75 Beast Garden

Savyrran was surprised to see where Captain Kakami had brought her. She had thought that the captain was taking her to Haniki Hall to see the captain of that hall. Yet, here they were at the School of Beast Studies. Savyrran had never been to the School of Beast Studies, however she knew this was it because of the name written on a large rock pillar at the entrance of the school.

Upon entering the School of Beast Studies, the first thing a person would see was the sculpture of a massive winged beast Savyrran recognised as a dragon. Though she had never seen a dragon, she had heard stories about how incredibly powerful these soul beasts were were.

Since the academy had not officially resumed for classes, there were only few people walking about in the school and almost every one of them had various bizarre looking beasts of all sizes accompanying them. Savyrran could tell these were soul beasts and not beast-type soul armos because the eyes of the students looked normal and did not show that they were using their essence. Since coming to the academy, this was the first time Savyrran had seen any soul beasts here. Did this mean that students in the School of Beast Studies were free to have soul beasts accompany them around the school?

After bypassing several large buildings in the school, the two finally came to the entrance of a garden. There was green shrubs and flowers everywhere and the scenery of trees gave the place an ambiance of serenity.

While Savyrran was wondering what they were doing here, a black shadow materialized from the flowery walls and then appeared right in front of them. The black shadow transformed into a middle-aged woman whose face was even more stoic than Kakami. At first, Savyrran thought that this person was the captain of Haniki Hall, however, the woman looked too old to be a student. Was this person perhaps a teacher then? But as Savyrran scrutinised the woman, she realised that there was something quite familiar about her. However, the more she thought about it, the more she could not quite place where she had seen her before.

"She is here." Kakami broke the silence. The older woman nodded in acknowledgement.

"Come with me." The woman finally said after she was done observing Savyrran.

In spite of how cryptic everything seemed and how no one was giving her any explanation of what was going on, Savyrran still remained calm, completely unaffected by the whole dramatic transportation. Who exactly was this captain of Haniki Hall that two different people had to lead Savyrran to them? And why were they meeting in the School of Beast Studies?

Well, she would soon find out if she followed the woman. So she did.

Before Savyrran could move, Kakami had already disappeared from sight, while a trail of green light followed her. Back in Coast Town, there was not a single green user and yet, within only a few days here in the academy, she had come into contact with several green users. In fact, two of such people had tried to kill her. It was true when people say that only the most gifted are students of Royal Dream Higher Academy.

Savyrran followed the woman into the garden. Her breath almost caught in her throat at the sheer beauty of the garden. There were different plants everywhere but what caught Savyrran's eye were the many strange looking creatures on the various plants. Wait, was this some kind of a soul beast reserve? That made sense since they were in the School of Beast studies.

The garden was actually a lot bigger than Savyrran had thought because they did not seem to reach their destination. It was almost like this was some kind of a forest. As they went farther, Savyrran's sharp eyes heard continuous splashing in the distance and then the sound of laughter. It was the single most melodious laughter Savyrran had ever heard and for a while, she could not wait to see who it belonged to.

They soon got to a small lake. Sitting by the bank of the lake was a fair maiden with long black her. Savyrran could not see the face of the maiden, however, she knew that beautiful laughter belonged to her. Well, she knew because the maiden laughed again as soon as a large fish-like creature with shiny blue scales leaped out of the lake, somersaulting three times in the air, and then tumbling back into the water. The maiden clapped cheerfully when the beast went back into the water.

So this was what was making the splashing noise. Savyrran thought.

The maiden must have sensed the presence of her new company because she slowly turned to face them, a beautiful smile adorning her face like a jewel.

The first thing Savyrran noticed about the maiden was how young she was. Though there were young looking people who were actually very old, Savyrran had the feeling that this person was looking exactly her age. But just like the older woman who was standing by her, Savyrran had a feeling that she had seen this young maiden somewhere before. Why couldn't she remember?

But as Savyrran was trying to recollect where she had seen the girl, something else caught her eye.

A small twinkle shone in Savyrran's black eyes, while a smirk grew on her face. Of course, how could she have forgotten. Now she could remember why these two looked very familiar. That wooden sun necklace around the girl's neck was what jolted her memory.

After all, she had given this very necklace to that same girl a few weeks ago back in Ahn Bayari. Wait, this girl was actually a student here in the academy? Was this not too much of a coincidence?

"Lady Ashesi, she is here." Baono said pushing Savyrran gently towards the maiden.

Lady Ashesi stood up to approach Baono and Savyrran, the bottom of her dress drenched by the lake. Yet she carried herself so elegantly.

"So we meet again." Savyrran said once Lady Ashesi was right in front of her. She smiled widely, causing Lady Ashesi to smile too.

The lady raised her eyebrow as though she had not expected Savyrran to remember who she was. She did not think Savyrran would actually remember who she was. Or was she perhaps, referring to something else? That was likely, after all, they had only met once.

"We met back in Ahn Bayari." Savyrran explained. She had mistaken the girl's surprised look as forgetfulness. "I gave you that necklace."

Lady Ashesi chuckled and Savyrran smiled when she heard that beautiful laugh again.

"Of course. I remember. It's why I asked Kakami to bring you here."

"You did? Oh… Captain Kakami told me she was taking me to see my hall captain. I did not think she would lie to me."

"Well, she didn't lie to you." Ashesi said, amused by the girl's sincere confusion.

"What do you mean? Wait… are you saying you are the hall captain?"

"That's right. My name is Ashesi Handini-Yarra, Captain of Haniki Hall."

Now it was Savyrran's turn to be shocked. This sounded too unreal. The girl she had sold toys to several weeks ago back in Southern Cape Province turned out to be a student in the same academy she applied to. And as if that was not enough, this same girl was the captain of her hall of residence.

This was all too coincidental. The day she had given her sun necklace to the girl, Savyrran had never expected to see her again. But then, not only did they meet again, but they were in the same academy.

As she quietly watched Savyrran, Lady Ashesi saw that the girl was wearing another necklace hidden within her clothes, however, she did not ask about it. Perhaps, Savyrran had made that necklace too just like she had made the sun necklace. Ashesi's fingers unconsciously touched her sun necklace and gently played with it.

She contemplated for a while if she should just take Savyrran to the hall and show her to her room or just stay behind for a while. But she eventually decided against it, and instead, decided to show Savyrran around the Beast Garden. A smile graced her lips as she thought about that prospect. This would be her first time bringing anyone into the Beast Garden, and for a moment, she felt herself getting a little light headed.