CHAPTER 6 -TWO RINGS-

ALTER VIOLET

My eyes opened at the sudden surge or mana I felt in my dream. I placed my hand on my face, “how long has it been since I had this dream?” Looking around I found out that it was already morning. ‘I should get ready for school,’ I remembered the words that the monarch said before I came back to the city of Afrack. “For the moment I think you should go back to your student life to stand by and if we have any questions we will send an Espion to the academy.” Said Cain, surprisingly they are letting me have a normal life after what I have done.

Queen Sylvar was next to talk, “General, there might be times where we might need you,” Sylvar signaled one of her Espions behind her which he handed her a flat device with a mana stone in the center. “Here, this is called a wrap device or better known as a portal. Its coordinates are set here.” She then handed me the device, I took a quick glance at the device, ‘how did they make working portals?’ I pushed these thoughts away for later and stored it in a dimensional bracelet. “If you have no question you are dismissed until further notice,” said Vamir.

I bowed and left the room. As I started to walk outside the building I heard a familiar voice calling me, it was Grace. “Alter, are you headed back to the academy?”

“Yes I am but I might get off somewhere close to the dorms since I haven’t eaten.” I said with a grumbling stomach. Grace laughed at the fact, “It seems like I might accompany you to breakfast since I haven’t eaten either.” Grace ordered the guards that were in charge of protecting the portal to leave us in the academy if possible. Both of the guards nodded but then looked at me, “Captain Hiller, who is this boy?” said one of the guards. I crossed my arms thinking that the news of me being the general of the four kingdoms didn’t travel that far, but Grace didn’t take it so lightly like I did. She released her anger at the two guards.

“This here is the new general of the four Kingdoms! General Violet.” As Grace finished her sentence I saw as both of the guards' faces went pale as a ghost. “S-sorry general Violet! Excuse us for our ignorance.” I gave both of the guards a slight smile, “Don’t worry as long as you guys don’t mess up again there will be no problem.” Giving them a hint of aura.

We both went through the portal, this sensation brought back old memories. I pushed them aside, these memories won’t do good for me now. I took a long breath in that my exhale sounded like a person who hasn’t breath oxygen in a hot minute. That even grace gave me a confused gaze. “You haven’t even been out for a day and you’re making it seem like you’ve been there for years.”

I scoffed at her words, “You’re right but suddenly being a general for the four kingdoms is more stressful than it looks.” I said teasing her about her new position. “Well ‘General’ My position is really stressful too since I now not only am the director of the most prestigious school in the four nations but have to be all over the four nations and figure out solutions.”

‘I’m starting to realize that the monarch’s are taking this seriously.’ I started to get ready for school. I walked outside and the sun hit me so hard in the face that I covered my face for a couple of seconds.

“A-Alter.”

I turned around to the source of the voice, It was Charlotte Bamford, but something changed. Her expression seems happier than the coldness she used to have around me, I wonder what made her change like that. It will probably be my imagination.

I waved and smiled at her, “Hello there Charlotte. Early to school huh?” She looked at me confused. “Alter, it's already the second bell.” My heart dropped, It’s already the s-s-second bell? Then I need to hurry!, without a second thought I activated my second phase which changed my hair color and startled Charlotte.

Charlotte was about to ask me a question when I picked her up like a princess and ran like there was no tomorrow.

“We… made it in…time.” I said, wiping sweat off my face. Still Charlotte seemed a little unusual today but I still can’t figure it out… ‘Puberty’ were the words that popped into my mind. I shook my head knowing that could be the cause but at the same time denying it.

Both Charlotte and I went into different paths, I gave her a brief goodbye for the moment which she also did. ‘Now what class do I have again?’ Looking into the paper that the teacher gave me before I entered the school.

“Where is this class a-.” Before I could finish my sentence I turned around only to find it. I let out a sigh before entering.

“Find an empty seat and take notes.” Said a man before turning in my direction, “And you are?” He said with his brows forward.

‘Another person thinking I’m weak.’

“I’m Alter Violet.” I responded nonchalantly, “Well then Alter Violet I am John RainBurn.” He doesn’t seem so bad.

“Now go find an empty place and take notes.” I nodded and proceeded to find a non-taken seat. I found a perfect place, the middle row with two empty seats. I took a seat, leaned my hand to my head and processed the information that the monarch’s gave me. There was evidence of the portals being used by basilisks somewhere outside the kingdoms. I might have to investigate myself if it's true.

And what's more is that adventurers have actually found unknown portals leading to Sleqoth, a dimension where the basilisk resides.

“E-excuse me, is that seat taken?” I turned to my right only to see a boy my age with wheat-color hair and brown eyes. I looked to my left and once again looked to my right, “Ah no feel free to sit there.” I gave a small smile that didn’t reach my eyes, the boy nodded and sat next to me and then turned his whole body towards me.

“Sorry for the late introduction, my name is Noah Remmond. Nice to meet you.” Noah extended his arm, I did the same. “I am Alter Violet. Nice to meet you Noah.” This is probably the first time talking to a boy my age, usually I’m talking to people twice my age physically.

Noah gave me a serious look, “By the way Alter, what color is your ring?”

Ring color huh? It took me a couple of minutes to answer, I can’t make the same mistake I did with Charlotte and let him find out my ring is purple. “Red, why?” I didn’t tell him a lie but not the whole truth either. “Is that so… Well You have a large mana pool for a red ring.” He had a finger on his chin trying to know how that was normal.

Sooner or later he is going to have to give up on the answer and to my surprise he gave up easier than normal. I tried to trail him off and asked him the same question he gave me, “What about you Noah, what color is your ring?”

He gave me a grin, “Well I am an Orange ring mage.” It seems like he is really proud of being an orange ring mage. There is nothing wrong with it but rather amusing that a kid my age is that far ahead unlike most kids there who are red or light red.

“Well then Noah I’m going to my next class, I will see you later.” I said to noah. “Indeed we will meet each other later.” Noah responded in a way that I knew he knew something but I decided to ignore it.

I walked to my other class which somehow was a subject I don’t remember choosing, Combat Class. ‘I hope this class will teach me something new aside from what I know.’ It seems like the class would be taken outside from the note that was left in the door of the ‘supposed combat class’.

When I got there, there were at least twenty students. The best part was that everyone knew each other, ‘am I the only one who doesn’t know anyone here?’ Shaking my head as I laughed silently, now that I look closely there are some students that are orange rings and yellow rings.

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The thing is where we get to go against each other or go to a low level dungeon. Either way both things seem okay to me since I have to get used to my old ring. I pulled out my ring from my dimension device.

How long has it been since I used it?

There is no use dwelling on it now, the best thing I could do is use it until I get into the green ring at least. That is where mages get their zero phase ring. Before I could get lost in my thoughts any more, I felt a mana wave that I didn’t recognize at all.

Their mana ring had to be at least blue. I only met a couple of blue rings during the war but to have a blue ring as a professor seems a lot more exciting. A heinous smile broke into my face and I felt it too.

A hand fell into my shoulder.

I turned around so fast that it alarmed the other students in a 10 meter radius.

“No need to be that high on guard.” said the womanly voice that could have caught me off guard but her aura gave it away. The woman studied me closely, “It seems like I really scared you that you even pulled out a mana blade.”

I was surprised by what she said, I looked down and saw that I instinctively made a mana blade and what's more I was already on my offensive stance. I exhaled as I broke my stance and released my blade.

“I’m sorry but your aura took me by surprise.” I said, scratching the back of my head.

“No need to be sorry I have been told that a lot of times… But you are the only one who reacted that fast. Say kid what’s your name?” She seemed so interested in me that she even tried to look what color my ring was, and by her eyes she seemed more intrigued by it.

“His name is Alter Violet, Professor Freyja.” It was said in a cold tone that I already knew who it was, it seems like I won’t be alone for this class.

CHARLOTTE BAMFORD

“That is all for the class students, you may leave for your second class.” Said the professor.

“Well then princess, what class do you have next?” Said Sophia in a teasing tone. Sophia was another person who didn’t care about my heritage as other people do.

“I have combat class next.” Letting out an exhale trying to let go of the day we got trapped in the dungeon. But seeing as Sophia didn’t think of it like I did but differently.

“So who is the lucky man princess?” I felt my face go hot, “fufufu? Someone is blushing.”

I faced the opposite, not letting her see my face, “It’s not what you think Sohpia.” I tried to say it in a convincing tone. “It doesn’t seem like that to me Charlotte.”

“It’s no use trying to convince you. I’m just going to be on my way, see you Sophia.” Both of us walked the opposite way as we finished our goodbyes.

I wonder what class Alter has now? Thinking of the many possibilities that we both might have the same class.

At the entrance of the arena class there was a commotion. Students were surrounding the two people, ‘another fight huh?’ were the words that popped in my mind since students always fight about power and nonsense things.

Not putting attention into the situation, there was a couple of students saying something about the professor. My curiosity peaked and decided to see what was going on. My eyes widened at the second figure, he seemed scared for some reason? But I can’t say why.

His stance seemed like it was formed by battles that put lives at stake, a mana blade was formed in his hand and his aura seemed a little unstable like his strength was reduced to a red ring mage.

Did he conceal his original power? Was his power stolen? There was so many questions on my mind but I knew they wouldn’t answer themselves, so I had to ask Alter about it.

Alter undid his stance and blade, “I’m sorry but your aura took me by surprise.” He said what seemed like he was scratching the back of his head. Professor Freyja studied him closely, it seemed to be that she was trying to figure out his ring color. “No need to be sorry, I have been told that a lot of times…” She stopped and then continued, “But you are the only one who reacted that fast. Say kid what is your name?” Her eyes seemed fixated on his ring.

I needed to stop her from finding out who Alter really is, and without a thought I moved forward making the students step aside. “His name is Alter Violet, Professor Freyja.” My tone felt cold even for me who was saying it.

I could see Alter’s expression lighten up from my appearance. “Hello there princess, have you been practicing for the announcement?” She changed her expression to a more excited one.

I nodded and answered, “Yes I have.” Then again the professor made another expression that meant she was curious on how I knew Alter’s name.

And without waiting for her question I continued, “My parents knew Alter’s parents and occasionally I met him when we were seven years old.” And turning to Alter who was more confused on what I just said.

Shaking my head to his reaction, professor Freyja signaled the rest of the students to form a circle around her.

“Students I have important news regarding our expedition on dungeons…” I forgot that she had this type of rule in her class, ‘If a new student joins her class, she would have to reserve a low or mid level dungeon for that class the next day.’

Alter raised his hand in which the professor nodded.

“Wasn’t there another professor in the dungeon incident?” Alter remembered the details of that day still?

Professor Freyja gave Alter a confused look but she was quick on changing her expression, “Yes you are right, that was professor Anastasia. At the moment she has been granted another role that is classified to the students.”

The professor cleared her throat before continuing, “As I said this matter regarding our expeditions from now on requires us to have at least four royal guards.” The complaints from the students started to rise.

“Those are the conditions for us to go to a dungeon no matter the level threat, but fret not, the guards won’t interfere with our training until things go south.” Said the professor, convincing the students before they got careless.

If that’s the case wouldn’t it make us take an Espion with us since I’m a princess? Hopefully not since I already have Alter with me there shouldn’t be a problem. All the students started to make among themselves about the dungeon expedition that is tomorrow.

Two claps came from the professor, “Now, now, leaving that matter aside, shall we start with our team vs team?” She’s up to something that's for sure and it has something to do with Alter. I faced the direction of where Alter previously was but he wasn’t there, I spectated my surroundings trying to find him before anyone tries to add him in a team.

To my surprise he was under a tree next to the entrance of the arena. “Too hot?” I asked, sitting next to him. “That’s one but the other one is that I don’t belong when it comes to social skills.” Alter answered looking at the students forming groups. His eyes gave me a sad feeling, ‘What has this kid my age gone through to have that type of gaze?’ Those thoughts made me think that it had to do with why he was gone for six years.

I shaked my head trying to get rid of these thoughts that were causing me sadness. I should be trying to repay him for saving me and those six years he was gone I will make him forget that sadness and loneliness. I stood up and put my hand in front of Alter, “Would you like to be part of my team Alter?”

At first he seemed to hesitate on taking my hand but then he took my hand and gave me a warm smile that fitted him more. “I won’t let you down.” After that Alter pulled another ring out of a dimension bracelet, only this ring was different yet similar to the one he had on. Putting the Midnight purple ring on his right hand and his red ring on his left.

“Why do you have another ring for Alter?” I asked, trying to get a better view of the purple ring. “Well for some reason I could use two rings, the red one was my original, the purple was from a person that was very important to me. The ring was on my hand when I was awake but that’s a story for another time.” There it was, that sad expression that doesn’t suit a kid my age.

Without thought I hugged Alter, at first I thought it was the best thing I could do to at least relieve him from those feelings. Time seemed to pass very fast, by the time I stopped hugging time the other students had already been done with their team.

“Are you done with your show, princess?” My body jolted at the voice, “Professor Freyja, please forget this scene.” I was embarrassed as the other students saw me and Alter like that…

“The rules are simple, no killing or maiming, combat is allowed, magic is allowed, the first team to be unable to fight it out…” Freyja said as her voice echoed through the arena, “If there aren't any questions then let the match start.”

Twenty minutes into the match everything was normal until a pressure was over all the school that made all of us fall into our knees, some even fainted. This brought flashbacks of the dungeon with the basilisk but the only difference was that instead of one aura it was multiple.