Axel Trill

 Rollo frowned in confusion, "Why did she not report anything?"

 Lotus shook her head, "Not sure. However, she did admit that these schemes has been occurring on a daily basis and she did not face them as she felt their antics were a waste of time. That incident left a favorable impression on the royal family and the princess because nobody wanted to stand up for her during that stage of her life. Moreover, those who did were beaten according to hierarchy that the nobles cherished more. This act from the headmaster also brought a new view of humans to the fairies in the palace. When she entered her teenage years, she was able to keep the factions from baring their fangs. She also continued to take the headmaster's classes after that incident. However..."

 She hesitated, "Apparently, he had promised her that he would return after a sudden summon from his homeland. It's been more than three years since he replied a message. However, she was requested by the royal family to attend this year's festival. An invitation arrived to her one day. However, she had urgent matters to attend and asked that I stand in for her until the day of the ball."

 "Urgent matters?"

 Lotus nodded with a heavy sigh, "It's not well-known. However, within the board of education, the position of headmaster of Nobel Bell College is a coveted position by most judges. If you study law in prestige law schools, you will come to learn the secrets behind the position of the headmaster of Nobel Bell College. Unless you stand in this trial, you will not know of the secret. Yet... For the last few years while her teacher was gone, the headmaster had not shown his face in the board of education for those years. It's vital that he appears there too. Now that he's gone missing, the princess had been called by them numerous times to make decisions in his stead. She's... Rather annoyed right about now." 

 "Annoyed? Should it not be a privilege?" Rollo hesitated. 

 Lotus shook her head, "She is the princess of a kingdom. She already has her own duties. However, her tutor is missing leaving all important foreign matters in her hands. The hands of a potential ruler of a foreign kingdom. In order to do anything, she must adher to numerous different laws and convinced just as many different foreign ministers and representatives to let any decisions pass through. By that time, some things may be too late which can negatively impact the tutor. That's why the princess is looking for the headmaster. Though, I suppose the Acting-headmaster would do. Strange how he did not receive instructions about all this though. Thus, she threw me into a city I knew little about. I was only given a week's time to prepare, but she just told me to join the crew since they're going too. As much as I am thrilled I'm not here alone anymore, she could really give me a heads up much earlier..."

"Is it really appropriate to talk about your employers behind your back?" Rollo raised a brow and frowned.

Lotus raised a brow as she nonchalantly continued, "She already knew this would happen. Not like I agreed to work under her without benefit."

Rollo stared at her deadpanned as Trein thought for a bit before continuing, "You said the princess was self taught prior to the incident? Had she not been provided royal tutors ahead of time?"

"That… She did…" Lotus scowled, "But apparently, the factions fighting was so aggressive that they've not only tried to poison the princess but also damage her reputation with dumb antics. I don't recall much of their boasting but one did stood out as being the reasons she dislikes tutors."

"And that would be…"

"When she was six, her parents invited some fairy nobles as royal tutors. After the first day, the classes went well. However, things went south when they said she was cheating and even not putting an ounce of effort into her schoolwork. Finally, they said she threatened them with untrained magic and that they only survived because they were strong enough to do so. Well… the princess hardly cared and continued to do her own studies. That was until some royal tutors decided she should try alchemy and taught her the wrong formula on purpose. An explosion happened and the princess was barely saved by fairy village chiefs summoned by the royal family that day."

"Fairy village chiefs?" Trein raised a brow.

Lotus nodded, "In human society, a village chief would have been a town mayor. The only difference is the number of people within their territory. In the past, the fairy king performed numerous deeds of goodwill and selflessness for his people after he insisted to travel around. The queen aided him by traveling to the territories engulfed in an seemingly endless feud and quelled the fighting there. That place is within the Dwarf's mine. Out of gratitude, the two village chiefs swore loyalty to the royal family's current generation. When this problem with her daughter was brought up, the royal couple sought the aid of the two village chiefs. It was only shortly after swearing they would help the princess that the village chief of the water faes was alerted something terrible was about to happen. If not for them, the princess would have either been caught in the explosion or fallen to her death. Since then, the princess saw the village chiefs as parts of her family yet also disliked tutors which gave the old- Ahem, the former headmaster much grief."

Surprised to hear this, Trein sighed in disdain, "One can hardly fault her in her dislike of tutors. However, the wisdom and knowledge a tutor can bring is one thing that can never be replicated from books."

As soon as he said this, a tall figure walked over to them as he noticed Lotus and paused. He turned to Rollo and frowned before greeting Trein, "You must be guests from Night Raven College. Welcome to Nobel Bell College. I am its headmaster, Axel Trill."

 Looking at this man, Lotus noticed the familiar stubby nose and high brows. There was also the dark brown on the hair. However, unlike her teacher, she could not feel "that" aura. She looked at him carefully as Trein continued, "Thank you for the invitation to your school's symposium, headmaster Trill. I am the students' chaperone for today, Mozus Trein."

 "I see. And, where are your students?"

 "The students of Night Raven College has gone to change in their rooms." Rollo explained. 

 "I see."

 "Will you stay to greet the students as well?" Rollo questioned curiously. 

 The headmaster shook his head, "After the student's masquerade, there will be a short speech of gratitude. I must personally attend to the preparations. I shall trust the masquerade to you."

 "Very well." Rollo nodded his head as the headmaster walked away. 

 Seeing this, Trein felt a little hesitant as Lotus opened her mouth, "Is that man really the headmaster?"

 Surprised, Trein looked to her, "Why did you not speak with him?"

 Lotus did not say anything as she sat on a nearby bench for a while in deep thoughts. After a while, she got up and said with a sigh, "Looks like things are going to get interesting. I shall contact the princess now. However, I will return by evening."

 "Without greeting the headmaster?" Rollo looked to her questioningly. 

 Lotus nodded, "It's all right. I will also let her know that I did not personally greet him even though he came by. I gave Professor Trein my phone number. If anything happens, I shall call you."

 She approached closer to Trein and whispered, "If possible, chat with Mister Flamme for a little longer and please make note of his expression."

 Without being stopped, she left the area and walked out into town. After she left, Rollo frowned and approached Trein curiously, "Is he always like this?"

 Confused, Trein heaved a heavy sigh, "Mister Xue has always been a rather free spirited and independent child. He does not enjoy to be tied down. Sometimes, it becomes a little worrisome."

 "I see..."

.....

 "Have you all finished changing?"

 After a while, they could hear the vice-president call out to the others outside of their rooms. Panicked, Idia cried out, "Just...gimme a minute... My stamina gauge is in the red over here..."

 "Don't even think of keeping Malleus waiting. All of you, get changed this instant!" Sebek scolded them.

 Azul sighed, "No one's done yet, yourself and Malleus included."

 "Ah ain't never seen a getup like this before... How do I even put it on?!" Epel cried out in frustration as he opened the door and came out much to the vice-president's amusement. 

 "Ahaha, that's where you put your arms, not your head!" The vice president laughed, "Heh heh heh, by all means ask us if anything confuses you!"

 "All this goofing around..." Rollo whispered quietly to himself in dismay with a handkerchief over his mouth.

 "Hello, Flamme." Trein approached him. 

 "Ah, Professor Trein. What can I do for you?" Rollo responded curtiously. 

 "I wanted to thank you for your generous hospitality." Trein said politely, "Clothing is an embodiment of the culture it comes from and can provide us with a glimpse into different time periods. This is a fine opportunity for my student to get a hands-on history lesson."

 "Please, think nothing of it." Rollo responded politely, "Perhaps we should have arranged attire for you as well, though. That was a grave oversight on our part."

 "It's quite all right, I assure you. I don't need the other teachers poking fun at me for dressing like the students when I get back." Trein responded in disappointment at the thought of the other staffs.

 "Hmhmhm, sounds like you're on friendly terms with the rest of your faculty." Rollo smiled.

 "Heh heh, hardly." Trein chuckled, "They're a raucous group and a constant source of embarrassment."

 As the two shared a laugh, Trein could not help but become nervous. Lotus asked him to keep an eye on this child, but why is that?