"You seem to have really enjoyed it", Cale remarked without taking his eyes off his companion.
Gloria of Freigoud had stopped in front of them, which Cale took as a signal to fulfill his duty as a man. He politely extended his hand while Fengari remained standing behind him.
"Absolutely, yes. I would love to learn to play too."
"You can't learn that overnight, Ahri. I hope you realize that."
"I know, yes", she confirmed and cheerfully followed the adults down the stairs. "So, can we?"
"Yes, we can. I see no reason not to", Cale replied calmly.
He practiced serving as a support for the woman in the long dress and watched out of the corner of his eye as Ben came down the stairs with a tired look on his face. They had watched the second part of the performance together in a box, talking quietly or not at all, which was because the king himself was present. After it was all over, Cale thanked King Leonhardt for his hospitality and said goodbye to Sir Freigoud, as they would be traveling back to Sylve separately.
"Wonderful!", Fengari exclaimed happily, running ahead and skipping down the last few steps.
"If I had a daughter, I would love her to be like Ahri", said the lady, who had lifted her dress slightly with one hand and was focusing her gaze on the steps. "You've probably heard this all the time, but Ahri really is a lovely girl."
"I'm trying my best, Lady Freigoud", Fengari replied cheerfully, turning elegantly so that her dress billowed to the side. Her hair loosened and fell into her face, prompting her to reach up with her delicate hand to brush it back.
"Oh, Ahri, look at your hair."
"I'm sorry, Father", the dragon said, trying to salvage what could be salvaged. It was in vain, which made Cale sigh.
"Leave it, dear. I can take a look once we are in the carriage", Madame Freigoud said as she also arrived downstairs.
"Would you be so kind?", replied Ahri, relieved, holding the ball of hair away from her face.
"You don't have to do that, Duchess. I can fix her hair myself."
"Now, let me have this little pleasure. What do you think it's like for me in a household full of men?", replied the elegant lady amusedly, so Cale gave up and smiled peacefully.
Cale had promised Sir Freigoud that he would take his wife home before heading home himself. Cale didn't know why he had asked him to do so, but he took the opportunity with pleasure.
"As you wish", replied Cale, guiding the lady to the carriage before helping her inside. He then lifted Ahri into the carriage, where she took a seat next to the brown-haired woman. Ben climbed in on his own, while Cale attended to the coachman. Cale politely answered his question about whether everyone was present before climbing into the carriage last.
Since Fengari was sitting next to Gloria, Cale took a seat next to Ben, who was clearly having trouble staying awake, before closing the door.
"Would you like to sleep until you get home, Ben?", he asked the child as the carriage began to move. Ben rubbed his eyes and nodded, so Cale turned to him and held out his hands. "If you want, you're welcome to lean on me."
Ben glanced hesitantly at his mother, who nodded in agreement. Then, to everyone's surprise, Ben literally climbed into Cale's arms and made himself comfortable, while Cale leaned back and held his old friend.
He hadn't expected that at all.
Cale hardly dared to breathe, afraid of waking him. But Ben didn't seem to mind at all, because he fell asleep within seconds. It was a strange sight, especially considering that Ben would one day be taller than himself.
"You like children, don't you?", Madam Freigoud asked as she tied Ahri's hair into a high ponytail.
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"Some of them. Not all, I have to admit. But your son is definitely one of the children I like."
"He likes you too, you know? He's usually quite fearful of strangers, but he didn't seem to mind you at all."
"That's probably because of Ahri", Cale explained, glancing at the girl who was playing with her shirt.
"I told him what Father is like. That he always treats me like a princess and does everything for me when I ask politely. And, of course, that Father is a strong swordsman who can take on Sir Freigoud", she chimed in, looking at Cale with a grin on her face. She seemed to have exaggerated a bit when he asked her to try to befriend Ben.
"I see, so that's why he had that confidence", the lady began, tying up her blonde hair so that Ahri could sit down properly again and thank her. "Have you ever considered becoming a teacher?"
"Me? A teacher?"
"Why not? According to my husband, you finished at the top of your class and are generally an intelligent and attentive person."
"Thank you for the indirect compliment, but I'm afraid I am not fit to be a teacher. I simply don't have the patience to teach anyone anything. I don't mind giving short lessons or demonstrations, but I would probably wither away in a classroom."
"I understand what you mean. Controlling so many children at once is certainly a challenge, but on the other hand, you always find precious gems."
"I don't doubt that. I spent some time at the Magistrat, and there you also meet real geniuses."
"You were at the Magistrat?"
"Not as a teacher, but as a kind of... advisor. Anyway, I had the opportunity to see this year's students, and some of them were real prodigies, I can promise you that."
"Now I feel the need to visit the Magistrat myself", replied the lady, whereupon Cale cleared his throat amusedly.
"I'm sure the Eldest would give you a fitting welcome. As long as you don't steal his offspring."
"I would never dare to. I would just be interested in how the type of education and teaching differs from Sylve's."
"Well, High-Magician Sefra Risztus could certainly help you with that. She is the one responsible for the entire education sector. She would certainly be happy to talk to you."
"Do you really think so?", Gloria of Freigoud replied, surprised, whereupon Cale agreed with her. "I like the idea more and more. Maybe I'll really come back to it. Was your daughter also at the Magistrat?"
Cale and Ahri shook their heads at the same time before Cale spoke up.
"She's too young for that. The Magistrat only accepts children aged 10 and above. Before that, children usually attend a general school from the age of 6. Ahri never went to school in Altona."
"So the institute is her first school, what an honor", Gloria said happily, looking over at Fengari. "How do you like it so far? Isn't it too easy for you?"
"How do you know the lessons are too easy for me?", Fengari asked in surprise, and Cale also pricked up his ears.
"Because the last two questions on the exam are actually from third-year material."
"Third year?", Cale asked in surprise, sliding up a little.
"Third year, yes. To get 100 points, you have to answer those questions too, which is why the exam itself isn't actually possible to solve perfectly. Ahri is one of the few children who has achieved 100 points since the institute was founded."
"I see, so that's how you know that her level is actually above what she's currently learning. She had already told me that the school material is too easy for her."
"Have you ever thought about telling us? If the lessons are too easy for them, we can change that."
"How?", Ahri asked in surprise.
"Well, you have the option of skipping classes. Provided you pass the grade exam, of course."
"That is possible?", Cale and Ahri asked at the same time, exchanging surprised glances.
"Yes, it is. It's a procedure that we don't necessarily disclose to everyone, because otherwise every parent would probably show up at our door and force their child to take these exams. I'm not saying that the children couldn't do it, on the contrary. Many are very intelligent and eager to learn. But the institute doesn't just teach knowledge, if you understand what I mean."
"So you would give Ahri the opportunity because, in your eyes, she has a certain maturity?"
"That's right", the woman replied in a serious voice. Cale silently returned the woman's gaze while Ben rubbed his head against Cale's body. He glanced down at the boy briefly and ran his fingers through his short brown hair as he thought about what this could mean for them.
<"Caleb...">
<"Are you interested?">, he interrupted the dragon.
<"I wouldn't mind, let's put it that way. It would bring me closer to Benjamin, which is an advantage for us.">
<"That's not why I sent you to school, Fengari. Do you really want to skip a grade? Haven't you made some friends?">
<"I have, but they're just kids. I don't know how much you can call it friendship">, Fengari explained calmly, which gave Cale a moment to think.
"What do you think, Ahri? Do you want to give it a try?"
"If I may", she replied calmly, looking at Duchess of Freigoud. "How does the exam work, if I may ask? How many points do I need to pass?"
"Similar to the first exam, except that we will decide in a meeting whether you are suitable for it."
"Well, if the offer stands, I would very much like to try, Madam Freigoud", she finally said, causing the woman to smile and turn to Cale.
"Is that okay with you, Sir Adenia?"
"My daughter is old enough to make her own decisions, Duchess. If she is interested, then I will not stand in her way. Do I need to do anything?"
"You would need to be present on the day of the exam and give your consent. We usually conduct the exam and the subsequent meeting on the same day."
"I see, then I will have to speak with my supervisor."
"Do so and simply let me know when you have time. Since this occurs so rarely, we do not have a protocol for such a case, and I would be willing to accommodate you."
"You are very kind, Duchess. Thank you very much."
"Thank you", the lady began, pointing to her son, who was sleeping peacefully in her arms. The fact that she entrusted her child to a stranger showed how many good things she had heard about Cale and how much trust she had in him.