Marie was staring at the ceiling with a facial expression suggesting no single thought had crossed her mind today. Despite her admittedly mindless appearance, she was slowly mulling over the last few troublesome events. Well... Maybe not troublesome but concerning. While Nicola and Fiona spent time with their families, she was hanging out with Clovis. He was sitting nearby, leaning over the wall, and sighing equally heavily.

"What are you thinking about?" Marie asked in a toneless voice.

"Well... It's just... I don't know how to put it..." He grumbled. "Sometimes, I feel like I'm interrupting my sister and Auburn."

Marie very slowly turned her gaze to the young Wolfkin and sighed. "They are married so, I guess, they just want to be together sometimes... Mom and Dad always waited for me to go to sleep before they..."

"Before they… what?" He asked with curiosity.

"Honestly, I don't know. Mr Fluffles said they were talking about adult stuff, and it's boring, so I shouldn't bother them because they might involve me."

"And that's it?"

"Probably not." She reluctantly shrugged. "But a few times I saw some Dad staying late and preparing training drills or organisation charts for a new unit and that's extremely boring! Once, he even wanted my help with it and I thought I would die of boredom! And that's adult stuff for sure!"

"Damn..." Clovis shook his head.

"But sometimes, while he's working, I'd interrupt him with some questions, and he'd say, after a while, that I should play with you guys." Marie sighed. "Maybe Dhalia and Auburn don't want to answer questions?"

"We are seven. We don't ask that many questions anymore..." Clovis shook his head and hesitated. "Well... Most of the time..."

"I think you should just get some books to read when you are bored," Marie suggested.

"Maybe..." Clovis sighed and looked at her. "What's bothering you?"

"As you pointed out, we are seven." She sighed. "Next month, we will start attending the Academy..."

"Yeah...?" He nodded carefully, absolutely puzzled about where she was going with it.

"But... We could start at the University."

"But that's going to..." He started awkwardly and he choked on his words. "If we could start at the University, we would have more time to attend most of the classes before we graduate."

"Exactly!" She opened her hands powerlessly. "But we would miss the fun and interesting courses at the Academy..."

"Well... Now, when you mentioned it, I don't think it's going to be as fun as we imagine." He crossed his legs and hunched over, making Marie turn her head at him and raised her eyebrow. "Don't give me that stare! I think we are going to be bored at the Academy. Most of the kids there won't even have a class or have the most basic one and they are going to spend nearly two years testing and trying to determine what class suits them best. Two years, Marie!"

She sat up as if the ground was on fire and burned her back. She ruffled her shoulder-length black hair and groaned painfully. "I completely forgot about that!"

"Yeah? Me too..." He shook his head and rubbed his chin. "In a best-case scenario, the teachers would let us skip the early courses and we would join the older kids. But if they don't let us skip that, we will be stuck babysitting more kids than the time we helped you with your punishment!"

"Frick..." Marie cursed as she grabbed her hair in frustration. "Then we don't really have a choice, do we?! We should try to get to the University..."

"But there is a problem with that. We are, technically, too young! Maybe Fiona and Nicole could try, but we are seven." He grumbled.

"So what?" Marie grinned mischievously. "If we start bothering Stella right now, she should have softened enough to allow us to attend the University by the time we officially apply. If we see that asking Stella is pointless, we can ask Aunts Irene and Amber. If everything fails, however, we have to go to the Emperor."

Clovos hesitated and slightly lowered his head, focusing his gaze on the individual grass blades in front of him. It was true that Marie was uniquely positioned within the Empire and, basically, was the Royal Family's protegé, if not someone more. But, he wasn't nearly as comfortable as she was in their presence. However, she might be right on this one. The prospect of being borderline bored for the next two years seemed too dangerous to ignore. With a defeated sigh, he raised his head and nodded with a grim resolve.

"Okay. Let's do that." He slowly stood up and dusted off his pants. "But first, let's fetch Fiona and Nicole. I don't like the idea of splitting our party if they insist on going to the Academy but, at least, we have to talk with them."

"Obviously..." Marie briefly nodded and grinned. "You go get Fiona and I'll fetch Nicole."

•••

"Hmm..." Stella looked at four kids with a thoughtful expression and hummed. "I must admit that I'm shocked and very positively surprised by your sudden desire to attend the University..."

"Please!" Marie begged.

"Imagine this, I would gladly allow you to attend the University." All four small faces brightened but then she shook her head with a sigh. "However, I can't imagine you studying with the regular students, kids. The pace and complexity of some of the courses is so fast that we already have a seventy percent drop-out rate as it is."

"We talked about it between us, Scion Stella." Nicola raised her hand calmly. She was the oldest of the group and, seemingly, the most timid but also the most level-headed of her party. "But we won't attend the accelerated courses as they are currently in most of the education facilities of Arcadia."

"Oh?" The Faé Queen tilted her head curiously.

"Indeed!" The doors to the office slammed open, letting in a widely smiling Nekomi.

"Professor Shirley..." Stella slowly nodded with a smile and, suddenly, it was obvious that she had already realised what was going on.

"At this rate, our education system is going to fall behind other nations who, undoubtedly, are bound to catch up with us if they want to compete with Arcadia in any meaningful way." Shirley walked with grace towards Stella's desk while her white lab coat flopped in her wake. "The accelerated courses are shamefully basic and obviously shallow. Our graduates are merely equipped with basic knowledge and skills that allow them to recognise which part of the library contains the books on the subjects they lack. Yes, yes... They are ready for what's after University, but how many of them are interested in the pursuit of academic knowledge and expanding the boundaries of Arcadian knowledge?"

"Do you and Olivia count?" Stella asked with a poker face.

"No!" Shirley raised her hands in indignation.

"Then zero." Stella shrugged.

"I don't suggest that any of those four will suddenly become a future teacher, but..." Shirley grinned at the kids, "You never know. However, we have to slow down the education process. The absolute madness of what we currently call lessons, leaves our graduates drained mentally and physically at the end of the accelerated course. Yes, I know we need people who know what they are doing in various posts and occupations within the Empire, but that's barely it. They have the confidence born more from the sheer survival of their University or Military Academy time than any practical knowledge."

"Well... I can't really argue with you, but I don't see the connection between Marie's party and our rather significant education problem." Stella leaned on her side and rested her head on her hand.

"Oh, on the contrary!" Shirley opposed with a grin. "As they are now, they will spend at least eight years at the University. That will give us at least four to tweak their education plans, see how they are handling the material. They are talented but, no matter how talented they are, they won't be able to graduate because they are young."

Stella looked at the kids with renewed interest.

"Miss Shirley is right." Fiona eagerly nodded. "We decided to join the University, because we are too young to even dream of joining the Military Academy. On the other hand, we are too powerful to start classes with, sorry, but please admit it, clueless kids who don't know what class they want at the Adventurers Academy."

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"You said it yourself, we have time and we are young. We could, as well, use that time to learn things instead of being bored during lectures that you, personally, already gave us, Miss Stella!" Marie chimed in. "We... We still don't know what we want to do in the future. Yes, we have our classes and we are proficient with them... But, even I realise that we might not be able to become adventurers as we once dreamt. I mean... Our parents are important figures and they probably expect us to... To... I don't know! Be like them, I guess?"

Stella smiled, surprised by how thoughtful Marie had become during her punishment time.

"That's why, we know, we should learn." Clovis nodded with conviction. "My sister and Auburn always repeat that knowledge is power but misused knowledge leads to a downfall. I don't know what exactly they mean but I certainly don't want to fall down."

Shirley and Stella laughed.

"Twenty students, Shirley." Stella looked at the Nekomi who beamed the widest smile the kids had seen. "And you're going to be their, more or less, homeroom teacher."

"Very well!"

"You have five weeks to create a sound curriculum and gather the required group..." Stella continued while the kids were sparkling with their small victory. Surprisingly quiet...

"I have a few ideas already..." The Nekomi rubbed her chin with two fingers as she thoughtfully nodded.

"In that case, you five are free. Shoo!" Stella chuckled and watched them leave.

She probably should have informed Lord Theon and Lady Amber about this, but they were still occupied with their guests. It could wait till the evening...

As the doors to the Headmaster's office closed behind them, Marie and Clovis high-fived and started giggling. Fiona and Nicole were not overly happy like their friends but they cheerfully smiled as well. However, when the kids moved to leave, they discovered that Professor Shirley's hands were clamped on Marie's and Clovis's shoulders.

"Oh, you aren't going anywhere..." Her melodic and friendly tone had some unexpected iron notes to it. "I know you chased this mostly because you are afraid to be bored like this last year but, now, we have to be a bit more serious..."

The kids looked at each other and they suddenly realised that the world of grown-ups was very complicated...

•••

While the kids spent the rest of the day with Shirley and suddenly started questioning their life choices, elsewhere, an Ebrusian Prince was looking angrily at one of the nobles who decided to come with him.

"You fool..." Islur's eyes narrowed dangerously but an unexpected and cutting smile slowly spread on his face. "To simply go and ask an Arcadian Guardsman for a duel... You damn fool!"

The remaining young adults looked at the pair in silence. Even the two other Ebrusian nobles hid behind their commoner colleagues to avoid being dragged into the discussion between the Crown Prince and the son of Marquess Balear.

"Your Highness!" The young noble was shocked.

"No! No, no..." Islur gradually relaxed which, in turn, was very unnerving for everyone watching. They knew the Prince's volatile character pretty well. If he calmed down, it meant that disaster was near. "You are going to learn something about Arcadians, Kylan Balear. I'll allow that duel... In fact, everyone is coming with us!"

Balear smiled as if he were victorious already. They left the common area and entered the Embassy's reception hall where three Guardsmen were waiting.

"I would like to apologise for the inconvenience, Sir Xavier before anything else." Islur bowed his head with his fist respectfully pressed to his chest. "I only hope that Kylan has not broken any Arcadian law."

"Good afternoon, Lord Ebrus." Captain Xavier exchanged an equally polite bow with the Prince which deepened the shock of the young Ebrusians behind them. "Fortunately, the challenge he issued was acceptably polite and done nearly privately which allowed us to keep everything secret so far. However, it's not a common or wise practice to challenge Guards during their active duty to fight duels... I also have my reservations about allowing it to proceed-"

"I knew you were cowards!" Kylan interrupted, but he was thoroughly ignored, which further wounded his ego.

"I have to agree with you, Captain Xavier," Islur said with his eyes slightly narrowed and turned towards the audacious noble. "However... I must insist on their duel. I deeply believe it's going to be an eye-opening experience for my people here."

"Are you-"

"Of course, I will insist on the full formula of the duel. No rules except that it is a one-on-one format with five rounds for three minutes, or until the opponent is unable to continue fighting. Of course, we are talking about a first blood duel. I will also provide the Embassy's training hall so we can avoid any unwanted attention. I would also insist on keeping this... " Islur hummed and smiled. "Ah yes, a friendly and private competition with no hard feelings at the end. Is that acceptable?"

He looked more at the stupefied Kylan than the Arcadian Guardsmen who seemed to receive special orders regarding handling Ebrusians.

"Of course! I swear by my name!" Kylan pridefully smashed his fist on his chest.

"Private Wendel!" Captain Xavier rubbed his eyebrows. "Do you accept his challenge? You won't be held responsible for dereliction of your duty, this time."

Captain Xavier was involved in this mess because he was the nearest officer, just by virtue of simply passing by while he assisted Miss Hope in her daily groceries. What's worse, she was dragged into the mess, as well, since he couldn't leave her alone. She had observed the situation unfold with a growing shock and disgust on her face.

"Yes, Sir!" One of the Guardsmen stepped out and saluted.

"Let's be done with this nonsense..." Xavier shook his head.

"I can't agree more, Captain." Islur briefly nodded and led the way towards the underground training hall.

Private Wendel began taking off his armour, which shocked Kylan. "Are you already preparing excuses for your loss?!"

"Are you sure you want to fight me in my full battlegear?" The Private stopped in his tracks and gave the young noble an incredulous gaze.

"Of course!" Kylan put on his helmet and drew his sword. "I must warn you that I'm level 52. So, if you don't want to be hurt, you can surrender now."

"In that case, I must warn you that I'm a level 100 Guardsman," Wendel said which immediately stirred a hushed discussion between the Ebrusians.

"Enough with your jokes!" Kylan shouted and nodded at Islur. "On your mark, my Prince!"

Islur sighed and gave them a mark to start by dropping his raised hand. He was eager to see what the Guardsmen were capable of but he wasn't stupid enough to challenge them.

"Blinding Dash!" Kylan shouted and his movements blurred.

Private Wendel simply stepped aside, leaving one of his legs outstretched. Predictably, the young Ebrusian noble tripped over it and slammed into the ground, betrayed by his own skill's momentum. Islur had to put insane effort into containing his laughter.

"Point for Private Wendel!" The Prince judged after it was clear that Kylan wasn't going to stand up immediately.

"That was a dirty move!" Kylan stood up with his face red but otherwise not wounded.

Islur was impressed by the training hall's enchantments that allowed for such a thing.

"There are no rules on the battlefield, kid." Captain Xavier snarled. "Your rules stated that there are only two rules for this duel: one-on-one and no lethal strikes. So... Deal with it."

The young noble opened his mouth but Islur raised his hand, about to start another round. Kylan drew his breath sharply and assumed another aggressive stance. The Prince dropped his hand and Kylan rushed forward, slightly hunched to one side. The Private, still unarmed, shook his head in disbelief and put one of his hands behind his back. As Kylan tried to deliver a stab, Wendel, in one fluent motion, just slapped away his blade, grabbed his wrist and threw the young noble to the ground over his head in a fairly spectacular manner. The boy slammed the training hall floor again, in a way that made everyone except the Arcadians wince. The air was violently hammered out of Kylan's lungs but Wendel stepped back, not delivering any further blows. Still, it was enough.

"Round two goes to Private Wendel as well!" Islur announced in a neutral voice but his eyes shone with satisfaction. "Kylan? Do you yield?!"

"No!" He yelled, furious and gasped for air.

"Very well. Prepare!" Islur shouted and raised his arm without giving Kylan time to recover. "You know the rules, Kylan. I can't drag out the time between the rounds."

The Bearkin noble gritted his teeth and quickly scrambled to his feet just before the Prince dropped his hand. This time, it was Wendel who attacked first. The young Human wasn't even trying to be flashy or impress anyone. He was fast, faster than it should be possible without using a skill. However, that was what fighting someone at level 100 looked like. The sheer statistics difference put those who achieved it at another level, setting them apart from others who oftentimes couldn't even hope to reach such immense heights. The Private passed near Kylan, grabbed him by the collar of his chest plate and simply pressed him to the ground as Wendel kneeled on his right knee, killing his momentum. Kylan groaned in pain as he lay on the floor, again.

"Kylan, you have lost..."

"No! I will fight the full five battles!" The Ebrusian noble yelled despite the pain he was in.

"Very well..." Islur sighed and shook his head in disapproval. "You only collect more shame to your name, however, suit yourself. Ready?!"

The prince raised his hand for the fourth time and Kylan barely managed to stand up. Kylan tried to approach his opponent more steadily. This time, Wendel put both his hands behind his back and stood in a fairly relaxed pose as if he mocked the Bearkin but his eyes were emotionless and tracked Kylan's every move. The Noble cut with his sword but it was like trying to cut wind. Wendel gently avoided every strike with a slight frown on his face. But it was obvious that he wasn't toying with Kylan after just a few heartbeats when he simply punched him in the face which again put an end to the round.

"Four battles lost!" Islur announced without any emotion.

Kylan roared in fury and, without waiting for the announcement of the start of the last round, he summoned an Ifrit. The fire summon roared and placed itself between Kylan and Wendel. The Bearkin noble breathed heavily and while his eyes were hazy from the wounds he sustained, there was also something dangerous within him.

"Stop this instant, Kylan!" Islur shouted but the young man wasn't listening anymore. "You disgrace your house!"

Only that last warning seemed to snap Kylan out of his maddening fury. He blinked and suddenly he froze in fear. "By the Goddess! I ordered you to stop..."

However, the Ifrit roared, and it was obvious that it was not listening to Kylan anymore...

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