The next morning James woke up alone in the tent. He was a bit sore from the running and his fist also was a little bruised. Not minding the events front the last night he made his way out noticing everyone just woke up recently. Looking over everyone James noticed tired and upset faces. When he landed on Arthur, he saw him with his minions speaking to Angelina who was overseeing the people to pack.

Arthur looked over to James with a bandaged nose and bruising below his eyes, but he quickly looked away. James saw Angelina’s gaze follow Arthur's but she just smiled when she caught sight of him and his family.

Emily, Susy, and Roy all looked at James with angry looks. He made his way to them only to be have Susy beat them to questioning him first.

“Did something happen brother? Arthur keeps looking at our tent and all three of those boys look hurt.”

“Yes, James did something happen?” Emily asked with both her voice and brow raised.

“Of course, nothing happened between us. They probably got hurt playing amongst themselves…” James said smiling at his sister. He only paused to follow up with a look to Emily finishing with, “But let’s say some boys followed me into the woods trying to attack me, I would imagine those bruises may look the same.”

“It’s good to know nothing happened. However, you should know if any boys chased you into the woods, you should run right James?” Emily asked still to upset but understanding James did not want Susy to feel guilty.

“Haha you know me to well mother. I would imagine in this made-up scenario the only possible way for me to react that way if these boys threatened my sister. Nobles, commoners, or even the king cannot get away with talking about my family in any negative way.” James cheekily replied.

Emily looked around and when she noticed no eyes looking their way gave James a smile and nod.

Roy’s only contribution was a pat on James’s back, a smile, and repeating, “that’s my boy!”

Susy looked confused but when she heard James’s talk about protecting his family beamed a big smile.

“James, can I borrow you for a minute?” Angelina could be heard announcing over the camp.

His family looked worried and the whole camp gave him suspicious looks. He only responded with a smile to them and a nod.

His family felt reassured, and he made his way to Angelina. Arthur and the boys gave James another glance but ran away quickly as he was walking towards the forest mage. Once he got to her, she looked him over but just walked away. James took this at a sign of a private conversation and followed her.

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Once away from camp, James noticed he could not see any of the apprentices. Thinking they are probably scouting he followed Angelina until they could not see anyone else. She finally stopped but was still facing away from him when she finally broke the silence.

“A little birdy told me of him and his friends getting beat up by a blue-eyed demon.”

With that she turned around and stared at James. The air felt heavy with while Angelina looked at James with a serious look.

“Well, this little birdy you speak of must have gotten hit too hard that it made him forget of their original purpose. However, I imagine you already knew of what happened even before the birdy got back to camp,” James said looking straight into her eyes.

When she looked like she was going to respond James beat her to it.

“Plus, the eyes reflect the nature element of a class. You probably already know but my major affinity is the ice element. I awoke my class and can tap into the ice, but it is just a cheap trick. Even nobles piss their pants in front of the unknown,” he shrugged responding with a gamble.

As Angelina kept staring at James with that same stern look causing James started to worry. After a few seconds the tension was broken with a huge laugh from Angelina.

“Bahahaha very true. He did say you threatened to kill him multiple times, but I told him it was just boys being boys. If the circumstances of you two were switched he would probably claim enacting justice beating, you up. I told him that when we get to school his low nobility amounts to nothing. His family background is strong in that little town of yours but that is it. Even his affinities are not that great and would get him into a low-tier school, but nobilities tend to break the rules,” she responded finally catching her breath after that huge laugh.

“So, I am not in trouble ma’am?” he asked standing up straight and poised.

“Nope it’s like I told him, boys will be boys. But since I like your personality I will give you a few tips,” she said with a sly grin.

“That worked here because that boy is a low noble nobody. However, in the city of Anephis, dealing with the nobles from there the same way would get very different results. Even talking back to a noble from there could get you killed or cause repercussions for your family. You and your sister will be safe because you both will be under the protection of the school. Still though while you shouldn’t fight or cuss them out, you can still stand up for yourself to extent. The law of this world is the strong rule the weak. Make sure to always show strength,” she finished with a serious look in her eyes.

James nodded and when she gave him a shoo motion with her hand he headed back to camp. He happened to hear one more thing from her once he was distance away though.

“Also yes, I know all that happens in my camp, but I will not coddle any of you. Unless you want me to that is?”

He almost turned around because there was a mischievous tone and implication to that last question. Being a young boy and still growing he took it as a joke and kept his way back to his family.

Passing Arthur, James noticed a look of hope coming from his face. With only a smile from James, Arthur's face quickly changed to one of betrayal and defeat. James happened to look at Luna and was straight up confused. She was not at all upset and instead had a look of curiosity. James could only assume Luna had a bit of smarts to her and was aware of how her noble title was all but useless after she left town.

Joining up with his family James lied that Angelina was just asking if he happened to witness anything happen to Arthur. Susy was confused but Emily looked relieved that there were no repercussions.

The group packed up and started continuing their travels.