Chapter 1-8: Such Talented Mages
The group walk around the campus and soon find their way to the courtyard.
Azul is talking to Rollo, "Ah, so you're a junior. I imagine it's quite an honor being student council president, considering there can only be one in the whole school. I'm sure your academic performance is also superb and will guarantee you a promising future."
"Noble Bell simply has a smaller student body. I can hardly compare to those of you from the great Night Raven College," Rollo says.
"Please, you needn't be so humble or formal," Azul says, "Why, you're technically my upperclassman! Everyone at my school would be overjoyed to acquaint themselves with such a fine individual."
"Hm... All right, as you wish. I won't stand on ceremony so much," Rollo says.
"He's laying it on thiiick!" Idia says, shocked.
Then talks to Azul, "Uh, hey, excuse me, Azul…"
"What? Can't you see I'm busy?" Azul whispers.
Idia then says, "Dude, why're you cozying up extreme-style? It's making me nervous. I know whenever you're that friendly, it means you're up to no good.'
"Despite his modesty, he occupies a position equal to us housewardens. There's no question he's an exceptional mage," Azul says to Idia, "Hence, it only makes sense to build a rapport with him while we can…. For the sake of future interests!"
"I've been observing Ashengrotto for a while. Is that how one expands their social circle? Perhaps I should take a leaf from his book," Malleus says.
Briar giggles in response.
"The damage is spreading...!" Idia cries out.
Rollo remains silent.
Azul then turns to Rollo, "Ah, but where are my manners? I've gotten ahead of myself.
Apologies for the belated introduction. I'm—"
But Rollo says, "Introductions won't be necessary. I already know who all of you are. You're Azul Ashengrotto, housewarden of Octavinelle and a merman from the Coral Sea."
"My, my. Where did you get that information?" Azul ays, surprised.
Then Rollo turns to Idia, "And you're Idia Shroud, housewarden of Ignihyde and affiliated somehow with the Shroud family."
Idia yelps, "Eep! How... How'd you know?"
Then Rollo turns to Malleus, "And YOU… You are Malleus Draconia, scion of the ruling fae in Briar Valley and one of the top five mages in the world. Correct?"
"Indeed, I am Malleus Draconia," Malleus says.
And Sebek says, "Of course the great Malleus would be known even in such a tiny burg!"
And Rollo covers his mouth with his handkerchief and says, "You are Sebek Zigvolt, and you hail from the same land as Malleus. The one next to you is Silver," And turns to the other students, "And over there chatting with our vice president is Riddle Rosehearts, housewarden of Heartslabyul… Rook Hunt, vice housewarden of Pomefiore, Jamil Viper, vice housewarden of Scarabia… Ruggie Bucchi, Deuce Spade, and Epel Felmier. I thoroughly perused the documents Mr. Crowley so kindly sent, you see."
"It's like privacy's a foreign concept to that man…" Azul responds.
"That could get you sued in this day and age," Idia says.
"You must have a very good memory, to recall so many different names," Silver says.
"It's simply because I was eager to meet such talented mages," Rollo says, then turns his head, "...But who have we here?"
Turns out, he's turning to Briar and her group.
"Hm?" Grim questions.
"You six there. Might I ask your names?" Rollo asks.
"I'm the great Grim, future great mage!" Grim says with confidence.
"I'm Tanzanite," Tanzanite says.
"And I'm his twin brother, Jasper," Jasper says.
"I'm Sereia, it's nice to meet you," Sereia says, and gestures to the little fairy, "And this is Trinket."
Briat then says, "And I'm Briar Hawthrone. How do you do?"
"Ah, you must be the student attendants Mr. Crowley mentioned, and heard quite a bit about," Rollo says.
"Um, what has he told you?" Briar asks.
"I certainly wasn't expecting you to bring a familiar and a fairy," Rollo says.
"A familiar...?" Grim questions, but soon realizes, "Wait, are you talkin' about me?! It's the other way around! I'm the boss, and Briar's my hench-human! The others are my henchmen too!"
"Stop calling us henchmen!" Jasper says, annoyed.
"Heh, what a dependable companion you have," Rollo says with a bit of a scowl expression.
Tanzanite sighs, "Sorry about that. Grim has a bit of a high horse."
"I see," Rollo says.
He then turns to Briar, "Briar, I imagine it must be taxing living among mages all the time. I entreat you to forget about school while you're here and enjoy a moment of respite in Fleur City. And I hope the rest of you will enjoy the social."
"Oh, thank you," Briar says.
"I'm truly grateful for your hospitality," Malleus says.
Rollo smiles, "Hmhmhm, think nothing of it," He then says, "...Ah, but look is our front square. It's something of a symbol for our school."
The group soon arrives at the front square and there they see a large statue of what looks like a man riding on a horse, but he doesn't look like a royal. It's in a large courtyard and the campus is behind it.
Everyone is amazed, "Ooo!"
"It has an altogether different feel from Night Raven College," Azul says.
"Yes, there's a certain dignity about it. It makes me feel like I should straighten up or something," Silver says.
"Look, there isn't a single fallen leaf on the flagstone. They keep this place spotless," Sebek says, amazed to see the courtyard, "When I heard it was a small school, I feared it may not be fitting for my liege… But this seems quite suitable indeed."
"The students at our school are firm proponents of cleanliness. They're fastidious about maintaining a pristine environment," Rollo says.
"Yes, this place does possess a certain immaculate beauty," Malleus says.
"Ah, I see you appreciate it. Noble Bell's core tenets are purity and integrity," Rollo says, appreciating the compliment.
"For my part, I prefer places that are a bit older and decrepit. Ones people tend to avoid," Malleus says.
"Uh, yeah, those are called ruins…" Idia says.
And Azul asks, "What kind of school would it be if people avoided it, anyway?"
"Well, ah, be that as it may…" Rollo says and turns to the other students, "How does it strike the rest of you?"
"It's amazing!" Epel says, "It really drives home that we're at a totally different school. I've never visted another arcane academy before."
"Yeah, same. I'm kinda nervous about it, to be honest…" Deuce says.
"But it's also got some similarities to Night Raven College. Like, we have statues on Main Street," Epel says.
Grim agrees, "Oh yeah, totally. That one there reminds me of the statue of that one scary lady."
"You mean the Queen of Hearts statue. The one you and Ace burned," Deuce says.
"Oh, uh, funny, I totally forgot about that!" Grim says.
"So they only got one statue, huh? That guy on the horse looks like he'd yell at me if I sneezed wrong," Riddle says, "I thought he was a king at first, but he's not really dressed like royalty. In fact, I'd wager he wasn't all that rich."
"So who's the statue of?" Grim asks.
"That is the Righteous Judge," Rollo says.