Chapter 50: Tea, laughter and Quiet investigation
....
I had tea as usual with Nathaniel, however this time, Eliot was joining us.
"By the way, I met that a commoner student who happened to have light magic the other day" Nathaniel said casually.
I nearly choked on my tea.
"Yes, the girl everyone's been talking about..." Eliot said feeling curious
"That's right, she'd gotten locked in a classroom along with me, fortunately I was able to escape via a tree close to the window and called a teacher to assist." He explained
"Is that so, well I guess any girl would be flustered to climb down a tree, my lady on the other hand" he sighed knowingly
"Shiori is an exception, but I guess her tomboyish ways are an addition to her charm..."
I was too busy thinking about amber to listen on the conversation.
Amber is a light magic user, and a dumb one driven by ideals that practicality
"Is she listening?" Nate blinked
"Doubt it..." Eliot said.
...
All my friends are exceptional attractive in the conversional sense, not to mention they are all of high status, so it's not completely out of the question for other students to want to get closer to them.
For example, Nathaniel is an elven prince of a powerful nation. He's rumored to be a sadistic cold hearted devi- I mean prince. Although I still don't understand why he hasn't ended our engagement.
Flashback
I comfronted him in the hallway during free period.
"My wounds have heal, so you don't have to take responsibility anymore. You can end this engagement without any guilt...."
"Come now it hasn't heal yet, and as I've said before, I'm never ending our engagement..." He grinned
Flashback ends
I guess I'm just a living, breathing excuse for him to reject other women.
Then looking at the others it's no different. All are extremely otume game worthy character....
I sighed as I approached the door.
I stepped into the classroom, everyone were clustered into their friend groups, chatting freely.
I could sense a few pairs of eyes my way but ignored them and went to sit down, Jasmine
Sat next to me not long after
"Morning lady shiori " she smiled
"Morning "
"How did you do on last week's mid terms?"
"Good, and you?"
"Let's leave that to faith " she chuckled awkwardly
"Oh, good morning lady shiori..." We both turned to face amber who was heading towards us with her group of simp- I mean admirers.
"Morning" I said flatly not wanting to start any conversation.
"I wanted to say I forgive you for your cruel confrontation the other day. I understand your motives, even if they were unhinged..." She smiled, the audience behind her nodding along.
Jasmine was gripping her fan so tight that I thought it would snap an moment
"I see, if you still believe that I'm the one at fault then you haven't learned a single thing from that day." I said calmly
She blinked surprised
"I don't owe nor would I give anyone an apology. I was simply giving my opinions, same as you did with your essay, the difference is one of us actually thought out the logistics before expressing them to the public...."
"Hey that is rude!" One of her boys said sharply as the others comforted her like I was a threat. She looked a bit sad by my refusal to comply but gave a sad smile.
"I really hoped we could become friends...."
"Not interested, but thanks for the offer" I turned away and took out my books. Not entertaining the conversation any longer.
Eventually they all left to sit down. The teacher then walked in and begun the lecture.
As he spoke I stole quick glances at amber who look attentive to the lesson.
So it was all a performance huh? Acting like a saint and make me the bully.... But why?
"Open your book miss koromi " the teacher said as jasmine nudged my shoulder.
"Oh right..." I quickly opened my book as the lesson continued on
.....
After class, I stood in the hallway, staring at the Billiton board, where all the test scores were posted.
"Look at that, Oliver is in third place of our grade..." Chris said standing beside me.
"Good job coming in fifth place Chris"
He puffed his chest with pride.
"And where are you in this?" He asked
"Oh I'm in second place, unfortunately...." I muttered
"I see, good for you...."
Looks like amber is in ninth. Impressive for someone from a low class.
"So are you unhappy with your rank?" I asked him
"Not really, it all evens out. We all have different talents no point worrying about every little thing..." His form relax a bit.
"That's very mature, are you feeling alright?" I stared at him suspiciously
"Whatever, anyway one of the teachers suggested I'd perform the piano during the summer vacation banquet. What do you think?" He asked
Recently I'd ask him to channel his aggression into something else, turns out he's a genius in playing the piano and the best part, I enforce the pianos here with defense magic so he can't break it even if hes livid.
"Sounds amazing, they're so many people who'd love to hear you perform...." I gave he a confident smile.
"Does...does that include you....?"
"Huh? Well of course it does.."
"Ok then, looks like I'm playing a recital..." He smiled waving casually as he walked away
"Hmm?" I blinked..
...
[location:Shiori's store in Amberia]
"Here you go boss lady!" Lance said handing me a large sack briming with gold coins
Holy moly 🤑
"Thanks, and here's your reward!" I tossed them a container of fresh strawberries.
"Happiness!" They beamed like little kids who were just given free ice-cream
Their fruit obsession shouldn't be underestimate 😓
....
[Location: Draco Academy]
Ever since the C.A scores came out, my school life has been straight up hell.
My original plan was, I would be the nerdy boring girl who everyone ignores. A character who fades into the background and lives a simple, peaceful school life.
But nooooooo...😑
fate had another thing in-stored😒
It was bad enough that I was already attracting attention by being close friends with the nobles from infamous kingdoms despite me being only known as a student merchant with no noble origin.
But I never expected my reputation and popularity to have somehow skyrocketed over night.
Students, both boys and girls have been approaching me to be friends. My locker's been filled with pink envelopes full of confessions and proposals.
My and Nate's engagement hasn't been announced publicly yet so guys think I'm single and took their chances which was driving him nuts.
To manage my situation I simple shrugged off anyone trying to so much as speak to me, and brutality rejected every bachelor that came my way.
"Lady shiori, top beauty of our school, please accept my proposal for courtship...!" A male student confessed bowing on one knee and holding a bouquet of flowers
"Not interested!" I stated bluntly and walked away unfazed as the male's pride was completely shattered.
A month had past, I was now known as the impregnable villainess who crushes hearts and confidence of any guy or girl she meets...
Well that was unexpected, paint me as the villain just because you NPCs can't handle a rejection, How pathetic 😒
.... .
Everyone stood before the teacher as we paired in groups of two, a male and a female.
It was one of our practical classes specifically horse riding.
"Today's class is rather simple, you'll ride your horses around the school in single lap. It's essential for nobles to learn such skills for the future of the realm.
Why is he saying it like he's planning on sending us to war?
was paired with Oliver, while Chris was paired with jasmine.
"Lady shiori?" Oliver stared at me curiously
"Hmm?"
"Why are you wearing trousers?"
"To ride, duh..." I headed for the horses
"Oh, let's do this..." I sat on the horse as he said behind me.
Everyone began the lap, most were taking it easy due to their worries of the female partners.
"Wimps! " Chris growled as jasmine held him by his waist.
"That's not very nice" she frown
"Hey shiori, wanna race?" He smirks
"Your on!" I grinned at the challenge.
We pulled on the leashes with more force as the horses ran faster. Jasmine and Oliver were looking terrified, trying not to scream as I and Chris fed off the adrenaline.
"Ha ha I'm going to win" Chris grinned as his horse left a dust cloud before us
"Guess I'll change routes then!"
"Wait what are you -" Oliver couldn't finish his sentence as Immediately changed paths, the problem was the path we were on had a huge dead end cliff.
"Hold on!" I increase the speed as Oliver prayed for it all to end.
The horse jumped, caught midair like a movie scene before just barely making it to the other side .
Chris still won, but jasmine was busy smacking him with her fan when we arrived. Everyone else were heading our way as the session commenced.
"Oh are you ok?" I asked turning to oliver who clinged to me like a lifeline.
"Fine*gasp* just need to*gasp* catch my breath *gasp* my breath.
"Sorry about that " I sweatdropped
As the day ended, I took mochi out for a little stroll
"Sorry I've been keeping you couped up in the room mochi, you must have been bored"
Mochiko nodded with crossed arms.
"Well lucky for you, I'm returning to the spiritual space in two days to visit."
Mochi did a little happy dance...
I giggled at his antics.
The soft breeze blowing my hair to the side as I felt someone's eyes on me...
I slowly turned my head to the left as I stared into a pair of deep violet eyes.
We stared at each other for what felt like eternity before he looked away and kept on walking...
Who was that?....