It took Aron some time to find the proper area for the books on the ancient script. Earlier he was a bit concerned about being among the faculty members but most of them didn't even bother to look back at him. Only a few of them were intrigued by his presence there but they too didn't give him a second glance. There were not many persons present here but each one of them must be an expert mage. That simple fact still amazed Aron.
Calming his heart he skimmed through each of the books on the shelf and began collecting those that can be of use to him. Fortunately, he can skip his slave duty if he had an official business from the academy. That's why he had all the time today to do his research. Especially when he wasn't sure if he would be allowed entry tomorrow or not.
***
"So big sis, don't tell me you just came here to chit-chat with this junior? Did something happen?" Madelyn downed another glass of the strong liquor. Nancy placed her hand on her shoulders. "Ouch. Mady. That hurts. Can't big sis visit you out of no reason at all?"
She deliberately let her body fall in Madelyn's lap and poked her nipples through her clothes. "Don't tell me these things are still growing? Aren't you too old for that?" The black-haired beauty huffed at her comments. "What are you saying? From which angle do you find this elegant body, old? Huhh.. and how will I reach this size unless I keep growing?" She staunchly grabbed onto Nancy's massive jugs, even slithering her way into her clothes.
"Hahaha.. okay, okay. Hahaa.." Both the ladies were fully drunk as they struggled with each other, trying to grab onto each other's bust. No one can differentiate them from some teenage girls.
It took both of them some time to settle. "You can come to the point now, I have enjoyed it long enough.. thanks big sis.. ahhh.." Madelyn moaned out loud as she stretched her limbs in ecstasy.
Nancy too didn't seem to be in the mood to mess around now. "I got two pieces of news. One good and the other bad. Which one would you like to hear first?" Madelyn smiled derisively. "Bad news? Huh...I had thought so. Then tell me the bad one first. Maybe the good one can numb the sensation afterward."
Nancy too smiled with a nod. "Bad news is, I might have found what had caused the phenomenon from last week." As expected, the redness on Madelyn's face was retracted by quite a bit. "Go on." "As you already know, I can't tell exactly but just half an hour earlier I found a boy..."
Nancy went ahead and narrated the whole story to the principal. The more she heard the more perplexed Madelyn's eyes grew. Her senior sister was one of the most powerful experts in this capital, if something can instill fear in even her, then that's a matter of grave concern. What's more, she didn't even come in contact with the entity directly. The boy must have acted as a link for her to glance at the angelic being.
"Anything about how the boy can be related to that?" Nancy shook her head in response. "Nothing. To tell you the truth had it not been for the extreme rage-infested aura I would have had a hard time explaining if what I saw was even real or just a construct of my mind." The blue-haired woman took another sip of wine to drown her emotions.
"Hmm.. then tell me the good news. It better he important enough after that bombshell of bad news, you old hag." Nancy seemed to enjoy the name-calling. "Haha... Okay. It's related to the boy once again. Congratulations, we found a 5 stared talent at last." *Clunk* Madelyn was on her way to take another sip from her glass when it slipped from her hands and broke into pieces.
"What did you say?" She cried, gobsmacked at the words of her senior sister. The news was just too incredible, she can't help but confirm with her. "Haha.. yeah you heard right. Pull the strings and don't let this come to light. He is too vulnerable as of now. We need him to grow up fast." Madelyn pecked her head like a chick.
A 5 stared talent is too big of news. They can't let it slip. There are just too many individuals and organizations that would be delighted to nip this talent in the bud. "Don't worry, I will handle that. I will make sure that the boy is safe."
***
"Hmm.. do you mind if I sit here?" Aron glimpsed at the redhead lady from earlier. She had now put on a mask that covered half of her face, hiding the scars beneath. He immediately offered the chair beside him. "Please!" The lady took the seat and her fragrance wafted to him. He sneaked another glance at her, astonished by her beauty as well as a voluptuous figure.
"I am sorry about earlier. I forgot that I didn't had my mask on." Aron had to think for a will to process what she meant by that. "Hmm... it's okay. Still, I will say, it's not bad enough to be put under a mask. But that's just what I felt please don't mind me." He gave another impeccable smile to the woman, leaving her dazed once again.
"Haha... it's rare to find someone so polite. So may I ask what is your name, child?" Aron was quick in his reply. "I am Aron, nice to meet you." The woman nodded. "And may I ask which department you are from?" Aron shook his head steadily. "You got it wrong my lady. I am no student. Right now I am just a slave at this academy who was lucky enough to be granted access here."
The woman was surprised at his response. He was granted access to the faculty section even after coming from such an impoverished background. But she didn't mull over it for long, changing the topic to the books he had stacked ahead of him. "Ohh.. that's very impressive. Then are you planning to learn about the ancient magic script?"
"Yes, I was very interested in learning it. But I am having a difficult time understand it. I was too naive." His face had turned downcast. "Haha.. don't worry, it's not as hard as you think it is. Let me help you out." The redhead took the book from his hands and began going through it. From time to time she will expand some important concepts from the book. Aron's knowledge was rising at an exponential rate when compared to previously when he was all by himself.
The woman was very kind and gentle in her approach, patiently explaining some concepts even twice or thrice until he understood them thoroughly. Favorably she didn't even inquire why he was so keen on learning this script, sparing him time and energy to better focus on the task at hand.
Half an hour passed like this and Aron felt that it would have taken him a whole week had he been trying to learn it on his own. "I need to go now, Aron. I have a class to attend. Keep practicing, you are a bright child. I am sure before long you will be able to learn it." She wasn't exaggerating. The boy was really very talented, absorbing all she had told with extreme efficiency.
But it didn't stagger her since that must be the reason he would have gotten entry here, despite such a massive social disadvantage. She saw him press his head down in deep respect. "I can't thank you enough, my lady. You have been a lifesaver." She would find herself lost in that smile every time.
She placed her hand on his head, fondling him. "No need to be this polite child. Let's see if we meet again then I will give you another class. Otherwise, if you feel like it then you can come to the beast taming department and search for me." Aron thanked her again, despite the lady just telling him to relax. It made her chuckle, leaving the boy tinged red.
Just as she turned around to walk away his voice came from behind her. "But ma'am, you never told me your name." She waved her hand in goodbye without turning around. "Ohhh.. then take it as your homework hehe.." Aron saw her vanish among the cluster of bookshelves.
Somehow Aron believed his life had changed for good. These few days he is meeting many kind people one after the other. All willing to take some time to guide him.
***
Night had fallen and Aron walked towards the girls' hostel. He thought of returning Julia's book since it had no value to him now. Although he was not able to decode the symbols just yet but at the very least he can feel that he was making steady progress. It might take around a week but he will eventually get there.
What he had found out in today's research was that the grimoire was not written in a simple ancient script. Rather the writer had used compounded letters to represent the incantation. That was the reason it was taking him so long.
As he reached the reception, this time the lady there allowed him entry without a proper procedure. He seemed to have visited enough number of times to earn her trust.
*Knock* *Knock* He stood at the door for a while and only then a lethargic Julia opened the door. Noticing the boy on her gates she hurriedly pulled up her gown that was showing a generous amount of her cleavage. But looking at the straight face the boy maintained, Julia found it unusually annoying.
"So? How did it go?" Aron saw the girl talking casually to him. Previously all their conversations were strained, as they belonged to two different levels of society but now after many interactions, they seem to have come close to each other to have a free talk.
"It was fun." He too replied with a smile. Julia snorted lightly, turning around she went in. "Come in and close the door." She was alone today so both of them had a long discussion about what Aron managed to learn from his visit.
"Do you have any idea who she was? All she told me was that she belonged to the beast tamers department." Julia fell in thought for a while. "Hmm... I have seen someone like you described. But I got no idea related to her department and her name." She continued after a pause. "No need to think much about it. I will just need to check with my friends, they will know more about her." Aron didn't say much, just nodding his head in agreement.
"So do you plan to drop by tomorrow too?" Aron gave a naughty girn as he pulled out Nancy's identity card from his pocket. "Hehe.. why not? She never asked it back from me." Julia smirked. "You sure are a lucky dog." Her remarks only left both of them laughing out loud.
***
"Are you serious?" Caleb can't believe what he heard. His friend was going to try to enter the Greenville Academy as a student. That was a massive revelation. What's more, this is the first time he divulged something like this. Watching the black-haired boy nod confidently, fatty calmed down. "So when are you planning to take the exam? Next year?"
"Nope. This year itself." Fatty was shocked speechless. He immediately jumped on Aron, placing his hand on his head. "Are you crazy? You do know that the exam is not free? Why are you talking like this? You aren't even ill."
Aron shoved the guy aside, before climbing into his bed. "I know already. But I can't waste any more time. It's now or never. Up to now, I am late by a whole year. If I can't get in now then I will be late by two." The authorities conducting the exam had levied a cost of 10 copper coins for anyone willing to take the test. This was to screen in only the serious participants.
"Huh.. then I will wish you good luck. Just don't forget me here if you ever make it big." Caleb got to his bed. "I won't." On his bed, Aron didn't lay down, rather sitting in a cross-legged position. He pulled out a pill from the bottle Mrs. Yana gave him and popped it in his mouth.