53 "Master's Handsome Disguise"

"I'm sorry… what?" Ivory thought she heard wrong.

"You'll disguise as a man in your stay in Gallean Town."

It was explained to them that together with two third year students of Qawiun Academy, they would join the town guards of Gallean Town and patrol depending on their assigned shift. They were informed that they were in need of at least one pair of Master and Servant to try to match up with the rebels' strength, and there was no one else to deploy at the moment. They were also permitted to fight to protect their lives and their comrades', if needed.

Having no more questions, Ivory and Sigmund exited the room, and then Principal Arthurdane entered.

"You're going to test her?" he said as he sat on the wooden chair in front of the Educator's desk.

"I think there's more to it… That kind of power."

"I think so, too. Even Educators Alphonse and Alexandra realized it when she tried to protect their family relic and also believe she has more potential. I think her growth as a Master is our responsibility."

"Right, sir," Educator Wallace sighed. "Also, I think Miss Sprucemint and her Vampire Servant can also help solve the problem in that town…"

"You mean… the issue with the Town Leader's son's rebellion? Our rebel spy informed me about their planned attack in the Town Hall."

The Educator nodded, "I already asked for reinforcements from General Platinumcore in Empirica City, but she said that it might take a while because her trained men were recently deployed."

"Those two third years can't handle the situation there. We have no choice since all the other third years are busy in their designated training locations," Principal Arthurdane shrugged. "Oh well, we have to have faith in Miss Sprucemint's determination and her intelligent Servant."

Meanwhile, Ivory and Sigmund returned to their classroom. Lucius, who quickly approached her, gave a worried expression. He asked, "What punishment did Educator Wallace give you?"

"I will be going with the third years to Gallean Town for a while, and we'll stay there until further notice."

"Gallean Town?" he widened his eyes in shock since he was familiar with the place. "Majority of the population there are males."

"What?!" Ivory exclaimed, "Oh! I know, maybe that was the reason why he told me to dress up as a man!"

"What was he thinking?" Lucius crossed his arms, "I think it's too dangerous for you. It's like sacrificing a lamb in a lions' den… Let me speak with the Educator and stop this-"

"Lucius!" Ivory shook her head. "I trust Educator Wallace. He will not send me there without a good reason. Besides, Sigmund will be there with me."

Lucius sighed, and after a long pause, he said, "Alright. But if something bad happens to you, I'll raise this matter to my father."

"I won't let anything bad happen to her," Sigmund told him. "And that includes not blowing her cover that she's actually a woman."

Ivory chuckled, "You have to practice treating me as a man from now on."

"Oh? Challenge accepted. But what should I call you?"

"Hmm… let's see…" she placed her fingers under her chin. "How about… Ivor?"

"Ivor?" Sigmund smirked. "What a manly name."

"I will make sure that Ivory will have a proper disguise, so let me help," Lucius smiled at them. "I've got several clothes for you to choose from. Let's go to my house after class."

And so, after class, the three went to Goldwine's mansion. Lucius led Ivory and Sigmund into a clothes' room filled with uniforms and set coats.

"Why don't you try some?" Lucius asked.

Hearing this, Sigmund said, "I'll stay here to help her-"

But the young man shook his head and grabbed the Vampire's arm, "The maidservants will help her. Come with me outside and wait."

"But-"

"Lucius is right, Sigmund, don't worry about it!" Ivory beamed a smile.

Lucius and Sigmund stepped out of the room and closed the door, leaving only Ivory and the three maidservants to assist her.

While waiting, Sigmund opened up about Ivory's lineage. "By the way, Rich Boy… About my Master's ancestors…"

"Oh, what is it? Did her parents say anything?"

"She's adopted."

"I see. Then it might take longer for her to know what's wrong with her mana." Lucius had already noticed that everyone in her family had brown hair, except for her who had silver hair. He just thought that she must have taken these traits from some of her ancestors, but now he knew it wasn't the case. "Let's talk about this again after your trip to Gallean Town. I'll search about this and see what I can do."

Moments later, Ivory also stepped out of the room. Her long silver hair was tied in high pony, and she was dressed in a gray sleeved shirt, black gloves, black coat, and black plants. A reversible cape, with colors of silver and blue, was wrapped around her shoulder. Her two wooden sticks were tied on the sword belt.

Sigmund turned his head towards his Master. Seeing how Lucius' clothes somewhat fit Ivory, he commented, "You look great, Master Ivor," and laughed.

Ivory pouted, "You meanie!"

"What? It was a compliment," he smirked and covered her mouth with his hand. "Don't you ever make such an expression when we arrive at Gallean Town." The Vampire Servant thought that whenever his Master pouts, she displays her cuteness.

As Lucius observed the two bickering, in his mind was a series of thoughts concerning Ivory. He always saw her embarrassed face and her cheeks turning red whenever Sigmund teases her. She didn't say anything or admit that she likes him, but all her actions were too obvious. Thankfully, Arcea was not as observant and skeptical as he was.

Lucius shook his head to get rid of the thought. He must not worry because Servants do not feel human desires, and he could only wish that someday, Ivory would fall for another man, who is a human like her.

He then interrupted them, "Ivory, you can bring more clothes and some armors with you…" and he led them to his closet once again.

…

The next day, Ivory and Sigmund were fetched by a carriage from Qawiun Academy. She was already wearing a hooded button down trench coat, gray pants, and black boots.

Ivory greeted the coachman before they rode the black wooden horse-drawn carriage.

"Good thing Lucius' clothes were altered for you, we didn't have any problem with your disguise at all," Sigmund said, as he faced Ivory inside the carriage.

"You're right… If his clothes didn't fit me, I would have asked Ken for help-"

"Why bother asking that guy for help when you already have the Rich Boy," Sigmund said. He felt Lucius was sincere when he told him he didn't have any romantic feelings towards his Master, unlike Ken who would always grab the opportunity to touch her.

Ivory shrugged, "You're right, I shouldn't bother Ken. He might be busy with his merchant duties."

It was a three-hour travel to Gallean Town. Before reaching the Land of Sandria, they passed through the row of pine trees first until they reached the border of the Land of Olivea. As they moved farther ahead, they then traversed on the light brown fine sand and endured a hotter and more arid climate until they reached the military city of Empirica in their first one and a half hour.

Being advised to change their transportation into camels, the coachman bid goodbye to them. Ivory and Sigmund rented camels, and paid for a guide traveler to lead them to their destination, in which the payment was sponsored by the academy. Date palms and a few rubbles were scattered along the sandy path towards the hidden town of Gallean behind the Gallean Mountains.

They arrived at noon, and the two third years were waiting at the town arc for them. Ivory and Sigmund got down from the camel, took their luggage, and thanked the guide traveler. When he left with his camels, they started walking towards the arc.

"I wonder how strong this second year is," the third year guy said. He was wearing a cropped sleeved black and purple jacket with black mesh shirt. He ran his hand through his black hair and looked at the other third year with his hazel-colored eyes, "I heard the principal even allowed him to use the academy carriage until Empirica City. He might be a teacher's pet."

The red-haired third year responded, "Perhaps… How about... we make it hard for the newbie?"

"What do you have in mind?"

"I'm sure he's looking forward to being friends with us, so let's be unfriendly towards him," he grinned, excited about his petty little plan.

But as Ivory and Sigmund came closer and closer to them, the red-haired third year widened his eyes in shock.

"Are… aren't you Ivory's-" He then glanced at Ivory who was dressed as a man, and she was also surprised to see her ex-lover there.

"Oh? What do we have here, it's our good friend Jasiel," Sigmund mockingly smiled as he looked down on him. "Long time no see..."