Chapter 61: Suited For You

Sen sighed. “Mori, we can make suits…with magic.”

“Master, I am deeply sorry,” Mori said with a bow. “But I must insist. This is the first ball you’re going to of your own free will. I think we should celebrate with a proper suit! One made by human hands, but as tailored to you as magic could.”

The two of them stood in the entrance hall of Brightsail Academy. Classes were still out for a few more days, so students came and went from the front doors. Mori wasn’t the only one eager to go shopping for the ball. Other students were making preparations as well. Shopping for dresses, suits, shoes, even making various appointments for hair and makeup for the big day. It was one of the rare occasions where non-students would be allowed inside the Academy, though only in pre-arranged areas. Makeup artists, stylists, and hair stylists could come and assist students attending the ball. Mori had already come up with a string of six or seven wards to ward off people with bad intentions. He was so excited about it he’d confided in Sen that he actually hoped someone showed up intending to cause trouble. He wasn’t sure if they’d get electrocuted or turn into a hamster first, but he was dyingto find out. 

Sen sighed. “Fine, if we’re going to do this, let’s just get it over with so we can get back.”

Mori noticed something behind Sen and nodded. “Perfect timing, we can leave now.”

Sen turned to see Ano smiling behind them. “Well, well, well, boys, who's ready for some suit shopping?”

“You’re going to the ball too?” Sen asked. “I’m starting to think you’re planning to transfer academies in secret.”

Ano laughed and clapped him on the back. “If Laurette wouldn’t hunt me down and skin me alive, I just might consider it. It’s fun around here. Green Books a small school. We brought our entire fourth-year class with us, so…we can pretty much study anywhere. Besides, Laurette’s lording the fact she helped rescue all those hostages over your dean. So he had no choice but to let her use your facilities for classes. I have to admit, it’s nice having class inside where it’s safe instead of monster dens and volcanoes.”

Mori turned to look at him. “Volcanos? I thought you were joking about her skinning you alive. Do you…do you need help escaping?” he asked, genuine concern in his voice. 

Ano laughed and started making his way toward the door. His pillow followed, swaying from side to side in the air behind him. “Come on already! Hopefully, our ride’s here!”

“Our ride?” Sen asked. 

Mori smiled and beckoned him onward. 

Waiting for them outside the gates of the Academy was a vibrant green carriage big enough to fit the three of them and then some. Zeke stood outside it. He waved as soon as he saw them.

Ano waved back, even though he’d never met the man. The gates clawed open, sensing their intent to leave, and Zeke opened the door to the carriage. “I’ve been looking forward to this!”

Ano hurried inside. Sen let a smile slip. He liked Zeke, and the man had come through for them on the quest to save the others. He couldn’t let his bad mood bring the poor man down. “Hello Zeke, thanks again for your help the other day,” Sen said as he climbed into the carriage. Ano was already leaning against the window with his eyes closed. His chest rose slowly as he slept. It had been literally three seconds since he climbed into the carriage. Sen took a seat next to the blue-haired man. 

Mori followed Sen, and then Zeke joined them and pulled the door shut. He sat beside Mori on the opposite side from Sen and Ano. With a casual knock on the wall behind him, the carriage driver pulled off.

Zeke settled down and took a breath. “I’m just glad you’re all okay. The guild told me that the quest had been completed and all the students were rescued, and of course Mori wrote to update me shortly after. But still, I was beside myself. I wish I could’ve done more than support you all financially.”

Sen shook his head. “You’ve built up quite the connections in town. If it wasn’t for that, we might not have gotten that quest before the dean got involved. You helped more than you know, Zeke, and I’m in your debt,” Sen said. It wasn’t something he said casually. He’d done Zeke a favor once, but the man had capitalized on it in more ways than one. Zeke had paid him back and then some with his help. If Zeke ever needed anything, all he’d need to do was ask.

Zeke bowed. “Everything I have is thanks to you.” He turned to look at Mori. “Speaking of, Mori asked if I could get in touch with those scholars you mentioned. I was able to procure this for you.” He reached into his coat and pulled a stone tablet sealed in thick glass.

Sen stared at it. He’d wanted Zeke to try to get another copy of Ragmár’s message. “That’s excellent, thank you. Professor Crosp said the poor quality was because it was a copy of a copy. But I still wanted to verify for myself.” If there were a chance he could learn more, or figure out why he’d heard Ragmár call out his name after listening to the tablet, he had to try. “Thanks for getting that for me. I hope it wasn’t too much trouble, Professor Crosp said his copy took calling in a lot of favors.” 

Zeke grinned. “Oh, my friend, this is no copy of a copy. This is a direct copy. I made a…generous donation to their research, and they were more than happy to let me borrow it.” He held it out for Sen.

Sen took it quickly. The casing around it had a powerful ward of protection. This was an invaluable opportunity. “Thank you, Zeke, I wasn’t expecting this. How much did this—”

Zeke held up a hand. “Think nothing of it. It was the start of a valuable business relationship with some very intelligent people. I can’t put a price on that, and the fact it helped a friend made it doubly profitable.”

The carriage slowed, and Sen looked up. “That was fast.”

Brightsail Academy was already on the wealthier side of town, but the shops Sen saw when he exited the carriage were more than he expected. A variety of suits decorated the glass display that looked finer than anything he’d ever seen. Some radiated magic even. One suit had a purple koi fish design that swam around. Another crackled with electricity. He’d been expecting fine quality, but not…well, magic quality. 

The doors nearly burst open, and a man hurried out of them. “Master Zeke! We’ve been expecting you! Are these the young men in question?” he asked.

Zeke smiled. “They are. They’re good friends of mine, so let’s take good care of them.”

The man bowed. “I’m Tomlin, and I’ll be assisting you today. Please come in.”

Ano was the first to take him up on his offer. He strolled in, looking at racks of clothing and accessories on display. His pillow followed him, and Tomlin didn’t even look twice as it floated past him.

In a shop full of magic suits, maybe a floating pillow wasn’t as out of the ordinary as most would think. 

“So, where should we start?” Tomlin asked. He, Mori, and Zeke started speaking, and since Sen knew very little about suits, he wandered about the shop. Ano was looking at a blue suit that almost matched his hair. He looked up at his pillow, and the pillow shook itself. 

“Awh really? I liked it,” Ano said before putting it back.

Sen arched a brow. “Is it conscious?” he asked.

Ano looked at Sen, and then back up to his pillow. “Depends on what I dream about the night before.” He flipped through more suits on the rack. “So, how are you and Alari lately? Still enemies?” he asked.

The sudden question caught him off guard. He had fought alongside her, and for however briefly, they’d even shared their thoughts with one another in the basement of Harpis Castle. But they hadn’t talked much sense. He’d seen her wandering around Brightsail Academy, but only at a distance. Truthfully, he didn’t have any idea. “Don’t know. I’ve got no bad blood with her, but I’m not sure what she thinks of me.”

Ano nodded. “Well, she’ll likely be staying around as well for a while. Dean Calle, the guy that runs Fire Kite, he got called for a meeting with her father.”

That was interesting news. “And the Flamelord decided Alari should study somewhere else?” 

Ano didn’t quite meet Sen’s eyes, but he turned slightly. “Uh, well, Dean Calle won’t be teaching much of anyone anymore. That’s the price of pissing off the Flamelord. A man like that, his whole thing relies on being seen as untouchable. First his daughter lost in the Academy War, then she got kidnapped by a bunch of cultists. People might think he lost his edge, so he’s going to show them otherwise.” 

Dean Calle had failed to protect Alari, but…had that really warranted his death? It wasn’t like Sen knew the man, but it still sounded extreme. “Do you think he’ll punish her?” Sen asked.

Ano grimaced. “Not before graduation duels.” His voice sounded mournful. “There’s a chance I’ll have to fight her, Sen. If it comes to that, who would you root for?” 

That wasn’t even a question. He didn’t have bad blood with Alari, but Ano was much closer to a friend. He answered without hesitation. “You.” 

Ano turned to look at him, mild surprise on his face. “Really?” He grinned. “You answered quickly. I think that means you meant it.” His pillow bobbed up and down quickly. “I just… didn’t want to upset you if things don’t go as expected. Graduation duels can be…intense. I’d prefer to skip it entirely, but…well, it may not be up to me.” He frowned and turned to flip through suits on a nearby rack. 

His words confused Sen. He wasn’t sure why he’d get upset over a fair fight between people around the same level. Ano and Alari were the number one and number two ranked students on the continent, unless something had changed recently. He still wasn’t even sure how the continental rankings worked, if he was being honest. He didn’t have a quest for it, and it consisted of only fourth-year students from what he could tell. It wasn’t anything that affected him. 

“However the duels play out, I’ll support you,” Sen said. 

Ano turned and smiled. “You know, if you keep being so reliable, I may just get rid of this old thing.” He thumbed towards the pillow over his shoulder. “It’s nice having an ally who has your back no matter what kind of dreams you have at night.” 

The pillow made a coughing noise, and a blue feather shot out where it wasn’t fully zipped up. Sen chuckled. “Speaking of…where exactly did you get this artifact?” 

Ano looked at his pillow and frowned. “Oh. I…” A sudden grimace crossed his face. His hand shot toward his temple. 

Sen’s eyes widened. “Ano?”

The blue-haired boy took a deep breath. “Sorry. I don’t remember much from my childhood. As far as I know, I’ve always had it. Whenever I think about the past, well, let’s just say migraines aren’t a stranger to me.”

“I’m sorry. I hadn’t realized my question would pain you.” Sen looked down at the feather. He squinted. It didn’t seem like a simple animal feather. It seemed almost like the feather of a magic beast. It radiated mana. Perhaps it was a higher-grade artifact, or perhaps—

Before he could ask any more questions, Tomlin, Zeke, and Mori finally caught up to them. 

Tomlin held up a black suit with blue trim on it and pointed at Ano. “This has your name all over it,” he said with a grin.

“I like it!” Ano’s eyes lit up. His pillow bounced in agreement. He turned and gestured toward it. “Can you get one for my friend here too?” he asked. 

Tomlin paused. He looked at Sen. “Of course, I’m here to help all three of you.” He smiled.

Ano shook his head. “No, this friend.” He slapped his pillow. 

The smile on Tomlin’s face faded. “I’m sorry, you want a suit for your pillow?”

Ano beamed. “Yeah! Just think how cute that would be!” 

[Someone recovered quickly.] 

Sen chuckled. “Seems like a bit much, doesn’t it? It’s just an academy ball.”

Ano and Tomlin exchanged a look. “You realize how big a deal this ball is, right? There aren’t many opportunities to carve a good impression of yourself before graduation. This is one of them.” Ano’s brow quirked as he spoke.

Sen looked around. “Wait, what? What do you mean?” he asked.

Tomlin frowned. “We’ve got our work cut out for us with this one. The ball is for you, the students, to enjoy. But the entrances? Those are for the people. There’s a reason there’s a waitlist to shop here. Your clothes, your style, the magic that you and your date showcase upon your arrival — they all matter a great deal. But don’t worry, it’s only your future at stake, and you’re in excellent hands.” Tomlin’s eyes twinkled. 

And this was exactly why Sen always tried to avoid these things, but still, it was Brightsail Academy; something interesting was always around the corner. He doubted the ball would be any different.