Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ５ - ​𝓘𝓽'𝓼 𝓷𝓸𝓽 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓲𝓽 𝓵𝓸𝓸𝓴𝓼 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮

​​Flora Fall calls herself an average student with somewhat decent grades, especially when she tries. But what frustrates her is that her Magic skills fail her in comparison

​Flora often wonders what's so different between her classmates and her. Besides the social anxiety and bad habits, of course. She felt like she always had to work much harder than everyone else in school. Just to prove she is capable enough like her Mother. Yet no matter what she does, her classmates don't seem to have much faith in her…always bad-mouthing her. Often, the topic she hears would be comparing her to her mother, who was a famous hero who adventured with the last hero summoned by the gods.

​“I don't get it. Shouldn't it be genetics? I'm sure her mom has a lot of mana passed down. It's too bad it's wasted on someone like her.”

​It was a comment she heard the other day, and she had to bite her lip to not cry. She wasn't exactly a confrontational person either, so she never told them to stop.

​Even when she doesn't understand a lecture, she would rather review the material by reading by herself to not be a burden.

​‘I think most great mages are more independent, so there's no need to ask for help. Besides, I think Mom likes doing things by herself most of the time. But….’

​She thought about the events today.

​‘It's nice to receive help sometimes,’ she thinks about the times Indigo saved her yesterday, with her heart racing a bit.

​“My upperclassman was so cool…” she mutters. She felt a pull from the leash she was holding, making her gasp.

​She frowns a bit at Mochi.

​Flora: “Don't pull so suddenly.”

​Oh yeah, she forgot. The teacher handed her some rope to tie around the collar. At first, she chuckles, thinking it can make things easier since she can't summon Mochi back to a realm. That turns out half right, as that enables her to keep a closer eye on the dog. The bad news is, with him tugging and pulling, it feels like she has less control. But every time he pulls, he lets out a cough.

​“ I told you to stop pulling, “Flora complains.

​The headmaster chuckles.

​Ceralle: “Sounds like he took a liking to you, “the fey looks amused.

​Flora looks sheepishly. “ Does he really?”

​They were now in the headmaster's office. When Indigo and Flora got back, it was past class hours. Seeing that it was too late to learn anything, Indigo says he'll head to his teacher to catch up on things he misses. This leaves Flora alone with her familiar, and she is not thrilled to talk to grumpy treefolk.

​Serif: “You're late. I expected better from you.” The older woman from making Flora sweat.

​‘There was a time limit to rescuing the familiar?’ was what Flora thought about.

​As if reading her mind, Serif clicks her tongue.

​“ I know that look. We may not establish a time officially, but you are part of my class, so I expected everything to be settled in 5 minutes instead of hours.” Flora had a deadpan expression to that.

​“Yes…teacher. “

​The woman changed the subject.

​“ Anyway, the headmaster wanted to talk to you. Head to her office now... oh and to make up for missing class, I added extra homework for you.” The women left, not seeing Flora's jaw wide open in shock.

​‘ This woman is a demon,’ Flora swears at her fate.

​Now forward to the present in the office, the fey lady smiles slightly as she watches Flora try to get the dog to stay still. She turns her back to grab a box that looks untouched for years. The fey blows on the top to get rid of the dust building up. She opened the lid and took 2 things out.

​Ceralle: “Here. Use this instead. It should make things easier. “

​Flora eyes the two items carefully.

​Flora: “Oh, okay… I think this is supposed to replace the rope, right? But what's this?”

​The fey chuckles.

​“ That is called a harness for dogs. It gives the dog some freedom to pull without straining the neck. “ She then points at the other item. “ And this one is a leash. It can retract and extent with this button. You can hold on to the handle right here. It should be easier on your hand.” The older woman paused for a second.

​Ceralle has a melancholy smile on her face. “ These are the last things… he- I mean…the hero from my old party left me before we departed on different paths.”

​Her last words almost sound soft as a whisper.

​“ His dog…was the one he treasured the most. But… I have no use for these items. So please…take the entire box. I've put a bit of magic to preserve them.”

​Flora slowly took the box from the older woman. She really wanted to ask more about the Hero and his dog. But she closes her mouth, feeling it was not her place to pry. Instead, she thanked the woman.

​“ Thank you, headmaster…”

​​Walking Mochi with the leash felt much better, as the rope reddens her hand each time the dog pulls. Mochi seems to be more excited on leash and keeps pulling. Each time, Flora has to fight between pulling back and following him. There were still students hanging around the academy. Flora groans, hearing some students laugh and point in her direction.

​“ How could you be so small and strong at the same time?” she frowns down at the dog pulling her. “No…. This way! Home is this way.”

​After a bit of annoyance with the tugging and pulling, Flora made it home with Mochi, who seemed more curious about sniffing around. She pulls the leash again to redirect his attention. She remembers her father said he was working today, so she called out to her big sister instead.

​“Autumn? I'm home! Autumn?” The girl looks around. It's usually not this quiet. Then she heard something almost like laughter coming from her sister's room.

​‘ Wait… I swore I heard another voice. It sounds familiar, too. Is she inviting a friend over?’ Flora follows the sound of laughter to her sister's room. She knocks on the door only to see that the door wasn't completely closed, and her knocking opens up the door to see Indigo on top of her sister. Both of them are red as a tomato. They suddenly look shocked at Flora. Her sister was the first to talk.

​Autumn: “Wait… this isn't what it looks like. We're not doing anything inappropriate. “

​Indigo: Actually… Maybe we should be honest. She's right about the last part, but the truth is I asked your sister out a couple of days ago… so we're actually…” His face was redder.

​Flora suddenly drops the headmaster's box.

​Autumn looks at her sister, who looks pale as a ghost with her jaw open.

​Autumn “Are you okay, Flora?”

​Flora could not hold up the disappointment and shock.

​Flora: “EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

​​After some explaining from the two, it was established that they are a couple. Flora could not stop rocking herself back and forth.

​“ They're a couple…they're a couple,” she mutters. The two of them look confused.

​Autumn: I didn't expect you to get so bothered by it…

​Indigo scratches his head sheepishly.

​Indigo: If you're worried, I'll take up space in the house… I could just stay in this room or go elsewhere with Autumn.

​Flora raises her hand, waving it a bit in a panic.

​Flora: “That's not it! I don't have an issue with that.”

​Autumn: “On the contrary, I actually thought it would make you happier since you're always talking about how great Indigo is. ” Flora blushes, looking embarrassed.

​Indigo's face lights up.

​Indigo: “Oh yeah! In that case, I can help you easier with practicing spells or your technique from this point forward. I can help you study too if you want,” he grins.

​ Flora slowly nods, trying to prevent any more expressions from escaping.

​Flora: “Yay… amazing. I'm so happy.”

​Autumn finally turned her attention to Mochi, who was sitting on the ground, sticking his tongue out. Her eyes light up.

​“ You must be the familiar my little sister summoned! I heard all about you from Indigo.” She got off the bed and lowered to her knees. She patted her lap, making her tone playful and cute.

​“ Who's a good boy! Who's the cutest little Mochi of them all?” Mochi's ears perk up, and his front legs playfully tap the ground.

​Flora widens her eyes as the dog rolls over to let Autumn pat his belly.

​Autumn: “Good boy! Good boy! ”

​Flora turns the other way, muttering to herself. “ Oh course…even my own familiar prefer my sister over me,” she cries

​Indigo raises his brow.

​“ What are you crying about?” he asked. Immediately she flinches

​“Nothing!” She says. Indigo crouches down to her level to look at her face. Her eyes were a little puffy, and her lips almost pouty. Indigo tilted his head.

​“ That doesn't sound like nothing,“ he says, not believing her. Flora pouts, looking over her shoulder, seeing Mochi play around with Autumn. He follows her gaze. His lips open up to an `O`.

​Indigo: “It's an advantage having a sister who's a beast tamer class, huh? Don't feel bad if Mochi hasn't completely warmed up. I'm sure it's the same for me.” To prove it, Indigo lowered himself to Mochi and stuck out his hand. Mochi looks at his hand, feeling unsure, and backs away a bit.

​Autumn: Ahh, ahh. Mochi, you should know who this is. He's the one who saved you.

​Autumn looks at the box on the ground.

​“Oh, Flora. What is that big box you got there?” she asks.

​Flora turns her attention to the box she forgot about.”

​Flora: “Oh… the headmaster gave it to me. It's supposed to be for Mochi.”

​She opens up the box, and the three of them look in. She sees Autumn's eyes lit up. She took out a costume that looked like it would fit Mochi. It has a lion hoodie with strings to tie around its neck.

​Autumn: “So cute! So this is for Mochi.”

​A screen pops up in front of them

​+----------------------------------------------------Mochi-------------------------------------------------------------+

​Congratulations. You have obtained a rare item. Lion's Breath Armor of Destruction is now in your possession

​+------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

​The three of them made a weird face.

​“Eh….?”