When Altair woke up she felt a warmth on the back of her head while her hair was being gently combed. She opened her eyes and found herself staring up at Sarah's face and abundant chest. The sight of Sarah's warm smile caused complicated feelings to well up within her. She did not feel that this woman's smile was entirely good.
From what she had seen of her actions the first time she saw her, she was certain that this woman had been hostile. Why was she suddenly being so amicable? And yet she couldn't deny that a tinge of warmth went through her at the sight of Sarah's smile focused on her.
Altair sat up and realized that she had been using Sarah's thighs as a pillow. This realization caused a frown to appear on her face as she tried to remember how that even happened. The last thing she remembered was sitting down with Sarah and discussing… something that she couldn't recall.
As if predicting Altair's confusion, Sarah smiled gentle at Altair as she lied, "You must have been tired from studying too much. You fell asleep shortly after you got here."
Altair checked the condition of her body and did note that she felt refreshed. But that didn't mean that she remembered being tired before. She also noticed that all of her Mana was gone. This caused her brow to scrunch up as she gave Sarah an odd look. Altair was sure that there was no way for someone here to drain her Mana. But then again, that God's Hero was able to do it when it should have been impossible so maybe there was something like that here as well.
The closest thing she knew of what the poison but she didn't remember taking anything when she came to Sarah's room. Did that mean that it had something to do with what she had before she came? Yet, she couldn't remember what she had before either
She considered for a brief moment that Sarah was the cause but the thought was immediately dismissed from her mind. Something told her that was impossible. What that something was, Altair didn't know.
Sarah ignored the look that Altair gave her as she asked, "Do you want to rest some more? You should keep yourself rested or you'll have a hard time studying."
Altair found her thoughts going along with Sarah's words. She thought about how far behind she was in her studies and shook her head energetically. "I'm awake enough."
She stood up and looked around the room. She saw the maids lined up around the edges and noticed that it was already dark out through the large windows lining the room. This caused Altair's to frown. It appeared she had been here for too long and missed most of her afternoon lessons. She sighed lightly as she considered how much more studying she had to do because of today.
Sarah's voice drew her attention, "Do you want to get dinner together?"
Altair's brow scrunched up slightly at that question. She gave Sarah an odd look as she wondered why she was being so friendly. The warm smile on her face caused Altair to feel comfortable but she couldn't bring herself to trust that feeling. There was something off about this whole situation today but she didn't know what was causing it. So she shook her head then said, "No, I will eat while studying in my room. I am too far behind for a relaxed meal."
Sarah nodded with a warm expression towards Altair and asked, "Then, I'll see you next week right?"
This drew a look of confusion from Altair. 'Why would I meet you again?'
Sarah's expression didn't change as she added, "You said you would."
Altair didn't remember that. However, that didn't mean it did not happen. She felt a little guilty that she might have forgotten such a promise. So, she reluctantly nodded her head, "Next week, then." She then turned around and went towards the door.
As she drew close to it, a maid opened it for her and walked ahead of Altair while saying, "I shall lead you back to your room, Young Miss."
Altair could correct her into going towards the dining room, but since Altair had decided to eat while studying in her room she could just send Stacey or Noel to get her food for her. So, she went along and returned to her room before too long had passed.
When Altair returned to her room, Stacey and Noel were inside and they bowed respectfully toward her as soon as she entered. This caused Altair to wonder if they had been waiting here since she was meeting with her mother. Assuming that was the case she felt a tinge of guilt flow through her. This didn't stop her from promptly ordering Stacey to fetch her dinner though as she returned to her table to do some self study.
Stacey wasn't the one who ended up getting the food. It was Noel, by her own volition it seemed.
There was one thing that she couldn't get enough of in this place. That was the food they had. The food that they made had such a rich taste she was unused to. She wasn't sure if it was because she usually had to hunt her own food on her world. She did know that even when she lived with her parents the food they prepared, while she found it delicious at the time, paled in comparison to the food she had here. She wondered if nobles on her old world had such rich tasting foods.
When it was the usual time for bed, Altair was not tired at all. Realizing this she decided to study through the night. The schedule didn't matter since the tutors could come at any time of day.
Stacey chose to stay up and continue to serve Altair. This allowed Noel to get some rest and she would then take over for Stacey once she woke up. They had done this several times as Altair's study schedule was quite intense compared to what most people went through.
When the Ladrian siblings showed up the next afternoon with grins on their faces Altair wondered if she made a mistake. Altair didn't think they would show up the next day for that bet they made with her. The sight of them alone caused her expression to darken. She was mentally exhausted and had yet to sleep.
By now, Stacey had already gone to rest and Noel had taken over for her.
"I thought I said to reschedule," Altair said with an annoyed expression as her tutor quickly fled the room.
Hadrian paid the tutor no mind as he stated, "We did, to today."
Altair rubbed her temples in motion that feigned a headache. She tried to think of a way to change this fight to an actual time that she could be mentally prepared for it but came up empty. That didn't stop her from saying something random though, "I don't really feel like it right now."
Hadrian grinned at her and spoke in a matter-of-fact way, "That's too bad. Since you requested the reschedule before that means it's our choice to choose when it happens." He crossed his arms while adding with a tone of finality, "We decided it would be today, so it's today."
Altair narrowed her eyes at him as she stood from her seat. 'Is that really how it is with nobles? My studies are going too slow. I can't even keep up with what these children know and I've learned so much.' She stepped away from the table and looked at Celestine, "Fine, let's get this over with." She promptly got into her stance after she finished speaking and gave Celestine a serious expression.
Celestine and Hadrian gave her a curious look before Hadrian asked, "What are you doing?"
Altair didn't look at him as she said, "Getting ready to fight. Isn't this how it's done?"
Celestine gave her a pained smile as she said, "Sparring matches must be held in sparring rooms Aria. Didn't you know that?" It was well known among even the common people. Sparring matches had their own unique set of rules that required a sparring arena to complete. It was literally impossible to hold a sparring match without an arena of some kind because both people in the match would immediately lose as soon as it started if it wasn't there. That didn't mean you couldn't hole a fight using pseudo sparring match rules without an arena, but that wasn't what Hadrian and Celestine were doing. They wanted an official sparring match, complete with an arena.
Sparring matches were done at every level of schooling and class of citizenry, along with major events holding them too. It was very strange that to Celestine and Hadrian that Altair didn't know something this basic. They suddenly felt that the tutors Altair had weren't doing a very good job at catching her up to everyone else.
In truth, the tutors that Altair had were just focused on other things. All education towards the combat side of society was being ignored until Altair had caught up on everything else. This was a decision that Renald made since Altair was already beyond capable for her assumed age.
What they didn't know was that Altair had to even learn how to speak their language before she could even start the standard studies she was doing now. It wasn't so strange if they knew that but Renald had forbidden his son from saying anything about her education so that hadn't gotten out.
Altair shook her head while speaking with a trace of impatience, "Never heard of it. Are you sure it's required? We can't just do this here?"
Hadrian frowned at Altair, "These things have to be properly. The only way a sparring match works is in a sparring room. Once you take us there we can begin." Hadrian and Celestine could tell that Altair wanted to finish this up quickly. They didn't mind as everything was already set up for the stage. The only thing they needed to do was get to that stage and perform the battle, which Hadrian fully expected to go in favor of his sister.
At this point Hadrian was curious to see just how skilled Altair was. Since she had managed to beat Joshua he was sure it would be a good spectacle.
He only really liked seeing that arrogant "genius" get torn down several pegs. With the news of that Rosebloom child shooting through schools he was sure that he could enjoy a great show when she arrived at Joshua's school as well. He didn't need to pay too much attention to Altair as she would probably just be another character in the play.
Altair frowned and walked towards the door without another word. She walked right past Hadrian and Celestine without looking at them as they fell in to follow her. Her anger was easily roused at their arrogance due to how tired she was and how they could command her to go in circles because she didn't know enough about nobles to really defend herself from their wordplay. But they were still children to her.
They knew nothing of war or real conflicts and could only play mind games with themselves. So Altair couldn't really throw her anger at them for how they acted. It would be an embarrassment to her, who had gone through so much, to let them get under her skin like that. She was very tempted to shout at them and be done with their games though.
When Altair woke up she felt a warmth on the back of her head while her hair was being gently combed. She opened her eyes and found herself staring up at Sarah's face and abundant chest. The sight of Sarah's warm smile caused complicated feelings to well up within her. She did not feel that this woman's smile was entirely good.
From what she had seen of her actions the first time she saw her, she was certain that this woman had been hostile. Why was she suddenly being so amicable? And yet she couldn't deny that a tinge of warmth went through her at the sight of Sarah's smile focused on her.
Altair sat up and realized that she had been using Sarah's thighs as a pillow. This realization caused a frown to appear on her face as she tried to remember how that even happened. The last thing she remembered was sitting down with Sarah and discussing… something that she couldn't recall.
As if predicting Altair's confusion, Sarah smiled gentle at Altair as she lied, "You must have been tired from studying too much. You fell asleep shortly after you got here."
Altair checked the condition of her body and did note that she felt refreshed. But that didn't mean that she remembered being tired before. She also noticed that all of her Mana was gone. This caused her brow to scrunch up as she gave Sarah an odd look. Altair was sure that there was no way for someone here to drain her Mana. But then again, that God's Hero was able to do it when it should have been impossible so maybe there was something like that here as well.
The closest thing she knew of what the poison but she didn't remember taking anything when she came to Sarah's room. Did that mean that it had something to do with what she had before she came? Yet, she couldn't remember what she had before either
She considered for a brief moment that Sarah was the cause but the thought was immediately dismissed from her mind. Something told her that was impossible. What that something was, Altair didn't know.
Sarah ignored the look that Altair gave her as she asked, "Do you want to rest some more? You should keep yourself rested or you'll have a hard time studying."
Altair found her thoughts going along with Sarah's words. She thought about how far behind she was in her studies and shook her head energetically. "I'm awake enough."
She stood up and looked around the room. She saw the maids lined up around the edges and noticed that it was already dark out through the large windows lining the room. This caused Altair's to frown. It appeared she had been here for too long and missed most of her afternoon lessons. She sighed lightly as she considered how much more studying she had to do because of today.
Sarah's voice drew her attention, "Do you want to get dinner together?"
Altair's brow scrunched up slightly at that question. She gave Sarah an odd look as she wondered why she was being so friendly. The warm smile on her face caused Altair to feel comfortable but she couldn't bring herself to trust that feeling. There was something off about this whole situation today but she didn't know what was causing it. So she shook her head then said, "No, I will eat while studying in my room. I am too far behind for a relaxed meal."
Sarah nodded with a warm expression towards Altair and asked, "Then, I'll see you next week right?"
This drew a look of confusion from Altair. 'Why would I meet you again?'
Sarah's expression didn't change as she added, "You said you would."
Altair didn't remember that. However, that didn't mean it did not happen. She felt a little guilty that she might have forgotten such a promise. So, she reluctantly nodded her head, "Next week, then." She then turned around and went towards the door.
As she drew close to it, a maid opened it for her and walked ahead of Altair while saying, "I shall lead you back to your room, Young Miss."
Altair could correct her into going towards the dining room, but since Altair had decided to eat while studying in her room she could just send Stacey or Noel to get her food for her. So, she went along and returned to her room before too long had passed.
When Altair returned to her room, Stacey and Noel were inside and they bowed respectfully toward her as soon as she entered. This caused Altair to wonder if they had been waiting here since she was meeting with her mother. Assuming that was the case she felt a tinge of guilt flow through her. This didn't stop her from promptly ordering Stacey to fetch her dinner though as she returned to her table to do some self study.
Stacey wasn't the one who ended up getting the food. It was Noel, by her own volition it seemed.
There was one thing that she couldn't get enough of in this place. That was the food they had. The food that they made had such a rich taste she was unused to. She wasn't sure if it was because she usually had to hunt her own food on her world. She did know that even when she lived with her parents the food they prepared, while she found it delicious at the time, paled in comparison to the food she had here. She wondered if nobles on her old world had such rich tasting foods.
When it was the usual time for bed, Altair was not tired at all. Realizing this she decided to study through the night. The schedule didn't matter since the tutors could come at any time of day.
Stacey chose to stay up and continue to serve Altair. This allowed Noel to get some rest and she would then take over for Stacey once she woke up. They had done this several times as Altair's study schedule was quite intense compared to what most people went through.
When the Ladrian siblings showed up the next afternoon with grins on their faces Altair wondered if she made a mistake. Altair didn't think they would show up the next day for that bet they made with her. The sight of them alone caused her expression to darken. She was mentally exhausted and had yet to sleep.
By now, Stacey had already gone to rest and Noel had taken over for her.
"I thought I said to reschedule," Altair said with an annoyed expression as her tutor quickly fled the room.
Hadrian paid the tutor no mind as he stated, "We did, to today."
Altair rubbed her temples in motion that feigned a headache. She tried to think of a way to change this fight to an actual time that she could be mentally prepared for it but came up empty. That didn't stop her from saying something random though, "I don't really feel like it right now."
Hadrian grinned at her and spoke in a matter-of-fact way, "That's too bad. Since you requested the reschedule before that means it's our choice to choose when it happens." He crossed his arms while adding with a tone of finality, "We decided it would be today, so it's today."
Altair narrowed her eyes at him as she stood from her seat. 'Is that really how it is with nobles? My studies are going too slow. I can't even keep up with what these children know and I've learned so much.' She stepped away from the table and looked at Celestine, "Fine, let's get this over with." She promptly got into her stance after she finished speaking and gave Celestine a serious expression.
Celestine and Hadrian gave her a curious look before Hadrian asked, "What are you doing?"
Altair didn't look at him as she said, "Getting ready to fight. Isn't this how it's done?"
Celestine gave her a pained smile as she said, "Sparring matches must be held in sparring rooms Aria. Didn't you know that?" It was well known among even the common people. Sparring matches had their own unique set of rules that required a sparring arena to complete. It was literally impossible to hold a sparring match without an arena of some kind because both people in the match would immediately lose as soon as it started if it wasn't there. That didn't mean you couldn't hole a fight using pseudo sparring match rules without an arena, but that wasn't what Hadrian and Celestine were doing. They wanted an official sparring match, complete with an arena.
Sparring matches were done at every level of schooling and class of citizenry, along with major events holding them too. It was very strange that to Celestine and Hadrian that Altair didn't know something this basic. They suddenly felt that the tutors Altair had weren't doing a very good job at catching her up to everyone else.
In truth, the tutors that Altair had were just focused on other things. All education towards the combat side of society was being ignored until Altair had caught up on everything else. This was a decision that Renald made since Altair was already beyond capable for her assumed age.
What they didn't know was that Altair had to even learn how to speak their language before she could even start the standard studies she was doing now. It wasn't so strange if they knew that but Renald had forbidden his son from saying anything about her education so that hadn't gotten out.
Altair shook her head while speaking with a trace of impatience, "Never heard of it. Are you sure it's required? We can't just do this here?"
Hadrian frowned at Altair, "These things have to be properly. The only way a sparring match works is in a sparring room. Once you take us there we can begin." Hadrian and Celestine could tell that Altair wanted to finish this up quickly. They didn't mind as everything was already set up for the stage. The only thing they needed to do was get to that stage and perform the battle, which Hadrian fully expected to go in favor of his sister.
At this point Hadrian was curious to see just how skilled Altair was. Since she had managed to beat Joshua he was sure it would be a good spectacle.
He only really liked seeing that arrogant "genius" get torn down several pegs. With the news of that Rosebloom child shooting through schools he was sure that he could enjoy a great show when she arrived at Joshua's school as well. He didn't need to pay too much attention to Altair as she would probably just be another character in the play.
Altair frowned and walked towards the door without another word. She walked right past Hadrian and Celestine without looking at them as they fell in to follow her. Her anger was easily roused at their arrogance due to how tired she was and how they could command her to go in circles because she didn't know enough about nobles to really defend herself from their wordplay. But they were still children to her.
They knew nothing of war or real conflicts and could only play mind games with themselves. So Altair couldn't really throw her anger at them for how they acted. It would be an embarrassment to her, who had gone through so much, to let them get under her skin like that. She was very tempted to shout at them and be done with their games though.
