The Exchange Teacher - Welcome to Dyntril Academy

The carriage was silent for a heartbeat. The sudden change in Billiam's attitude stunned Basque, and his denial wasn't immediate.

"Oh, Yani, don't bother denying it, Biscuit."

For a second time, Basque froze.

Despite Billiam's tone, his smile was still genuine. "Look, I'm laying it out for you, in hopes that we can come to some mutual trust here. Yes, all the reports on your group go through my hands at some point in time. If I were in your shoes, I would think it was odd if they didn't."

Billiam leaned back and traced a knuckle over the lavender wall of the carriage. "The fact that you are surprised is another reason I like you. I think it's cute how straightforward you are.

"So many of your fellow delegates think they're smart and clever, but there's no pretense with you. You're out there in the open." Billiam's hand stopped, and he leaned forward, clasping his hands together with his elbows on his knees. "Until you're not."

He leaned back again. "So, all I want to know is about Reianna here, one of my fellow citizens. I'm not going to ask anything about how you pulled off that Yani in the cafeteria stunt."

"I had nothing to do with that."

"Biscuit, don't play coy. It's not your strong suit."

"What makes you so certain that I'm a mage?" Reianna asked.

Billiam turned his attention to the girl. Basque expected to feel unease in his stomach when the focus shifted back to Reianna, but he remained calm. Like the odd man's smile, his concern for Reianna seemed genuine.

"Do you think I wouldn't recognize it when Miss Loushee marks someone as hers?" He pointed to his pink eye. "I'm twice her age, but that girl has me beat."

Looking down at the floor of the carriage, Reanna put her hands between her legs and squeezed them.

"Miss Loushee wouldn't waste her time on someone who wasn't a mage. And she definitely wouldn't claim someone whom she didn't like."

The three of them swayed in silence for a heartbeat or two.

"This is my personal carriage. You don't have to fear anything said in here getting out."

Neither Basque nor Reianna spoke. Basque looked around the carriage. It was by far the nicest he'd been in Kruami—plush, comfortable seats, and only a slight rocking that betrayed they were moving. The trimming and windowsills were golden, which complemented the lavender walls. Considering Billiam's meticulous appearance, the mirror on the wall didn't surprise Basque.

"Okay, Miss Reianna, I'll give you a bit more about Miss Loushee and Mister Daymein's relationship. Fifteen times. He's tried to kill her fifteen times under the order of His Majesty."

Basque didn't understand the importance of what Billiam said, but it had an impact on Reianna. Her eyes were wide, and she nodded as if a piece of a puzzle had fallen into place.

A dress appeared in Reianna's hand.

"Reianna!"

"He's right, Gerenet-Shr. Trust has to start somewhere."

"I knew I liked you, Miss Reianna!"

"I don't need the 'Miss.' Just Rei or Reianna is fine."

"How about Anna?"

"No."

He laughed at Reianna's swift rejection. "Okay, Reianna. What is it you have to show me? I recognize that dress as one of Miss Loushee's."

"She gave this to me."

His eyes went wide. "She marked you and gave you a dress?"

"I don't really want either."

Billiam's gaze shifted to the mirror next to him. "I wouldn't tell her that."

"I already have, though?"

Billiam coughed. "I'm sorry, my dear. Was there something you wanted to show me about the dress?"

Holding the dress up in her hands, Reianna looked at him, then at the dress. In a flash, it transformed into a teacup.

"Wah!" Billiam cried out, pressing his hands against the wall and seat, jumping back. "The same power…" he whispered. His complexion was completely white.

Reianna shook her head. "No. Not the same power."

The object in her hand flickered from teacup to dress, back and forth several times. "That's all I can do. This used to be a teacup. She changed it into a dress."

Grabbing at the mirror, Billiam tried to wedge his fingers under it. It took several attempts, but he finally succeeded. When he did, he ripped it off the wall and threw it out of the carriage.

Basque and Reianna looked at each other.

"You okay, Billiam?" Basque asked.

Billiam was shaking as he asked, "Your power has something to do with hers, doesn't it?"

"Not completely. I can affect what she does. Undo it. What was that with the mirror?"

The full-body shaking stopped, but one of his legs continued to bounce as he bit a fingernail. "What will this mean? How will she react? She's already claimed her, though." His eyes were wide and unfocused.

He jerked his head up and leaned as if to look out the window. "How much did she hear?" His face paled again. "What am I going to tell her about what I did?" Covering his face with his hands, he huddled over and began rocking. "I don't want to go back in there. Not again."

Reaching out with a tentative hand, Basque placed it on Billiam's shoulder. The man flinched, but didn't look up. Not sure what to do, Basque rubbed his back. "It'll be okay. You can get a new mirror."

The rocking stopped, and Billiam sat up. As Basque pulled his hand back, Billiam's hands shot out and grabbed it. "Always be careful around reflective surfaces. It doesn't have to be mirrors."

"Okay…"

Billiam let go of Basque's hand and sat up straight. "Miss Reianna, thank you for the information, but I don't really want to hear any more. It's probably best for the both of us if I don't."

She nodded. Her face still wore an expression of concern. "Please don't call me 'Miss.'"

"But I couldn't dream of not giving honor to a mage who can battle Miss Loushee's power."

Basque sat back and folded his arms. The respect in his voice when he said Loushee's name contrasted with the nervous breakdown he'd just had over the girl. It was obvious he was terrified of someone half his age, though it was hard to tell whether he liked her or not.

"I'm sorry," the man said, holding up a hand. "Just give me a minute to compose myself. We'll be at the restaurant shortly."

With that, Billiam closed his eyes and slumped in his seat. Reianna gave a quizzical look to Basque, and he just shrugged his shoulders. She shrugged hers in return, then turned to stare out the window.

Basque took the opportunity to sit back and close his own eyes. If it hadn't been for practically every other day he'd been in Kruami, he would have said that today was the worst day of his life, and he hadn't even had lunch yet.

Eder had been pissed. Apparently, interface shortcuts weren't something the Kruamians were aware of, and it was something Eder had put on the negotiation table. Basque realized he'd messed up, but had difficulty finding the interest to care. Eder had fucked up more.

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A simple "No" from Eder to the Kruamians two months ago would have done so much. Despite Eder's belief that Basque was only chosen because of his mother's position, his mother was one of the loudest voices opposing Basque's appointment. Her exact words were, "No! You may not chase a silly girl halfway across the Yani-infested world! You'll wind up caught in some dastardly political scheme by both sides, and you couldn't politic your way out of a wet paper bag with a knife!"

Looking out the window at the colorful people and different architecture didn't help improve Basque's mood. All that prettiness wouldn't change the fact that his mother was right. Rakelle had broken up with him on the way; his duties were unilaterally changed a week after arrival, and he'd given away more than he'd learned.

After Basque's confirmation, his mother begrudgingly gave her support and made sure that evaluation was his only role. Everyone agreed, it was what made Basque a brilliant hunter and excellent teacher: his ability to evaluate the situation and determine the best course of action in a split second.

Some thought it should apply to politics as well, but Basque was too rigid for that. To him, the best solution was the only solution. And Basque was fine with that. He didn't want to pretend to be something that he wasn't anymore. His Kruamian students were his now. He wouldn't shortchange their education because of some nebulous trade agreement bullet point.

Still, Eder wanted Basque to head over to the "Hianb Residence" to discuss "issues" that they were having "soon." Yeah, I'll give him "soon."

Basque sighed and started paying attention to the scenery going by. He frowned. He recognized the fake pond with the needless bridge going across and the fountains on each side of it. Julive had brought him here.

He looked at Billiam, who'd recovered his senses as well. The rakish man grinned at Basque.

"Don't tell me…"

"Oh, but, Biscuit, yes!"

"What?" Reianna asked.

"Oh, my dear, I'm just taking you all to lunch at a restaurant your teacher had a wonderful time at."

"The chicken is good," Basque said, refusing to rise to the provocation.

"Even though you only had a bite?"

"Generally, one bite is all I need to know if I like something or not."

"Maybe I should have you take a bite out of me? I promise you, I'm delish."

Basque smiled. "Thanks, but becoming a cannibal wasn't on my list before coming to Kruami."

"Honey, none of the best things in life are planned."

A cold rush shot down Basque's spine even as his skin warmed. The image of Natt and Class E entered his mind. Truer words had never been spoken.

The carriage came to a stop, and the door opened. After the footman helped Reianna out, he backed away for Basque and Billiam to exit, then rode off with the carriage.

As they entered the restaurant, Basque looked up at the awning and the illegible script the restaurant's name was written in. "So, is there any particular reason you chose this restaurant? To torture me? To prove that Kruami's been watching?"

"The chicken is Yani-fucking good."

The maître d greeted them with a bow. "Royal Mage, you grace us with your presence. Please, your table is ready."

The fuchsia-haired man led them through the restaurant, and Basque sighed and tilted his head when he saw the table they were taken to. "Really?"

"It's the best table in the restaurant. Great view."

Two can play this game. Basque sat in the same seat again. Reianna sat in the newly added third seat that wasn't there last time.

"Are you going to storm out as well?"

"Unfortunately for you, Biscuit, I neither think the entire world wants to…" Billiam looked at Reianna, "Plant their seed in me. Nor am I the jealous type. As an added bonus, I've been rejected before. Do you prefer pinks, though?"

"No."

Flourishing his hands, Billiam interlocked his fingers and rested his elbows on the table and his chin on his hands. "I'm afraid I don't like the way I look in lily white."

"Oh? I thought you would have the confidence to try and pull anything off."

"I never said I couldn't pull it off, I just said I don't like it." Billiam dropped his voice an octave and danced his eyebrows. "I look good in anything."

Checking on Reianna, Basque found the girl wasn't paying the slightest bit of attention to the two men. Her eyes roamed the restaurant.

"Are you doing okay, Reia?"

She pulled her attention to Basque. "Yes…I've never been in a place like this."

"Something this fancy?"

"Well, that too, but is this like a cafeteria? Where's the food line?"

Billiam stroked his hand down her hair. "You're so precious."

She slapped his hand away. "Could you stop flirting with my teacher in front of me?"

"Oh! Feisty too!"

"Liam?"

"Yes, sweetums?"

"Stop flirting with me, too."

"Aww, don't be so boring!"

Basque cleared his throat. "There is no line, Reia. You choose what you want from the menu and order it."

Her eyes went wide. "Oh! So this is what a restaurant is? There's one in my book."

The conversation went on with Billiam refusing to stop flirting, and with Basque and Reianna either ignoring him or joking back. The lavender-haired man's jovialness infected the meal, and Basque actually enjoyed his meal at Kruami's "premier restaurant" this time.

It helped that he ordered Julvie's chicken dish. He knew he should have eaten hers after she stormed off on their ill-fated date. Billiam also got the chicken, but Reianna got the 'Grafield,' a layered pasta dish that alternated between large flat noodles, ground meat, tomato sauce, and cheese.

"So, Billiam, what makes you a royal mage?"

"Biscuit! Are you asking me to drop trou and measure?"

"What?"

"You're asking about my privates."

"No, I was wondering what makes you a royal mage."

"Which means you're asking about my powers—my privates."

"Fine, I'm asking about your privates."

Billiam giggled. "I'll tell you because it's you two. I have an option called Controls. It lets me access the interface of anything with an interface and disable visible options."

It all fell into place. Billiam would be the perfect mage to control the populace and other mages. If he disabled a mage's special option, they would be brought down to a normal person's level. If he shut off the entire interface…

"What a terrifying power."

"Why, thank you! It's not very subtle, as Miss Reianna can attest to. It does have its drawbacks—"

"Wait, you said, 'anything,' right?"

"That I did."

"Have you—"

"I have."

"What's it…what's it like?"

"Terrifying. It gives me a horrible headache. Their interface doesn't hold steady in any way. It constantly flickers, changing colors—but inconsistently, like half pink, half blue. The shape goes wild, and the letters are weird symbols and boxes."

Reianna was listening intently, but she didn't mention what she found on the cup-dress.

"Can you turn off their interfaces?"

"Tut tut tut." Billiam wagged his finger. "Did you not just get in trouble for oversharing?"

"I did, but maybe this would be a one-for-one? After all, what I gave up, anyone can use, but your information is useless to us outside of academia."

"Very true, but advances are made through academia."

"Please tell me!"

"Oh, Biscuit, I love watching you beg. Do it more!"

Basque's face fell. "Billiam."

"Fine. Tit for tit. You showed me your boob, let me show you one."

Basque looked down at his robe. "No, everything's tied off and I'm wearing under garments."

"Not your literal tit, you boob. It's an expression meaning one-for-one."

"Well, why didn't you just say that?"

"Well, with your lack of understanding of body phrase idioms, I was hoping for a free peek show."

"There's a young girl present."

"Oh, so later then?" Billiam grinned. "No, seriously though, yes, I can disable their menu. They calm down quite a bit, but they don't revert to animals, and still thirst for human blood. They are much easier to kill, but it takes a lot out of me to do it. I generally only use it with powerful mage Yani."

"You are worthy of a royal mage."

"Why, thank you, again, Biscuit!"

Basque sat back and rubbed his chin. He wasn't sure what it meant that Yani calmed down. How did they calm? He couldn't imagine it. This was more information he wanted to give Xelac. Maybe he would have to visit the Hianb Residence sooner than "soon."

With their lunches finished, Basque was glad to overwrite his previous memory of the restaurant with this new memory. Now, he might actually come here willingly on his own.

Leaving the restaurant, Billiam insisted that he take them back to the academy as he had errands there anyway. Their ride back was pleasant and filled with smiles. Earlier that morning, Basque never would have believed what a good mood he would be returning to the school in.

As they entered the Grand Entrance Hall, Yesenia emerged from the shadows and fell into step with them.

"Welcome back, Gerenet-Shr."

"Thank you, Yesenia. Where's the class now?"

"They are currently in the ballroom."

"I see, thank you. Come on, Reia. Billiam, it was a pleasure."

"All on my side, I can assure you, Master Basque." The men shook hands. "Until we meet again, cuties."

When Billiam walked off, Yesenia said, "Gerenet-Shr, Sophia asked me to report to you that we have once again run out of sugar for your tea, and we desperately need some more sugar."

Basque stopped walking. "What?"

"Your room is sugarless. If we do not get sugar soon, there will be problems."

Reianna had stopped with him, and Basque's gaze went from one girl to the other.

"Reia."

"Yes, Gerenet-Shr?"

"I hate to ask you to do it, but can you make your way to the ballroom by yourself? I need to address this issue."

"Understood, Gerenet-Shr. I'll be careful."

Reianna walked off alone, and Basque turned to Yesenia. "Let's go."

The two of them ran up to Basque's room. Sophia had angled one of the chairs in the audience room to face the door, and she sat in it with one leg bouncing.

Behind her, the ashen, non-breathing body of a familiar woman lay on his sofa. "Oh, Yani…"