The Heroes in Aqerra

I walk through the hallway with Arlette and Elise toward the principal office. Urnas is leading the way to the principal office and walking in front of us.

Elise already found her courage and now become more carefree, even her smile looks brighter. Elise even walks closer to me "Arthur, what do you mean that Ederick is scheming back then?".

"Aren't you too naive, Elise?" Arlette said while smiling. "Then, do you think he's protecting his follower?" I ask Elise. She thinks for a moment and nods her head.

"If I duel Angus, I could ask anything, since he starts it and there are so many witnesses there, but if Ederick take the blame and I ask something that crossing the line, which for example if I ask Angus for his hand, I can't ask Ederick for his hand. I would look like a bad guy, right?"

Elise nods "Isn't it still, he protecting his follower?". "No, he played it safe. With this, he looked like he submits to me. Which means his family would be looked like under my protection or even if he has a sister. He would try to match us together, as an apology token or the way since he can't pay up but this way he would get the benefit instead. There's many 'if' in this case. That's why I only ask for his support when I take the throne. Not all people would like me replacing Father, either scared of change or tyranny. With this at least, everyone would know his family will back me up when I take the throne.

In short, he's checking me." I said explaining to Elise. Arlette only smiles watching us talk. "Then, are you also manipulate Angus?" Elise asks since what's happening is to spontaneous and too fast.

I smile at her "Well, I never thought it will work. You surprise me there. At first, I plan to take a few hits from him before you yell like that, but you did great." I walk to her and pat her head.

"*cough* Excuse me, sorry for disturbing the moment, but we have arrived at the principal office." Urnas said while pointing at the door.

Urnas knocked on the door. "Mr. Principal. You have a guest.". Then after a while, someone's voice could be heard "Come in.". Urnas let me open the door.

Inside the room, the room looked tense. The man was sitting at his table while looking at some puzzles. His eyebrow connects to one another. I leak my own mana protecting Arlette and Elise while leaving Urnas gasping for his breath.

The puzzle he tries to solve is Rubick. Yatanagi must have let him borrow it since I made that Rubick when teaching him about magic.

"Oi, Principal." I call him. No answer could be heard. Can't wait any longer, I use my mana to solve the Rubick in front of his eyes.

His eyes locked on the Rubick while it levitates and turns itself until it finished. Instead of returning it to him, I move it close to me "Now, I get your attention." I said while he notices me with the Rubick.

"You... You... How? I spent a day without sleep trying to solve it. Wait, who are you?" He just notices me and pulls back all his mana. "Right, Principal. I had a letter from the king and about this puzzle. I made it." I said while throwing the letter to him.

He opens the letter and read it for a while. Then a smirk appears on his face. "Ok, Boy. Take this!" He throws something to me. "It's the principal seal. For your pass when you want to get inside the library.".

I threw it back to him. "No, take it back. Do you think someone will believe that I carry your seal around the school? Aren't you too lazy right now? You even try to reach that wine bottle below your table.". I said then he glances for a while before quickly return to dignity pose.

"*cough* I don't know what you mean right there, but I will let it slide. Fine, Urnas. Give him your seal." He said while Urnas just sigh and give me the seal.

"Then, May I know where the hero study? I need to meet someone." I ask after receiving the seal. "Oh yes. You need to know where to teach." He said while getting up from his chair.

"What? What do you mean teaching?" I ask him with a surprised face. "Hmm? The letter said so, I thought you already agree to it. You need to teach every 2 weeks to give a pointer." He said with a blank face.

'That old man, trying to limit my time outside the city.' I thought while tick mark starts to appear. Arlette realizes what his father is doing, only giggle with Elise after explaining it to Elise.

"Once a month. There should be something wrong with that letter." I said to the Principal. "No, can do. I need to keep my promise. Even then, you still have to teach me to solve that puzzle." He said smirking while pointing at my Rubick.

"Just take it back." I throw the Rubick to him. He catches it. "Then, follow me." He said while now being our guide. The place we went to look more exquisite than before.

"Arlette, is this the noble side?" I ask after looking around. The student here all wearing magic armor. Even the teacher looked more presentable. Elise give me an elbow blow. "Ouch, what is it, Elise?"

"Stop looking at the teacher!" She said while pouting angry. "Sorry, sorry. Then, who's the principal name again?" I ask her to change the topic.

"His name is Cole Riley. He's kind of weird sometimes." Elise said while peeking at the principal that singing when he walks.

"Here's the place Class A. We use the best teacher here and also the hero learn quite fast. Even though their physical strength is weak." He said.

'Of course, they're weak. They only reach lv 3 after months of training.' I said internally. "This is your gift, so I don't need to teach you." I said while giving him a piece of paper.

He takes it and reads it "What is this?". "It's the formula to solve the Rubick. Learn it yourself." I said while leaving him there. He stood there still reading for quite a while then shout "Don't forget, today is your day to teach. I will tell the teacher about these changes." before he turns and walks back to his office while reading it.

I went inside and the place is big. The class divided by 2. Class B where Elise used to, and Class A where Arlette study at, but now with me around both of them at Class A. Class B used for Rich Merchant, Baron, and Viscount. While Class A for Count, Marquis, and Duke.

I went inside with Arlette and Elise. Both of them took a seat close to Rime and Iseri while Yatanagi smile at me. The other 3 hero is Hitani Tatsuri the librarian and quite a shy person, she sits beside Iseri that keep her peaceful smile like always inside the class. Next, Hiroshi Sumidao and Kinoba Shuyoshi, both of them are the normal students that had a crush on Iseri.

"Is that Ice Princess? She seems different. Then is that Bow Princess behind her?" "Then, What are they doing here?" "I heard that both of them already engaged." "Who's the handsome guy? Kyaa... He's cute too. I want to touch his face." All sorts of comments and talk running across the room.

"Shut up!" I said while slamming the table with my fist. All the class turn silent and looking at me, I stand at the front of the class. "Good, Now, I'm the new teacher for today. You can call me Arthur-sensei or something. Now, what is the most important thing in magic? Raise your hand." I said loud enough to be heard across the class.

"Who are you?" Someone shouted at the back. "Right, if you don't want to be in my class. Go away. Now, raise your hands if you know the answer." I said ignoring him.

"You get out, we don't need you here." He said again while I release my mana on him to make him blackout. I could see Arlette and Elise raising their hand but I ignore it. "Right, you. The blond at the back." I said pointing someone behind Arlette which make her puff her cheek.

"Emm... Can I know where you live?" The girl student said. "I live in the west side district, First house on the right after you took a left at the bakery store." Then an arrow and ice shard flew pass right above my ears.

'My danger sense didn't pick that up.' I thought panic while Elise already pulls another arrow and Arlette forming another ice shards. My smile froze and I began sweating.

"Right, enough with the joke. Since no one knows. We go to the training field. It's best to learn by practice than by books." I said while going outside. I could still felt the cold gaze from both of them.

When everyone that decides to follow my class already gets into the training. I start drawing a circle on the ground. "Everyone pick your spot, inside the circle. Now, your job is to concentrate your mana without going out of that circle. While the heroes will practicing magic and hit the dummy. For Heroes that use a weapon, go on stand by.".

Everyone starts doing it then I release my mana to patch the leaking part. When some people already did it, I change the drawing on the ground.

"Now, Rime-san and Iseri-san are the only heroes that using a weapon?" I ask both of them. They nod and stare at me.

"Right, quit staring. Do some basic physical training then spar for 10 minutes and repeat." I said and leave them. Walking toward Yatanagi and co.

"Right magic hero, start to meditate while your mana hit half your mana point.". I said to 4 of them including Yatanagi.

"Then, is there something you want to talk about for you to come here?" Yatanagi said. "Do I really need a reason just to talk to a friend?" I said while shrugging my shoulders.

Yatanagi looked at me with an ugly face "You sounds gross.". "Hahaha... Fine. How's the house?" I ask about the place they live in.

"You choose it for us? It's actually quite luxurious don't you think?" Yatanagi said while shooting more magic. "No, I'm not part of anything on that." I said and turn over to observe the other student.

"Then, what are you being part of?" Yatanagi asks but his face looks suspicious. "You already know didn't you?" I look at him at the corner of my eyes and smile silly. "You... You're the one that put us into one house!?" Yatanagi yells but shut his teeth to lower his voice.

"What? You said it yourself, you had a crush on Hitani." I said and draw a new mark on some students. "Do you know how awkward it is to even share a bed together? I had to sleep on the couch, not that I complain. The couch pretty comfortable." Yatanagi finds excuses.

Then I use my magic to enchant the vibration with wind magic and make a way toward Hitani's ears. "Still, you like Hitani don't you?" I tease him while jumping around him to look at his faces

He turns his head away and speaks slowly "Well... She's beautiful and smart, bu.. but no way she likes someone as stiff as me." Yatanagi blushing.

"Ayaa~, I forgot about something. Enjoy your time." I said while leaving Yatanagi since Hitani already walking slowly behind me. Her face blushes red too.

"Ya... Yatanagi-san." Hitani calls Yatanagi. "Eh!! Hitani-san! Are you tired? You look red. Are you sick? Take a rest first. I will ask Arthur-san for help. Wait here." Yatanagi said while looking at me with help staring.

"Is... Is it true, Yatanagi-san?" Hitani said while pulling his clothes. "What? What is it that true?" Yatanagi confuse.

"Actually, Yatanagi-san. Emm... Ano... I have liked you since middle school, but you are always being the center of attention and I thought I never get into your eyes. I.. I'm sorry for taking a peek at your paper when you choose a high school." She said while lowering her head.

"I... I... I... I.. I.. I also like you, Hitani. Please go out with me." Yatanagi said while bowing toward Hitani while extending his hand. Hitani then holds his hand and smiles at him with a little tear on her eyes. "I will go out with you. Keisuke.".

Everyone that heard it start clapping. Then everyone's concentration starts to break but the timing just on time with the break. "Now, everyone gets back to class. Don't forget to train your mana if you have free time. That's all.".

Ederick comes to me and bows "Thank you for the lesson, Arthur-sensei. I'm sorry for the thing I've done.".

"Yeah forget it." I said while let him walk away. Angus can also be seen avoiding eye contact with me.

Then Arlette and Elise came to me after talking with Rime and Iseri. "What did you do to them?" Arlette asks because Yatanagi is currently crying while holding Hitani's hand.

"What? I didn't do anything?" I deny my action. "Then you don't mind if I ask them right?" Arlette starts walking toward Yatanagi. I grab her shoulder in hurry "Wait... wait.. wait.. wait.. Ok, Let me tell you then." After a short of talking.

Arlette seems surprised "Wow... Aren't you becoming softer every single day, dear?". "Hm? What do you mean? I'm always like this." I said confused and my emotion straight.

"Hey, Elise. Do you remember back in the palace?" Arlette asks Elise. "Yeah, Arthur never once look after his classmates like this. You've changed." Elise explain.

"I... I.. Well, People change after all." I said avoiding the statement. All three of us looking at the new couple. "Hey, Arthur. Do you believe in love at first sight?" Arlette asks after looking at how happy Hitani is.

"I do." I said unconsciously, and smile happily for Yatanagi. Arlette surprise then look at me for a while "You know Arthur, you never saw my face when you reject me. Then is it love at first sight?"

I just realize after she asks me the second time. I smile looking at her smile "I am. With both of you in fact, but I can't choose between both of you. That's a lucky situation right there when both of you ask me."

Arlette then blushing "Humph! Fine. You can leave for the dungeon, tomorrow. You better prepare tonight before I change my mind." She said while dragging Elise away.

"Hah~, I always lose to you, sister. You even more worried for him than me." Elise said with a defeated face. Arlette already walking with her and trickling tears.

Meanwhile, someone already hiding behind the pillar while muttering words "his.. classmates... his... classmates... his... classmates..., He never cares for his... classmates...." with a deadly aura around her.