13 Month-long Mentor

Rei saw a fairy as a child. He had the hair of the most expensive polished metals and the pure eyes of clear liquid silver.

His father had brought his on one of his monthly visits to the castle. Unfortunately for the knight, his child didn't obey his order to stay in his room and left to explore. His mother was sick and with the town doctor, so it was recommended that a child with no proper defence stay away, unless he wanted to catch a cold.

So the young six-year-old Rei ran away and snuck into a library. He was about to leave, having already seen dozens of books in the other rooms, and not feeling particularly overjoyed in finding another study room, only to get the shock of a lifetime when he saw a silver-haired fairy asleep at one of the desks.

He was leaning over, face pressed against the books. 'Understandable,' Rei thought. 'As books were not the most intriguing of subjects.'

Rei crept closer, wondering on who this person was. Understandably confused because the only other children at the castle were the two princes.

Before he could get much further the sound of fast-approaching footsteps interrupted him. The commotion ended with the door opening with a bang and a small child sprinting in.

Seeing no time to escape, Rei hid in the curtains. Listening as the young child talked to the now-awake fairy.

"Amir! Mother sent me to collect you. She said that the cooks have prepared our lunch already! Let's go!"

'Amir…?' A young Rei thought with much confusion. 'The first prince? He had seen the first prince all by himself?!'

"Hm~ you've already gotten so grown up. Coming to pick me up from my library all by yourself."

"Hmph! Of course, I'm grown up. Look at my strong arms." The young blond pulled up his arms, petting them to show off his 'strong' muscles.

"Yes, yes. Let's go before you get any hungrier."

Rei could not aquatic how the young boy that softly smiled at his brother, partaking willingly, without a shred of doubt in his brother's hijinks, could be the same young man that smirked in amusement whenever he saw him.

It was inconceivable how such a cute child turned into such an annoying man.

///

Rei woke up as early as any other. Joining those of his year in the training grounds after a quick breakfast. He was interrupted from his stretches by a second-year calling from the water fountain.

"Rei, someone is looking for you. A sixth-year student!"

Rei had been counting down the days. Suitably curious and nervous as to begin his month-long shadowing.

///

"Good morning. My name is Helen Samur, call me Helen. It's a pleasure to meet you."

If it were not for her confident stride and her cared-for armour (with matching sword) placed on her person, Rei would have mistaken her for a student of magic. Her gait being similarly petite to those of the more 'creative' department.

Instead, he understood that this rather dangerous smiling young lady was his senior and mentor for the coming month. Rei could feel the headache already forming as he watched her eyes take on a particularly harmful glint.

"Good morning, Miss Helen. I'm Reiball Seid. Please call me Rei, everyone else seems to do so."

Rei had somehow found himself with a sadist as a mentor. He thought life to be a rather unfair situation these past months.

"Well then, Rei, we will be going to the training grounds. I usually go there after my warmups to spar with the other students. As a representative, you need to always be available and willing to help out, improving the forms of potential knights is just one way of doing so."

Intrigued, Rei found himself excited. Imagining how strong his mentor is.

///

"Why am I the one fighting?!"

Rei suddenly found himself despairing on his lack of foresight. Realising that his mentor was of particularly sadistic blood was one thing. But still, he hoped for better. Rei should have enough experience by now not to get himself into these types of situations. A reminder of a past battle as a champion taunted him.

"A representative always needs to be stronger than those they are looking to help. If you can't beat them then you have nothing to bring as their representative, and will be appropriately replaced."

Rei has no more time to regret his existence as he was quickly surrounded by the fifth and sixth years.

Wasting no time, Rei's magic circle his arms. Turning both into the deadly sharp arms of a wolf.

While distracting those around him with swift strikes, Rei collected his magic to his feet. Kicking his shoes off mid-air while dodging several swords. His legs were no longer human. Instead traded for the muscly thighs of his shifter form.

Rei understood his limits, even if he regularly pushed them. He understood that while he could not stay in full transformation for long, he would be able to keep up rather well with both his legs and are transformed.

Just as he was beginning to see spots, Helen knocked everyone out. Rei had only closed his eyes for a second, and she had already appeared, with everyone else down.

'This is the strength of a sixth year...'

Giving up, Rei's legs wobbled before finally falling down, wondering if it would be better if he handed in his resigned before he was let off. Less embarrassment would come of him if it seemed like his departure was of his own choice.

"Get up. We have to get to class."

///

Across the school, another student was in a similar position.

"Just as predicted. It was an easy victory."

This sixth year was an intellectual male with rather fine features. He was of a tall disposition and was calmly cleaning his glasses. Not minding the stacks of students bruised and bloodied around him.

"Shall I heal them?" Amir's question was as apathetic as the judgement in his eyes.

"There is no need to waste magic on such useless people, the healers should get here soon."

"As you say."

Not questioning the word of the upper-year, Amir followed his mentor's trail. Somewhat curious about the classes the elder had.