[27.3] Mistakes were Made

When we arrived at class, I took my seat next to Cyrus. Felix eventually sauntered in and gave a big yawn.

I gave him a look, "I don't remember you being late or this exhausted when we were children. What happened to you?"

He rubbed his eyes, "I have been up late at night doing work for my family… It's harder to get out of bed in the morning because of it."

I nodded in understanding, "I totally understand that feeling, but why are you doing work for your family? Can't they see you're still in school?"

He forced a weak smile, "It's because they want me to take over the family business after I graduate."

I stared at him closely, "Is that what you want?"

He flinched slightly and looked down with a shy expression, "I… I don't know."

I beamed at him, "Well I will support you no matter what you do."

He looked back at me in surprise, "A-Ah… Thank you."

I nodded, "I'm not just saying that either. Whatever you want, I will support it. If you want to pursue the family business, I will help you. If you want to pursue a career in art? Then I will open up a gallery just for you. If you want to rule the world? Should be easy enough if we work together."

Cyrus scoffed, "What kind of plan is that?"

A sweet smile crossed Felix's face as he looked into my eyes, "You haven't changed, Reika."

I tilted my head, "I haven't?"

"You still have the biggest heart out of everyone I know." He let out a sigh, "I'm afraid I won't be able to let you slip through my fingers this time."

My face twitched.

Uh… What exactly did he mean by that?

Cyrus crossed his arms and clicked his tongue, "You two seem very relaxed for this class."

Felix let out a sigh, "I almost forgot this class was considered the most difficult one at the Academy. Reika, I'm surprised that you decided to take it with us."

I held my head up proudly, "Why are you surprised? We were in the same classes as kids."

Cyrus smirked at me, "Then you must have studied hard during your travels. This class is far more difficult than the one we took as children."

I crossed my arms smugly, "How difficult can it be?"

Especially for someone like me who has already taken college courses? I'm sure it will be so easy that I can sleep the class away.

The teacher walked into the room with a stern look. She immediately started writing on the board, "Let's start."

Cyrus diligently took notes while Felix yawned and doodled on his papers.

I stared ahead with eyes of horror.

What…

WHAT THE F*CK IS THIS!?

Is this another language?

It looks like Egyptian!!

Oh…

It's math…

Crap!

It's math!

Why is it math!?

Why should magicians know math?!?

Are there at least calculators!?

Oh my gods…

There are no calculators.

The teacher passed out packets to each student, "Read this and have it memorized. On Friday, there will be an exam on it."

I took one glance and felt a cold sweat break out over my back.

I'm…

I'm going to fail.

I laid my head against the desk in defeat.

After a long and neverending class lecture, Felix poked my side, "Reika? Are you okay? Class is over."

I looked over at him with teary eyes, "Felix… If I transfer out, would you laugh at me?"

He smiled sweetly, "Of course not. Who would laugh?"

Cyrus snickered, "I would."

I glared at him with a venomous look, "You used to be adorable."

He smirked, "And you used to be smart."

I slammed my hands on the table, "I-I am still smart! I'm incredibly intelligent for my age!"

He propped himself up on his elbow and raised an eyebrow arrogantly, "Oh? Is that so? Then why would you transfer out?"

I clenched my jaw, "Who said I was going to transfer out!? I'm not going to! This class will be a piece of cake!!!"

Felix looked at me with a worried expression, "Reika… Don't push yourself."

I collected my bag and put my nose in the air, "I'm not pushing myself. You'll see. Now, if you'll excuse me. I have to go see my Papa."

I flipped my hair and walked out of the room.

Felix glanced at Cyrus with a frown, "You said that just so she would stay in class with you, didn't you?"

A faint blush crossed his face as he averted his eyes, "...No."

...

Crap crap crap! Why did I talk such a big game!?

Now I can't transfer out!!!

I'm doomed!

I screamed internally as I stormed into the office.

The same secretary cast me a look and frowned, "It's nice to have you back."

I screamed, "Shut up, Karen! I'm dealing with a major dilemma!"

She scowled, "My name isn't Karen!!!"

When I entered the Headmaster's office, Zephyr was laying on the ground with a bored expression. He picked up his head in excitement when he heard me, "What major dilemma!? What happened?!"

The Headmaster frowned, "Was it that boy? Prince or not, I will take care of it."

I rolled my eyes, "It's not the boy. It's the class."

The Headmaster nodded in understanding, "I told you it would be hard."

I sat down with a groan, "I'm going to have to study now… Ugh. This is going to suck."

His face twitched, "You should be studying regardless."

"Eh, I'd rather take the easy route." I let out a sigh, "Alas, my pride won't let me this time."

It's not like I intend to use this information for anything. It's a complete waste of time….

…But there's no way I will give Goldilocks the pleasure of laughing at me.

I leaned forward, "So? Where's the lunch?"

He motioned me to follow him, which I did readily.

Zephyr followed behind licking his lips.

The Headmaster eventually led me to a secluded table already set up with a full course meal in the middle of a beautiful hedge garden. I ignored the beautiful sight around me and happily indulged in the meal.

As I ate, he spoke. "Did you remember what I told you when we first arrived back?"

I shook my head with a mouth full of food, "Muhnuh."

He let out a sigh, "Then I will tell you again. As a senior student, you are expected to have certain duties at the Academy to help the future generation. Teaching magic is just as important as learning magic and the experience will help you grow as a person."

I scoffed, "Sounds gross."

He ignored me and continued, "Most students have already graduated so unfortunately the remaining students will be getting assigned to a position that's best for them. However, in some extreme cases, this requirement is overlooked. I spoke with the committee board because I don't think you are responsible enough to teach students."

My face twitched, "Huh!?"

He continued, "However, they told me I was giving you preferential treatment so I had no choice but to let them assign you a position. They think that your skill set will be better suited for troubled children who have little control over their excessive mana. They believe that since you can control your excessive mana and come from an orphanage specializing in it, surely you can teach them as well."

The fork dropped from my hand as my face paled. My voice wavered, "W-What are you saying…"

He looked at me with a firm expression, "You will be teaching a class in the afternoon to young students."

A buzzing noise echoed throughout my ears.

Noticing my strange mood, the Headmaster looked at Zephyr, "I expect you to help her."

He stuck out his tongue, "It'll cost you~"

"..."