Chapter 17 Dog Water

"Th-thanks..."

Rohan offered the brown-haired girl a hand to help her up. "You shouldn't have to put up with that kind of treatment," he said firmly. "No one should."

She was quiet, still unsure about the kindness of a stranger.

"The name is Rohan, by the way."

The girl hesitated for a moment before taking his hand. "I'm Mira," she replied. "And thank you, Rohan, for helping me. Not many would have..."

Rohan gave her a reassuring smile. "Courage comes in many forms," he said. "Sometimes, all it takes is one person to stand up against injustice. If you ever need assistance or someone to talk to, don't hesitate to find me. I'll be around."

Look at me, falling into my old voice lines from my previous life. Rohan, stop trying to be a hero.

Mira nodded, her gratitude evident in her eyes. As they stood there together, Rohan couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with this girl he had just met.

Rohan offered to walk Mira to her dorm, and she gratefully accepted. As they strolled through the campus, Rohan couldn't help but wonder about the nickname they had given her during the entrance exam.

"So, Mira," he began cautiously, "I couldn't help but overhear them calling you 'dog water.' What's the story behind that? If you don't mind me asking."

Mira hesitated for a moment, her expression troubled. "It's because of something that happened during the duel," she finally replied, her voice tinged with embarrassment. "But I'd rather not talk about it. It's a bit... humiliating."

Rohan nodded, respecting her decision not to disclose the details. "I understand. We all have our moments, right?"

Mira nodded.

Rohan decided to break the tension with some light-hearted conversation. "You know," he began with a sigh, "I have to retake the entrance exam too. Apparently, my last duel wasn't impressive enough, and now I have to show off some combative spells."

Mira's eyes widened in surprise. "You? But you seemed so... talented back there."

Rohan chuckled. "Well, it seems the academy has high standards. I guess they want to make sure I'm  not all talk."

Mira managed a small smile, grateful for the change in topic. "I suppose we'll have to practice hard to prove ourselves."

"Exactly!" Rohan agreed. "I'll make sure I'm well-prepared this time. And hey, maybe we'll both up as classmates."

Mira nodded, her spirits lifted. It was comforting to have found a friend in Rohan, someone who understood the challenges they both faced.

Rohan couldn't help but see a little bit of his mother and sister in Mira. She had brown hair like his mother, and that could mean she came from a lower background. She was being pushed around by those aristocrats like she was a plaything.

Mira managed a small smile, appreciating Rohan's understanding. "Thank you for being so understanding. And don't worry, I'm sure you'll do great in the retest."

Rohan chuckled, wanting to lighten the mood. "I hope so. I'll have to brush up on my combat spells, though. It's just a bit frustrating, you know?"

Their conversation continued as they walked towards Mira's dorm, two aspiring mages facing the challenges and uncertainties of the academy together.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden hue across the picturesque campus of the Academy for Magus Arts, the evening descended with a tranquil beauty of its own. The cobblestone pathways, lined with ancient, ivy-covered buildings, took on a soft, ethereal glow under the gentle light of lampposts that flickered to life, powered by magic topazes. These enchanted gems infused the campus with a soft, welcoming radiance, their ethereal light casting intricate patterns on the cobblestones below.

The air was cool and crisp, carrying with it the faint scent of blooming flowers from the academy's well-maintained gardens. It was a peaceful time when the demands of magical studies could briefly be set aside, allowing friendships to flourish and dreams to take root under the starlit sky.

The grandeur of the kingdom's capital could be seen in the distance, its towering spires and bustling streets becoming a twinkling tapestry of lights as night settled in.

They finally arrived at Mira's dorm, a quaint and cozy building nestled among the structures of the campus. As they stood before the entrance, Mira turned to face Rohan with a warm smile, her eyes reflecting a newfound sense of gratitude and appreciation.

"Thank you, Rohan," she said sincerely, her voice carrying a soft, melodic quality. "You've been so kind to me. I really appreciate your help and walking me back."

Eliza's face appeared in Rohan's mind. If she were being escorted back by a young man to her dorm, what would be the most polite thing to say?

Rohan nodded, returning Mira's smile. "Of course, Mira. It was my pleasure. If you ever need anything or just want to talk, don't hesitate to find me. I'll be in the boy's dormitory."

Mira's heart skipped a beat at his words.

Did that sound creepy? Better just leave now and avoid her to not make the wrong impression.

With a final farewell, Rohan turned to make his way back to his own dormitory, leaving Mira to settle with this newfound connection.