"So we're back to our old school, huh?" Fei said as they stood before their alma mater, the Ancdam Academy of Sorcery and Magic.
"Yes. I never believed that I would be back here again," Sofia added as she walked towards the academy's gate.
"Halt!" they were stopped short by the guards at the entrance. "State the nature of your business here," they declared.
"We are sent here by the guild for the mission regarding the missing people within the academy grounds," Fei said as she produced their guild cards.
The guards inspected it, before letting them inside. Once inside, a sense of familiarity easily swayed over them.
"How many years has it been? " Fei asked no one in particular, perhaps reminiscing her years in this academy. Sofia wasn't that attached to the place as she had just recently graduated. "Should I go as hi to my former teachers? Hehe," Fei added while peeking towards the classroom windows when she was pulled by Sofia at the scrape of her neck. At this time of the day, there are still classes ongoing.
"We don't want to be expelled from the academy grounds because some students thought that there is a creepy lady hanging around the campus", she said as she points towards the higher floors of the buildings. Perhaps due to their attire, they have gathered quite a bit of attention to themselves.
Several students can be seen peeking through their windows down toward where the two mages are.
"Hey, look, there are adventurers", one of the students gossiped.
The next thing they knew, a bunch of curious students are looking at them.
Disliking the unwanted attention, Sofia dragged her senior toward the interior of the school.
"Hey, where are we going, Sofia?" she asked the girl. Without looking at her, Sofia answered.
"To the principal's office. The faster we get to the bottom of this quest, the earlier we leave this place," she said. Her pace was clearly faster than normal. Although Fei doesn't like Sofia dragging her around, she surely noticed her unease.
"Hey, what's wrong? Does your stomach hurt? If so, I got the perfect remedy for that," Fei said, concerned about her companion well being. Sofia paused for a second, before continuing her walk.
"No, it's nothing. I just want to get this quest over with quickly," Sofia said. Seeing that Sofia brushed off her worries, Fei decided to believe in her words. They are currently walking in the hallway of the third building. Since the third building is for graduating students, they are currently focused on preparing their papers for graduation. Sofia and Fei passed by the series of rooms, before ascending a set of stairs at the end of the corridor. A large "Principal's Office" sign hung on the door.
"We're here," Sofia said. Fei nodded as she proceeded to use the knocker installed in the door. As soon as two loud thuds were made, a voice from inside the room ushered them to come in.
Fei and Sofia each pushed either side of the door, revealing the room. It was just a simple study room. As one would expect from the principal of the academy, the room is decorated with several magic items. Some of these are familiar to Fei while others are unknown to her.
"Oh, isn't it Fei and Sofia? It's been a while. I didn't know that the Guil would send for you two, nor did I know that you became adventurers," a soft voice came from within the mountain of books piled atop the only table in the room.
"Sensei!" "Principal Steibern," Fei and Sofia replied to their former teacher. Principal Emilia Steibern is the head of the Ancdam Magic Academy of Sorcery and Magic. Under her tutelage, several mages serving the Kingdom of Drethia came from this academy. She is renowned as a well-accomplished mage, as well as a scholar of magic formulas.
"I didn't know that you became the principal. Was it after I left?" Fei asked her, as she was surprised to see her former teacher now as a principal. Principal Steibern chuckled to herself before answering Fei's question.
"Yes, Fei. I think it was two years after you graduated that I became the principal," she said. She looked towards Fei, like a parent who hasn't seen their child for a very long time. "Still, it strikes me amusing that you still haven't changed a bit," she added.
"Well, because there's nothing to change. I am perfect the way I am. What about you? Have your research progressed after I left?" Fei asked back. Principal Steibern took out a book from under her desk drawer and showed it to Fei.
"This is my latest work on magic formulas. It is set for publication this year, but I'll give you this advance copy for you to keep," she said. Fei was happy to receive such a prized possession, and from the author herself nonetheless. "Thank you Sensei! Wow, to have published so many books! I wish I was as accomplished as you," Fei said.
"That's not true," Principal Steibern replied. She then took another book from her drawing and showed it to Fei. Fei looked at the cover of the book and was surprised to find that she has a copy of her book on monsters.
"Sensei! So you've read my works! I'm so happy!" Fei said.
"Read? I've added it to the curriculum in the academy. Having prior knowledge of monsters would be beneficial to future mages," she said.
"Sensei!" Fei, almost moved to tears, was prompted to jump towards her former teacher to give her a big hug for her appreciation of her book, but was interrupted by a loud "Ahem!".
"Senior, I think pleasantries can come later. It would be better to focus on our quest first," Sofia said, after keeping silent for a while.
"Oh, yeah. You're right. Sorry, Sofia," Fei apologized. Principal Steibern looked towards Sofia. "Ms. Cheele is right. We have plenty of chances to catch up with each other's stories after you completed this quest."
She cleared the books from atop her table, pushing them to the side only enough to accommodate the two visitors.
"Well then, where should I start? What do you want to know first?" she asked them.
"From the beginning. Every little detail helps," Fei said as she prepares to listen intently to the details her former teacher would make. "We heard the gist from the Guild, but it would be better to hear them straight from the requestor," she added.
"OK then, I'll try my best," she said.