The lectures in the Royal Mauve Academy were quite interesting.
Truth be told, I had already read about the topics we discussed from the books in our family's library, but having classes with other people gives one a fresh perspective on things, and opens topics I had previously accepted as truth into debate.
I realized that there are several approaches to solving problems.
That questioning could open a whole new avenue of possibilities.
That different beliefs are welcome and actually encouraged by open minded people.
When the clock chimed 12, we took food from the dining hall and went back to the infirmary. We saw Cat seated on a chair, eating a muffin while talking to Arman who was still lying in bed.
"Oh, good, you're up!" Elliot greeted him. "How are you feeling?"
"Terrible," Arman replied with an angry scowl. "When I get my hands on those seniors...!"
"I think you've had enough of fights, Arman," I told him, "just look at yourself!"
"That's right," Elliot said with a worried expression. "They even wounded your lovely face!"
"Oh this?" Arman said, pointing at a shallow wound on his left cheek. "This was actually my doing."
"What?!" Elliot and I asked, bewildered.
"Arman said they pointed a sabre at him," Cat told us, scowling.
"They were threatening to cut my face, so I did it myself!"
"He's so reckless, it's a wonder he's still alive!" added Cat, glaring at Arman who simply laughed at his own foolishness.
"They got really surprised when I did it!" he bragged. "They tried to pull the sabre away, so I took that chance to kick long nose in the groin. They tried to hold be down after that, so I bit them and fought back with my room mates, but then Rock got punched in the nose and someone hit me from behind and everything went black!"
"Haa... Arman, why do you keep getting yourself into trouble?" I asked, shaking my head.
"But I heard they were looking for someone," Arman continued. "When they saw me, they decided to send me back with one of their companions and continue searching the rest of the rooms..."
"Our room was supposed to be next!" Cat butted in.
"I knew you and Elliot were being targeted by the seniors, and Cat sleeps with his mask off... so..." Arman mumbled. "By the way, did the professor –"
Arman's words were cut short as I leaned over to hug him.
It was the first time I had ever held another person in my arms.
"Are you okay?" he asked me. "Don't tell me Prof. Novil caught us?!"
"No, it's all okay!" said Elliot who hugged us as well. "Pat finished the spell in time and the professor accepted – OOF!"
He grunted when Cat jumped in to join our hug.
Until Arman complained about the pressure.
"Hey, ow, ow, I have a dislocated shoulder, remember?!" he moaned.
"Sorry about that..." I told him as I pulled away.
"So, what time is it? How were our classes?" he asked.
"Oh, that's right! I forgot about classes!" Cat gasped.
"Don't worry, the second prince André got us excuse slips for the whole day."
"The second prince?" Arman asked wide-eyed.
"Yeah, turns out he's this really nice guy who's really big on honor and stuff!" Cat explained.
"He saw us fighting with the seniors over you and helped ensure that the battle was fair and honorable," I explained.
"Then I guess Elliot had to fight for me again?"
"Not just him, but Cat as well!" said I. "He defeated Wein who tried to attacked Elliot when the duel was already over!"
"And Pat was real good at telling them the rules, too!" Cat pipped in. "The seniors didn't know what to do when Pat told them they would be getting penalties for what they did to you!"
"Penalties?" Arman looked confused.
I guess he didn't pay much attention to yesterday's orientation as well.
"That's right!" said Elliot. "André sent the seniors to Grand Knight Alcides after the duel. I bet they're gonna get penalized and lose all their apprentices now!"
"Huh! Serves them right!" Arman was so excited with the news that he tried to raise his right arm, making him wince in pain.
"Hey, careful! You're not completely healed yet!" Elliot reminded him.
"Didn't the temple's healer come to see you?" I asked him.
"Yeah, but, I think they said it was the best they could do," said Arman.
"The doctor said he would need to wear a sling for at least a week to make sure he properly heals," added Cat.
"May I take a look, then?"
"Oh, do you know how to heal too, Pat?" Cat asked wide-eyed.
"It's not really healing... A healing spell makes use of the goddess' blessing."
I held Arman's arm and shoulder. He gave a little jolt when I raised his elbow a bit.
"This is a little 'rewinding' spell I learned from my tome."
"Your tome?" Cat inquired.
"The big book."
"Oh, the magic book!"
"Anyway, it rewinds time on a certain object, as long as all the parts are still present. I've used it in some of my injuries before."
"Why were you injured?" Cat asked again.
"Sometimes, There are some... consequences when learning magic..." I answered with a strained smile. "Anyway, please keep still as I say the spell."
The three of them kept still as I chanted the spell beneath my breath.
"Oh!"
Arman looked up, his honey gold eyes wide open.
"How is it?"
He slowly lifted his arm.
His jaw dropped open.
"Is it really better now?!" Cat asked.
Arman stretched both arms and flapped them like a chicken, looking at me with a big grin on his face.
"You're even better than the healers!" he said out loud.
"Shh! We can't let anyone know about this!" Elliot reminded us. "Prof. Novil mentioned that some seniors and faculty staff already have their eyes on us."
"Oh, you heard about that, too?" I asked him.
"Of course, a good merchant always has their eyes and ears open for beneficial news," he pointed out.
"I'll keep my arm on a sling, then!" Elliot quickly put his sling back on.
"Now, let me take a look at your feet and the scar on your face."
"Oh, Pat, I don't know how to thank you!" he gasped as the wounds on his feet slowly closed and disappeared. "And please leave the bruises for dramatic effect!"
"Got it."
Arman patted his once again flawless skin after I healed the wound on his cheek.
"Ah, I thought I would have to live with a real scar on my beautiful face for a while!" He looked at me and held my hands. "Really, Patrick, I pledge to you my eternal friendship and loyalty!" he said exaggeratedly, I couldn't help but laugh.
We gave Cat and Arman their lunch, which was pork tenders with apple sauce, then we left Arman to go to our afternoon classes.
"I'll meet you guys in your room when the clock strikes 5!" Arman told us, Elliot's key dangling on his finger.
"Just make sure to stay out of trouble when we're not around!" Elliot reminded him.
"Don't worry," Arman replied while using a mask of flesh to replace the wound on his left cheek which he covered with a gauze, "I'm good."