by Dixon, TJ
“Hello Aventurine.” I turn and see Yusa.
“Hello Yusa.”
“It’s good to see you again. We were all worried when you disappeared.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to make you worry.” I say.
“Hello Aventurine.” This time it is Rin, Yu Kii and Hermes.
“Hello.” I reply and soon I have greeted everyone other than the new girl. To my surprise we now have a Year 1 student here too.
“Hello everyone. I’m Lilian Firewater from 1B. I’ve agreed to work with you all as a new club member. I’m going to be teaching earth magic in place of Yu Kii until I graduate. I hope we all get along.” She says and everyone is whispering to each other. The question on everyone’s minds is why did she agree to help us? As a Year 1 she isn’t going to be able to join the company and it seems unlikely she’ll learn much from Year 2 and Year 3 students, especially since she is in 1B. If it was 1H sure, but not 1B. As far as I know only Emma is in B class and nobody is in A class.
“Everyone, quiet.” Peter says. “We will not be explaining why every new member decides to join the club. Simply be grateful that you have a new and very talented earth mage to learn from for the next year.”
“It’s ok.” Lilian says with a smile. “I don’t have to join the military, but I plan to join the company a year after I graduate if you are all serious about this and make it happen.”
“Now Helski and Yu Kii will work with Lilian. Everyone else in the same groups as usual. Everyone, take one of these and put it on. Keep it on at all times, because it allows us to let you know when we need you. Once you’ve taken one get to training.” Peter says holding out silver chains. We each take one and then join our groups.
“Both of you need to work harder if you want to catch up with everyone.” Rin says to us.
“I am working hard!” Yusa complains.
“This is the only element where we don’t have anyone ready for a bounty hunt.” Rin says sounding annoyed. “And Aventurine, you need to catch up with the days you lost this week.”
“It’s not their fault.” Charlotte intervenes.
“Did I ask for your opinion?” Rin snaps.
“Sorry.” Charlotte apologises. As usual nobody is willing to stand up to Rin. Even Peter seems to defer to Rin most of the time.
“So I’ll work with Aventurine today and Charlotte, you’ll work with Yusa. We’ll have a competition at the end of this. Whoever wins will go on tomorrow’s bounty hunt whether they are ready or not, and whoever loses will have to spend all tomorrow training outside at a stream I found. They have to do it in just their underwear, and no fire magic allowed. It’s cold out at the moment, don’t you think?” Rin says and I open my mouth in shock. Even when I was chained up it wasn’t as cold as it would be doing that, and if anyone came along…
“Don’t you think…?” Charlotte starts to say but with one glance from Rin she is silent.
“Take Yusa and get started.” Rin says and they walk away to train together. They both look very uncomfortable. “You may think I’m being cruel but this is for your own good.”
“I didn’t say anything.” I protest.
“You didn’t have to. Now start by summoning some water to work with.” Rin says and we start our training. I focus completely on the training, because I have no desire to find out the hard way that Rin is serious. If I win I’ll feel sorry for Yusa, but not enough to lose this without giving it my best.
“Time to change elements!” Peter calls out.
“Before we do that I’d like everyone to watch something.” Rin calls out and I realise to my horror that everyone is going to watch us. “Aventurine and Yusa will be having a competition. There is both a reward and a punishment, so they will both be very serious about this.” Everyone gathers around us and I can feel their stares. “The competition is simple. I will summon a pool of water and you must fight for control. Whoever manages to throw it on the other wins. Only water magic may be used. You may begin.”
I quickly take control of the water and start to throw it towards Yusa, but then she wrestles control from me and it is flying back at me. I fight desperately and have it under control just before it reaches me. I throw it straight back at Yusa. It goes to and fro a few times until, to my horror, I am covered in water. Jenny quickly warms me through and I am dry again but now I have to face the punishment, and I’ll be much worse off than this tomorrow.
“Rin, Charlotte, Yusa and Aventurine stay behind after training.” Peter says to us and then frowns. “Everyone move onto your next training. Now!”
I practise fire magic under Jenny. She’s a good teacher but I am a poor student at fire magic. The warmth of her flames help in this cold weather but I don’t really make any progress. I am sure she must be frustrated at me but she hides it well. Finally the training is over and I wait behind like I was asked to.
“Hermes, go back ahead of me.” Peter says and Hermes is the last to port away. It is just the five of us now and I am really nervous. “Rin, what exactly did you promise them?”
“The winner gets to go on the bounty hunt.”
“That wasn’t your decision to make. Not without talking to us first anyway. What about the loser?”
“Aventurine will be doing some intense training.”
“What, specifically?” Peter asks frowning.
“She’ll practise water magic in a stream in the forest all of tomorrow.”
“In this weather?”
“It should help her improve.”
“And you’re going to be there with her?”
“No.”
“Charlotte then?”
“No. She’ll be alone. It should help her focus.”
“This is ridiculous. You’ll be responsible for one of the hunts tomorrow Rin. You can take Yusa, two other Year 2s and two Year 3s. I’ll have Hermes lead the other hunt. She gets Jenny and Lilian, plus three of the Year 3s that you don’t take. Discuss this with Hermes.”
“What about you?” Rin asks glaring back at Peter angrily.
“If you really need me you know how to call me. I’ll be disappointed if you do so for anything trivial though. Other than Aventurine, everyone leave.”
“But…” Rin starts to say angrily but Peter glares back furiously.
“Now…” He says quietly.
“Fine.” Rin says and ports away. Charlotte ports away next and then Yusa does so too. With just me and Peter here I am beyond nervous now. In fact I am literally trembling.
“Don’t worry Aventurine. You haven’t done anything wrong.” Peter says and puts a hand on my shoulder. I look into his eyes and feel reassured, but nervous for a different reason. It is the first time I have ever really been alone with Peter.
“I don’t have to…” I start to say, and then for some reason my eyes feel wet.
“You don’t have to do the training Rin suggested, but maybe it would be worth training tomorrow anyway.” Peter says and I nod but I’m not sure what he is saying. “Meet me here tomorrow just after dawn, and come alone.”
“Wind training?” I ask surprised. It was never my strength.
“No. Water training.” Peter says and I am really confused now. “There’s nothing to worry about, so there’s no need to be so nervous.”
“I’m not nervous.” I lie. He pats me on the head and shakes his own. My breath is taken away but I feel warm inside despite the cold air.
“There’s no need to pretend, and I can tell when you lie.” He says gently. “Anyway, you should get an early night because although the training isn’t as extreme as what Rin suggested, it is still going to be hard work. Goodnight, Aventurine.”
“Good, good night, Peter.” I say nervously and port back to my room. My feelings are a mess. I find myself liking Peter more now, but at the same time I am a mess of nerves about tomorrow. Without even saying anything to Neko who is looking at me questioningly I fall onto my bed.
“Did it go badly?” Neko asks worriedly.
; “No, but I do have training tomorrow. I have to be there just after dawn.” I say.
“With Rin?”
“Peter.” I say.
“Just Peter, nyan?” Neko asks confused. To be honest so am I.
“Yes.”
“Wind training then.”
“No. Water training.” I say and Neko must be as confused as I am.
“It doesn’t make sense to me, but this is your chance. Don’t waste it. Steal his heart. I know you can do it.” Neko tells me firmly.
“I think, maybe, just maybe, he might, have stolen mine.” I admit blushing into the pillow. Other than family I’ve never really loved anyone before, and family is different, so I’m not sure. Maybe it isn’t love but I feel differently about him than I have about anyone else. I don’t know what he went through to save me but it didn’t sound like it was trivial. To impress mother, who has always felt disdain towards the weaker sex, he must have done something truly spectacular. To impress her enough to force me into marriage, and as the Lower Partner, is just beyond belief. Now he is treating me kindly and with everything that happened today I am wondering if marriage might not be so bad after all.
“If you have to marry anyway, then that’s great, nya.” Neko says.
“But he doesn’t have to marry me.” I say and sigh. That is the real problem. I have no idea what he feels about me. Perhaps he is just being kind because of what happened recently, or because he felt Rin went too far. I know Midori has made it no secret that she loves Peter, but the real competition is probably from Rin. She isn’t open about it like Midori, but I have little doubt she has feelings for Peter. Hermes lives in the same room as him too, and though I understand she is his slave, they don’t act like slave and master. Perhaps he loves her, or she loves him. They have more time together than I could possibly hope to, and what of the new girl? It is really unusual for a Year 1 to join a club run by a Year 2, and she said she would join the company even though she doesn’t have to join the military. Does she have feelings for him?
“That’s why you need to show him tomorrow that you’re the only girl for him.” Neko says putting her face close to my ear. Still lying on my bed I turn to face her, with the right side of my head on the pillow now.
“But how?” I ask despairingly.
“It’s just going to be the two of you, nya?”
“Yes, but…”
“Then show him your charm, as a woman.” Neko says and I frown.
“What do you mean?” I ask concerned and confused.
“If it is all day then make a picnic that you can share with him. If he loves the food you make then he’ll love you. If you were both of my kind I would suggest catching something fresh, but I think picnics are better among your kind.”
“I’ve never made food before.” I admit embarrassed.
“Never made food before!” Neko howls.
“That’s a man’s job.” I say repeating mother’s words.
“Maybe that’s how it is here.” Neko says forlornly. “But I am sure if you were willing to he would love it.”
“But I don’t even know how. He said to get an early night too, since we’ll be training all day. Even if I stay up all night I’m sure it would taste horrible.”
“There’s just no time to teach you… If we’d known sooner…” Neko says sadly. “Not food then. Men like it when you look pretty. You are pretty, but perhaps if you wore something different he might notice it more. You’re a noble, so you must have some pretty clothes.”
“A mage should always wear functional clothes, designed for protection and practical use.” I again repeat mother’s words.
“You have no pretty clothes then, nyyya?” Neko asks sadly.
“I thought the uniform was really decorative. My normal clothes are much more practical than this.” I say and Neko just looks at me sadly for a moment.
“I’ll make you something, so don’t despair.” Neko says but I shake my head.
“I can’t have you do that. I already feel guilty enough about having you give up on your own feelings.”
“I’ll be really sad if Midori gets Peter.” Neko says. “You are my friend. I said I’d support you. Do you not believe me, nyyya?”
“Of course I believe you, but to make clothes in a single night. I don’t know much about it, but I’m sure it isn’t that easy, and what if I don’t like them after you go to all that trouble? Peter might even be angry, since it is meant to be training, and he’ll expect me to be in something practical.”
“Then promise me you’ll buy something for another time. There’s no telling when you’ll get another chance, and you may not have any more time than you have now to prepare.”
“Fine, I promise.” I say.
“Then put your small finger out.” Neko says. Confused I do so, and she places hers across mine. “It’s my people’s way that you swear with your fingers like this. If you break your word it is said you will be cursed.”
“Fine, though my word as a noble should be enough already.” I say and taking a deep breath I say. “I swear that I will buy some pretty clothes on the next day off where we actually get a day off.”
“Thank you.” Neko says and licks my finger. “Now lick mine.” I look at her finger and can’t believe I am doing it, but lick it anyway.
“Is that it?” I ask.
“Yes, nya.” Neko says. “Even as you are there is no doubt that you are pretty. Perhaps you could get your clothes wet to give you an excuse to take them off?”
“Why would I do that!?” I protest.
“You’ll look even prettier if...” Neko starts but here I draw the line.
“I’m not some cheap whore, who’ll strip just to get him to look at me. Never suggest this again.” I say and Neko looks really offended, but so am I.
“Fine, you can think something up yourself.” Neko says and gets into her own bed. She looks away from me. I wonder for a moment if I went too far, but no, it was definitely Neko who went too far. I turn away from her and try to sleep. It isn’t easy though, and as the night goes on I keep on thinking about her angry face. I keep on switching between anger and guilt, and back again to anger.
Dawn arrives and I have hardly slept. I am exhausted, and my face seems to be tearstained. I wash my face first, and then finish getting ready. Neko is still in bed and though I know she is awake from the way her fur on the back of her head keeps moving, she is pretending to be asleep. Saddened I port to the training ground. Peter is waiting there and I wonder if I am late for a moment, but it really is only just after dawn.
“Good morning Aventurine.” Peter says.
“Good morning Peter.” I say and he looks concerned.
“Did you not sleep well?”
“Sorry, I got into a bit of an argument with Neko, my roommate, so I didn’t end up sleeping too well.” I admit, knowing there is no point hiding it from Peter. He’d know if I was hiding something.
“I’m sorry to hear that, but I am sure you will make up with her. Neko was clearly really concerned when you were gone, almost in tears in fact, so there is no doubt in my mind that you are both good friends.” Peter says. “I’m sorry to make you go through this training even though you are so tired, but I am sure it will be easier than what Rin had in mind.”
“Yes, that would have been… Not fun. Don’t worry though, I’m sure I’ll be fine, and it is really nice to be able to train with you, though I didn’t know water was one of your specialties.” I say.
“It isn’t, but I have someone who will be able to help. You can’t tell anyone about him though.” Peter says.
“Oh.” I say and realise it isn’t just going to be Peter and me. I wish he’d told me that yesterday, because I wouldn’t have gotten into the argument with Neko if we’d known that.
“You seem disappointed.” Peter says clearly misunderstanding, and seeming a little put out. “I do know some water magic, but we can’t be specialists at everything.”
“Oh, I didn�
�t mean it like that! I just thought it was going to just be the two of us, that we’d get to know each other better!” I panic and only realise what I’ve said after saying it. Idiot!
“Get to know each other better… I suppose we haven’t really done much training on team work.” Peter says and I am grateful that he seems to be as big an idiot as me. “I seem to be misunderstanding something.” Peter says and I silently curse myself. His ability to read auras really caught me out there.
“Why don’t we get to the training?” I say still panicked.
“If there is something I am doing wrong I need to know, because otherwise I’ll keep on doing it.” Peter says ignoring my attempt to change the subject.
“I just meant get to know you personally, rather than for the club.” I say and pray he’ll leave it there. It is true, though not the whole truth.
“There’s still something you’re not saying, but I’m not going to pry any further, because you’re clearly uncomfortable talking about this. If you have anything you want to tell me, or talk about, I will always be happy to listen and help if I can.” Peter says and holds out his hand. “Now let’s port.” Taking his hand I smile. “That’s better.” He says smiling back, and then ports us.
We’re in a small clearing in the forest, and there is a small stream close by, but closer there is a pool of water in the centre of the clearing. There is a small animal drinking, but it runs away the moment it senses us.
“Hello.” A gentle and melodic voice says and turning towards it I see a boy. Then I notice his ears and I gasp in shock.
“This is Dairon.” Peter says calmly.
“Are you an elf?” I ask nervously.
“Yes, but I’m Peter’s slave so you have no reason to fear me. It’s not like elves kill for fun, but everyone here seems as afraid of us as we are of Contractia, and the Envoy.” He says sounding sad. Somehow I just can’t be afraid of him. Perhaps elves aren’t as scary as they are made out to be, but…
“How did you become Peter’s slave?” I ask.
“I was captured in battle.” He says. “The only mage I have seen with…”
“That’s enough.” Peter says quickly but calmly.
