After the conversation with the director, Ben plunged into his thoughts, replaying the one word "Gandalfr" in his head. He realized that the director had called him that, but Ben was wondering what it meant.
— "Apparently, you will have to visit the library in the near future... I know too little about this world..." — Ben thought and felt a slight jolt that brought him out of his thoughts.
— What is it? — The man asked, looking at Louise.
— I've been thinking... — Louise hesitated a little.
— Tristain Academy will be your home soon, so it would be nice for you to study it better. — The girl continued more confidently.
Ben looked at her with interest and a slight smile, understanding what she was hinting at: — Are you asking me out on a date?
— W-what kind of date!? — Louise cried out, blushing slightly.
— I just want to give you a little tour, don't make up too much!
— Good, good... — Ben spread his hands, pleased with Louise's reaction, and then continued: — I really haven't had time to look at everything properly yet. So, I see no reason to refuse the services of a nice guide like you.
Louise blushed at the sudden compliment and a smile involuntarily appeared on her face. She was rarely told something like this, so Ben's words provoked an appropriate reaction. But, gathering her thoughts, Louise nodded and led Ben along the stone corridors.
— This is the main hall... — She began as they entered a spacious room decorated with marble columns and portraits of past magicians. — Important announcements and meetings are taking place here. All the students and teachers gather here when something important happens.
Ben looked around. Even though the room looked majestic and spacious, in Ben's eyes it was still worse than at Hogwarts.
— An impressive place. — Ben said, carefully hiding his disappointment from Louise.
— That's right, but that's not all. — Louise nodded enthusiastically and led him on, pleased that Ben was surprised.
—And here... — She continued, leading him down one of the corridors: — Are the classrooms. Various professors teach magical disciplines: transmutation, alchemy and, of course, spells.
When Ben heard about alchemy, he became interested: "Hmm... I wonder if I will be able to use some knowledge from the past world? We need to study more carefully what the alchemists here are capable of." — Although Ben was not as good an alchemist as his teacher Dumbledore, he still mastered some skills under his guidance. In the past, it helped him a lot to save money, since the services of alchemists cost a lot of money. And now Ben saw it as a good opportunity to make money.
Passing on, Ben and Louise found themselves in front of a tall arched window that overlooked the courtyard of the academy, where some students were wandering aimlessly.
— Most of the practical classes usually take place in the courtyard. — Louise explained. — However, as you can see, more often students just spend their leisure time there after classes.
Ben looked out the window, looking at the courtyard, where several students were practicing spells at that moment.
— And how do you like studying here? — He asked, looking at the girl with interest.
Louise thought for a moment, remembering her training, her many failures with magic, and the ridicule from other students.
— I have to study here. — the girl answered briefly with a note of sadness in her voice. However, Ben had expected such an answer. After observing Louise, he could roughly understand what kind of person she was. Seeing that Louise didn't want to continue this topic, Ben just obediently followed her on.
The corridors of the Academy were quiet and almost empty, only the sound of Louise and Ben's footsteps disturbed the calm. Louise continued to tell Ben about school, trying to hide her sadness, which she did rather poorly. Suddenly, a familiar figure appeared around the corner – Kirche, with her characteristic dazzling smile and graceful gait.
— Well, well, who do I see! She exclaimed, coming closer. — Louise and her familiar," she said with a hint of mockery in her voice.
Louise instantly tensed up. She was used to Kirche teasing her all the time, but now Louise felt inexplicably anxious.
– Kirche, what do you need? — Louise asked with displeasure, trying to remain calm.
Kirche, ignoring the hostile tone, smiled even wider and looked at Ben with interest.
– Oh, I was just passing by, and I was wondering. — She licked her lips and winked at Ben. — Your familiar turned out to be surprisingly strong. You can't imagine how impressed I was when I watched him duel with Guiche.
Louise clenched her fists, her face flushed with mixed feelings–pride for Ben and annoyance at Kirche's tone. Louise had already guessed Kirche's purpose.
– Yes, he is strong... — Louise replied, trying to control herself. — But what's it to you He's mine!
Kirche moved closer to Ben, practically ignoring Louise. She spoke in a soft, almost seductive voice:
— Ben, you must be tired of taking orders from Louise, aren't you?— Her eyes were shining. — Such a strong and handsome familiar deserves much more. Smiling coquettishly, Kirche emphasized her ample breasts with her hands.
— Why don't you become my servant? I promise that you will be much more interested in me than with her. — Kirche shot a quick glance at Louise, a flicker of mockery and a sense of superiority in her eyes.
Louise was about to explode with indignation, but before she could say a word, Ben took a step forward, putting himself between her and Kirche. His face expressed deep disgust at Kirche's words. Thanks to occlumency, any temptation had no effect on Ben. He carefully controlled his mind.
Grinning slightly, Ben finally spoke: —Become your servant? It's funny!
After looking Kirche intently in the eyes, the man continued: — Until now, no one has ever controlled me. Do you seriously think that waving your boobs in front of me will make me an obedient doggie?
Kirche's smile faltered slightly, but she quickly hid her confusion.
–Oh, Ben... — She drawled, trying to regain the confidence in her voice: — You have no idea what you're losing. I could…
–No. — Ben interrupted her sharply, his voice firm and confident. — I'm not interested in your offers, or in you. People like you cause me nothing but disgust.
Kirche was speechless for a moment. She hadn't expected such sharpness. Ben wasn't just cold. His words clearly hurt her pride, as well as humiliated her.
— OK... — She narrowed her eyes, her smile becoming more and more strained: – Whatever you say, Ben. But don't regret your choice later.
She took one last look at Louise, full of condescension, then turned around and gracefully walked away down the corridor.
Louise, who had been overcome with anger at first, now stood in mild shock at the way Ben was talking to Kirche. She was sure that Ben would be led into open seduction, so she did not immediately find the words to express her emotions.
–Ben... — She began, her voice trembling with surprise. – You…
Ben turned to her and looked into her eyes with a slight smile: — She's pretty annoying, isn't she?
Louise didn't say anything and just nodded, feeling relieved and slightly happy inside herself. She was pleased that Ben had treated Kirche like that and stayed with her.
After talking with Kirche, Ben and Louise noticed that the sun had already begun to set, turning the sky a delicate purple color. And, since they were no longer in the mood to continue exploring the school, Ben and Louise went to the room immediately after dinner.
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Hello again! Sorry for the long wait. In the last couple of months, I haven't been in the mood to write anything at all. I was busy moving, looking for a job, and filing paperwork. It's very exhausting. I hope that I will not disappear anywhere else and will continue to please you with new chapters
P.S
How do you like the new cover?