Chapter Thirty

Class ends when Professor Clearwater is interrupted by a loud ringing bell. The professor smiles as she turns away from a blackboard covered in notes and things. “I won’t be holding anyone back during our first day together. Go on, have a good evening!”

You help Abigail by stuffing her things away in one of your dresses and then push your chair back behind your desk.

“No homework tonight,” Charlotte says and she sounds disappointed. “Did you think of joining any clubs yet, Abigail?”

“Ah, not really,” your summoner says as she removes her silly hat and runs a hand through her hair. “Are there any good ones?”

“There are!” Charlotte says. “Though the most interesting ones, the Spell Creation Club and Adventurer’s Club both require that you be in your second year. Though I think you can join the latter if you have a group already.”

“Okay,” Abigail says. “What about clubs we can join?”

“I intend to join the athletics club,” Charlotte says. “A keen mind requires a keen body. And keeping in shape is just a good idea besides. There are others of course. We could pick up a pamphlet.”

“Sure, that would be nice,” Abigail says. “If we have no homework then I don’t really have any reason to go home early.”

“You live in Five Peaks?” Charlotte asks as the three of you move towards the door. “The city proper I mean. Off-campus.”

“I do. I have a small apartment.”

Charlotte’s eyebrows rise up to her hair. “You live alone?”

“With Dreamer,” Abigail says. “It’s right next to where I work.”

“Oh my, how independent,” Charlotte says. “I envy you a little. I stay in the school dorms here. It’s practical, but the price is exorbitant and there are so many rules.”

Abigail nods along as you move into the corridor. There’s a bit of a pause as you all wait to see who will pick which direction you walk in, but then Charlotte starts moving towards the front of the school with a confident step.

“It would be great fun if you were to join the same club. We could help each other out.”

“That does sound nice,” Abigail says. “But I’m not very athletic.”

“Hmm, unfortunate. There’s the library exploration club? That one doesn’t leave us much opportunity to talk though. Well, we’ll see if we can’t find something we both like.”

Abigail and Charlotte start talking about their hobbies, which Charlotte already knows since you’re such a good familiar and announced it to everyone already. You’re walking down a fairly quiet corridor when something screams from behind you.

“Wait!”

All three of you stop and turn at the same time to take in the boy jogging towards you. He’s followed by a big, familiar wolf.

“Hello Wuffles!” you say.

The wolf growls and lunges towards your face teeth-first, but his master yanks him back by the collar. “Wuffles! Down!” he says.

The wolf eyes first you, then his master, but after a bit he sits down with a wolf-y huff. He’s still growling, but it’s not as loud, just a low bassy rumble that fades in the background.

“Can we help you?” Charlotte asks. She’s eyeing Wuffles as if she’s a bit afraid of the wolf, which is silly, you wouldn’t let Wuffles tear her apart by accident, she’s Abigail’s friend and you don’t let friends eat other friends.

“Yes, yes you can,” the boy says as he comes to a panting halt. He presses his hands against his knees for a moment, then stands up. Wuffle’s master is a tall boy, a whole head taller than Abigail and with shoulders twice as wide. His robes are almost straining across his chest. He’s not fat or anything, just really big.

The poor boy. He’s too big to ride his familiar around. No wonder Wuffles is all angry all the time. He’s a useless familiar. Only good for giving pats and snuggles. Which while important don’t provide much needed utility like you, a superior familiar, can do.

But then, is that really Wuffle’s fault? “Hey mister, “ You say, cutting off what the others were going to say. It doesn’t matter, those you cut off weren’t Abigail. “You should lose weight. You’re too heavy for Wuffles to carry you.”

The boy blinks at you, then looks to the two girls. “I’m not fat,” he says.

“I didn’t say you were fat,” you reply. “Just that you’re too heavy.”

“Putting aside what our dear Dreamer has just said,” Charlotte says. “Why did you wish to speak to us, mister?”

“Everette,” the boy says. “I’m sorry for disturbing you ladies, but I had some questions and I hoped you could help me?” He looks at Abigail really quick, then lets his attention linger on Charlotte for a while, first on her face, then on her chest before his cheeks go rosey.

“What sort of questions?” Charlotte asks as she crosses her arms.

“Ah, right, it’s about what happened at the familiar testing this morning. Something didn’t seem right.”

“I’m sure it was just a strange series of coincidences,” Abigail says quickly.

“Yeah, maybe,” Everette says. “But they were strange and I was hoping you could help me get to the bottom of it.”

“We are busy, mister Everette,” Charlotte said. “Maybe some other time.”

“I’m really, really sorry to bother you,” he says. “But I really want to talk. Please?” he begs.

Abigail is a little flushed when she turns to Charlotte. “Um, maybe we can talk, just for a moment?”

Charlotte eyes Everette for a moment more, then shrugs one shoulder. “Very well.”

“I can make it up for you. There’s a nice place to eat right next to the Academy. The food is great!” Everette says.

Abigail frets a little, and her hand wiggles for you to grab onto it. She doesn’t seem to know what to do.