Year 782 Octavus, 15th of the sixth-month Dailainus

Akana read diligently the documents in front of him. He was sitting in a chair with ridiculously high back and lavishly decorated armrests. Beside him sat Sidastir in a similar chair in a casual position. Akana wanted to tell him to sit in a more dignified position, they were after all in the headmaster’s office, but he doubted Sidastir would heed his word and to be honest, he saw no benefit in commenting on his posture in the current situation.

The headmaster's office was gigantic and lavishly adorned with paintings of the preceding headmasters, marble sculptures, and gold objects. The headmaster was obviously both wealthy and vain.

The current headmaster was round and sweaty. His glasses looked like they were about to sink into the cheeks and the dark gray hair laid flat on his hair like he hadn’t washed it in a while. He wore the ceremonial toga displaying he was of the Patricalian or Relevian nobility and a crimson red tunic with wide arms. No flattering outfit on the obese man but it was an outfit that symbolized status.

His white skin implied he’s from Patricalum which would explain the headmaster obvious discontent with having a foreigner in his office, but he dared not say anything when Sidastir was present.

Akana tried to ignore the rector's staring gaze when he had more important things to focus on than the headteacher's rudeness.

Next to the headmaster was a hugely broad man but, unlike the headmaster, he consisted entirely out of muscles. He had long silver hair with a wrinkled, unshaved and scared face. The man had folded his arms across his chest and stared grimly at them.

This was Sean Lamag. An old general and now the teacher of Combat Art and the majority of Marsis’s courses. He was the one who had dragged them into the headmaster’s office and Akana could only assume the reason he took this personal was that Verres, one of his best students, was in the Medicus’s office. None of these two concerned Akana but the man who sauntered back and forth behind them was completely different.

The man was tall but slender. He looked to be at the age of forty with a few wrinkles in a rigorous and sleek face. He had a long robe in a murky colored blue with a silver belt at the waist. Sleeves were wide and adorned with symbols from the Aevitian faith. He also wore a thorn adorned whip around the belt. The black hair was short and strictly cut, which made it easy to see the sharp dark chestnut colored eyes.

The man stared with calculating eyes at both Akana and Sidastir. Akana had no idea who he was but it was pleasant it wasn’t only he who was despised this time.

"Pater Munus, I can hear you slithering around like a sleek eel behind us. I have no idea what you are doing here when the family Rifabeinn does do not belong to the Aevitian faith but you can at least refrain from staring," said Sidastir irritated but he had answered Akana’s question.

Pater was a title, which could be translated to father, and was the title of the priests of the Aevitism. The Aevitism was an unforgiving religion that is dominant in Patricalum and Relevium. They like to stick their nose in other affairs and never neglected an opportunity to punish pagans. Which would explain his presence. Both Auone and Eitir were beyond the paganism as they did not even have a general religion to speak of.

"Pater Munus has requested to be present at the decision of your punishment," said the headmaster and nodded towards the priest, who gave him a satisfied nod back.

Sidastir burst out into laughter and Akana wondered if he had missed joke again. The people outside Auone had a peculiar ability to laugh at humorless situations.

"Shall you, Sublimus Adsessus, punish me, the Rial of Eitir? What right do you have to punish me? As the headmaster? If you even try to interfere in my affairs, I will destroy you. How will you stop me? With which army? " said Sidastir and leaned threateningly forward.

His last words were nothing more than a whisper. Akana found Sidastirs arguments ridiculous but he must admit his new spouse had a knack for threats.

"You are a student first and you attacked another student. Whatever your title, you deserve punishment, " growled Sean, who also leaned forward.

Sean Lamag was obviously accustomed to dealing with vainglorious nobles but judging of Sidastir’s expression, there was a bit more behind Sidastirs threat than unjustified pride.

"I defended Akana. Your little golden boy attacked my ward, who also happens to be Eitir’s royal consort," said Sidastir and Sean snorted.

"And you almost killed him for it."

Sidastir gave up a callous grin. "Had this been just a little farther away from the school area, I would have slain him for the insult."

Akana sighed in annoyance as this did not lead to anything sensible. He reviewed the documents in his hands. Because of his hotheaded husband's actions, they could not punish Verres and that woman, Atra. Had not Sidastir attacked with such force, they would have been able to punish them both by taking away their titles but now...

"With all due respect, Primus Adsessus!" Akana used the word Primus, the relevian word for the headmaster, hoping to sound more respectful.

"Virtus Scolaris is known to receive royalties from all over the world even if the kingdoms are rivals. What do you think would happen if the other kingdoms found out you do not seem to have any interest in protecting the royal students from threats? "

Akana suddenly felt a warm breath against his ear and a slimy voice echoed in the room.

"You're not royal, my dear."

Akana had wondered when the priest would open his mouth. Now all Akana wanted was for him to close it.

"I wear the royal title Rial Caraid. Royal consort. This makes me royal. Doesn’t priests of Aevitism learn some general knowledge? Or are you trying to say Eitir doesn't have the status required to have royalty?"

The silence laid thick in the room, and as no one had anything to utter, Akana continued.

"The purpose of my words should be obvious. If you punish us, we will let the matter go public as we find the whole incident was not just an affront but also unfairly handled. If you are prepared to meet the storm of such action, I suggest you continue. But if you decide this matter already finished, we will close the case in the hope you can do better in the future."

*****

The door slammed shut behind them and Sidastir led Akana away from the headmaster's office. The priest had stormed off ahead them after giving them a venomous glance. Sidastir had to do his utmost not to laugh him straight in the face. Akana released a sigh.

"Relieved?" Sidastir asked perkily.

“Relieved? More like, exhausted. I didn’t expect to have to defend myself from an assault and the absolute preposterous incident after. What did the priest do there? The teacher? Were they witnesses? I do not understand their culture. I thought the school would have more studying, " admitted Akana and Sidastir could not help but to grin.

"If it bestows you some consolation, Rial Caraid, I think you just proved you belong in Consilium and as a royal consort. "

Sidastir almost lost his breath when he saw a faint smile on Akana’s lips. He had previously never seen Akana smile.

"More like, something that tugs on his lips. I will call it a smile. "

"Let us not do this again, understood?" Akana sighed. The smile was gone and Sidastir missed it already.

"I should remind you it all started when you left my side. If I had been with you then this would not have happened," said Sidastir and got a grim look from Akana in return. He suddenly stopped and Sidastir saw his uneasy facial expression.

"That woman, Atra Serpentis, you seemed to be familiar with each other. What is your relationship?" he asked irresolutely and Sidastir burst out into laughter.

"Jealous?"

"The way you spoke to each other suggests you were acquaintances and she was furious when I mentioned I was maritally united with you," Akana established and Sidastir noted he did not deny the claim of him being jealous. Could Auons become jealous? It was doubtful.

"You forget what I told you when I first proposed. I can't touch people without freezing them," Sidastir said buoyantly.

"It's a lie. You have touched Magnus many times and he mentioned several lovers, "Akana pointed out and Sidastir sighed.

"The amused claim of having other lovers were only two men poking fun at each other. Yes, I have touched Magnus. But just short moments. I cannot share bodily fluids without releasing my magic."

"Bodily fluid?" Akana asked with a frown.

"Such as kissing someone or touching my blood. They will be transformed into living ice cubes. The same would happen if I lay with them but the result would be far more comical as my manhood would get stuck in-"

Akana raised his hand to stop his last sentence.

"There are safe ways to handle it but there will always be a risk I would suddenly become known to have slain my own husband or wife. So I have always kept myself away from people who wanted more than friendship. At least, until I could found the right one," said Sidastir and gave Akana a meaningful glance.

"So you and Atra have no relationship," Akana ascertained without a shadow of a doubt.

"No deep relationship. She contacted me immediately after she started at Virtus Scolaris. She is the daughter of a Prefect from Patricalum and wanted title Rial Caraid. She assumed Queen was better than inheriting the title of Prefect and did not seem to understand the situation with my condition. Too greedy, I guess. I had no interest in her but I guess she regards you as the man who stole her title, " said Sidastir and shrugged indifferently.

Even if she had been an option, Sidastir found her loathsome. Sleazy and false like most nobles from Patricalum.

Akana seemed satisfied with the answer and they continued on to Cathurn. Sidastir found himself restless. In a week, their lessons begin. Their start had not initiated well and soon Akana would have to fend for himself.

Despite his high intelligence, he seemed almost hopeless when trying to understand some of the rules. Sidastir couldn't help but worry about when he couldn't be there and catch Akana when he falls. Which he undoubtedly will do.

Of this, Sidastir was certain.

*****

Year 782 Octavus, 21th of the sixth-month Dailainus

“Right. Left. Two doors ahead and now I'm there. "

Akana had arrived at the Diplomacy. The classroom was like all other parts of the school. Made of stone and enormous in scope. The colorful mosaic floor decorated the room while the walls were adorned with different banners. From what Akana could understand, the banners of the different kingdoms were. Even Auone’s yellow banner, with the symbol of a hand and a dragon on the palm of the hands, was present. The symbol represented how Auone stopped the firedragon Rafabik from burning down Gaza.

The classroom was already filled with students. Akana must admit he had not met any other students from Consilium and he had not heard of any Furie who was a member of his curriculum. Apparently, Consilium was dominated by another familia. They called themselves Nobiliors if Akana remembered correctly. A group composed of nobles who believe they alone can change the world.

"Which means I am once again an outsider."

Akana began walking towards a desk near the board. He could sense the numerous glances followed his journey. Not only was he an unusual sight but the incident from a week ago was also one of the most talked about rumors in the school.

Of course, the ludicrous tale ended with Sidastir striking Verres to death with a mace and went on to turn all people present at the scene to ice sculptures. Of course, they knew what happen because they were there. They did not even notice they were contradicting themselves. Akana will never understand the amusement of spreading rumors.

Akana sighed and began to bring up his literature from his bag. A few people started to move around the classroom but no one seemed to want to be in close vicinity to Akana.

"Do not worry, most people merely socialize with their specific small group before class, but when the lessons start, we blend the groups more to create contacts with unfamiliar people," a young man or woman, Akana could not really decide the gender, sat down beside him.

"My name is Ceva le Gu," said the woman, Akana determined after having heard the name, and put the hand on her chest and bowed her head.

Akana made a gamble and did the same gesture. "My name is Akana den Rifabeinn."

He hoped that the greeting showcased some kind of respect but it was foreign to him. Ceva generally looked strange in his eyes.

"She looks like Sidastir."

The simile was not entirely misleading even if there were differences. Ceva had a wild, white hair while Sidastirs was straight. Her skin was pale with not like snow. Her eyes were not blue but were black as the night. She did not possess Sidastir’s high cheekbones but instead had a round face. She looked more human, despite the odd colors.

Ceva gave him a smile.

"I may be adorable, but you shouldn't stare, Rial Caraid. I'm relatively sure that the Rial of Eitir is a jealous man," she said with a dramatic voice.

"What would possess him to be jealous?" asked Akana who looked away when he realized that his reviewing gaze could be considered rude.

"But you may prefer men," noted Ceva who did not seem to want to drop the topic.

"I thought you were a man," Akana said and Ceva laughed loudly.

"Disappointed? I don't know if I should take it as a compliment. I guess it's time to start dressing myself in dresses, but in Balkrav everyone dresses in pants and leather jackets regardless of gender. It's more practical in the untamed landscape, ” she said with bright eyes.

"Balkrav?"

Akana examined the banners. Ceva followed Akana’s gaze and made a gesture towards the symbol which showed a serpent eating its own tail and in the middle of the circle, there was a large black tree with long roots.

"A small but hardened country."

"Balkrav is located next to Eitir, does it not? above Domor. "

Akana tried to remember the image of the map of Noterra. He had for the first time witnessed the image of a map of the nine kingdoms in Eitir. In Auone, there is only a map of their own country. It is seldom Auons travel outside their homeland, as such, they rarely have any reason to have maps of all the Nine Kingdoms.

"That's right," said Ceva merrily.

"I cannot remember hearing people mentioning Balkrav much. Who rules Balkrav? "asked Akana and Ceva burst into laughter. She apparently laughs very often.

"And now you've just answered why Balkrav is not mentioned," she said, and Akana frowned.