Chapter 42 - Enrollment

Quill's office was just as it had been when they left it, except for two young adults sitting in front of his desk. Daniel could hear the tail end of what sounded like an argument from outside, but now it was suddenly quiet.

Quill stood from his desk the moment he saw who entered, while the students only glanced back at him from their seats. Interestingly, they seemed more focused on Felicia than on him.

"Good morning, Sir!" Quill's enthusiasm was so obvious that both students turned to stare at him with expressions of confusion. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Yes, I was hoping you could." Daniel kept his tone casual. "But if you're busy, I can wait outside."

"No, no," Quill said quickly, waving his hand in dismissal. His eyes darted between the two students. "Princess Selia and young Farley here were just about to leave."

Ah, this is Lucian's son, Farley?

Daniel studied the young man more closely. He had a leaner version of his father's build, and the same distinctive Grifantes features. Dark hair, sharp eyes, and a certain presence that marked him as someone used to attention.

That explains why they are in the head teacher's office.

Both students opened their mouths at the same time to protest Quill’s words, but Daniel was first to speak.

"Oh, is it Farley Grifantes?" He stepped forward slightly with a genuine interest in his voice. "I had been hoping to meet you after seeing your father yesterday. He spoke quite warmly of you."

The young man turned to Daniel properly now, then stood from his chair in a show of respect. “You know my father?”

"I don't know him well, but he left a good impression." Daniel smiled, then gestured to Felicia beside him. "Oh, that means Felicia here is your cousin, doesn't it?"

He put an arm around Felicia's back, pushing her gently forward. She took the cue perfectly, bowing politely toward Farley.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, cousin Farley.”

Only then did recognition seem to dawn on Farley's face. His eyes widened slightly as pieces connected. “Oh, you’re the bli—you’re Aunt Sylvia’s daughter?”

He corrected himself just in time, though everyone in the room realized what he'd been about to say.

Well, at least he corrected himself, unlike my first meeting with her.

“That’s me,” Felicia replied with a nod. “The blind girl from the Harrowbloom family.”

She seemed perfectly composed now, even when meeting a princess and her own cousin. After everything that happened the day before, it was no wonder. The patriarch of the Grifantes family, her uncle, two archmages, the legendary Elania, and the ancient Zoltran.

Then there’s me, I suppose. But my identity never seemed like much of a shock to her.

"No, I didn't mean…" Farley’s hand came up as if to gesture an apology, then dropped. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Felicia."

The lad bowed back to her, and there wasn't a trace of insincerity in the gesture. His embarrassment seemed authentic.

Wearing his heart on his sleeve seems to be an accurate description.

"And the princess herself?" Daniel continued, turning his attention to the young woman still seated. He didn't want her to feel left out, though she was currently glaring at Farley. “I’ve been meaning to meet your… mmooot—” 

Quill hurriedly pointed a finger upwards as he mouthed the word 'grand' with exaggerated lip movements.

“—grandmother for a while.”

The princess gave him a strange look, arching her eyebrow in suspicion. She'd definitely noticed the correction. "Yes, many people have wanted that." Her tone was cold. "Who are you, exactly?"

"Oh, apologies! My name is Daniel Hansen, a humble mage and teacher." He bowed deeply, remembering that this was the proper way to greet a member of the royal family. Lower than for nobility, held longer, eyes down.

Farley was studying Daniel now with open curiosity, as if trying to place him. Something in his bearing, perhaps, that didn't match "humble mage." Or maybe Quill's extreme deference had tipped him off.

"A teacher?" The princess leaned forward slightly in her chair. "Will you be teaching at the academy?"

"Ehm…"

Would he? Was that a bad idea? It would depend on so many other things, but in his free time, why not?

"It's not… impossible, I guess?" He ran a hand through his hair, considering. "I'll have to think about it."

Quill's expression was a fascinating mix of horror and hope. Did he fear being Daniel’s superior, while also being excited about his ability to teach?

It is a very interesting idea, especially with how formations have stagnated so severely over the years.

"Only the best of the best can teach here," the princess replied. She looked him up and down, clearly finding him wanting. "Forgive me for saying, but you seem a bit too young. And lackadaisical."

Her jaw was tight, and her shoulders tense. She seemed annoyed, possibly due to Quill having tried to dismiss her for Daniel's sake. Or still mad about whatever argument the two were having earlier.

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that." Daniel kept his smile polite. “I did quite well here as a student, though it’s been a while since I graduated.”

She opened her mouth to respond, probably to point out that doing well as a student didn't qualify someone to teach, but Quill interrupted with a clear hint of desperation in his voice.

"Princess, if Sir Hansen wants to teach here, he will." His voice was firm, brooking no argument. "But I don't think that's why he is here today, so I'd like it very much if you two would stop arguing and leave my office."

"But I—"

"Lily!"

The name was sharp enough to make both students flinch. Quill's patience, it seemed, had finally reached its limit, calling for his assistant.

"Fine! We're leaving!" The princess stood abruptly, scraping her chair against the floor. "Come, Farley."

She nearly grabbed Farley's hand, but quickly changed her mind and instead slapped his elbow with more force than strictly necessary. Then she swept out of the room with her robes swishing dramatically behind her.

Daniel noticed a hint of mana in the air as she passed, and had to stifle a laugh. The wind in her hair and robes had been created on purpose for dramatic effect.

Wonder if they teach that move in the royal palace.

Farley walked after her, but he quickly turned back to Felicia before reaching the door. His expression softened, becoming almost shy. "Apologies, cousin. I'd love to talk more with you later, if you're free."

Felicia nodded, smiling gently. “I would like that. I’ll see you later.”

Farley bowed again, then hurried after Princess Selia. The door closed behind him with more force than necessary.

Daniel glanced at Felicia, who still had that slight smile on her face. Meeting family who actually wanted to know her was clearly a pleasant surprise for her.

I can see why people wanted him as the next patriarch. He’s got my vote, though he didn’t seem particularly bright…

That impression could well be wrong, though. Being clever and painfully honest was just a rare combination. Most intelligent people learned to guard their reactions better.

Daniel turned back to Quill, preparing to finally discuss Felicia's enrollment, but then the door burst open again. Lily's head popped through the gap.

"You call—oh! Felicia!"

She stormed in and gave Felicia a quick hug. Felicia's arms came up immediately, happily accepting the embrace with a surprised laugh.

“I just called you to scare away the two quarrelers, Lily. You must have made quite an impression.”

Lily released her sister and turned to Quill with a guilty expression. “Yes, I… had to use some force last time.” 

"I saw the scorchmarks, yes." Quill sighed, rubbing his temple. "You're not worried they might retaliate?"

"I don't care what they do to my family—" She paused, eyes flicking to Felicia. "—most of my family."

"Well, brave for the wrong reasons, I guess." Quill waved a hand dismissively. "You only followed my orders, so there's no need to worry about it. You can leave again now, thank you."

"No, it's fine if she stays," Daniel interjected before Lily could retreat. "I'm here to ask about Felicia enrolling in a few classes, so it's only fair she has a say."

Lily stared at him with an equal mixture of gratitude and surprise on her face. “Oh, you… Which classes did you have in mind?”

"Well, I've got formations covered myself, as well as most of Sarun magic." Daniel ticked them off mentally, thinking through Felicia's gaps. "But she lacks many of the basics in Alderic magic, like alchemy and basic mana manipulation. And some history and magical beast classes would be useful as well." He paused, watching their reactions. "Perhaps a special class would fit her the best."

“You want to send her to the oddball class?” Lily asked, wrinkling her nose.

Ah, so the name has changed over the years. Well, no wonder.

"It's called the Class for Special Students, Miss Harrowbloom," Daniel corrected, feigning moral superiority. "And she is a very special student."

Felicia put a hand on her sister’s shoulder. “I think it’s the right choice, Lily. I would feel too out of place anywhere else.”

Lily frowned, pressing her lips into a thin line. But then she sighed in acceptance. "It might not be a bad idea, then. You are special, that's for sure."

"Well," Quill spoke, finally finding an opening in the conversation. "I have no objections either way. An apprentice of Sir Hansen would be welcome any time. And the newest special class started only recently, so she wouldn't have missed much."

“Perfect,” Daniel replied. “I hope we can get started as soon as possible. If you’re ready, of course, Fillie.”

She nodded slowly, perhaps also convincing herself. “I’m ready to start now.”

"Of course! I'll handle the paperwork, so she can join the class right away." Quill was already reaching for forms in a drawer. "Lily, you can show her the way, right?"

Lily hesitated slightly before replying. “I can. Should we go right now?”

No one spoke for a while, so Daniel took the word. “I’ll probably be back by the time your classes end, Fillie. But if not, you can always visit your sister, right?”

"Yeah, I'll be fine." 

She almost sounded convincing as she spoke, wanting to reassure him as much as convince herself. “I’ll see you later, Danny.”

Daniel waved at her as the two sisters left through the door, watching it close behind them with a soft click.

It was more difficult than he thought, letting her go. The urge to call her back, to keep her close where he could protect her, was surprisingly strong.

But this is the right step to take for her.

Independence, socializing, finding her own way. At the very least trying it out, then still having a safe place to come back to if it didn't work out.

"So," Quill said, settling back into his seat behind the desk. His hands folded together, professional once more. "Was there anything else you wanted to discuss in private? Did you consider the teaching position?"

"Yes, somewhat." Daniel pulled his attention back from the closed door. "I would likely be busy often, but if that's fine, I wouldn't mind taking over the advanced formations class. Someone else would have to be ready to step in when I'm gone."

"Yes! That's no problem at all, Sir." Quill's enthusiasm was genuine now, not the nervous energy from before. "The professor should even be part of your lectures, so having him available won't be an issue."

"That sounds good." Daniel nodded, already thinking about what he could teach. “Just give me a schedule, and I’ll find my way there if I’m available.”

"I'll have it sent to your room by the end of the day, Sir."

"Fantastic." Daniel turned toward the door, then paused. "Then there's only one more thing I'd like to ask you, Quill."

“Yes?”

“Do you have any gold coins?”

"Gold coins?" Quill's brow furrowed. "We don't use that currency anymore, Sir. We switched to slivers about five hundred years ago."

“I am aware. If you don’t have any, I can also take some gold to make them myself.”

While humans might have swapped over to slivers instead of gold coins, the mermaids certainly haven’t.

Ch.41 --I-- Interlude 1