Shanie had visited me in the morning where I found her seated on the door. How she entered my room without my permission, was easily solved because of the key dangling on her belt. Her gaze landed on me, lips raised, she leaned on the drawer. "Didn't think you'd stay here all day."
"Any reason you're here?"
"Nothing, really, just wondering if you have time to do something other than practice the sword."
I wonder what she was planning. "What are you planning?"
"Nothing? I just think that you should get out of the academy more."
"I already went out on my own."
"And you didn't invite me? How rude…"
Whatever she wanted, I didn't know. I wore my clothes and throw the blanket on her which she catches. Shanie placed the blanket on the side. She folded her arms, leaned on the wall, and raised her chin at me.
"So they want me to check up on you. Looks like you're doing well."
"I am doing well. Eyes please."
"Well, somehow has an high opinion of themselves."
"Can't be helped."
She snorted at my comment. After I wore my coat we got out of the room. I followed her and it didn't take long for us to arrive in front of the field grounds where I saw noble lads who were standing on it. Shanie chuckled at the sight of the noble lads facing one another.
"What's this?"
"Cliques being mad at one another."
"Ah, I see. I guess the prefect here doesn't dare to involve himself when they have many lads here. I hear that they are eager to fight it out."
I looked a them, "What a waste of time. They should be honing their skills instead of wasting it like this."
My voice was neither too loud or low. One of them gave me hard eye for what I said. But I snorted and release some of my prana to make him back down obediently. The noble backed down after seeing and feeling the intensity of my prana. Shanie thumped me on the shoulder and we continued walking.
The academy was mostly quiet. The students walked with their books clasped on their chest. We entered a door, turned right to the staircase, went to the right of the hall before climbing to the left where we found ourselves into the administrative office and where the faculty was located. We entered the Headmaster's office where he waited kindly. His prana was off the charts, and perhaps he tested me before the wraith's essence defended me from the probing. I greeted the Headmaster, talked to him about how I was doing and got to the point. He wanted to ask about my experience. I told him that I valued the freedom that I get from my free practices and the tutoring I get from my instructor. After my talk with the Headmaster, I walked with Shanie around the faculty and meeting with people who I was supposed to meet.
There was nothing to note about those people. Other than greeting them politely, I feel like there was no need to associate myself with the professors unless there was a need for it. Outside of the campus, the training field, they had started fighting one another to somewhat test their own mettle. Shanie looked amusingly at the state of the training ground. I'd observed that despite the commotion, none of the prefects were doing their jobs. The black-uniformed staff was observing the students, intrigued on who would be the winner. It came to me that they were not going to stop them because they hope to test their potential. I say that this is one way of making sure.
The fight went on for a while. But I saw that the moment one of the students were about to hit fatally. The black-uniformed prefects intervened by blocking the lethal blows through their absurd mastery at magic. The fight had cause students to gather and watch the fight between factions. The behavior of the individuals made me realize that they do not condone such fights. It seems to be one way to segregate those who have potential and those have don't.
The fight came to an end after one side won. Interesting enough, the last ones standing were the middle-class who were able to beat the scholars through their wit and strength. I did realize that the middle-class has more of the experienced ones. Fighters who had been through tough battles.
"Well, that was an expected win. Poor young had to fight with them mercenaries. How do you think would go with them?"
"I don't know."
"Sure? Why not try fight them? No offense, but practice with actual experience ain't going to do you good. Don't know why you want to practice so hard for anyway, with such a single-minded fervor as well. And here I was being nice about it. Guess I ain't going to kiss the asses of the professors."
She took out a letter from her bag. "Anyway, I was planning to hold you up. Man, you have connection with the Ortiz Family?"
I froze for a moment before I took the letter. I read through it and too note that Angie was in the academy and was waiting to deliver the goods to me.
"Hmm, hey so you have connections with the the Ortiz, right?"
"Yes, you could say that. What about it?"
"Nothing much. You think you can write me a recommendation?"
"Sure, I'll keep it in mind."
"Nice. Wow, that was easy."
"It's a letter with a one time use."
Shanie was appreciative of the gift. I took the letter with me and went outside of the academy where Angie should be waiting. The letter told me that there was a home that my ancestors have. Carywyn was supposed to own such thing, but because of our sour relationship, she choose to stay in her own home bought by the family. That reminds me, how is she doing? What about my little angel?
It hurt me that I couldn't have the courage to approach them. And even if I do have the courage. My mind was on the red dragon.