As Sue fired her shots one after another, Claudia’s expression stiffened for a split second. But then she appeared fully composed once more.
“I am willing to accept the fact that he possesses a certain level of skill. However, the purpose of this establishment is to nurture its students’ magic talents. Do you not think people would talk, were it discovered that some of our pupils lack aether?”
“As I understand it, Arcus was awarded this honor in part because of his impressive magical talent.”
“I am specifically referring to his aether.”
“I am of the opinion that a magician’s merits may not be considered on aether alone. More important is his locivity.”
“I understand your position, but mine is that true brilliance is borne of an abundance of aether.”
Sue pulled the fan from her hip and snapped it open in front of her face, hiding what was obviously a sneer. “I am not surprised, Lady Claudia, considering you possess the second highest level of aether at the Institute.”
Claudia narrowed her eyes. No doubt Sue boasted the highest aether levels at the Institute. Not only that, she had far and away the best grades among the second-years, and no one questioned her place at the top of her cohort. Ask anyone who the best student at the Institute was, and they would no doubt come back with “Susia Algucia.”
“Which must a magician hold dearer, his aether or his locivity? You and I still have much to learn, so such a debate would be fruitless. As such... You, there.” Sue looked to one of Claudia’s followers.
“Oh, um... Me?”
“Yes. Would you call Professor String for us?”
“Professor String?!”
“This debate is not one that we can settle. Therefore, it would be more constructive to call upon the judgment of one who can. Lady Claudia, if you do not believe that person is Professor String, then I will accept calling upon the headmaster instead. His Grace is your grandfather, after all, so I am sure his judgment will be sound.”
“Surely it is not that serious,” Claudia protested.
“I do not think so either. Nor, do I expect, will the headmaster.”
Claudia would struggle to get her grandfather on her side. For the Institute to accept a student on the basis of the exam, only to turn around and declare him unfit, would damage its reputation all on its own.
“Would you agree, Charlotte?”
“I would, Lady Susia. I can attest to Arcus’s magic, having benefited from it myself.”
“Quite right. As his friend, I am looking forward to when he receives his next Order.”
Arcus hadn’t been aware that Sue was expecting so much from him. Listening to the girls speak, it felt like there were insects crawling up his back. It. Was. Painful. Where was his Order for managing not to scream?
What he wouldn’t give to be able throw etiquette to the wind, turn tail, and run. Where was Lecia, anyway? He briefly considered calling out for her, just in case she could come to his rescue.
Claudia was grinding her teeth, out of arguments.
Sue smiled kindly at her. “I am not simply protecting Arcus, Lady Claudia. I am doing this out of concern for you as well.”
“It is a little late for that. Not to mention that it is rude to hold a private conversation right in front of me.”
“Oh, please accept my apologies. I shall be more careful going forward.” Her apology was genuine, leaving Arcus in awe at her verbal agility.
“I can see that it would be most prudent to withdraw at this stage,” Claudia said. “But you ought to understand that aether is absolute in the eyes of the noble magicians. Do not take my withdrawal to mean that I agree with you.”
“In that case, I eagerly await the opportunity to debate with you on that point too.”
Claudia’s shoulders stiffened at Sue’s last-minute quip. No doubt she would have gone for the dark-haired girl’s throat, if only they weren’t equally ranked. Not that she would survive the endeavor.
Arcus caught Claudia’s eye; she was glaring at him. Unfortunately, it seemed she was fated to remember him.
With a quiet “good day,” she and her entourage left. As soon as she was out of earshot, Arcus let out a sigh of relief.
“Are you guys trying to give me a heart attack?”
Sue had been in complete control of the conversation from the moment she had appeared, cleverly weaving sarcasm with infallible logic. The tension in the air had been enough to send shivers down Arcus’s spine, as though he’d braved a blizzard only to be told the Earth was in for another ice age.
Sue was just as cheerful as ever as she replied, “That’s just how conversation goes between us future duchesses. You put on a smile and snipe at each other. There are tons of people out there who do it way better than us too.”
“That was a most enlightening performance, Lady Susia,” Charlotte said with a smile.
Sue returned the gesture. “It was nothing. Thanks for backing me up!”
Their exchange helped Arcus to feel a little calmer, but he still had one question that remained unanswered. “Why do you think Lady Claudia said all that stuff?”
Even if she was in line for the headmastership, surely recommending a student’s withdrawal was far too tyrannical? It wasn’t as though Arcus had gotten in unfairly, so he couldn’t understand her concern for the Institute’s reputation.
“I am not entirely sure,” Charlotte replied, “however, Lady Claudia has seemed a little fretful as of late.”
“Oh yeah?”
“At least, that is my perception. What are your thoughts, Lady Susia?”
“I dunno. I don’t see her all that much. I do think she’s been a little more...eager lately, though.”
“Huh,” Arcus mused.
“I kind of get it. Her parents are gone, and the headmaster himself is quite elderly. She’s set to inherit all of this—can you imagine the pressure? She’s probably pushing herself extra hard ’cause she doesn’t wanna disappoint anyone.” Sue paused. “At least she knew when to disengage though, right? Still, you can sort of tell she’s a bit of a perfectionist.”
“If she wasn’t, she probably wouldn’t have said anything in the first place,” said Arcus.
“Uh-huh. I don’t think you’ve seen the last of her.”
He gulped.
“You have my full sympathies, Arcus.”
Ugh... He couldn’t understand why he was such a magnet for trouble. Why couldn’t he be a magnet for good fortune, innovative ideas, and money?
“Anyway, thanks, Sue. I owe you one.”
“Nah, it’s fine. As long as you get me a pudding every day, we’ll call it even.” She grinned at him.
“You were born to be a businesswoman. Can’t believe you’re trying to profit off me after what just happened.” He sighed.
“A ‘pudding’? What might that be?” Charlotte asked.
“Hm? Oh, it’s a type of dessert I made recently.”
Sue puffed up her cheeks. “I can’t believe you just told her when you tried so hard to keep it a secret from me!”
“Huh? Um...” While he was busy trying to come up with an explanation, Charlotte smiled and wrapped her arms around his.
“I believe it is because of the immense trust he places in me, Lady Susia. Isn’t that right, Arcus?”
“Uh, no, I mean...I do trust you, but...” ...Why was she bringing it up now?
“Oh yeah? I see. I get it.” Sue’s expression crumpled into a glower. Only she wasn’t glaring at him, but at Charlotte.
And now Charlotte was glaring back. Arcus could practically see the storm clouds rolling in behind them. Honestly, he was more scared now than he had been when the girls had been arguing with Claudia. All over a pudding. It was time for drastic action.
“Oh! I just remembered I’ve got a super important lecture in like, ten minutes. Catch you guys later!”
“Arcus?!”
“Arcus?!”
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!”
That they chased after him with bright smiles on their faces was the scariest thing of all.