Chapter 324 - Temporary ranks (1/2)
Footsteps echoed till the door sprung open, ”-Eira, is something the matter?” asked Ysmay as she panted.
”N-no really,” gasping for air, Ysmay reached over to give a comforting hand. Over towards the middle of the room rested a round table with the girls sat around. Filled with pastries, maids stood at the ready for any request.
”Let's settle down,” she offered.
”Come, the cake is good,” said Mille with cream over her cheek.
”Do mind thy manners,” fired Anastasia who proceeded to wipe the cream off.
”Come on, sit,” smiled Christina with a sister feel.
”Thanks,” said the princess who joined the feast.
Accompanied by Youst, Tony and the others wanted to have a tour of the military grounds. Though on the gravel floor, the castle hosted a training area towards the right. Hidden amidst trees, none would have figured said place existed.
”As you see, the ground is unoccupied. Her majesty had the guards moved the barracks down to the ground floor. The clashing of swords perturbed her enjoyment of an afternoon nap.”
”Too bad,” voiced Simone with a stretch.
”Still can't believe we're inside a tree,” commented Timothy with the head turns to the sky.
”Yeah, I agree,” mumbled Harold, ”-there's a differing atmosphere here. It's as if nature itself is free to do what she wants.”
”A soothing environment, I get why barracks would destroy the sense of freedom,” interjected Fletcher, ”-the place is so different from what we're used to.”
”Should we head back?” asked Youst, ”-not that it's of any of my concern, it'd be best to take as much time as one can to rest. Tis a piece of advice from a humble butler; the coming days are to be feared.” Confused to what was said, the advice about taking rest sunk.
Saturday the 7th came around. Risen by the chirping of birds, Class 2A made their way to the dining hall where a heavy breakfast awaited. ”Good morning,” voiced the King in a differing outfit.
”Morning majesty,” replied, the focus was on food opposed to who sat where. Dressed in a reminiscing grey-uniform-suit, breakfast ended after a few minutes. Xula still slept for the prior night was strenuous. A conversation turned into an interrogation, questions concerning the Mana Research had the king in peril. One after the other, it kept going on and on till the mind refused to answer anymore.
Finished and dressed in trainee uniform, the class stood before the entrance of the castle. ”Here we are,” said Staxius who exited with butlers carrying baggage.
”Pardon my asking, could thee elaborate?” asked Tony in a respectful tone.
”Is it not obvious, thou art moving out of the castle,” voicing a smirk, ”-Youst should have warned thee before. The program starts today.” Joyfully stepping down the stairs, ”-welcome to Arda.” Looks of despair were exchanged behind his back.
”Now then,” stood facing the students, ”-I was asked to do as I see fit,” beside metalized Serene in a bat-shaped mist. ”You will be treated the same as the adventurers, no special treatment nor favors, if you fail, thou art going to return to Hidros,” the gentle tone emphasized greatly how the path ahead was treacherous.
”I'll take over from here,” said Serene after which Staxius left.
”More details will be given at the guild. For now, come with me,” said strictly with luggage at their feet, Serene led the way.
”Guess it's started,” smiled Simone.
”Yeah, I'm excited,” sparkled as given a candy, Tony sprawled with anticipation.
”Crazed-headed fool,” whispered Anastasia.
”I'm glad to not have brought that much stuff,” remarked Kim who peered towards Christina.
”Shut it,” she said, ”-a lady must be prepared for everything.”
”Being prepared and hoarding are two different matters,” quipped Mille.
The stone brick path of a meticulous arrangement diverged into many streets. Taking a left, the group headed to a relay point. Walking till the edge would take hours due to its size. Tame and without noise, the area around felt nice. Lovely buildings reminiscent of the Ardanian craftsmanship.
”Lady Serene, could I ask a question?”
”Go on, Timothy.”
”Is there a reason that a lovely place such as this seems to be dead?”
”Observant,” smiled the lady, ”-monsters are to blame. A fissure caused goblins to shelter around in buildings over yonder,” she pointed to the left, ”-referred to as little devils, the inhabitants soon moved away. Only the area in front of the castle is touched by the monsters. Specially trained guards make rounds every few hours as a precaution.”
Sunk deep, the lesson remained. Stepped into a cottage-like building, a portal stood with an old lady handling the desk.
”Good morning, Great mother,” said Serene with a bow.
”Good morning to you as well,” from studying the newspaper, she lowered her glasses to have a better look, ”-Princess Eira.”
”Hello, Great mother.”
”Why do you stay so shyly, come here.”
Respectfully, the princess obeyed her whim, ”-look at you,” instantly pinching her cheeks, ”-do pay granny a visit sometime,” cheeks bright red, the Great Mother let go to reach for her drawer. ”Lollipops for thee and thy friends.”
Bustling with activity, the populous walked without fear. At the market square of the ground floor, Roth stood a few streets away. Fruit baskets, kids in cute clothing ran around mimicking soring birds. Mothers gossiped with one another, a poor fellow professed his love with a waggle of the tail and an entire roasted pig. ”Don't dilly-dally, we've somewhere to be,” voiced Serene who had an inkling of interest at how the proposal would turn out.
”My lady, could we please see how this unfolds?” requested Eira.
”Sure,” reason being her curiosity.
Knelt at one of the meats selling stalls, a beastman with features of a cat had proposed to a demi-human with cat-features. ”Me-ow lady, for long have I seen thy whiskers flutter at sunrise. Admits the full moon, I've admired from afar as you had milk under the pearly white stars. Would thou make me the luckiest cat in Astral?”
”Sorry,” refused the lady, ”-I wish not to break thy heart. Come to the trader's guild if thou art to throw the pig away.”
”HAHA,” cheered the crowd, ”-If it isn't our local heart-breaker, LADY HARU.”
”That's so sad,” commented Christina.