KAYLA

Wow, that is a creepy chuckle. Miko is indulging in her sadistic fantasies while I look through the flyer for this school. Loewenstadt Academy of Magic… this is not the first time I've heard that name. When my parents considered whether to send me to one of these schools, this was the first one that immediately fell out of the selection because of the horrendous tuition fees.

Their school grounds look incredible. The main building and dormitories are practically next to each other, surrounded by a massive forest with several running and climbing tracks. They have an indoor swimming pool, several gyms, and fields for all kinds of sports. And all this despite being a place for mages.

Despite the tough training ahead, I can't help but look forward to it. I'm a little worried about how we will be accepted by the students, as we are invading their space for our own benefit, so to speak, and all thanks to our guild leader's connections and contacts.

Maybe, no, most likely, I worry too much. We're not nearly as important as I think we are to these people. Everything should be fine if we try not to disturb anyone. Chances are, no one will even notice we're there. After all, they have over one thousand students.

"Who wants a coffee?" Lilith seems to indicate that she's done. Miko also seems preoccupied with herself, and I'm rather satisfied as well.

I'm sure I could think of a thousand more questions during the day, but we still have over a week until the beginning of May.

"Coffee sounds good. Shall I make some?" I offer, but Lilith immediately waves me off.

"No, no, you stay here and think about a training plan with Miko," she jumps up and strolls up the stairs.

"A training plan, huh?"

"It's actually obvious what needs to be done. A month is barely enough time to lay the foundations. Your mana pool and control will grow over time as you use magic, but what I realized from talking to the doctor at the hospital is your terrible physical condition. You're not sick, but you're also far from healthy."

She may be on to something. Every doctor has advised me to pay more attention to my diet and to do some physical exercise. What Miko is probably getting at is that a fitter body could have withstand the kind of strain that Krystoff's healing treatment put on me.

"Not the reaction I was expecting."

"What did you want to see? Me crying and begging you to reconsider the plan?"

"Nah, we'll save that for later. But I was expecting a bit of resistance."

"Sorry, nothing to complain about."

"Hmph."

"Do you like sport?"

"Not really. Since you can strengthen your body with magic, you can find a lot of mages who are anything but fit. But between missions, I often couldn't think of anything else to do except prepare for the next one, so it's become a habit for me to work out."

"Do you have a six-pack?"

"Sure, do you want to see it?"

I gasp. "I'd love to."

"Dream on. Like I'm showing you anything."

"You can see mine."

"I already did in the hospital."

That nasty giggle... As much as it upsets me, it's kind of cute too. Oddly enough, I prefer it when she's somewhat mean to me, compared to the overly lovely behavior from before.

"Well, my children, I'm back," after a record-breaking time of just under two minutes, Lilith returns to the table with a tray carrying three cups.

She puts it down in front of us, hands me a coffee, takes one for herself, and pushes a cup over to Miko with a smug face.

"I've made you some strawberry milk, cold and sweet, just the way you like it."

Aw, man, I didn't know that was available. I would have taken one, too. With a jealous expression, I glance at Miko, who is shining red like a tomato on the verge of tears. I didn't think the whole situation was that humiliating.

"Don't look!" Sipping her milk, she turns away a little. I blow some air into my coffee, hoping not to burn myself with the first sip.

"I won't be accepting any more missions for now. You should concentrate on the coming weeks. But thanks to your performance, Kayla, I know how much I can sell us for."

I'm sure she'll leave out the part about me ending up in a hospital. Otherwise, I'm glad to be of such help.

Miko continues to drink silently. There was no praise for her just now, as I understand she's the kind of witch who's good at killing monsters, and the only thing left for her to do right now is guide me around. I do feel sorry for her, but I'm sure she'll be back clearing dungeons one day.

"What are you looking at?" I have no idea how she always notices that.

"Has much changed? Now that I'm here?"

The last few weeks have been all about me and very little about her. Sure, she's a lot more experienced than me regarding the job. However, ultimately, she's just eighteen years old, and even if she tries to appear mature, you can still tell she's a young woman.

"It's all right. At least I have something to do again."

Oh, I'm keeping her busy and relieving her boredom. She could be a bit more grateful for it if that's the case.

"If anything is bothering you or I can help you with anything, please just let me know."

In the corner of my eye, I see Lilith grinning in satisfaction.

"I will."

"Good."

"Good," and she starts sipping her milk again.

"Oh, Kayla."

"Yes?"

"Is it okay if you drive? I need Eliza to attend a few guild leader conferences. You could borrow her car again."

"Sure, it's not that long a drive."

"About two hours."

"We should manage that."

"As long as we don't have to look for a parking space."

"Hey!"

Miko usually only opens her mouth to tease me. I'm not complaining about it, but it's a bit striking. At least we've sorted out the trip. Now, we just have to wait until the day we leave.

Hmm, a strange silence has spread. We're all sipping our drinks, and no one is trying to open up a new topic for conversation. Unlike me, however, they don't seem to mind.

Above all, how do we end this meeting if no one says anything? Lilith has covered her agenda. I don't have any questions right now, and Miko radiates a lack of interest.

Someone will say something at some point... I hope.