Two weeks later, Rose returned from her expedition.

Currently, Lance and Aria are in the library with her as she was reading a book she bought on the way back.

“....And that’s how the hero found and rescued the princess from the evil king. The end,” Rose said

“That story sounds a bit cheesy,” Lance said.

Aria’s cheeks, on the other hand, were a little red.

“I like it,” she said.

“Heh…” Lance turned to her direction. “You look just like any other girl when it comes to this.”

“W-What does that mean…” She crossed her arms, looking away while pouting.

Rose looked at us with a knowing look while smiling. 

“Oh my,” Rose said as she wore a playful smile. “It seems you two have become closer during the past few weeks while I was gone. Did something happen?”

“You could say that,” Lance smiled.

Rose looked at Aria “What have you learned about my brother, Aria?”

“Well…” Aria placed a finger on her cheek. “I learned that he likes salty food, read books in his free time, do some magic experiments, sometimes he sneaks into town-”

“Wait! How do you even know the last one?!” Lance interrupted her.

“I once saw you in town,” she replied.

“...And why were you there...?”

Aria visibly flinched, causing Lance to break into a grin.

“....And he also snuck into the female bathroom to-”

“That was an accident! You know that!” he retorted.

“Pervert.”

“Look, I’m sorry for that time!”

“He also once-”

“Okay okay! I get it! I’ll treat you to some sweets later!”

“Hehe...” Aria giggled, relishing her small victory. Her eyes also seemed to be sparkling.

Rose and sweets; these two things really get Aria to show more expressions on her face.

“Speaking of which, I’m pretty sure we made quite a bit of noise just now, so how come….” Lance looked around and noticed a barrier was set up around their table. 

“Did you cast this sound isolation barrier?” he asked Rose.

“I did after you started raising your voice,” Rose said, before she made a playful smile. “Just in case Aria starts talking about some of your embarrassing secrets.”

“What secrets?” Lance raised an eyebrow.

Rose smiled. 

“Like that one time you wet your-.”

“Okay, stop!” Lance yelled.

“Awww…I wanted to tease you a little more before asking you two for a favor…” Rose puffed her cheeks.

“A favor?” Lance asked. “What do you want us to do?”

“I’m glad you asked,” Rose said before she took a sip on her cup of tea, before her expression turned more serious.

“What are you going to have us do, master?” Aria asked in a serious tone, sensing the change in Rose’s mood.

Rose smiled a bit before answering. “It’s nothing too serious. I just need you two to guide a new student, my new apprentice, for me. She will be joining your class.”

“Your new apprentice? In our class?”

“Indeed. She will be showing up in class tomorrow. I’ll have you two show her the ropes. The school has already been informed about this,” Rose said.

Lance thought about it a little.

I don’t have anything planned from tomorrow until Ectas so…

“Okay, I’m free. How about you Aria?”

“So it’s not her…” Aria muttered before continuing, “I don’t see a reason to decline, especially since this is an order from Master.”

Rose smiled at Aria while the latter tried to look away for some reason.

“Well then, I guess that decides it then!” Rose declared.

“You were gonna force me anyway if I didn’t accept…” Lance muttered in a low voice.

“What was that?” Rose smiled as usual, but there was something different about it that unnerved Lance.

“Nothing!”

Lance quickly stood up.

“Would you look at that! We’re out of tea! I’ll just go and make some more!” Lance took the teapot and went to where the tea powder is.

“Let me help,” Aria said, following him.

“Take your time,” Rose said with a soft smile.

Once they were outside the barrier, however, Rose frowned.

“I didn’t expect to find her there…” Rose said, seemingly talking to no one. “I have to find a way to make it up to Lily…”

A reply came to her in the form of a gentle breeze.

“I really hope so…”

The next day, inside the classroom…

“Good morning class,” Professor Zeke said. 

“Before we start today’s lesson, I would like to introduce you all to a new student. Due to certain circumstances, she was only able to start attending school today. With that out of the way, please come in.”

A light-green haired girl walked into the room. The length of her hair touches her shoulders, while her eyes are as blue as the sky.

She stopped beside the professor, then talked a bit to her, probably urging her to introduce herself.

She seems a bit nervous, Lance thought, observing her body shaking a little.

“Um!” she started. 

“M-My name is Luciela...Luciela Rose, nice to meet you!”