… it’s a secret. That was a unicorn!

What in the world is he doing here?

"Big sister!"

Following her visit, the Chief Secretary led the way to the headmaster's office. Seeing me growing restless -no one would go to the headmaster's office with a light heart after all- she explained that I was not in trouble and that there was someone waiting for me there. Someone from the outside.

As far as I knew, the school did not allow visitors. To begin with, the Academy was located in a rather hostile region, secluded from any civilization.

Very few people would care to risk such a journey just to visit a relative. It's not like if students were hostages after all.

They returned home during the holidays. So I had no idea who this visitor of mine could be. As much as I would have loved to, it was very unlikely to be my mom.

My uncle or my aunt? Not a chance. And I had no other relatives. So I concluded that it must have been a mistake. However, now that I see him, I understand it's not.

"I've been looking for you everywhere!" the young boy exclaimed.

It was Axis, the child I met not so long ago in Eskor, who tried to rob me. How did he get here?

"A teacher on patrol duty found him wandering in the area," Mrs. Kelly explained.

"With all the dangerous beasts roaming around, we couldn't let such a young child alone out there so we brought him here.

Turns out he was looking for you this whole time. Do you know him?"

I nodded.

"I do. We come from the same kingdom. What is he doing here?"

"That's what we would like to know but…" the Chief Secretary let out a long sigh, "he wouldn't tell us."

"I told you I came for big sister Lynett!" Axis shot.

"Anyway," Mrs. Kelly readjusted the glasses on her nose bridge, "we've called for a carriage, but it will take a while for it to arrive. Since you know him, do you mind looking after him for a couple of days? The headmaster and I are quite busy, and the other staff members all have their own duties."

And I don't? I'm a student, I know it's the weekend, but I also have things to do, like homework and stuff like that! Well, actually I don't, but imagine if I did!

"Naturally, we will take that into account in your record," she continued, "we will be more lenient for your next assessments."

So, basically, she's not giving me the chance to refuse.

"Alright," I accepted. "I can do that."

Axis came for me for a reason after all. I'm interested in what he has to say.

The severe features of Mrs. Kelly softened as she let out a sigh of relief.

"Good, if you need anything, let me know," she said. "In the meantime, I apologize, but I'll need you to leave the room as soon as possible.

The headmaster will return soon."

Yeah, she did seem in a hurry.

I wonder if there is something wrong with the board?

As Mrs. Kelly pretty much kicked us out, I brought Axis to my room.

While boys weren't allowed in our dormitory, Axis was an exception as I had a special authorization from the Chief Secretary. Nomi hasn't heard about it yet, though. I hope she won't mind it too much.

But seeing the big deal she made out of Cotton's presence, she probably will, although those two situations aren't exactly alike.

Axis followed in silence, too busy admiring the facilities of the school to utter a single word.

For a boy like him, who has probably known nothing else but streets and precariousness, I can imagine how impressive it must be. He was in awe at the simple sight of the courtyard.

"Welcome back, Master," Cottontail greeted us upon our arrival.

She was not in her fox form anymore.

"Wow!" Axis marveled at her sight. "A demi-human girl! You have two tails? That's so cool!"

He had already seen Yoko before, but coming from a human kingdom, I guess he was still not used to seeing demi-humans.

"Axis," I called him out. "What did you come here for?" Now that we were alone, it was time for him to explain his presence here to me.

The boy's amazement died out as soon as he heard me. He put on a straight face again.

"Big sister, I need your help!" he explained, his expression set hard.

Yeah, I can guess that much. If he came all the way here, it must be serious.

"What is it?" I asked.

"My dad disappeared!"

…

Again…?

What the hell is wrong with his dad? He has a son, yet he keeps leaving him behind and disappears. Last time, it was the exact same story. Troy had supposedly 'went missing' and Axis came to me for help.

Turns out he was just following Yoko around, on his own free will, like a faithful puppy. Thinking about it, didn't Yoko leave the capital recently?

Could this be related to his so-called disappearance? Maybe he followed her again? What's his problem, is he in love with her or something?

I sighed.

"Listen Axis, I don't think we can find your dad this time," I tried to explain to him. "You should let it go."

"What?! No!" the boy protested. "He's been kidnapped!"

Yeah, I've heard that before. I can't blame him, though. His dad pretty much abandoned him. It is only natural for him to be in denial.

"Alright, alright. First, how about you tell me how you got here?" I tried to divert his attention, allowing him to calm down.

"Huh? Well… I got here by unicorn," the boy revealed.

By uni-… What the hell has he been smoking?

"It was super fast," Axis shamelessly continued, "it took less than a day to come here!"

Right. I'm guessing it also rode a rainbow to get here, huh? And that it left a drizzle of sparkles behind it?

"Can you believe that, big sister? A unicorn!" Axis insisted. "Mr. Harri wasn't lying!"

…Harri? Oh wait, fuck. He's actually telling the truth. If it's Harri we're talking about, then it wouldn't be weird for a unicorn to be involved. In fact, I did see him ride a unicorn before.

But as a legendary type of beast, it shouldn't have approached mortals. How did Axis find one, let alone ride it?

"Did Harri bring you to the unicorn?" I guessed.

The boy nodded.

"I came to find you, but you weren't here," Axis started to recount. "Mr. Harri told me you were away, out of the kingdom, and when I asked a coachman to bring me to you, he said the journey would take at least two weeks! But I didn't have two weeks before me, it was an emergency! So Mr. Harri proposed his help.

He said he knew a means of transport that would be faster than anything else, but…"

The boy marked a dramatic pause, bringing his index finger in front of his mouth.

"… it's a secret. That was a unicorn!"