Beyond?

“The university's park area is huge. Over one thousand trees. Five hundred and forty six bushes. Six hundred and two flower beds. Five hundred benches. four square kilometres of lawn. Ten kilometres of walkways. Everything has to be held in a top condition. The maze in the middle of the park is an exceptional challenge. If you aren't cut out for the job you should quit immediately. That's why I test all my new trainees by abandoning them in the middle of the maze. If they don't get out within one week I deem them as unworthy.”

-Gardener.

***Free City States of Nict, Capital***

***Azir***

“I am not happy.” I am together with Stella in the extensive park area of the university. We are both hiding from the other students. The park's maze is especially helpful in that regard.

“Neither am I.” Stella sighs and splits a stick, breaking it into smaller pieces again and again. “How did it work out for you? The word is spreading that we are a little more than friends. The people who got back with us from that little expedition didn't keep their mouth's shut.”

I nod. “Something like this had to be expected. My sister and my mother put me under intensive interrogation about you. But unexpectedly Quarma took my side and when it was her word against my little sister's, Valeria was on the losing end. Mother couldn't imagine why Quarma should suddenly take my side and protect me, so she came to the conclusion that my little sister was exaggerating.”

Stella grumbles. “In exchange for that Valeria is stalking us now. And the other female students are taking every chance to take it out on me. But I'll manage it somehow, don't worry.”

“So you see any chance that you can tell me more about this bargain of yours?” I squint my eyes and look at Stella. “You avoided the topic back then.”

Stella sighs and nods her head.

After a short silence from her side I press on. “So?”

She points at her mouth. And gestures for it to be sealed. That's when the situation becomes a little clearer to me. “So it's not a bargain, but a magical contract?”

Stella nods, smiling.

“And I suppose it includes that you can't tell anyone who you are, but it's sloppily made. Otherwise you couldn't work around it like that.” I scratch my cheek. “So you get something if you fulfil it, but the contract isn't something bad. You aren't forced to do anything?”

She nods again, looking at me with pleading eyes.

“Haah, ok. I won't pry any more. You obviously went through great efforts to accomplish what you want. The contract must've been set up when you were a child. Though I can't really imagine what a child could have wanted at that age.” Is she from one of the great clans after all?

Stella gestures at the park. “All this.”

I frown. “You wanted the park?”

She facepalms herself and points at one of the buildings.

“So you wanted to go to university, or better, you wanted to go to school.” I conclude.

She nods and hugs me. “Are you satisfied?”

I shake my head. “Not really, but it'll do if it's that important to you. So back to the other problem. What do we do about my sister and those students who are pestering you.”

“We try to endure it?” Stella tries to smile, but somehow her expression crumbles and gives her an aura of doom.

“Like you were enduring Olivia? I remember a certain incident and asked myself why she was avoiding you ever since.” I grab Stella's hand.

“Oh, that. Those were exceptional circumstances.” Stella's expression turns earnest.

“~Azir!~”

I blink. That voice. “I forgot that she is still alive.” I turn around and find Annice and Louise behind me.

Annice drops herself onto the bench we are sitting on and hugs me from the side. “You should've visited me immediately. I couldn't bear the thought that you were simply gone from my life. I have no other worthwhile targets. Well unless you count that one senior of mine, but he is manipulated too easily. No challenge at all.”

“I see. So I am a challenge.” That doesn't make it any better. “I still wish for you to retreat out of my comfort zone.”

“Aw, so shy. You have to work on that.” Finally Annice lets go of me. She is the only one who doesn't feel different. She is still annoying and pesters me whenever she has time.

Stella's expression clearly tells me that she is about to murder someone.

Louise walks around the bench and voices a mute 'Sorry' with her mouth. “I am so glad that you managed to return safely. It was a horrible adventure according to what I heard.”

Stella stands up and hugs Louise. “You can't imagine how horrible. For some time I thought that we wouldn't make it back.”

Louise nods. “There are so many rumours floating around. You can't tell what's true or false. I hope you can fill me in when there is time.”

I nod. “Why not now? There is a nice restaurant I wanted to try out.”

.