Chapter 243 (2/2)
”What spring? I need no spring!” Bowyer flung his arms outwards, but the thin cuffs of his arms lacked the impact of his looser robes. ”Worry about your own spring in future!”
Leon sneezed.
The two young men stopped their arguing to realising that the small alchemist had not the strength of body to resist the persistent cold of the air and apologised, asking him if he was alright. He nodded; ”I'm okay. J-just cold.”
”I think that we should go back to Leon's and boil water for tea,” Maimai suggested, ”talk about things there.” She curled her arm about her bestfriend's while not taking her eyes off of the potential she saw before her. Could it be a muscular shou with a tough exterior and soft heart versus a tall, flexible gong with a straightforward, persistent nature or a dominant gong versus a hot-headed shou that could easily be brought to tears. It was a good job it was winter and cold enough to cool her blood or she wouldn't have enough silk handkerchiefs to endure!
Pike agreed to tea, while Bowyer stalled, uncomfortable beneath the pretty girl's stare. Neither had actually met Maimai before, their paths just had not the fate to cross before, but thanks to Sun's description, they could figure out who she was. They made their way back towards Leon's home, guided by the two alchemists, but soon began to bicker once more.
”Since you have Leon on your team,” Bowyer pointed out, ”You should let me ask Cynus first!”
”Oh good luck with that,” Pike gave him a knowing look and smirk, making the other narrow his eyes in response.
”What do you know?” Bowyer questioned him, then narrowed his eyes in suspicion. ”Wait, you've managed to get him onto your team?” Pike shook his head in denial, allowing Bowyer to exhale in relief. However, that was premature.
”He'll be joining Mute's team,” Pike had predicted this some time ago. ”He is a Cygnus after all.” This gave Bowyer pause.
”He is? But isn't he a scholar?”
”I'm curious,” Maimai piped up from in front, glancing over her shoulder. Her honest inquisitiveness made Bowyer wonder if the intensely calculating expression of hers before was his illusion. ”Who are these seniors? The Cygnus is a clan which focuses on magic isn't it?”
Pike gave her a small smile and nodded, unsurprised by her general knowledge. She was the daughter of a sect leader after all, it would be ignorant of her if she did not know the large clans and sects in their continent. ”Mute is the number one Mage of the inner school of Magery. As such, she has to form her own team for the exchange, but it's tradition for clans to chose their own above others first. There are a few Mage from the clan to pick from, but I predict she'll chose Tundras, who is currently sixtieth in the Standings. Cynus is a rare non-Mage in the clan, but his talent is really high in the inner scholar school. There is no way she'll let him join some other team considering their relationship.”
”I'm still going to ask,” Bowyer insisted.
”Stubborn,” Pike shaking his head due to his friend's poor luck this time. As for Leon, he knew the small alchemist wouldn't be able say no to joining his team. He'd concluded already that Leon would be expected to take part as a direct student if asked and not only that, the youth was a core student like himself. His refusal or avoidance wouldn't be allowed by anyone this year.