Tales Of Darkness And Light
Chapter 23

Erfin's magic college principal's office was not at all what Fedrick and Calix had imagined. The room is very spacious, but does not have furniture like an office space except a desk and a work chair.

The headmaster of the magic college Erfin sat casually staring at Apple, Fedrick and Calix. Principal Ernil was a long-wavelength black haired beauty with green-colored eyes. He looked very young, around the beginning of thirty, and he was wearing a robe as should the occupants of Erfin magic school, the difference was that his robe was white instead of black.

"I've brought them on your orders, Miss Ellesia." Lily softly said respectfully to the headmaster of Erfin's magic school.

Both Apple, Fedrick and Calix looked at the woman in front of them without saying a word.

Smiling, the headmaster of the magic college Erfin introduced himself. "I am the headmaster of Erfin magic college, my name is Ellesia, and I thank you all for helping us defeat the raging dragon in our house."

Apple remained silent saying nothing, as did Fedrick and Calix. The two of them did not say anything as they felt they did not help much in stopping the dragon. The one who defeated the dragon was Apple, so—how did they reply to Ellesia's thanks?

Ellesia kept smiling. He doesn't feel

"You're Prince Calix of Arthorn, aren't you?" ellessia asked suddenly while looking at Calix.

"Y-yes.." Calix replied stammeredly because of the sudden question, and also, he did not expect Ellesia to recognize him.

"I've heard the news of the war that has now taken place. I received a letter from Queen Lapina, your mother who asked for help from Erfin's sorcery school" Ellisia said calmly. "And with great regret, I can't help you."

Calix is shocked to hear Ellisia's words, as he has no idea his mother has asked Erfin for help with the ongoing war. Indeed, the disciples in this college were witches, which would be a huge help if they were willing to help. However, the position of the Arthorn Kingdom with all its military might was clearly stronger than the Ormund Kingdom, why was his mother still asking for the help of Erfin Magic College?—and also, how could Ellisia resist calmly like that?

"Do you know the slogan of this college?" ellisia asked with a smile, her green eyes fixedly staring at Calix as if she could read his mind.

"Eh?" surprised once more, Calix immediately replied. "If not wrong 'There is no age limit in learning magic' right?

"Right," Ellisia nodded her head with a smile still on her face. "But, there is still one more, that is; 'Never interfere with political matters'. Therefore, we refuse to help."

Calix fell silent and could not reply to Ellisia. She did not know Ellisia, but, the smile on that face made her know, the woman would not change her decision no matter what she said, "Alright, I understand." Calix said softly as he sighed.

The smile on Ellisia's face widened. Slowly, his eyes shifted to Fedrick. "And you're Prince Fedrick of Crussader, aren't you?"

"Yes..." Fedrick smiled and answered Ellisia's question. As Prince Crussader, he had met many people, from Leader, General, Minister to King, therefore, he had met many people, he could feel clearly and the Ellisia who was in front of him now was no ordinary person.—she had an unusual aura and charisma.

"It seems you have managed to master the magic of controlling the proud beast of the Royal family Crussader—happy." Little Ellisia's laughter. Both of his green eyes shone with excitement.

"Thank you." Stammered, Fedrick could only say thank you. At

"You're looking for people inside Bold Mountain, aren't you? " an Ellisia continued, she did not care at all about the confused expression on Fedrick's face. "With your magic you can definitely find them."

Fedrick and Calix are so shocked to hear Ellisia say, they don't understand, how could he know they're looking for people inside Mount Bold?

"You don't need to be surprised" Ellisia laughed again at the reaction of Fedrick and Calix. "I have my own source of information."

Fedrick and Calix can only go back to silence hearing Ellisia's words. The headmaster of Erfin Magic College in front of them was truly enigmatic.

Ellisia suddenly stopped laughing. No matter what eyes Fedrick and Calix looked at, he looked at the silent Apple. The smile of laughter on his face disappeared replaced flatly without expression. "You—" he said slowly."I heard that the dragon has only attacked you once since seeing you, right?"

Apples did not give the slightest reaction, he silently remained silent not answering Ellisia's question.

A smile filled Ellisia's face, but it wasn't a warm smile like the one she showed Fedrick and Calix, it was a smile full of unknown meaning. His eyes were directed at the Shire magic sword at the waist of the Apples. "And you—you managed to pull out the Shire magic sword and use it to defeat the dragon, right?"

The apple remained silent not answering Ellisia's question.

"You are not the original owner of the sword. But, you managed to pull out that sword," Ellisia continued, not caring about the attitude of Apple who did not care about it. "I hope you will return the sword to its original owner when you meet, even if it will be a very strange thing."

Fedrick, Calix, and Lily, who were in high school, did not understand the meaning of Ellisia's words, while for Apple, she remained silent without any reaction.

"I'll take your silence as, yes." Ellisia's laughter later, though all who saw it also knew it was not a real laugh.

The apel that did not care then flipped over his body. Without telling Fedrick and Calix, he stepped towards the exit.

"I can't deny that we, Ernil's Magic College owe you a debt" Ellisia again stared at Apple's distant back. "Old, if you need help, we'll help you."

Apple opened the door of the room and walked out, from beginning to end, she did not care about Ellisia who kept looking at her in the slightest.

"Apple, wait!" call Fedrick and run out of the room chasing Apple followed by Calix from behind. Those who did not understand the slightest direction of the conversation of Apple and Ellisia could only follow the young man now.

"All right, Miss Ellisia." Receiving Ellisia's orders, Lily immediately walked out of the room.

The workroom of the Magic Wrestling School Head Erfin went back into silence. Ellisia who lived alone looked out at the afternoon sky from the window, "Ironis once," he said slowly. "—from all that is, it is he who managed to pull the sword."

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The rooms Lily showed for Apple, Fedrick and Calix were quite large and comfortable. With three beds, complete with chairs and sofa tables, as well as other furniture, this room seems to be the most luxurious room in Erfin Magic College.

Apple, Fedrick and Calix decided to continue their journey tomorrow morning because it was getting dark, and also, they needed to rest, because today was a very tiring day for them.

Fedrick and Calix lay on the bed, while Apple stood beside the window looking at the darkening sky without any expression. However, in his mind, he kept thinking about what happened today and what Ellisia said. She was sure, Ellisia knew her true identity, therefore, she should not act rashly anymore now. But most importantly, she must not lose control of herself—not as long as Rue is not beside her.

Apple realized, he was lucky to be aware of his madness earlier. Rue's voice that suddenly flashed through his mind managed to resuscitate him. He did not dare to imagine what would happen if Rue's voice had not managed to resuscitate him.

Sighing, Apple felt a great loss for Rue. Her smiles, laughter, hugs and warmth—she really wanted to meet him. If only it was possible, Apple would very much like to immediately leave this magic college and look for him. However, he needed Fedrick to search for Rue, and seeing Fedrick's condition as still weak now, it did not allow them to continue the search.

Tock-tock.

"Lake in." Calix said as soon as he heard the knocking on the door. Rising from a lying position, his eyes stared at the closed door.

Slowly, the door opened, and Map entered while bringing an established meal to the three of them. A smile adorned his face."Servants bring you food, Prince Calix, Prince Fedrick and Mr. Apple."

Fedrick and Calix smiled looking at the Map. Rising from his bed, Calix walked up to the man. "thank you. Sorry to bother you."

Map shaking head. "No. It is precisely we who should thank you all."

"What did you bring us, Map?" ask Calix happy. He was very hungry, because he had eaten nothing since this morning.

"This is steak and mushroom soup cooking by Erfin Magic College chef. It's not fancy. Hope you guys like it." Clear Map with a smile and put the food in his hand on the table in the room.

"Alright, thank you, Map," Calix smiled and sat down on the couch. His eyes then looked at the friendly Map. "And, don't use such formal language, Map. Call me Calix as usual."

"Eh?" stunned, Map of confusion heard Calix's speech.

"Really, Map. Just call us by name. You're our friend and my helper, you don't have to be that formal." Fedrick also sat on the couch smiling.

The map was still confused, but seeing the smiles on Fedrick and Calix's faces, he smiled and responded. "All right."

Calix laughed with pleasure at the words of Map, as did Fedrick. Only Apple did not give the slightest reaction as if he was not in the same as them.

"You're all leaving school tomorrow, right?" ask Map then.

Fedrick and Calix nodded their heads, while Apple remained silent staring out the window. He did not care about the map at all.

"Yes. We're looking for our friend." Answer Calix.

"That's it.." said Peta while looking at them sadly. He did know them, but he was very interested in them, especially; natsume. His curiosity towards the young man was extremely high. His strength, his magic ability, moreover he had managed to pull out the shire magic sword that no one had been able to remove at all this time. As an Erfin Magic college student obsessed with magic, there were countless questions he wanted to ask Apple, and also, he was eager to research the shire magic sword that was on his waist right now.

However, even so, Peta knew, she couldn't possibly stop them. "All right," his smile was small. "In that case, I won't disturb your rest anymore. You must be tired, good night."

"Good night too, Map." Fedrick and Calix reply simultaneously while Apple still careless no matter.

After the Map, Fedrick and Calix started eating their food. Apples did not touch her food at all, she only ate it after Calix forced her to. After eating they decided to go to bed as soon as possible, the day was near night, they needed to save energy to continue their journey tomorrow.

"Good night, Fedrick, Apple. I'll sleep first.." Calix said as he pulled the blanket over his face.

"Good night, Brother Calix." Fedrick stared at Calix from the top of his bed. Slowly, he turned his head to look at Apple who was also lying on the bed beside him, He did not know whether the young man had slept or not, Apple had indeed removed the cloth that had closed its eyes. However, his eyes were tightly closed "Good night, Apple..."

There's no reply.

Fedrick smiled. Apples were the coldest and most introverted people he had ever met, even though they had gone through some things together, he still had not opened up. Fedrick can only hope their day can truly be as friend as it should be soon. Pulling a blanket over his body, Fedrick closed both eyelids to sleep.

As Fedrick and Calix had fallen asleep, Apple opened its eyes and rose from a lying position. Looking at Fedrick, he closed his eyes. The friendly attitude Fedrick and Calix showed, he was aware of, but, he didn't need it. He must immediately find Rue and part with them— before everything breaks out of his control.

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