Chapter 9: School

"It is said that the Galith hides in the dark and can take many forms, always using the simple appearance to give its prey a false sense of security. But there's one trait where you're always able to recognize it. And that's your black and white hair."

"It lurks in the shadows and looks for flesh. Children who aren't quick enough to get home before the sun goes down disappear without being seen again. So always be at home at the right time."

– Folklore, Tales to scare young children.

***Free City of Nict State, Nict***

*** Azir ***

I saw and learned many things in my previous world. As an archmage, I didn't care much about my people and spent most of my time on my studies. I thought I had seen all of the world and its cruelty.

Warlords, slaves, kings and assassins, all of them with limits compared to children!

A week has passed since this school business started and I am witness to something that can be called bullying. Stella, who is sitting next to me, was shunned by the class. Apparently because her hair is unusual and her social background is not good.

Stella is the daughter of two commoners, non-wizards. Apparently, they had a wizard in their line of ancestors. She's talented and has been discovered. It doesn't happen very often, but there are still cases like that.

It also means that Stella has no clan, no one of political power who could support her. And since she is a mage, she has to visit this school and learn how to control her powers. All wizards have to go to school. Otherwise, they'd be declared deserting mages, and that's not much better than being a black mage. As long as Stella remains affiliated with the school, she is safe.

I hummed as I wrote the correct answers on my test sheet. I don't know why I'm here. At least there are others like me. We have four girls from the Siorda clan in our class and they seem to be bored too. So far, we've learned how to read, write, and a little bit of general lessons.

Another downside is that Ingrid's daughter, Annice Tinn, is at this school. Luckily she's in another class, but that doesn't stop her from showing up from time to time. Thanks to this, I became quite skilled at disappearing from the classroom during breaks.

Luckily the other girls are still not interested in the opposite sex and I think Annice is pissing me off just because she was influenced by her parents. I don't think this witch Ingrid would give her daughter a proper education.

I look at Stella's test. All your answers are correct. At least she's not an idiot. Maybe she'll survive her school life and find a proper purpose later on.

The bell rings and we give our sheets to the teacher. Mr. Pendragon is our tutor and my impression of him is that he is a stiff and ill-tempered fellow. But at least he seems to be fair. I put the paper on his desk and spin it back into my wallet.

But Pendragon stops me.

"Azir? I have noticed that you have been doing your tests very quickly. Is this not challenged enough? I could give you a test of Siorda if you want to give it a try."

I smile at Pendragon and shake my head.

"I don't think it's necessary. It's just that my parents hired a private tutor to prepare me. I'd fail a test for a Siord miserably."

Pendragon nods.

"I see."

It summarizes the collection of the tests. Puh. I have to be more careful in the future.

Back at my desk, I turn my gaze to Stella, who is studying her book.

"They'll keep ignoring you if you don't try to break the status."

I don't really expect an answer because Stella hasn't spoken to me all week. But unexpectedly, she closes the book and looks at me.

"Why are you always talking to me. They'll start ignoring you too and hiding your stuff."

"You're sitting next to me and whoever is supposed to sit to my right is three seats away from me. I don't want to yell during class, so I only have you to talk to."

Is that logical, or not?

Stella's eyes wander to the boy who is sitting three seats to my left.

"Then why aren't you sitting there?"

"Why don't I want to move? I'm closer to the window here."

It's obvious, isn't it?

Pendragon claps his hands and smiles at the class.

"That's enough of side talk. Let's have our first magic lesson now..."

He continues to speak, but my mind is already somewhere far away. Do I really have to put up with this until I'm fifteen? My eyes wander to the trees behind the window as Stella tries to cast a globe of light according to Pendragon's instructions.

***

Why did it stay that way? Let me recap on what happened. The lesson on magic was finally over and I rushed out of the classroom to enjoy my lunch in this area of the park. So why am I surrounded by four girls and two boys from my class?

One of the girls is Siorda... Penneliu? Liu? Lulu? I can't remember her name, I've never spoken to her. And I never talked to others either. But why did they follow me?

"You should stop worrying about this commoner."

Lulu points at me with a stern expression.

"You are a member of one of the great clans. It's causing the great clans to decay their life."

I smile at her.

"Hahaha. Sorry, but I don't know about the complicated status you're talking about. Are you saying I can't talk to Stella?"

The pipe pleads.

"It's so hard to talk to children from other clans. Just stop talking to her."

"But I want to. The rest of the class is so arrogant and stupid for being members of a clan. It feels really refreshing to talk to someone who isn't overwhelmed by all of this."

I take a bite of my bread and start chewing.

Lulu steps forward and slaps the bread on my hand, sending it to the floor.

"A guy shouldn't talk *like that to a woman! You're going to do as ordered, or we're going to make sure your school life sucks."

My eyes keep sticking to my bread.

"My mother said I should protect our clan's reputation if someone showed disrespect towards me... And I think that counts as self-defense."

"What?"

***

"Hmm... Hmm..."

Me humming while I'm waiting in the school principal's office. The headmistress is an old hag. Her name is Clara Veit and she is now reading a report with her right index finger on her temple. From time to time his eyes would look at me and then at the paper.

I was called here after school was over. No one said a word. I was taken to the office and placed in this chair. If I hadn't read the sign on the door, I wouldn't even know where I am. It's probably about the incident in the park.

Finally she puts the paper down and puts her hands in a prayer position while she looks at me.

"Do you know why you're here?"

"My mom said I shouldn't talk to strangers who are older than me."

I try to put on my most innocent expression.

Clara's face distorts into an expression that could be a smile, or something else entirely.

"I am Clara Veit and the principal of this school. Do I need your mom to talk about it?"

"Aaa no. I am Azir Zait. Nice to meet you."

I bow to her.

Clara leans forward, which causes her to come a little too close.

"Today, six students from his class didn't show up for class, so we started a search. We met them in the park."

I agree.

"yes, those guys. They weren't there during class. Pendragon was very angry."

Clara came even closer again.

"They've been found. Someone tied them up with their clothes, upside down, in one of the largest sculptures in the park. Leaving them naked and gagged."

I make my eyes big and round by forming an 'o' with my mouth.

"Who would do such a thing?"

Clara is now very close and I can smell someone who should already rest in peace under the earth.

"A student from the upper classes saw you run away from the scene, humming a strange melody. It made her curious, so she remembered when we started the search."

I start fiddling with my fingers and trying to imitate a nervous child. What child wouldn't be bullied if he was treated like that?

"Sorry, but I just ate my lunch there. I didn't come across the scene you're talking about."

Clara leans back and scribbles something on her document.

"What a shame that the victims refuse to talk about what happened. No complaints, no reparations. And since you ain't seen nothin'... You can go."

Eh? Eh? Is this there? OK?

"So, good-bye, Mrs. Clara."

I get out of my chair and walk out of the office. I should probably be quiet for a while. The old witch will definitely have a closer eye on me from now on.