Around two months have passed.
The calendar marks July 2nd, Year 1401.
Today's the day.
Julian stood in front of a mirror, fixing his freshly cut, well-groomed hair, and fastening his tie at his neck. He wore a nice school uniform.
Despite everything...
He looked at his face in the mirror. There were a lot of different parts used for his body, but his face stayed relatively the same. Those bright red eyes stared back at him.
It's still me.
He smiled.
"Hurry up, Julian!" he heard Rosette yelling from outside his room.
I got pretty lucky.
Apparently, the headmaster of this prestigious school that we're going to owes the doctor a favor. So that's how Rosette got her education. She concealed her appearance and was sent to school.
Now, the same thing is happening to me.
Ah, I'm kind of nervous. I barely even survived high school with no friends. Now I have to go to a prestigious boarding school full of rich kids? Imagine how much harder that will be.
But... this time, I wanna make friends. It's a new world, Julian!
"Rosette, how exactly are we going to go about this?"
"Don't ask me. Dr. Vaen will be here any minute."
Rosette looked a lot more reserved and pristine than usual. Maybe it was just the effects of the school uniform that preserved this new appearance.
.
Julian and Rosette stood by the coast, Dr. Vaen standing apart from them.
"Alright. Well, you guys will be taking the boat."
Dr. Vaen clapped.
Suddenly, a large fish rose from the water, floating upright. It resembled a catfish, with illusory scales that bent with the light.
Rosette sighed, walking forward without hesitation and mounting the fish. On top, a leather saddle was left for usage. Julian followed.
"Wow… It's like I'm sending off my children to school," Dr. Vaen sniffled.
"Quit that, old man! Don't get sentimental! I'm gonna throw up!" Rosette complained. The doctor laughed.
Julian watched quietly.
"Dr. Vaen. Thank you. For…
Saving me?
"… for everything."
"Ah, come on. It's the least I could do. Now, go on!" The doctor smiled.
"Wait a minute. Aren't our clothes gonna get wet in the water?" Julian suddenly realized, promptly asking the question.
"Who said anything about water?"
Rosette turned her head, pulling on the reins of the large catfish. The fish let out a shrill roar, waves forming in the water. It then leaped into the air, soaring through the sky. The water beneath them splashed upward.
"W-woah!" Julian exclaimed
A flying fish?!
He quickly held tightly onto Rosette. Rosette smirked.
"Heh. Hold on tight, kid. It's a long ride."
They zipped through the sky, with a special cast that allowed them to stay invisible.
Minutes passed, then hours. By the time they had reached a visible stretch of land, the sun was directly in the middle of the sky.
"This place is called Sar. And currently, we are on the shore of the coastal city, and capital, Dinet."
They landed somewhat gracefully, the fish scurrying against the sand, before finally slowing down. Rosette quickly hopped off the fish. She passed Julian a map.
"Well, you're on your own now. I have business to attend to. And I can't be seen with you!"
Before he knew it, Rosette was gone. He was forced to enter the city of Dinet discreetly.
All I know is that I'm supposed to be looking for Dinet's Boarding School… Aghh!
The city, like any other capital, was bustling. The air smelt of fresh bread and the sea salt from the ocean. The bright sun beamed proudly, casting a joyful glow onto the city.
Julian's eyes suddenly caught sight of a group of people. Four boys. Nothing was special. However, they were all wearing the school uniform!
"Hey, guys!-"
"If anyone sees this, they'll think we're bullying you. Why don't you just hand us everything you've got? Try to be considerate, okay?"
The three boys followed a smaller boy into an alleyway.
Julian followed behind, quietly.
The smaller boy had a timid appearance. His hair was a dark orange shade, and somewhat long at the front, completely covering his left eye. He was pale, and obviously, short.
One of the boys raised his hand to slap the boy.
I have no business in this situation.
The strong eat the weak. That's just how it goes, right?
…
The bully swiped down. But his movement was abruptly stopped.
"Huh?"
"This is a civil place, sir. Keep the peace, or get out."
Julian held tightly to his wrist. The bully, to his surprise, found trouble breaking free.
"Did you hear what he said?"
"Keep the peace, or get out? Does he think he's the main character?"
"He must think this is a fucking book, haha!"
The rest of the bullies laughed.
… Maybe my delivery was bad.
Bsh!
Julian was suddenly struck. He felt a pounding sensation at the side of his head, which, naturally, sent him aback.
Another strike came, this time, a sweep at his legs. He fell to the ground, hitting his tailbone. The pain reverberated through his body.
The trio of bullies proceeded to kick at Julian's body. Minutes passed, and they finally decided that they were done with him.
Julian rolled over and groaned.
A shadow was cast on his body. This shadow was made by the boy.
"Are… are you alright?" he asked, stretching out a hand.
"Yeah…"
Julian squinted, still injured. He reached for his hand. As he was doing so, she spoke again.
"My name is Cera."
"Cera? Isn't that… a girl's name?"
Julian looked closely at the boy. It wasn't until he finally realized that he had become a little bit flustered.
She's… kind of cute.
"O-oh. You're a girl. My name is Julian," Julian scratched his head, his ears still a little hot.
"It's nice to meet you, Julian."
"I saw that you have the… school uniform. So I'm guessing you know where it is? Sorry, I have a map, but it's not very… informative. Or helpful."
"Y-yeah, no worries, haha. I was just on my way there. You're a first-year too?"
Julian nodded. Cera smiled.
"Then I'll take you there."