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"Take this," one of the Demis handed a small ointment to Olpi. "It will help with the pain."

"Thank you," Olpi whispered back. Even though her suit rubbed against the fresh bruises, courtesy of instructor Jersin's metal cane, she forced out a smile filled with a practiced sense of warmth.

"It's no problem." The Demi named Menla replied before coughing twice. "I'm just doing what you taught most of us Demis to do over the years you've been on the first floor: to look after each other. Although…" She rubbed the back of her red curly hair. "Now you have to tell me about him." Even though she was a small dwarven girl and uncharacteristically skinnier than most, Olpi winced as the girl elbowed her. "Oh…sorry. That was right on a bruise, wasn't it? I meant-"

"It's fine." Olpi smiled. "Instructor Jersin was just in a worse mood than usual but I can take it. We just have to be extra careful in meeting our deadline. He's getting worse - more creative." She winced at the memory. "You asked about someone?"

Menla's put on a devious smile. "The student of course." Olpi heard a shift as all Demis within earshot leaned closer.

"What was his name again?" One asked.

"Tell me once again what exactly he said to you. I want details." Another demanded.

Olpi held up her hands and tried not to look over at Cerlius. "No you don't," Menla said, trying to and failing to push some of the Demis away. "You guys have already ousted her enough. It's my turn."

"Come on," Olpi sheepishly interjected. "You guys know that I wouldn't do this to you." Every single one of them raised an eyebrow at her. "Ok fine." Olpi gave in to her fate and prayed that she would die of embarrassment before making it to the Reach. "W-well he just said thank you. That was all he said, honest." She had stuck to that story, but the Demis always probed for more.

"You acted as if he proposed," Menla said.

"Well I've never had anyone thank me before!" Olpi snapped.

"Instructor Lance thanks us sometimes." Menla said. "But not explicitly, and certainly not in another language."

"W-well it turns out that Cerlius didn't realize that speaking Elvish was against the rules."

"You mean he isn't from the Acrin Kingdom!" Menla gasped. "because why else would he know Elvish when he's only…how old is he?" She looked at Olpi, hoping she would fill in the gap.

A chill ran down Olpi's spine as an icy gaze set itself upon her. Her smile wilted. Cerlius was watching her with that infamous look of his. She had at first been drawn to that look. She had intentionally moved to place his food to get a better look at him, but then…That look, it wasn't mean, nor was it friendly, and that made it terrifying.

"Ok enough," Olpi crossed her arms. "I know what you all believe happened but I can promise you that nothing will become of it. He seems nice but he hurt someone without hesitating at all, even showing joy at his actions when we talked in Lance's office. I just want to go our separate ways. That's that. Right now, you should all be thinking about developing your own spells. After all, the deadline is approaching for most of you."

The Demis stepped back and frowned. "Olpi," Menla tugged at her sleeve. "Instructor Jersin can't beat you. Sure you can take it, but the healer doesn't work on us Demis. He has to stop or he might kill you like…the others."

Olpi sighed. "I don't think he would pass up the chance, even though it's a little risky to himself. Don't worry about me though. I'm getting close to a new spell and my deadline is further away from yours. You're the one I should be concerned about since you're sick. Do you need help making your spell?"

Menla rubbed the back of her head. "I…had made some recent progress. I found some inspiration while I was down in Mage's Shadow. I just need to test my spell a few times but I finished for the most part. I have to be finished, since my deadline is the end of today's training session. Say, if you found a way out of here, would you want to leave?"

"Leave?" Olpi asked. "Of course I want to leave." She winced as the academy's curse caused a minor headache. "But I have to take care of everyone, and it's not like we can just walk out the front door. Why do you ask?"

"No reason." Menla shrugged. "I was just curious." 

The incoming deadline had only offset the Demis for a short while. No matter what Olpi said, the onslaught of questions and laughter assaulted the stillness of her mind. Her only escape was when they arrived at the Reach. She jostled her way out of the crowd and hurried over to a pool of water far from the rest, where she might finally have some peace.

There was only one small problem.

Standing at the other side of the bank was Cerlius.

Sure there were other students but they seemed reluctant to get closer to a Demi, or were they just afraid of getting closer to him? Whichever case it was, they were alone together. Cerlius almost seemed like a Watchmen, content to stare at her.

But he wasn't a statue. He opened his mouth, intending to talk to her. Olpi assumed the proper, submissive expression of a servant and bowed. Her wavy white hair fell in front of her face as she whispered. "Please, talking would hurt us both."

Cerlius gave a slight nod of understanding and scanned the area. Olpi didn't let her relief show. She didn't look around to see if the instructors had noticed. Either of those reactions would make her look guilty. Truth be told, she didn't need to look. The instructors usually maintained close watch on everyone. Of course there were gaps in their detection because of the constant onslaught of unstable spells whizzing through the air, but those were rare. She knew how to talk without drawing their eyes, but Cerlius surely wouldn't.

She sat down, closed her eyes, and let mana flood out of her body. She slowly assembled a magic circle with the element of water, property of manipulation, and added a few characteristics to the outside: Gyro and Force. She made physical motions, guiding her thoughts. Her mana dove into the lake and a pillar of water rose up, through her magic circle. Gyro lit up and the pillar twisted like a whirlpool, except still in the pillar's shape. Force lit up and the swirling mass received a violent increase in energy. Her hair flew around from the proximity.

'Aim at the target,' she thought as she traced circle on the ground. She drew out even more mana. Several ice-element magic circles appeared within the swirling mass. They froze segments of water on the exterior, which then shot out and sunk into the circle.

She took a breath and let the magic circles fade. Upon counting the amount and accuracy of the icicles within the circle, she sighed. 'It's not reliable enough,' she thought, 'The instructors wouldn't accept it in its current stage…and it's hard to concentrate when you're being stared at!' She stole a quick glance at Cerlius, who was staring at the icicles with that same vacant expression he always wore. Mana flew around him, but she didn't see a magic circle. 'I can't ask him to leave but if I go to the other Demis I have to listen to more gossip.'

'Larque, do you mean like this?' Cerlius's voice echoed in her head. Her eyes went wide.