The Nobles noticed the Princess looking at them with Magic around her, a clear sign that she wasn’t joking, and they immediately gave the gums they were chewing to a cook’s assistant that went to them, and also gave him the wrapped gums they still had.
She left the kitchen in a hurry, with Nozomu running after her. Taisetsuna stayed in the kitchen, dumbfounded by all that had happened.
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The Guild Master cleaned his forehead from the cold sweat that was piling and he spoke, making every set of eyes look at him, “What about if we went outside to let the cooks finish things here? The Princess didn’t say it, but I am sure she won’t be pleased if we are still here when she returns.”
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The Nobles realized he was definitely right and followed a servant that guided them to the garden again.
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Along their walk, a young Noble approached Robert Keskula and whispered, “Can you imagine what we would be able to do if we managed to put our hands on that? The feats we could do with a group of Beast-kind without fear!”
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“Yeah, and if the Empire put its hands on it, they would invade us the next day. The Princess was wise to act so fast. You should think about that, for a while.”
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Increasing the speed of his walk, Robert left the young Noble behind and approached Taisetsuna. As he was walking next to her, he asked in a low voice, “Your friend had the craziest idea ever. Does he often make things like that? I mean, everything he cooks has strange effects?”
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Taisetsuna frowned while looking at the inquisitive blond Noble. “So far, yes, but he doesn’t do it on purpose, you know? He has good intentions, and the effects of his food were never found out until now because no one ever tried to do it.”
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“I am sorry, I didn’t mean to offend your boyfriend, I was just surprised.”
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“Nozo is not my boyfriend, he is family. And why are you so curious about him? You fell in love with him, blondie?”
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Robert Keskula quickly explained, “No, I did not! Not even a bit! I was just curious. Can’t a man be curious anymore?”
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Since Taisetsuna remained in silence, he insisted, “By the way, are you really going to apply to the Academy of Adventurers? Do you want to become one?”
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“Unlike you, who has your family’s money to rely on, most people have to find a job. And for Nozo and me, being an Adventurer is an honourable job. Protect lives and kill Monsters, is there anything better than that? We also aim to gather enough money to buy a farm and live the rest of our days in peace, but you probably prefer to spend your time at parties or chasing after women. Maybe that’s your idea of happiness, but to me, it’s just plain stupid. Do you mind going to talk with the future Countess Diana and leave me alone? I don’t like the way she is looking at us, and I don’t want her to have the wrong idea and come at me. I might take her head this time.”
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“Are you perhaps worried about other people getting the wrong idea about us? We are just talking, aren’t we?”
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Taisetsuna glanced at the smiling blond young man and answered, “For you, this conversation might be your idea of conquering a woman, but to me, it’s just pointless talk. I have no interest in such a shallow man like you seem to be, and I don’t have the slightest interest in continuing this conversation. Leave me alone, will you? Go bother someone else.”
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Robert Keskula slowed his pace, surprised by such a cold treatment. One young Noble caught up to him and asked with a smile, “The pretty Cat-kind girl ate your tongue, did she? You look rather pale, Robert.”
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“Yeah, she just shoved me off. I never had a woman denying me like that… She truly despises me!”
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The young Noble touched Robert’s right arm and pointed his head at Diana Olesk, who was looking back at them from time to time. “I see someone that for sure won’t despise you. What if you stopped wasting your time with a mere commoner and went to have a nice talk with Diana? She will definitely take your mind off someone that is dumb enough to reject you.”
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“Yeah, I don’t feel like it. You go, maybe she fancies you and you get yourself a wife. Let me be in peace for a while, I need to think.”
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“You, thinking? That’s a first! Are you feeling alright, Robert? Where is my old friend who is always happy to gather all the attention around without worrying about anything?”
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Seeing that his teasing was not having any effect, he increased his pace to go to Diane Olesk, while Robert Keskula remained in silence, lost in deep thought, and focused on Taisetsuna’s tail that was moving as she walked with Takanari at her side.
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When the group of Nobles was already near the tables with a new batch of tea being brought by a squad of servants, Robert leisurely approached Taisetsuna again and spoke in a low voice, “You know, the Academy of Adventurers is not only for someone that wishes to be an Adventurer. The quality of their teachings is as good, if not better, than the training the Knights working for our country get. You know, I am the first son, and my family already told me I am expected to rule over our family lands, but while that is not necessary, I can join the army and make a name for myself. I am also a Fire Mage and a pretty excellent swordsman. I could probably apply to the Academy of Adventurers and maybe we would become colleagues. Unless that idea annoys you so much, I wouldn’t mind meeting you there.”
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Taisetsuna shrugged while pouring a cup of tea for Takanari. “You can do whatever you want. Why are you telling me that? Do you need my approval or what? Like if I give a damn about what you do or not.”
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Robert Keskula frowned and tapped Taisetsuna’s left arm, trying to make her look at him. She saw the way he was staring at her, seriousness in his eyes, and she waited for him to speak. He took a deep, slow breath and asked in a low voice, “It is so difficult for you to be polite? Do you need to always act like a wild animal? I just said I may apply to the Academy and we will probably meet there. The least you could say is that you wouldn’t mind becoming my colleague. Is that so difficult?”
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“Minutes ago, you were grabbing my arm and shouting at me, as if you wanted to beat me because I didn’t accept to fall on your arms so easily as you thought, and now you are asking why I am not polite? Are you for real? Politeness goes both ways, one-day-to-be Viscount Robert Keskula! You have a long way to make me forget that first impression! I already told you to leave me alone. What else must I do for you to go away? Do I need to break your wrist or shout pervert and say that you pinched my butt?”
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“You… you wouldn’t dare say that loud!”
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Taisetsuna raised the corner of her mouth and showed him her teeth, as she spoke between a growl, “Don’t mess with me, boy, or I will make sure you won’t ever get near me! Back off...Grrr… I won’t tell you again...”
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Robert slowly took one step back and left to meet the other Nobles that were gathered under the shade of a group of trees, his heart pounding in his chest. With no one hearing, he mumbled, “Damn, she is so hot when she is angry… Amazing woman… amazing...”
…
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Nozomu finally arrived, walking next to Princess Mere, who was all smiles. He was carrying a one-shoulder bag, and Taisetsuna wondered why he had that. The Princess told Takanari that she was expecting her family on the next day so that they could go to their new home and live a happy life on their new lands.
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After one last bow to the group of Nobles and a promise to the Princess that they would return another day for a visit, Nozomu, Taisetsuna, Takanari and the Guild Master left, with the Princess going to her Castle again, with her court following her. As she was crossing the door frame, she took one last look at Nozomu, and thought,“|… He sure is interesting. Such a pity he is so young. He would make a good consort... The way he looked at me, such seriousness, so much love in his eyes… Do I really remind him of someone he knew? What if we met somewhere? I don’t remember him… Stop thinking about that boy, you damned woman! Control yourself! ...|”
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The Princess shivered with such thoughts and did her best to calm her heart and to focus her attention on what a woman near her was saying. Something about the chocolate taste or something. She did her best to smile and to focus her attention on the words around her, while her mind drifted, trying to remember if she had ever met Nozomu anywhere because the way he looked at her still puzzled her.
…
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When Princess Mere was already inside the Castle and talking with her aids of company, Nozomu and the others arrived in the City. They walked to the entrance of the building in front of the Magical Circle, and while the Guild Master went inside with Takanari to talk with the old Mage in charge of that Circle, Nozomu approached the column that had the rotative circles and touched the engravings, thinking. Taisetsuna was near him, and the way he was rotating the circles to check each symbol puzzled her. “What’s the matter, Nozomu? Still worried about the way the Magical Circles work?”
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“Well, kind of. If I am immune to Magic, how can I use the Magical Circle? It would be more logical if I was left behind when the Magical Dome appeared and took us back to Ourelona!”
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“Maybe it’s because the Magical Circles work on the environment, and not on you, exactly. I once read a book explaining this. It’s like, all the Circles are connected to another plane of existence, and when the Magical Dome appears, it connects that Circle to the plane. When the Dome opens, we are in another Circle because we travelled along the plane. The Magic in the Circles doesn’t act on the people but on the Circle. For example, if I shoot a Fireball at you, it does nothing, but if I set fire to a piece of wood and you touch that burning wood, you will get burned because my Magic intervened in the environment, and not you. I don’t know if I am making sense, but that’s how the Priest explained your ability to us.”
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Nozomu slowly nodded while touching the second rotative circle on the column. “I think I understand what you are saying. It’s like what happened in that cave. Those Goblins couldn’t harm me, but the rocks they threw at me, those hurt. They intervened in the environment, and not in me. This ability of mine sure is weird.”
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“What I find weird is that you are carrying a bag that you didn’t have when we left the Guild. Care to share with me the contents, or is it a secret?”
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“Of course I am going to share! It’s my copy of the contracts I signed with the Princess, some purses full of gold to pay for the recipes I gave to the Royal Cooks, a huge purse as an advance for the creation of the chewing gum, and a special bracelet as a special thanks. It looks simple, but it shoots small Wind Balls that are not strong enough to harm anyone, but according to the Princess, it’s more than enough to hit the targets used in the tests of the Academy of Adventurers. She told me I could use this to cheat when we applied. I didn’t tell her, but considering I can absorb those Wind Balls and make my explosive cloud, I think this will come in handy. It would be difficult to make the clouds with you pouring Magic on me with no one noticing, but with this…”
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Taisetsuna covered her mouth, trying not to scream, and she then spoke in a low voice, “She gave you that Magical bracelet, just like that?”
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“Yes, but it seems it’s not that valuable. She said some of her soldiers use one as well, to distract an opponent during a fight. Its standard equipment for the Royal Guards. Do you know when we can apply for the Academy of Adventurers? Because with this and my share of the sales in the Guild, we already have a good amount. As soon as I travel to other Cities to teach the cooks there and get money from their sales, we will have enough money for both our tuitions and all the Academy expenses, like books and such.”
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“Nozo… I… did little to gain money besides what I am earning as a waitress. I don’t know if you should waste your money with me, I think-“
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“What are you talking about? We have a deal. Earn money, become an Adventurer, buy a farm, live the rest of our life peacefully. I will not do all that alone!"
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Taisetsuna made a big smile and hugged him. “Thanks, Nozo!”
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