Rune seemed nervous, his ears twitching slightly as his tail curled behind him. Fibble, perched on the edge of a chair, ruffled his feathers and clicked his beak in mock impatience.
“Are you going to get the intruder out of our house?” the owl muttered, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Ignoring Fibble’s commentary, Solon stepped forward and produced a neatly printed parchment from the folds of his robe. The elegant script read Class 1-A, detailing an intricate schedule of lessons, magical practices, and extracurricular activities.
“You’ll be in Class 1-A,” Solon informed you, his tone formal yet measured. “Your studies begin promptly today. Be sure to head there immediately after you’ve familiarized yourself with this.”
He handed you the parchment, his steady gaze meeting yours as if to emphasize the importance of punctuality.
Rune leaned in eagerly, peering at the schedule with bright curiosity.
“Hey, I’m in Class 1-A too!” he announced with a wide grin, his earlier nervousness replaced by excitement. “Guess that means we’re stuck together. Fibble too,” he added with a playful nudge at the owl.
Fibble responded with an exaggerated groan. “Oh, joy. A goblin fae, a clueless human, and me—the only competent one in the group. What could possibly go wrong?”
Solon raised an eyebrow at Rune, his expression cooling slightly. “Are you certain you won’t cause any… disruptions?” The question was polite but carried a weight that was impossible to miss.
For a fleeting moment, Rune faltered. His confident smile wavered, and his tail coiled tighter around his leg. You could see it—a crack in the cheerful facade he wore so effortlessly. But then, with a deep breath, he straightened his posture, his tail swishing as if to brush away the doubt.
“I’ll do my best to change how people perceive goblin faes, Headmage,” Rune replied firmly, his voice steady despite the flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. “I promise.”
Solon studied him for a long moment, his gaze unreadable. Finally, he nodded. “Very well. If any questions arise,” he said, turning to you, “Rune is expected to assist. However, should he become a problem, do not hesitate to seek out a staff member. Understood?”
The words weren’t harsh, but they were undeniably firm—a reminder that Solon’s trust was something to be earned, not freely given, especially for Rune. He adjusted his robes with a flick of his wrist, his expression softening slightly as he added,
“I have other matters to attend to. Do not be late for your first class.”
Without another word, the headmage turned and left, the sound of the door closing behind him echoing in the stillness.
The silence that followed was quickly broken by Fibble’s scoff.
“What was that all about? The guy looked like he expected you to set the place on fire.”
Rune let out a nervous chuckle, his hand moving to rub the back of his neck. His ears drooped slightly, and for the first time, his buoyant demeanor seemed subdued.
“Well… goblin faes don’t exactly have the best reputation,” he admitted quietly, his voice tinged with resignation.
Fibble snorted. “Understatement of the century.”
Rune sighed, his tail curling loosely around one of his legs as though seeking comfort.
“Yeah, okay, we were… not great. For centuries, my kind thrived on raids, theft, and causing chaos. And that’s putting it lightly. Dominance was everything, and consent… wasn’t even a concept my ancestors valued.”
His voice grew softer, the weight of his words settling heavily in the room.
“It’s a legacy I’m not proud of. But that’s why I’m here—to prove we can be better.”
You watched him closely, noting the vulnerability in his stance. His usually bright demeanor seemed dimmed by the weight of his mission, and yet there was a resolve in his eyes that made it impossible not to admire him. His tail flicked slightly, as if punctuating his determination to move forward.
Fibble tilted his head, his feathers fluffing slightly as he muttered, “Well, you’ve got your work cut out for you. Better not mess it up.”
The words were sharp, but there was an unusual softness beneath them—something almost like approval, though Fibble would never admit it outright.
Rune’s smile returned, faint but genuine this time. His tail swayed gently to go back in your direction for more cuddle, his earlier tension replaced with a calm rhythm.
“Guess it’s not all bad,” Rune said, his voice lighter as he met your gaze. “At least I’ve got you and Fibble. That’s a start, right?”
The room seemed to brighten in response, the unspoken bond between the three of you strengthening with each passing moment. Rune’s tail, as if sharing his sentiment, curled gently in your hands you, brushing your arm with a feather-light touch.
Rune extended his hand, palm up and inviting. His smile widened, a mix of confidence and warmth.
“Come on. Let’s tour the school before class starts. You’re going to want to see what you’re getting into.”
The offer lingered in the air, a tangible reminder that no matter how unfamiliar or daunting this place might seem, you weren’t alone.
Tentatively, you reached out, clasping his hand as the two of you turned toward the door, Fibble fluttering behind with an exasperated mutter about "wasting time." Together, you stepped out into the unknown campus, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
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