The Last Shade V: Gaze Into The Kaleidoscope

Chapter 3

Yesterday just someone passing by and today a celebrity. Kiel woke up to find the school abuzz with the rumour "the guest lecturer is monstrously fluent in Classical and Runic Script". As the academy had no telephone either, Miss Rosaline personally intercepted Kiel on his way to the academy's gardens where he had hoped to hide.

"The principal wants to see you," she said, alarming the Shade. "Don't worry, it's nothing serious."

Deciding not to attract too much attention to himself, Kiel made himself invisible and headed to the office, reviewing contingency plans in his mind. At most, if it comes down to it, he could flee the academy and live as a fugitive till he reached the Elvar Kingdom. To think that he would be summoned because of his language proficiency, and not the stabbing incident though...

Lydia was all smiles upon seeing him, and he gave vague, noncommittal answers to the questions she eagerly fired off. Knocking once at the principal's door, a "come in" preceded Lydia opening the door to usher Kiel in.

There the principal sat, dressed in the exact same way, making Kiel momentarily feel like he had gone back in time.

"Good morning, Mr Clifford," Kiel said respectfully as the door closed, walking over to take a seat.

"Good morning, Kiel. I don't suppose you know why I called you here?"

"Isn't it because of the new rumour?"

"Well, partly so. Apparently, it originated from a student who took a look at your personal notebook. You must be quite the proficient linguist."

Kiel watched the principal pour him a cup of tea, red, just like previously.

"With all due respect, the rumours are greatly exaggerated," he said blandly.

"Is that so?" Richard asked with a twinkle in his eye. "And here I was wondering if you could take over the ill Ms Lindsay's lecture on Classical Literature for today."

"I am willing to just accept the sentiment," Kiel replied.

Richard dropped the sugar in and moved the cup to Kiel, picking up a piece of paper.

"Anyway, that aside, there are things I need to tell you regarding the Rosen-Miere Yearly Tournament. An exhibition event, if you will. Due to Milveinn and Elvar's long standing alliance, it is necessary for us to maintain a good relationship with them, and them with us. The Tournament is a joint event involving the Rosenthal Academy of Magic and the Lumiere Military Academy, in order to showcase the schools' various talents and show to all that our territories stand united."

Richard continued on this tangent, giving Kiel some background knowledge regarding this alliance. The Kingdom Elvar, though largely self-sufficient, has soil that is not very conducive to growing fresh produce en bulk. As such, in exchange for Milveinn Country supplying it with fresh fruits, vegetables and sometimes flowers, Elvar Kingdom protects Milveinn from invasions from foreign entities hoping to seize the fertile country.

In addition, there are also Elvarian officers stationed in Milveinn to help train new recruits to defend the country's borders. Putting aside the extensive Elvarian non-mage army, the kingdom also has a mage army in order to fend off regularly staged attacks by the neighbouring Crimoa Empire, with the term "front line" commonly used to refer to the weaker Elvar-Crimoa border areas where skirmishes often occur.

"Back to the Yearly Tournament," Richard said, reaching for a golden bell on his desk. "Will matcha cake do? I just got some from a friend from overseas."

At Kiel's nod, Richard shook the bell, producing a clear melodious peal. The door at the back of the office opened shortly, a neatly dressed butler bringing out two plates of the rich green dessert, garnished with whipped cream and a single mint leaf.

"It's good," Kiel commented as he tried a forkful.

"I am glad to hear it, my friend always had an impeccable taste in sweets." Richard cut himself a piece as well. "Now, about the Tournament.."

There are three main events held over a week- Second-Year Martial 1-v-1, of a total of three matches, Second-Year Arts 1-v-1 (three matches), and the Second-Year Flag Competition of five participants per school. After a day's break, were the Third-Year versions of the exact same events, so the Tournament spanned an entire week's duration.

A class from each academy's second and third-years is chosen at random to compete, and the winning academy gets a trophy and bragging rights.

"It's quite uncomplicated, isn't it?"

"...Very simple, indeed." Kiel said wryly, wondering how all that build-up led to a rather plain conclusion.

Richard handed him the paper he had been holding the whole time, marked with "Itinerary" in cursive at the top.

"Before I forget, this is for you. All you need to do is escort Rosaline's class to Elvar safely, where you would meet up with another instructor sent there in advance. By happenstance, he happens to be one of the instructors for the class the rumour originated from."

Richard smiled, seeing Kiel's expression stiffen as he rounded back to the first topic.

"Don't worry, he's a discrete person, he won't insist on answers to questions you don't wish to entertain."

Kiel's fork clinked against his empty plate, bereft of any crumbs.

"That's a relief."

Emptying his cup, the principal looked up at the grandfather clock behind Kiel's armchair.

"Oh, look at the time. I've kept you here long enough, you're free to go. I guess I'll wish you an enjoyable trip, since you are departing tomorrow."

Kiel stood up, straightening his clothes.

"I will. Thank you, Mr Clifford, and goodbye."

They shook hands briefly, Kiel's hand coming away with some of the warmth from that calloused hand.

"Bon voyage, Kiel."

                                 ———————

The academy's gardens were truly magnificent, with a large marble fountain in the centre, framed by neatly trimmed rose bushes and edged by tall hedges with charming bird-shaped topiaries at intervals. There were multiple plots of seasonal flowers, providing a riotous colour to the scenic landscape, the sound of water trickling over stones being carried over by the wind accompanying the soft rustles of weeping willow trees planted near a distant gazebo.

There were few students around at this time, most of them present to study the soil conditions of a particular plot of flowers, talking to one another in low voices. Kiel passed two students having a lovers' tryst behind the hedge maze's outermost layer, making for a secluded spot at the corner.

There was a white bench below a low wooden trellis archway overgrown with flowers, their creeping stems closely entwined together to make an effective shelter from the sun. Fluffing up a lump of permanent snow, Kiel took a seat, removing his shoes to lie down lazily, placing his notebook across his lap.

He had only written for a short while when the comfortable setting lulled him into a doze, and he dropped into a deep slumber, pen falling onto the bench.

                                 ———————

The chill of the bench beneath him made Kiel rouse, slightly disorientated by the darkness around him. Touching the bench and feeling his pen, he sat up, eyes adjusting to the darkness- it turned out that he had slept till early night. The moon was currently obscured by clouds, so Kiel made a glowing ice crystal, patted the pocket containing the notebook and strolled slowly back into the main academy building.

At night, the academy was very quiet, and apart from a rare patrolling night guard, you could hardly see anyone else. Kiel, very much awake from his long sleep, looked around and made an arbitrary decision to explore the academy's bowels- this was his last chance to anyway, since he didn't have any intention to return.

Recalling the map of the academy, Kiel smoothly navigated the way to the main stairwell, heading downwards as far as it would go and walking through a maze of hallways and corridors, letting intuition guide him to uncharted territory.

Any self-respecting building of this size is bound to have a basement. Ah!