The Legendary Magicians (Etalsian Legends Book One)

Chapter Ten

CHAPTER TEN: The Beginning

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"I can't believe this!"

ANNE EXCLAIMED IN disbelief as the Earth pendant activated upon Mako's wearing. She looked down at the Wind pendant on her person and then rolled her eyes.

"We're seriously teaming up with her? We don't even know her that much!" she continued, not minding that the Earth Magician had fainted.

"Anne, come on," Xandri hung her arm around her friend's shoulder; "you know better than to judge a book by its cover."

"Yeah, but she acted all suspicious during our first meeting and, I must say, first impressions do last long."

"But she was only there to give me a message, right?" Juji articulated after resting Mako on the couch.

Anne switched her gaze between the two, before sighing and surrendering. She held both hands up, saying, "Fine, I'll get to know her."

Though it was but followed by the thought of, 'She remains suspicious to me. What if she wasn't really here to send a message? What if she's a pawn of the Count? What if, if I didn't insist that Xandri and Juji should not be alone with her, they would be attacked unprepared?'

Ms. Sing entered the Hlidskialf Room with a huge grin. Obviously, she had been listening to the girls' exchange.

She nodded in acknowledgment at the director, who rested his back on his swivel chair while watching the four girls.

"I see we now have four Legendary Magicians with us," Ms. Sing remarked.

"Yes, and we still need to find the other eight," said Director Dion, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the desk.

"Any news from the principal?"

The director shook his head. "He's taking too much time."

Juji raised a hand and said, "How about we try to search for them, too?"

Anne tilted his head to look past Xandri and eye the back of Juji's head. "You do know we aren't familiar with this realm yet, right?"

Juji faced Anne. "That's another goal! We can try exploring this realm and familiarize ourselves with it."

"Wouldn't that delay our return to Etals?" Anne reasoned.

"I..." Xandri began, which turned the two girls' attention unto her. "...think that's a good idea."

Juji smiled at Xandri's agreement while Anne stared at her for a moment.

"You're... agreeing?" asked Anne.

Xandri nodded. "Is there a problem?"

Anne pressed her palms on both of Xandri's cheeks and made her look her in the eyes. "Aren't you the one rushing everyone to find a way back home?"

With her squeezed cheeks, she answered, "Yes, I am."

"Then, please clarify: Why did you agree with Juji's idea? Why are we going to explore and familiarize ourselves with the Magicless Region when we'll be leaving soon? I don't think that's needed."

"Because we now have confirmed that the Count is here. That's what caused this change of perspective."

Anne finally let Xandri's cheeks go. "Alright, I understand your point."

Then, she looked at Juji. "I don't think that's what she meant when she suggested that though."

"Of course, we both know that she really loves being out of the house." Xandri laughed.

Anne nodded and joined the laughter. Juji pouted for a moment before laughing with the two. Director Dion and Ms. Sing smiled at their interaction.

"W-What's... going on?" Mako stirred awake. The laughter died down as soon as she moved to sit up.

"Nothing that would be of interest to you." Anne rolled her eyes.

"Annie~" Juji called her in a sing-song tone with a knowing smile on her lips. Anne sighed.

Director Dion cleared his throat to get the girls' attention. "So, as I've said earlier, we still need to find the other eight Legendary Magicians."

"And we agreed with Juji's idea of helping the principal with the search," Xandri added.

Mako massaged her temples. "This necklace gave me one hell of a headache, damn," she muttered under her breath.

"You know what, girls? I think you should try using the jewels," Ms. Sing beamed excitedly.

Xandri looked at one of her hands and repeatedly shut and opened it. "Well, yeah, I think I would like to know how it works. My body temperature feels weird. I'm feeling a bit cold from this room's air-conditioning unit. I'm used to being unbothered by the cold."

Juji entwined her hand with Xandri's other one and smiled. The latter's eyes widened in surprise.

"Well, I'm also used to you being as cold as a corpse, Xandri. It does feel weird that you're as warm as me. But I don't mind. You're still my Xandri."

And Xandri's face flushed a bright shade of pink.

THE THREE WENT back to Ymir Section's classroom with Mako. Pat had already left, insisting on exploring the realm on his own.

"I believe introductions are in order?" Melon beamed, clapped her hands, and then waved her hand in Mako's direction.

Waverick stood up and greeted the newcomer with a curtsy. "I am Waverick Witeveen, a half-Lightning Magician and the current Class Mayor. I look forward to working with you."

Juji looked at Xandri. Her eyes said, "Since when was he this kind?" And the latter responded with a shrug of her shoulders.

Mako smiled and then faced everyone in the class. "I am Makeen Coyne, nice to meet you! You may call me Mako for short."

"I guess this is it. This is the beginning," Lemon mumbled meaningfully from the back row.

Melon's cheerful voice lowered as she looked at her twin with a delighted smirk. "It seems our days would no longer be so boring."

Lemon closed her eyes and leaned back against her seat. "Oyaji has already seen this. It's because of his strict instruction that we cannot disclose what he saw using his See The Future technique."

Melon sighed and leaned her head against the back of her hand. "But personally, my dear twin, I would like to see what tousan has seen using my own eyes. I hate using only my imagination, relying on his narrative."

Lemon tilted her head toward her sister and opened her eyes, staring at the similar pair. "However you imagine it, this is definitely the beginning, oneesan."

"Hehe~ I can't wait to witness it!" Melon's smile somehow exuded an air of eeriness, but Lemon didn't flinch at the familiarity.

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