CHAPTER 5

Vio abruptly stood up and observed Aya. He walked around her and exclaimed, "So you really are from another world, Priestess... No, Aya... Can I call you Aya?" Vio's eyes shone brightly as he looked at Aya expectantly.

Aya even had an ilussion of dog ears and tail while looking at Vio. Aya giggled as she thought, "This person in front of her seems to be purer than he appears to be."

To be honest, she was actually pleasantly surprised. It has been a while since someone called her name, without reverance nor disgust. He called her like a friend.

Aya, for the first time, smiled whole-heartedly at Vio. "Yes! You can call me Aya, Vio."

Vio was stunned. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief. He thought he saw a bright light coming from Aya... but since it was gone, Vio dismissed it as his mind playing tricks on him.

Aya noticed that Vio was in a daze, so she waved her hand in front of his eyes to get his attention. "Vio? Did you come to see Mr. Diev?" Aya asked curiously.

Vio shook his thoughts away and smiled at Aya, "Nevermind him. I see him everyday... so what were you guys doing?"

Aya looked excited as she pointed to Winrar, "I was sketching Winrar." Winrar also lifted the drawing Aya made to show Vio.

Vio was amazed by Aya's drawing skills. He also seemed to be affected by her excitement. "Really? Can you draw me too?" Vio pointed to himself, then he went and sat down on the ground waiting for Aya to draw him.

Aya felt like she didn't have a choice, however, she did not feel uncomfortable. She smiled helplessly and asked Winrar to get another piece of paper.

Winrar hesitated for a bit. It does not seem right leaving the Priestess alone with a man. She, however, thought that this man would be the Priestess' companion in school assigned by Master Rune himself. So Winrar made up her mind and left.

Aya moved and sat down in front of Vio. She then apologetically said, "Wait for a bit, Vio. I asked Winrar for paper."

Vio shrugged his shoulders and laughed, "No worries... I heard that you'll be entering the academy as well. How old are you, Aya?"

Aya nodded her head. "Yeah... What is school like? I'm 18 years old, by the way." Aya was interested to know more about the school, if it was the same as the schools in her world or not.

Vio rubbed his chin like he was thinking deeply. "So we're the same age. Well... school is boring. I'm only looking forward to sword and magic lessons."

"I'll be depending on you in school, Vio... so I hope that we get along and be friends." Aya came near him and extended her hand for a handshake.

Vio only looked at her hand and asked in confusion, "What is this?"

"Oh... This? It's a handshake. Give me your hand." Aya realized from Vio's expression that there were no handshakes in this world. She then took Vio's hand in an attempt to teach him. When their hands touched, however, Vio pulled back strongly.

It was the first time Vio had touched a female, besides his mother and adoptive mother. His face can't help but turn red. Vio looked like a tomato, with both his hair and face being red.

Initially, Aya was surprised and guilty when she saw his reaction. She was too happy in having a school friend that she forgot about this world's customs.

Looking at Vio turning into a single color, however, made Aya burst into laughter. "Hahahaha... Vio... I'm... Sorry... Hahahaha..."

Vio turned even more embarrassed with being laughed at by Aya, thus he became an even darker shade of red.

Aya was dying of laughter as she fell to the ground and clutched her stomach. Visible tears were forming on the corners of her eyes. Aya thought in her head, "I thought everyone from this world was too serious... but fortunately, this guy is not. He is too comical!!!"

Rune heard laughter from the outside and peaked through his window. When he saw Aya and Vio getting along, he suddenly felt a little uncomfortable. Rune did not even understood why he felt like this, but he was just irritated.

Rune then called out to them, "What are you doing? Where is Winrar?"

Aya forced herself to stop laughing. She wiped her tears and caught her breath, "I... asked her... to get something."

Rune narrowed his eyes at them, "Come back inside. It's cold outside."

"That's alright." Vio then innocently summoned fire balls around them.

Aya gasped in amazement as she observed the fire balls. "So this is magic..." Aya whispered inaudibly.

Rune focused his attention on Aya, seeing that she was distracted by the fire balls, he questioned her, "Have you finished practicing your magic? Come, report your progress."

Despite the fire balls around them, Aya felt cold sweats on her back. She looked nervous as she fidgeted uncomfortably, "Not yet, Mr. Rune... I'm sorry..."

"Then, enough of this nonsense and go practice... and Vio, your brother was waiting for you for a long time now." Rune's words were laced with frost.

Aya felt like she always makes Mr. Rune angry at her. She also hopes to please him a little. She should not slack off like this, she has a responsibility to fulfill after all.

Aya then turned to Vio. She spoke with a determined look on her face, "I'm sorry, Vio. I think I'll go practice in my room for a little while. Let us talk some other time."

Vio smiled and waved his hand, "Don't worry about me. We will have plenty of chances to meet again."

Aya bowed her head, "Thank you. I will take my leave now." Aya then ran back hurriedly inside the mansion.

Vio looked up at Rune's closing window and said out loud, "What's wrong with him? He is extra cranky today." He shook his head in confusion as he made his way towards his brother's room.