Tera's classroom was rearranged, the desk we had was moved to the side as the center of the room was now a sort of dance arena for us. Most of the classrooms in the university were being used for the festival. Either for storage or to show off to whoever came to the university. Some classes were used to represent traditions in the kingdom. I believe Crota's class was being used to show off the history of the kingdom. I took a gander inside of it and it was just The older man ranting at the students who put a table in the wrong direction.
Tera's class was left alone, most of the classes at the ends of the building weren't used. But she still had to manage the festivals, so her desk was kept in place to help in organizing it.
There was a break for this week in the university, so no students were really here besides the ones who volunteered to help…and then there was me and the rest of us in the class.
"Left foot forward!" Tera barked. In the middle of the now dance floor we had Griffin and Sura. Both of them awkwardly held hands as they listened to Teras instructions.
"H-hey, do we need to hold hands for this?" Griffin asked, the green haired boy averting his eyes from Sura.
"Yes, the Dandelion dance is a personal and intimate style of dancing. It's used for weddings and special occasions like these!" Tera explained. "Now move to the right!"
Begrudgingly, Griffin followed the instructions. Moving to the right before stumbling as Sura's left foot caught him. Sura didn't seem to have followed instructions as both her feet were still planted in the same spot when they first began.
You know, this dance kinda reminds me of another dance from my old life. Isn't the person who's leading moving their foot while the other person moves back? Hell, what do I know? I didn't dance that much.
Griffin almost fell to the ground before he caught himself, he let go of sura's hand and barked at her. "Hey! You're supposed to move your left foot back! You're a stone right now!" Sura sneered at that and proceeded to move her left feet back, her right foot moving back as well.
"There. I moved it." There was annoyance in her voice as she watched as Griffin frowned at her.
"…I sense a lot of attitude, right now." Griffin then rummaged through his clothes and pulled out a pastel. "Want a pastel? You're not you when y-Gah!" Sura quickly swatted the piece of food from him, holding it in her hands.
"Why do you have this in you?! I was pissed that we had to dance, but now I'm more confused than mad!" Sura shook the pastel before giving it a look. "H-how long has this been in your clothes?"
"This morning."
"That is disgusting!" Sura then yeeted the pastel at Griffin, hitting him square in the face with it. "Gah, there's so much indecency with you!"
Griffin rolled his eyes as he grabbed the pastel and nibbled on it. "My indecency attracts you. You know it."
Sura then had a conflicted expression on her face as she tried to figure out what he meant. She then looked at tera. "Can't I dance with kota?"
Tera stood next to me and Lilith, rubbing her chin. "Hmm…Lilith, do you accept the request?"
"Huh? Why am I being asked?" Lilith asked. She donned a black outfit for the springtime, it was off shoulder so it showed off her shoulders. It sorta looked like she was wearing an oversized shirt to be honest, but No one really minded it.
"Aren't the two of you together? Take a hold of your man!" Tera clenched her fist. "Tell the other girls that he's your property!"
Sura looked at Tera with a disgusted look, she then grabbed her glasses and cleaned them and put them back on just to look again with the same look. "I am not taking Kota away, I'd rather dance with him than dance with this buffoon!"
Griffin and Sura were the first people to know about this once I told them a month ago. The two seemed somewhat baffled that someone younger managed to start dating. Griffin made a call to celebrate while Sura just frowned at the whole situation. Oddly enough, I always thought these two would have ended up together first.
I remember seeing Kale writing letters back to Gerald and Synthia as well, so surely they most likely know as well by now. I wonder what their reactions are? And speaking of those two, I also remember reading one of their most recent letters. As of right now, Synthia was pregnant again. She's two months in and It raised some eyebrows, especially Kales when he read the letter as well.
"Well I guess he's doing more than me…"I remember him saying. Everyone seemed surprised except for me since…well I was told by a goddess that I'd have a sibling, I just wouldn't see them. Which made me start thinking of what the hell was going to happen that will stop me from seeing them.
Something clenching my arm brought me out of my thoughts. It was Lilith, who looked like she was pouting as she brought me closer to her side.
"Mine." She coldly said to Sura. She started taking note of what Tera said, I suppose.
Tera looked surprised as if she didn't think Lilith would take that comment to heart and looked at sura. "Well…you heard her. It's either someone else in the university or…" she then pointed at Griffin.
Sura adjusted her glasses, shaking while she did. "O-others? We'd have to dance with others?"
"Yes, a complete stranger's hand. Hands you don't even know where they've been…" Tera then walked to Griffin, gripping his shoulder before pushing him towards Sura. "Or you could have Griffin's hands, at least you know him."
Sura had an even more conflicted look as she looked at Griffin and Tera. "Ah! Err…Fine!" She then latched onto Griffin's hands. "If it means not touching another weirdos' hands!"
She dragged her griffin back into the middle and awaited instructions from Tera, who looked quite happy at the outcome.
"Hmm, a quick response you made there." Tera looked at me and Lilith. "Would you two care to join?"
Lilith let go of my arm and galloped towards the middle. "Yeah! Of course! It'll be like training!" She did a twirl that almost made her fall before he rebalanced herself.
"Well go on, Kota. Now that everyone is motivated, we should get this done. Kale will be heading over here and I want him to see my fruits of labor!" Tera pushed me towards the middle, huddling me next to Lilith.
Tera leaned in between us and guided my hands towards Lilith, having us hold hands as she proceeded to do the same with Griffin and Sura.
Tera backed up and stood at the front of the classroom, taking a similar stance as the rest of us. " Now…In Three hours, I'll have you four mastering this dance!"
***
[Kale]
In the Castle that stood in Prusha, I stood at the base of this throne room. The white inners of this room contrasted then Blue rugs that laid around. The guards here were on guard, Eyeing the doors and myself. In front of me stood a set of stairs that held a large white throne chair that was melded into the floor it was on. An older gentleman sat in it, beside him was a younger man almost my age. He wore a mage's robe that was white all around. His white hair made it almost seem like he was related to Lilith besides the blue eyes. But from what I heard, he comes from the eastern part of the world. His Birthplace has many people there that don the white hair due to the lack of magic usage, But this man was a different case.
"King Lucian…" I greeted them. "…Richard."
King Lucian held a hand up, rubbing his brown beard with his other. "Kale Goodman, it's good to see you."
"Indeed." Richard warmly said.
King Lucian adjusted himself in his throne chair, sitting more straight. His large belly had seemed thinner with each visit. I suppose he was now keeping up with his exercise ever since I told him about the demon I found in the forest.
"It's odd that you've come at such notice, have you figured out what was happening?" King Lucian asked, he spoke of the investigation I was looking into. Some months ago, after Lilith and Kota managed to kill that…owl thing, the guards noticed two figures at the north gate who seemingly vanished. I did manage to take a look into this.
Not sure how I ended up being a sort of mercenary for the King, maybe it was my skills in Fire king style. Maybe he just liked how charming I was. Either way, it's a good pay and doesn't put my life in total danger.
Back to looking into this…thing, to say they vanished was not a figure of speech.The magic being used was something unnatural to me. The only real sort of thing I can go off of is what the Guard saw them do, which made it more confusing. A portal of sorts led them to somewhere? Never seen that sort of magic before.
"No…I haven't. I'm still looking into it." I answered.
"It's something that I myself have been looking into… " Richard said. "It's a strange feat that two people disappear outright. Haven't seen anything like that before."
"Ah. Don't fret if you can't figure it out now." Lucian patted Richard's back. " We have bigger issues coming in mere hours." The bearded man then got out of his seat, huffing in effort.
"Ah…The festival."
"Yes, we'll need to hold a meeting about the profit we'll get from it."
Richard gave him an uncertain look, clearly showing his own disappointment in the King's goals. Ever since I came here, I feel as if the King was only driven by rubees and not the people. Not that I minded, really. As long as I had a stable income.
"But right now, I'm curious about what Kale wants right now." King Lucian switched the topic. "Are you asking for absence of work during the festival?"
I nodded, king Lucian hummed a appreciation to me as he led himself down the throne's stairs.
"Haha, you don't need to ask me! If anything, I'd want you to have fun at the festival! You do have kids to attend to, correct?" Lucian stood in front of me. He had a grin on his face as he grabbed my shoulder. "I take it that Teacher is doing you well?"
"Erm, Tera? Yes, it's been quite well." I scratched my head, somewhat embarrassed by the thought of telling this man about my new relationship. "I believe right now that she is teaching some of her students to dance for the festival."
"Ah, kind of her. The dandelion dance is something our kingdom has held close to their heart. For someone outside of the kingdom teaching it shows our influence." King lucian then brushed past me, walking towards the doors. "Come."
"Er…to where?" I asked confused. Richard walked down the steps, perplexed as well.
"Yes, Lucian. Where are you going? The meeting starts soon." Richard added. But king Lucian waved his hand, turning towards us.
"Hm…Postpone it to a later time. There is something I'd like to see. One of her Students…Kota, I believe. That teacher gave me some info on him that sounds interesting." He raked his beard as he said that. "I've been quite interested in having Chris be an apprentice to a mage. Richard can't teach Chris as his duties lie with me and the kingdom. Taking him away would be quite impactful." He shifted his eyes to me. "I believe this boy is under Tera's wings, correct? Last I heard from Principal ghale."
Wait, Kota? Oh…shit. Actually I recall Tera speaking about the Principal being impressed. And with what Kota did with those boys…If Lucian does keep track of what's happening in the university, well shit.
"Yes! Uh…He is also under my wing as well. His father was my apprentice some time ago." Lucian's eyes perked when I said that.
"Is that so? Ah…now I recall seeing a boy with you. When you told me of that demon in the forest." Lucian clapped his hands together. "Well…is what the principal said true?"
"Yes, Whatever the principal has been telling you. I've personally see-."
"We'll need to see if this is true. I too am curious about this. To say a child is able to Cast without saying anything is a feat." Richard interjected me, he had a firm hold on my shoulder. "He'd make quite an excellent mage once he is fully trained."
King Lucian then beckoned us. "Well then, if they are at the university. I'd be happy to make a quick stop to see him. Not often that we head out. I'm feeling quite…Exquisite today, some down time wouldn't hurt."
Richard hastily walked to be beside the king. "Indeed." The two began to talk about the Meeting and various other things. That left me walking behind them.
"I-I don't think it's necessary…" I nervously said. Living with Kota and Lilith now has somewhat broken me. Gerald wasn't as Attention seeking as Lilith. Nor was he as productive and calm as Kota, something that usually catches me off every time I come back. Having these two in my house has quite literally changed the way I did things now.
"Nonsense, I've neglected this ever since I was told about it some time ago. I neglected it when he was right in front of me. Now is the time before an amazing festival happens!" King Lucian insisted.
I couldn't really do anything here, I don't even think my charisma could get me out of this. So I sighed and begrudgingly walked behind the two.
***
After crossing into the university ground, Me and Richard held a conversation as King Lucian was up ahead of us. The last time I was here in the university was maybe some months ago when I had Lilith be babysitted by Tera. I rarely ever have the time to head here when I'm out doing jobs for Lucian. Not that Anyone complained…kinda wished they did, I want some attention to!
"Kale? You're spacing out." Richard broke me out of my thoughts. The white haired man looked at me quizzically. "Heh, don't you come here often?"
"Oh, uh no. Tera doesn't like it when I…interrupt her working. She says I'm disturbing her 'Me Time'. Which is absurd." I said. Richard chuckled at that as we made our way towards the two large doors.
"I've only met her once, during her application process to be a teacher here. She seemed quite inexperienced when it came to the students here." Richard went on. "But she seemed quite willing to learn, like something was motivating her. And her Shortening of casting spells was something most mages aren't able to do."
"Ah, I see."
Richard and I watched as King Lucian opened the doors to the university. Once we entered, I saw a lonely reception desk in the middle with an elf man sitting there. If I recall, that's Gorwin. Tera likes talking about him, but I never paid that much mind to them. The elf man took no notice of us at first until he took a second glance, his eyes widening as King Lucian approached the desk.
"Good afternoon." King Lucian cooly said. "Gorwin, right?"
"Yes. Good afternoon, your highness." Gorwin stood out of his chair, taking a more formal posture. "Don't see you often here."
"Ah, I came here to visit a boy. And brought a love bird here to see his love." King Lucian chuckled as he pointed at me. Gorwin noticed me and seemed to have relaxed a bit. Tera must've told him about me.
"I'm assuming it's one of the boys in the special case class? " Gorwin asked.
King Lucian nodded. "Yes, it's Kota Detrut." Once he said that name, Gorwin nodded and smiled. It seems Kota had made some sort of relationship with this man.
"I see, well most of the students today are gone. But I believe Tera is still in her classroom with her students. It is on the second floor at the end of the left hall." Gorwin pointed to the left stairs. It was decorated in white and blue ribbons. "Please be mindful of not stepping on the decorations, your highness."
"I'll take note, I also want to see what decorations are being put up as well. Each year seems like they get better and better." King Lucian began to walk to the stairs. Richard took a glance at him and walked to the desk. The elf took notice of him and smiled. I wandered towards the desk as well, standing next to Richard.
"Well. If it isn't the king's mage and mercenary. I'm guessing Lucian brought you two?" Gorwin peered at me. "Perhaps one of you came at your own vices."
I put my hands to my waist, looking somewhat sassy. "You saying I came here to only see my wubby lovey and not the kids?" There was an awkward pause as Gorwin stared at me. "…Ok, maybe she is the priority for me. But the kids are also below her."
Richard chuckled. "Heh, Never thought I'd hear you say that."
"Wubby dovey…" Gorwin held a laugh. "That is something I've never heard."
"Oh come on! You haven't heard Tera say that?" I felt attacked.
"Sounds like something one would say…alone." Richard imputed. "Would she even say that in public?"
"She would to fuck with me." I said honestly.
"Oooh…" Gorwin leaned in from his desk. "Sounds like women's problems."
I rolled my eyes. "I don't see it as that. It's more like her way of showing affection."
The two men beside me raised an eyebrow. Richard held a long gaze at me, almost like he was analyzing my brain or something.
Gorwin shrugged and sat back in his chair. "I suppose so. As of recently, she has been talking quite a lot about you. Specifically how horrible you live."
I widened my eyes and exaggeratingly spread my arms. "Hey, I bathe my clothes every two weeks! If anything, she's the one that leave her clothes and undergarments everywhere!"
"Undergarment?" Richard asked curiously. "She wears underwear?"
"…what kind of question is that?"
"Ah, well I would've thought with her…chest size that she would go without one." Richard and Gorwin nodded in agreement. The two men were talking about my Girl like that. This was absurd.
It was absurd that they didn't ask for my input on this!
I grabbed Richard and leaned the both of us closer to Gorwin. "Right? Like she should have those things free! They're all firm and like…you know." The other two men smiled maniacally as I said that.
"It is absurd. You are one lucky man, Kale. " Gorwin said.
"Will the three of you stop bickering?" All three of us turned to King Lucian who was at the top of the second floor. He had an annoyed look on his face. "We have somewhere to go!" And he continued onward.
Richard and I looked at each other and frantically nodded. Perhaps our conversation could continue another time. Maybe when we all decide to hang out and get wasted. That'd be perfect.
Gorwin waved us goodbye as we ascended the stairs, hurriedly following King Lucian. It was time to give Tera and the kids a visit.
A/N: Back from camping! Just a couple for chapters until we get to the meat of this Arc! Hope you enjoy this chapter!