Arc three; Entrance to the prestigious school.
In the story when Weiss's tongue was cut by the Jazers, the floating hall fell into Panic except for those two; Jack Highvoid and king Alford. Later by the side, the king asked Jack why he had not reacted, and Jack said, 'the tongue sooner takes one to the grave before anything, his fortune he might live long,' then he asked Alford why he had not reacted himself.
'You,' the king replied, 'I did not want to be outdone by you. Stop acting like you are king Jack, you should had feigned horror like half the court!'
But Jack Highvoid could not. Jack might be evil and sly but he's a very honest person in the end. Even more honest than Scars. And Scars, Ah, is she even a person?
_______ From Saint's hidden notes.
1
Kingsground
The impossibly old wall cast its shadow on us as we rode towards the towering black gate. There's just something about facing a tall wall. This wall was as tall as a six story building, and looked old and worn. Anyway standing before it was kind of intimidating, but not in a good way; its gray stones looked like they will unravel and fall off at any moment. The guards demanded we register before they let us in. They asked our names and status, where we came from and our business in the city. And Matt told them 'this and that, V'alkre to study in the academy'. The SS ranked knight capped it all with a silver coin for the King's task.
Then we rode undisturbed into the city. The city was more beautiful than Fen castle city. Were outside it was gray and depressing, inside it was bright, and we were suddenly assaulted with an explosion of colors. The commoners might be expected to wear darker depressing cloths. For even if it's not an open rule to prevent commoners from wearing bright cloths, the nobles made such cloths costly because of their antics. But the commoners bended the rule by wearing bright hats, bands, bags and shoes.
The buildings were gray however, with smoke rising from thousands of chimneys into the afternoon sky. The inn Matt chose was on the main street, a four storey building with the statue of a dragon bowing before a man build atop its roof. The King's dragon it said above the inn's front door.
Matt got us a room using a similar setting to how he did in First village, only I had a room to myself this time around, and Celestine to herself too, in context, since Cvela is supposed to be her maid. More like a friend, I scoffed in disdain. What fools do for loneliness!
First I looked down through the window to the busy street below before turning back and laying down on the bed contently. I was weary from the long travel and sore from the beating I had received from the tentacle monster, even though it has been five days since, that I was seriously considering just going to sleep this early. But then the door suddenly opened and the girls entered taking away any chance I might have had at that.
Celestine walked in first with Cvela following timidly behind. Noticing my glare the later shrank back and said, "It was Celestine that forced me!"
Well I'm not surprised. I turned to the princes now with my full glare. "Why did you enter my room without knocking?" I asked, "what if I was changing cloths?"
The princess rolled her eyes. "Don't be dramatic Sainty," she waved dismissively, "you would have locked the door had you wanted privacy. Anyway we are going to buy some things, I was wondering if you would like to come,"
"Pass,"
"Really?"
"Are you deaf little princess?" honestly I wasn't in a good mood too.
"Listen Sainty, we are two girls out in a city we have never been until today. What if something happens to us?"
"You have strong powers,"
"There are those with it too, Cvela tell him,"
"Eh?" Cvela involuntarily shrieked as the attention turned to her, "Um, your sword broke fighting the monster right master? You can buy the perfect one for the entrance exam if you come with us,"
"Oh," I said loss of words. Yes that final attack from Celestine had broke my sword that was stuck in the monster's eye. But wait, why does this girl always know the right words?! Ah, well it can't be helped I guess. I was planning on suffering them more before I agree to follow them, but well, stretching this now will only look weak. "Fine," I said, "but didn't Matt tell us to stay put? How do you plan on sneaking out?"
Celestine gave me that look cheerleaders often give back in highschool, that look of total disdain, "Matt is out," she said, "come on, get up,"
I looked at her with my mouth agape and just nodded. She reminded me of Sarah there for a sec I thought as I picked my black coat hung on the wall and wore it; that thought darkened my already sore mood and I just followed the girls silently like a robot.
Our outing started with us visiting a weapon shop, Celestine wanted a dagger, and Cvela a kitchen knife. I wanted a sword so. The shop was also by the main street. A two storey detached building with 'Butler's guard' writing atop the front door. The main street seemed to be reserved for the rich and noble use, so the shop interior was immaculate and classy. Beautiful and well decorated weapons lined the shelves: from a dozen kind of swords, to daggers, spears, shields, armor parts, and even bows. I doubted Cvela will get what she sought here.
A blue haired young man in his early twenties wearing a blue shirt manned the counter. Yeah there's blue hair in this world. Anyway I walked up to him and he immediately started greeting me after a brief scan of me and the girl's cloth. I might be wearing a black coat but it's embroidered, Celestine wore her white cloak above her blouse and pants, while Cvela also wore white, abeit a white medieval dress. So pass for bright cloths! But Cvela is a slave. We messed with the dress code didn't we? Ah, what he doesn't know doesn't kill him right?
"Welcome young lord and ladies of prestigious houses," the blue haired man bowed, "You can call me Sude, I am in charge of this store. What do you want?"
"A good Sword," I said, "a dagger, and a kitchen knife to make a trio,"
"What curious trio it's my lord, coming up! What kind of sword will you prefer young master?"
"A katana,"
"A sword for the loyal, good choice my lord," the guy moved to the shelves briskly picking a few weapons that he dropped on the counter. "You can chose from anyone here while I get the dagger and knife from the back, all weapons were picked with your size in mind," then the guy disappeared into a door.
I looked at the swords and did not touch any of them. Instead I waited till he returned to point at a katana with a black handle and scabbard, the scabbard was decorated with white floral designs, sitting on the shelf. "I will take that one," I told him.
I drew it and tested its weight then and there. It was perfect. I fitted it to my belt as Cvela paid for the goods. It was still a little embarrassing to me for it being a girl that holds my money but no one seemed to even blink at that. Ah! Plus it makes sense since I hate carrying pouches and Cvela's powers is storage magic. And she's older.... She looks older than me, Ah! I am just finding excuses while no one even cares.
After that we thanked Sude the shop keeper and left.
As I came out of the shop I froze as a dark skinned skinny girl in a gray medieval dress and long dark hair walked past the shop. The description from the story, everything, fitted completely. From the way she walks to the brown bag on her back, to the thin dog following her behind. To her blue hat and her naive look. This was Rea the protagonist. What is.... This is the day she arrived in Kingsground?
So a lot of shit is going down today. Should I get involved? Do I have a choice? I thought looking at Celestine. If the story wants to happen... Well I should at least observe from the shadows.