19 Carnival (1/2)

”Look at her.”

”She's so heartless.”

”I guess you really can't judge a book by the cover.”

”I remember her from the night of the banquet. The lucky girl who got to dance with Richard-sama!”

”No way; that was her?! Now I definitely detest her.”

Walking down the school hall, these were the types of phrases that were being thrown Maria's way. At first, Maria believed that after a few days or at least a month everyone would have forgotten the incident between her and Eira Snow, only to be proven wrong.

Sitting at her seat that was close to the window, taking off her pink white fur-trimmed coat, Maria was now in her second semester. The chilly air of February still had people all buttoned and bundled up in their jackets and scarfs.

Even after a few months had passed since Eira provoked her into a fight, students were still throwing her dirty looks and saying mean things behind her back. Believing she was the one who started it, even the truth was the exact opposite.

Maria would admit that it hurt in the beginning when threw her ugly looks, but after having Mai stand up for her that one time, when a couple of boys tried to play a prank on her by dousing her in cold water despite the winter weather, Maria decided to ignore all of the negativity and instead concentrate on the positive.

Such as her friends who had her back and stood by her side, along with loving and understanding parents, who after they were told of what happened had to be restrained from barging into the school and making a scene. Even her overprotective brother stood at her side, causing Maria to burst out crying on the day they were told the news.

Hundreds of students were against her yet she still had this small group of people who believed in her. Happy that during such a hard time she still had people who supported her.

”Maria~!” Maria was brought out of her thoughts by a warm hug that came from Mai. Standing behind Mai was Julian.

”Morning, Maria~!” he greeted before taking a seat beside Mai. Since the start of the new semester, the group of friends all sat together now. Classes began like usual; during some of Ms.Nunnally's lecture Maria would admit to halfway falling asleep, only to snap awake when she heard Mai snoring away beside her.

Maria couldn't help but sigh when she saw poor Julian trying to wake up Mai; the blonde was sleeping like a log, leaving Julian's attention in vain. Once Mai fell asleep, nothing would wake her up; not even an earthquake could wake this girl. When fourth period finally rolled around, Ms. Nunnally was going over a few beasts-type magical creatures, discussing their rankings and abilities.

”Slime, class-pawn creatures, ranked at the bottom of the food chain. Slimes can stretch their body to unbelievable shapes, sizes, and have different abilities depending on the color. For example, Green Slime can excrete acid. Blue Slime's are water-based while Red Slime's are fire-based.”

Ms.Nunnally had them open their books; on the page to the left was the picture of the different color slimes, with its information written on the bottom.

”Another thing to know about slimes is that they can regenerate their body back to normal shape as long as one of their cells remain, so slimes cannot truly die unless you break their core. By collecting their core, one can use them to gain an endless supply of the slime's liquid to use in potions. Slimes are very protective of its core, which functions as its heart, and would do its utmost to protect it,” explained Ms. Nunnally.

”It is very important to know the strength, ranking, and abilities of magical beast-type creatures, seeing as for your final test and in order for you to move on to the next grade, each of you will be facing off against one. This is your final exam which will be held in front of the whole Elementary Division along with its staff of teachers and even the Headmaster will be included,” excitedly explained Ms.Nunnally. Too bad Maria felt none of that excitement, feeling a swarm of butterflies in her stomach.