The morning came that I was to enter the mage academy. Ki had woken me up especially early to do my hair, make me wash my face, brush my teeth and wear the academy first-year uniform.
Since it was a formal occasion I wouldn't be wearing the green robe set that made me look like a Christmas tree. Instead, I would be wearing a black set of robes with a white sash to indicate I was the first year.
On the end of the sash, there was a brown tip to indicate I used earth magic. I still had to wear a badge with a start ranking on it however that was pinned on my shirt. Only one star was highlighted on it to show that I was a beginner.
Kibbles looked smart in a little cape that Ki had designed to match the uniform. A bright red strip was on the black cape to match his fire magic.
I went down into the dining area for breakfast where Ren, Reo and Loki were waiting. Loki was wearing the exact same uniform as me except instead of a green tip there was a yellow one to indicate light magic.
He looked really handsome in the uniform as if he was born to wear it. I, on the other hand, looked like a villain in anything that I wore. This uniform especially didn't help with it. Ki, Ren and Loki were asked to join grandfather, Kibbles and me for breakfast.
The seating arrangements were as follows, Reo was at the head of the table to the left were Ki and Ren to his right were Kibbles and Loki while I sat at the other end of the table.
Breakfast was a hearty mix of spirit beast eggs, some sort of fruit juice and a light and fluffy bread. The eggs were the size of a dinner plate so I didn't have to worry about going hungry.
" I am proud of you Yuki" Reo said all of a sudden between bites for his food.
I looked over to see him with that same look father used to have when I trained.
" Thank you Grandpa, I will try not to let you down," I said looking over.
" Young man, do not let any harm come to my grandson. Consider his face the same as my own. Any injury will be an injury to the general of Tama. " Grandfather said sternly looking at Loki.
[ I don't think he cares if you're injured, unfortunately ]
" As you say General Akiyo, " Loki said with a perfect submissive yet stern tone.
" Ren, young Yellow are you packed?" Reo said looking over at Ki and Ren.
" Of course Master" Ki and Ren replied together.
" If anything happens in the academy, you bring him home safe!" Reo said again.
" Did something happen grandpa?" I said with an eyebrow raise.
" I don't trust those Vance hooligans. We may be in peace right now, but someone from Vance is still someone from Vance" Reo said angrily.
" We think the same in that respect" I replied wondering about who my enemies would be before sighing.
Ki, Ren, Kibbles, Loki and myself all said our final goodbyes from the door before stepping into the carriage. What had surprised me was that the bandits who had become the local heroes for the people, Haia and her team, were all on horseback to take us to the school as guards.
Loki was in the carriage with Kibbles and me while Ki and Ren decided they would sit in the front and drive. Considering how volatile the relationship between Ki, Ren and Loki was it was probably for the best.
" We will get you to school young master you can count on us!" Haia said in her guards uniform. Her slim curves were nowhere to be seen in the practical armour she was wearing. However, there was a handsomeness shining through from her training that made people unable to stop staring.
The bandits all looked at her with more reverence than the last time I saw them. I knew they were all willing to give up their lives should she call for it.
I looked out from the carriage window and said " Thank you! I will be in your care!" brightly before smiling at Haia.
" Alright, dirtbags let's take the young man to school!" Haia said and with that, we were off. I watched from the carriage window as Reo saw us off. He stayed at the gate waving until he looked like a small dot in the distance and my heartfelt rather full.
[ He may be a silly bird-headed man, but he is my grandfather ]
I shut the curtain after I removed my head from the carriage window as the light from the sun began to shine. I looked over at Kibbles who was being traitorous in Loki's arms while he read a book in a language that probably did not exist in Tama before I decided to meditate.
The trip for over before I knew it and Loki had shaken me to get me out of my trance. I heard shouting from outside and looked over at Loki who had shrugged.
" Ki, what is it? " I said to Ki who was outside driving with Ren.
" Vance" Ki replied in one word.
I clenched my fist and went to take a step outside before Loki grabbed me.
" It is really no big deal," Loki said as he pulled on my arm.
" What happened?" I replied to Loki's nonchalant tone.
" Your carriage was supposed to go into the school gate before most others unless there is royalty yes?" Loki said with an eyebrow raised.
" Mm as the generals family that is correct custom, why?" I said confused.
" Well..as it turns out," Loki said before he explained that Vance's general's kids also arrived at the school. They happened to arrive at the same time as us and we are currently in a deadlock with them to get in.
I thought long and hard for a moment after hearing what Loki had said and put my hand out the carriage window before I knocked on the wood.
The shouting match which I couldn't quite make out due to the soundproofing in the carriage was suddenly silent.
" Let them through first," I said in my best young master tone outside the window.
I heard the clopping of spirit beast hooves before our carriage began to move. I looked over at Loki who seemed to be in thought before he looked at me.
" You know what you just did right?" He said with a cheeky grin.
" What do you mean?" I replied.
" In a show of strength Vance just got one over Tama. I hope you realise that" Loki said before shrugging.
I sighed and thought about what he said.
Being a young master was going to be hard at this school. Especially since I had to protect the face of Tama in everything I did.
" No point caring about it now," I said sighing.
" Mm, just something to think about " Loki replied.
We parked our carriage in the designated spot that the guards at the entrance point out for us and it was finally time to step outside. Loki had opened the door and walked out before he held out his hand for me to take.
I took it and stepped outside.
The air was clean and crisp but for some reason I felt really uneasy.
There was a dirt pathway underneath us and hundreds of students all entering the school. It reminded me of a bees nest due to all the hustle and bustle. I fixed up my clothing and Haia, Ki and Ren all stood by my side.
" Those Jerks! I can't believe what they said about my men! If we were back in our bandit days I would have robbed them silly!" Haia said with a frown on her face.
" I couldn't hear the argument… mind catching me up?" I said to Haia.
She looked over at me and hesitated before Ren jumped in and said " They said that the guards in Tama were of low quality and breeding."
" They… what." I said angrily before looking at Loki who shrugged.
Ki said in a calm tone " They are probably just trying to make you look like a fool by making you angry it is best to ignore it"
" Where are they now" I said looking around.
" They must have gone to the assembly grounds" Ki replied.
" Haia, You are doing a good job and Grandpa said you and your crew are very loved by the people. Try not to let them get to you!" I said after a moment trying to cheer her up.
The bandits looked over at us before nodded their heads.
" Yeah we are loved!" one of them said.
" Mrs Peachers apples are the best!" said another.
" Screw those Vance scum!" said another
Haia looked over at me grateful before she said " You are just like your father" before she rounded up her men not willing to add any more details.
I watched them leave before someone from the school came up to us and told Ren and KI where to put all our luggage. I looked over at the pair before I smiled as watched them disappear. It was just Kibbles, Loki and myself that were escorted to the welcoming ground by two school guards.
It was all starting to feel more official as Loki who was holding Kibbles stood by my side.
" You know everyone is going to think Kibbles is your spirit beast" I jested trying to lighten the mood.
" You jealous?" Loki quipped back.
The conversation went back and forth for a while before we ended up at a huge stadium. I couldn't believe the sheer amount of new students that were here. They were all wearing the exact same clothes as Loki and I.
Some were taking their seats while others were whispering to the people next to them. Loki and I were taken directly to a VIP area where the royal family and other important guests were already seated.
I was told to sit next to the princess who had a wide grin on her face while Kibbles and Loki were seated in front of us.
" Yuki! I have missed you!" Rosli said before she grabbed my arm.
I looked over to see Nathan and Leo who were next to her and I smiled brightly. They were both about to say hello before I noticed a few unfamiliar faces.
" Who are they?" I said quietly in Rosli ear.
Rosy's face became bright red due to how close I was before she let go of my arm and beckoned me to follow her.
We walked over to the new group of people while Leo and Nathan also stood up. We all said our greetings although Nathan seemed a little strange and headed over to the new group.
I didn't notice one member before it was too late.
" Sora.." I said under my breath.
As a green-haired young man looked at me and smiled.
" Long time no see.. Yuki" Sora replied.