"Why me though? Why not ask the other professors? They know how to treat poisons better than I do."
"Did you forget?! She's a Lily class! No one would want to heal her!"
Favian blinked in realization as he peered at the weak looking Inna. She usually acts so energetic and strong so he eventually ended up forgetting the fact that she's actually from that Lily class; the abandoned class.
Favian sighed in pity as he softly patted Inna's head. Seeing her with her eyes closed and her expression peaceful as she slept, she actually looked resembled a harmless cub. But, with a conflicting expression, Favian withdrew his hand as he spoke.
"Sorry, I can't."
Raghnall's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at his dear good 'brother.'
"I want to lend out a helping hand, trust me I do. But I've got Keeper duties. If I leave, I might get in far worse trouble than you."
"It's an emergency! She needs you!"
Favian scrunched up her brows as he looked at his dear childhood friend straight in the eye.
"First of all, it is YOUR emergency. Just because I met her and she's your friend doesn't mean i'm willing to risk my track record for her. I need to graduate! I've been in this academy for five years already and I have never had complaints or punishment written in my records so sorry to say, but I'm not going to break that with just a strange weirdo that even you, her self proclaimed friend, don't even know where she came from."
Raghnall gritted his teeth as he glared at Favian. Though, in the back of his mind, he knew Favian was right. After all, he only met Inna once and there's little information on her background as well.
Where she came from, from whom did she learn her strange antics, her strange words, her strange mannerisms and actions, and the reason behind the little knowledge she had on Anemoly and its tradition…
He didn't know any of those…
It seemed all too foolish for Favian to risk getting marked as a rule breaker now that he's close to graduating. He's worked hard for it for five years and for Raghnall to ask him to risk it would be too selfish of him.
After all, in order to graduate in the Eldora Academy, regardless of whether they are in Combat or Magic, they needed to take a recognition test. But the test is one of the hardest tests in all of Anemoly. Only true experts or those who trained hard to strengthen themselves in the academy can pass. So, in order to prepare themselves for the test, students are assigned to classes that corresponds to their strength. By being assigned to a certain class, the students are enrolled to selected subjects that are perfect in challenging them and making them learn more thus strengthening them. Though, students can also request to join a harder subject if they deem their subject too easy.
And when they become too strong for their class, they can transfer up towards the higher classes by issuing a formal battle with a student from the said higher class. And when they reach the level of Rose class, they are now eligible to partake of the recognition test. But most of the Rose class would still take years of strengthening themselves and numerous failures in order to be able to finally pass the recognition test.
But, there was only one exception to that rule.
A student who was able to surprise the whole nation by passing the recognition test after only a year of studying.
That was the Headmaster's son.
And to think that he was simply ten at that time!
But sadly, the kid wasn't able to properly graduate after the test since the behavior in the academy would be considered as well. If a student had a track record of misbehavior, he would have to spend a year to reform himself inside the academy by doing academy service.
And so, Raghnall understood why Favian refused to jeopardize his record for someone he barely knew.
So, he decided to compromise.
"Okay fine. How about this? I'll stand in for you while you take her."
Favian's eyebrows shot up as he looked at Raghnall in disbelief.
"Do you really think they'll allow that?"
Raghnall softly pushed Inna towards Favian as he stared at him in all seriousness.
"I don't want to waste anymore time than this. I'll use an illusion spell to pretend to be you. I've been together with you ever since you picked your nose that I pretty much can replace your existence anytime of the day."
Favian rolled his eyes at his childhood friend's exaggeration as he gently carried Inna.
"Fine. But you still have to watch out for Rira. That girl's eyes are like a Ranger's. She'll sooner or later see something is wrong."
Raghnall's mask of seriousness soon turned into one of annoyance.
"Can you just go now?! I'm sure she wouldn't complain even if she were to find out! That girl is like a sap to a tree, sticky and disgusting. But for my sanity, I'll be making sure that she'll never ever find out that it's me. Now, go hurry."
Favian nodded. He walked a few a meters with Inna in his arms before he stopped again in worry.
"Make sure to stay out of trouble okay? I swear if you get into trouble while using my image, I'll end our friendship right there and then. Yet somehow trouble seems to always follow you aro--"
"JUST. GO!"
Raghnall gritted out as his patience ran thin. Favian's face was full of shock as he never expected Raghnall to raise his voice at him.
He couldn't even remember the last time Raghnall expressed such deep annoyance towards him. But he knew not to make a big deal out of it as he wiped off the surprise from his face.
He may not agree with the fact that Inna's presence is affecting too much of Raghnall's sanity, but he knew that his dear good brother treats her as close as a fellow brother so it would also be insensitive of him to try and separate them. With a quick inhale of air, Favian began brisk walking as fast as he can while making sure that Inna wasn't affect much by the movements.
Seeing Favian's back now a long distance away, Raghnall decided that it was time to calm himself down. He no longer needed to panic. After all, he trusted his good brother so he knew she was in good hands.
When he can no longer see Favian's back, he began to chant the Illusion spell he will use to pretend to be Favian. And soon after his chanting finished, his whole body was covered in a white mist. Then, when the mist thinned out, Raghnall's figure began to show itself. And now, he looked exactly like a body double of Favian.
Raghnall decided to adjust his voice as well since Favian's voice is a bit higher than his. So after a few vocalizations, he finally found the right pitch. Then, with that pitch, he chanted a spell again to temporarily change his voice. And when it was done, Raghnall decided to test out his voice.
"Ma.…Me.….Miiiiiiii…."
It eerily resembled Favian so he held in a laugh as he repeated the words he always wanted Favian to admit way back when they were still in their teens.
"I like having stuffed toys in my room."