Ruach's POV
I sat outside the Grandmaster's office, waiting for her current meeting to end. Beside me was a rather handsome boy, his body covered in bandages much like mine. I had seen him a few times in the clinic while getting my bandages changed, but we had never spoken.
"…Hey, sorry to pry," he suddenly said, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Did you also get called to the Grandmaster's office because of a fight? I think I saw you in the clinic a couple of times."
"Oh… yeah," I replied. "Based on your wording—and the bandages—I assume you also got into a fight?"
"Yeah. We just had our Weapon and Blood Coating Ceremony, so we had to fight. I beat all of them though, haha."
"I see… so my assumption that you're a weapon master was correct."
"And my observation that you're a mage was also correct."
There was a brief pause.
"I guess the real question is…" I continued, "…do you hate mages? Do you see us as psychopathic killers?"
He blinked, then shrugged slightly. "Not really. I see mages as… people. Some deserve my hate, some don't." He glanced at me. "What about you? Do you think weapon masters are barbaric killers?"
"No," I answered honestly. "I think you're just fighting with the best option you have—without magic."
He smiled. "Then I don't think we'll have a problem."
"I agree."
"Then can I ask—why did you fight? I don't think mages are usually required to, outside of combat classes."
"It was a duel," I said. "They were pestering me, so I challenged all of them at once to make them stop. And… they insulted my mother, so I had to defend her honor."
"Oh…" His expression softened slightly. "You did the right thing. That's brave." Then his eyes widened. "Wait—did you say all of them? You fought multiple mages at once?"
"…Yeah. But I still lost," I muttered. "I was close though."
He laughed lightly. "That's still impressive. If you almost won while outnumbered, that's basically a victory."
"…I guess so. Hey—"
"Um, excuse me," a female student interrupted as she stepped out of the office. "The Grandmaster said the next student can go in now."
"Oh." I stood up. "I guess that's me."
I turned back to him and raised my hand. "It was nice meeting a weapon master like you. My first encounter with one… wasn't exactly pleasant. I'm Liora Ruach."
He took my hand and shook it. "Caelum Blackmoor. And it's nice meeting an open-minded mage. My first encounter didn't go so well either."
"Well then… until next time, Mr. Blackmoor."
"Until next time, Ms. Ruach."
With that, I entered the Grandmaster's office.
Inside, she was already looking at me—with a genuinely pleased… and slightly mischievous smile.
"I see you've become quite acquainted with Caelum outside. I wonder if—"
"Cough Please don't assume anything," I cut in quickly. "We were just having a conversation. And… didn't you call me here for something?"
"Yes, yes," she said with a soft laugh. "No need to be so defensive. I simply find it interesting—mages and weapon masters rarely speak so calmly with each other."
She leaned back slightly. "It also seems you've grown comfortable enough to speak to me informally. How about calling me Godmother from now on? In private, of course."
"…Uhm…"
She waved her hand dismissively. "Relax, I'm only teasing. No need to force yourself. Now then—shall we begin? Tell me everything that happened."
So I did.
From the bullying… to the insults about my mother… to the fight itself.
She listened quietly.
"I see…" she said once I finished. "Don't worry. I'll handle those students and make sure they receive proper punishment. For now, lay low. There may be those who seek revenge."
"Understood. Thank you, Grandmaster."
I turned to leave.
"Also…" she added.
I paused.
"You did well, Liora." Her voice softened slightly. "And don't overthink things with the twins. I know you're worried they befriended you because of my orders… but that was entirely their own choice."
…So she noticed.
"…I see," I said quietly.
With that, I left the office and headed toward my next class.
END OF CHAPTER