Bellamy, noble district, Royale street.
"… That's all I have found, master." Aelfryn said as he shared his findings in his recent investigation regarding Kaloum.
The time was 7:13 p.m.
The night's shadow creeped into the room, veiling half of Caesy's figure. The mana around here fluctuated like a storm being brewed, as faint strands of white mist were emitted out of her body.
Seeing her being silent like the last period of the night, Aelfryn spoke to her, trying to ease the anger his master was bottling in. "Master, calm your mind. Getting hot headed won't serve you any purpose but making you more unstable than you are now, and perhaps who knows if that was Kaloum's true motive."
Even though he said such words so she could have tranquility for a while, deep down, he knew things were not that simple. A man who graduated and worked for the academy devotedly for years would simply not fake his death for trivial reasons.
Back at Megan's shop, he assigned a commission to search for any information pertaining to him.
She gave word that Feedback was certain within this week. As such, what he merely had to do now was to lie low and reassure his master. Otherwise she might go on a rampage and give him a headache.
"Haa." Caesy sighed deeply. She took control of her mana that was raging and closed her eyes.
A second later she opened them with clarity.
"Perhaps it might be as you say… You will proceed with our schedule, just tighten the security for the new year of our academy. We would not like to scare our potential arriving students that might one day change the current world's standards."
Casey's main reason for taking the position of headmaster was to be the catalyst for a new eon. Although it seems peaceful in this eon, that was only on the surface level. In the dark, many factions, kingdoms, and lone individuals were secretly plotting a plan for their own benefits: benefits which carried collateral damage with it.
Aelfryn smiled at his master who regained her usual composure. "I have already told the new head of the disciplinary committee to triple his staff for Monday, and double it when the academy is officially open for studying. Although some of the staff who were off the clock during Monday might complain, he said it won't be that much of an issue."
Caesy nodded. "Good. If I recall correctly, this year is going to be his last before graduation, right?" she asked in which Aelfryn responded positively while caressing his long ear.
"That child is gifted; whether it be in talent or leadership. If he were to stay after graduation, the position of the headmaster is likely to fall on his lap," commented Caesy with approval.
Aelfryn hesitated for a second before saying, "That's unlikely to happen; I mean him staying at the academy. He told me some time ago that he had a goal in mind that required him to leave this Kingdom. But that would only be after his ill mother… passes away."
Aelfryn had a mixed face of sadness and curiosity when he said the last part. Sadness for reasons unknown, curious about the situation his fellow student was in.
"That must be tough for him," Caesy said deeply as she half turned her chair to face the window.
The night sky was hazy as clouds invaded every inch of it. Rain was inevitable as the breeze carried musky fresh air with it.
She said while looking at the distant houses through her window, "It's going to drizzle soon. You should go home and accompany Coy. He must be feeling lonely, away from his family, living in a foreign land."
Aelfryn smiled at her words. His master hadn't noticed yet but she truly had a soft spot for children.
He stood up from his chair as he said while heading for the door, "Have a goodnight, master."
"You too." Caesy's voice trailed after him as he left the room.
***
Nobel district, Firlake street.
Water poured down the sky heavily as a teen with white robes and white hair could be seen walking amidst the laden rain.
His clothing was drenched, sticking to his skin, however that did not stop him from walking leisurely with a smile on his face. Aelfryn loved the rain.
The rain reminded him of a place he had to leave at a very young age as it carried a nostalgic smell which called for closeness and peace.
'It would be a dream if it just rained forever. Maybe I can retire somewhere where it's a frequent occurrence.'
Wistfully thinking such things, he looked at one of the windows of his manor he was walking to as he felt a gaze. Coy could be seen looking at him weirdly in black pajamas that were similar to his hair.
Aelfryn chuckled and waved his hand in which he received a hesitant reply of the same gesture. Coy's dumbfounded expression was visible just like the sun rose in the day.
Aelfryn's short bliss ended as he arrived at the door to his home. Before he could knock, it was opened from the inside by a man with sleek black hair and hazy gray eyes. He wore a butler's attire.
Aelfryn was about to greet him when he was bombarded with questions. "Young master, Not again! What's with you and the rain? Do you want to get sick on purpose so that you can skip from work and all? What am I supposed to do if Lady Caesy hears of this?"
The man wore a frown on his forehead.
Rushing to defend himself, Aelfryn said, "Fram, you know I can't get sick over this kind of ra- achew!"
A surprised look on Aelfryn's face when he sneezed. 'What great timing…'
Fram shook his head in disbelief. "Just come in before you get worse."
Some words were like guests to his young master's mind. They come and go back to where they hailed from after a certain period of time.
Aelfryn walked into the foyer with water dripping from his clothes and hair as the door behind him was closed by Fram.
Fram quickly called for a nearby maid who had a towel in her hand. He took the towel from her and put it over Aelfryn's head. "Dry your hair. A hot bath awaits for you," Fram said. His relationship with his young master was deep enough that he could talk to him with no formalities.
Aelfryn used the towel and gently dried it. Unlike other young masters who would want their hair done for them, or dressed by a maid, Aelfryn preferred to do such things on his own. It never felt complete if it was accomplished by someone else.
"Alright, alright. Leaving that aside, how is our guest doing?"
"Quite well from my perspective. Fram is an excellent butler, Aelfryn."
Instead of Fram replying to his questions, someone else did. Coy came down from the stairs leading to the second floor while holding onto the stair rail as he answered with a smile.
What he said was true. His time here has been peaceful with no problems whatsoever. He spent most of it reading, and sometimes sparing with Fram.
Fram joined in quickly and said with an excited smile, "Indeed, young master. Taking care of young master Coy was worthwhile. He is also skilled with the sword!"
Not to brag, but Fram could be regarded as one of the skilled sword wielders in whole of Bellamy. And that was if you exclude his knight rank. His pure swordsmanship had been the talk of the day back in his youth; not that he aged that much.
Aelfryn's eyebrows raised a bit as he looked at Coy with a new look. He asked with an anticipating and slightly joking voice, "Now I'm itching to spare with you too. Would I have the honor to do so in the future?"
Coy could see where he was going with this. 'This child's playful nature know no boundaries,' he thought, forgetting the fact that he was literally younger than him, body wise.
He smiled at him and played along, "Would that not be the other way around? I mean me having the honour to spar with you. I just hope you go easy on me at that time."
Aelfryn nodded at his words and tried to reply back before he was cut off by Fram's worried voice. "Master, you will really catch a cold at this rate. You and the young master can have a chat after you take a fresh bath."
Aelfryn saw the stubborn look Fram was giving him and knew that he would not budge unless he did what was asked of him. Sighing inwardly, he spoke to Coy, "Let's do as Fram said. I also had something I wanted to talk to you about."
Coy agreed with that statement as he could see Aelfryn was in a messed up situation.
'His behaviour is indeed one of wonder.'
***
In one of the living rooms of Aelfryn's manor that was situated on the second floor. Coy was having a conversation with Aelfryn.
The wood in the firebox crackled here and there at random times. It added a sense of comfort to the room.
"The headmistress said such a thing?" Coy inquired in a curious voice.
"Mhm, I also believe it will be a good experience for you. Plus, while getting your uniform tailored, you can see Bellamy from different angles and perhaps meet people you could befriend. I can also introduce you to my friends throughout the city; the point of this outing is to just have fun before the academy opens." Aelfryn said in a relaxed manner. He donned on a thick blanket over his pajama.
On his hand was a warm herbal tea. The herb used to make the tea was imported from the land of Elves and was mainly used to counter potential illnesses; such as common cold.
Coy got silent for a moment. He had already finished most of the books he was reading and had progressed a lot on his mana cultivation. He could feel that his mana core was close to saturation.
As he was thinking, a voice ringed, {Its good to take a break sometimes. Get some fresh air.}
Hearing Chóros's advice, Coy didn't know whether to laugh or cry. This old geezer just wanted to go outside.
Aelfryn let him have his time as he drank his ginseng tea. If Coy wanted to stay he wouldn't mind it and could just ask for the tailor to directly visit his manor and take his measurements. But it was kind of obvious Coy would agree on this matter considering his cat-like nature.
As he went for his third sip prior to Coy's silence, a positive reply came.
"Sure. I would like to know more about the city I'm going to live in."
Aelfryn put the tea down and clapped, "It's settled then. You should go to sleep, I'm going to finish some of my work before I head for bed."
Coy nodded at him and went to his room, leaving Aelfryn alone in the living room.
Gazing at the fireplace, Aelfryn spewed cold air as he muttered passingly, "The weather feels nice tonight."