Chapter 243

Principal Complaints

(Mallory)

“Hi, how are you doing?” Penelope asked, a satchel holding multiple magical garments clearly present on her side.

“So far, so good I guess.” Mallory answered with a slightly measured tone. “Though, as you have no doubt guessed, the reason why you have been called here is as a witness to the Enchanter +’s midterm exam that you just partook in.”

Penelope just nodded her head in understanding.

“I figured someone would complain about that test,” Penelope stated.

“So you also thought it was unfair?” Mallory asked.

“Yes, but likely not for the same reasons that you are asking about,” Penelope admitted.

Hearing that Mallory just cocked her head to the side, before continuing.

Knock, knock.

There was a knock on Mallory’s door.

Just hearing the tell-tale knock, its familiar cadence and location, Mallory knew who was knocking.

“Come in.” Mallory stated loudly enough, before standing up and getting the larger retractable plush chair out in a comfortable position from her ornate Guild Master’s desk.

Penelope for her part was distracted both by the attentive actions of the Guild Master who clearly wanted whoever knocked to sit down. Not only to sit down, but in the most comfortable chair in the entire office.

Seeing the movements of the guild master, including a few choice pats at the cushions to make sure they were extra soft, Penelope could only smile.

Then seeing the large elf girl waddle in, Penelope could only smile. Especially as Mallory was already over to the pregnant elf and all but carrying her to the noted seat.

Penelope got up, and made to go over to hug the new girl, but then stopped as she saw the level of care and affection being given shared between the two.

“I see you two have made up?” Penelope asked, as she watched Mallory take the very pregnant Gwendolyn, place her down on the comfortable chair. Then after moving her so that Gwendolyn’s chair was parallel to the desk, Mallory sat down in her chair. Only for Gwendolyn to raise up her feet, where Mallory began massaging them almost on reflex.

“I’m sorry about this.” Mallory said, even though she showed no signs of stopping her impromptu foot massage.

“Don’t be, I think we all wish we could be in a relationship like this one day.” Penelope said, a faint smile coming to her face.

Seeing here, Mallory almost felt embarrassed.

“I’m really sorry about this, if you want we can do this again later.”

Penelope for her part just smiled and shook her head.

“No, honestly I’m glad there was finally someone who could get you to finally settle down.” Penelope replied.

Gwendolyn just looked from Mallory to Penelope with a raised eyebrow. One that said, I know you aren’t going to keep me in the dark on this one.

Mallory just blushed slightly, before staring at Gwendolyn.

Then as if asking for the obvious, Penelope asked something that had never come up to this point.

“Have you settled on a name?” Penelope asked.

With that question, both Gwendolyn and Mallory both paused. The question was rather simple in nature, of course Jacquelin would likely keep her mortal first name, while entering the world. No, the question really being asked was what last name would they register the grandchild under.

Going with Valhalla would not impact the bloodline prowess, but rather the bonuses associated with that surname. Which sadly all dealt with spirits and violence. Meanwhile the Spiritlight surname would also deal with spirits, but would make it so all spirits were at least neutral with the wielder.

Of course, they could go for a hyphenated last name, but that would half the effects of both surnames.

Just thinking about that process, both Mallory and Gwendolyn just stared at each other with wide-eyed amazement, then as one they both gave the same answer.

“She will have her last name.”

Then as if being caught in a wrong episode of the twilight zone they stopped and stared at each other. Before having a questioning look on their faces.

Seeing them act in such mirrored responses with each other, Penelope could only chuckle slightly at their apparent confusion.

Then hearing the sudden distraction, both turned to Penelope at the same time.

“Pen, you don’t need to be so mean.” Mallory began, using her nickname from when they had one time been a couple.

Penelope, for her part, could only laugh at the statement.

“I’m sorry, you two are just too cute together.” Penelope said.

“We are?” They both answered in near unison. Then hearing the echo of their words for a second time in as many minutes, they once again stared at each other.

“See what I mean? You two are perfect for each other, and I am so glad you have found someone who truly makes you happy.” Penelope said, speaking directly to Mallory.

Then as if realizing something, she had a eureka moment come to her face as she reached into her satchel and pulled out two folded uniforms.

“I’m so glad you are here, as it will make it easier to give you both these.” Penelope said, before handing a matching set of soul binding royal wedding uniforms.

Taking the packages, Gwen and Mallory both first looked stunned. Then began to look at the different designs and were momentarily confused.

Mallory’s was an exquisite blend of form, function, and femininity that was hard to be matched. Having both a dignified effect, while not being a traditional flowing gown.

Seeing that there were pants and not a dress, Mallory first assumed she would be taking the masculine role, but then a quick look at the package Gwendolyn had showed she was wrong.

While Mallory’s had ornate and faux-organic frills, Gwendolyn’s had more unified and regal lines.

Gwendolyn’s also had the same faux-organic feel, but her uniform pulled off the look in different ways. First there was a slightly thin sheen that would ripple and glow as the fabric moved, the same way leaves would in a forest.

Seeing everything, Gwendolyn quickly came to one conclusion. “Wait, isn’t this the uniform for King De’Arcaneri?”

Penelope just smiled.

“Yes, I had originally gone to give it to Cass. But she then gave me a complex set of instructions.” Penelope admitted.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“Complex?” Gwendolyn and Mallory again both asked in unison, but with slightly different inflections.

“Yes, in fact, it is a good thing I have the next two days off as I will need to be perfect with this.” Penelope stated.

“What pray tell were your instructions? Also, you know that you don’t need to do anything you don’t want to do.” Mallory began.

Penelope just laughed.

“Are you kidding me. When the Godmother herself gives you a quest, you know you better deliver.” Penelope said.

“Quest?” The power duo again asked in unison.

Penelope just smiled, before showing the quest the crazed genius gave.

New Quest Found: Official Royal Deolarian Tailor (Ongoing): You have been identified as the top candidate to be the official Royal Tailor for the Ancient Deolar Empire. To prove your worth, you have been given a task worthy of an Official Royal Tailor, to provide enough uniforms for everyone in the wedding party. Requirements, cannot share the technical details of this quest outside of the following three individuals (Dr. Cassiopeia Spiritlight, Mallory Valhalla, Gwendolyn Spiritlight), should you talk to anyone outside of this trusted core of people about this, all rewards for this questline and future considerations for the role of Official Royal Tailor for the Deolarian Empire. Requirements: Create the following items: King’s Regalia to Gwendolyn Spiritlight (1 / 1), Queen’s Regalia to Mallory Valhalla (1 / 1), Princess’ Regalia to Dr. Cassiopeia Spiritlight and Jhonny (0 / 2), Dr. Spiritlight’s Regalia to Dr. Spiritlight (0 / 3), Magistrate’s Regalia to the officiator of the wedding (0 / 1), Royal Witnesses Regalia To people to be named later (0 / 10). Rewards: Experience, Skills, Titles, Badges, variables.

Seeing the quest before them, Mallory and Gwendolyn both just paused and then gave the almost same exact look of confusion. The one where their mouths both opened to talk but then they stopped themselves as they realized what was being asked.

“Wait, you have to do all of that? Meaning you owe what sixteen uniforms?” Mallory all but demanded.

“They aren’t that tough. Honestly, I’ve been itching to have a reason to sew. And with the break from class I thought I would be bored, but now I have this amazing quest.” Penelope said, pure excitement filling her voice as she smiled.

“You like this?” Gwendolyn asked.

“Are you kidding, I love this. The ultimate challenge. Also, the idea of being the first Royal Tailor? Who couldn’t ask for more.” Penelope began, but then couldn’t contain her excitement the more she went.

“Besides, this time I get to be a part of it.” Penelope stated.

“A part of what?” Mallory asked, confusion evident in her voice.

“I get to be a part of the grand master’s amazing plans. She has asked for four uniforms, meaning that she will likely be in and out constantly. Also, the fact that Jhonny is both a backup and clearly a Royal Witness, I can’t wait to see what she makes him do. It is just…” Penelope began, but then trailed off as she tried to look for the right words.

“It looks like it is going to be so much fun.” Penelope finally answered.

This was the point where Mallory and Gwendolyn both just looked at each other. It was one of those looks where a lot was conveyed, despite no words being spoken. Midway through, they both nodded to each other, before Penelope turned her head towards Penelope and seemed to speak for the two of them.

“Now, my mother is not demanding you do this, is she?” Gwendolyn asked.

“What? No, she just gave me a task that I have been itching for. I’ve learned so much from her. From these classes, that I wanted a worthy challenge to prove to myself just how much I have grown as an Enchanter. And this, this is the perfect opportunity. Not only can I consider this to be an internship program, while getting my degree, but if I pull this off correctly, I can get titles and prestige that other enchanters could only dream about.” Penelope stated, clearly excited by the questline offered.

“Yes, about that, how long has mother been able to give you all quests?” Gwendolyn asked.

Penelope paused, and had to think for a moment, before just shrugging.

“I don’t know. I think the first quest she gave our class was related to using and mastering the Outsourcer 5000s. After that, we had quests here or there. Quests for attendance, for completing daily tasks. And of course the quest to complete the Mid-term exam. Which I leveled up four times from.” Penelope said, raising her fists into the air and dancing excitedly.

“You leveled four times from completing her mid-term exam?” Mallory asked, suddenly understanding why there might have been so many complaints leveled against the crazed doctor. Complaints that as the principal of the college, she had to take seriously, or else it could impact the accreditation process. Apparently, reviewing all the details, and making a decision based on the facts gathered was a quest that could take up to four percentage points away from the overall accreditation score, if not handled properly. Mallory wasn’t certain of how many percentage points were needed to get accreditation, but she did not want to lose any points this early on in the task.

“Yes, I got the time completion multiplier, along with the first-place modifier, the first try modifier, and the followed instructions hidden modifier for the quest.” Penelope stated.

“There was a hidden modifier for following instructions?” Gwendolyn asked.

“Yes, I almost think that this was thrown in later on, as so many people failed to follow her first set of instructions.” Penelope stated.

“What were her first set of instructions?” Mallory asked, suddenly sitting upright and writing at her desk, despite still having Gwendolyn’s feet on her lap.

“Here is a magometer, use it to measure the capacities of every item you take out and use for your own product. If you need to, feel free to write down the different frequencies and magical outputs on the parchment provided to you.” Penelope stated, as she clearly took the time to memorize everything the Doctor said during the setup of the test.

“You memorized her exact wording?” Mallory asked.

“Of course, she is now a pixie, meaning she can and will use words to try to confuse you. Though by focusing on her words you know she will not lie, but she is a master of misdirection.” Penelope stated.

Hearing that Mallory could only nod in agreement.

“Yeah, sorry about that. I guess it would be tough trying to learn from a pixie.” Mallory stated, suddenly realizing that the college’s entire structure is focused on the teachings of one mischievous creature of legend. Worse, up until this point, Mallory had never taken the moment to question the validity of having a pixie being the one and only teacher available to teach humans, and humanoid creatures.

Then a darker thought hit Mallory as she realized that her only other alternative teacher was a lecherous lich, which sadly was a far worse alternative than the misdirecting pixie.

“Okay, more staff is definitely a priority for us as we move forward.” Mallory stated.

Penelope shook her head.

“No, Dr. Spiritlight is more than capable as a teacher. If anything, we might just want to inform people that she has changed. The fact that she can give out quests to others, and herself should be a sign of how much she has changed. But I think most of the confusion comes from the fact that many still see her as young and innocent. Versus the highly capable monster of lore. We’ve all heard the tales about the darling pixies that would lounge about, playfully causing mischief until threatened, then the teeth come out. Our Dr. Spiritlight is no different, most of the time she is content to just sit back and enjoy the mysteries of spoons and the way milk curdles when in close proximity to her QiMO machine.” Penelope stated, and was about to continue before she was cut off.

“I’m sorry, she has created a chemo machine?” Mallory asked, confused as to why a magical healer like Cass would need to create a dangerous device like a chemo machine.

Hearing the question, Penelope just shook her head.

“Oh, you have not seen, nor heard about the new specialized engine capable of causing standard airships to go at light speed?” Penelope began.

“Should I?”

“You remember the double bloodline incident from the other day? The one where I broke through?” Penelope asked.

“Yeah,” Mallory said.

“Well, what you might have missed, or we might have left out of our incident reports was that the machine Dr. Spiritlight created to propel her ship was a Qi and Mana flOw device.” Penelope began.

Groan.

Just hearing that, Mallory just covered her face as she could already see where this was going.

“Let me guess, she once again named an amazing object something stupid?” Mallory asked, but really didn’t want to know the true answer to her query.

“I wouldn’t say it was stupid, just Cass.” Penelope said, nodding.

Mallory could only raise one eyebrow to stare at the Tailor. Then looking at her, it was clear that the Tailor had a great deal of respect and likely more emotions tied to the eccentric teacher.

“Riiight,” Mallory drawled out, clearly stating that she was agreeing to disagree with her on this point.

“Okay fine, maybe it is a terrible name, but surely it isn’t the worst.” Penelope noted.

At that Mallory could only nod and realized how close they were to having a whole batch of legendary QiFF warriors running around striking terror into the hearts of enemies.

“That is a rather low bar.” Mallory commented.

Then as if remembering something she twitched and then allowed her mind to find something that seemed incongruous with everything that she had heard thus far.

“I’m sorry, I just realized that you stated when you first got in here that, quote, ‘the mid-term examination was unfair.’” Mallory stated.

Penelope paused, but then seemed to realize that was what she said.

“Sort of. I said, I found it unfair, but likely not for the reasons you are asking.” Penelope stated.

With that, Mallory paused and realized that that had been the full quote from the seamstress.

“Okay, while we are back on this topic, why are you saying it was unfair?” Mallory stressed.

“The test was perfect. No signs of deception or misdirection. Meaning each piece you took off, had an equal and often times opposite piece to deal with. There were about five test parts that were not fully charged, which would make the product not work. Most every student found the one that had a charge and used that component, without an issue. Then there was the final part, the three powered crystals.” Penelope stated.

At that Mallory could only nod her head, as that was what most of the complaints she got were about.

“Yes, what about these crystals was unfair?” Mallory asked.

“The fact that they had clearly been used, meaning by the time we tested the product, saw what it did and were beginning the deconstruction process, the initial charge denoting our individual successes had been used up.” Penelope stated.

“Okay?” Mallory began as she marked down this observation.

“However, the problem came at the end. I measured each item, seeing the color and power rating of both those from the used device and those from our piles to choose from. I also noted that there were multiple other variations of colors with the same two measurements of the used circuit crystals.” Penelope stated.

“Okay, still not seeing the issue here? That is a good thing right? I mean, that shows she wanted you to pass, for all you had to do was find the correct crystal with the same frequency and magical resonance, then place it in the exact position as the one you removed, right?” Mallory asked.

“Right, exactly.” Penelope stated.

Mallory just stared at the Tailor wondering if the stress of being in Dr. Spiritlight’s class had gotten to her.

“You don’t get, it.” Penelope stated.

Mallory and Gwendolyn both stared at each other, before turning back to Penelope in that oddly endearing quality that two people who are roughly on the same wavelength can share.

Gwendolyn was the first to shake her head.

Penelope could only take in a deep breath, as she tried to explain the issue.

“The issue was, that Dr. Spiritlight is so amazing that she created the objects that were the same exact size and shape, so that even after being used once thus losing the charge, they would be at the same exact needed frequency to take the test.” Penelope stated.

A slight ray of understanding filled both Mallory and Gwendolyn’s faces.

“I have been wracking my brain as to how complex of a permutation that would be. To know not only what you want to have in the crystalline circuit, but the energy expenditure that you want it to have after a singular unique use. Do you have any idea how frustrating it is to realize that. To realize how much extra time and effort she put into this process, just so we could have an easier time with our repurposing processes? Then to have others openly complain about how hard that test was, it is sickening.” Penelope stated.

Mallory and Gwendolyn could only stare at each other for a moment. Again, their unspoken bond seemingly let them come to the same conclusion with just a simple nod in agreement.

“Okay, thank you for this. I think I have enough to go back to the protesters with, and get them to retract their statements.” Mallory stated.

Penelope just exhaled, feeling slightly better at the fact that she managed to defend Dr. Spiritlight.

“Thank you,” Penelope said.

“No, thank you for this insight.” Mallory stated.

Penelope looking slightly flustered asked, “do you mind if I leave? I still have a lot of sewing to do.”

Hearing her and realizing the monumental task that the crazed Doctor gave her, Mallory could only agree.

“By all means, again, thank you for your time and your candid responses.” Mallory said, standing up and dropping off Gwendolyn’s feet from her lap, as she reached over to shake hands and hug her longtime friend and former partner Penelope.

Penelope quickly left Mallory’s office, shutting the door behind her. As she left, Mallory sat down in her chair, where she was once again met with a set of overly tender feet.

As soon as the feet were back in her lap, Mallory immediately went back to massaging the pair.

Mmm.

Gwen just hummed to herself happily at the attention.

“Not much longer,” Mallory stated.

“Thankfully.” Gwen replied.

Then pausing for a moment, Mallory asked. “Is Cass giving day two of her Qi Manifestation class?”

Gwen who had her eyes closed just shook her head. “No, she will do a joint mid-term with the Qi Manifestation Class and the Magic Resonance class.”

Hearing that, Mallory could only question, “why?”

Gwen just shrugged her shoulders at the question. “I don’t know, maybe she has some weird way of getting both classes to work together. All I know is that it is supposed to be some sort of endurance competition.”

“Endurance?” Mallory asked.

“Yep.” Gwen replied.

Pausing her foot rub for a moment, Mallory waited as she tried to understand why both Qi and Mana users would be given an endurance class for a mid-term exam. She wondered this, until she realized something.

“That crazy witch.”

“What?”

“Do you think she is doing this just to get out of teaching the Bloodline courses, again?”

Chuckle.

Hearing that, Gwen could only laugh.