“Argh, what the hell is this!—A button-up and a skirt? I’m sorry, but this can not work with my anatomy!” Yadani grumbles.

  "Y-yes, yes!... Um, I’ll try to find something that suits you—although, being completely honest, I haven’t the faintest clue if we have anything for demons.” The young man said.

  Yadani’s eyes sharpened, and she crossed her arms—her figure bulking up.

  “Demon!? I’m not a demon, I’m a tiefling!” She shouts at him, eyes burning as her lips frown.

  “T-tiefling?... Is that not the same thing as a demon?” The tailor replied, his hand shaking.

  “You are an absolute fool!” Yadani exclaimed.

  “Do try to calm yourself, Yadani. He is just highly unfamiliar with Tieflings.” Nymeria said with uniforms draped over her forearm.

  “Unbelievable, I’ll be the only one in the entire institute without a uniform?” Yadani asks.

  “W-well, no! I can figure something out!” The tailor tried to explain. A woman walked out of a back room and navigated the aisles of clothes, then approached them. She was middle-aged with fair skin, brown eyes, and dark, graying locks pulled into a bun with a hairclip.

  “Run along, boy. This one is for me.” The woman said—she spoke with a very old-fashioned accent.

  “Y-yes, Ms. Bailey.” The young tailor walked away from them, tugging at his shirt.

  “Excuse my apprentice, ladies… He can only aid with what I’ve instructed him to do.” Ms. Bailey said.

  “I figured his use couldn’t have gone beyond that. I told him three to four times to pick me something comfortable so my tail can breathe.” Yadani said.

  “Aha… It has been a while since I have seen a tiefling. Your kind is an old-world race we accept with open arms. I hope you feel welcome in Leviara.” Ms. Bailey smiles at Yadani.

  “I don’t know if I feel welcomed. I’m stared at like a monster.” Yadani said.

  “Tieflings are a very meager minority, darling. There will forever be gazes on you, and that is something you will have to live with.” Ms. Bailey said.

  “Come with me, I’ll make a uniform just for you. It has been a frightfully long time since I was able to experiment with different styles and cuts of cloth.” Ms. Bailey dragged Yadani along—Nymeria found herself examining her eyes—it was a gaze of fascination that found purchase on Yadani. Waiting out in the hall was Vera. She was blankly staring off into space, holding the uniforms, and shifting weight from foot to foot. Her gaze trailed upwards to someone walking by—medium-long white hair, a black uniform, and skin of a light complexion. Upon seeing the color of his eyes, she froze with the feeling of a stab in her chest. His eyes were red like blood. Vera averted her gaze and shut her eyes, controlling her breathing while the sound of his footsteps became distant. When she opened her eyes and looked around, the man was gone.

  “He’s not real, that wasn’t real… That wasn’t real…” She dropped the uniforms and ran her fingers through her hair, her sharp breaths becoming fuller. She picked up her uniforms and then leaned against the wall, exhaling deeply and closing her eyes. Nymeria walked out into the hall, glancing at Vera.

  “Vera?...” She said.

  “Oh, Nymeria…” Vera said.

  “You’re sweating a bit. Are you okay?” Nymeria asks.

  “I’m okay—I just thought I saw something, but it was just my imagination,” Vera replied.

  “I see…” Nymeria said. There was a long pause between them, and Vera finally met her gaze.

  “I came to Leviara with someone.” She said.

  “Oh, so you didn’t come here by yourself like you said earlier?” Nymeria questioned.

  “No, I didn’t. It’s just…” She paused, taking a deep breath.

  “He… He said that he would come find me, and still, I haven’t seen a sign. I’m just wondering if he’s okay.” Vera sighed.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  “Have you tried asking around for them?” Nymeria said.

  “No, I didn’t… That would make what he’s looking for a lot more difficult.” Vera said.

  “What… Is he looking for?” Nymeria tilts her head.

  “I can’t tell you, it’s really sensitive. Maybe I’m worrying too much about him—he could’ve probably found a way back home already.” Vera said.

  “I can’t follow what you’re saying, but do ease up on yourself. You’ve gotten into the greatest academy in all of Augus. Be proud of that. Classes will resume after today, as well. We’ll have to work hard to catch up to the current curriculum.” Nymeria smiles at her.

  “You’re right… I should be focusing on this. Speaking of catching up to the curriculum, we’ve got to help Yadani. She doesn’t know any of the rune formulas.” Vera said.

  “That cannot be true!” A smirk escaped Nymeria.

  “Oh, it is. What’s she doing, by the way?” Vera asks.

  “She’s getting a uniform custom-made,” Nymeria answered.

  “Custom-made uniform? Must be cool to be anything but a human.” Vera said.

  “Hmm, I wouldn’t say that. If it were up to being a human over a Dragon Hybrid, I would pick being human.” Nymeria said.

  Vera rolled her eyes.

  “What’s so bad about being a Dragon Hybrid?” Vera asked.

  “The public views them to be more dangerous than demons. Please, rethink that question.” Nymeria said.

  “More dangerous than demons?... No way.” Vera scoffed.

  “Splitting their land of origin from ours says otherwise. If you searched for a demon, you’d find one—you’ll find gold before you find a Dragon Hybrid.” Nymeria explains.

  “Where did you get that information from? Split their land of origin?” Vera asked.

  “Ah, ridiculously enough, I brought the book with me from the Elven library. I’ll let you have a peek at it.” Nymeria said.

  “I heard you two say something about a demon! You two weren’t gossiping about me, were you?” Yadani walked out into the hall.

  “No, I wouldn’t do such a thing. Although I must say you have a marginal amount of hostility about you.” Nymeria said.

  “Pfft, hostile? Nice joke. Anyway, I’ve got my uniform.” Yadani said.

  “Oh? Can I have a look at it?” Nymeria asked.

  “Yeah, go ahead.” Yadani handed it to her.

  “Um… Why are the pants so short?” Nymeria asked.

  “Because I get hot,” Yadani replied.

  “You realize we are about two months away from Frostveil, yes?” Nymeria said.

  “Last Frostveil was barely cold!” She took back her uniform.

  “Suit yourself, I suppose,” Nymeria said.

  “I’m starving, let’s go get some food!” Yadani suggested.

  “That’s back in the main hall,” Vera said.

  “I’m impressed that you remember… However, do you know how to get back to the main hall?” Nymeria asked.

  “I think I remember the way back,” Vera said.

  “Lead the way, then! You don’t wanna see me when I’m hungry and angry!” Yadani added.

  “A please would’ve been a nice addition,” Vera said.

  “I’ll try remembering that next time,” Yadani replied.