"My name is Hyacine, nice to meet you," Hyacine replied with a smile.
"What an adorable name!" Pela blinked her eyes, her pupils sparkling like stars. Hyacine then added, "Pela's name is very cute too~"
Visibly, Pela's chest seemed to be pierced by an invisible arrow. She clutched her heart and staggered back two steps, her cheeks flushing red.
After exchanging names, the two girls quickly grew closer. With Hyacine's permission, Pela began calling her "Little Hyacine" — after all, Hyacine was just so petite and adorable.
Pela's height was around 160 cm, about average for a girl. Even so, Hyacine had to tilt her head slightly upward to look at her... though she was already used to it.
After all, Hyacine had to look up at everyone regardless of whether they were 160 cm or 260 cm. In the end, wasn't it all the same?
The two quickly fell into casual conversation about the upcoming school year. Hyacine learned that, in addition to the magic wand, she would need to purchase her own uniform and textbooks—the school didn't provide these items. Moreover, if one's finances allowed, students could even acquire magic gems.
These gems weren't for students to use themselves. Instead, they were meant to be discreetly gifted to one's class teacher after enrollment. Such a gift would naturally lead the teacher to pay her extra attention, both out of courtesy and self-interest.
Hyacine did some quick mental calculations. Even without buying gems as gifts, the cost of basic school supplies alone would exceed one thousand Gold Dragons. And that didn't include the annual tuition fee of three thousand Gold Dragons.
She couldn't help but sigh inwardly. So this is what it means to be a Wizard? It's outrageously expensive.
However, there was a path for ordinary individuals to gain admission: the aptitude assessment. If a candidate's innate talent was truly exceptional, the Arcane Federation's schools would offer scholarships and stipends.
In short, if you consistently ranked first in every exam, tuition would be free... no, attending school would actually pay you. Come to class, and the school would pay you a salary.
Afterward, Pela took Hyacine to nearby clothing and bookstores to purchase all the remaining necessities. Notably, Hyacine bought two sets of school uniforms but only one set of books.
The two strolled around for a while longer and agreed to meet up to register for school together when the semester began. Hyacine then left to return to her residence.
When she arrived home in high spirits, she found Anaxa leaning against the wall, panting heavily, right at the doorstep.
After entering, Anaxa immediately collapsed onto the sofa to rest. Hyacine, meanwhile, settled in with Little Ica in her arms, casually flipping through the basic textbooks she had just purchased.
In truth, Anaxa had already studied these foundational texts thoroughly at the Library and fully grasped their contents. As essentially the same person, Hyacine naturally possessed the same complete understanding of this knowledge.
This was why Hyacine only purchased one set of books—she merely needed them to maintain the facade of being an ordinary, diligent student. As for Anaxa, his current priority was to showcase his exceptional "talent" by skipping grades wildly to gain higher clearance, allowing him to access the Arcane Federation's more advanced arcane knowledge.
Going to school without textbooks was just the first step.
Time passed quickly, and soon it was the opening day of the Arcane Federation's academic year. Hyacine woke up early to wash and groom herself, styling her hair into adorable twin pigtails. But as she put on her school uniform, she pouted, a helpless expression crossing her face.
It wasn't hard to see why: the uniform was simply too... plain.
A gray Mage Robe practically swallowed her whole, leaving only her black leather shoes and short socks visible. Hyacine spun in front of the mirror, feeling utterly dowdy no matter how she looked at herself.
Is this the power of a school uniform? she wondered. Even with her exceptional Beauty Value, the uniform muted her natural radiance, obscuring all her standout features and reducing everyone to the same bland conformity.
To be honest, this was also the first time Hyacine hadn't worn white stockings. Her thighs rubbed together, and she felt strangely uncomfortable.
Then, when she glanced at Anaxa standing beside her, she couldn't help but cover her mouth with her small hand and burst into laughter.
Anaxa, his face stern and his posture stiff, wore the utterly unfashionable school uniform with an air that clashed violently with the outfit. He looked like a man in his thirties trying to infiltrate elementary school by posing as a student.
Hyacine, on the other hand, looked every bit the part of a grade-schooler as she slung her small backpack filled with books over her shoulder.
With everything prepared, the pair set off. However, they didn't head straight to school but first went to the staff shop to meet Pela, whom Hyacine had promised to walk to school with.
Even before reaching the shop, Hyacine spotted Pela standing outside, waving. Hyacine waved back and called out, "Good morning, Pela~!"
Pela, also carrying a backpack, scurried over. Her attention was immediately drawn to Anaxa beside Hyacine. After a moment of stunned silence at the sight of this "middle-aged social misfit trying to infiltrate elementary school," she whispered to Hyacine, "Who's he?"
Pela knew Hyacine had another friend—after all, she had purchased two staffs and school uniforms. But she hadn't expected Hyacine's friend to look so... mature.
Hyacine nearly blurted out "Teacher Anaxa," but she quickly realized that their roles were still those of students, not teacher and teaching assistant. Instead, she said, "He's Anaxa, my friend."
Anaxa immediately added, "Please call me Anaxagoras."
Hyacine chimed in, "Yeah, just call him Anaxa."
Pela looked bewildered, her gaze darting between the two several times. She tugged Hyacine aside by the hand and whispered, "F-friend?"
It was as unbelievable as a thirty-year-old man being friends with a twelve-year-old girl. Pela was more inclined to believe that this man had approached Hyacine, gained her trust, and harbored some ulterior motives—perhaps...
Pela glanced at Anaxa again, her eyes now laced with suspicion and wariness, as if she were sizing up a... perverted lolicon.
Anaxa: "..."
This is completely unwarranted, Hyacine thought, her expression turning troubled. How am I supposed to explain this?