This is it, the day has finally come. Our debut at Astria's Royal Academy.
The mistress looks composed as she sips a premade brewed tea while taking in the scenery. It doesn't take long for her to speak
"Say, Eric what do you think the Academy life would be like?."
The uncertainty in her voice carefully hidden behind that question
"Just like a school from what I gathered."
"Have you been to school Eric?." Aida asks confused
"Ofcourse not mistress, I just heard of it from an acquaintance." You lived in the woods Eric, remember that.
"I wouldn't know , I like most nobles in this country have been homeschooled."
"I'm well aware of it Mistress." Studying isn't the nobles only objective in this academy , the premise also serves as a matchmaking ground to forge alliances between the houses or as we know it marriage.
"Young madam, Mr. Eric." Says the driver "we have arrived." As he stops the carriage
I move out the carriage and extend a hand to Aida.
"The day has finally come mistress , your official debut as a Astria's magic academy student."
"Thank you Eric, if you were only this forward with me." Said Aida beaming as she took my hand
"Excuse me my Lady, I don't believe this is the right conduct to take with me." A tinge of red on my face.
I catch people whispers and murmurs as we make our way through the entrance of the Academy, the grand castle built by the Eizenburgs now serves as a learning institution for the lads and lasses of nobility.
"*sigh* yet another conceited noble one among many."
"Why have you glanced at me?."
"Are you self conscious Gil?."
"Stop it you two, don't make a scene on this day."
"Sorry Joshua ."
"She's not sorry at all."
It was a long track before Aida and I made it to the Academy's main hallway. In front of us were Joshua, Mistie and Gil, Mistie was the first to notice as she quickly leapt to hug Aida.
"Aida!, my dear bestest friend Aida."
"Mistie unhand me at this once."
"Why what's wrong with a bit of skinship, I haven't seen you in ages."
"Its good to see you Aida and Eric." Joshua greeted
"That shrimp mistress and the commoner, hmph." Gil moves along before turning his head "I'll see you in class." Addressing me
"What class?, have they assigned them already." I asked
"They sent you letters upon admission , don't tell me you haven't read them." Aida appeared baffled
"Sounds like something he'd do." Mistie grins
"The letters detail our class and homeroom instructor. In our case it appears that all of us are in the same class." Joshua explains
"Such tardiness should be punishable but as your magnanimous mistress I would let water pass under the bridge." Said Aida
"I'm sorry it won't happen again, I look forward to studying with you all and ofcourse you above all else Mistress Aida."
"As close as ever, don't you think so Joshua."
"Even if you ask me..." Joshua smiles awkwardly
The four of us make our way to class while ignoring the murmurs n the background.
Talk of a commoner other than myself enrolling in the academy , if my memory serves me right it has to be her... the protagonist of Magical Princess.
"Good morning students, I'm your homeroom professor Dr.Holtz and I'll be teaching you the mandatory dungeon exploration course."
A bespectacled old man with greying wavy hair, sharp crimson eyes and a face too young for his age.
"Now that my introduction is out of the way, allow me to introduce our last minute enrollment and the 2nd scholarship student of our class, Ms. Alice."
No surname a commoner just like me, this is the heroine of the story.
Long brown hair that flows down to her waist, almond eyes that suck you in , the freckles on her cheeks accented her cute factor, and her simple red glossed lips that invites you coupled with her generous sized breasts. She was in everything a complete package.
"Good morning everyone, I'm Alice from Edinburgh's hills . Its a pleasure to meet you all." She bows in courtesy
The ramblings of our classmate grow louder that even the professor had a difficulties in containing them.
"As for your seating arrangement."
There are 2 empty seats one next to a typically arrogant noble and one that is next to mine.
I don't know what propelled me to raise hand, whatever it is. I sure as hell deserve a thrashing from master for being a goody two shoes.
"She can sit next to me!."
The whole class gave me the stank eye , meanwhile Prince Joshua and Mistie looked bemused, while Aida who's sitting right behind me glares contempteously.
"You can sit next to Eric, Ms.Alice."
"Hello, Alice. I'm Eric your seatmate for the rest of the year."
"Eric... are you perhaps a commoner."
"Yes I'm a commoner just like you though not quite, its hard to explain."
"I see.. its a pleasure to meet your acquaintance Eric."
"Same here Alice."
Holtz gives me a thumbs up for defusing what could have been a first day mishap, 'what a useless teacher.'
"*ahem* class is in session." Says Dr. Holtz
"Today marks your first lesson in my curriculum, my course in dungeon Exploration is simple to follow failure in this course sets you a year back. While theorum is important , the real purpose of this class is to prepare and equip you with knowledge in regards to dungeons and to some extent labryinths. We will commence your first graded session an expedition to our rank D dungeons."
Dr. Holtz selects our pairings according to our seats
Joshua paired with Mistie
Aida paired with Gil
I'm paired with Alice
"Each pair is to explore one of their designated gates respectively. For this test I have decided to mark your grades based on clearing time reach the fastest pair to reach the dungeons core shall receive the highest grade and Mr.Eric I take that you've received the special rule from the principal."
"Yes Dr. Holtz."
There are 12 gates and 24 student in total, our assigned gate is 3
-Dungeon gate 3-
The dungeon is a simple cave with altering pathways , as Alice and I make our way further deep we encounter our first monster.
"Its a blue slime." The most basic of all monsters in magical princess.
Unsheathing my sword i leap into action while dodging the goo projectile, i slice through the slime cutting its stone in half
"Eric that was amazing."
"No its nothing that amazing Alice, im sure you would have done better than me. After all you were about to cast a light spell."
"How did you know?."
"Intuition." (Plot)
I wasn't supposed to be Alice partner in the beginner's dungeon , it was a Prince Joshua event, yet again I find myself right in the center of the plot.
We head deep into the dungeon encountering slimes and occasionally bloodsucking bats.
"Lets strategize, from here on out we will engage with magic based monsters more often. I can't perform a single spell to save my life, this is where you come in."
Barred from using my chromata skills I find myself relying on Alice's clairvoyance skill
"eta on the enemies."
"3 slimes one red and 2 blue."
Red slimes are immune to physical attacks, if I'd used my chromata skills a single slash would instantaneously be followed by a thousand.
Alice enchants my sword with light element the red slime fires off miniature fireballs , i nudge Alice to look take cover behind a boulder.
Dodging each and every projectile from the slimes , i slash at the two blue slimes the red slimes fires again to which i respond with a roll avoiding the fireball.
It fires again as i get up and leap through the air, deflecting its attack before cutting it down.
"Alice , are you ok?."
"I should be asking you that, i'm sorry for not being of much use."
"Don't be your support skill has helped me a great deal."
"You're too kind Mr.Eric."
"Drop the Mr , we're classmates and fellow commoners."
"I'm sorry , its just that you're so reliable i start thinking you're my senior."
"Haha, I'm glad you think so highly of me but I'd rather you call me Eric. "
"Can i ask you a question?."
"Go ahead."
"Is it alright?.. for our people to be here, I mean commoners."
"You are a light element , the rarest of all types of magician and your blood is special. You have every right to be here as for myself I wonder why an average like myself is allowed here without the sword I'm worth nothing."
"You have all this power and think little of yourself, thats not good!." Alice chides
"Again you think highly of me saintess." (Shyte, I messd up.)
"How did you know."
"Uh. I saw your future. I'm a chromata you see. An existence outside the constraints of time."
"So you knew who I was and that didnt change your opinion of me."
"Not at all Alice remains an Alice to me."
She blushes as she replies
"Thank you."
"Well with everything said and done, what say we finish the last stretch of this dungeon."
"Last stretch?."
"You mean you haven't noticed?, we've almost cleared the dungeon."
I point at the exit
Me and Alice were the first to arrive
Joshua and Mistie were right behind us
Aida and Gil were dead last thus recieving the worst grade.
"Good work everyone especially you Mr.Eric. That handicap didn't work in your favor yet you persevered."
"I had great support, couldn't have done it without Alice."
"N-no I didn't do much it was your hard work."
"Modest until the very end." I reply with a knowing smile
"I'm glad you had your fun."
Aida cuts in absolutely furious with Gil in tow
"Oi commoner, your master here cost me the grade i demand you take her back."
"I should be saying this , Eric make this fool disappear from my sight!."
"What a rowdy bunch." This time it was Mistie and Joshua who appear
"Gil, Aida cut it out. Don't you see that behavior gets no where lets get along."
"I will never get alomg with her."
"I will never get along with him."
"ERIC, LISTEN TO ME!."
"COMMONER, LISTEN TO ME!."
"Mr.Eric?." Alice turns to me confused
"Welcome to Astria , Alice."
To be continued