"Continue to protect him, Ave. We still have a lot of things to do before we"ll reveal everything to him," said King Thierri."Your Majesty, there is also one thing you need to know," Ave said.
"Speak."
"A male fairy is protecting the young Freidrech, and he"s quite good."
"Really? So it"s true then."
"What do you mean, Your Majesty?"
"I overheard from Louvel when they left to Wrilon that his son had this unusual protector but I let it slip. Maybe, this is also the one who sent a backlash to me."
"I think these are two different individuals, Your Majesty," said the school headmaster who newly arrived in this special meeting.
"Oh, you mean there"s someone or something else protecting Freidrech?"
"I think so. You see, an ordinary male fairy can"t go against the Griftein power, my Liege. Only the queen fairy can," said Rhabras as he sat near Ave. "Actually, I sensed a disturbing power from Freidrech yesterday. So, I"m late because I went to Amberdrift"s and have a good talk with Pheya. He suspected the same thing. I also checked on Lord Freidrech"s room. I sensed the two beings" powers have similarities but different as well." He paused, thinking something. "I don"t know how to explain it but it would be better to check it, Sire. Use the power of the Griftein to communicate to these beings for it might be harmful to young Lord Freidrech."
"I see," said the king as his fingers played his mustache while in deep thoughts. He sat properly. "But I"ll do that later. I still need to recuperate from the backlash. My concern now is all about the people who attacked the Amberdrift mansion last night and the report about Wrilon Village," said King Thierri as he pulled a paper from the pile on his table.
The closed-door meeting of the Griftein Knights" Circle continued.
As for Freidrech, his student life began.
He and Theo just arrived in the royal academy. Fred wore a black long sleeve coat with the school"s emblem on his left chest. A light blue bar pin was attached on his lapel. Under his loose coat, he wore black pants and a pair of well polished shoes, while Theo wore a purple coat with a black bar pin.
From Theo"s introduction, Fred learned about the school uniform"s color coding.
Black for the freshmen. On the students" second year, the colors differentiate according to their chosen course.
Purple for Knighthood, red for mages, orange for sciences, yellow for apothecaries, green for scholars in various works, and blue who entered a special training under the Griftein Knights. Those who wore white coats were those taking other advanced cla.s.ses.
The scholars" degree comprised of architecture, engineering, political studies, and other different arts. The advance courses covered the postgraduate courses.
Since Fred had no magic attribute, he had to join a special cla.s.s. All non-magic wielders who were children of n.o.ble families were also in this cla.s.s. Their uniform indicator was their light blue bar pin.
"Sorry, Fred. You are my study companion but you can"t go to my cla.s.s." Theo"s shoulder sagged but straightened his back hurriedly and pointed a finger at Fred. "Enjoy your cla.s.s. Let"s meet in the school cafe during lunch." Theo walked to the second building behind the arena of knowledge.
Fred nodded and went to where Theo instructed him earlier. Each course had its own buildings. The black coats had their own as well. However, his cla.s.s was in the furthest part of the school in a make-shift building at the moment.
Fred scratched his head while looking at the "building" which could be considered a room without walls. There were seats provided but most were empty. Only four people in attendance and no teacher.
"Hmm, excuse me. Is this the special cla.s.s for non-magic users?"
The students looked his way and recognized him.
"Hey! Riddle guy is here," said a man with red unkempt hair. His freckles stood out the most. He walked fast and pulled Fred"s hand for a handshake. "I"m Amerthus of Arnaldus. I never expected we"ll become cla.s.smates. Haha, I"m really glad."
Amerthus talked non-stop with his face glowing in delight. It gave Fred this warm and fuzzy feeling. By reflex, a corner of his mouth lifted.
"Come, come into our humble and always temporary cla.s.sroom for months," said a smiling young man who had deep blue eyes and whose skin was white as a clean bond paper. "I"m Braenton. I"m the cla.s.s chairman."
"Welcome, Lord Amberdrift, but I think you"re not suited here. By the way, I"m Lady Waentilisiana of Alaessa. Just call me Wenti," said a grinning girl with blue hair and green eyes.
"I"m Niall of Otlaen, Lord Amberdrift," said a boy. He has fair-skinned with blond hair and deep-set brown eyes. His two dimples caught Fred"s attention. He believed this guy could be famous to the girls.
Fred shook hands with the boys and slightly bowed to the curtsying Wenti.
"Honestly, I"m glad I"m here but somewhat curious why you said a cla.s.sroom temporary for months," said Fred to Braenton.
"Well," started Braenton, then everyone laughed. "You see, Amerth here," he pointed Amerthus. "Did some experiment early this year and kaboom!" He moved his hands up simultaneously when he said kaboom, and everyone had a hearty chuckle. "So since then, this is our cla.s.sroom."
"Are they not going to have it repaired?"
This time, they had a good belly-laugh. Fred wondered why and Wenti saved him from asking. "This is not exactly our cla.s.sroom. This is supposed to be the workshop. The real location is over there where a lonely column stood, the remnant and last witness of Amerth"s ingenuity," Wenti said, giggling as she indicated an empty tiled floor with the column in the middle. It was nearest to the administration office.
"So, this cla.s.s was supposed to be near the headmaster"s office."
"Oh, very perceptive, ar"nt ya?" said Niall. "Of course, we won"t be called special," emphasizing the last word, "if we"re placed here."
"Special, my b.u.t.t," said Wenti. "If Moma won"t get mad at me, I won"t attend this school and be called useless. I rather go to the village school."
"Useless? Sorry, I"m not following you," Fred said with a frown.
"Hey, Wenti, are you scaring away our riddle guy?" said Amerth.
"Nah, he won"t stop coming since he is Prince Theo"s partner," said Wenti.
Fred smirked with the word partner. He partly understood now about the people"s mindset about a prince"s study companion. More like a partner in crime than for studying.
"Hey! Settle down, people," said Braenton as he placed his arms on Fred"s shoulders. "You see, we are registered here as a special cla.s.s, right? However, the teachers coined as the… ordinary students to differentiate us from the other students when they talk. But… here"s the thing… because of that term, the students gave us this nasty "useless" t.i.tle. Get the point?"
"Useless, the heck," said Wenti as she slammed a book on the table. "And what are they? Just because they have this overpowered abilities… Grrr." Wenti gritted her teeth.
"Hey, Went, chill out," said Niall, patting Wenti"s back.
Wenti jerked Niall"s hand away and slapped a book at his head. "How many times do I have to tell you? I"m not "went" as past tense of go. I"m not past tense, I"m a living outgoing person. I"m Wenti. Say it."
Niall lifted his arm, protecting his head. "Knock it off. It"s just a shortcut. Don"t mess with my brain and hair. Will ya?"
"That is already a shortcut of my long name. Don"t cut it more. Say it," fiercely said by Wenti as she picked an ink bottle, ready to throw at him.
"Okay, okay, Wenti," Niall shouted, running behind Fred.
Wenti placed the bottle back to where she took it and heavily dropped her bottom on the chair.
"So when is our teacher coming?" asked the innocent Fred, unsure what to think of his cla.s.smates.
"I think he"ll arrive later or won"t be coming at all. We"re always like this. Besides most of our cla.s.smates are absent," said Amerth. "We just study on our own here or at home." He handed Fred a language book, while he opened another book.
The t.i.tle in Amerth"s book made Fred"s eyes to go round. "DIY weapons?"
"Yup, I try to make weapons for non-magic guys, like us."
"Don"t tell me, you"re also interested with Amerth"s eccentricities," asked Braenton, excitement seen in his eyes.
"Well… kind of," Fred scratched his head, felt embarra.s.sed to admit.
"Oh, no, don"t you ever blow this place too, or we"ll be having cla.s.ses under the tree," said Niall.
"Nah, I make my experiments somewhere far from people," replied Fred with a lopsided grin.
"Really? Like what?" asked Amerth, full of vigor. The rest were also eager to know.
Fred pulled something from his pocket but returned it when his chest felt hot. Then, someone came.
"Lord Amberdrift, the headmaster is calling for you. Please follow me," said a man who was a bit mature looking and wearing a yellow coat.