30 She Meets with Magi Jasmine (1/2)

”Hmmm? You don't know any magic?” King Zephron asked. ”Then how did you defeat those orcs so quickly?”

Robin tilted her head sideways. ”With a sword?” She replied. ”Isn't that the normal way to do it?”

”Why is that a question?” Christian moaned under his breath. Then he spoke up. ”Yes, the normal way to defeat a group of orcs is to use a sword. But that would be with an entire company of soldiers to distract it away. Like I said earlier, killing an orc takes great strength to even break the skin. It takes even more strength to kill it. The fact that you were able to suppress an entire group of them is a feat not usually accomplished except through magic.”

”But you didn't hear about it from the marshall's report?” Robin asked. ”It should have been in there.”

”Since he didn't see it first hand, he must have simply used the eyewitness accounts from the villagers.” Keith noted. ”Things tend to get a bit exaggerated sometimes.”

”...Ah!” Robin understood. It was like the game of telephone. Things tend to get lost or distorted in the retelling. Not to mention the exaggeration due to admiration of the previous Heroes. The ignorant villagers probably felt that it had to be magic for things to end so quickly.

One of the new maids brought Robin another dish just as the first one was emptied. Robin gave a friendly smile to her. ”Thanks.” She said.

The maid bowed her head and retreated to her station.

'Wha-wha-wha-wha-wha-what should I do!? He's so cool with that mask on! I wonder what he'd be like without it?'

The maid blushed to herself as she imagined the face of a dashing gentleman appearing from under that mask.

Of course, Robin, having no idea that she had acquired an admirer, continued to chat with the King as she ate.

”Magic, huh?” The king mused. ”If that is your wish, then you'll have to be tested for aptitudes. I'll have the court magician do that for you this morning. As for a magic teacher…” The king sighed.

”I'd have gotten the best in the kingdom for you, but sadly, she is not accepting students at the time.”

”Wait, you're not talking about…her, are you?” Christian asked, an expression of pure terror creeping up on his face..

The king nodded. ”The very same. It's the best magician in the kingdom, the one that my useless son here managed to enrage when he was under her tutelage: Magi Jasmine.”

Prince Christian drooped a bit in his seat, wishing to be anywhere else at that moment. But Robin would not let the matter drop.

”Ho? And how did you manage to do that?” Robin asked. ”You didn't do something foolish and mention something disparaging about her figure, did you?”

Prince Christian drooped a bit more. His silence was a blaring confirmation.

”You did? Well, no wonder she's mad at you. One of the two things one must never say about a lady, and you just had to hit the nail on its head.” Robin shook her head.

”For future reference, what's the other unmentionable?” Gerard asked.

”Naturally, it's a woman's age.” Robin shook her head. ”I don't have time to clean up after your mess, so today I'll seek her out personally.”

”In that case, I''ll have the guards-” King Zephron began, but Robin instantly shook her head.

”Do you think she won't know where they came from? She already has a grudge against your son. I'd prefer if that didn't transfer over to me when I try talking to her. Ah, but if you could provide me with directions to her place, that would be much appreciated.” After a bit of consideration, King Zephron agreed not to send guards with her.

And so with breakfast finished, Robin and friends walked out into the hallway. Prince Christian excused himself as he still had a writing punishment to work on, and hurried off to his quarters with a red face.

”You sure you don't need any guards?” Keith asked.

”Nope. Some of Christian's bad luck could rub off on me.” Robin quipped.

”Tell the truth.” Keith rolled his eyes.

”An excort is a sure-fire way of telling everyone 'HEY! HELLO! I'M THE FLIPPIN HERO AND THIS IS MY REAL FACE RIGHT HERE!' Isn't it?” Robin replied.

”Keith glanced away. ”Maybe so, but you shouldn't blame it on Prince Christian. He's got a lot of troubles to worry about.”

”And half of those aren't of his own making?” Robin pointed out.