For once in my schooling career, Lady Luck is smiling kindly down upon me -- is what I want to say. But, Principal Aurelian contacted my dad.

Just the thought of one of his nagging sessions is enough to get me to almost cry.

Thankfully, he’s currently on an assignment in another territory until Yule. But as soon as he’s finished, you can bet your horses he’ll be heading here as fast as Humanly possible.

With great shame, I can only take consolation in the fact that we somehow managed to get only a single semester of community service as punishment.

In particular, we’ll be assisting one of the professors - Professor Halcyon - who teaches Bestiary Studies. We’ll be aiding his students when they go to observe Laelap and Gamr. But it’s an upper-year course, so I’m not sure how much we’ll be able to help. Apparently the professor thought the same, so our week-end was spent cramming supplemental readings all day and night.

We did this until we were basically caught up with a moon-cycle’s worth of material.

Personally, I thought it didn’t seem like punishment at all.

The others disagreed vehemently.

The best part of all this wasn’t all the learning though…! It’s that we get to skip every third Arms & Aegis class, since the two occur at the same time!

Anyways, Fenrir barely survived all the readings, whereas I’m pretty sure Vaniriel only pretended to read them… The two were partnered up for the previous shift, yet they said the class was smooth sailing. Somehow, I highly doubt that?

Ru and I are handling today’s shift.

“Just like last class, we’ll be having two new teaching assistants.” Professor Halcyon has a peaked nose and dark eyes that seems to carry an intense stoicism to them. “Make sure to properly listen to them.”

My eyes scan over all the older students and nervousness bubbles up from my stomach. W-Will I really be able to help u-upperclassmen? I’m anxious that I’ll make a fool out of myself… They must think the same, for most of them look at us with a mistrustful apprehension.

“If those two are anything like the guys last class…”

“Honestly, they caused more trouble than helped.”

“That Vaniriel girl was a monster.”

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I knew it. Vani and Fen, just what did you two do?

After introductions, we all head outside towards the field where Laelap and Gamr are staying. The students break off into their respective groups and begin taking notes on the two Hellions. Their assignment is to write a detailed report on the beasts’ behavior.

Horusha is helping the professor set up some observations areas. Wooden stakes with protection incantations are planted into the ground in order to prevent students from getting too close. I offered to help, but it’s a one person task, so Professor Halcyon asked me to answer any questions the students might have instead. So right now, I’m left standing awkwardly on the fields with nothing to do.

While I get increasingly anxious at being useless, a crystal-clear voice cuts through. “Excuse me, Lady Aeriea?”

It’s the most beautiful soprano voice I’ve had the pleasure of hearing. Breath leaves my lungs when I look over. It’s the actor, er- actress, who played Rome during the entrance ceremony! Her pewter-gray hair hangs straight and loose, the sharp angles of her face look like they could cut diamonds.

“Y-Yes?” When I walk over, she gives a smile so dazzling, it momentarily blinds me as if she were a spotlight.

“Hello, my name is Illya Tradescantia.”

H-How can this person only be thirteen? I can’t even imagine what she’ll look like in another five years…!

I do my best to coerce my beating heart to still. “Nice to meet you, Lady Illya. What may I help you with?”

“I have a question. The readings we did in class say that female Hellions generally gathers food for its mate, while the male offers protection. However, the male seems to be the one hunting. Unless I am mistaken in their genders, but I’m pretty certain male Hellions have darker manes than females.

Everyone perks up their ears at this.

…You all. If everyone had the same question, then just ask!

“You’re absolutely correct, Lady Illya. However, the female Hellion - Laelap - is currently pregnant. So, the male - Gamr - will provide both food and protection until the cub is born.”

“I see. She’s pregnant.” She inhales slightly in wonder. “Ah, and you may just call me Illya. No need for such formalities. After all, we’re all schoolmates, Aeriea.”

“O-Oh, of course!” My throat is suddenly a bit scratchy, so I try coughing a bit to clear it. “Illya.” I test out. Her name tastes like fresh water from a cold stream.

She looks delighted at this. “We upperclassmen don’t bite.”

I jolt in surprise.

Was it that noticeable? No, I'm fairly certain she's just observant... And considerate too.

Why can’t our actual princes be so princely!?

Instantly, I take a liking to her and wish to help her to the best of my abilities.

“I’d like to make a suggestion if you care to hear it?”

“Of course.”

“I see that your report is organized in different sections according to each Hellion. However, since the two have such a synergistic relationship, I would actually recommend combining each topic’s findings together and then summarizing the differences at the end. I understand that this isn’t included in the marking rubric though, so please feel free to choose whether or not you’d like to do so.”

“Oh, all our other reports have been in the same format, so I didn’t even think to change it. But, that makes a lot of sense.”

I see a few upperclassmen look at one another before raising their hands.

G-Good job, me! I've proven myself to them!

Heaving a sigh of relief, I’m about to walk away towards the next group of students, before Illya suddenly takes my hand and plants a kiss on top it. “Thank you very much, Aeriea.”

W-Wh-Wha-!

My face suddenly feels like it’s about to burst from the heat.