Arcane Heir: History's Strongest Mage

The following day, the academy was alive with activity. Students almost skipped down the stairs from their dorms, heading towards the main entrance with glee—the end of semester was here.

"All students leaving the academy grounds, please remember to remove any items from your emblem storage." A voice announced within the castle, causing some of the younger students to freeze on the spot.

Many of the first-years were too excited to finally return home after four months away from their families and had forgotten this information. Rudy was also one such person.

"Ah, damn it… Wait here for me!" he said, swiftly turning around and running back to the dorms.

"Dude, just transfer it to your storage ring." Michael called out, but the guy had already disappeared down the hall, causing him to let out a sigh.

Melody and Michael stood by the railings of the first floor, looking down at the students funneling out of the castle entrance in silence. The former had yet to speak more than a few words since waking up this morning, a worried expression painted on her face.

He had already tried to cheer her up, but it didn't seem like anything would work. Michael accepted the fact that she would probably remain this way until they returned to the manor in a few hours time and spoke to her father.

So instead of wasting his breath, he decided to leave her be. If he was being honest with himself, Michael also felt a little anxious to be returning—especially after figuring out he'd been used as a pawn by Lord Winterborne.

His tactics were so brazen that even the headmaster was aware of them. When he thought like this, it wasn't surprising that the elite noble families would see through his lies.

Will he discard me if the appeal works? He thought, staring into the distance.

He wasn't sure. The man was currently paying for his tuition at Arcadia to attend by Melody's side, if he were to cut off the funding, Michael might not be able to return for the second semester.

Even his paltry three-hundred gold coins was but a drop in the ocean compared to the price of attending Arcadia.

"Sorry guys, let's go." Rudy returned a few minutes later, slightly out of breath.

"Mmm, the Winterborne carriage should be here by now." Michael nodded.

As they made their way down the large stairs to the lobby, his mind worked silently.

How is Rudy's tuition being paid? Is he on some sort of scholarship from the academy?

He had never asked since he felt it was kind of rude.

It would make sense if that were the case. After all, if there wasn't something like this in place then it would be nigh impossible for commoners to attend.

I'll just have to wait and see what happens. I'm sure the headmaster will be able to arrange something for me if things don't go well… Michael thought, trying to remain positive.

In silence, the trio walked out of the large academy doors and were greeted with over a hundred horseless carriages in the long driveway. Each carriage was luxurious, though some less so than others.

The large and more ritzier looking carriages sported house crests, making them easily identifiable in the sea of vehicles. That's when Michael spotted it, the same carriage they had rode in on four months ago.

"There it is," he said, pointing to a spot not far away.

"Wait… Is it one of those carriages that fly?" Rudy asked, his eyes bulging.

"Yeah? Why, are you scared of heights?"

However, Rudy didn't utter a word of response, already running towards the carriage with childish excitement. Michael even thought he heard the guy giggle like a little girl on his way past.

He turned to Melody only to see her glum expression falter for a moment, a small smile playing on her lips.

"He's such a kid…" she added.

"Well, technically we're all still kids." Michael replied with a shrug, though he understood her meaning.

Melody nodded, her expression turning distant once more.

Feeling the mood take a turn for the worse, Michael let out a sigh. An idea flashed in his mind for a brief moment before a grin crept onto his lips.

Without a word, he grabbed Melody's arm, looping it in his own. The girl flinched, her eyes widening in shock as she stared at him with question.

However, Michael's smile only grew wider. "Four months ago we walked into the academy like this. Back then it was you who made the first move, but now it's my turn." He said softly.

He watched as her expression went through a range of emotions, shock, acceptance—and then sadness. However, she nodded a moment later, not resisting his pull as the walked arm-in-arm towards the Winterborne carriage.

There were many sets of eyes on them but unlike on the day of arrival, Michael didn't care. Right now he wasn't doing this as a political move—he was doing it to support his friend in her time of need.

Even if it changed nothing, this fact remained.

"Please step away from the carriage young man," a terse voice called out as a man in a butlers suit emerged from the coach, his graying hair belying his age.

"H-hey, this is the Winterborne carriage right? I'm Melody Winterborne's guest…" Rudy replied, shrinking back slightly at the tall older man.

The older man looked him up and down before letting out a scoff, "The young miss would never keep such company…"

"Huh? What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Rudy said, jutting out his chin, squaring up to the guy.

"Richard, he's my guest. I already told father that Rudy and Michael will be joining us for the semester break." Melody called out, her tone lacking any warmth.

"Ah, my apologies young miss…" the butler said with a small bow.

"Don't apologize to her, say sorry to me…" Rudy quipped, puffing his chest out slightly.

However, the older man simply ignored him, stepping back into the coach and leaving the guy looking stifled.

Michael forced down the laugh that threatened to come up, nudging his friend on the way past. "I think he likes you." He added with a grin.

Before Rudy could reply, Melody unhooked her arm from Michael's and stepped forward. "Let's go before the driveway gets too packed."

At her insistence, the two could not argue and stepped into the carriage a few moments later.