Espen looked towards someone calling her, a female student ran towards them with a 1.5-meter wooden magic wand, repeatedly shouting Espen's name.
"What's happening?" Espen asked.
"Trouble! It's serious!" the female student gasped.
"Calm down first," Espen said.
The exhausted student bowed, stood upright after catching her breath, and looked at the dark green robes of the basic academy student in front of Espen with surprise. "Princess Poetica and Princess Waify?!" she exclaimed, "Nice to meet you," she added with a smile.
Then she glanced at Rozer, "And that rumored kid, I thought you was older than me, turns out you're younger," she said, examining Rozer from top to bottom. "Hmm...hmm... Your Senior likes younger man, apparently." she added.
Espen hit the girl's head quite hard, saying, "Don't tease him."
The girl groaned in pain, rubbing her sore head, "Ouch... Espen, that hurts. My name is Claudia, in the same class as Espen. Nice to meet you." she added introducing herself.
Claudia's height matched Rozer's. Her shoulder-length brown hair was neatly arranged and her eyes is blue. She wore the standard student uniform. What stood out was the knee-high leather boots, different from other academy students adhere to the dress code.
"So, what's the 'trouble' you mentioned?" Espen asked.
"Oh yes, it's serious, Espen. The knight class students are forcing our junior to help with their training again." Claudia said.
Espen sighed, holding her head, "Those people. Alright, let's go there." she said, then looked at Rozer, "You come with me, there's something to address first." she added.
After Espen and Rozer ordered his khodam to return, They went to the other side of the field, where many students were gathered. In the midst, a man in a white robe and a woman in a black robe were pulling the arms of a male student in light blue robes.
"Why are you stubborn? Let him stay here!"
"I've said it, someone is severely injured on the knight's field. Let him join us!"
"You're lying, aren't you? You just want him to heal your minor injuries after training. Bandage your own wounds, let us train here."
"I've said it, I'm not lying!"
"Let go of his hand!"
"You first!"
Claudia, Espen, Rozer, Poetica, and Waify arrived. With Espen in front, they walked through the crowd of students and reached the center of the conflict. Claudia swept her gaze confidently, Espen frowned in annoyance, Rozer and Poetica remained calm, while Waify brought a touch of cheerfulness. They brought a positive aura, turning the conflict into a more pleasant moment and harmonizing the atmosphere.
"Senior! Those guys want to take Aldert back to their training ground." a long-haired blonde student said, pulling the mentioned student's arm, echoed by other students confirming her words.
"I've told you, this is important! Only Aldert knows healing magic." a short-haired brown-haired male student said, pulling the arm of the student he held, with other students confirming his words.
Espen looked at the disputed student, who seemed in pain, "First, let go of his hands. Can't you see Aldert is in pain?" she said.
The blonde-haired girl released her hand, apologizing to Aldert, and the brown-haired boy also dropped his arm, both avoiding eye contact.
"Explain all of this." Espen said to the brown-haired student.
"I came here to ask Aldert to heal my junior's sprained ankle, but this girl wouldn't let him." the brown-haired male student pointed at the blonde-haired female student.
"I heard from Aldert himself, yesterday when you brought him, he said you used Aldert to stand by the field and heal your minor injuries after training. It disrupts his practice as a wizard!" the blonde-haired female student said.
"Yes, that's true, but this time I'm not lying!"
"Liar, you liar, how can I believe you again!"
"What did you say?!"
"What? liar!"
"Calm down, all of you!" Espen shouted.
They complied and bowed their heads, ears wide open to Espen's words, "I've said it before, if a knight academy student is injured, bring them here so we can treat them without disturbing our training here, considering the distance between this field and the knight's field is quite far. And once you lie, you will be labeled as a liar." Espen said.
The brown-haired male student bowed, absorbing Espen's words, "I know that, but still—" he said, then looked at Espen's face, "But still, I can't bear to bring him here! Just standing, he screams in pain." he added.
"Liar!" said the blonde-haired girl.
The brown-haired male student fell silent as the words he received were true. And Poetica's presence was threatening.
Espen fell silent, thinking about the best way to resolve this conflict without siding with anyone.
After looking into the eyes of the brown-haired male student, Rozer said, "He's not lying."
"Why are you sure he's not lying?" Espen asked.
"I can see it, he's not lying now. Let me go there to help him." Rozer commented.
Rozer's words reminded Poetica of earlier in the classroom, making her shudder.
"Alright, I'll go there to make sure too." Espen said, then looked at the other students behind him, "Continue your training." he said.
"Yes, senior!"
The wizard students, full of enthusiasm, stepped diligently onto the training field, while the knight students returned with zeal to their training ground, followed by Espen, Rozer, Poetica, and Waify walking confidently behind them.
Slowly, they walked past the vast field, witnessing their fellow students practicing with impressive spells and magic. The air was filled with magical energy radiating from every expertly moved magic wand of the young wizards.
After leaving the field, they crossed quiet corridors, like a labyrinth within this academy. Classroom doors were open and closed mysteriously as they walked past the middle academy building. Laughter and whispered spells could be faintly heard from rooms. Then passed the building where the teachers were closed tightly.
As they continued their journey, they could feel the magical power flowing through these corridors, captivating Rozer, Poetica, and Waify even more with the wonders of this academy.
In the middle of the journey, Espen asked his juniors, "Isn't it unusual for the princesses not to be picked up by a horse carriage when the bell rings?"
Poetica was startled by her senior's statement, "Well, I did say to the carriage driver that we'll be late coming back." she said.
Waify smiled broadly and said, "I just wanted to accompany Poetica, who wanted to accompany Ro—" she stopped when Poetica hit her arm.
"Poetica and Waify is princesses?" Rozer commented.
"Eh, you don't know? Aren't you friends?" Espen asked.
Rozer shook his head, "No idea." he said.
"Uh... They're famous, you know." Espen said while looking at the silent Poetica, who turned her face away, not wanting to say the truth herself.
"Poetica is the princess of this kingdom, and Waify is the princess of Baratana kingdom." Espen said.
"Is that so?" Rozer said, looking at Poetica on his right, "What?" Poetica said harshly. Then looked at Waify, who was smiling.
"And now the three famous people in the academy are behind me as juniors. I feel very pleased." Espen said.
"Three people?" Rozer said confused.
Poetica nudged Rozer's stomach and said, "She means you."
"That's right, Rozer, you've only been in the academy for one day, and you're already the center of attention for all students. That's something to be proud of." Waify commented.
"I don't feel that way." Rozer said.
"You should be more sensitive, seriously." Poetica said, nudging Rozer's stomach harder.
"Why do you always like to nudge me? It's ticklish." Rozer said.
"If you act like this, you won't make any friends, Poetica." Waify commented.
Rozer fell silent for a moment, feeling Déjà vu from Waify's words to Poetica.
Following the dark corridor, a pale light radiated, dazzling the wizard and knight students who walked with enthusiasm. And exiting that corridor, they were greeted by the enchanting Afternoon sky.
Arriving at the knight's field, the atmosphere changed to fierce and full of martial spirit. Knight students practiced with wooden swords, swinging them with skill and mesmerizing strength. Some chose to practice barehanded, showcasing their toughness in close combat.
The vast field bore witness to the skills and dedication of the knight students. The clash of swords, firm footsteps, and enthusiastic shouts created a unique harmony amid their intensive training. The sunlight piercing through the trees around the field added a dramatic touch to this training scene, creating shadows and highlights that engaged the eyes of every observer.
Espen, Rozer, Poetica, and Waify observed with admiration, watching the captivating display of knight skills in the middle of the field. They could feel the power and spirit flowing among these knights, creating an atmosphere full of brotherhood and determination to become formidable warriors.
On the other side of the wide field, a different scene caught their attention. Several students gathered anxiously, forming a circle around a student lying on the ground. Groans of pain broke the silence of the field, creating a serious and empathetic atmosphere.
The concerned students tried to provide support and comfort to their injured friend. Their eyes were filled with worry, and whispers of concern were heard as they tried to console the student groaning in pain.
"Stay strong, Aldert will be here soon!"