“So, you really liked the academy this much?” Aeson asks me.
It’s the next day, and we are currently on our way to the Magic Academy of the white elves.
Thankfully, he agreed to the request of being my escort without inquiring too much about it. He was just happy to learn that I enjoyed my first visit, and offered to arrange this one for me.
“Yeah, I’ve never seen such a big and impressive castle,” I tell him. “I feel like we didn’t explore even half of it last time. I wish I were a student here.”
“Haha, it’s good to hear an outsider praising it. The academy is an architectural masterpiece. It’s just that I see it every day, so I fail to appreciate it as much,” Aeson says with a laugh. “You know what, whenever you want to come to the academy, just tell me. I will bring you with me every time.”
“I appreciate that, man,” I say gratefully.
[You’ve made a very useful friend.]
Yup.
“By the way, I’ve been told to say something to you…” Aeson says, suddenly looking a bit uncomfortable.
“You’ve been told…?”
“Yeah, you remember the… the gift I gave you, right?” He asks with a nervous chuckle.
“Of course.”
How can I forget about that amazing Elven brothel? It’s one of the best things to have happened to me recently.
“Well, she has been constantly asking me when you will return,” he whispers. “And I don’t really feel comfortable talking to her, especially about this. So, it would be great if you can spare some time to see them again. That is, if you want to— and I totally understand if you don’t.”
Ah… yeah, so much has happened in the last few days that it didn’t even cross my mind to visit the brothel again. Even if it did, I wouldn’t have gone because I was saving every ejaculation (that was in my hand) for Layla. And until the egg is found, I still can’t go there…
“It’s not that I don’t want to visit them, but I’ve been so busy lately that I couldn’t find time to do so,” I explain. “And it’s my bad that I forgot to ask Ashrine for her contact information. You can just give it to me, and I will tell her directly when I can go.”
“Yes, please do that,” Aeson says, looking very relieved.
With some more small chit-chat along the way, Aeson and I finally reach the magical barrier around the Elven academy. As directed, he enters first, and I follow— and the invisible white castle becomes visible to me.
Even for the second time, I feel just the same awe as before, standing in front of this marvellously grand white-marble structure.
“So, where do you wanna go first?” Aeson asks, turning to me. “I will have to stick to you the entire time you are here to make sure you’re safe, but I promise I’ll make this trip worthwhile for you.”
“I am down to go anywhere you suggest,” I tell him with a shrug.
“Then let’s go to the training grounds!” He says excitedly. “There are always duels happening, and it’s best to go early. The best fights are happening right now!”
“Oh, I meant anywhere but the training area!” I quickly say.
That’s the only place I cannot go now. There are only a few areas on campus where the necessary crowd can gather, and out of them, we can only use the training grounds for our purpose because it’s freely available to everyone at all times.
And I need to wait for Leena’s message, telling me that she is ready, before I can go there.
“Oh, do you hate duels? You’re pretty damn good at it for someone who does,” Aeson asks, surprised.
“It’s not that. I’ve already seen the training grounds before,” I say. “And I do want to go there again, but a bit later. First, I want to check out someplace new.”
“Makes sense…” Aeson nods. “Did you see the cafeteria last time?”
“Yeah, and we also covered the assembly area, library, and a few other places,” I tell him.
“Tsk, Ilyrana showed you everything worth seeing,” Aeson says, shaking his head. “So, did you guys try the food at the cafeteria as well, or…?”
“No, we didn’t eat there.”
“There’s your new experience then!” Aeson claps his hands. “After that, I can show you the classrooms, but they aren’t that interesting. Let’s go!”
We both head to the cafeteria. For me, it’s just to pass the time, but Aeson seems very excited about this and animatedly informs me about everything he can along the way.
“Hundreds of dishes are prepared every day. And there is no fixed time for lunch or anything. Students can come anytime they want and eat for free…”
He makes me try a lot of food, as all kinds of domestic and foreign cuisines are available. And finally, I can say with certainty that I don’t like Elven food at all. It’s too… herbal tasting for me.
After this, we go to the classrooms (that are currently not in use). And contrary to what Aeson said, I actually find them pretty interesting. There are so many magical drawings, graphs, and equipment just all around … it’s fascinating.
“And this is the class for advanced magic spells…”
*Brrr* *Brrr*
I feel the phone in my pocket vibrating. A quick glance and I know it’s Leena. She’s ready. It’s time for action.
“You know what, I think I am done with the classrooms. Let’s go to the training area,” I tell Aeson.
“Already? Welp, I guess I did tell you the classrooms aren’t that interesting.” He shrugs.
“Eh… yeah, you were right. Let’s go.”
…
The moment we got close to the training area, I could tell that whatever Leena is doing is succeeding. There’s a massive crowd gathered even outside the entrance area— I mean, as massive as it can get with Elves.
“What is happening here…?” Aeson looks bewildered. “Did Saria challenge Ilyrana again? No, even that doesn’t attract this many people.”
“Let’s head inside and find out.”
Leena didn’t really mention exactly how she would gather the crowd. So, it’s going to be a surprise for me as well.
“And… is it just me, or does everyone here look angry?” Aeson asks, looking around.
“Yeah… what’s up with that?” I frown, noticing the same.
Just what is happening? What did Leena do?
It takes a moment before we get our turn to enter the training area. And the moment we get inside, everything becomes clear.
What the fuck, Leena!?
At the centre of the biggest duelling platform— the one on which Ilyrana and Saria fought— Leena is sitting on a chair alone with a very smug smile.
And right behind, below the platform, there is a massive pile of unconscious white Elves lying on top of each other like ragdolls.
