Chapter Thirteen

The large doors slid open as Maple and Namarie walk in, their eyes adjust to the soft light, revealing the hall with a high ceiling and a large fireplace. There are various benches and tables crafted from wood.

They can see a few young girls lounging around chatting and laughing. At the edge of the hall, the resident advisor eyes widen and she rushes to greet them.

The Resident Advisor, Lyra, is a tall and slender young woman with long, curly brown hair and warm, hazel eyes that light up with a gentle smile. She wears a flowing caramel brown robe with intricate silver embroidery.

As she rushes to greet Maple and Namarie, Her voice is warm, filled with a genuine enthusiasm that puts Maple at ease.

"Good evening, Magistrix! What brings you here today?" Lyra asks, her eyes shining with curiosity. She bows her head slightly, her hands clasped together in a gesture of respect, her long sleeves flowing.

Namarie places a hand on Maple's shoulder slightly inching her forward.

"I'm looking for someone named Leone. She has brown hair." Maple shyly asks.

Lyra slightly pales at the name. "Leone- yes, she's upstairs in one of the girl's rooms."

Namarie cocks an eyebrow. "Oh? Lead us there, Lyra."

Lyra's smile falters for a moment, but she quickly recovers, her eyes never leaving Maple's face. "Of course, Magistrix. Follow me." She turns and leads the way, her flowing robes billowing behind her like a cloud.

As they climb the stairs, the sound of laughter and chatter grows fainter, replaced by the creaking of wooden floorboards beneath their feet. Lyra stops in front of a door at the end of the hall, her hand hesitating on the handle. "She's in this room," she says softly, her eyes locked on Maple's.

Namarie's grip on Maple's shoulder tightens, her eyes fixed on Lyra's face. "Thank you, Lyra," she says, her voice low and even.

Lyra takes a deep breath, her eyes flashing with a mix of emotions. "I'll leave you to it, then," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. She bows her head slightly and steps aside, allowing Maple and Namarie to enter the room.

As they step inside, a cacophony of laughter welcomes them as they see five figures by the window. Four young ladies in white robes are seated chatting and laughing, on the floor a petite young girl with messy brown hair scraping the dirt and grime off their feet.

Maple immediately rushes forward but a pull from Namarie stops her. "I think Leone is busy, let's wait till she's done."

Maple is appalled. "What do you mean, busy." She turns to face Namarie.

"Young Leone here is a foot scraper. A humble but necessary job sometimes." Her face grow a predatory smile. "I've cast a spell so they can't see us. They have no idea we're here. I want to see how this plays out." (Here's the description of a Foot scraper. Cleaning the feet of travelers, pilgrims, and other visitors at a local inn, tavern, or bathhouse. This would involve removing dirt, grime, and calluses, and possibly even trimming toenails and treating foot ailments. The job would require a strong stomach, as feet could be quite dirty and smelly, especially after long journeys on dusty roads.

In medieval times, foot care was an important aspect of personal hygiene, and foot scrapers would play a vital role in keeping people's feet clean and healthy. It was a humble but necessary job that would require a willingness to get one's hands dirty!)

Maple, still livid decides to stay put.

As Maple and Namarie watch, the other girls begin to tease Leone, mocking her messy hair and tattered clothes. One of them kicks a foot out, splattering water and grime onto Leone's face. The others giggle, their eyes gleaming with cruelty.

Leone's face reddens, but she doesn't flinch. She continues to scrape away at their feet, her hands moving with a quiet determination.

Maple's eyes flash with anger. "Namarie, stop this," she whispers urgently. "They're being cruel to her."

Namarie's smile grows wider. "Oh, let it play out," she whispers back. "Leone can handle herself."

But as the teasing escalates, Leone's eyes begin to well up with tears. Maple can't bear it anymore. She shrugs off Namarie's grip and strides forward, her presence commanding attention.

"Leave her alone," she says, her voice firm and authoritative.

The other girls turn to face her, their smirks faltering. Leone looks up, her eyes locking onto Maple's.

Taking down her magic veil, Namarie is in view immediately sending the girls into panic. "Ma-Magistrix. Good evening... Welcome to our room." The first girl bows low, her friends mimicking her.

"Uhm... Who're you miss?" Leone quickly rubbing her eyes dry, asks the new face inches away from her.

"My name is Maple, and I'm here because I'm friends with Rosa." Maple declares with more zeal than she has ever shown.

"Ok? Thank you for being friends with her?" Leone holds a skeptical look in her face.

"Yeah, we met just today and I think I can help you." Noticing Leone's mistrust Maple tries to assure her.

"How would you like to join the Magic Institute?" Namarie's bell like voice cuts in.

...

...

...

...

Silence reigns in the room for a few moments.

"Magistrix?" "But Ma,am." "Her?" Looks of disbelief is evident in the face of the four mages in training.

"Wha-?" Leone is no different as she barely processes the information.

"Wait... What's going on Namarie?" Maple asks.

Namarie's eyes resemble twin moons as she smiles. "You wanted to help her yes? And she possesses a mana vein. Consider it as you owing me a favor."

"Wha... This is all happening so fast. Uhm thank you miss Maple, miss Namarie." Leone is immediately on her knees with her head on the floor in gratitude.

"I don't really get it, but It's ok Leone, I'll go get Rosa." Maple rushes outside to share the good news.

With Maple gone, Namarie turns to the four mages in training. "What are your names?"

The four girls immediately feel a chill go down their spines, one of them even wetting herself after looking into the crazed eyes of the headmistress.

With a bounce in her step, Maple runs out of the dormitory I'm search of Rosa. Rushing back to the spot she had left Rosa, she finds the little girl missing.

"Ehh? Rosa? Where'd you go?" Looking around the street, Maple can't find the brown haired girl.

"Where could she be? Did she get lost? No, Rosa wouldn't leave just like that." Maple's eyes scan the street frantically, her heart racing with worry. She calls out Rosa's name again and again, but there is no response. She starts to run, her feet pounding the pavement as she searches the surrounding area. But there is no sign of Rosa anywhere.

Just as Maple is starting to lose hope, she hears a faint voice calling out to her. Like a whisper, the voice flows with the wind. A sudden jolt of anxiety fills her and without hesitation she yells.

|| Cover Move ||

A flash of light and Maple disappears.

Namarie walks up to the spot Maple was in just a moment ago.

Her cheeks slightly reddens, her eyes squinting into slits as she drools.

"Oh... Maple~~"