Ashrosaliera puffed her cheeks, more concerned and annoyed about her wet clothes than some random girl's books. She got out of the fountain and took a look down at herself.
The water didn't soak through the leggings as much because Ash landed on her back with her knees curled up. The skirt and blazer weren't of concern either because they were ordered from the academy and were very resistant to water, considering that [Water] was one of the four common magic attributes alongside Fire, Earth, and Wind.
The biggest problem, however, was the white shirt, which the academy did not provide. She got herself a cheaper one without any magic coating on it, so it soaked really badly when it came in contact with water, making her pink bra visible.
She huffed away to collect her giant hat, deciding just to store it away inside its pocket dimension.
"I don't care about your books, poopyface. I'm late to the Royal Academy's opening ceremony and need to dry my clothes. Which is farrrrrrrr more important than your books"
Ashrosaliera groaned, looking over at the strange woman and her books.
"I have a name, and it is Zofia Adinberg!"
The girl in glasses immediately refuted. She glared at Ashrosaliera, her tail stood up, and her hands clenched into a fist when Ash called her poopyface.
"Nerdia Adinblerp!" Ash said mockingly, pulling her eyebags and sticking her tongue out to tease.
Now she officially did it. She made the first schoolmate she ever met angry. Zofia's face turned bright red. Even when she tried to conceal it by fixing her glasses, it still wouldn't turn pink again. Steam started coming out of her head like a train whistle.
"What is your name! I will have to report you to the administrator. This behaviour is unbelievable! Such immature taunting could not be an image the academy would find acceptable."
Zofia stomped over and grabbed Ashrosaliera by the arm. When they were next to each other, the contrast between them shone bright like a diamond in the sky.
One was tall and principled, one was short and chaotic.
One was black and blue, while the other was white and red.
"Ashrosaliera secret techniques to get out of trouble #34…"
With her arm restrained, Ash started whispering something, which caused Zofia to lean in to hear better.
Which was a huge mistake.
"Squeeze!"
Ashrosaliera reached out with her other arm, grabbed Zofia's chest, and squeezed them.
"KYAAA?!"
Zofia immediately recoiled. She let go of Ash's arm and rushed to cover herself, bringing her tail around for extra protection as she knelt on the ground, defeated by Ash.
"You… You shameless gremlin!" Zofia shrieked.
But Ash didn't care about that. With a smirk on her face and victory on her shoulder, she "bleh" Zofia one last time before heading out.
"Fire Magic: Fire Flight!"
This time with a clear path and nothing in the way, she'll make it to the academy in no time.
Time Left: 00:12:48
"And… She doesn't seem to be giving chase, so escape success! To the record, another win for me!"
===
The [Quest System] acknowledges your journal
Technique #34 log updated
Success: 13
Failure: 1
===
"You are so useful!" Ashrosaliera praised the system… For its ability to count how many times she had groped other people's chests to get out of trouble.
From up high, Ashrosaliera took a moment to appreciate the grand view below—houses were together but not cramped, mana was circulating continuously but not chaotic. She saw how the people were laughing and how happy they were. She saw the beauty of life in the grand, luxurious, and brand new life in the big city. There was a lot to do and a lot to explore.
"I'm going to be in A-Class, then I'm going to take over the school, then it's going to be the Tournament, and everyone will know how strong I am because dad will let me use Fireball there… I will be the greatest sorcerer alive! And then I'll take down every one of the strongest mages and be the Elemental Empress!"
Ashrosaliera talked to herself while in the air. She started squirming like a little rat, all giddy and joyful, cupping her own cheeks while flying. Soon enough, she landed in front of the Royal Magic Academy.
"Your future empress has arrived, peasants!"
The place was tall, standing in front, she could see that it was a castle with three buildings, one in the middle and two to the side, and roughly a hundred rectangular windows with a triangle on top.
The main building looked like someone had taken a castle and a cathedral and mashed them all together until they were a prestige quartz giant. Pillars of enchanted stone stretched high, shimmering softly with mana lines that pulsed like heartbeat veins. The giant gate was gold, grand and magnificent, so much so that Ash had to walk backwards a few steps and bend her neck almost to a square angle to see the whole thing. Stepping foot past that gate would be an honor for nearly everyone at some point.
The two other buildings attached to the side also have a huge gate, taller than 8 Ashrosaliera stacked on top of each other, but that was not as impressive by comparison.
Above the front gate was a massive crest shimmering with ever-changing symbols, showing the eight elemental attributes.
Though one thing was for sure.
It was empty as hell out here.
Time left: 00:07:22
There are seven minutes left, so she has practically finished the quest already, just gotta enter through that door. Though before that, she gotta dry her clothes.
Most of the excess water had already evaporated during the flight, so the only thing left to do was to dry them off and make them not stick to her skin.
"Fire Magic: Blazing Blade."
She sat down on the stairs curb leading up to the gates, and started drying herself by hovering the knife barely above her shirt.
Time left: 00:00:40
"Oopsie. Guess I got a little too comfy. Time to make my grand entrance!"
Ashrosaliera deactivated Blazing Blade and was ready to open the gates and get in.
The fact was, she had already finished drying her clothes long ago, and she counted that around three other people were also late. They looked at her weirdly when she was sitting on the curb and not rushing inside like them. Well, that was because Ash wanted to see how long she could stretch being out here without getting in trouble.
After all, they won't punish her after seeing how talented, beautiful, and strong she is, right? Also, she got like a minute left to spare.
Until someone grabbed her by the wrist.
"There you are, you little brat!"
It was Zofia Adinberg.
Time left: 00:00:25
"Secret Technique #34!"
Ashrosaliera tried to escape using the same trick, but Zofia defended herself with the books, placing one in front of her chest this time and disabling it.
"Let go of me!" Ash yelled.
"You're going to the guidance counselor's office! This way!" Zofia clung to her wrist.
Time left: 00:00:18
The two struggled fiercely.
"I'll miss the ceremony!" Ash tried to pull them towards the gate.
"And that's your fault!" Zofia tried to pull them to the other.
Time left: 00:00:11
"Fire Magic: Blazing Blade!" Ash swung at Zofia.
"Wind Magic: Air Shot!"
With the hand holding the book, Zofia pointed her index finger and shot an arrow-like wind projectile, immediately knocking the knife out of Ash's hand.
Time left: 00:00:05
"Fire Magic: Fire Flight!" Ash aimed for the sky, trying to intimidate Zofia and force her to let go.
"Wind Magic: Air Shot!" She shot Ash in the forehead, dealing practically no damage, but it acted like a bonk that misdirected Ash to fly straight into the giant golden gate, bringing Zofia with her.
Time left: 00:00:01
Ash managed to grab the gate handle with her other arm and opened it.
But she didn't make it in time.
===
New Quest Available: Don't Be Late For School
Reward: 0.02 System Points
Status: FAILED
Time Left: 00:00:00
===
"Nooooooooooooo!" Ash screamed.