I know I must have had a few too many drinks last night; it was the Ela Lunaris festival, after all.
But as a record keeper, I feel embarrassed to say this.
I can't seem to find any record of the twenty-first Chosen One.
Odd, I know. We recently summoned the twenty-fifth, and if we have a twenty-fifth, surely we have a twenty-first. Yet I can't find any record of them. Not a single scrap of information.
Their name, who they were, where they came from, or their contributions. Nothing.
All of it is gone. We even have a record on the twentieth, who was a fish, and many know how that one turned out.
Maybe we just skipped a number or something.
Please get back to me as soon as you can, Head Whisperer. I feel as though this matter could be urgent, but also, in light of recent events, I wouldn't be surprised if you just forgot to put the documents with the others.
------------------
Gwyn couldn't remember much of last night's events. Her head ached as she raised herself from the bed. Elise remained by her side, notably clothed and peacefully sleeping.
"Well… we didn't do that," Gwyn said to herself, piecing together the situation.
Elise then let out a deep and rumbling snore, and Gwyn chuckled.
A knock at the door rang like thunder. Gwyn rolled out of bed, but was still in her Mr. Keeper cosplay, which was probably the least offensive thing about her appearance currently. Her makeup was smudged, her hair was a mess, and she wasn't sure what those stains were on her cloak, or where they came from.
She untangled herself and cautiously approached the door, and when she opened it.
"Rodrick, Jesus Christ… why are you banging on my door like I owe you something?" Gwyn asked, letting her guard down.
"I'm just standing here, Madam."
"But you were just… Never mind." Gwyn sighed. "My head is killing me. I'm going to get some food. Wanna join?"
"I don't know if we have time."
"And why not?"
"Well, you have this message here…"
Rodrick held out a piece of a folded envelope with a purple insignia.
Gwyn stared at the paper.
"What is it?"
"I don't know. Haven't read it, Madam," he said stupidly.
Gwyn rolled her eyes and opened the document.
Dear twenty-fifth Chosen One,
I hope the Ela Lunaris festival treated you well. However, we must discuss your future within my Academy.
Please meet me at 8 a.m. sharp to discuss your future scheduling. Failure to attend will be seen as a lack of interest in attending my school, and I will revoke your acceptance to Kaldere Academy, which I have so graciously allowed to continue.
Yours truly,
Aldwyn DeMeteor
Dean of Kaldere Academy
"Rodrick." She was suddenly overcome with fear. "What time is it?"
The Knight looked towards the wall behind her at the clock.
"Um… Eight?"
"Holy shit, I'm going to be late!"
Instantly sobered by the letter, she ran down the hallway and down the stairs. Her appearance was unkempt, and she was still wearing the same clothes from last night. She smelled her attire, and it had an odor. Whatever that odor was, she couldn't tell, and was praying no one would notice it either.
"I have leftover peach pie!" Rodrick shouted as he chased after the young woman who was frantically trying to get everything together.
Not long after, Rodrick and Gwyn teleported to Kaldere Academy. The Chosen One approached the front desk, which was empty, as no one seemed to be present at the moment outside of guards and dutiful faculty members.
Luckily, Rodrick remembered where the Dean's office was from his days at the Academy.
After all was said and done, they only arrived twenty minutes late.
Will they expel me?
That was all Gwyn could think as she arrived at the Dean's office. Gasps of air came laboriously.
A surprisingly handsome gentleman greeted her at the door, but it seemed as though he was already on his way out. Rodrick trailed in after Gwynevere, much slower than the frantic young woman.
"Oh, Chosen One," the man said. "I was beginning to think you weren't going to show. Come in."
He reopened the door and stood aside to let her in.
"Sorry… I'm… late…" Gwyn said, trying to catch her breath.
"I see you dressed for the occasion," he said sarcastically. "Is that why you kept me waiting?"
Gwyn's face flushed.
"N-no, sir." She bowed her head. "I still haven't gotten used to the whole… time difference to where I'm from."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Your world does have clocks, yes?"
"Well, they do, but—"
"But nothing dear, now step inside. You've already wasted enough of my time."
Gwyn lowered her head and stepped inside the office.
When Rodrick tried to enter, the Dean put out his foot to stop him.
The man gave Rodrick a smile that wasn't genuine.
"Private meeting, I'm afraid."
"He's my bodyguard. He goes where I go."
The man made a show of rolling his eyes.
"You'll be fine without him for a few moments, won't you? You're within the walls of Kaldere Academy, after all."
Gwyn frowned at the man.
Rodrick placed a hand on Gwyn's shoulder.
"I'll be fine. You'll have no unwanted visitors, Madam."
Gwyn still looked unsure but conceded.
"Alright, I'll see you soon then."
Rodrick nodded and stood dutifully by the door.
"That's the spirit," the man said dully.
Gwyn entered the office and sat in the room filled with magical artifacts and books. A chair was waiting for her in front of an oak-colored desk. Magical paperweights seem to cover the desk, along with a plaque that reads, "Alwdyn DeMeteor - Dean of Kaldere Academy."
"Have a seat."
The man gestured, and the chair went a little further from the desk.
Gwyn sat, and the man introduced himself.
"I'm Aldwyn DeMeteor, but you can call me the Principal, Dean, whatever suits you."
Gwyn couldn't help but notice how uninterested he sounded.
"Hello, Mr. DeMeteor."
Gwyn now recognized the man. He was one of the Great Eight at the Meeting of the Chosen. This realization didn't ease the tension in her chest.
"Hello, Gwynevere Grim. Let me get to the point. I don't like you, and I don't want you here."
Alwdyn was clearly annoyed, and Gwyn was surprised he wasn't hiding his emotions whatsoever.
What the fuck did I do to this guy? Well... except for be a little late.
"What a way to start a conversation," Gwyn said with sarcasm.
"Yes, well, whenever you are forced to oblige by the desires of others, it can be quite frustrating."
Tell me about it.
"Now let me cut to the chase because I do not wish to see you for any longer than is necessary."
"Sort of already said that."
"Yes. So, to alleviate my irritation in having to deal with your existence, I am enrolling you in an accelerated course recommended by Elder Archimedes himself."
Gwyn suddenly felt nervous.
"Archimedes?"
"Yes, you know him. Everyone does. He's the most powerful caster on the continent. He recommends you take three classes instead of the standard one."
"So?"
"So?!" He laughed as though he wasn't expecting her to say that. "Elves, as I hope you know by now, live a long time." He turned his head and said softly. "At least the ones that matter." He clapped his hands and gave a fake smile. "Anyway, we take our time completing our attendance because… well, there is simply no rush."
"Then why do I have to take three classes?"
The Dean looked annoyed.
"As I just said, I do not wish to deal with you any longer than is needed. You are here because Archimedes wanted to give you something, but I suspect he was just pawning you off on someone else." He placed a hand to his chest. "Which just so happened to be me."
"I see…"
Gwyn didn't know how to feel in this situation.
"So here are the courses, per Elder Archimedes' request—Basics of Casting, Advanced Close Quarters Combat and Magical History."
"That doesn't sound too bad," Gwyn said aloud accidentally.
"Yes. But if you fail any of these courses, you will immediately be expelled from Kaldere Academy."
"Not holding back at all, are you?"
He smiled proudly.
"I am known to be eccentric."
"Are we done here then? I'm starving and—"
The Dean held out a pocketwatch that glowed a swampy color, and Gwyn was immediately forced to sit again.
"No, that is not all Ms. Grim, sit down." His voice was stern. "There is one more matter we must discuss. It has something to do with your friend out there."
Gwyn looked toward the door, then back to the Dean.
"Who? Rodrick?"
The Dean gagged.
"Yes, the Kosmairian knight in that god awful red colored armor."
Gwyn narrowed her eyes, and her heart began to race.
"What about him..."
"During the time of your attendance at my Academy. I've had several complaints about your armored friend. I didn't think this would be necessary to say out loud, but apparently your kind is rather dense."
Gwyn's nervousness grew.
"Only students are permitted in Kaldere Academy during teaching hours, so I am afraid he is not welcome here. Not only by order of myself, but also by Archimedes as well."
Gwyn shot up from her seat.
"What? Why?!"
"He's a distraction. We are trying to foster a learning environment, and the sign of a Kosmairian brute walking around our halls only fosters unease among our students and staff."
"He hasn't bothered anyone!" Gwyn shouted.
"Must I speak louder? I've already said I've received numerous complaints about him from several students and faculty. I am sorry, but it is already decided."
His voice held finality.
"Who's going to protect me now? I've had attempts on my life on more than one occasion," Gwyn shouted.
"Lower your voice, Ms. Grim. It is not the end of the world. This is a learning environment, not a violent environment." He laughed to himself. "I don't know where you're from, but here on Keceo, we are more civilized."
Gwyn scoffed.
"I doubt that."
Aldwyn's pointed ears raised in surprise.
"Excuse me?"
"Nothing... is that all you wanted to tell me?"
"Yes, your first class starts in about..." He checked the wall clock. "See, that is a clock. It tells the time, and in one hour you will have your first class," he said as though he were scolding a child. "You can retrieve your schedule from the front desk if you are even capable of such a rudimentary action."
Gwyn began to leave without saying another word.
"Have a good day, Ms. Grim." But then he made a noise that suggested he had something else to say. "Oh, and one more thing."
Gwyn lazily turned her head to face him.
"Yes?"
"It may not be common for your kind, but our kind likes to bathe every now and again. You should give it a try."
When the Chosen One exited the Dean's office, she pushed past Rodrick without a word.
Freaking A-hole. "You should give it a try." Go fuck yourself, you stupid handsome face mother—
A ringing in her ears had suddenly started. She thought she also heard it sometime in the middle of her conversation with Aldwyn DeMeteor, but tried her best to ignore it. Gwyn hadn't known what it was, but it wasn't making her hangover any better.
"Madam! Madam, slow down!" Rodrick shouted after her. He lightly jogged to keep up. "What's wrong? What did he tell you?"
"You're not allowed here anymore," Gwyn said in a low voice.
"What do you mean, 'Not allowed'? I thought—"
"Yeah, I thought too, but it seems someone higher-ranked than Artero's father has overstepped us."
The ringing continued, and Gwyn was about to lash out.
"Rodrick, my ears keep ringing. I can't get it to stop."
An excited look crossed his mustached face.
"I think someone is sending you a message! Oooo, who is it?"
A message?
"Oh, uh. I don't know… I don't know how to listen to it."
"Each person has a different vibration when they send a message. Start thinking of people, and once you think of the right person, you'll be able to hear their message!"
Gwyn stopped walking and thought of Elise, and she could suddenly hear the Sylvian Princess's voice in her voice.
~Good morning, I hope this isn't annoying… are you getting these messages? I don't know if you've gotten one before. They can be quite annoying if they go on for a long time. I should probably stop sending them then. Is Rodrick there? Can he bring us some food? Or maybe we could get some together? I don't know if you've eaten yet, and I~
The Bloody Princess's message ended abruptly and came out as a long and discombobulated gumble of thoughts.
To Gwyn, it was like she was thinking with Elise's voice. When the message finished, Gwyn felt a noticeable change in herself.
"I feel… different," Gwyn said after she listened to the message.
"Yeah, it takes mana to send and translate a message," Rodrick said. "Or we would send them all the time, no doubt." Rodrick leaned into Gwyn. "I think she misses you."
Gwyn's face turned red.
"Misses me? What for?" She laughed nervously. "Let's get back so she doesn't waste any more mana."
They quickly retrieved her schedule and then returned to the Kosmairian Estate, but on their way back to the guest house, they found Artero nervously pacing in the gardens.
"Young Master! You're up early."
Artero was startled by their sudden appearance.
"What are you two doing out? I thought you were inside the guest house."
"We were, but I had a sudden meeting," Gwyn said, clearly annoyed.
Artero looked nervous.
"Oh… Did you… have a good night with the victor?"
"Me?" Gwyn laughed. "I fell asleep and don't really remember anything. But I do remember having a really good time with everyone!" Gwyn ran up and hugged Artero. "Especially you."
She gave him a kiss that surprised him.
He hadn't known why he was surprised by her, but he liked that Gwyn was more forward with her affection.
"I'll do anything for you, Gwynevere."
"Alright, alright," Rodrick said. "I'm going to puke if you guys keep this up." He turned to Artero. "I'll have the servants fetch us some food. Gwyn has a class at nine-thirty."
"Nine-thirty? Why so early?" He nearly fell back.
Rodrick shrugged. "She hasn't told me."
They both looked at her skeptically.
"Apparently, I'm taking three classes now," Gwyn said as if it wasn't a big deal.
"Three classes?!"
Artero nearly fainted, and Rodrick had to hold him up.
"Stay with me, Young Master!" Rodrick shouted.
Gwyn laughed.
"Is someone going to explain what is going on?"
"Three classes! That is ridiculous! How will you survive? What will happen to the other students? Classes are all normally around the same time!"
Gwyn noticed how visibly upset Artero was.
"I imagine they will just come in earlier?"
"Come in earlier?!"
Artero fainted again.
I don't see what the big deal is.
"…I'm going to make sure Elise is awake," Gwyn said, stepping around the prince.
At the mention of her name, he suddenly shot up.
"Elise?"
Gwyn tapped her skull.
"Yeah, the winner of the competition last night. Remember?"
"Yeah… yeah… Elise…" he trailed off.
Gwyn narrowed her eyes and then walked off.
"See ya soon, Rodrick. You'll bring some food, right?"
"Peach pies are on the way!"
Gwyn smiled and shook her head.
Why is Artero being so weird?