Chapter 252 - Return To Ishgar {28} Cheerful Sherria (1/2)
As the last of the leftover dinner was being consumed by the combined might of the girls, Warrod stood up, stretched and flicked a coin at the girls, ”Thanks for dinner, children.” Touka caught the coin and bowed her head slightly.
”You're welcome, Sir!” After Warrod's little intimidation joke, she had started seeing him with different eyes. She never really listened when Amell said not to ever judge by the exterior. She learned that this was the truth when she met Warrod. He was powerful, he just didn't flaunt his strength like most other wizards did.
”Hohoho, I'll be most interested to see you when you grow up, young one.” He winked at Briar which caused her cheeks to grow a little redder. She just nodded without an oral response. ”And you, Touka. Take care of yourself, hope you get everything in order.” Warrod lastly turned to Amell.
”My old friend, I truly hope we see each other again soon. At that point, I shall buy you a drink.”
”And, you owe me dinner.” They shook hands and Warrod went on his way. He still had a job to do here in this forest.
”Girls, pack up your stuff, we are leaving soon.”
”Where are we going?” Briar asked. She couldn't move at the moment, she had eaten too much food so she was going into a food-coma.
”The magic council. There are two candidates there that I want to check on. Go on now, pack your things and meet me here in one hour.” He disappeared and left the girls alone. After much struggle, they managed to get onto their feet and get on with their packing.
************************
In the open courtyard of the council, a rift that looked to be spawned from the chaos realm itself opened up. It wasn't gigantic, but it was big enough for every guard that was on duty to notice it. What came after was even stranger, a little girl came skipping out of it like it was another regular Tuesday. That had the guard's jaws hit the floor, then came to another surprise from the rift. A seconds young girl, this one a lot timider than the first. And, finally, the last one out was a large man. A gigantic man to be precise. He stepped out like he owned the place and snapped his fingers to close the rift.
”This place is massive, but people are a lot weaker than I thought.” Touka looked around in contempt, and she was measuring all the people she saw. The White wizard almost awoke from the collective amount of magic-powered beings working in this place. Being around Amell had been training in itself as she had to constantly push her other personality down. Compared to Amell, these mages working for the council didn't amount to much, and that made it a little easier keeping the White wizard in check. The only problem was how many of them there were. Touka felt the calling of the White wizard deep in her soul to consume them all and take their magic.
”Maybe the strong ones are not home yet,”
”That's not really how the council works, Briar! The weak ones are usually the only ones to leave this place to go on missions and such.” Amell saw an officer approaching so he shoved the girls behind him. ”Stay back, for now, we are not here to fight them.” He whispered to the girls.
”Portgas D Amell! What business have you on council grounds this afternoon?” It was a high ranked officer dressed in white and blue robes.
”I'm here to visit the academy.” Amell's tone made it sound like a command and not simply a request. The officer putting on a brave front had sweat running down his back. Amell was a man that could insult the entire council without suffering for it. The officer cursed his colleague who he stood in for because he was sick today.
”Are you here to escort me?”
”No, sir! We sensed your energy and I must handle your arrival.”
”Okay! I do not need a baby sitter whilst here. you can report to that council that I won't stay long.”
”I'm sorry Sir, but I need to ask what your intentions are with visiting the Academy.”
”You do not need to do that. If the council wants to know, they will have to get off their high-horse and come down and speak with me directly. Amell signalled the girls and they walked away leaving a stunned official behind. The man cursed his luck once again.
The council academy was a place where gifted wizards did magic studies. It was here, Amell knew his next candidate waited for him. When they arrived outside of the academy both girls stopped and stood in awe for a moment. The building was beautiful and there were students running around all over the yard.
”You can leave me here, thanks. No more swamps or cursed woods. This is where I belong!” Touka marched away but Amell grabbed ahold of her collar.
”This place is for kids, like Briar. Are you a child?”
”No, but I can totally be a teacher here.”
”The moment they learn of your White magic they would have you behind bars. Or, the White wizard would kill them all. I don't think that letting you stay here is such a good idea.” He released his grip and she stopped struggling.
”You're right, curse this stupid white magic. When I finally get this removed I can start living my life.”
”I thought you didn't want it removed, glad to see you have changed your mind.” Amell gave the two girls a little push since it started looking weird with him just standing outside the academy like some sort of creep. ”I can extract the White wizard at a later date, so just for now, suffer through it.” Touka's eyes started changing and familiar markings started appearing, but Amell stopped it by poking her in the back of her head. ”Control yourself, Touka. Losing control here would be very annoying.”
”Sorry, I don't think the White wizard enjoys the idea of being extracted. Its survival kinda depends on me.”
”I'm crying on the inside.” Amell provided expertly timed sarcasm and continued. ”Now, let's pick up the pace a little bit.” The academy building was surrounded by a lush garden with perfectly symmetrical roads through it. The building itself was a slightly modernized version of a very old building, most likely since close to the council's founding, which was before even Amell got here. They walked through the doors and immediately, thanks to Amell's impressive height, they caught the attention of the first teacher they came across.
”Sir, I have never seen you before, what can I help you with?” A man in his what looked be the early thirties asked with a smile. In hallways this crowded, Amell couldn't really get away without drawing attention, so a crowd of students stood all-around pretending to do other things while secretly listening in. Amell was used to this so he just focused on the teacher standing there in his white and blue council robes.
”If you would be so kind, could you please point me in the direction of the principal's office.”
”Use the stairs at the end of the hall then take a right at the top, then you have her office at the end of the corridor.” With a little apprehension, the teacher provided the directions then went on his way.
”Thank you!” Amell turned around and the girls followed closely. They weren't nearly as used to this as he was, so the stares bothered them quite a bit. It wasn't until they had climbed the stairs and had gotten away from the crowds that they calmed down a little.
”Here we are now,” Amell and the girls arrived outside the principal's office and he knocked on the door with three solid and confident knocks. After some time they heard a mature feminine voice breached the door, granting them access. As they walked in they were greeted with the sight of an elderly woman with the most serene smile Amell had ever seen.
”Welcome to my academy, Sir Amell. My name is Ava, I am the principal of this academy. What have we done to be graced with this visit?” She bowed her head low in a show of respect. She respected him quite a bit and it showed in her display of manners.
”You know me by sight? I've learned recently that this is a rare thing nowadays even inside the council.” Amell sat down in front of her desk and the girls sat down on the couch in the back.
”Since your sudden appearance in front of the council members a few weeks back, most higher officials working for the council have been briefed. And, since your deal with the council still stands, your picture hasn't been released.”
”I couldn't care less about that part of the deal now. After all these years, I no longer care if people recognize me. Anyway, the fact that you know who I am saves us a lot of time. Last time I was here I sensed an incredible aura. You have a student here with absolutely extraordinary magic prowess.” His words caused her to narrow her eyes a little.
”I am particularly careful when it comes to my students, Sir Amell. I must ask you to explain what your intentions are here today in detail.” Ava uncurled her fingers and raised her guard. If it came down to a fight, she would have no problem laying down her life for her students.
”I'm not here with evil intentions, Principal Ava. The student I am talking about is a young girl, and since I always speak the truth, I won't stop now. Her potential is wasted here and I want to take her under my wing.” Since this was not what she expected, Ava was caught off-guard, and she started to fumble with her words.
”I... Those two behind you. Are they your students as well?”
”Yes, you can feel the magic she has. I don't lie when I say I want to take her under my wing. My intentions are not of harm in any way.” He pointed at Briar, and Ava could indeed feel how much magic she had. That amount was rare inside kids that young.
”What is the name of this student?” Ava asked after a few minutes of contemplating.