Mission accomplished. Iruka, Kenji and Shika are officially first level apprentices!

  Now I have another test of the worst kind! The Ceremonial Ball, where we'll officially be given our title. Why the hell does it have to be public? So grand? Can't it be like the exams? Give everyone their degrees and leave. What I wouldn't give for that right now.

  I slammed the trunk shut and snorted loudly. I looked around the empty and nicely cleaned room. I may have only spent a few nights here, but I'm going to miss it. After all, I did get my hair cut here! Yes, I had a sort of emotional attachment to my hair, probably like anyone who has long hair of any kind. How do you think the guys are gonna react to that?

  Idea number one - they'll all have heart attacks. Idea number two, they'll laugh. Idea number three (and probably the most plausible) - Haru will compliment me on it. Natsu will triple over with excitement. Aki will just smile and not comment. Fuyu... Well, he'll be icy as always and make a snide remark.

  "This is going to be terrible." I muttered to myself.

  "Come on, Iruka! We have to go!" My good friend burst into my room.

  I shook my head to push my thoughts away and walked away.

  ………………………………………….

  "THAT'S AWESOME!!!"

  "Iruka, you look beautiful."

  "Good Iruka."

  As I expected. Their reactions were exactly as I thought they would be. Now all that's left is to say hello to Fuya. He didn't show up again. No one worthy of his attention came to greet him. Perhaps not even the King, if he showed up at our door. I climbed the rickety stairs and made my way to his room. With a full dose of nervousness, I knocked.

  "Come in."

  I opened it slowly. Fuyu was sitting at his desk with his back to me, writing something down.

  Fuyu put down his pen and stood up. He turned around and froze. I fidgeted and squinted at the hem of my shirt. I finally tore my gaze from the ground and looked at him. I expected an answer right away. Some sort of retort or something, but he stood there, staring at me in disbelief. His pale cheeks caught the pinkish tint as well. I don't believe it! He's blushing! Is that... Is that... Cute? I certainly caught the blush in my cheeks myself at the sight of him.

  "Your hair..." He finally blurted out.

  I cocked my head to the side, preferring to keep looking at the ground. The floor was safer than him.

  "Well...I... I... cut my hair... It needed a change... I guess it doesn't look good."

  "No you're beautiful... I mean...I mean, you look good. You're not a girl now. Now you're just a dwarf with no beard."

  I gave him a questioning look. Though in his case, I couldn't really help it. He walked up to me and I got my scared puppy face on.

  "I'm glad you made it. I know about the ceremony. It always is. I've made all the arrangements for the ball." He said and ruffled my hair.

  I grumbled petulantly, but I still liked his fingers in my hair. I looked up at him. He was looking me over. I don't know if in a positive way or not. He was just looking, but I could feel myself blushing again.

  "Get out of here."

  Well, the blush was now one hundred percent gone. I didn't say anything to his very nice dismissal.

  ……………………………………………………….

  The day went by like water. As always, perhaps, when something important awaits you in the evening. As Fuyu said, everything was set up in my room. A beautiful hand-stitched suit that fit like a shell. Shoes of the same color that also sat, perfumes from the ground. They've prepared everything here perfectly. For the last time, I outnumbered my hair and started down. I was wearing a black tuxedo with a white shirt and a dark blue bow tie that somehow held its shape. Kenji, Aki, Haru and Natsu were waiting downstairs. They all looked so elegant. Beautifully sleek hair. Neat and proper. Kenji, Aki and Haru wore the same shade of tuxedo as I did. Natsu wore it more dark blue than night, yet it matched his red hair nicely.

  "Well, Iruka? Are you nervous?" He hooted natsu as I climbed down the stairs.

  "Y-yeah a little. But I'll survive."I smiled.

  "Just Fuyu, then."Sighed Haru. "I'm already here!"He said, rapidly coming down the stairs.

  He looked very different. In a good way. He looked very handsome in a tuxedo. Black suited him. He looked even more charismatic than normal. Formal attire and a sleek bill also gave him more authority. Fuyu gave me that strange feeling I couldn't identify. As I read vampire books on Earth to deepen my knowledge of the creatures, I read about their so-called Charms. They were able to force people to control themselves even without mind control. I think tot Fuyu had it in him. The irresistible charisma and I, as the mortal, make me feel that very strange feeling. It's not that I like him. It's pure nature. He's like a beautiful flower that draws attention to her variety and I'm a butterfly that's attracted to this variety. But if I succumb to it, the plant will kill me.

  "Let's go then?"He spoke again in his cool tone and looked at everyone and then rested on me.

  'Yeah let's party!" Natsu cheered, and he and the others started for the exit.

  "Iruka, wait.”

  Fuyu grabbed my hand and pulled me close.

  "Huh? W-what is it?"My nervous tone, which I tried to hide, could still be heard through it.

  "Your bow tie is badly tied."He noted and untied my neck brace.

  I watched his long, thin fingers dance and create that beauty. I wish I could, too. I looked at him. He had a slight smile on his lips, but his eyes were full of concentration to tie the bow. My heart began to beat excruciatingly fast as I looked more into his blue eyes. They were so azure and beautiful. So innocent. There was no chill in them, what everyone saw, and in the beginning, so did I. There's concern and tenderness. He's shunned and he's still holed up somewhere, but he's still watching over us and taking care of us. We became members of his family and that's more than I could have ever asked for. Being with him and others and having these adventures about it wouldn't dream in my wildest dreams.

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  "So done. You look nice now."He whispered in my ear and walked away.

  God, I got my toes all the way from that goosebump. Wide-eyed, I turned and went after them, too. We already had a few stars on the way, and the closer we got, the more they got. It's as if they're coming with us to the ceremony. We crawled in and the intoxicating music of the forehead, the violin and the transverse flute came to my ears. The melody immediately pulled you into the auditorium. She was so magical and timeless. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard. There were a lot of people dancing in the hall. The ladies wore lavish gowns that literally shone in the circle of dancing. Their accompaniments or dancers were merely in elegant dark shades to give the space to raise their partner's profile. Come to think of it, was it really a ceremony for us?

  "Yes, it is."Kenji replied.

  "Hey! Don't get in my head!"

  "Sorry, you had such a beatific expression that I wondered what you were thinking."

  "Tss."I snorted and continued to watch people. The boys and I were slowly making our way to a table.

  From the top of the stairs, those people looked better than they did down here. I don't like squeezing between people. Fortunately, it was short-lived and we reached the table. I look around and in the crowd I see a figure with fiery hair coming towards us. Shika.

  "Iruka! Kenji!"She squealed with enthusiasm.

  Both Kenji and I stood up and went over to greet her. She looked beautiful. She tamed her thick hair into an elegant bun. Just a few wavy strands on either side of her left loose around her face. In her hair was a silver tiara, shaped like interlaced twigs with assorted petals and flowers. She was wearing a gorgeous turquoise dress. The top was made a bit like lace, but opaque, and the skirt was decorated with tulle fabric with stones, of course. She even wore heels for that, so she was taller than me.

  "Are you that nervous, too?"

  "Yeah."Kenji and I agreed in unison.

  "Yeah Shika, we want you to meet someone."I said.

  Shika tensed with curiosity. I stepped to the side a little and pointed at our escorts. "Shiko, this is Haru, Natsu, Aki, and Fuyu Naruno. Guys this is Shika Yui."I introduced.

  The boys smiled at her and, as one, uttered the classic phrase for introduction. Shika looked like a stake out of a fence.

  "Y-y-y-you... I-I-I..."She stuttered, then swung to the ground. And I don't mean that metaphorically. She really fainted.

  "Shika!?"I leaned in anxiously. She rose quickly. I was even a little startled by the reaction.

  “Yes hehehe... I thought I dropped something on the ground, but it didn't hehehe."She was scratching the back of her head, and she had a rather strange smile on her lips.

  "Okay?"I said, raising one eyebrow.

  She quickly stopped scratching and put on a kind of sexy look.

  "Anyone want to dance?"She asked. Doesn't that girl have a concussion? I cocked my head to see if he was really all right.

  "I'll go."Natsu volunteered.

  She parted her lips in a devilish smile. That girl scares me.

  "Good."She said demonic.

  What in god's name is wrong with her?! I don't think I'll ever understand women. Natsu offered her his arm and went off to dance with her. The dance here looked a bit like a waltz, with just a few extra touches. Besides, I can't dance either. I'm glad I can even make it out. Kenji started laughing beside me. I looked at him with a question in my eyes.

  "The girl's funny."

  "No, he's crazy. Did you see that devilish smile?!"

  "Yeah. It was funny." "In retrospect, yeah." We both guffawed.

  ……………………………………………….

  Kenji and Aki disappeared like steam over a pot. Probably off to the sidelines to dance. I ended up with Haru and Fuy on what balcony they were on, where they were talking to some important people, I guess. Well, they certainly looked the part.

  "I hear you've stopped a bunch of super Minotaurs now."One of the men began a new conversation.

  "Yes, it looks like they're powered by some kind of magic. We'll have to investigate further." Replied Haru

  "Magic? What a load of nonsense. Minotaurs aren't that smart."You snorted. "Then how do you explain a Minotaur who can summon a shield?” Fuyu asked.

  "Maybe you just can't do magic. After all, you're only half wizards. If it wasn't for your mother."

  "Watch your language."Fuyu growled.

  I didn't like his behaviour either. Naruno are the best magicians I've known. Who does he think he is?! I closed my fist angrily and continued to silently watch the conversation.

  "Maxitraime."The other man shouted at him.

  “You know they're excellent magicians. I wouldn't question their judgments!"

  "On top of everything else, they've been commissioned by King Taiyo himself to check it out."He added calmly. "Oh, yes, the king. How lenient he is with half-breeds like you."

  "That's enough!"I shouted.

  "Who do you think you are?! Preaching about people like that, like you're more than that. The boys here are wonderful magicians and deserve respect and recognition. Thanks to their training, I took the exams. I owe my whole life to him for their teachings. So kindly keep this, will you?" Oops. I guess that was too much.

  They all froze, looking at me. Fuyu, in particular, looked with incredulous eyes.

  “You've got guts, boy. But the fact that you're an apprentice now doesn't make you a magician. You better watch who you're yelling at."

  'You..."There was something else I wanted to tell him, but Fuyu covered my mouth and grabbed my waist.

  "I don't think you have any idea who you're talking to."Haru growled, and Fuyus dragged me away.

  We reached the terrace outside. I was let go here. I started going back and forth in anger.

  “What does that old fart think of himself?!"I thought to myself. Haru looked at his brother and then at me.

  "You're going to pacify him."He added and walked back to the auditorium.

  “An old man. Just because he's going to talk patronizing doesn't make him someone very important. Who the fuck is that?! I'll smash his face in if he talks like that again." Fuyu chuckled. Well, I didn't find it funny at the time.

  "It's Maxitrime Takashiko. He's a magician, and he's also a mage council candidate. He is very powerful and rich, which makes him such an important master. His family has always believed in purity and does not approve of beingmixed in any way. You'll hear this shit from him all the time."

  “No, because I'll trick him first and then... And then...?." I ran out of words, but Fuyu braved it.

  He grabbed my hand again, but this time he pulled me into his victims. I died for a little while. That piece of icebreaker hugged me?! All my organs and muscles in my body froze.

  "Thank you for sticking up for us. Nobody's done this for us in a long time."

  "You're my family to me. I will always protect and stand up for you."I muttered into his chest.

  Fuyu smiled and said: "I'll protect you, too. Me and the others."

  The atmosphere got to me. She just found me and swallowed me up. I pressed against him more and smiled contentedly.

  ………………………………………………

  It's finally started what we're here for. Our good old man took the stage and began his monologue:

  "Good evening ladies and gentlemen, we are very honoured to have you here tonight. This year's exams have been very special, but I think they've gone very well on the other hand. Of course, we are gathered here today to officially introduce our first-level apprentices. Welcome them to the podium with a round of applause."

  As he put it, all six teams, including us, emerged from both sides. We took the stage to exuberant applause when I noticed who was coming against us. What's that black hair doing here?! Kenji!!

  He heard my thoughts and looked at him. The whole team was there, him and his two cronies. Already, Shika had noticed.

  Team 5 cheated and took away their rock. It came to that, and they were rightly given the title. supposedly. Shika respons.

  His smug expression rattled my nerves. I had to look away. I beat him, and he's still so demented.

  "Now, namely, we'll give everyone a diploma. Please step forward when I say your name."

  It's just for show anyway. I said to myself.

  "This is where I give my diploma to apprentice Shika Yui, who was on team number 8." He handed Shika his diploma and shook hands.

  He took a sidestep and stood by Kenji

  "This is where I give my diploma to apprentice Kenji Samaro, who was on Team 8."

  My turn. "This is where I present my diploma to apprentice Iruka Huro, who was also on Team 8."

  I walked toward him in front. He gave me his diploma and his hand.

  "Congratulations."He whispered.

  "Thank you."

  He took a step over and I rested on all the people applauding me. I also saw that scoundrel Takashiko burning through my eyes. I just twisted my eyebrows and looked back down. He finally reached the brunette. I'll finally know their names. But first there was the blonde, and then the brown hair.

  "I pass the diploma to apprentice Ayako Miro, who was on Team 1."

  "I give my diploma to apprentice Misaki Yamaro, who was the No.1 on the team." Finally, him. So what's your name? I don't even know why I wanted to know, but you just want to know the name of a guy you don't really like.

  "I'm handing over my diploma to apprentice Tori Takashiko, who was the No.1 on the team."

  Takashiko?! So he's his son?

  That explains everything..