I was awoken the next morning by the tolling of a bell; thanks to adviser we knew it was about an hour before sunrise. Being already used to waking up early I immediately got up used a quick spell to wash, and got dressed in the school uniform. With that being taken care of, I exited my room, to see Thomas looking angry, about to knock on my door.

  He was a bit surprised by my door opening but quickly composed himself as he started talking in an annoyed tone of voice. “What is this I am hearing about you having had tucked tail and run during a fight?” the words came out barely above a whisper. Choosing not to antagonise him I first quickly consulted adviser to see what he meant when adviser said, “he is most likely referring to that little irritating situation that happened yesterday.”

  His advice had jogged my mind and so I answered. “I would not call it running away, but instead yes I was not in the mood for some cliché nonsense so I made a speedy exit without anything happening that could cause you trouble.” As I was speaking, I could see his turning redder with anger. “tell me again what did we hire you as.” He said a cold tone entering his voice.

  “Well, a body guard if I am not mistaken.” I replied not seeing why he was so angry. “And what, pray tell, does that entail, if you would be so generous as to enlighten me.” He said his tone now sounding even more sarcastic “looking after you and your sister and being the first line of defence in case anything threatens your lives.” I replied succinctly not wanting to stoop to getting angry as well.

  “No, that is only part of it, keeping us safe is one thing, but it’s our reputation that matters more in this place, as our body guard you need to have an image of your own, one of absolute dominance and sticked verdict. One of someone who doesn’t suffer fools but removes them… instead you have now, whether it was your intention, shaped an image of some coward.” He said his words finally making me realise why he looked so pissed.

  “ furthermore, as that is your reputation, that would make people rather think in terms of being able to harass Neffie because who is there to stop them, you claim you did it to avoid confrontation, but I say this, as her body guard if you always deal with fools as such then it will just make more and more work for you at a later date.” After he finished his scolding, I gave my remorseful answer. “I deeply apologise, I was trying to hide my skill in order not to stand out, but I see now the folly of such an action.”

  We had started walking to or respective homeroom that we shared due to us both scoring high in our swordsmanship tests when he said something that stung a bit. “That is the stupidest idea I have heard, if you want to keep a couple of trump cards then no one is gonna stop you, but trying to hide your strength is exactly how you just end up in a bad situation of your own creation. I would say the smarter thing to do is to show a level of competence which shows that you are not to be trifled with while still not going all out.”

  His suggestion had been something I had not considered; I have been to focused on how these things usually happen in the novels I used to read that I did not think about the situation logically. Worst of all adviser had indeed yesterday told me it would be a good idea to have taken out that other idiot’s lackey.

  ***

  During homeroom I was ruminating about what we had talked about this morning when my thoughts were interrupted by Thomas. “So which club did you decide to join?” he asked his tone curious yet sincere. “The magic advancement club.” I replied before asking which one he had joined in turn. “The young politics club.” he replied. I had seen it yesterday; it was more of a social club for nobles to bond and make connections early on.

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  “I wonder which one Neffie joined.” I thought out loud. “She could not decide, saying something about there being too many to choose from and that she would decide today.” Thomas answered my rhetorical question. The class became quite because the bell was about to ring and the teacher had stood up. Me and Thomas had the first period today together in swordsmanship class so we did not have to go to another class at all.

  “Good it seems you have more manners than yesterday.” The teacher said he voice still sounding strict but no longer sounding angry. “Now today we will be going over the difference between sword form and movement forms…” I let adviser listen to the rest as I started planning as to build my reputation correctly without showing all my abilities or skills.

  ***

  The rest of the classes was relatively dull until I entered the mage class. As I entered, I saw two cute girls sitting right next to each other, both of which I knew, Neffie and Misha was sitting next to each other and there was another seat open on their left. I went over and sat down a smile spreading on my face as they both noticed me and greeted me, only now realising that we knew each other.

  “Oh, what a small world, and here I thought me and my broth would be the only ones that he would feel comfortable talking to.” Neffie had said. “Yes, really a small world how does you guys know each other.” Misha had said, a faint echo of something in her slightly higher than previous voice. “I met them on a quest that I took, it was to defeat her brother in a duel. And since then, we have been somewhat good friends.” I stated hoping that Neffie would not take offence by my assumption.

  “Yeah, he’s right, more or less.” She had corroborated my answer before continuing. “How about you?” the question seemed to make Misha blush a little as she answered. “I was out to town with my guards when I got a little lost, he helped me out of a bit of an irritating situation and even took me to the adventurers guild where I could meet up with my guards again.” He replied seemed like she was rushing through it.

  ‘Wonder what’s making her so nervous.’ I thought to myself. And as always adviser had his own quip to give. “Please don’t tell me you are going to act like one of those clueless dolt-like main characters again, it’s perfectly obvious that she has butterflies in her stomach every time you are near.” His quip came as a bit of a shock until I gave it some thought.

  It made sense, seeing as I did have a relatively handsome face as well as a well-built physical structure, not to mention my help I gave her back then, it would be surprising if she did not feel anything at all, but I decided to first look and see if it would be something that just blows over.

  “Oh, hey Neffie by the way have you decided which club you wanna join, I heard from Thomas that you couldn’t decide yesterday.” I said changing the subject before the memory of the awkward situation that Misha had caught herself in would continue to embarrass her. “No not yet, however there is one that really caught my attention, the magic advancement club seem right up my alley.” Her reply gave me a huge grin as I stated. “Yeah, me and Misha are both in it as well.”

  Misha was nodding her head as Neffie looked from me to her, her eyes narrowing before she finally said “that’s the one I’m joining then.”

  The rest of the lesson was taken up by intense listening to the teacher as she explained the basics of magic, I actually paid attention here because I knew that my use of magic was different than it most like was taught in the world even though the bases of it was built on those books I had read back when I was small.

  After the lesson the rest of the lessons were mostly boring as it was still the beginning of the year. I was waiting at the class Neffie and Misha shared for last period, after the bell rang. It was there that I finally had a chance to change my reputation for the better.