It had been three full days since the class was summoned, and the strangeness of it all was finally starting to settle in. Logan found it unsettling, almost frightening, how quickly the students and even Ms. Claire were adapting to this chaotic new life.
Sleeping, at least, had come easier than the night before.
He also noticed how his maid seemed perfectly attuned to his needs, knowing when to give him space and when to quietly appear with exactly what he required.
It was almost as if she possessed some sort of mental ability, though for now, he didn't dwell on it.
Her help made it simple for him to slip out of the inn unnoticed, well-fed and without attracting the attention of his classmates. The main butler, ever efficient, simply recorded Logan's destination and arranged a carriage without a word.
Now, he sat inside that carriage, heading toward the Rosengard Estate, one of the trips he dreaded most. This time, however, he had come prepared. In his hand was a pink glass bottle containing a potion to ease the nausea brought on by the estate's long, jarring ride.
Taking small sips, Logan peered out the narrow window. The familiar sight of the sprawling forest rolled past, and to one side, the black metal fencing appeared, marking that he was close.
Upon arrival, a maid was already waiting to guide him toward his tamed beast. The earl and his daughter had been notified of his visit, though both were occupied elsewhere and would arrive later.
The stable master greeted him with a curt nod before leading him to the enclosure. Inside, the Scorchwyrm rested, its scaled body coiled loosely. The moment it sensed him, the beast lifted its head, releasing a low, contented rumble before settling back into sleep.
"Boy, that beast loves to eat. He could devour a whole Wark in one sitting, I reckon," the old man said with a gap-toothed grin. He patted Logan's back in a casual, friendly way one of the few people who didn't treat him with needless formality.
"Is he doing well, though? He doesn't seem to be reacting much…" Logan asked, a note of concern in his voice.
The stable master chuckled, deep lines creasing his weathered face. "Don't worry, lad. Your Scorchwyrm's doing just fine. These creatures have their own way of showing affection. More likely, he's just conserving his energy. They're livelier when they're not busy digesting."
Logan nodded, reassured. He reached out and ran a hand gently along the Scorchwyrm's neck, the heat of its scales seeping into his palm. The beast, still an infant in spirit despite its imposing size, shifted slightly, acknowledging him with a low growl before curling back into place.
"Well, that's all for now, kid," the stable master said. "I see the Earl and Lady Rubina coming from the lab. Best go greet them while your beast finishes his nap."
With a grateful nod, Logan turned toward the path. In the distance, he spotted the Rosengards approaching Earl Rosengard, looking like a mad scientist, hair wild and lab coat stained, while his daughter, Lady Rubina, was as poised and graceful as the first day they'd met.
When they drew closer, Logan shook the Earl's hand before turning to Rubina. He began to extend his own, but she raised the back of hers instead, a subtle cue for a more formal greeting. Caught off guard but quick to adapt, Logan took her hand and pressed a light kiss to the back of her soft skin, uncertain if that was truly what she intended.
"Glad to see there are manners in your world, hero," Rubina said with a playful giggle, her small joke landing easily.
"Ah, yes… well, I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, my lady," Logan replied with a slight bow, doing his best to ignore the faint citrus scent now lingering on his lips. His gaze briefly caught on her appearance a white dress adorned with red ribbons that flattered her figure while still carrying an innocent charm.
"Alright, you two," Earl Victor interrupted with a faint smile, "enough playing around. We have work to do today. Logan, your mentor will be arriving in three or four days, and we need to get you ready before she takes over your training."
"Why is that, Earl Victor?" Logan asked, curiosity edging his tone.
The Earl's smile faded into something more serious. "Because Commander Theron, the one overseeing the students' training, doesn't think highly of you. He'll likely want to keep you under close watch, which could make it harder for you to go out and hunt with your creatures. We need to make the most of the time we have before your mentor arrives."
Logan's voice tightened with urgency. "What's the plan, then? Should I take the Scorchwyrm out?"
Earl Victor shook his head. "No. He's not ready yet. Fire creatures need to store up energy before they have the drive to hunt, and in your Scorchwyrm's case, his rapid growth has thrown his balance off. It'll be a few days before he's moving normally again. But don't worry, I checked him myself. He's in excellent health."
Logan nodded, taking in the new information. Relief settled in knowing the Scorchwyrm was healthy, even if it meant waiting a little longer before they could head out together.
Before he could ask his next question, the Earl motioned for them to move, already striding toward the carriages.
"I know what you're about to ask, Logan, but follow me for now. As for you, Rubina, take our young hero to meet Miles and find a good beast for him. I've already been informed of a new creature that could suit his abilities perfectly."
He paused, a hint of mystery in his tone. "But I'd like to leave that as a surprise for now."
Rubina's eyes lit with excitement. "Alright, Dad. Will we go to the forest afterward with the new tame?"
Earl Victor shook his head. "No, we'll save that for tomorrow. Today, the young hero should focus on buying supplies for the trip. That means you'll likely need to stay the night, Logan."
"Fine with me," Logan agreed.
"Great!" Rubina beamed. "We'll make sure you have everything you need for tomorrow. It also seems like the perfect day for shopping."
Soon, the two teenagers climbed into the Rosengards' famous dragon-head carriage. Logan, still queasy from carriage rides, focused on managing his discomfort while Rubina offered small comforts and conversation to distract him.
They eventually passed through the wealthiest district of the kingdom without stopping, continuing until the road opened into a bustling market lined with colorful stalls and lively chatter.
"We've arrived," Rubina announced with a playful smirk. "You're looking a bit better now. Seriously, though… how are you so bad with carriages? Don't you have them in your world?"
"Ugh… We have cars with suspension systems," Logan muttered, still trying to shake off the queasiness.
Rubina let out a light laugh. "Curs? Well, we'll have to get you used to our ways of travel. For now, let's just focus on getting the supplies we need."
The moment they stepped out, the market's vibrant energy hit them like a wave. Colorful stalls overflowed with fresh produce, exotic spices, glinting trinkets, and neatly crafted goods. The air was thick with the scent of sizzling street food and the chatter of merchants calling out deals. The place bustled with life, and despite Logan's lingering discomfort, a spark of curiosity and excitement welled up inside him.
Rubina moved ahead effortlessly, slipping through the crowd with practiced ease. "Don't get lost, Logan. I know you may not like it, but hold my hand."
He hesitated for a few seconds until she began to disappear into the throng. Without another thought, he reached forward and pushed through the crowd to catch her hand.
No one seemed to recognize him, which made things easier. All eyes were on the red-haired girl at the front. Her hair blazed like fire in the sun, and people instinctively stepped aside as if parting for royalty.
Logan marveled at how easily Rubina weaved through the chaos of the market, her pace unbroken even as merchants shouted and customers haggled on every side.
It wasn't long before they stopped, though the sight before him made his stomach twist. A row of cages lined the front of a large shop. Inside, creatures paced restlessly, their eyes clouded with fear or defiance. In a few of the cages, humans sat in silence, some glaring at passersby, others staring at the ground.
The sight struck him harder than he expected. His chest tightened, a dozen questions rising at once, but none making it past his lips.
Rubina's hand came to rest gently on his shoulder. "I know," she said softly. "It's hard to see humans treated like animals… but we're here for a reason. We're here to find you a companion. So, let's go in, and make sure we choose the right one."
Logan swallowed, forcing himself to push the emotions down for now. He gave a small nod and stepped forward with her. The small bell above the door chimed as they entered, its delicate ring oddly at odds with the heavy feeling in his chest.