Arches Magic Academy…
"Dean, what do we do if the Princess brings back that commoner girl?" A man with glasses on asked as he pushed the glasses that threatened to slide off his nose back into position.
"What do you mean!? Wasn't it well verified that goblins had taken control of the temple? After running in there with so many Spark Lions, how would she come out alive? She is probably being used as a breeder as we speak. So even if she was alive, it would be best to put her out of her misery." The Dean of Arches Magic Academy, Dean Clarkson, replied. He actually did not like Yue Noret, the girl without any ability to cast magic, who forced her way into his academy through the king's recommendation. He was hoping to use this event as a means to get rid of her and wipe clean the stain that had plagued the academy for the past few months.
"Sir… By chance, she does come back alive in one piece…. I mean, she is a Noret. They are very well known for their combat capabilities. I have even heard of her parents training that girl fiercely as a magic knight. If I recall, that girl has wiped out a goblin nest before, by herself..." The man with glasses was worried about their reputation as they had already publicly announced her death. Saying she died after being dragged away by Spark Lions along with a few other students.
"Humph! If you add in the Spark Lions, there is no way she could have escaped an easy fate. We will not discuss this anymore. There is no way that Princess Venessa will find that girl in one..."
"Dean Clarkson! We have an issue!" Another man walked in. He was on the chubbier side and was sweating from head to toe from running so fast.
"What is it!? Why are you causing a fuss in my office!?" Dean Clarkson yelled. It had no idea why this man was barging into his office, raising a fuss!
"They… They found her… and…. There…. There is a grand celebration going on in the capital, and the person they are celebrating is Yue Noret!" The chubby man explained while wiping the sweat from his brow. He had run all the way from the main street to the academy when he saw what was going on.
Dean Clarkson stood knocking his chair over and yelled: "What? That is impossible!"
"Dean, there's more..." The chubby man continued. "Princess Venessa and Albert of the royal knights declared that the Academy had spread false information and not only imprisoned her teacher but also declared Yue Noret, a hero who risked her life to save her classmates as dead instead of sending a search party out for her."
"Humph! Just say our information was incorrect. If we apologize, there is nothing anyone can do to us. Also, release Clara Reinford. Tell her if she knows what is good for her, she will not speak of what happened." Dean Clarkson knew it was useless to lie after Princess Venessa made such a grand show of things.
---
Out on the streets waving at the crowd, Yue was smiling away from the back of a horse drawn wagon. "You know it is quite amazing how well you are accepting so many stares with that stupid smile on your face."
"Princess, maybe if you smiled more, you would have more suitors trying to marry you. That scary look you are always making is not good for your public image." Yue teased. She found that Princess Venessa, once she dropped her prejudice against her, was a very likable person. As Yue never held real hate towards anyone, she did not mind giving the stuck up princess another chance at friendship.
"You! What scary look!?" Princess Venessa looked at Yue in shock. She was not sure if she should take Yue seriously or not! She was always self-conscious about her looks!
"I was just joking. You are very beautiful, Princess." Yue gave Princess Venessa a genuine smile before turning back to the crowd, who seemed to be loving the show of events. Fireworks, streamers, confetti, the royal knights went all out, setting this parade up. And all of it was to make a show of the fact that the academy tried to kill off a hero.
Out of all the onlookers, there was one person who was gritting his teeth and cursing the fact that Yue was actually alive. "How did she survive!? Why can't that damn wolf girl just die!? She not only ruined my chances of getting close to the Princess and caused me to be scorned by my father, but now she is getting fame for it all!"
Van Coledall was the youngest son of the house Coledall. He was trying to make his father recognize him by sealing the deal with the princess and having her marry into the family. This would not only help his family's influence in court but also his place in line for becoming the next family head. But thanks to Yue, it was all gone now!
Yue's keen wolf senses picked up on some killing intent from the crowd of people and spotted a familiar figure standing at the back. "Humph! You want to show such pure killing intent, fine!" Yue flicked her fingers together, and not even a split second later, a scream came from the back of the crowd.
"Ahh! This young man's clothes are on fire!"
"Look, the fire isn't hurting him at all. It is just burning his clothes!"
"Oh, my lord, is this one of those what you call a nudist!? Did he burn his clothes so he could be nude in public!?"
"Isn't that the Coledall, young master? Is this what they teach these high society noble kids to roll around naked pretending to be on fire!?"
"Oh my! Look, he wet himself!"
Each comment was like a stab to Van's heart as he rolled around, trying to put the fire on his clothes out. He was so panicked and scared that he was going to be burnt to death. He had not realized he was not being harmed in any way by the fire. Yue had made sure her fire would not burn his skin or hair just the clothes off his back. With a satisfied smile she went back to waving at the crowd ignoring the questioning look Princess Venessa was giving her.