Novus looked at Alexa with some concerns as the group left the City Guard Building.

The Young Arcanist thought she was the Captain of the City Guard and couldn’t fathom why somebody in such a high position would want to go into the field. 

Even after a taste of victory in the duel yesterday, he was still against having to fight or using his magic to hurt others. Yesterday was the exception that confirmed the rule for him.

As exhilarating as the experience was, he really didn’t want to repeat it.

He had waited for them quite a while after Robio left the barracks, as he needed to return to work. The Young Arcanist sat on a bench on the ground floor trying to ignore the whispers and stares.

Some knew that he was actually lowborn, but the less informed only saw a Highborn kid on his own and the only reason they didn’t engage in taunt or insults was the fact that he came alongside Callis and that he had an Arcanist staff.

He overheard some shouting, most likely all the building did, and the sound of something breaking.

For a second he was about to go check, but the lackadaisical lack of interest everyone seemed to have about the clamor upstairs stopped him from climbing three flights of stairs and braving the precarious wooden walkways above his head.

It didn’t take long for them to come out. Alexa and Callis seemed to be happy about something as the Captain of the Guard handed a sealed scroll to one of her guards and gave her instructions to take it to the Royal Castle.

-She is coming with us, Mes Igneus.- That was Callis’ only explanation about Alexa as they left the barracks and went towards the Middle District.

Novus was about to say something about this, but a ripping sound caught his attention and he turned towards Alexa.

She was in the process of ripping the sleeves from her Captain Uniform, with a wide smile from ear to ear and a dangerous glow on her eyes. 

The Young Magus had noticed Alexa was tall and well built, it was hard not to, but as she revealed her arms he realized how much. She seemed to be made out of stone, with biceps wider than his thighs, yes, plural.

Alexa was carrying a massive polearm, one that Novus wouldn’t even be able to lift from the floor much less rest it comfortably over his shoulder like her.

-She looks ex-ex-ceptionally re-realiable…- Novus stammered the first thing that came to mind, and he received a swift reply by Alexa.

The Captain of the Guard bellowed a hearty chuckle and patted his shoulder with such force he almost fell forward.

The Young Magus stumbled and avoided the fall by using his staff to stop his fall. As soon as he recovered he looked forward, realized something and stopped dead in his tracks.

-Exceptionally he says. He’s a wordy little thing, not too different from yourself kitty-kat, back when you joined the Guard- She let out another powerful chuckle and kept walking without realizing Novus had stopped.

-You want to hear stories of the kitty-kat when he joined, kiddo?- She asked, but Novus didn’t reply. 

-He doesn’t want to hear them, we have a mission to accomplish, right Mes Igneus?- Callis replied but once again Novus didn’t say anything. 

-Mes Igneus?- Callis asked, turning around to see Novus standing with his hands closed around his staff, his knuckles white from the pressure he was exerting against the wood.

-Is there something the matter?- Alexa asked, looking over her shoulder, her smile still there, shining like the sun.

It took a moment for Callis to realize what was wrong as he had been focusing on what was next rather than in the now. He could feel what was wrong with the sole of his boots, curved over the cobblestone road supported by the bridge.

-Mes Igneus… Do you need assistance?- Callis asked tactfully, realizing that once again they were about to cross the river and Novus was clearly frozen with fear.

-I…I… j-just… give me a second…- Novus replied with a wavering voice, which puzzled Alexa.

-What’s going on? Am I missing something?- Alexa asked, confused by the whole situation. Both with Novus stopping and Callis behaving so empathetically.

-Mes Igneus has an aversion to running water.- Callis trained to explain as carefully as he could, but that only confused Alexa.

-Stop speaking like a bloody Highborn, or I won’t understand what in the name of the Seven Magus you’re trying to say.- The Captain of the Guard exclaimed, throwing one hand in the air, clearly frustrated by the Beast Blade loftier vocabulary.

Callis rolled his eyes with frustration matching Alexa’s, but directed to her lack of refinement.

-I mean he is afraid of water, it took us a while to cross the bridge last time, I bet I can convince him to do it faster this time.- Callis explained, attempting to remain as tactful as possible so Alexa would understand this was important.

-You promised me a fight and now we need to wait for the arcanist to cross the bridge. This sounds like the start of a weird joke.- She commented, looking first at Novus, who only advanced a couple of steps since they started talking, shivering like the last leaf of a tree during a blizzard.

-I am sorry Messa Parma, but we cannot just force something like this.- The Beast Blade was quite in tune when it came to visceral reactions and instinct. He spent his whole life trying to control his own so he understood the struggle Novus was having.

Alexa gave a look to Novus and then one to Callis. She looked around, as some of the other passersby were observing the scene with a mixture of awkward curiosity and shameful interest.

The Captain of the Guard let out a long, drawn out, sigh. She pinched the bridge of her nose and then walked towards Novus.

Before Callis could say anything, she grabbed the young arcanist by the back of his neck, her fingers’ grip strong enough on their own to lift Novus, and transported him across the bridge with ease.

-There, now we can focus on fighting.- She said, letting her fingers relax.

Novus fell on his feet, but soon his knees crumpled and his whole weight dragged him onto his ass.

-Messa Parma, you are lacking in finesse, as always.- Callis chastised her as he approached Novus, ready to help the Young Arcanist to stand up.

-I don’t have time to waste with “finesse”.- She retorted, quickly adding. -And you shouldn’t bother either. Being around all those arrogant highborn and their rules are softening you up.-

Callis glared at her, as he extended his hand towards Novus.

-I can assure you I have not changed at all, much like yourself.- The Beast Blade helped Novus to stand, who was still shaking.

-T…thanks.- Novus managed to utter a single word, still shaken by the ordeal.

-With that settled, we can go to the pier and catch those two pieces of acrilla shit red-handed.- Alexa proclaimed with a huge smile as she led the way towards the pier, walking on passage between the buildings and the river.

-You have some interesting friends.- Novus said to Callis, finally managing to stop shaking.