On the way back, Annan thought about what to do next.
After making the rounds in Siltovis, he still had to go through the Ministry of the Interior.
"Is there any other way?" Annan had asked. Ai's description of the ministry had left him reluctant to deal with it.
The Vice Dean had replied, "The Dean will be back before the Magic Tournament begins. If you defeat Siltovis Academy, we'll definitely help you!"
It looked like he would have to pick on the Academy kids.
A commotion came from the classroom. Annan stopped outside the door and saw an unfamiliar boy pestering Su Ni Prye.
Annan glanced at Alice for an explanation, but her attention was elsewhere.
"Stop turning me down, Su Ni."
The boy was an Academy student too. He wore an expensive Magic Ring, and his Mage Robe was woven entirely from silk. By comparison, Su Ni's plain clothes made her look like a commoner.
Su Ni Prye sat slumped in her chair, looking as though she might fall asleep at any moment. Then the boy grabbed her wrist and tried to pull her out of the classroom.
Su Ni Prye struggled and bared her teeth as if to bite him. Suddenly, a tall figure stepped in front of the boy.
"Stay away from Su Ni."
Ai, Sienna, and the students looked surprised. The boy let go and stared at the unfamiliar face. "Who are you?"
Another tall figure stepped up beside Annan and lifted her snow-white chin. "Didn't you hear what Annan said?"
"Annan Reeves?"
Word of the King of the North had already spread through half the Academy by way of the Brotherhood and Sisterhood. Solz Magic Academy had children of Counts, of course... but no Counts themselves. Especially not the King of the North, who