"Uh… uh… hi," Felix stammered, his nervous smile practically begging for forgiveness.
The girl stepped forward, arms crossed, eyebrows raised like sharpened blades. "So who were you calling an old hag, exactly?"
Felix scratched the back of his head, trying not to shrivel under her intense gaze. "Uh… I-I wasn't talking about you. I mean—of course not! That would be crazy, right? You look like you just turned sixteen! Seventeen max!"
She narrowed her eyes.
Felix gulped. "I'll… try to be better next time."
"Good." She lowered her arms but didn't lose the attitude. "Now, tell me what you're doing here—besides insulting hard-working women in fruit stalls."
Felix took a breath, still rattled. "Well… I was just trying to find the Sword Academy, and I asked this one fruit vendor for directions. She said she'd help if I bought something, so I did… and then she sent me to a pharmacy. Not an academy! A pharmacy!"
She blinked. "That's it?"
"That's it! She tricked me after I paid!"
"…What did you buy?"
Felix looked down, sighed, and pulled out a very squished pear. "This."
She snorted, barely holding back a laugh. "You're hopeless."
Felix muttered, "I get that a lot."
She tilted her head. "So, why the sudden interest in the Sword Academy? You want to compete in the tournament?"
Felix shook his head quickly. "No no no. I'm just here to deliver something. Not fight anyone!"
"Oh?" She leaned in, intrigued. "To a student?"
"More like… someone who teaches. Or someone important. Honestly, I was told not to ask questions. I'm just the herb delivery guy."
She raised an eyebrow. "Herbs from where?"
"Balmwich."
That caught her attention. "You came all the way from Balmwich?"
Felix nodded. "Yes. Long road, few fights, one injured leg, and now a squished pear."
The girl smirked. "Alright then. I'll help you—but I want something in return."
Felix fumbled. "I'm not a noble or anything. I don't have much to give. Maybe a few gold coins? And uh… one half-squished fruit?"
She gave him a side glance. "Keep the fruit. Just follow me."
They walked in silence. Felix expected to be taken to a side office or maybe handed off to a gatekeeper. Instead, she led him through the main gates of the academy—a towering fortress of knowledge, surrounded by students in matching uniforms.
But she wasn't in uniform. Her outfit was different—darker, more practical, more… important?
As they walked, scholars bowed their heads when they saw her. Guards stepped aside. Felix whispered to his crow, "Why does everyone act like she's the queen or something?"
The crow just shrugged.
He followed her past open courtyards, bustling training halls, lecture rooms echoing with sword chants, and students preparing for the upcoming scholarship tournament. Felix tried to blend in, but the longer he followed her, the more he realized—everyone knew who she was.
Finally, she took him to the upper floors—restricted access. Felix had to sneak a glance behind him just to be sure no one was coming to arrest him.
They reached a polished wooden door. She opened it, walked inside, and sat behind a large desk.
Felix looked around. "Uh… are we lost? I thought you were showing me to the teacher."
She gestured to the chair in front of her.
"Sit."
Felix sat.
She leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "Now… do you know who I am?"
Felix blinked. "Um. No? You're someone very scary and very much not a hag?"
She smirked. "Close. I'm Sylvara Vaelstrom. "Sister of Darian." Youngest instructor of the Sword Academy. Graduate at sixteen. Three-time tournament champion. The member of seven sword edges . And-"
She grabbed the herbs from his pouch, inspected them, then tossed them gently on the table.
"—the one you were meant to deliver that to."
Felix stared.
"You…" He blinked again. "You're the teacher?" And Darians sister ?"
She grinned. "Took you long enough. Honestly, the way you bumbled around, I half-thought you were here to assassinate someone."
Felix groaned and slumped into the chair.
"And," she added, leaning back, "you still owe me. Not for directions. For wasting my time."
Felix blinked. "What do you want?"
She tapped her pen on the desk. "Let's start with your name."
"Felix."
"Good. Now, Felix…" She smiled wickedly.
"Welcome