Rumors

Today I'm going to Luna's house. Her house wasn't too far as it was just outside my families territory, so I decided to head there on foot. Alice felt I was more than capable of protecting myself now as I walked alone, carrying my rapier that she had given me when I was young on my waist; wearing long pants and a shirt as I still didn't like the feeling of skirts.

This is the first time going on foot as I could properly look around my families territory. Everyone on the streets smiled at me like they were seeing a celebrity, but as I walked out from the territory and into the main city of Inasdale, the looks people gave me were different. Some people were evening whispering to each other, just like what the students did during my first year in school. Their eyes glaring at me while I walk, following the road to the outskirts of the city as the more further I went, the more stares I attracted. It made sense, since seeing a noble in this part of the city is quite rare, especially on foot.

I ignore the stares as I continue to Luna's house, turning a corner where I stumble upon what looked to be 3 men surrounding someone in the alley, they didn't look like they would be letting them go.

Ellen: "Hey, is everything okay?"

Random1: "Get lost kid, or would you like to join in?"

Getting a better view at the situation, the 3 men seemed to be surrounding a woman who looked very distressed. I know it's not my place, but the look on her face, looking at me as if she wanted help; I just couldn't walk away like nothing happened. Making up my mind I put my hand on the hilt of my rapier.

Ellen: "Just leave. Unless you want to be put in the cells, I can easily arrange that."

They seemed like your average thugs, but one of them seemed to be armed with a sword along with leather armor. The other 2 didn't seem much of a threat. The alley also seemed quite narrow as it would be difficult for all 3 of them to come at me, however I remained alert.

Armed Guy: "This girl owes us, it's none of your business"

Ellen: "Still, surrounding a person like that is unreasonable. Please step aside."

Random2: "Fuck off"

Ellen: "Did you need a hand miss?"

Woman: "...yes"

She spoke softly as I drew my rapier from its sheath.

Ellen: "Last chance"

Armed Guy: "Wait. Aren't you the noble student who can't use magic? I'd like to see you-"

I closed the distance in an instant before slamming my foot in between his legs, hitting him right where it would hurt a guy the most. He has no armor there as I saw it was a massive weak point, so without hesitation, I went for it; his body collapsing to the ground trying to recover. The other 2 men were speechless like they were still figuring out what had happened before I ready my blade to their faces.

Ellen: "Fuck off"

Repeating what they just said to me before as they run away. The armed guy on the ground still holding his groin, groaning in pain.

Woman: "Thank you..."

Ellen: "I don't need your thanks. Next time don't get yourself in these situations."

Woman: "I won't. I'm sorry"

She run back out of the alleyway, dressed in suspicious clothing. My guess was that she was an escort or something, she had the body for it so it would make sense how she would attract people like this. Looking down at the man, I put my blade to his neck.

Ellen: "And to answer your question. Yes, I am that student."

Kicking away his weapon he had, I drag him out from the alleyway. I would of expected him to put up a proper fight, I didn't think that kick alone would render him this useless; I'll be sure to remember that. Once he was out of the alleyway, there was a guard coming my way. I told him what had happened and left the guy with him as these people already took up plenty of my time that I could be having with Luna.

Finally arriving at her house, I knock on the door. They knew I was coming over this afternoon so there should be people home, and after a few moments, the door opens.

Woman: "Hi Ellen! It's good to have you back~"

The person who greeted me was Luna's mother, Elira. She look similar to Luna with her pink eyes, but had shorter pink hair compared to Luna's. I bow politely out of habit upon being greeted.

Ellen: "It's nice to see you too Elira. Is Luna here?"

Elira: "Yes. She is just talking with Nicholas"

Nicholas is Luna's older brother who worked as an adventurer in Inasdale, she seems quite fond of him.

Walking inside closing the door behind me, I make my way to the living room. Luna's house reminded me of my old house back home, so I always enjoyed coming over as I felt far more comfortable in this environment.

Luna: "Ah, Ellen! You're a bit late, did something come up?"

Ellen: "Yeah. On the way here I had to deal with a few thugs."

Nicholas: "Thugs? Are you okay?"

Luna: "Don't worry, Ellen is strong. I doubt they stood a chance hehe"

Ellen: "Mmm, but they were surrounding a lady so I had to step in."

Luna: "Well, I'm just glad you're not hurt"

Coming over to hug me, Luna presses her chest against mine as we hug. "Don't be weird Ellen, come on. Just clear your mind" I think to myself as I calm my embarrassment, hugging her back. Few moments pass as we stop the hug, before sitting down together on the couch, opposite Nicholas.

Nicholas: "Luna told me the good news with her test scores. How was yours?"

Ellen: "I aced the written test, but completely failed the practical exam. My mother however has already paid for my enrollment in Inasdale Academy so it should be fine.

Nicholas: "Still can't use magic huh? That's even more amazing that you can beat a group of thugs who could use magic."

Luna: "Yeah. Ellen sure is amazing. I strive to be as talented as her"

Here I go again, being attacked once more as I hold in my embarrassment.

Ellen: "I'm not that amazing. If I would of let them use magic I would of been defeated."

Nicholas: "But you didn't give them the chance to right? You know your weakness, and that is just as important as your strength."

Luna: "He's right Ellen; you don't need to be humble. You're the strongest person I know."

Her smile piercing my heart as she says that. It's all I ever wanted in this world was to be strong, so hearing someone like Luna say that to me warms my heart, with a smile creeping on my face.

Nicholas: "Actually, speaking of strong people. I heard from my guildmates that there is someone in the guild of Azalea that had achieved C rank at the age of 14; the youngest ever in all of the Inasdale kingdom.

Luna: "They are our age and already at C rank? People our age would only just be starting right?"

Nicholas: "Yes. I also hear they never party up with anyone and prefers to do jobs alone."

Luna: "That... That's crazy~"

This is the first time I've heard news of a different city or town; I've never been out of the city yet as I've been continuing my study and training, but hearing stories like this makes me want to go out and explore.

Ellen: "Have you ever been out to other towns or cities like Azalea?"

Nicholas: "Only to the nearby town Maemont as towns like Azalea are too far. Did you want to travel someday Ellen?"

Ellen: "Maybe"

Luna: "Well there is no way your sightseeing without me! You're stuck with me whether you like it or not~"

She clung to my arm after hearing about my interest of seeing the world beyond the city, her warmth attacking me.

Ellen: "Don't worry. I wouldn't want to go alone. I was gonna drag you along with me anyways~"

We giggle at each other as she continued to cling to my arm. I've gotten used to it now, as before when we were still young, I'd push her away and keep a certain boundary; but seeing her grow up and appear more feminine, my defenses slowly whittled away, letting her do as she pleased.

Nicholas: "You two sure are close now haha. I'm guessing you guys will be living in the dorms together?"

Luna: "Yes"

I couldn't answer in time as I had never thought of the idea of living together, leaving Luna to answer herself. Her saying yes however put a a wide smile on my face; I'd hate to live with some weirdo.

Ellen: "Are we even allowed to choose our roommate?"

Luna: "I'm not sure, but lets make sure we are together!"

Ellen: "Mmm!"

I found myself now looking forward to it, looking forward to sharing a room with someone. Luna and I have never stayed over at each other's house yet so It will be a step, but I have to make sure to treat it in a friendly way. I don't want to make it weird between us since as far as I know, she was into guys. "Straight girls scare me sometimes." I think to myself as I focus on her still clinging to my arm. They get to be like this with their friends, meanwhile I'm suffering.

Nicholas: "Well I better be off now sis. Take care of mom for me, I need to do some jobs at the guild."

Luna: "Yes. Stay safe!"

She lets go of me to give her brother a big hug, allowing me to breathe a sigh of relief as I no longer had to hold in my embarrassment. I'm jealous though, with Luna having a brother like Nicholas, meanwhile I got stuck with Fabian; letting out another sigh.

Ellen: "Your brother sure is cool, getting to travel around like that."

Luna: "Maybe we can be adventurers together then! But I still would like to become a knight like my father."

Ellen: "Why not both? Sound's fun to adventure together with you"

Luna: "Okay! That's our plan then! But first, lets do our best at the academy"

Ellen: "Mmm!"