In front of Tenji's home,
Stepping out of the portal, Tenji shoved his hands into his pockets and took long strides towards his front porch.
Rumi skipped along without a question and followed in tow.
Asahi on the other hand was a bit skeptical about where he was and turned around so he could stare at his surroundings for a while and his jaw dropped at the scenery he would have missed if he had followed their professor to his front porch.
An overgrown plot of moss-covered grass is neighbored by young hedges.
'He's got a garden?' He gasped at the beautiful sight before him.
A pudgy tree stands in the center, its bark and branches rise like a pinnacle of the garden. The smaller flower bushes are unkempt, but look all the better for it; they're forever trying to expand. The hedges reach 1.5m/5ft high but will reach far higher if they're allowed to.
Marble slabs lie here and there, giving anyone an elegant way of exploring the garden and all it has to offer.
Grass and plants playfully creep and crawl their way through the gardens, eager to expand their foothold beyond the locations given to them.
A couple of benches are carefully placed in specific locations of the garden, beckoning visitors to visit the garden's best sights. Plants and flowers compete with each other for the best and the most land in the garden, each keen to claim it all.
"Asahi what the hell are you doing staring at those plants?!" Rumi called out loudly.
Whipping his head towards the front porch, he caught sight of the two stepping into the home, with no time to waste, he dashed toward them.
Getting in just in time before the door would be shut in his face.
Slam!
Crouching over to catch his breath, he raised his head and was caught in the splendor of the luxurious nature-themed living room.
He could see a naoshi Sheesham wood coffee table with 4 seating stools in the middle of the living room and underneath it was a polyester area rugs golden ginkgo leaves luxury floral art deco gold natural design, which was surrounded by three taren ii green reversible sofas.
The beautiful painting that hung on the walls told tales of ancient times. There were hanging plants on all corners of the room.
He had noticed whenever his eyes were cast on any furniture or the walls, there would be a faint blue glow outlining the object.
"Any outlined object lets us know what our guests are staring at the moment with the mana color affinity. Staring at an object too long sets off an alarm." Tenji explained without being asked as he could see what his students were staring at.
"The perfect way to know those who wish to steal our artifacts," Tenji concluded with a chuckle.
Looking to the right, Asahi could see the transparent sliding glass door that gave a brief glimpse of the fountain and various exquisite birds and butterflies fluttering about.
'The things of the rich...' He rolled his eyes at how wealthy Tenji's family was even more than his.
Rumi rushed over to an indoor tree 3′ feet tall with its aerial roots reaching 12′ feet. She fawned on the heart-shaped bright red petals, "Professor Tenji, what's the name of this plant?"
Tenji rushed over and pulled her several feet away by the arm before she could take a sniff of it's scent. "That's an anthuriom."
Rumi watched Tenji's nerves calm after he had successfully pulled her away, "you seemed tense a little while ago."
Tenji sweatdropped and searched for his sister–it was awfully quiet that it made his skin crawl.
"It's a plant placed by my sister, and frankly it could be toxic to a sorcerer to inhale up close."
Rumi's eyes doubled in size at the information, she looked back at the plant and wondered why a plant such as this would be kept as an indoor one and looked so beautiful.
"Are you trying to kill your students in your home?" Asahi snapped and yanked Rumi to his side.
Tenji still had his fingers supposedly circling the air and he laughed at how protective Asahi was with Rumi.
'This is why I am the mature one.' He laughed in his thoughts and dropped his hands to his side.
"When I meant toxic, it could weaken the individual with a low mana grade in the 50's..."
Asahi and Rumi gulped at the direct attack on their grade from his words, from what they could get they were even lower in the grade given so they were more prone to being affected.
"... It also induces an overwhelming lustful desire that lasts for about 12 hours." Tenji coughed out and looked to the other side.
'Lustful desires, huh?' Rumi thought with a smirk.
"Professor Tenji, what grade range are you in?" Rumi batted her lashes and clasped her hands under her chin.
'What dubious thoughts are running through your mind?' Tenji narrowed his eyes at Rumi and could already guess what she was secretly needing.
"You aren't getting that from me, and I advise you not to test it on me." He gave a light chuckle and ruffled her hair.
Shoving his hands into his pocket, he had just taken a step when he could see blue eyes gleaming down the dimly lit corridor.
"Fuck!" He cursed under his breath, taking a step back and losing his collected composure.
"You didn't say you were bringing visitors." Aki's voice echoed from her end as she slowly walked toward the living room.
"Aki, I am not accountable to you, and you know that." Tenji countered, wary of how unpredictable she was, and took several steps back.
He hated the fact that their mother doted on her and he wasn't allowed to use his restraining magic on her.
Stepping out of the shadows, Aki had her head raised high and her mouth scrunched to the side as she stared down at the two students.
"Who are these lowlifes you brought home?" She spat in disdain.
*****
A/N
I would really appreciate your comments and support of this novel with your power stones. Your active comments would motivate me to write more chapters.
¶ How do you think this would turn out?