100 Chapter 99: The unexpected pe

"Positive. She's not in the room either." Elize said, coming out of the garden in front of their hostel.

The two had been searching for a while now. They had checked out all garden complexes, the library, the human classes, and even the room. The elf's ability to move at lighting speed helped speed up the process. They were now standing just outside the huge garden that was right in front of Elize's hostel, both their faces construed in worry. Elize looked up at the sky. The sun was dangerously low, giving them a maximum of another ten minutes before the gates closed for good. 

"I think we should look outside the wall." Elize suggested, her eyes trying to see beyond the tall trees that blocked her vision of the colossal entrance. 

"Take my hand." Legolas said, elongating his hand towards her. 

She quickly took it, holding on to his waist with the other, as the elf sped towards the wall. The speed slammed her against her friend, who seemed unperturbed by her weight pushing against him.

"I feel so bad for what happened." Legolas said with a sigh.

"Hmm?" Elize asked, confused.

"Something happened yesterday and now I feel like a total jerk." The elf said, suddenly taking on a sad tone.

That was when Elize remembered that she was supposed to ask him about their little outing. She had completely forgotten about that. Now that he had mentioned it by himself, she was curious. From the way that he sounded, it seemed that it was quite a serious issue. She wondered what could possibly trigger Agatha- a girl who was usually as cheerful as a clown.

"Go on." Elize encouraged, narrowing her eyes at the elf.

Legolas sighed. 

"Yesterday, Agatha lost her wallet during our journey to the town. So when we reached the shopping district, I offered to buy her a dress and she gladly accepted." He said with a confused look. "Everything was going good until suddenly Agatha started shouting at Firyr."

"What?! That's so not like Agatha. She's one of the kindest people I've known for so long." Elize said, shocked that Agatha would shout at anyone at all. 

Although the witch had in the past said sarcastic remarks, not once had she seen her lose her temper.

Legolas nodded in agreement. He continued, "I don't know what happened between them. So I asked the two of them to apologize to each other and get it over with."

"Traitor." Elize accused, her brows creasing in disappointment.

"Well, what else was I supposed to do?" He asked, with a frown. "Agatha just glared at me and stormed off, shouting something about Elves showing their nature."

"What happened afterward?" She asked, looking up to his face.

Legolas smiled awkwardly as he explained further. "I was quite annoyed with what she had said, so I didn't follow her. And by the time I changed my mind, she had already gone back to the academy on her own. At the same time, Firyr was suddenly hungry so we went to grab something to eat."

"What?! You what?!" Elize exclaimed in shock.

She looked at her friend in horror. Not only did he abandon Agatha in her moment of crisis but he favored a newcomer over her. And then instead of feeling guilty and following her, the man had the audacity to go have food as if nothing happened?! Was he clueless or just plain right stupid?! She thought to herself.

"I know I know. I feel bad now. I should have gone after her."

"Well, you shouldn't have asked her to apologize in the first place! You know Agatha! There must have been a reason!"

"Yeah but Firyr is a timid girl too. You know that right? What's the worst that she could have said or done?"

Legolas sighed, setting her down. They had already reached the gate. 

"You're such an idiot Legolas." Elize said, stepping away from the elf. 

"That's why I need your help." He replied with a sheepish smile.

Elize turned around and walked towards the gate, shaking her head in irritation. No wonder Agatha was moody all day. The elf was such a disloyal friend. She thought to herself.

The gate was almost fully-closed, with only one door slightly ajar. She could hear loud noises from beyond it. It sounded like people were arguing. Among them was a familiar shrill voice that sounded on a much higher pitch now. 

"Agatha!" Elize exclaimed in relief, running towards her friend.

Agatha looked towards her in surprise, her mouth immediately forming a wide smile.

"Elize!" She exclaimed, waving at her happily.

Elize ran towards her friend, sidestepping the elven guards who looked as tall as the sky when compared to the witch. But her enthusiasm turned into shock as she heard a dangerous growl. She stopped inches from the tail of a gigantic ferocious beast that was protectively wrapped around the place where the witch stood. Its amber, glowing eyes were like magical orbs that shone brighter than the setting sun. The creature appeared more or less like a massive sized tiger with small white spots in under its belly, in contrast to the pitch-black fur covering the rest of its body. 

"What the-" Elize exclaimed in a mixed feeling of awe and horror. "Agatha! Get away from it!" She shouted, stepping back in fear.

The witch chuckled, shaking her head. "No. Don't worry. It won't harm you." She said, stroking the beast's belly fondly. "Come, let me show you."

Elize slowly stepped forward, warily extending a hand towards the creature. Under Agatha's encouragement, the beast lowered its head towards Elize, allowing her to touch it. She gasped excitedly, as the creature purred under her touch. 

"What is your name?" She asked, looking into the huge cat's eyes.

"Zouyu!" Legolas exclaimed suddenly from behind.

Elize jumped back, startled. She glared at Legolas for scaring her. 

"What is he doing here?" Agatha asked, narrowing her eyes. Her expression had evidently turned sour.

"I-"

Before the elf could complete his sentence, the beast growled in warning, shaking the very earth that they were standing on. Legolas stepped back with an awkward smile, waving his hands at the creature trying to reassure it that he was not a threat. 

"I'm sorry but we have to close the gate now. The sun has set. We can't keep it open for you anymore." One of the guards said, pointing his finger at Agatha.

The witch shrugged. "Sure. But only if you allow me to take him inside."

"That is out of the question mam. The academy doesn't allow entry of dangerous creatures such as this." The other guard said, pointing to the beast in question.

The Zouyu growled in response, making the guard quickly lower his hand. 

"Agatha, maybe we should listen to them," Legolas said, trying to mediate between them. "The Zouyu isn't a domestic creature. It could be dangerous to the students inside."

"You stay out of it." Agatha warned, shaking her finger at him.

Elize looked back and forth the two, amused. They seemed like a quarreling old couple. 

"Mam, if you're coming inside, do so. Or else, we're closing the gate." The guard warned again.

"I'm not moving from here unless you let the cat in with me." Agatha said, tying her hands above her chest.

"Fine, then we're closing." The guard said, getting inside the gate. 

"Hey! You can't leave us out here!" Elize said, finally speaking up.

"That's your choice. Nobody is asking you to." The guard replied rudely.

"Elize narrowed her eyes. "Do you know who I am?!" She shouted angrily. All heads turned towards her. "I am the-"

"What is all the fuss about?" A sweet voice asked, interrupting her from blurting out anything further.

"My lord!" 

"My lord!"

The guards exclaimed simultaneously, hastily falling on their knees. 

Elize's mouth fell open as she sighted a familiar figure lazily leaning against the partially closed gate. The Kelpie looked towards her and winked. 

"Tch! Show off." Elize muttered under her breath.

"My lord! The girl insists on bringing the creature in." One of the guards said, pointing towards Agatha.

Lloyd looked at the Zouyu, shaking his head in appreciation. 

"And?" He asked, without taking his eyes off of the creature.

"Sir!" The guard exclaimed. "We cannot possibly let it in! Principal Mirembe-"

Lloyd waved at the guard dismissively. "I'll take responsibility. The cat can stay in my garden. I'll make sure to bind it."

"But sir!" 

"No buts. It's an order." Lloyd said, giving the elves a sharp look. "Let the beast in, and close the doors immediately. I can hear the rumble of other creatures already." 

The guards quickly complied, and opened the doors wide for the creature to enter. Both the witch and her new pet entered the gate, leaving Elize out alone. She looked towards the forest behind her. It appeared to possess a sort of darkness within it- one that suddenly seemed to possess a magnetic pull. 

"What are you waiting for darling?" Lloyd asked, bringing her back to reality. 

Elize turned back towards the Kelpie. "Nothing." She said before stepping into the academy grounds.