Axel shook his head and sighed, "I can attest for her abilities as a headmage. As troublesome as she sounds, Nobel Bell College would be wise to keep her temper at this level."
"Oh? Did something happen as of late?" Crowley hummed curiously.
"Aside from her abilities to govern a city, the headmage recalled nearly 80 percent of the teachers, brought back the previous teachers who had left, and reorganized teaching materials and schedules of the classes in a week. Since then, she's kept a close eye on the classes and the students. As well as helping the staff examine the progress of students' studies, she created afterschool tutoring with teachers in charge." Axel hesitated, "Although the headmage told me this, but, excuse my words, is this something that all headmages are capable of doing, headmage Crowley? I can't help but ponder if it's just her…"
There was a moment of silence before Trein hummed, "I loathe the idea, but It certainly feels as though she could take a page of out our headmage and learn to relax a little."
"Mh," Crowley nodded with a frown of displeasure, "The new headmage must've been very nervous but overworking themselves will only lead to disaster down the line."
Axel wanted to sigh as he can't help but recall their so called headmage dressed up as a male student and dorming in Ramshackle dorm with the others.
"Anyway, to avoid any trouble with those in town. Your headmage went ahead and assigned an apartment for you during the summer seasons and an office in Ramshackle Dorm." Crowley handed him the key and an address, "As for Mr. Flamme… Being in Ramshackle dorm is indeed the safest place. As she intends to utilize the prefect's capabilities to shield him, he will be perfectly safe. I hope you have a good night sleep."
After giving him a set of instructions to follow for tomorrow. He excused himself as Professor Trein sighed, "The new headmage has quickly adapted to her new life and reigned in the chaos so quickly."
"Truly. If not for her gender becoming a conflict with the public, she would have had a smooth sailing from the start. Her work is flawless and swift. I have also heard she has cooperated with the previous generation of staffs and headmage to take control of the school. She has also reorganized the government system to patch up all of the loopholes while keeping the old traditions. Cooperating with the Council of Magic and Board of Education as well as roping the Shaftland officials to aid in supervising the city… However, this school won't be outdone!" Crowley huffed firmly.
"What do you mean?" Trein spoke with deep hesitation. Was their headmage up to something crazy again?
Trein gave a small sigh and shook his head as Lucius meowed at him assuring him that it will be over before they know it.
"You're right… I'm probably overthinking it…" He patted Lucius's head but couldn't help feeling a little concerned, "That child… Is she really adjusting well to her role or is she trying too hard?"
…..
Upon returning, the ghosts had already prepared a party to welcome Rollo. A small handful of their friends were there. Mainly because they had heard about his study abroad from Malleus. As the gathering continued, Lotus had taken a seat out by the porch instead. She had become tired of the hustle and bustle of the party and wanted some time for herself for once.
"Looks like someone is already here…"
Hearing the dissatisfied voice, she turned around and found Leona walking out of the building.
"Hm." She nodded and remained in place. She was not in the mood to move regardless. After having to go through so much herself, even she was tired.
Leona raised a brow and folded his arms as he leaned back against the railing next to her, "What? You're not gonna talk back?"
"Hm." She hummed quietly as gazed at the bright moon. It was too bright in her opinion.
Leona sighed. It was clear she was in no mood to discuss things and simply remained quiet as she quietly closed her eyes and took in her surroundings through hearing alone. The bustling of the party continued, but, outside, it was as if nothing happened. It was like this before too… that day when she lost her. As though nothing mattered at all…
Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt a warmth atop her head and opened her eyes. Leona had patted her head as he grumbled, "Don't think too deeply into whatever it is."
She raised a brow as Leona huffed, "Those who overthink things are usually the first to be hunted down."
"Is that so… And here I thought it's usually the unlucky ones." She hummed.
"You and that guy are alike." He scowled, "Overthink things and end up doing dumb things."
"So you've heard." She chuckled.
"Hmph! The moment Ruggie heard he was going to study here, he wouldn't shut up." Leona chuckled, "To think we got ourselves a lost sheep lost from his flock."
"That sheep will reveal itself to be a ram if you are not careful." She huffed a warning.
"A ram is still just another herbivore." He scoffed.
"Did you know?" Lotus laughed, "When given the opportunity, even a herbivore will start consuming meat, even if it means enduring stomach aches."
He was displeased to hear this. Yet he leaned against the rail next to her. She remained silent in deep thoughts.
"Hey. I told you to stop overthinking things." His growl broke her train of thoughts as she felt a tug on her sleeve.
She glanced down and noticed he had tugged her sleeve with a hand tucked under his elbow while his arms were folded. Honestly, she thought it was cute. Like a child who stubbornly seeks the attention of the adults but doesn't want others to see. She hummed, "Did the meeting satisfy you?"
"Not really." He uttered in dismay, "It was underwhelming. To think they were scared over him. Weak…"
"If you truly believed that, you'd have left the party much earlier and lost complete interest." She mused, "Perhaps you're here for a different reason? Or has something else caught your attention?"
His presence calmed her much from her conflicted mind earlier but she can't forget who she is with or how he was the first to doubt her identity. Unfortunately, her heart still yearns during those times of solace when she can lean against others for support. Her sister's departure left a scar but to depend on others as its own detrimental consequences. The warmth of his hands occasionally touched hers while he tried to balance. She then felt the warmth from him as he remained next to her from a tiny distance.
Leona remained silent but he doesn't let go of her sleeve. As the rail creaks, her voice reminded him, "If you keep staying there, the rails will break."
He glanced at her briefly noticing her curious gaze. He remained in place despite this and took in a deep breath. Their eyes are different, but their gaze are too similar… Maybe even identical. Nobody in life is void of regrets. Even this girl disguised as a boy must've had many regrets to come this far on her own. He's worried and he knows it despite his irritation. To come this far on her own takes a lot of courage, but there's a difference between courage and recklessness. He noticed the pillar was wobbly and, while keeping his balance, his hand had accidentally touched hers! Even with gloves, he noticed hers were colder than normal. He recalled the incident many months ago. When he suspected her of being a girl the first time and the possibility that she actually held magic in her. He still believes she actually is a magician, but as for why she's keeping her identity a secret…
The aura of mystery continues to entertain him as he mused over what she plans to do now that she has another student to look after. As soon as the thought came to him, he paused in dissatisfaction.
It was then he noticed how quiet she had been. He glanced over to her and realized she had fallen asleep while standing! He scoffed a laugh, "Sleeping before a carnivore? Either she's bold or reckless!"
Reaching over to her, she her eyes snapped open as she panted with sweat slidding down her forehead.
Leona grumbled with a look of surprise and alarm, "What happened?"
Lotus managed to regather her bearings quickly and got up from the rails as she gasped shaking her head, "Nothing… Just a bad dream…"
She leaned back and emptied her thoughts when she realized Leona still hasn't let go of her sleeve! What was he?! A lost child?!
He frowned feeling irritated as he let out an annoyed sigh. He got off the rails and grabbed her hand dragging her away from the dorm. Confused and tired, she decided to go along and see what he's up to this time. However, she was simply dragged all the way to the botanical garden in the glass dome garden and pulled to a nearby waterfall. As she was dragged along, the voices of the children whispered around them.
"Who's that bold human?! What if he pulls off our empress's arm?!"
"As if our empress is so weak."
"But it's strange for a human to drag around her majesty."
"Oh, I've seen him a couple times before. He's actually a beastman. The master of the other small beastman with hyena ears. You know, the one who always takes naps around here."
"There's too many sneaking out here for naps and fights."
"He's the one with the lion ears and tail. The handsome guy."
"The last time you mentioned handsome guy, it was a dragon fae! Do you want to die so badly?!"
"Do you think he's planning to get her majesty's attention?"
"NO WAY!!!"
Their words only wear her out more as she was brought to a beautiful garden of glowing flowers and pulled her down with him as he laid down under a tree.
"You're gonna sleep here?" She questioned curiously.
"Be quiet." He huffed, "Go to sleep."
Hearing this, she wore a dry smile. If only it were possible… She listened quiet to the sounds of the murmuring plants around her quietly. Some talked of their day, others talked of their arrival. She's noticed a couple talking of the outside world in fear, wonder and curiousity. She had known that these children were born and raised on farms by humans. But their care makes her satisfied knowing they did not face the same harsh reality she once had. However, the moment they steps out is the moment they would struggle to survive and adapt.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, she felt something wrap around her and looked down. Leona had already curled up asleep with an arm around her small waist. Surprised, she pondered if Leona still suspects she's a woman. She noticed his twitching ears and tail and recalled having once played with a little lion beastman a long time ago. They once played chess and other board games where she enjoyed seeing him pummeled by her over and over again, like a little cub trying to roar. It was easy to see that he was one of the higher nobles back then and so she demanded he give her a reward for beating him for the hundredth time or so. So, she demanded a white Lotus untainted by even the mud it bore from. She remembered the bitterness from the child's eyes as she teased him. She noticed the scar on his face and hummed curiously, "Perhaps… The world wishes to place a silly trick on me if that child had been right here all along… Although, I'd play another game of chess with you if it were."
The smell of jasmine flowers wafted around her as she hummed and softly closed her eyes with a tear falling falling down her cheeks, "Or, they want to see my reaction by playing such a cruel joke for me… Can a heart still ache when the gods have long since stolen its life?"