Kendra and I walk back together to the academy. We didn't rush and we just took our time walking slowly. Sometimes we're just walking in silent peace, and sometimes we would talk about random stuff. Like what classes would be the best to take as first years, and what to expect in this academy.
Talking to Kendra made me feel like I'm living my normal life again. Like I'm not in a magical world full of whatnots, and instead, I feel like we're just two first year students about to embark on a typical academy life. Kendra had a way of making me feel at ease and comfortable.
Among everyone I met so far in this world, Kendra is undeniably the most normal, and I like normal. Normal makes me feel at ease.
After walking for a few more hours, we finally made it back to the academy.
Kendra turned to me as she tucked her platinum hair behind her ears. Her ocean blue eyes gaze at me then she smiles. "Thank you for accompanying me to the forest," she said.
I smiled back and said, "I should be the one thanking you instead, I had a wonderful time, and I learned and discovered mana, plus..."
I stared down at Pula in my arms. Having someone by my side that solely belongs to me, and not to this body, eases the alienation in my heart. I feel comforted by Pula's presence, and I don't feel so alone anymore. A warm smile forms on my lips as I stroke Pula's bunny ears.
"If it weren't for you I probably wouldn't have met this little fellow," then I turned to look at Kendra again and sincerely said, "so thank you."
"I see, that's a relief then, considering how much I made you walk with me," Kendra replied, looking down, but she looked up again then smiled lightly. "Anyway, if you have any questions regarding mana and magic, feel free to come to me."
I nodded at her and said, "thanks, and I also need to return your handkerchief, so I'll be looking for you again when I finally wash it clean."
"Mm, alright," Kendra replied and nodded.
I nodded back and didn't respond since I don't know what else to say. So we ended up just staring at each other in awkward silence.
I grabbed the back of my neck then smiled embarrassedly. "Well, I guess I'll see you around?" I said.
"Yes, see you around," Kendra replied, smiling back.
I nodded at her then we just stared at each other again. We remained motionless to where we stood.
I cleared my throat awkwardly then said, "I'll be going back to my dormitory."
"Alright, I'll go back to my room too," Kendra said as she nodded.
I nodded back at her. Kendra nodded back at me.
Seriously, how many times did we just nod our heads to each other? I have already lost count, and this is getting more awkward as time passes.
I bit my lower lip lightly as I held Pula tighter to my chest. "Then I'll go on my way now?" I mumbled in a faint voice.
"Yes, I'll go as well," Kendra replied, pressing her lips together awkwardly.
I nodded and then she nodded back. We blink at each other then we both start moving at the same time. She blocked me and I blocked her. I go left, she goes left. I go right, she goes right. That kind of scenario.
So we both stopped and stared at each other again. That's when I noticed that Kendra also felt awkward with the situation. I guess Kendra is also not good with goodbyes.
That thought made me smile and I snorted, laughing. Which also made Kendra chuckle as well, covering her mouth elegantly.
"Sorry, why don't you just go first," I said, giving way to Kendra.
Kendra nodded, smiling at me. Then with one final lingering glance, she finally left.
I released a sigh of relief, shaking my head as I also went back to my dormitory. I didn't know that goodbyes could be so nerve wracking.
Afterwards, I arrived at the GAF dormitory, and the green coated ladies asked me to register Pula as my familiar. I wrote and registered Pula then the green coated ladies said to leave Pula in their care.
The green coated ladies said that I can leave Pula in the Familiar Facility, and just let the brown coated staff take care of them. I rejected their offer as I proceeded to carry Pula with me, and I noticed that they looked a bit shocked at that. My brows furrowed, feeling puzzled, but I still held Pula with me. Pula is my responsibility from now on, and I can't let others take care of Pula. After all, Pula is my only family in this world.
I went back to my room, and as I entered the room, I found Cliopatra's bratty figure missing. I shrug, putting Pula down on my bed. "This is going to be your bed from now on, Pula, well, temporarily," I said.
Only temporarily since Pula and I will live in a faraway forest in the future. Pula stretched her body, lying down near my pillow. I smiled since Pula seemed to like the bed. After that, I went to my cabinet to get a set of new uniforms as I plan to take another bath. I feel sticky, oily, and dirty. That's why I need to clean myself up to feel comfortable again.
After getting a set of new uniforms, I went inside the bathroom and took a quick shower. After wearing clean clothes, I pulled the door open, walking out of the bathroom to find Pula being strangled by Cliopatra.
My eyes widen as I hurriedly move. "Pula!" I yelled in panic, pulling Pula away from Cliopatra's grasp.
"Oaf, why is there a damn monster in our room?" Cliopatra question, staring disgustedly at Pula.
Pula growled at Cliopatra, gnashing and baring its fangs on the disgusted princess.
My brows knitted at the two. "Pula is a family from now on, brat, so don't call Pula a monster, and don't ever touch Pula again," I said, narrowing my eyes at Cliopatra warningly.
"Tsk, you're tarnishing my reputation, Oaf," Cliopatra said as she glared back.
"How is Pula connected to your reputation?" I replied as my furrowed brows deepened, feeling annoyed and puzzled.
Cliopatra rolled her emerald eyes and said, "Oaf, don't you know that you shouldn't bring monsters to your room?"
"Why not?" I replied, hugging Pula to my chest protectively.
"Because they're disgusting nasty creatures who attack humans!" Cliopatra answered hatefully, gritting her teeth at me. "And they are stinky little savage; they're just disgusting."
My brows creased as I frowned at her. "That's not true, Pula is sweet, warm, and cute," I argued softly.
"If you insist on taking that nasty thing then consider our friendship revoked!" Cliopatra threatened.
My eyes widened at her. "Seriously?" I said in disbelief.
"Mark my words," Cliopatra replied solemnly.
I stared at Cliopatra as my face slowly became neutral, indifferent, then cold. My eyes looked at her boredly as I opened my mouth and said, "do whatever you want, just don't touch Pula again."
Cliopatra clicked her tongue at me. "Whatever, Oaf, just don't let that nasty thing get close to me or else..." She said, gesturing to her neck.
"Don't you dare," I said slowly, warning in a low hoarse voice as my eyes narrowed dangerously at Cliopatra.
Cliopatra smirked and said, "I dare, Oaf, mark my words."
At that remark, Cliopatra then left the room, closing the door with a bam, making me flinch as I heard it sound and loud. I hugged Pula as I stroked its bunny ears comfortingly, and Pula nuzzled me back.
I can't believe that Cliopatra would end our friendship over a cute rabbit. Why does she hate Pula so much anyway? Pula didn't do anything wrong.
Kendra was okay with Pula earlier, and the green coated ladies didn't seem that repulsed with Pula and only showed a shock expression. So why did Cliopatra react so badly towards Pula?
I tried to recall anything in the novel, but nothing seemed to say about Cliopatra's repulsion against monsters. Well, the book was too concentrated on Kendra's life and only vaguely explained the life of others, so I really don't know anything much.
I sighed, feeling a little sad. That brat is really a handful. I thought I'm slowly understanding this world, well, I guess I was wrong again. Whatever the case. Pula is now my responsibility and my family.
I can't let anyone harm Pula.
When noon came, I held Pula in my arms as I decided to feed both this body and the little red rabbit.
I went to the library first to return the book I borrowed, then I went back to the dormitory again to have lunch at the dining hall. When I arrived, students were staring at me again, but I didn't pay attention to them as I lined up with the others to get Pula and myself some food. I requested the green coated ladies to give me extra servings, so I could give it to Pula, however, I was rejected and they told me that I can't bring Pula inside the dining hall.
They kicked me out of the dining hall. Not literally but the thought of it was the same. The staff told me that students are not allowed to bring any familiar inside the dining hall.
"Then where would I get food to feed Pula?" I said worriedly, staring at the green coated lady who made me leave the dining hall.
"Go to the designated facility for tamed monsters, they will take care of your familiar there," answered the green coated lady.
My brows furrowed. "Where?" I said.
"Familiar Facility, well, I'll be going back inside for I still have a lot of things to do," said the green coated lady, walking back inside the dining hall.
With a deep sigh, I went to the designated facility for familiars. After walking for a while, I arrived at the building at last. It was a wide area located near the forest. It only had three floors and wide open space. Alexandra brought me here earlier with Penelope and Cliopatra. Who knew I would return so soon.
I went inside the building and only found Emilia Iscariot, sweeping after some poop on the side with a broom.
It doesn't seem Emilia noticed me so I cleared my throat to get her attention. At that, Emilia stopped cleaning and came to my side.
"Lady Nasrin? To what pleasure do we owe this visit?" Said Emilia as she approached me with her burly figure.
I smiled at Emilia and said, "please just call me Nasrin, no need for honorifics, anyway, I was told that I could find some food here to feed Pula."
"Pula? That red rabbit?" Said Emilia, looking at Pula on my arms.
I nodded and replied, "yes."
"I see," Emilia said, nodding.
"Do you work here?" I said unsurely, staring at her outfit that seemed to fit with the environment. Emilia wore a brown apron and dark gloves on top of her uniform.
Emilia smiled and nodded. "Yes, I volunteered to work here since it was lacking staff," Emilia said.
"That's amazing," I commented as I gave her a thumbs up.
Emilia grinned as she looked down embarrassed then she looked up again and said, "thank you, well temporarily at the moment, I'm the only first year who volunteered and the seniors who work here before me went on a short vacation yesterday."
"So that's why you're alone then," I said as I stared around, seeing only Emilia and the weird-looking animals.
"Anyway, please come inside and wait for me to fetch something for Pula," Emilia said, beckoning for me inside.
I nodded then Emilia left. While Emilia is gone I strode slowly inside the facility. The animals here look a little similar to the ones on earth. Except the animals here have horns on their forehead and have a different colour. Like a blue horse with a white horn on its forehead; a green deer with also a white horn; a pink wolf with the same white horn; every animal here has a white horn. This made me feel that I'm really not on earth anymore.
As if feeling the sadness in my heart, Pula nuzzled me in my chest. I smiled and stroked its bunny ears. After a short while, Emilia came back with a container full of purple carrots.
"I think you fetch too much Emilia..." I mumbled with a wry smile as I watched Emilia put the box of purple carrots in front of me.
Emilia glanced at me amusedly. "Is this perhaps your first time taming a monster?" Emilia said, smiling.
Again with the monster. Why do these people call cute animals monsters? Perhaps, the term monster is what they refer to animals here?
My lips twisted in an awkward smile and mumbled, "well, uh...ahem, yes, this is indeed my first time taming an animal...monster, I mean."
"No wonder," Emilia mumbled thoughtfully.
"Pardon?" I said as my brows furrowed.
"Well, red rabbits are gluttons, and that's why I brought back a box of carrots," Emilia explained.
"Oh," I mouthed, nodding my head attentively.
Emilia then said, "alright, if this ain't enough for Pula then I could bring some more from the storage room."
I shook my head lightly. "Thank you, but I think this would be enough," I said, smiling at Emilia.
"Then if you need anything, please don't hesitate to call me," Emilia said, smiling back. "I'll just be around cleaning."
"Okay, thank you Emilia," I said as I squatted down my legs, taking one piece of carrot.
Emilia nodded at me and went back to clean up the poop.
At that, I planted my knees on grassy ground, feeding Pula some purple carrot. However, Pula ignored the carrot in my hand as she jumped up on the box full of purple carrots.
I chuckled as I watched Pula eagerly eat those purple carrots. "Hey, slow down, you glutton," I mumbled with a soft smile.