind has often remained elusive. Im unsurprised that you were rejected, even if this Fairy was friendly to you. Although, that shed direct you to an academy is interesting. I was under the impression the Fairy Queen had a vendetta against Humans.
I wouldnt say its a personal vendetta just an aversion.
I scratched the back of my head as Gallus scrunched up his face in confusion. I quickly tried to change the subject before he could ask to elaborate.
So, what about you? You still never told why you started learning space magic. Why are you taking this class with professor Isais?
He chuckled, shaking his head.
You really did rember, huh?
I did tell you: Im interested.
I leaned in, patiently waiting for him to continue. This was the thing I learned about Humans and mortals a long ti ago when I first delved into a Dungeon with Daniel and Edithe. It was that they were each, individually, interesting. The problem ca when they were in groups and acted irrationally and stupidly. They beca dangerous and annoying and often caused problems for both and them.
I was raised by a family of skilled [Summoners].
Gallus spoke out, his gaze facing the heavens, staring up at the twinkling stars.
However, they knew that not every child born in our family would have an affinity for summoning. So, to ensure that a child is not set down a path they dont wish to pursue, we are raised alongside Spirits until the age of thirteen, where well finally decide on a Class for ourselves. Whether we wish to be a [Summoner], or start down another path. As you can tell by my Class, I went down another path.
He paused for a mont, taking in a deep breath. Then he continued.
But there was a ti when I almost beca a [Summoner]. You see, I had a hot temper as a child, so I had difficulty bonding with most Spirits. I was more suited to working alone. At least, until I t Shiro.
Shiro?
My first ever summon, and my first ever love.
I cocked my head, even as Gallus was entranced by his own thoughts.
A [Tiger Beastkin]. With fur so white and pure, youd think it was snow. Wed spend so much ti together my days seed to ld into one when I was with him. I dont know if he ever reciprocated my feelings, but I know that I loved him. Which was why it only hurt even more when I was forced to break my contract with him.
You broke your contract with him? Wait
I rembered Edithe and Mistshard. Their contract was broken, and now Edithe could never see Edithe ever again. No Edithe couldnt summon ever again. It was the wrath of the Spirit Lord. I didnt understand it. I also didnt get why Gallus had to break his contract, even when he explained it to .
I was fifteen when my parents found out about my love for him. They forbade it. I refused to listen, because I knew my feelings were true. So, they forced our contract to end, and my ti as a [Summoner], too, ended.
Huh.
I blinked.
Thats weird.
Gallus closed his eyes.
Im sure you find it odd. And I did too, at first. But I truly loved him. Even if he was a [Beastkin]. Even if he was a man
No.
I cut him off, furrowing my brows.
Love sounds weird. You loved Shiro, so you did sothing that made it so you could never see him again? Thats weird!
I murmured. Was this what Humans did willingly? Was this what Nolan or Jacob Axworth supposedly felt towards ? But that wasnt right, was it?
Gallus stared at for a mont, trying to work his jaw. The bulky man was at a loss for words. Then he sighed, rubbing his temples.
I agree, Ms Salvos. Love works in strange ways. It makes you act irrationally perhaps even foolishly. But I knew what I felt was true. And I couldnt help but stand by my feelings. Now, I learn space magic so that I can see Shiro again. To speak with him, not as strangers in a temple, but to profess my love for him. I dont need anything more than that just a hole through space, a dium for us to speak, to know always that hes safe, and to tell him how Ive felt all these years.
Thats
When Saffron heard that I was going on a date with Nolan, she ntioned how she never thought Id be soone who fell in love. And I agreed. Id never fall in love. After all, Gallus was going through all that just to say he loved Shiro? That was
Love is dumb.
Gallus only laughed.
It really is.
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