“Welcome to Runic Magic.” Ken, the Runic Magic teacher spoke. It was the first class slot of the day before breakfast. He was looking around at everyone. His eyes landing on Auna. “As most of you are aware runes are very dangerous. People have lost body parts and even their lives. To be able to test into this course is usually difficult.” He sighed looking at Auna. “How they let a little girl in is beyond me.”
“Sir, aren’t you being too harsh?” A girl missing rose her hand which was missing two fingers. She was sat beside Auna.
“It is just Ken. No Sir, or Mr. Just Ken. I don’t think this little girl knows as much as she thinks. Look around you most of your peers in this discipline have scars to show it. Runes are violent magic, learning about them is just as violent. This small child is in perfect shape, never knowing real pain. Well, her skin burns easily I hear.” Ken shrugged looking towards Auna. “Know I will not go easy on you because you are child.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to Ken. However, your assumption is wrong. Please do carry on though I find you entertaining.” Auna smiled warmly the little girl seemed to be a masochist. I am not Mr. Voice shut up. Mr. Voice did not in fact shut up though.
“Hm do tell how I am wrong?” Ken smirked.
“I know real pain. Did you know I am from another world?” Auna asked as she put her pen down. She had been ready to take notes. Now she was questioning if he would actually teach today.
“I hear you were.” Ken nodded. “Most other worlders come from a world with no magic, especially no runes. How does this fact prove me wrong?”
“Simple. Torture had to be done by hand, with no magic. There also was no truth magic, which meant even if you did the truth you were punished. Ever been slowly skinned alive Ken? I have. I doubt you have though. One usually dies within a few hours. If you are unlucky, like myself, you can live for a few days dying from the cold instead. Is that enough pain? Or do I need to recklessly lose a body part to prove myself? I can’t help but notice you seem to be pretty whole as well.” Auna gave a tilt to her head. The smile replaced with a grimace from her past memories.
“I am whole as well. I was taught by a cautious woman. I see your point though. I have never been skinned alive. My skill of lie detecting also seems to acknowledge your truth in saying you have been.” Ken sighed shaking his head. “I guess I was being too harsh.”
The rest of the class went well. Ken went over basic history of where the runes had come from, and been rediscovered. Auna was captivated in her lesson learning about what some basic runes meant she could now practice. She could now borrow rune books with her teachers’ permission. Though he did say he would not be giving permission until after first test scores. Auna left her class happy, and excited heading towards the dinning hall. For food.
“You have a free period next right?” Meredith yawned looking at Auna.
“Yup, took five classes last semester so only four this one.” Auna happily ate egg-fried bread.
“Jensen if Auna has a free period after breakfast why on blue Abhaile did you also pick an early class?” Diego groaned not understanding such antics. He could have helped with their chores. They were still taking care of the crater chores themselves.
“What is Abhaile?” Auna asked causing not just her table but the tables around her to stop and stare at her.
“Come now children back to your breakfast, Auna that is not a funny joke pretending you don’t know planets' name. Sheesh. I guess you are a child.” Mr. Merlin tsked the other children who seemed to be spreading the word Auna didn’t know the planets' name quickly. “Well, I guess what is done is done. I swear you are too dense at times.” Giving Auna a pat on the head he left.
“Really my moon are you serious?” Jensen asked before turning to Diego. “I like taking my breaks with Auna duh.” Answering his earlier question.
“Sorry?” Auna shrugged going back to her breakfast. Her good mood was not going to be ruined. Jensen gave a sigh and Diego nodded at her.
“A, Jade can you come with me? You have visitors.” A staff member approached the group while they were on their way out. Jensen and Auna were the only ones without book bags.
“Sure, we can come.” Jensen answered for them both, Auna just nodded.
“Only A, Jade please young lord Pearl.” The nice man tried sighing as he knew the boy would follow even if he was told no. The principal and the King had given permission for the boy to join, still he was asked to try and keep him from doing so.
“Yeah, right buddy. If she is going, I am as well.” Jensen waved to the others of their group as they all took it as a cue to leave.
“Alright this way please.” The nice man led them to the principals’ office.
“Welcome Auna.” The principal was very sweaty dapping a cool cloth on his head. The man was usually calm and stern. Auna quickly figured out this man only got this way when she was called in. Mostly because of who followed her around, for a moment she thought the church was back to bug her.
“Daughter.” Count Regan Jade stood with his arms open to her. For a second the thought of running into his arms crossed her mind. Of having a father who loved her dearly, a family where she belonged. Instead, she stood still for about 15 seconds.
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You are a child, no one would blame you for running into his arms. Mr. Voice was right.
No, I would blame me. Auna made her choice she walked to an open chair beside her principals’ desk. Jensen sat on the arm between her and the other visitor, the King.
“Daughter, why not sit with me?” Count Jade tried again pointing to another chair beside him.
“No thank you Count Jade. Auna stood to give a proper courtesy. Although she was in uniform, she never wore the shoes. This was noticed by the King as she got back onto the chair, he smirked shaking his head.
“Fairy born children are fairly unruly, aren’t they?” The King looked to Count Jade with a broad grin.
“Yes, my King they can be.” Count Jade bowed slightly.
“Now, Auna darling. These two men have come to talk to you about a very important topic. Please do try your best to be polite and focused.” The principal passed her over a bowl of hard sweets. She took two giving one to Jensen.
“Yes Principal.” Auna nodded looking back to the two men.
“Count Jade would like to readd you to his family record.” The king said.
“No thank you.” Auna bluntly gave her answer. “May I go?” She looked to her principal. Jensen had decided to occupy himself with his cats’ cradle.
“Not yet Auna.” The principal sighed.
“Now, daughter I don’t think you understand what saying no means.” Count Jade started. “If you say no you will have to continue this deal with the King. Which is likely going to end with you in their care until you are well past your wedding age. This could have drastic results on your future. It would be better for you to come home.” Count Jade finished.
“Home? The place where I was not allowed outside unless there were no visitors. The place where only my uncle called me to share dinner in my presence. The place where I only spoke to you on my sixth birthday? The place that I had to prove I was worthy to be accepted?” Auna took a deep breath.
“Count Jade, that place was only a home to me because of the people who raised me. The people who taught me in place of teachers you would not allow for me. The people who cried when I left. It is no longer my home. My home is the forest you sent me to.” Auna rubbed her eyes which were watering up.
“Count Jade the last time I was in your home my uncle pleaded for you to not send me away for training. Do you remember what you told him?” Auna looked with blurry eyes to her birth father.
“No, I can’t remember.” Count Jade admitted looking uncomfortable having this conversation in front of the King.
“You told him he should be happy I was being given the chance to prove I was worthy of the Jade house. Am I worthy to you now?” Auna smiled.
“Of course, child, more than worthy.” Count Jade gave a smile back to her. It was obvious he thought she was coming around.
“Thanks. I appreciate that. Truly I do. However, I will not be accepting your proposal to rejoin the Jade family officially. I have given my word to the King, and the church. I wouldn’t be worthy of any noble house if I went back on my word, would I?” Auna kept her smile on her face.
“A childs’ word is not that trustworthy no one would take it seriously. No one would think you unworthy.” Count Jade tried.
“I think we can agree to disagree on that one Count Jade. I would think myself unworthy, which would be what matters most no?” Auna nudged Jensen as he snickered at the angry face Count Jade was making.
“Count Jade please fix your face. We are in the presence of children who are better hiding their emotions.” The King gave a light-hearted sigh.
“Sorry my king, I just want my daughter home.” Count Jade gave a sigh himself.
“Please stop calling me your daughter. You didn’t even give me a proper name. You never held me as a baby, or child.” Auna took another few candies for her and Jensen. Jensen slides down shifting her to half sit on his lap. He continued to play with his string.
“I understand.” Count Jade gave another sigh.
“My sweet daughter, why do you think this man wants you to be a part of his family?” The King gave a smirk to the Count. He was a bit childish at times especially to the nobles he did not care for.
“Well Seths’ grades are poor, and my cousins did not get into this school. In this Kingdom every noble who runs their home has gone to and graduated from this school. Not one noble house had broken this unspoken rule. He wants me to be a puppet, or possibly to be a real heir.” Auna gave a nod to the King, ignoring the daughter comment. She was technically his child right now.
“Is this a true assumption?” The king gave a long look to the Count.
“I would rather not answer such an accusation.” Count Jade dodged the question.
“Well, I think we have our answer though anyway. Auna does not wish to become a part of the Jade family again. She will instead be a ward of mine until she is 16. At which time she is either going to be a free person or a ward of the church.” The king gave her a soft smile and wink.
“I would like her to not have the Jade name then.” Count Jade said which made the principal gasp. When a noble has their last name removed, they usually are seen as lower than a named commoner. For nobles walking around with no last name was shame. Auna would not be able to gain a new last name until adopted, one being given to her, or she was married.
“My dad will give her ours. No worries. Take your name back.” Jensen spat.
“I don’t think that is possible as she technically needs to remain in the custody of the king to keep her word. Which she refuses to break right?” Now Count Jade was smirking, Jensen hung his mouth open his string gone slack. The Count was right.
“I figured this would happen. It is not legal to remove the last name of a person who has the status of deceased on your registry. Auna is still on your registry as deceased, and to change this status you need my permission. I do not think I will give that permission.” The king took a breath.
“As I don’t think you can prove this child is the same child you lost, I can not give that permission. No one had seen her in high society and there are no photos, or DNA evidence. Her name might be A. Jade. However, anyone who was looking after her could have given her that name and it would register in her status. There is no mention of her soul name in your registry, which should have been inputted in the registry. She could have gained it later though. This is why nobles must take proper precautions in the identity of their children.” The King smirked.
“My king, she is my child, she has proven that herself.” Count Jade looked baffled.
“A childs’ word is not that trustworthy no one would take it seriously.” The King nearly laughed as Count Jade gave a final bow and left without another word.
“Nice one.” Auna nodded taking some more candies. Jensen happily put one in his mouth.
“Thank you. Now I think we have taken enough of your time, and have given your principal heartburn. Back to class, or studying whatever you were doing.” The king waved them out.