The document in her hand wasn't anything special. It only stated that a certain Ishvan Ato had been enrolled in the academy under unusual circumstances.
Generally, this wouldn't have raised any questions. In fact, it was a common practice among the nobility to prepare their children before sending them to the institution.
However, this case was unusual. Ishvan Ato had already graduated three years ago.
"This is unusual," Vaesa said, trying to understand the situation. Was it simply a mistake or something more?
Was it something she should poke her nose in?
Such thoughts crossed her mind, but she soon shook her head and put them in the recess of her mind. Whatever the motives of the nobility, they shouldn't affect her in any way.
"Now then," Vaesa turned her attention to Ezek and took out a paper form from her desk, and pushed it across the table, so he could get a better look.
"There are two ways to enroll in the academy, but because of your uncertain background, we cannot do it the standard way. That leaves us with the second option - to be enrolled as a teacher's aide."
Ezek nodded, not really interested in how he got in. If he could read in peace and quiet, he wouldn't be upset even if he wasn't enrolled in such a prestigious academy.
Vaesa went on, unbothered by Ezek's lack of interest. "Unfortunately, you won't be able to attend classes with other nobles, which, by the looks of things, might be a blessing for you. But don't worry, you'll have access to books and other study materials through me, so you won't get bored."
Ezek smiled, looking at the now-finished stack of papers. "I'm afraid I won't have time to even breathe with how much work needs to be done."
His girlfriend smiled. "Well, you are my aide after all..."
She let her words trail off and took out a round compass-looking device. She then nodded to herself, pleased to see they finished two hours ahead of schedule. That would leave 4 or so more hours until sundown.
Her device, a simple magical clock, allowed her to read the time and the weather simultaneously. It was a useful little device not everyone had access to, though it was really popular with the nobles.
"Looks like we have some free time. What do you want to do now?"
"I'm not sure. What about showing me around for a bit before hitting the archives?"
Vaesa propped her head up and pondered Ezek's proposition. Ultimately she nodded, not having any better ideas. Even though they both could walk around the city to grab something to eat or train, she agreed with Ezek. At one point or another, he must know the academy's layout, so it was better to be done with it as soon as possible.
The teacher and now-aide stepped out of the office, with Ezek carrying the tall stack of signed documents in his hands, and followed after Vaesa.
First, they had to drop these documents off to the academy's headmaster, and only then would they stroll across the college.
Waltzing into the headmaster's office, Vaesa pointed to a desk next to the right wall, where a short young man shifted through a mountain of documents before sorting and storing them in an archive. She then turned her attention to the headmaster, who was looking pointedly at Vaesa as if expecting her to say something.
"Hello, uncle. I've managed to finish the documents you told me to complete."
The headmaster sighed. He removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes. Why did he even expect this niece of his to apologize for her unannounced vacation?
"Ves, you're two weeks late. Where have you been for so long, anyway? Your father has pestered me non-stop ever since. He even prepared a search party for you."
Vaesa shrugged. She clearly wasn't too surprised by this, as if this wasn't the first time his father had gone to such lengths.
"Nowhere too dangerous. Decided to visit my friend. It's been quite a while since we last saw each other. Besides, the paperwork became too stuffy for me."
"Fuck, woman. Do you enjoy putting your father into an early grave this much? Furthermore, who do you think would've finished your job?"
The headmaster sighed, then raised a hand. "Well, seems like the job's done, at long last, so I won't bother you any longer." Shifting his gaze to Ezek, he asked. "And who's this man here?"
Vaesa smiled ambiguously but answered soon enough. "He's Ezek, an aide I decided to hire. Mind signing this real quick?"
Passing the documents to the headmaster, Vaesa left the office, but not before saying goodbye to her uncle. Ezek followed in her steps, sometimes looking around, to better understand and remember the academy's layout.
"Are you upset?" Vaesa asked out of the blue, in a barely perceptible voice.
"What?"
Sighing, she slowed slightly, letting Ezek catch up before asking again.
"I asked if you were angry at me?"
Ezek shook his head. "No, why should I be?"
"I thought you were because I introduced you to my uncle as an aide."
"Oh, that. I've got no problems with it. You must have a reason for it, I guess."
"Good." Vaesa let out a relieved sigh, then proceeded to tour Ezek through the academy.
Soon they reached the student floor, where most classes were held. The hallways were wide and tall, looking more like those from a palace than those of an academy, a place of learning.
Students walked around, exchanging small talk with each other as the curriculum didn't seem to bother or interest these nobles that much. Better to make some connection with each other than to worry about mere grades. Usual noble stuff.
Ezek watched the conversations taking place in the hallway with an uninterested look in his eyes. And while that was true, it didn't mean he paid no attention to what they talked about.
Vaesa continued her slow pace, sometimes exchanging a greeting with a student, but for the most part, she explained to Ezek about what he should expect working here.
The aide nodded occasionally, but his attention remained on the many conversations taking place simultaneously. While it was hard to keep track of all of them, he got the gist of it. A lot of these young nobles were happily talking about an upcoming feast held by the Ato family to celebrate their Heir's entrance into the academy.
"Oh? Professor Vaesa, I certainly did not expect to meet you here. You might not remember me. I was your student a few years back."
A deep voice caused Ezek to look to the side and pay attention. A tall young man, around the same height as himself, smiled at his girlfriend while deeply kissing her hand.
"I could not forget the Heir of the Ato family," Vaesa responded with a polite smile, but other than that, she didn't show much emotion. "May I ask why was a student as capable as you enrolled in the academy for a second time?"
"Straight to the point as always, miss Vaesa. Very well. I am here to mostly appease the tensions between the noble families. That is what I was hired for, and it is what I will be doing."
Hearing the response, Ezek thought this Heir lost his mind. How can that be a proper reason? His girlfriend, however, looked as if she believed this Ato Heir as she nodded and promptly excused herself.
As for whether Vaes truly believed this young man, Ezek was sure she didn't. She wasn't stupid, after all.
"Please wait a moment, miss Vaesa," Ishvan said, seeing the teacher leave. "Please accept this invitation. My family will hold a feast in the following days, and I will be much pleased if you could attend it."
Vaesa accepted the nice-looking envelope and read the small text written on it. Smiling at Ishvan, she curtsied slightly, barely lowering herself. Even though she wasn't a noble, she was still a teacher at this academy. "I will try my best to attend the feast, Sir Ato."
After nodding once, the young man took his eyes off Vaesa and walked away, not even glancing at Ezek.
"I don't like how that guy looks at you." He finally said after they walked some distance from the crowd of young nobles.
"Sigh. Ishvan always does that. I don't particularly enjoy it either. His father pushes minor noble ladies at him left and right. It's not like he likes me, either."
"Oh? What's he after, then?"
Vaesa shrugged as they left the building entirely. They didn't spend any more time looking around, as there was no need to. The lowermost floor was actually the library and some other facilities.
"He's after my father, actually. Since my dad is a wine merchant, he has quite a hold on nobles. That, and because it will be easy to assassinate an opposing noble by poisoning our wine."
Ezek was taken aback for a moment. "He really thinks far into the future, huh?"
While he was surprised that this young man could plan for the future like this, Ezek didn't think assassinating a noble would be so easy, far from it.
"Ishvan wants control. If taking hold of a merchant means gaining more power, he would gladly do anything to get what he wants."
Ezek nodded but said nothing more. It wasn't as if he was that interested in that noble.
"You still didn't tell me about your family," She said, taking the young man by surprise.
"That came out of nowhere."
"You only told me your parents are not dead." Vaesa didn't seem to have heard Ezek's words as she continued talking.
"Umm, this isn't the best place to talk about this..." Ezek said, looking at some young nobles walking around. None were even looking this way, however, but he knew better than think they weren't paying close attention.
"I know a restaurant. Better than here, at least."
"Can't we talk about this some other time, in a better place?" He asked but soon gave up as his girlfriend shook her head. "To the restaurant, we go, in that case."
Soon after, the couple entered a very nice-looking building, unaware of the stares they were getting.
In a crowd nearby, a figure watched both for a moment longer before walking away.