The Secret Plains

5

"So what you're saying," the boy in front of me said, "that you lied to practically everyone in the Fairen Province that you're a level 2 explorer, but you don't even know what the heck that is cuz you're a human?"

"Not a human," Ilkesi said. "She's also a velai, but she isn't a fairy. Frankly, I don't know what she is."

I decided to introduce myself. "I'm-"

"Kay Leathe? I know who you are, I've been stalking you for 2 weeks." The boy smirked. I looked at him in confusion. "Don't you remember me?" he continued.

I turned to Ilkesi for confirmation and Ilkesi looked at me with an apologetic smile. "Hey Kay, remember that friend of mine that I stopped from attacking you?"

I was still confused until it finally hit me. "You're Lucas... hold up why have you been stalking me for 2 weeks?"

"Isn't it obvious? I think you're cute," Lucas smirked as Ilkesi hit him on the head. His smirk immediately contorted to a look of amusement and pain. "Kesi, what the heck!"

"Stop flirting with her! We're in dire need of your help!" Ilkesi scolded.

"But I'm a werewolf, our explorer techniques are different from yours." Lucas pointed out.

"Just the basics that they teach everyone. I'm not an explorer so I can't help." Ilkesi said

"What about Greta? She's a level 3 explorer, isn't she? She's going to level 4 next semester." Lucas said.

"Who's Greta?" I ask.

"She's my cousin. My actual cousin." Ilkesi said, turning to me momentarily, then turned back to Lucas. "Lucas, please. Greta is in Pixia right now, she's not coming back until 3 days from now! Just for these 3 days, please?" Ilkesi begged.

Lucas thought about it. "Fine," he finally said.

"Thank you-"

"But!" Lucas interrupted Ilkesi. "I need payment."

"What do you want?" she replied.

"When I need an excuse to skip class when the semester starts, you get that excuse. I don't care what it is, as long as it is effective," Lucas said. "Or make something that makes me look like I'm in class."

"Lucas, that's an illusion! You're asking me to do something I'm not learning until I'm going to level 4!" Ilkesi begged.

"Well learn earlier! Now, for me to teach you the basics, you will come here, to this field, at sunrise, and leave at 12. You learn tomorrow, you practice for the 2 days until Greta comes back. Level 1 is the basics that they teach every being so it should be easy enough." Lucas turned to me.

"Thank you, Lucas," I smiled at him.

"No need to thank me, Kay. Ilkesi, however-"

"Kay, let's go." Ilkesi rolled her eyes, grabbed my hand, and started to walk away from Lucas.

"Sunrise, exactly!" Lucas yelled towards us.

"We'll be there!" I yell back, while Ilkesi rolls her eyes and walks faster.