“So that’s why there is a random elven girl in our dorm room?” Alex asked, rubbing his temple.


    “Yep! That sums it up,” I replied with a nonchalant shrug. “I needed an assistant, and she was for hire, so I decided to use her services.”


    Alex narrowed his eyes. “Sureeee, that explains the random clone you put in the bathtub last night.”


    I stiffened. “Oh. I. Uh… Yeah…” (How does he know about that? My plan was good!—Maybe I can squeeze myself out of this one? Ugh. What a headache!)


    I could always ki—No Ryn you cannot kill your friends


    Alex sighed. “You should probably wake her up its improper to watch a lady sleep”


    “I’m aware.” I turned toward Elnora who was sleeping soundly in my bed.


    “Elnora?”


    A small grunt, then a flicker of movement. Her eyes fluttered open—vivid, green—and the moment they locked eyes with mine she raised up.


    “RYN!”


    Before I can react, she launches herself at me, wrapping her arms around my waist in a tight embrace.


    “Hey! Get off me” I yell, trying to pry her off.


    Alex burst into laughter. “What an interesting assistant.”


    I sigh, finally freeing myself from her grip. “Come on Elnora.” “We need to get you register as a student and assistant.”


    “But breakfast!” She pouts.


    Alex, ever the enabler, appears from the kitchen, a plate balancing from his right hand. “Here. Eat some of these leftover Griffin eggs.”


    Elnora’s face lights up as she takes the plate eagerly. “Thank you for the food!” She yells out. As she begins to shovel the food in her mouth with no room to breathe.


    “MHH! MHH!” She moans through a mouthful of food. “Thisa SOA Gwouod!”


    Don’t talk with your mouth full! I reply correcting her mannerism.


    She swallows with haste. “I’m sorry I haven’t eaten in quite some time”


    I sigh. “Are you ready now Elnora?”


    Elnora wipes her mouth with her handkerchief as she gets up from bed following me out the door. Before the door shuts Alex calls out behind us.


    “You and I need to talk later Ryn!”


    “Sure, whatever.” I reply waving him off.


    The early morning sun shines as Elnora walks a bit ahead of me taking on the sun which bathes the courtyard. Elnora gasps, spinning around in awe as she takes on the towering spire and marble pillars.


    “What a lovely atmosphere!” she exclaims, with sparkles in her eye.


    “Come on, Elnora!”


    I quickly grab her hand; I lead her toward the registrar’s office. I don’t think much of the gesture but when I glance black, her face dusted with pink. Odd.


    Inside the office the receptionist behind the desk gives us a polite bow. “Good morning, sir and ma’am.”


    “Good morning! My name is Ryn Ashford from house Ashford, and I would like to register this lady here as my assistant and student.”


    “Yes, sir! We will get that done immediately.” “Please sign these papers”


    She pulls out an intimidating large stack of papers. After some time, I take my stamp out to finalize the last document. Which signifies Elnora’s status at Borealis.


    Thus, doing this she cannot be harassed nor bothered by lesser nobility. Due to her being acquainted with me.


    “Alright! That should be everything” The receptionist says with a bow. “Now we only need to capture her measurements for her clothing and assign a dorm.”


    “RYNNNNN!!”


    A voice booms behind us, and I immediately know that bubbly voice from anywhere.


    Oh heavens no.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Lilli strides into the office. Her presence a force to be reckoned with. And of course, closely following behind her is Alex.


    “What been going on for the past few days” I sigh


    “Lilli! I told you not too—" Alex yells after her.


    “So, this is Elnora, I presume?” Lilli says putting her hands on her hips.


    “I-it’s a pleasure!” Elnora replied giving a slight bow.


    Lilli’s eyes narrow.


    “I’m unsure who you are, but Ryn is mine!” Elnora screams out.


    “THE WHAT!?” I blurt out loud, stumbling back a bit.


    The receptionist behind the desk lets out a small “Oh my…”


    “Elnora y-you can’t just make a statement like that” I hiss at her.


    “Oh? Why can’t I?” She counters with boldness.


    Lilli opens her mouth, then quickly closes it. Lost for words.


    That’s a rare sight to see


    Alex than sighs and turns to the receptionist. “So, what’s the verdict regarding the documentation?”


    “We just need to assign her a room—”


    “She can stay with me!” Lilli declares.


    That works for me! I replied quickly smiling


    One less headache to deal with ... thank you Lilli.


    Alright! “That’s all in order. Thank you, for your cooperation today!” The receptionist nods.


    Lilli grabs Elnora’s wrist and starts to take her out of the office.


    “Come on Elnora, I’ll take you to our dorm!”


    “I-I didn''t agree with this!…” Elnora says out loud as she is pulled along.


    Poor. Elnora... Having to deal with Lilli. Alas, not my problem.


    Just as the pair reaches the door, Elnora spins back suddenly.


    Then without hesitation, she quickly walks up to me, she leans in and presses a quick peck onto my cheek.


    My body locks up.


    The room goes silent.


    Lilli who is by the door blinks, looking as shocked as I felt.


    Alex lets out a small, teasing laugh.


    And then—my mind is interrupted


    "I apologize for that embarrassing display." Elnora''s voice echos in my mind.


    I look around confused “Uh Elnora how are you in my head?”


    "I’ve created an internal connection through telepathy. If you need anything, just let me know."


    O-okay…. What been with this morning.


    As the two girls disappeared from sight. I still stood there, stunned. The moment of Elnora giving me a peck on the cheek replayed in my mind.


    What is this pitiful feeling. I don’t understand it.


    Alex. Watching me carefully lets out a big grin across his face. “Well since we have sometime before class starts let’s go do something.”


    I scowl “Shut up, Alex .”


    But as we leave the office, I find my hand periodically reaching my cheek.


    Oh hell.


    As the two of us stepped outside of the registrar’s office and into the courtyard Alex, walks closely beside me, his arms crossed. His eyes flickering with amusement and frustration.


    “Mind telling me where you snuck off too last night?”


    I glance at him, keeping my fa?ade unreadable. “it’s like I told you. I was in the business for an assistant and—”


    “Really?” He cuts me off, sighing. “You’re still lying through your teeth with me?” “I get it, I guess.” He mutters then, he leans it, voice at a whisper. “Being the Reaper and all.”


    My breath catches. I found my eyes widen before I stopped myself.


    H-how does he—?


    “Shhh.. not here” he says, his tone calm and a smirk across his face telling me he’s enjoying this.


    “Let’s find somewhere more private?” He adds.


    I follow him through the courtyard my mind begins to race. Did he follow me? Was I leaked? No—that can’t be. My plan was flawless no room for error. And yet…


    Alex leads me into the nearby park on campus, guiding me through dense brushes of trees. The noise of the Academy fades, places with the silence of the park. The, with a swirl of his finger, Alex mutters “Tranquila.”


    A subtle shimmer of light glitters the surrounding area. A sound proofing spell?


    How clever.


    He turns to me, his normal carefree grin replaces with something sharper, something calculating. Then, he takes a seat on the bench, crossing his legs like a noble would.


    “You must be wondering how I know you’re the Reaper?” he muses, his voice casual, but his eyes betray him. Theirs’s a spark of something that’s lingers in them. Satisfaction?


    I say nothing, as he continues to speak.


    “When you escaped into the underbelly of Idelia, I got a bit worried about my dear roommate.” he says, mockingly placing a hand on his chest. “After all, you were in the bath for quite a while. And then, when I interacted with that clone of yours, I realized something odd—” His grind widens. “It had no mana signature.”


    Tch. He clicks his tongue.


    “My lineage” he continues, “allows me to follow all mana—where it flows, where it disappears, and where it’s stolen.” “So, I simply followed your trail—and what did I find?” He leans forward. “The Reaper, bidding farewell to some nasty old man in a back alley-den.”


    His teeth grind slightly as he grins. It not a smile of victory—but rather a smile of someone who caught their friend doing something reckless.


    I exhale, my fa?ade slipped away. Theirs’s no way out of this.


    “What do you want?” My voice turning cold.


    I briefly consider my options. If I must, I can dispose of him.


    Alex chuckles, “Don’t think about trying to kill me now. I don’t plan to tell a soul…after all we are friends.”


    He stands rolling his shoulders unbothered like it’s another casual chat. “To be fair I’ve always known you were strong. Stronger than the professors even. You hide your mana well, but you could improve, at times it fluctuates.”


    My mind races. I misplaced him. A pawn on my board had suddenly revealed itself to be something more cunning.


    Then—whack.


    Alex punches my shoulder lightly. “That’s for lying to me,” he says shaking his head.


    I scowl.


    “From now on I’m joining you,” he declares. “What will I tell the administration when you end up dead?”


    However, there’s something in his voice that I noticed—something I’ve never seen from him before. Grief? No…something deeper.


    “And why should I allow you?” I ask, narrowing my eyes. “What’s stopping me from saying no?”


    Alex tilts his head, then burst into a light chuckle. “Man, this side of you is ruthless.” His expression sharpness, his mana which flares blue—shifts into a vibrant pink, which swirled around him like a living thing.


    I haven’t seen this magic before


    “You’re not the only one keeping secrets,” he says smoothly. “So? A secret for a secret. Now can you finally trust me?”


    I stared at him.


    In my past life, I commanded an army. And yet, in this world, I had no subordinate, no unit—no Phantoms to bring my ideals to life.


    Perhaps… I can change that now.


    “Fine,” I say at last. “But you must listen to everything I tell you.”


    “Sounds good to me.” Alex replied smiling


    We shook hands in the middle of the park, a silent pact forming between us.


    Distantly, the school bell rings which indicates first class is about to begin.


    Alex stretches, “Let’s get going.”


    I smirked.


    As we both walked to class.