Chapter 118: Missing Person

Zach let out a deep sigh as he stepped down from the carriage with slumped shoulders. To his surprise, Nora also let out a deep sigh after she jumped down from the carriage, but hers was one of relief and joy. She even stood with her hands on her hips as she looked out over the campus with a smile on her face.

"What's your deal?" Zach asked like a grumpy old man.

Nora raised an eyebrow and glanced at him.

"What? I'm not allowed to be happy about being back here?" She asked, a hint of blame in her voice.

"Sure you are. But you've been acting like a meek and proper maid ever since we returned to the Duchy. I was hoping you had finally grown up." Zach shrugged.

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"Do you think I would be acting like that if I didn't have to? My Mother was…less than pleased with my efforts."

"Oh…How did she even know?" Zach asked, no longer joking or casual. If it had been enough to straighten out Nora until they were back at the Academy, it must have been one hell of a scolding. Sёarᴄh the NôvelFire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Nora shrugged.

"No idea. But my Mother is very skilled, after all."

"...Just not at being a mom."

"No, I guess not." Nora sighed, this time not as joyfully.

Zach put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed comfortingly.

"Mmm. Sucks to be you. Stop sulking and unpack my bags, I'm going to see if the cafeteria is open."

"..."

Nora watched Zach walk off with Yanael and Alzara for a moment before shaking her head with a slight smile. She started unpacking. She wondered if Zach had brought both of his familiars with him so she could take her time before ruling that out. There was no way he was that considerate.

Zach took a walk around the campus. It was surprisingly empty, but he still saw a couple of students roaming around the hallways and grounds. Some of them even walked together in haste with matching uniforms that were a step above what the other students wore.

Zach wondered who they were but didn't pay them any more mind than that.

Eventually, he found his way to the cafeteria.

It wasn't closed, per se, but if he wanted food, he would have to order at least a day in advance since the kitchen wasn't filled to the brim during the break. There was only enough food for the students who were staying in the dorms over the break.

That sucked, but the library was open, so Zach went there instead after another tour around the campus. He looked for information about various things, such as the Labyrinth, Wishing Keys, and desert witches until he figured he had given Nora enough time to unpack and prepare something to snack on while he waited for her to cook dinner or get ingredients so one of his other maids could cook dinner.

Surprisingly enough, Nora hadn't just unpacked and fixed something light for Zach to eat. She had cooked a multiple-course meal and was waiting for Zach with a fancily set table.

Zach indulged. Then, he went to sleep. He woke up. He had breakfast. He walked around the campus and studied in the library. The day ended.

Mostly like that, Zach passed his time. Slowly, other students started returning to the Academy.

Zach found Dukiel when there were three days left before the year started. But if he had bothered looking further, he could have found him earlier since he was working in the Academy city.

But Zach hadn't been there before, so the thought didn't even cross his mind. And it wouldn't have changed his routine much. Still, it was nice having one close friend nearby. Now they just had to wait for the other guy.

Julius hadn't arrived yet. He didn't show up when there were two days left, either. Not even on the last day were there any signs left.

Zach and Dukiel were worried.

As far as they could tell, Julius was the only one in their class who wasn't on site and ready for the school year to start. The others like Anerias, Violina, Rierdan, and Nessa had all shown up several days to a week in advance.

If he still didn't show up on the first day of class, they would talk to someone.

However, to their surprise and relief, Julius was already sitting in the classroom when they entered. He had a black mannequin next to him. The Mannequin was no longer brown with spots of underworld energy. It was like it had been dipped in tar.

Only then did Zach remember that the Mannequin was the only one who hadn't received his protection from the blast of the tiger's front leg exploding with an avalanche of underworld energy. It had received the full brunt of it head-on.

If it hadn't already been used to underworld energy, thanks to Julius' efforts, it would have most likely died or something, and Julius would have been in trouble.

'"Julius!"' Zach and Dukiel greeted Julius at the same time with bright smiles when they entered the classroom, much to their classmates' slight irritation. Was there a need to be so loud?

"Guys!" Julius returned their greeting with a smile on his own before he saw the tall maid entering behind Zach. His eyes widened and his jaw dropped. Dukiel helped him pick it up, fully empathetic.

"Who is…?" Julius glanced at Alzara repeatedly while looking at Zach.

Zach turned around quickly and saw who he was pointing at.

"Oh, she's my second familiar. Another battle maid variant. What a coincidence, huh?"

"Yeah…Wait, what?" Julius' look of admiration toward Alzara changed into one of confusion as he looked at Zach.

"Second familiar?" He frowned in confusion.

Zach sighed. He had already expected that reaction.

As soon as his classmates started showing up at the Academy, none of them with more than a singular familiar, Zach realized that the principal had tricked him.

He was the only one who had received that homework. That was why he had forbidden Zach from asking his friends and classmates for help.

Zach quickly explained the situation to Julius, making sure to speak loud enough for his curious classmates to hear it, too. And when he was done, Instructor Jarron entered the classroom to officially get their second year started.