Chapter 5 First Friend

Yue woke up and felt groggy trying to figure out where she was, she was at the school still. Looking around Yue noticed that only the teacher was still here but she was sleeping on her desk. ‘Odd teacher’ Yue thought. Yue was glad that she had repeatedly begged her mother to not pick her up, it would have been embarrassing if she had been caught sleeping by her and woken up. Yue quietly slipped out of the school house careful not to wake the angel demon teacher.  Looking out toward the busy street made Yue realize that she had forgotten it was the night of the spring festival and that her town had been chosen to host it this year. Yue stepped into the crowd making her way toward her home.

She’s lost; Yue had to face that fact. In the randomness of the crowd Yue had lost her sense of direction and since she never got out much or paid attention when she did, Yue had no clue to where she was and had been walking for an hour.

“YELP!”

 Hearing the cry of a hurt animal Yue didn’t hesitate to run toward it into the alley way. Two boys a bit older around eight years old were kicking a puppy. The puppy was so dirty that there was no way to determine its color and some blotches of red clearly showed it was injured.

“STOP IT!” Yue yelled at the boys running over and protected the puppy with her body.

The boys hesitated a moment before one of them sneered, “Look a rat trying to protect a mut, Dun lets show this rat what happens when it disrupts our play time.”

The boy named Dun nodded with a sadistic grin then with the other boy started to kick Yue who had crouched over the puppy to protect it.

Yue knew that she could use magic but if she did it might be discovered, also since she would have to concentrate at the boys they could take advantage and attack the puppy again. Not knowing what to do Yue just let them kick her and felt pain as bruises were quickly forming. Yue was starting to wonder if she would pass out when a voice shouted her awake using the words she herself had used minutes before.

“STOP IT!”

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Nikolas had just finished with his first day of school and was quite disappointed.  From the moment he walked in he could tell all his classmates had questioned his being there. During class although the teacher was interesting Nik could tell that she was behind his tutors so he won’t learn anything for a while. In fact he had fallen asleep! He had been embarrassed when his guard/driver had woken him up but then noticed everyone was sleeping, even the quirky teacher. Still a bit embarrassed Nik had quickly left without waking anyone. Right now Nik was sitting in his carriage two hours after he had left the school. Stuck in the crowds, his carriage was unable to progress much and his guard refused to allow him to walk because of the ‘dangers’.

Nik felt the carriage move again relieved only to groan when it stopped again but this time a crash could be heard. Nik felt the rattle of his guard getting off the driver’s seat then heard him arguing to some man who was complaining about ruined cabbages. Barley listening to sobbing of “My cabbages,” Nik peeked out of his window at the festival. What Nik saw made his heart stutter; in an alley way not to far from his window two boys were obviously kicking something that was alive. Not even thinking of the consequences Nik jumped out and ran into the ally way then screamed, “STOP IT.”

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The two boys turned to face him with stupefied faces, “What is this? Hero day?” Then without warning, both attacked Nik. Nik lifted up his arms in defense and when one boy took a break Nik tackled him. But it was two against one and the other pulled Nik off the first boy. Nik was just wondering how he was going to get out of this when someone jumped on the second boy’s back. Taking that chance Nik once again tumbled with the first boy.

They were too strong both Nik and his helper fell to the ground with the boys over them ready to take revenge. Nik glanced over to his helper and was surprised, it was Yue from school. Her once combed fawn brown hair was tangled and matted. Pale skin marked with cuts and bruises, the once joyful violet eyes now were filled with hopelessness and pain.

“Young Master!”

All eight eyes looked toward the alley way entrance to spot a large scared man looking at the boys with a murderous expression. Both boys scurried away down the alley.

Nik relaxed as his guard helped him up but felt disappointed in himself. He turned to check on Yue only to find her gone. Quickly glancing around, he sighed in relief when he spotted her a short distance away crouching on the ground. When she stood and turned she was holding an injured puppy in her arms. Not questioning himself Nik grabbed on of Yue’s hands, the one not holding the puppy, and pulled her to and in his carriage. “Take me home,” Nik commanded his guard.

After a few minutes of riding, his guard was not nice toward the pedestrians since his young master was injured. Nik looked down at Yue and found her asleep, he felt so weak. He should have been able to protect her, what if his guard hadn’t been there? What if he hadn’t been there? Looking at Yue’s worn appearance made him feel two things, protective and anger. Anger at what had happened to her, it would not happen again he decided as his carriage pulled though the castle’s gates.

Nik watched as the healer mage worked on Yue. He had gone first, with everyone ignoring his complaints.  Yue just watched the mage with sleepy eyes as she held the puppy. It made Nik feel uncomfortable seeing her attention on the mage. The moment the healing was done Nik grabbed Yue’s hand and left the room.

“Where are we going?” Yue asked him as they maneuvered through the corridors.

“To the practice yards.” Nik responded.

They entered the yards and Nik made his way to the Saint Knight Master, pulling Yue along with him.

“Young master what is it?” the Knight asked.

“After school each day I want you to train me and Yue.” Nik responded, his face serious.

“Wait what!?” Yue exclaimed pulling her hand out of Nik’s.

“Oh, and do you have the determination to be my student young master?” the knight asked ignoring Yue.

“No.” Yue told the knight master.

“Yes we do.” Nik replied also ignoring Yue.

“Okay then starting tomorrow, after school meet me here.” The knight said then walked away.

Nik then dragged Yue to his carriage placed her inside and told the driver to take her home, ignoring the stream of questions and denials coming from her.