50 The Notorious Chubby Black Cat
After having a fun-filled bonding moment in the camp, the members of Dud Manor returned to the Academy at around noon.
They planned to have dinner in the academy, so they left right after lunch and took the long hike back home.
Unlike their journey to the camp, the return trip was smooth, and they didn’t encounter any wild beasts who wanted to take their chances to eat the Wizards and Witches, whom they considered to be delicacies.
Overall, they enjoyed the trip despite the fact that they had a scare their first night, when Koko arrived.
Chloe, on her part, enjoyed the Dud Manor’s company. Of course, Ethan and Henry advised her to spend some time with her own Manor Mates as well, so she wouldn’t get alienated like Nicole had been.
Ethan’s cousin was part of the Jaeger Manor. The Manor that specialized in training Wizards and Witches who had the power to tame, transform, summon, and command magical beasts.
Although Chloe was a Fire Mage, she could also summon the Fire Fox, Kon, similar to a Familiar that greatly boosted her magical prowess. 𝞸𝔳𝗅xt.𝓒𝒪𝓂
“I will go with my Manor Mates when they decide to go camping as well,” Chloe said as she walked side by side with Ethan. “I wonder what their camping trip will be like.”
Ethan smiled after hearing the light-brown haired beauty’s words. He was confident that his cousin would be surrounded by many friends because she was a very friendly, loyal, and passionate person.
“Just make sure that you study up on your Magical Arts as well,” Ethan commented. “Remember, the two of us are partners, and I’ll be relying on you when we do our missions.”
“That’s right. We are partners.” Chloe smiled. “Don’t worry, I won’t let you down.”
She then placed her hands behind her back, and hummed a tune. Clearly, she was in a good mood and her mannerism showed it.
Luna, who was also walking beside Ethan, decided to tell him about something important in regards to the Chesmire Cat, whom she called Chessy.
“I didn’t mention it before, but whatever happens, you shouldn’t be rude to Chessy,” Luna stated. “Also, don’t play a prank on it. Although it likes to prank people, it doesn’t like to be on the receiving end of a prank. Also, never, ever, take the initiative to attack it.
“It is a Demon Cat that can turn invisible, and is thought to even have the ability to pass through walls. Offending it will definitely make your life in the Academy difficult.”
Noah, who was walking behind the three of them, joined the conversation.
“There was an incident in the past where some students tried to capture it as a way of showing how capable they were,” Noah said. “One of them shot a Fireball at it, only to have his own spell reflected back to him, giving him serious injuries. The Headmaster of the academy had a nice long talk with the Chesmire Cat in his office in order to prevent the incident from escalating.
“Since then, the Headmaster had decreed that no one is allowed to attack Chessy, and the Chesmire Cat in turn promised that it wouldn’t take revenge on the offenders that attacked it first.”
Henry, who was leading the group, mentioned something that he, and the other Head Prefects had noticed about the Chesmire Cat.
“Chessy is not always in the Academy,” Henry explained. “It will stay in the Academy for half a year, usually during the start of the school year. After that, it will disappear and not show itself again until the next school term.
“After doing some research, we found out that after half a year, it goes to Southshire and mingle with the Beastkin for the rest of the year. Some even say that the Chesmire Cat is a spy for the Beastkin, telling them everything that has been happening inside Brynhildr Academy over the course of the first half of the year. Of course, this is just a conspiracy theory and no one knows whether it is true or not.”
Ethan pondered as he and his group hiked back to the Academy. He was thinking about what he would do if he came face to face with Chessy. Naturally, he didn’t plan on being rude to it. On the contrary, he planned to befriend it.
However, he was also wary of its notoriety. If the black, chubby cat really liked to play tricks and prank people, wouldn’t he suffer if he trusted it so easily?
While thinking about his possible future interaction with the famous prankster, their group finally arrived at the Camping Area where the other students of the Academy had stayed over the weekend.
Seeing their group, some of the Wizards and Witches greeted them, especially those that got along well with the members of Dud Manor.
Henry, who was leading the group, finally relaxed because he knew that they were in a safe area where a barrier was erected, preventing Monsters from attacking the camp.
“Head Prefect, how about I take it from here?” George said with a devilish smile on his face before using his thumb to point behind him.
Ethan and Chloe followed the direction where George’s thumb was pointing and saw a beautiful blonde lady, who seemed to be in her early twenties and looking at Henry with a sweet smile on her face.
“Thank you, George.” Henry grinned. “Please take them back to the Dud Manor.”
“You can count on me.” George patted his chest with confidence before taking the lead, guiding everyone back to their Manor.
Henry, on the other hand, walked towards the blonde beauty and held her hand. Together, they went into a big tent that bore the insignia of the Terra Manor, which belonged to its Head Prefect.
“Who’s that?” Ethan asked. “She’s such a beautiful lady. Is she perhaps the Head Prefect’s girlfriend?”
“You’re only half right,” George replied. “That beautiful lady is the Head Prefect of Terra Manor and she goes by the name Irene. She is Henry’s fiance.”
“How lovely,” Chloe commented. “Two Head Prefects as lovers. They’re like a match made in heaven.”
George chuckled after hearing Chloe’s words. He didn’t tell anyone that the “match made in Heaven” that they were thinking about was actually a complicated relationship.
Irene’s father was against marrying his daughter to a Dud, which caused all sorts of trouble for Henry.
However, Irene’s mother supported her daughter’s love, and gave the two of them their blessings. Although, whether the two of them would really marry in the future or not, one thing was certain.
Both of them loved each other, and George, as well as the rest of Dud Manor hoped that at least one of them would find happiness in a world that looked down on those who didn’t possess strong magical powers.
When they entered the Academy grounds, Chloe parted ways with the members of Dud Manor and returned to her own Manor.
Tomorrow was another school day, and she wanted to prepare in order to start the week off right.
Ethan and the others also returned to their rooms to rest. Going on a camping trip from time to time was good, but they still missed the soft and comfortable beds that were waiting for them back to their own rooms.
Ethan had just closed the door behind him when he noticed something lying on top of his bed, and licking its paw.
It was a black, chubby cat, who momentarily stopped licking its paw and locked its purple eyes on the young man that had entered the room.
The two stared at each other for nearly half a minute before Ethan opened the door behind him and went back outside.
Although he had already decided to befriend the Chesmire Cat if ever he saw it, he was unable to carry it out.
The reason?
The devilish smirk that appeared on the black, chubby cat’s face, made him feel like a mouse, staring at its natural predator.
It felt very uncomfortable, and made him feel uneasy.
Because of this, Ethan didn’t hesitate and chose to escape instead of talking to it. He then headed towards Luna’s room in a hurry to inform her that the notorious cat that they had just been talking about a short time ago, was actually inside his room, making him feel as if his life was in danger.
