Chance Encounter and Dark Revelations

As the breakfast continued, Alex reminisced about the time he faced a Fyto. The revelation had a profound impact on Ed, who nearly spat out his tea in disbelief. Azalea, always composed, found herself momentarily shocked, her hand slipping from the table, narrowly avoiding a face-plant.

"A Fyto?" exclaimed Ed, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

"You never cease to amaze me. It's a miracle that you are even alive," Azalea joined in, recovering from her initial surprise.

"Well, it wasn't that bad. I didn't defeat it. I almost died if not for my teacher," Alex said, lost in the memory.

"What were you even doing there?" asked Ed.

"Oh, I wanted to stand on water," Alex said matter-of-factly.

"You are impossible Alex. I could never do that; I had not even formed my magic circle then," said Azalea.

The trio's conversation shifted to their childhood experiences, sharing tales of magical creatures and unique challenges they faced. Azalea, admitting her limitations as a princess, expressed a deep fascination for creatures on the outskirts of the kingdom.

"I've always been fascinated by the creatures that inhabit the outskirts of the kingdom," Azalea mused, sipping from a goblet. "But I must admit, I've never ventured too far. Being a princess has its own limitations."

Alex and Ed listened intently, their own experiences with magical creatures on the train and subsequent encounters at the academy providing a shared ground for conversation. Between bites of delicious pastries and sips of fruit-infused tea, they exchanged stories of their respective childhoods. They both recounted the story from their perspectives of how they had come to save the girl from the Fenrir but instead ended up saving the Fenrir pups from the orc and how the Fenrir had sacrificed herself to save them all.

"I must say, you two are quite the dynamic duo," Azalea remarked, eyeing Ed and Alex with a teasing smile. "I've heard rumours of your familiars and your magical feats. The academy might not be the same after having you here."

Ed blushed at the compliment, while Alex grinned, clearly enjoying the attention. The dining hall buzzed with activity, students chatting animatedly about their magical endeavours and the upcoming classes. The trio's laughter and lively conversation added to the vibrant atmosphere, weaving a thread of friendship among them.

As the breakfast concluded, plans for the day emerged. Initially considering a venture into the city, the duo, feeling a tinge of fatigue from the morning's excitement, opted for a leisurely exploration of the academy grounds. Accompanied by Azalea, they strolled around the castle, catching glimpses of various magical creatures and taking in the enchanting sights. The long and broad pathways of the campus were surrounded with a lot of magical fauna.

As they arrived at Azalea's royal residence, the grandeur of the place was evident. Polished marble adorned the floors, and tapestries with intricate designs adorned the walls. Azalea's maid greeted them at the entrance, her eyes widening with recognition.

"M'lady, you've returned," the maid exclaimed, her voice a mix of surprise and relief. "And you've brought company."

Azalea nodded, introducing Alex and Ed. "Yes, these are the two who helped us on the train you saw them on the train. They're fellow students at the Arcane Citadel."

The maid curtsied gracefully. "Thank you once again for your assistance. And I am sorry that I couldn't do anything in that incident."

"Oh, it was nothing," Alex replied modestly, exchanging a glance with Ed. "Just happy we could help. Please don't blame yourself"

Ed nodded in agreement. "Yeah, anytime."

The maid smiled warmly, her gratitude evident. "Well, if there's anything you ever need, don't hesitate to ask. Enjoy your day, young sirs."

Her maid, expressing gratitude once again for the earlier assistance, welcomed them.

"You two can come in if you like." Said Azalea.

"No thanks we got to roam the campus and also find our own manor." Replied Ed.

"I feel like I need to rest." Said Alex looking somewhat tired.

After bidding Azalea farewell, Alex and Ed continued their exploration, witnessing the diverse array of students and professors in their distinct robes.

Returning to the manor, they both went to their rooms. Alex discovered a mysterious package in his room. In that package was– a timetable, uniforms, and a collar for their familiars.

There was a note along side it that read "The collar for the pups" ~Ignatius Drakonir.

Curiosity piqued, Alex examined the collar in his hands. It radiated a subtle magical aura, but to his surprise, it didn't quite resonate with the distinctive feel of Headmaster Ignatius Drakonir's magic. Sensing something peculiar, Alex turned to Ed.

"Hey, Ed, does your collar feel weird, like, different from the Headmaster's magic?" Alex inquired, his brow furrowed with suspicion.

Ed, now intrigued, took a moment to focus on the magical essence emanating from the collar around his familiar's neck. His expression mirrored Alex's concern. "Yeah, you're right. It's not the Headmaster's magic. Something's off about it."

Determined to unravel the mystery, the duo decided to disenchant the magical collars. They gathered their magical energy, carefully channeling it through their fingertips to interact with the enchanted fabric. As their combined efforts unfolded, the magical glow surrounding the collars gradually dissipated, revealing a hidden layer of intricate runes and symbols.

"Who would enchant our familiars' collars without our knowledge?" Alex wondered aloud, examining the revealed runes.

Ed nodded in agreement. "And why? What purpose could it serve?"

As they unraveled the enchantment further, a sense of unease settled over them. The collars, now stripped of the foreign magic, felt lighter and devoid of the mysterious influence. The discovery left Alex and Ed with more questions than answers.

By the time they had arrived at the manor, it was already late in the afternoon and now this disenchanting mess had taken them better part of the whole evening to do. It had turned into night time by the time they were finished.

The night air hung heavy with tension as Alex and Ed, having just uncovered the mysterious enchantment on their familiars' collars, heard a sudden noise outside their rooms. Instinctively, they rushed to investigate, finding themselves face to face with an unexpected assailant—Solana.

"What are you doing here?" Alex demanded, his voice edged with a mix of surprise and suspicion.

Solana, her eyes gleaming with a sinister intensity, wasted no time in revealing her true intentions. "Those Fenrirs should be mine. You two are not worthy of such powerful familiars," she declared, a dark aura enveloping her form.

The courtyard became the battleground as spells and magical attacks erupted, each side determined to prove their strength. Alex and Ed, despite their initial shock, quickly found their rhythm, countering Solana's assaults with a coordinated defense. The conflict reached its peak as Solana, frustrated by her inability to overpower the duo, gathered her magical energy for a formidable attack.

"Prepare yourselves!" she sneered, launching a powerful burst of magical energy toward Alex and Ed.

In a synchronized effort, the duo erected a powerful barrier to withstand the assault. The clash of magical forces illuminated the night, creating a dazzling display of colors. However, as the dust settled and the barrier held strong, they realized Solana had vanished, leaving behind only echoes of her malevolent laughter.

"What was that about?" Ed questioned, catching his breath.

Alex, still processing the unexpected confrontation, shook his head. "I don't know, but we need to be on guard. Solana is not who she appeared to be."

As the night air settled around them, the duo pondered the unsettling revelation, knowing that their journey at the Arcane Citadel had taken an unforeseen turn.