[Neloufa Point of View]
"Bye mother. Bye dad" [Neloufa].
"Have fun at school"
"Thank you, I will" [Neloufa].
Another morning to start the day. As usual, since it's a weekday, school should be my destination this early in the morning. I grab my bag and wait for the autonomous carriage that Sir Nar and Sir Sas designed. They didn't have to do all this for me, but our family is closer than ever. They treat me like they would treat Diana, and I treat their family like my own...
"What's wrong?" [Dana]
"Sister Dana... I just miss Diana" [Neloufa].
"Me too, but she's in good hands" [Dana]
"I heard that the delegation from the Elven Kingdom is already on their way to Amleth, Diana is with them, right" [Neloufa].
"What you heard is indeed true, Diana and Sister Khamisah are with them" [Dana].
Inside the carriage we talk about the upcoming conference and the succubus cultural festival. While I am not well versed in political matters, as a friend of Her Highness Princess Kara and Mara, my opinion matters. No, I have to make sure that my opinion matters and is well respected, or else I will only cause a stain on my friends name. This is one of the reasons I appreciate Sister Dana. She has a similar feeling about this. We usually talk about the latest topic and revise it over and over again. From talking to the head maid of the Vars family, Mrs. Mahsuri, to Alice of the Adventure Guild, the two of us are making steady progress.
Getting out of the carriage, we greet each other and say goodbye, as our year is different.
"Make sure you don't get bullied by others" [Dana].
"They dare to bully her even if she has a royal and duchy emblem?" [Princess Siti]
"It's not bullying..." [Neloufa]
"You have to be stricter, otherwise they would clearly take advantage of Diana's absence" [Liya].
"Do you want me to talk to them?" [Siantess Rumia]
"No, I'm fine, but I appreciate your concern" [Neloufa]
It's not bullying like the first day of school, although there are still some girls who are jealous of me. There are only a few commoners of the same year as me and they don't really like to talk to me because they think that I am out of their reach. Although Diana and I have tried to make friends with them, I can still feel that they're a barrier between us. As for the nobles, they're jealous because of my connection with Princess Kara and Mara as well as Marianne.
The so-called bullying is just them intentionally bumping into me when I am all alone or doing things like scribbling on my desk. It happens more often now that Diana isn't with me. Even adults are afraid of her for fear of her strength.
"My dear, lovely, sweet, Honey Crusted Lemon students, it's good to see you again" [Merlin].
"Honey Crusted Lemon?" [Adnan]
"Did she just put us on the same level as her recent breakfast?" [Tio]
"What, then do you want me to call you a chocolate donut?" [Merlin]
We start the class with a lesson from the teacher Merlin. A legendary witch. I'm so happy to be able to attend her class. She's a witch from a fairy tale, be it a children's fairy tale or a folk tale. Of course, she pays more attention to her three disciples, but she never really neglected us. In fact, I once saw her notebook regarding each of our strengths and weaknesses, and she really tries hard to make us better. She is strange and likes to play around like Diana, but she is not as scary as a witch.
"Alright Neloufa, I want you to read this out loud without using any of your magic" [Merlin].
"RIGHT!" [Neloufa]
(She grows more confident) [Kara]
(The old Neloufa will be too shy) [Mara]
(And she will instinctively look to Diana for help, but now) [Marianne]
"Alright, Little Kara, Little Mara and Little Marianne, would you like to give your opinion about our little diamond Neloufa here?" [Merlin]
"TEACHER!" [Neloufa]
"You're adored like one, though, I wonder who would cause that" [Merlin]
"She's feigning ignorance, isn't she... OUCH!" [Auger]
"What is this, little Auger? Are you saying that I am somehow responsible for Little Diana, Little Kara, Little Mara, and Little Neloufa being adored as pearl and diamonds by the Amlethians? Surely I am nothing but a humble teacher, how could I do that?" [Merlin]
"A thousand year old teacher though... OUCH! I thought you didn't mind us calling you that!" [Adnan]
Class continues as usual. When the bell rings, we move to another class, and as evening approaches, I excuse myself once again from club activities for the day. I have to continue practicing at the opera house for my upcoming role!
"Do your best, Neloufa!"
"Let's practice our dance and voice again"
"Make us proud!"
"I will! Thank you very much!" [Neloufa]
The seniors in the club are really nice! I really like this arts and culture club. I get to sing a song from different tribes. Learn about their meaning. Learn about dances from different regions. I even get to play instruments that I only dreamed of playing! It's a wonderful club with a supportive member. I really feel blessed.
"Neloufa, please, would you like to go out with..."
"Neloufa, it's time for your rehearsal at the opera. Would you like me to go with you?" (The boy gives Neloufa a dirty look. If Diana is here, he wouldn't dare.) [Dana]
"It's okay. I can go alone" [Neloufa].
"Really? But I feel like going with you, may I?" [Dana]
"Sure." [Neloufa]
(I'm glad she's okay with it. Sometimes I have to agree with Nar and Sas' overprotectiveness... Only sometimes. Most of the time they're just being a pain...) [Dana]
At the opera house, once inside, I quickly go and greet the others. Technically, I am not yet a member of the group, as I am still a minor, but I am here simply as a student of Diva Vita. She's undoubtedly one of the most famous actresses on this entire continent. I'm sure very few can match her popularity.
"Neloufa and Dana, have you eaten? Remember, a good meal is necessary to reach your goal" [Vita].
"I have already eaten" [Neloufa].
"Good, but as for Dana, you might want to add a little more weight here" [Vita].
"Hey! They're just fine!" [Dana]
"Really? Are you sure? Sometimes you get jealous of Saintess Rumia" [Vita].
"I AM NOT! THEY'RE JUST FINE" [Dana]
Diva Vita loves to tease Dana. She said that Dana is easy to tease. Of course, once she teases Sister Dana, I am next. As for me, she just likes to tickle me.
"All right, everyone, please take your seats. Our rehearsal is about to begin..." [Manager]
"You guys! You won't believe it! She's here... She's..."
"So this is the famous opera house!" [Farhah]
"Yes. I'm glad that I can finally... DANA! NELOUFA! MISS VITA" [Diana]
"DIANA!" [Dana, Neloufa]
"She's back! Excellent!" [Vita]
Today is a happy day. Sister Dana and I hurry to hug her.