CHAPTER 109: DON’T BLAME YOURSELF
Director Vincent signed some documents inside his office and after feeling some footsteps, on the other side of the entrance, he waved his hand, opening the door with his magic.
Professor Miller, who couldn’t even touch the door, walked in with a half-smile to have the door opened for him.
“Come to complain about the tournament participation or the new exchange students?” Director Vincent asked, raising his gaze.
Professor Miller’s lips twitched at that question.
Mostly, he was coming to complain and although it sounded bad, in reality, Professor Miller was one of the few who could complain about some of his decisions.
Since in reality he had reported both issues in advance, it was more of a joke than some negative comment.
“I came to ask about the report of the students who went to the Aurora mercenary group. They didn’t give it to me,” Professor Miller said, looking at the Director closely.
The students would send in their reports of how their internship went.
It was a personal report where they gave opinions of the place or person for whom they worked for a month, at the same time they had to give a complete report of the missions they had carried out and what they did during that month.
The students’ opinions would serve to classify the places where they had gone and to verify if those places were still trustworthy.
However, they would also receive a report of where the students had gone.
Whether it was a guild, a mercenary group, or a hero, they would send the history of their students’ work, their comments, notes, and criticisms to evaluate the students.
At the end, they would send advice for improvement or sometimes notes on what area the academy should specialize the students in.
This system served to verify the process the students went through and review their attitudes during the internship and, most important of all, the perspective of both groups.
Professor Miller had checked all the reports of the students in the combat class and in the end, he did not find the report of the students who went to Aurora’s group and the strangest thing was that his entire group, including Aurora and Alice, were approved.
“Do you think I’m giving her concessions?” Director Vincent asked curiously.
One could see it that way.
That duo could go to their same mercenary guild and was left in charge of several students.
That meant they could give herself their notes.
“No. I just want to know what the students did and what they improved on.” Replied Professor Miller sincerely.
At this point, he wasn’t eager to complain, and all he felt was curious about the seemingly unfamiliar group.
“I took care of those reports myself and I didn’t want to pass it on to you because maybe you might get upset,” Director Vincent commented, and touching his holographic watch, he sent some documents and added. “They are confidential documents from Zerzura. Try not to talk about them.”
Professor Miller’s interest skyrocketed as he heard those words and...
“They accompanied a group of refugees and faced a ‘wave of creatures’ and an ambush by a powerful S-Rank beast?” Professor Miller asked incredulously and as he read on, his expression trembled all over and he muttered. “Were they the ones who stopped General Kavuri and the Warlord the Somali Terror?”
His expression trembled, and he didn’t know how to react.
Aurora and Alice, as the heads of a group of mercenaries, were the ones who carried out the assault mission, which was tasked with arresting an S-Rank Warlord.
Perhaps the news did not have that much impact in Atlantis City. However, as some newscasts related Zerzura City to the Apicius Enterprise, inevitably, such issues would be reported.
Still, he did not expect Aurora and Alice to have led that mission, and he least expected that the five students who joined the group also took part in the missions.
They may not have fought head-on against an S-Rank, but any conflict with a recognized warlord could not be treated as a joke.
Unlike some underworld criminals in the cities who were careful not to get caught by the authorities, Warlords didn’t mess around.
“Unfortunately, it is not possible to record the Assault mission in their records, at least for now. However, in their records, you find that they performed the Ark mission and dozens of ‘daily missions’, as Zerzura City calls it,” narrated Director Vincent, and smiling with some glee, he added. “I have to admit, it’s an excellent record for the students.”
In Zerzura, the authorities classified the Assault mission as confidential, as they sought to prevent people from realizing the identity of those who took part.
It was already a big concession for him to be briefed by the students and for Vincent; it was likely that Aurora had taken it upon herself to do so.
Although that important mission was sidelined by confidentiality, it was another matter for the Ark mission.
A few years ago, Zerzura City had carried out such missions throughout most of Africa and anyone who was a little knowledgeable about the city would recognize it as a weighty mission.
And while some of the daily missions were small rookie jobs, among those missions there was one or two that had some relevance.
The experience that the group gained was superior to what other groups could get, and it was likely that those students had fought a greater number of creatures than any other student in their same year.
Professor Miller was silent, not knowing how to react.
“The first time I heard about them, I was surprised, too.” Director Vincent said, and smiling calmly, he added. “They are more than they seem. You have to give them that.”
It was one matter to hear stories about two young women who stood out and a different matter to see them with his own eyes.
It was natural for him to be surprised the first time he heard stories about such a capable duo, and if it weren’t because he himself had hired them to work for him, he would have been hesitant.
Noting that Professor Miller was curious about what he was referring to, Vincent put down his pen.
“Edward, my apprentice, was under her command a few years ago. During that time he told me some details, but it wasn’t too in-depth,” detailed Director Vincent and calmly, he explained. “It was only when they joined the academy that I realized that perhaps my apprentice wasn’t lying.”
Director Vincent was an SS-ranked mage, and like any excellent mage, he had a superb apprentice.
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Edward was the apprentice’s name, and he was a young man who, years ago, was so talented, he became extremely arrogant.
Arrogant enough to waste his talent for magic, believing that he needed nothing to learn.
Since during those years the world situation was questionable with conflicts with demons, his acquaintance recommended that he send Edward, with her daughters, to work in a safe place.
Although Edward did not tell her the details of what he did, when he returned, he changed and became more focused.
Enough to want to keep learning and in the end, he became the skilled S-rank Archimage he was today.
Vincent considered his apprentice’s talent to cause the breakthrough and didn’t ask too many questions about who he worked for, but now he realized that seeing two young ladies surely spurred him not to fall behind.
“I underestimated them too much, Professor Miller muttered honestly.
He had assumed that Aurora and Alice were part of a small, unknown mercenary group, carrying out simple jobs.
While his perspective changed when they caught the demon that nearly led to the death of his students, he still continued to think that they were at the academy to learn, or at least, he assumed that maybe he could help them improve.
Now he was wrong, as they had got Clémentine promoted in rank.
“Don’t blame yourself. They never came here to learn,” Director Vincent replied and calmly, he added. “And now they’re not here for that either.”
Now their mission differed from when they started the academy.
******
Aurora looked at her protection subjects.
Cithrel Elamaris Falion, Princess of the Falion Empire, as well as Princess of the Lunar Empire of Terra nova.
While the Falion Empire was one of the largest and most powerful, the Lunar Empire was no slouch.
The young woman was a genuine princess.
From the aura she emanated, to the smile she wore, to the courtesy with which she spoke, not to mention her appearance.
She was a young elf in her twenties, with bright blue eyes and long blue hair, common among moon elves, only with a more intense and shining color.
She wore a comfortable yet elegant dress, which covered her figure that could only be considered spellbinding.
Elves were naturally handsome, or, to put it another way, their features were quite attractive. However, Cithrel took it to another level and stole the breath of the students.
Dozens of students who approached surrounded that woman and that smiling princess was answering all the curious questions of the earthlings.
“You’re a half-elf, aren’t you?” A young female student asked with undeniable curiosity in her eyes.
Ask the race and it was a question that could be rude and not everyone knew about that courtesy with Terranovian.
Which caused that young woman to be looked at pointedly by other students, but the princess gave a smile full of reassurance.
“Yes. My father is a Terra nova human and my mother is a moon elf,” Cithrel replied with a unique cordiality, calming those who sought to accuse her companion of being rude.
Aurora was no expert on the general culture of the Terranovian, but as someone who had an acquaintance from that world, she learned a little.
In some societies, ‘half-breeds’ were frowned upon and were considered outcasts.
Elves were a race whose life expectancy was too high, and they were generally very conservative, so there was probably that kind of elf on Terra nova.
However, Cithrel responded with pride for her ancestry and, inevitably, she would be proud of who her parents were.
Her father was the Emperor of the Falion Empire, which was considered the most powerful empire in Terra nova and whose dynasty was known for its lineage, whose potential for magic was limitless.
As if that were not enough, she was the daughter of the Empress of the Lunar Empire, an elven empire of par excellence.
That woman was as beautiful as any elf, and the only thing that differentiated her from the pure-blooded elves was the length of her ears.
Anyone could tell the difference when looking at the princess’ companion, Venali Virsalor.
An elf with longer ears and, although different, a beauty that was not lost on the princess.
He had an androgynous appearance and was a slender young man, who was undoubtedly considered handsome.
That he had a sword sheathed at his waist and showed a certain seriousness, emanating a cold and silent atmosphere, further captivated the young female students of the academy.
“...”
Aurora observed both individuals from afar.
Actually, Cithrel was getting along well with the students and since this was the first day, classes would start later.
That reason was why Cithrel was surrounded by so many enthusiastic young girls wanting to learn more about a real princess from another world and although there were a few young men with the confidence to try to initiate conversation with that princess, not all of them succeeded.
And then there were all the other students who lingered in the assembly hall, watching from afar both Terranovian, lost in beauty.
There were some celebrities from Terra nova, however, it wasn’t every day they got to talk to an elf, who was also the princess of an important empire.
It didn’t matter if some disliked foreigners from Terra nova or disliked the Falion Empire, no one could ignore the beauty of that duo.
And that Cithrel was so friendly to converse with others led to many being attracted.
A bright and soulful flower, she attracted all present by her aura alone.
“She’s good at making friends,” Aurora murmured, looking at that bright young girl.
She would not deny that she admired the other party’s beauty as well, but she had to emphasize the charm and charisma that the princess had.
Exchange students were popular, however, exchange students who came from another world and were of another race certainly took the popularity prize.
And that Cithrel was so nice took that popularity to extra levels.
“She’s a princess of a mega empire. It’s normal for her to have charisma. And she can think everyone is a peasant who disgusts her, and at the same time she gives a smile. She must have experience in the subject,” Alice replied with an indifferent tone and when Aurora gave her a look, she shrugged and added. “This academy must be child’s play for her and more so compared to what it must be like to live in the imperial court of such an extensive empire.”
Alice was making it clear that the entire performance could be fake, and Aurora couldn’t help but give her a strange look.
Was it because of the movies about Terra nova that mostly treated the Imperial Court as a nest of vipers? Those movies were quite popular nowadays.
Some told the story of princes and princesses who had to learn to lie, cheat and smile at their worst enemy, without showing their expressions.
Aurora perceived, however, that the manner with which Alice gave her remark was not strange.
“Don’t you like ‘nobility’?” Aurora asked curiously.
Alice wasn’t pointing out that Cithrel could be fake or a good actress, but that as a noble, the possibility of her having to act was high.
She was likely to see more real acting from Venali, who was literally silent, keeping all those who approached away.
Aurora remembered in her childhood that when talking about Terra nova, some people wished to be kings, emperors, princes, and princesses, but in Alice’s case, it was not that way.
“...” Alice ate her chips as if she had been discovered.
Did the movies create a bad image in Alice’s mind? From her lack of response, it was possible that she didn’t hate the nobility, though she certainly thought poorly of them.
Although it was a strange matter when there was no reason to think ill of nobles, since they never encountered such individuals or were in places where nobility predominated.
Even if they visited places where nobility predominated, it was mainly royalty and they did not get involved in such matters.
That Alice didn’t care about politics or ideology made the matter stranger and Aurora laughed, wondering if it was some movie or book that gave her sister that image.
“Try not to fight. We’re on a mission,” Aurora said and winking at her, she added. “I don’t think you wish to fail Urfin, or I doubt he’ll take your food orders again.”
It was always nice to learn something from her sister and although it wasn’t necessary to remind Alice of the matter, by the look on her face when she heard her last words, Aurora knew she would act professionally.
Alice was not someone who would cause trouble when it came to important matters, and even less so for important matters involving food.
Ignoring as Alice nodded with a look full of professionalism, Aurora’s expression quivered, and her gaze redirected to Cithrel and Venali, who were approaching where they stood.
Leading to Aurora deactivating the artifact that kept their conversation hidden.
“Sorry for not introducing myself in due time,” Cithrel said and with a smile, she saluted elegantly and after introducing herself, she commented. “We will be in your care.”
A charming voice and a slight bow that showed unique manners.
Eyes were already on her since they left the previous group and since the artifact was not active, the voice of that princess was heard throughout the assembly hall.
There was no surprise, but rather envy at the opportunity to approach the princess and her escort, and Aurora guessed no one imagined that they were both bodyguards for the duo.
The reason was simple...
“Never mind,” Aurora replied, shaking hands and with a smile, she added. “We will be in charge of guiding you and helping you during your stay at the academy. As a job given by the director himself, we will take it pleasantly.”
Officially, Director Vincent gave a job so that they could be the students in charge of introducing the exchange students.
Thus hiding the fact that they were both actually here as backup bodyguards.
It was necessary to maintain some security and secret bodyguards, who were not on the records, were always welcome and that Director Vincent was in charge of that issue, evidenced that he was aware of the job.
In this case, Cithrel was waving and introducing herself, knowing that both were the people in charge of the job of protecting her.
“Thank you. Anyway, we have plenty of time to get to know each other,” Cithrel commented with a friendly smile.
That was the truth.
Aurora herself had to arrange the ins and outs of the protection and talk it over with her so that there would be no inconvenience when she carried out her job.
She could carry out protection in hiding from her, but Aurora wanted to be straightforward.
Knowing instinctively that she was unlikely to hide from two Terranovian.