13 Weeks 6 & 7

When Ro got to Momo and Aerie's rooms, they pressed her for information about her tutor. Ro answered their questions as she ate the dinner they had saved for her.

"Was he hot?" was Aerie's first question.

"Yeah. He is a red-head and he's got gorgeous green eyes." Ro replied.

"What did you work on?" the ever practical Momo asked next.

"We- well I worked on my dodging."

"That's good. You really suck at that." Aerie said.

"I really suck at everything." Ro pointed out.

"What did he attack you with, air?" Momo asked. Ro shook her head.

"No, Earth." Aerie's mouth popped open in shock and Momo blinked rapidly. "What?" Ro asked.

"Is your tutor's name Laine, by any chance?" Momo asked quietly.

"Yeah. Do you know him?" Momo looked like she was about to say something when Aerie cut her off.

"Everybody knows him. He's one of the top six!" She exclaimed

"What's the top six?" Ro asked dumbfounded. Momo and Aerie both looked at Ro with a mix of surprise and pity on their faces.

"They are the best six students in the school. Each one is a master of a different element. They all either Princes or Lords or already have really good jobs at with one of the major Kingdoms and they act like recruiters for their kingdoms while they are here. In order they are Prince Rage of Kylraka, he's the strongest, Lord Torin of Aluthenna in a close second, Laine and Jin are tied for third and are working for Battlelord Itoko, then there's Shiki who is working for Highlord Tholonil, and lastly Duke Pharon of Borgianna." Aerie said excitedly.

"So, are they still students?" Ro asked puzzled.

"Not really. They don't take regular classes or anything and they are pursuing 'Advanced Research programs' since they've already graduated." Momo said, "They also do odds and ends for the school which is why they can stay as recruiters. Sometimes they'll even substitute teach for a class."

"There is also a ranking tournament at the end of the year with mandatory participation for all students. As Advanced Research students they have to compete, and they come in as the top six every year. No one holds a candle to them. And they are all super-hot! Well not Pharon, I mean some females may find him hot but he's too big for my taste and I've never liked horns." Aerie finished. "I am so jealous of you." She pouted and looked out the window.

"Ro, you need to be careful. I don't know why it would happen but whatever you do you don't want to be marked by one of the top six. Laine may be the second member of the top six that you've already met. You seem to have the worst luck when it comes to males. No matter how hard you train you won't be able to beat them. So, make sure you keep them at arm's length, okay?" Ro was taken aback. She had never known Momo to say so many words at one time and the fact that she was serious worried Ro. To think there were people who were that good. Ro looked at her wrist and wondered how far Ky's protection would go.

"She doesn't need to worry about that yet." Aerie interjected. Ro smiled with relief. "You won't need to worry about that until a male gets possessive."

"Possessive?"

"Yeah like Alexi in the tower. Magical creatures are very possessive of things they consider to be theirs. The giving of gifts and tokens are usually the first signs that males are interested."

"Gifts?" Ro repeated and looked at her bracelet. Momo followed her eyes.

"Like protection bracelets." Momo said. Ro looked up and met her eyes.

"Ky is our teacher. He couldn't mean what your implying." Ro flushed.

"Just be careful." Momo said firmly.

They began to practice shadow magic in silence then. After that they broke up early and went to sleep.

***

For the rest of the week, practices went about the same. Morning magic went well. Then came solo combat, then came dodging practice with Laine. Ro was tired, so she was slower and got hit more. Each day of the first week went like this. The one bright point was that Ro aced her magical exercise test on Friday and got her five points.

***

Week 7

The next week started and with it came fire magic training. Her extra practice paid off. She was third in the class for magic that week. In number one was Alexi as usual and behind him was an Ifrit, a demon of fire, named Blaze. On Friday, during the tests, only they received full marks and five points. Ro got four which was pretty good considering the control issues she was having.

Over the course of the week Ro had improved during dodging too. Her speed and reflexes had picked up slightly. She was less winded, and she had avoided more of the strikes than before.

After practice ended on Friday, Laine came up behind her as she collected her water bottle. He watched her for a moment, admiring without thinking, how shapely she was. He had an urge to run his hands through her luscious blond hair. He lifted a hand and gently grasped a piece of it between his fingers. It was soft. Startled by the contact, Ro turned sharply, yanking it from his grip. He frowned.

"I just wanted to say good job today. I will be changing things up on Monday." Ro brightened and smiled. Laine began walking away.

"Well then thanks and have a good weekend, Laine." Laine turned back and fixed her with a dark look. Ro's smile faltered a little.

"You do the same." He said at last and continued on his way. Ro shook her head not understanding the look on his face or his delayed reaction. She left to rejoin her friends her friends in her room.