192 Showoff

-----Kaede's POV

Wasn't long until the lunch break was over as we all head back to class. Unlike Yui, I actually enjoy the class I'm in. I do hope I can learn some kind of flying hybrid summoning crest before we leave for Yarene. I don't want to have to deal with Mai flying me over the place like when we were in the mountains. I'd much rather have some control over whether I fall or not.

But as I enter back into the classroom, sure enough, everyone is still chatting about what happened earlier with the fight between Yui and that teacher.

Collin: "Hey! We're not late, are we?"

Coming from behind me, in the halls, Collin and Violet enter through the doorway with me. Looking at them, it doesn't look like they just did the deed, so I can't help but wonder what exactly they were up to.

Kaede: "Teacher isn't here yet, so it's fine."

Violet: "Maybe he's still talking with the headmaster?"

True. After the incident, Julius did leave with the headmaster along with Yui's teacher. They may be discussing what to do with her...

Collin: "Probably."

We take our seats together as we wait for our teacher to arrive, with the chatter in the classroom not dying down at all.

Kaede: "Everyone's making such a huge deal about this."

Collin: "Well, yeah. Ellen did just attack a teacher."

Violet: "I didn't expect her to actually beat him though. That teacher was a commanding officer, wasn't he?"

Collin: "Maybe? He did give off a commanding presence during that fight."

Now it seems like we've also joined into the gossip of Yui's fight as well. I wonder what it'll be like when she returns...

Julius: "Hello~ Sorry I'm late. Got caught up with a teacher's meeting."

With our teacher finally arrived, the chatter in the classroom died down as we all look towards him, with several of the students raising their hands.

Julius: "Yes?"

Classmate1: "What's going to happen with Ellen von Leinhart?"

Julius: "We're still discussing it. The headmaster has still yet to make a decision."

Classmate2: "Is the teacher going to be okay?"

Julius: "He suffered severe wounds, but with the help of Prince Leon, he's at least no longer in danger."

I remember back when I healed Yui's thigh, she said that Leon originally healed it, but from what I could tell, he did quite a poor job, leaving such a hideous scar like that. I'm glad I managed to undo his work and heal it properly, removing the scar, but that doesn't mean I'll do the same to that teacher.

With a few more questions being answered, the classroom calmed down. I do notice that our teacher is quite exhausted, despite putting on a happy face.

Julius: "Right, then let us continue, shall we? We originally planned to use training area 3 now, but with it still being cleaned, we'll be joining in with another class in training area 4."

A joint training? This might be interesting. If it's the second year, or even third year summoning class, I could maybe learn a thing or two from them. Looking around, everyone also shares the same idea as smiles were on everyone's faces, including Violet and Collin, although I think they're happy for a different reason than the rest of us. Probably excited to show off to more people.

After everyone gets their things, we move out of the classroom and into the halls as a class. Everyone whispers to each other about the class we'll be working with.

Violet: "I hope it's the second years."

Kaede: "Summoning class?"

Violet: "Yeah. I'd like to put them in their place."

Collin: "Competitive as always, haha."

Maybe I was wrong, maybe it's just Violet who's excited about this joint training. Actually, now that I think about it, Violet was kind of competitive when it came to Yui back when we were in the tournament together. 

Violet: "Mmmm."

Kaede: "What about you, Collin?"

Collin: "Hmm? Oh, I'm not all that competitive. In the tournament sure, but in everyday life, not really."

Violet: "And this is why I'm the older one."

Collin: "Yeah, by like a couple hours."

So Violet is the older twin? I like to think that this kind of makes sense, but could just be nothing.

After some time, we finally arrive in the training area. I was expecting to see the other summoning class, but I immediately recognized a couple people in this class.

Olivia: "Kaede?!"

So... we're not training with another summoning class? But instead an enchanting class? I mean, I guess both classes do deal with magic crests, but from how Olivia explained it back when she was showing me herself trying to enchant that stone, the crests are made inside of an object, much different to what I'm used to.

Gabriella: "What? You're with our class?"

Kaede: "Seems so."

Friend1: "Wait, Kaede?"

Friend2: "P-pleasure to meet you!"

Seems like a couple of Gabriella's friends.

Kaede: "Hi."

Friend1/2: "Hi!"

Gabriella: "Yes yes~ Calm down."

I find it funny how Gabriella was running away from me before, but now she's openly approaching me. I'm glad that my apology went over well, but I'm certain that Olivia played a bigger part in it than it may seem. That or maybe the alcohol did the trick.

Gabriella: "You're in the summoning class, right?"

Kaede: "Yeah."

Olivia: "I wonder how this is going to work..."

Violet: "Uhm~"

Turning around, I could see Violet becoming more reserved, sticking close to her brother and I. I feel happy knowing that I'm getting on the same level as her brother- actually... Nevermind.

Violet: "I'm guessing... This isn't another summoning class?"

Kaede: "No."

Friend1: "We're the first year enchanting class."

Collin: "Oh? Enchantments? I hear they're quite difficult, no?"

Gabriella: "Not really."

Friend2: "Maybe for you."

Gabriella: "Hey, even Olivia managed to enchant the rock. You can't use that excuse no more."

Friend2: "Fine~"

Olivia: "Hehe."

Kaede: "I do wonder why our teachers chose to join us together though."

Violet is still shy and choosing to remain out of the conversation, letting her brother speak for her as we continue to chat before the class begins.

Teacher: "Welcome students from the first year summoning class. My name's Elcam and I teach the first year enchanting class."

Julius: "And hello students. I'm Julius, and I teach the summoning class."

Elcam: "Now, before anyone get's confused, this isn't a joint class. We're just simply sharing this space until training area 3 is ready again. But don't feel restrained. If you're interested in seeing what the other class is doing, I welcome you to do so."

Julius: "Yes. Both summoning and enchanting both use crests in order to use magic. Today will be a nice opportunity to learn from one another."

So this is sort of like showcasing in a way? Basically we're showing off to the other class. But didn't Gabriella say that only she and Olivia are the only ones that have even managed to enchant something? If it's like that, then it'll just be our class showing off.

Sure enough, most of the students from the other class gathered around ours, mainly students that were with Gabriella.

The students from the other class are all holding their stones, so I guess they're working while watching us? Gabriella and Olivia though had already managed to do so, so they didn't have their stones with them. Meanwhile, our class formed small groups to summon our birds. Looking around, many students had succeeded, managing to summon small birds, however Violet's bird was noticeably bigger than the rest, but it differed from the Cloud Weaver I summoned before.

Julius: "Good job everyone!

Elcam: "Don't just sit and watch, practice as well, class!"

I'm still in the process of carving my crest into the ground. I still have no idea how Violet manages to do this so quickly.

Olivia: "I think this is the first time I'm seeing you summon something."

Gabriella: "Is it always this slow?"

Kaede: "I'm still new to this. I'm not as fast as Violet."

Violet: "Fufu~ But I'm more excited to see what your bird will look like!"

Now that we're in a small group, Violet seems to be a little more comfortable, even showing off her bird that is now resting on her shoulder. It's feather's pitch black, the polar opposite to the Cloud Weaver.

Olivia: "I-I noticed that everyone has different birds."

Gabriella: "Yeah. Is that just a preference?"

Violet: "Yes, but this crest is more of a general crest. It takes shape of the mana you pour inside it. Basically, no limitations besides that it has to be the species of bird."

Olivia: "Ah~ Got it."

While they talk, I finally finish carving my crest as I immediately begin to pour my mana into it. It feels like each time I summon something, I get more efficient at it, as I quickly find that I've already filled my crest as it slowly begins to glow a bright, white light. And as the light begins to fade, sure enough, the Cloud Weaver was there again as it spreads it's wings graciously.

Violet: "My god..."

Collin: "Hah!"

Olivia: "Pretty~"

Gabriella: "...Wow."

Everyone's reactions were what I expected thanks to what I learnt from Mai. Even the people around us stopped what they were doing as they stare at the bird I just summoned.

Julius: "Kaede?"

Kaede: "Yes?"

Our teacher also seemed to notice as he approaches us.

Julius: "D-did you summon this?"

Kaede: "Yes."

Julius: "I knew it'd be something crazy, but this?"

Violet: "Yeah... What the hell, Kaede?! Do you even know what you summoned?"

Kaede: "A... Bird?"

I try and play it off that I don't know anything about it in hopes to actually learn more about this "Cloud Weaver." All Mai told me was that it's one of, if not, the strongest bird in it's species. But I'm not entirely sure on what it can do.