Finding a home in the city was… not as easy as Rimuru had thought. When he asked the locals and the guards how he could get one, they all answered differently. Though, one thing was consistent throughout the stories, and that's the popularity of housing in Rabianigh. When he thought about it, it made sense. Who wouldn't want to stay in a city where miracles could exist? Even the commoners here live much more luxurious lives than those outside. Not to mention the advanced medical degree this place had. It was basically a mortal's paradise. He could understand why his student was so giddy when he talked about this place.

One thought that came to mind was that he should find work here. He'd heard that some jobs here required the workers to live in the quarters nearby where the workplace was. Of course, he could easily create something valuable and sell it, or just create some Folde coins to buy his way out of his problems, but that would inconvenience Agama who was tied to Tempest, and that meant that while it was indirect, this place was also tied to his home. His salaryman's heart adamantly refused to cause financial instability to anything that was connected to his home.

He sighed as he laid back on the bench located in the city's park. Where was the real estate agency when he needed one? Rimuru had brought Jack here not only to train, but to also have the boy loosen himself up a bit. His disciple would most likely reach a bottleneck soon, and that would mean a lot of frustration. He just hoped that it came before puberty hit. He shuddered thinking how much angst the kid would throw at him if that were to happen. If there were anything he wanted to avoid, that would be on the top ten of his list.

He closed his eyes and felt the world around him. The spring wind bringing in the chill of last season, the sun shining high in the sky, the tea pouring down his throat - he'd taken a liking into teas recently - and the sound of metallic footsteps heading towards him. Truly, a great and sunny spring da-- footsteps?

He looked at the guard running at him. The man didn't seem hostile. Still, his ever ready student went to his side and got into a stance. Rimuru grabbed his head to stop him from doing anything stupid. Eventually, as the guard neared them, he slowed down and stopped.

After catching a few breaths, he said, "Ms. Rimuru and Mr. Jack, the Archon wants to speak with you."

"Archon?" the boy questioned.

Rimuru quickly explained, "He meant the Archon of Magic; the archmage."

He turned to the guard and replied, "Thank you for telling us. We will go now."

The guard bowed, "My pleasure, milady."

The two quickly went to the Last Tower without much trouble. As they reached the entrance, they ran into the other teacher-student pair.

The Blade looked disgruntled while Thomas looked bored until he noticed the other boy.

He grinned and greeted, "Jack."

Jack smiled back and said, "Hey, Thomas!"

Rimuru talked to the Blade, "Did you find a place yet?"

He shook his head and replied, "Neither did you, I guess?"

"Nope," he answered.

Both groups went up and entered the archmage's office at the same time. Though, unlike what they thought, the archmage wasn't alone. He was accompanied by a man with greying hair and a girl about the same age as the other kids.

"Ah, you've arrived. Splendid! Though I didn't call for the Blade, it should be fine if he stuck around for a while, shouldn't it?" said the archmage as he greeted the groups and then talked to the man.

The other man in question shook his head and said, "I don't see any problem with it."

He then stood up, dragging his daughter with him, and bowed as he greeted, "Your highness, Prince Thomas. This one greets you."

The girl jumped slightly before mimicking the older man, "Th-This one greets you, Your Highness."

The boy himself only grunted in acknowledgement.

Jack blinked in surprise. Oh, yeah. Thomas was a prince. Though, the boy himself didn't seem to mind being greeted informally by him. He then shrugged his shoulders. Not his problem.

The man then rose and nodded towards the scarred man, "It's good to see you again, Blade of the Great Nine."

This time, Jack's jaw dropped. This wild looking guy was one of the Great Nine!? And his teacher was challenged by him to determine who was the better teacher!? Many emotions raced through his mind. While he didn't recognize most, the ones he could were nervousness, anticipation and motivation.

Everyone eventually got into their own seats on the couches; with Jack and Rimuru in the same one, along with the other duo in another.

The greying man then coughed before looking and talking to him and his teacher, "First of all, let me introduce myself. My name is Rodrick Viengrey, th--"

Jack instantly went for his bokken, determined to strike at any moment, only to be stopped by his teacher who grabbed his hand. He looked at her, and she responded with a look that spelled 'behave.' He instantly cooled down after that.

"--leader of the Agrita Territory."

"I am called Rimuru. This one is called Jack," his mentor introduced herself and him to them.

"I would like to apologize for all the trouble my son has caused to the both of you. Is there anything I can do for you to forget this incident ever happened?" the man asked as sincerely as possible.

This confused Jack. This had never happened to him before. People never apologized when they did mean things to him before. He was lost and decided to look at his teacher for guidance.

She replied, "It's all right, Lord Viengrey. Your apology is enough. We do not need any form of compensation."

She continued, "Though, your men might need some help after the beating my student gave them."

The man looked over to him in surprise and the girl beside him looked shocked. He turned to the other side, where Thomas nodded at him in approval, as if it was expected of him. He then felt his teacher patting at him on the head, which was sometimes how she conveyed her own form of approval. His lips stretched into a smile as he leaned onto the head pat.

The fat noble's father then asked the archmage, "Men?"

"The mercenaries your son hired," the old man answered.

"Are they verified?" asked the man. Verified?

The old mage shook his head and said, "No, they were not recognized by the Explorers' Guild."

Now that was a term he recognized. The Explorers' Guild was a guild that centered around exploring. Certified explorers were either given missions or went out on their own in search of things and places hidden around the world. He didn't know why mercenaries should be tied with them, though.

The head of the Viengreys nodded and said, "I will pay for their medical fee, but won't pay them what my son offered."

The wizard nodded in confirmation, "Understood."

The conversation took a lighter tone when the man suddenly changed the subject, "So, I assume both Jack and his highness are also here to enroll?"

Both groups confirmed.

The man then smiled before introducing the girl beside him, "My daughter Felicia will also join the academy. I sincerely ask for you to please look over her. She is my precious child who is in need of new friends."

He ended with a laugh. The girl was blushing from his introduction and hid into his chest, where she was hugged and soothed by her father. Jack bit his lip looking over their interaction, before he turned to his teacher who offered him a smile. He smiled back.

With that done, the man suddenly stood up, and carried his daughter, "It seems I have achieved what I came here for. I apologize, but my daughter and I will take our leave."

With a few goodbyes, they went off. As they went down the elevator, Rodrick asked his daughter, "So, what do you think of them?"

His daughter answered softly, "The archmage felt like an ever-changing shade of grey, while the other three boys felt really warm. Though, the prince was half cold on the other side."

She continued, "The other boy and the man's warmth felt similar, but the man's warmth overpowered everyone else's."

"But the woman," she shuddered in his arms.

He hugged her tightly and asked concernedly, "What is it? Did she feel bad?"

His daughter shook her head and said, "No."

She elaborated, "She felt like… nothing."

"Nothing?" he asked.

She pursed her lips before saying, "It's like… she's not even there."

Felicia had never experienced something like this. Beforehand, she was able to sense the emotions of anyone she met. While she wasn't able to determine the exact emotions people were feeling, she was able to determine what it felt similar to. From that, she was able to somewhat understand what type of person anyone was.

Anyone except the woman she just met. She just didn't seem alive. Like her body was just an empty shell. It was as if she had never even existed.

Neither father nor daughter knew what to make of this. Her father could only ask her to stay on guard when conversing with the woman and the boy. She nodded. And with that, they left for their inn.

...

"Oh, right. I almost forgot," Rimuru suddenly remembered.

"None of us were able to find a permanent place to stay in," he explained to the mage.

Agama blinked before answering, "Eh? But the students will stay in their own dorms."

"Huh?" he was confused.

Then, the old demon looked like he understood, "Ah! Right. Neither of you teachers would have anywhere to stay, huh?"

He then offered, "Well, the academy's teachers also have their own dorms. Why don't you--"

"I refuse," suddenly interjected the Blade.

He explained, "I will not teach there again. Too many people keep bothering me."

Rimuru was able to understand. Being famous and recognized everywhere you went was a pain.

"And I hate managing my schedules and materials," he completed.

Oh. That felt more like the main reason.

Rimuru thought about it. If he were alone right now, he would've considered doing it. But after the incident with Jack the other day, he felt like he needed to focus on Jack alone right now. Not to mention how his student would feel if he taught other people he didn't know. He looked over to his student. While on the surface he didn't seem to be bothered, he could tell the apprehension the boy was feeling since Agama suggested it. The answer was a no brainer.

"Sorry, but I already have someone to teach," he once again patted his disciple's head, feeling his unease disappear.

The old man nodded as if he already knew and said, "All right."

He continued, "However, please listen to this offer. Why don't you work together as teacher and assistant? That way, the Blade can leave the managing to Ms. Rimuru while he teaches. Of course, Ms. Rimuru will receive her own place at the teachers' dorm."

Everyone thought of it. That could work. Everyone then turned to the young prince, who just shrugged his shoulders and said, "I trust whatever choice my master makes."

He seemed more interested in Jack than the knowledge that his master would need to teach other people.

And with that, it was concluded that Rimuru and the Blade would stay at the teachers' dorms. Though, they opted to stay with their students before the enrollment, as students wouldn't be able to enter the dorms before they were accepted.

...

Somewhere at night in Rabianigh…

Volgoa the information gatherer stood in front of a Blacksmith's Shop. Above the entrance read:

Goa's Trusty Armaments

He went over to the house to the side of the shop and knocked. After a few minutes, from behind the door movement was heard and not long after the door opened to reveal a woman with long, black hair. The woman looked tired, though that tiredness was replaced with a glare when she looked at him.

"Well, well. Look who's back home?" she said sarcastically.

He just humphed and said, "I just need a place to lay low for a while."

"And pull me into your problems? No thanks," she denied.

Volgoa sighed and revised, "Please, sister. I won't bother you with anything else, and I'll be out of your hair once I'm finished with my work."

The woman frowned, "Work? You mean killing people? A no is a no, Voltaire."

Before she could close the door, Volgoa, or rather Voltaire Goa put a foot to block the door. He offered, "I'll split the money with you. We can talk about how much inside."

His sister stayed quiet for a minute before answering with a defeated sigh, "Fine. Come in. Just don't speak too loud. You'll wake up the kids."

He nodded and thanked her, "Thank you, Victoria."

(Please leave a review when you feel like it!)

(How many words do you think is enough for a daily release?)