"I understand. The world lost a great person," Alvin nodded solemnly.
It seems he had a slight misunderstanding.
"I can't say for sure, but it should be ready in a week," Alvin said after a pause.
"Thank you!" said Myra.
"I should be the one thanking you." Alvin shook his head in response.
With their business here finished, the group prepared to leave.
However, before they've reached the door, Alvin, looking like he decided something, called out.
"Cyril. Do you want to learn illusion magic?" He suddenly asked.
Huh?
"It's the principal's magic, right? I am not sure it's right to share it like this," Cyril replied while shaking his head.
He wasn't that interested in learning it either. Cyril preferred things with more direct impact.
Alvin held out the spell notes. "The principal won't mind it. Think about it again. These spells should suit you," he said somewhat mysteriously.
Is he implying something? His insistence seemed suspicious.
Cyril couldn't deny that he was somewhat interested now.
"There is no harm in trying, right?"
In the end, Cyril took the papers. Knowing more spells was always good.
Alvin nodded in approval and said goodbye to the two.
With this they finally exited the building.
"Do you want to learn illusion magic?" Myra asked once they were outside.
"I'll try," nodded Cyril, then looked her in the eyes. "How about you?"
"Learn illusion magic? No, no. Alvin gave it to you; I can't access it without permission." Myra quickly shook her head and waved her hand in denial.
"Let's ask the principal then when we have the chance. Learning new spells is a good way to become stronger," replied Cyril and continued moving.
He could feel that Myra was tempted. Lately she has been frustrated with her own lack of strength, and this was a good opportunity.
Cyril did say he will help her get stronger.
He would also try asking Selene about sharing her technique, but he wasn't sure if Myra would be willing to learn it.
To his words, Myra gave a cautious nod and followed after him.
...
Today Cyril also planned to buy some things for Tigris.
He was distracted along the way, but the day was still not over.
As a result, Cyril took Myra with him to visit some shops.
Rhamn asked Tigris on the way what he would like to get.
But the kitten couldn't come up with anything other than snacks.
Not like Cyril was against buying something like that. They visited the meat shops and bought plenty of different types of food.
At the same time, they used this opportunity to eat themselves. They were getting quite hungry.
Next the group went to buy a simple cat bed.
The clerk in the store happened to be the same one Cyril met when choosing a terrarium for Morpho.
This time they got to witness a cute cat picking itself a comfortable bed. Somehow the sight was easier to accept than when the butterfly did it.
On Myra's suggestion, they've also bought a scratching post. It seems she also didn't recognize this mighty beast to be a tiger.
Cyril and Rhamn thought they might as well try that. The sight of Tigris playing with it will surely be amusing.
In a similar manner they've brought plenty of other things: toys, special food, even an outfit.
Slowly Myra got into the role and carried Tigris in her arms, trying to find anything else this 'kitten' might like.
Tigris tried to struggle, of course, but a snack given by Myra was enough for him to calm down and accept such a fate.
"How cheap. We'll need to work on his will," Rhamn shook her head with faked seriousness.
Morpho was getting a bit jealous from such a treatment. She tried to hide it, but Cyril could feel her emotions.
So they've also bought a few things Morpho wanted.
What she chose, however, was slightly unusual. It was a mannequin for practicing strikes.
Morpho was getting really into fighting lately; she wanted to train further.
Thankfully there is enough room for it in his dorm, but if there will be more creatures in the future, Cyril might have to consider moving to a more spacious place.
In such a manner they've spent the rest of the day.
By the time they got to the academy. It was already getting dark outside.
With his hands full with bags, Cyril said goodbye to Myra.
She proposed to help him carry the baggage; Myra was responsible for some of that weight.
But Cyril refused her help. Instead, Morpho flew in on her own and grabbed a few bags.
The sight of a butterfly carrying two huge bags was slightly surreal.
When Cyril reached his dorm, they began placing everything they had in a suitable place.
A few things would only be delivered tomorrow, like the mannequin.
Morpho was quite satisfied with the buy and carried the snacks into the fridge with a happy wobble to her flight.
Tigris also tried to help however he could.
This way they quickly finished, and it was time for sleep.
After finishing his routine, Cyril lay down on the bed.
Tigris refused to sleep in the cat bed they bought.
Instead he jumped up on the actual bed, falling asleep while lying on Cyril.
"..." Cyril could only accept such an outcome without complaining.
"Morpho, do you want to join as well?" He asked after a second. Cyril could feel her peeking at them from her terrarium.
With these words, Morpho slowly flew out of her house and landed near Tigris.
She flew with pretend reluctance, as if she was only doing so because Cyril had asked her.
Cyril wasn't going to expose her, of course.
"That's so cute!" Rhamn also lay down on the bed.
After everyone wished each other a good night, they all slowly fell asleep in a happy mood.
...
Tomorrow there were lessons as usual.
During Spell Making, they've learned another piece of news.
Turns out the exam happening on Monday will also count towards Spell Making grade.
Richard didn't say anything beyond that, but that was enough of a clue for the students that it will be something special.
Is this going to be a competition again? Cyril guessed.
The idea didn't elicit any exciting emotions in him.
The strength of his classmates was unfortunately quite lacking in his eyes.
"I think it will be something different. The competition wasn't long ago. It would be weird to hold another one so soon."
When later they've met with Edmund, he confirmed that class II will also be going somewhere on Monday.
"Which means it's probably another competition of some kind..." said Rose while massaging her temples.
She was not the biggest fan of duels. Only the thought of the event already brought her a headache.
"This is another chance. This time I will not fail," Edmund said with determination.
It seems like he was still fired up about moving to class I in the near future.
"If Bonzo and Regina participated too, then there might be something interesting in there..." Thought Cyril out loud.
He still thought from time to time about those duels. There were some high expectations placed on their growth.
"Well, never mind that." Rose put this behind her and switched topics.
"Remember we are going to a zoo tomorrow?" Rose observed everyone to make sure.
"Of course," Cyril said as a matter of fact.
He was very much looking forward to this trip. Both he and Rhamn are interested in seeing some animals.
"I never knew you liked animals so much," Edmund said, relaxed on the chair.
"Feels like everyone should like them," replied Cyril with conviction.
Edmund only shrugged his shoulders in response.
"Some of our classmates will go there too, actually. Cedric, along with his friend and Clayton," told Myra.
Rose put her hands on the table. "Clayton, I understand, but how did Cedric get the tickets?" Her voice was slightly dissatisfied.
Even with the help of her family, getting these tickets wasn't easy.
"I've heard about it too. Apparently, during the 'holidays,' Cedric went to the Allium Central Park; there he managed to save the owner of the new zoo from criminals. In return he received an undisclosed reward and a ticket as a bonus," said Edmund with interest.
"What criminals?" asked Cyril.
"The stories aren't clear. Probably some random bandits wanting a ransom; plenty of dangerous people in the Empire." Edmund took a sip of a sugary drink at his side.
"You know, Cedric seems to attract a lot of trouble." Myra said in thought," "Wherever he goes, something always happens."
Cyril felt the same could be said about him lately.
"That's not true. We pursue trouble ourselves; that's different," Rhamn said proudly.
Is that something to be proud of...?
...
After talking for a bit more, everyone went about their own business.
Cyril was back at his dorm, holding the illusion spellbook in his hands.
He was already practicing a technique at this moment, and learning two complicated spells at the same time wasn't the best idea.
But curiosity got the best of him; Cyril decided to learn only a little bit for now.
The way Alvin talked about it, this—and by extension, the principal—must be related somehow to what's different about me, right?"Makes sense."
From my talk with Ophelia, there is definitely a connection between my irregularity and my mother. Does that mean my mother and the principal are connected too?
"That would be a logical conclusion, yes. But that is based on the fact that the spell indeed has something to do with you. Maybe Alvin only genuinely thought it's a good spell for you and nothing more?"
Well, it doesn't matter for now. Cyril finished his contemplation and focused on reading the notes.
There was, however, a slight problem he encountered.
Back when they first took a peek at the notes, they seemed understandable enough.
But now, the more he delves into the text, the less he understands what's written in it.
Simply put, his level of knowledge is nowhere near enough to comprehend it.
This also made him appreciate Selene more. She was able to break down her technique enough to be readable.
What about you, any luck? Cyril thought with slight hope.
"Sorry, no. It's too early for us to learn this..." Rhamn said with disappointment.
I guess I'll come back to it in a year or two...
"Or maybe... we could try asking the one who wrote it? You can also test if the principal knows something about your mother" Rhamn proposed an interesting idea.