And for you philistines who commented about this in the last Offline Snipe, an Omake is simply an "extra", it needn't actually become part of the story's actual plot nor need it actually be linked in any way to what is actually happening in story. These snips are just amusing ideas thought up by the author for a change of pace, not that I don't end up drawing inspiration from them.

Halkegenia Offline – Snip 2

Despite its name and reputation as an institute of magical learning. The Tristain Academy of Magic provided a broad and balanced curriculum to its students, including lessons in language, history, geography, etiquette, and even the vulgar science of natural philosophy. The Academy's charges were the children of Nobles, many of them placed to inherent the duties and responsibilities of their parents, it was only natural that they required a broad education to prepare them for adult life.

For this reason, lessons in magic took up only three days of each week. The second and fourth day of each school week were reserved for mundane lessons. For Louise Valliere, who had never excelled at magic, the opportunity to excel in these other academic fields provided a great sense of relief. Here at least, she was able to excel, and even the most vicious of her detractors didn't dare to question her ability.

Louise had arrived early as usual, and taken a seat at the front of the classroom near the window. Her 'remedial' lessons had not given her a pass from her other classes, and she was still expected to attend all of her normal lessons. Other students came trickling in in ones and twos, most still waking up as they took their seats. Today's lesson was on the history of the early Romalian Empire and would be given by Professor Arbuthnot, the academies resident historian. The man bored most of the students, his lectures gaining a reputation as a sure cure for insomnia. It was going to be a long morning.

"Good morning Louise!" Kirche said as she came strolling in, looking much too bright eyed and bushy tailed. How the woman managed it given her late night antics was quite a mystery to Louise.

"Zerbst." Louise replied, trying hard to sound polite, an internal timer had started counting the seconds until the first insult was thrown.

"It sounds like we're going to have an interesting morning."

Louise frowned, not an insult? "Well, the Early Romalian reformation, and the formation of the basic tenants of the Church of Brimir are forming moments in history." She recited by rote. "I suppose even a Zerbst can appreciate that!"

"Not what I was talking about." Kirche sing songed. "Honestly Valliere, I think your the only one in this class who gets excited over the curriculum." She rolled her eyes, "It must save you a fortune on relieving all that tension."

"Go catch the plague Kirche!" Eleven seconds, that was a new record, the Germanian was losing her edge.

"Depends on how I catch it." The harlot Germanian wagged her eyebrows. "Now really, its going to be interesting, I hear we're getting a new student."

"A new student?" Louise asked, not quite sure what to think.

"Yup, I heard the teachers talking about it this morning. All of the staff were asking if they would need to make special arrangements."

"I should think so." Louise said, anyone transferring at a time like this would certainly have to have been some sort of delinquent kicked out of their previous school. It seemed ridiculous, but somehow, the Academy seemed to have developed a reputation for picking up everyone's trouble makers. Then again, that was partly the source of the school's impressive reputation and why it had been the natural choice for a talentless young mage who could only cause explosions.

They were not left waiting long as the last students filed in, followed by the gray haired Professor Arbuthnot.

"Good morning class, I hope everyone has enjoyed the brake from lessons but I'm afraid it has put us quite behind. We'll be rushing through at a breakneck pace to make it to the formation of Germania before the end of the year."

The students all groaned, Germanian history was a Labyrinthine affair that deserved its own class.

"However, before we begin lessons today, I've been asked to introduce a new student to you all. By special agreement of the Crown and Headmaster, she will be attending part time to learn Halkegenian history and proper diplomatic decorum. As children of your Noble parents, I hope you will all extend the hospitality of our fair Kingdom." Professor Arbuthnot turned to the door, "You may enter now, Miss."

All eyes turned to the door, and suddenly the students were silent. With a bounce to her step, skirt swishing and arms swinging childishly at her side, the boys were all staring at her cute face, her wheat colored hair, and her languidly lashing tail . . . Her tail?

Louise felt her eye twitching, had the headmaster finally gone completely senile? She wondered.

The girl stood at the front of the classroom, the heels of her school issued loafers clicking together as a sunny smile stretched across her face. "How do you do?" She bent forward, every boy in the class attempting to replicate the motion as they sat at their desks. "I'm Alicia Rue. I'll be attending history and etiquette lessons. There's lots for me to catch up on so I hope you'll all help me out."

The boys all nodded stupidly as murmurs began to pass among the girls.

"Alicia Rue, the Countess of Freelia?"

"What's a Faerie doing at the academy?"

"I bet the Headmaster wanted some new eyecandy."

"What a perv!"

"She is kind of cute, though."

"Don't say that! Haven't you heard, she dresses more indecently than that Zerbst."

"Well, she's not right now."

"Like I said, she's cute."

"Don't keep saying that! I have a hard enough time keeping my idiot boyfriend from looking at other girls as it is!"

Louise turned to her side to find a still gobsmacked Kirche. Seeing an opening, she took it, Louise smiled. "I think you're right Zerbst, this is going to be a very interesting lecture. What do you think?"

Kirche shook her head and looked thoughtful. "I think . . . I think I finally have competition."

Up at the head of the class, Alicia Rue smiled mischievously.