Zoltan Unredeemed

Chapter 7

"Well, now that you are all introduced, let me tell you who I am in case your snootiness has forgotten already," our adviser sarcastically said before bowing with no hint of respect on it, "Lycus Lycourgos, a vagabond mercenary from the Empire of Fenris' Imperial Garm Dominion and sadly, both for you and me, the Eighth Class' homeroom adviser and field instructor. A pleasure."

Loki, the imperial crown prince, didn't even bother hiding his annoyance, "First they got all the heirs and heiresses to the thrones of Crysalia in one class and now hiring a mercenary from the boondocks to lead it. My father's council might be right. This school is going downhill."

"While I don't have any qualms with having you as my adviser, I have a few questions about the academy's, how can I say, prudence, into putting all future leaders in one section," Godiva piped in, and Ester followed suit.

"Given the close proximity of Alcrima with Brigansys, our cultures are not that different, I am sure I can have a formal relationship with them at the very least," the mistress said slowly before throwing an exasperated look at the grinning crown count, "I am not terribly sure it is a good idea to mingle with those from far away nations."

The prior and crown earl remained quiet while the count seemed to have an idea that was different from his peers, "Maybe they put us together specifically because they want us to get along together?"

"And here I thought you are more brawn than brains, but hey, that's Trajan's liege for you!" the adviser remarked in amusement before nodding at all of us, "The Rysian got it right, though he don't win anything from a flat broke sorry state of a man like me."

"You don't like you have anything of monetary value to offer, though," Himiko whispered loudly, making our adviser laugh.

"Bingo, little girl. I kinda like Vosquers, if I might be honest. I can certainly relate to a country where its people are motivated by currency. But she is right, I don't have anything to offer other than my expertise."

Cady seemed to be in agreement, "Scions of monarchs have all the education and theoretical tutors they can give to their children but I am sure even the baronettess can agree than you can't buy experience."

Himiko gave my companion a money hand sign in approval, "Exactly, but as it stands, I also don't see any gains to be made studying here under you when my father can hire someone that is close to your levels if he thinks I need to gain what a mercenary experience is, for all its worth, or not."

"I will not stand for this. I demand to be transferred to the classes where nobles from my country are this instant," Loki ordered, but to his surprise, Sir Lycus just waved his hand like shooing an irritating fly.

"As if you didn't expect the principal haven't forseen your attitude when the two of us are from the same country," he replied dismissively before looking at each and every one of us, "Aside from His Eminence here, I am sure you are all now forgetting that once you agreed to study in this school, you forfeit your right to disobey."

The protege of the High Priest nodded slowly, "Yes. Once you entered this academy as a student, you will all have to do as the principal requires you to do."

"Now hold on a second, I am definitely not informed about this!" Godiva exclaimed in defiance.

"Now, now, settle down, children, settle down," Sir Lycus said mockingly as if he is talking to mere toddlers throwing a tantrum which, in my opinion, is not that far from reality, judging by the sour expression of the most of us here, "The principal also has foreseen your, how should I put this? Your "objections," so to speak. He gladly made an exception."

He pointed at the building in front of the training field suspiciously as he grinned in delight, "Inside is an entrance to the catacombs that served as training grounds for the second years that they have to go through if they want to graduate from the academy. Get to the other side before sunset and we will gladly disband this special class for you. No skin off my nose since I will be free from this gig if you all did. If I know that this is what they meant when they said that all I have to do is look after some moneyed kids for a year, I wouldn't sign that damn piece of contract Metis shoved under my nose."

Sir Lycus then snapped his finger, and the old door opened ominously.

"You will find your weapons inside. I don't care how you do it, as long as you make it out there, alive that is..."

Krios' eyes widened when he heard, "Wait, is it dangerous inside?"

"Well, I was told that there are monsters of all sorts from all corners of Crysalia shoved inside by your seniors as per the principal's orders. Getting lost is the least of your worries."

Ester raised an eyebrow, "And our parents know about this? Death is not a matter of chance at this point for us."

"If you could survive the trip, then I am sure your parents will be inclined to agree with you all that you don't need any more practical experience from yours truly," our adviser said matter-of-factly without a care in the world, "Besides, if you get killed by a random monster, you are of no use to your country either way. Don't you agree?"

Loki started walking towards the building as an answer, with Ester, Krios, and Godiva following him.

"Wow! A real dungeon! I am so psyched up for this!" Aquilo exclaimed excitedly as he rushed towards the doors right before the imperial crown prince reached them.

"What if there's a treasure trove of artifacts underground? Father said that this academy is probably even older than the empire itself and thus, have so much goodies that can fetch a high price. If I can get out of this class and get my grubby hands on some Crys at the same time then everything will sort it out in the end!"

Cady and I watched in amazement as the heir to the Vosquer throne skipped her way inside after singlehandedly convincing and motivating herself.

"While I am hoping for everyone to stay in the class that His Holiness has approved of, we should also respect the wills of the many. I will go inside and offer my assistance if they ever need it," the prior declared kindly as he began walking behind our supposedly new classmates who bailed out even before we got to our classroom.

Sir Lycus looked at Cady and me apologetically, "Right after the introductions, your classmates gave up on the idea of studying together. But I guess no love loss?"

"None. I'd rather stay with the commoners than them if I can help it," I said curtly before thinking and only realized that I might have implied something and hurriedly followed it up to hopefully cover my blunder, "Because that's where we belong, right, Cady?"

My companion nodded slowly as if taken aback because I had just said, "Right. I would have greater chances of finishing my time here successfully if I stayed with students from the same social status as I am. I can say that much. Let's go."

"See you two on the other side then," Sir Lycus said as he waved us off before disappearing in a flash of flames.