Chapter 28

- Hmm, not bad..." I looked at the multi-layered mana shield and dispersed it with satisfaction. I stood up from the ground and stretched.

I was on the training ground that Gideon had created. Oh, that sarcastic scientist, from the first minute we met, tried to ask me if I had any revolutionary ideas in my head. He was happy to get a negative answer, and then he talked about the little monsters that could take away his work.

A week and a half had passed since my injury. Because of my increased regeneration, I was able to heal completely by the third day. Surprisingly, my mana reserve was even greater, almost equal to that of silver stage spellcasters, allowing me to use my mana more freely without worrying about running out of it.

- Huh, maybe I should go for a walk. - I got up and changed, and walked out of the hall and toward the park. It was early in the morning, and I had an hour before the meeting at the AC started.

Sitting down on a bench, I took a deep breath. As soon as I stepped out into the courtyard I realized how empty the campus was when most of the students weren't even awake yet. I felt lighter, without the constant stares and whispers around me.

- I'll sit down.

- Sure, Arthur. - With a glimpse of the boy, I looked up at the clear sky.

- I explained everything to Tess. Had to prove my serious intentions, of course... - he blushed at those words. - But she said she'd wait, though she was a little disappointed.

- Good for you. Kids grow up so fast... ttz," I looked at Arthur indignantly, rubbing the side he'd elbowed in with his mana-enhanced elbow. - I was just trying to lighten the mood, why fight?

- My arm came off, I'm sorry. - Without any regret, and smiling evilly, he answered.

- I believe you, gladly.

- By the way, the other day, I had a conversation with Caitlin. She was apologizing for the trouble her family had caused me, and from some of her reservations at your mention, she seemed to feel something for you.

- Did she? - I looked at him with surprise. - It's a bit of a surprise. But I don't think she will rush things as fast as the Elf, and I have nothing to worry about yet.

- And how do you feel about her yourself? - he asked with interest.

- Hmm, I don't know. She's not very talkative, like you, but she doesn't show much emotion as you do, but it's comfortable with you," I shrugged indefinitely. - In the future, it will be more clear. - I looked at Arthur, who moved away from me with a strange expression on his face.

- ...Are you one of those?

I smiled wryly, and the next thing I knew, a pillar of earth flew out next to Arthur, and he fell to the ground, rubbing his ass sullenly.

- Looks like the meeting's about to start. - As if nothing had happened, I stood up, dodging the Ballad of Dawn in the process. - Gotta hurry.

***

I stopped Arthur, who had gone into his own thoughts and almost walked through the DK hall. The committee had access to one of the largest halls in the academy, with a double training room. We were a little late, because of Arthur, who decided to test my multi-layered shield.

As soon as I opened the door, Curtis flew into the wall next to us.

- Still too weak! - Theodore grumbled disappointedly, rubbing his right fist.

Ah, Arthur, Aaron! You came! - Claire, who had been watching the duel from the sidelines with Ethan, waved her hand in greeting.

- Ugh... I can't believe I still can't take even one punch from you, Theodore. Oh, hey, Arthur, Aaron -Curtis seemed grateful to me for saving the Elf, and more friendly to me.

- Can I help you? - Arthur held out his hand, but he just shook his head.

- No, I'm fine. Besides, the duel isn't over yet," Curtis smiled, getting to his feet and picking up his sword.

We sat down with Claire, and I began to watch the duel.

And one moment, seeing Theodore float through the air, I stabbed my forehead with the palm of my hand.

- How could I have forgotten about flying..." Under Ethan's bewildered stare, I stepped away.

Concentrating, I made my body as light as possible, and then, pushing myself off the floor, nearly hitting the ceiling.

"Hmm, if you push off the ground a lot with gravity, you could fly in principle, only, it would be too mana-consuming, and you'd have to take the time to do it..." - I sat down at the table after returning to the ground, lost in my own thoughts.

- Now that everyone's here, I want you to take your seats so we can start the meeting"-hearing Ethan's voice, I came to my senses as I looked at the assembled members of the DC.

The hall consisted of two floors. The first floor had a large arena with all kinds of equipment, as well as a gym. The second floor had a balcony overlooking the first floor, a blackboard, several offices, and one large oval table with ten chairs.

Ethan sat at the very end of the table, next to the blackboard, and Claire and Theodore took seats to his left and right. Kai and Curtis and Fayrit sat next to Claire, and Theodore was joined by Doradrea and Caitlin. I, on the other hand, remained seated next to Caitlin, and Arthur sat directly in front of me.

- Although the committee is only in its first year, I have long been working with Headmistress Goodsky and the student council president to effectively build and set up the DC in the academy to maintain order, eliminate discrimination, uncoordinated fights, and catch miscreants. To that end, we decided to divide the committee into two teams. The juniors and the seniors. The seniors, Theodore, Curtis, Kai, Claire, and I, will split into pairs and patrol the campus in the morning when we don't have class. The freshmen: Caitlin, Fayrite, Doradrea, Arthur, and Aaron will also walk around campus during the day, filling in for the seniors while they study. - Ethan wrote out our names and assigned them to teams.

Arthur, wanted to raise his hand, and noticing this, Ethan hurriedly spoke up.

- Since Arthur and Aaron attend both the senior and junior classes, they will be excused from this duty. However, they should be ready to arrive to help at any moment. In addition, I have received permission from Goodscay to allow you to be no more than ten minutes late for class.

- I've already discussed which rookie will take on solo patrols, and Caitlin has volunteered to take on the task. If you need any help, ask for it anytime. - The princess nodded.

- How will we communicate with each other? - Fayrite asked.

- As soon as you picture in your mind any of the members of the DK with your hand on the scabbard, the stone in the dagger will glow brightly, letting you know if you're in trouble. Each officer's dagger stone has a specific color. - As soon as Ethan said this, Claire immediately started writing different colors and our names on the board.

Ethan - Brown.

Claire - Pink.

Kai - Silver.

Theodore Yellow

Fayrite - Green

Doradrea - Dark Red

Curtis - Red

Caitlin - Blue

Arthur - Black

Aaron - White.

- Racists..." Arthur whispered to me, which made me chuckle.

- The last topic of today's meeting is night patrols. I know it's hard for one person, so we'll take turns patrolling in pairs - our leader looked around for any dissent.

- Can I volunteer to take my sister's shift? I wouldn't feel comfortable knowing that Caitlin might be in danger while I sleep"- Curtis said, scratching his head and looking at me intently for some reason.

- Are you sure you can handle it, Curtis? Patrolling two shifts at night is going to be tough," Claire asked anxiously.

I looked at Caitlin and saw that she really wanted to intervene, but was silent.

- She's assigned to the night watch team with me, right? I can patrol alone.

- You don't have to..." the princess jumped up immediately, but hesitated, unable to find the words.- Hmm...well, since Caitlin has taken over Aaron's day shifts, I think it's only fair. Okay, you have my permission, Aaron. You two can patrol on your own, but I'm asking you as a leader - call the others for help right away if you feel you can't handle it - Ethan said in a firm voice, looking at us sternly.

- All right, since all the technical matters are taken care of, you are free to go. Or you can stay here and practice until classes start. These rooms will always be open to DC members, so make yourself at home! I've slept here once or twice before, haha! - Claire took the floor and exclaimed.

Curtis patted me on the back meaningfully as he walked past, and Arthur seemed to go toward the couches to get some sleep, though by the looks of Doradrey and Theodore, he certainly wouldn't be left alone. I, on the other hand, went in the direction of the training room to practice a little speed creating a mana shield, along with Ethan, who had agreed to help.