Chapter 8: Bullies Are So Lame

“Excuse me.” I said in my head without realizing I had also said them out loud.

Without a moment to recompose myself Kimi had re-entered the room with a bow.

“Your Majesty is waiting for you back in the throne room, Princess Yume.” Kimi said without lifting her head.

“I guess that’s my cue to take my leave. I do hope you’ll take my words to heart and proceed with caution.” The Princess said as she left the room.

“Hey Kimi, does she always make jokes like that?”

“Pardon?” Kimi responded raising her head now that Princess Yume had left.

Shit I probably shouldn’t say anything. I’d rather keep this information to myself at this point. There’s no knowing who else is in on that. Or as to why she would even be warning me.

“Never mind, I probably just misunderstood what the princess said to me.”

“I see. Regardless of that The King would like to speak with all of you in the throne room once again.” Kimi said opening the door.

Without another moment wasted she led me back into the corridor. Where I could see the rest of my class also being led to the throne room by their respective maids.

Now this is our second time entering the throne room, this time as invited guests. With no guards but the royal family before us.

The King rose from his throne before he spoke.

“I have discussed with my family and our council in what ways we could possibly support you.” He paused before continuing. “Since you have all come to our humble world against your choosing.”

As the King spoke my gaze drifted off of him and onto the princess. Who this whole time has been staring at me. Though from her expression I couldn’t really tell what she was thinking or feeling.

The Queen cleared her throat interrupting her husband’s long winded soliloquy.

“What are gracious King is trying to say is that we would like to offer you to stay in our castle. Not only that, but if you would be interested, we could even enroll your class into our very own school; The Royal Fladive Academy. The next semester starts this very winter.” The Queen said with a warm smile.

If there was anything the last couple of hours has taught it’s to not trust any of this. Especially, with the warning I got from the princess earlier.

Though when I looked over to Princess Yume to see her reaction she gave me a nod. Basically telling me that I should accept this too good to be true proposition. Even my gut tells me that it’s a bad idea.

Though it seems it was never my decision to make. When the professor jumped at the opportunity to accept. Answering for the whole class without a faint idea what she could have signed us up for. Behind the facade of a really good deal.

Though from here, it has been two months since that announcement and I have spent that time in between learning as much as possible about this place. I was even able to learn that The Royal Fladive Academy is the most prestigious school in this entire kingdom. Where you can only get in if you are apart of the Royal Family or a high ranking noble. Though special cases are made, where you can get in on a special recommendation. Which is what they had told the academy we were.

But since the only classes that we’ve been able to take are their specialized classes that were made specifically for us. To learn the history and information of this world to catch up with the others. We had quickly flown to the bottom of the hierarchy landing us the role of laughing stocks.

The only reason why I can complain is because I’ve already learned how to read and write in their given language. All thanks to Kimi tutoring me before we even got enrolled here. Luckily enough math is the same just not as advanced as back home. And what they consider science is a class on magic while history is relatively the same but with more of a focus on war and strategy. They still have physical education but that’s more so sparing with swords or magic.

Though there are a multitude of specialized and custom classes. To fit the pace and needs of specific students who sit above the benchmark.

“I know this may seem a little advanced but does anyone want to try and read this passage?” Asked our linguistics professor.

It was only our second week of the semester and my plan was to just fit right in. But Kimi suggested that I take a different approach. Stand out with the professors and gain their trust but stay in the shadows with the other students.

“I can.” I said raising my hand in the class room.

I preferred this worlds classes and classrooms than back home. Grand open spacing with a chalkboard and podium on one end. With elevated rows of wooden desks to sit at and learn. On top of that this classroom had an abundance of light flow in from outside. Goodbye ugly florescent lights.

“That’s great, thank you Mr. Hori.” She said with a smile.

I stood up with the book in my hands. Reading from the passage we were on.

“What is there in the world except yourself? If the sky is blue yet you see red, do you trust the masses who preach the blue? Or do you keep your faith in your own eyes that the sky is red? For if the arrow questioned everything he could no longer be used. Which is why the arrow that has faith in himself is able to soar across the sky.”

“Thank you Mr. Hori, that was excellent. Now could anyone please try to explain what this passage is trying to portray.” She asked the rest of the class as I sat back down.

“Is it that people should trust their hearts when making a decision over listening to others trying to sway them?” Professor Gold or now simply Charlotte responded hesitantly.

“That’s a beautiful interpretation Ms. Gold but it’s not what the book is trying to say.” The linguistic professor responded back before scanning the room again for an answer.

“Faith is no more spiritual than it is practical.” I said with no hesitation.

“That’s perfect! Well done Mr. Hori, once again. In this passage they are trying to convey the usefulness in having faith. You can have your faith in any of the seven gods or in the friends and loved ones around you. But it is faith none the less that gives us all strength to persevere.” The linguistic professor said before being interrupted by the dongs of a bell clock tower in the distance.

That bell is what the school uses to announce when a class is over. Which is old school but what do you expect? On top of that this place has no concept of homework so I actually get some free time here.

“How’d you know that was the right answer?” Charlotte asked me as everyone else was leaving.

“What do you mean?” I asked back while closing my book.

“Faith. How was it that obvious to you?”

“Ms. Gold we’re in another world with swords and magic. I kinda just assumed they would be old school and practical.” I answered, standing up from my seat.

Charlotte grabbed my arm and pulled me closer so she could whisper in my ear.

“Rin.. I apologized for months and tried to tell you it wasn’t what you thought. I really wasn’t trying to use you for-”

“Rin! Come on I want to go and have some fun.” Princess Yume shouted bursting into the classroom. Interrupting Charlotte who in turn let me go.

“Maybe I didn’t want you to apologize.” I said to Charlotte before turning to Princess Yume. “Sorry Princess Yume, did you wait long?”

“Not really, and how many time have I told you to drop the princess.” She said, not making it a question but a statement of annoyance.

Over the last two months the Princess and I have gotten pretty close. Even looking back at it it was a pretty weird circumstance for us. Princess Yume would just barge into my room unannounced and just rant about how boring and awful being a princess is. Then we actually started to have back and forth conversations, believe it or not. I would tell her stories about what it was like back home. It was really nice the time I would get to spend with her. Even now at the academy when we both don’t have classes we are pretty inseparable.

“You truly are something.” Princess Yume said as we entered the academy halls.

“What, what do you mean? I’m just being myself.”

“Exactly. And I’ve never seen anyone just be themselves and win over all of their professors. It’s actually crazy. When my dad has them drop by to give him reports he practically has to beg them to stop talking about you and talk about the others.” She said almost sounding just as annoyed by it herself.

“Ok, now I know you’re just over exaggerating things.”

“I’m being serious. I don’t think there is a single one who doesn’t want to take you in as an apprentice.” She said nudging me with her elbow.

“Not a chance. If I’m peak performance then they really need to reevaluate their standards.”

“Come on Rin. Just accept the fact that you’re amazing. I’ve seen so many people come from the sky and none of them were as amazing or as interesting as you. Hell the other ones never even wanted to talk to me let alone let me be friends with them.”

“I mean being friends with you brings more trouble than good.”

“Hey!”

“But, you’re really fun to be around so I don’t mind as much.”

“Well looky here. If it isn’t the two love birds.” Said an obnoxious voice from behind interrupting our fun.

This annoying guy ruining the mood is Amster. He and his ‘friends’ have found it to be their duty to make us “other worlders” have a shit time here.

“Hamster just cut it out man. This really isn’t a good look for you.” I said giving him a fatherly look of disapproval.

“The hell did you call me!? I am the Great Master Von Hamfelling III.”

“Yeah, and didn’t you have a pretty high seating as one of the suitors for Princess Yume. Yet you’re here making a fool of yourself in front of everyone here and most importantly. Someone who could potentially be your future wife.” I said spinning is own actions against him. In hopes he would see how dumb he looks.

It’s impressive that this guy has some nice teeth still since he loves to grind them when he gets angry. And right about now he looks like he’s going to kill me.

*WARNING*

*YOU ARE BEING HUNTED*

Huh, who would’ve thought?