210 That girl is a bit mysterious.

"Is this fine?" I asked as I looked at Blaze.

"...Damn, princess, did you get taller? I just noticed, for some reason," Blaze said as he looked at me.

"I don't know," I replied, looking down. It suddenly struck me that I had grown taller after leveling up to [Level 3: Scorchmaster]. That meant there were a few more levels above this.

Anyways, I made a quick stop at the tavern, changed my clothes, and took a bath before leaving. According to Alver, I still had the smell of blood on me, so it was better to wash it off.

"That guy has a strong nose," Blaze commented. It was true, as I didn't think someone could notice the smell of blood even after the bath I took in the pond.

"Anyways... how did you find out that Alver is an Aristocrat? Or was it just a figure of speech because he's rich and..." Blaze, as always, was slow to catch up on these things.

"Remember that one time I asked Old Man Clay about how Alver paid for the guild?" I began as I stepped in front of the full-length mirror, fixing my appearance.

It was still 8 o'clock in the morning, which meant if I made it back immediately, I could attend my first lecture. If any professor asked where I was, I'd just say I was on a jog. I hoped it wouldn't come to that, though.

".... No, I don't remember. You did something like that?" Smokeball seemed puzzled. It was something that happened only a few months back.

"Anyways, I asked him about the minting of the platinum coins that Alver gave for the transaction. When he said that Alver gave out five coins that were minted in this decade, it was all fine, but..." I stopped, pulling my hair back. My hair was getting longer and longer.

"But?" Blaze jumped off the chair.

"Other ten coins were from the years 1700-1710... which is the only decade that platinum coins were designated for Aristocrats in both Grav and Hestia at the same time. None of the commoners or even the wealthy merchants were given these coins; they were considered a valuable gift from the royalty," I explained.

"After a few altercations between the palace and all, Grav was declared a democracy, and these coins weren't that meaningful anymore. Aristocrats weren't considered aristocratic blood anymore, just some wealthy folks in Grav. Most of them left Grav and settled in the Hestia Empire, which still had a noble society. A lot happened, but all in all..."

When I heard that Alver had given these coins, my first thought was that he's an Aristocrat; he has to be.

"Was it a guess?" Blaze questioned.

"Well, with all this knowledge, if you want to consider this a guess, then yes, this was a lucky guess," I sighed.

"True, still... man, we gotta use that brain of yours for something more productive," Blaze agreed.

The person in the mirror looked at me; my jawline was sharper, and my muscles were chiseled yet toned and lean.

"This is the phoenix physique; get used to it. It's better in terms of harnessing a large number of spells and takes less toll on the body itself," Blaze shrugged.

"Is this?" I turned to the side and saw how my back was more muscular than my whole body. This is where my wings are, huh.

*Fuu*

With a deep breath, I focused my mana, my core energy, into the hidden reservoir where my wings were concealed. The power surged within me as I intended to manifest them. My back tingled as the feathers began to unfurl beneath my skin.

The pain was intense, like fiery tendrils clawing their way out of my back. The room around me seemed to shimmer as I felt the feathers tearing through my flesh, emerging with a burst of flames. It was both agonizing and breathtaking.

As the transformation continued, my once hidden wings spread wide, casting a shadow on the floor. My entire back felt on fire, and yet I couldn't help but marvel at their beauty. The feathers glistened with a fiery glow, each one as vibrant as an ember from a blazing bonfire.

As for my eyes, they looked a bit menacing and bird like, three rings around my iris and bright golden colour of pupils-this time the ring was vertical unlike the previous ones that were normal.

Blaze's voice echoed in my mind, "Impressive, isn't it, Ren? These wings of fire symbolize your newfound strength and the next stage of your power."

I nodded, still adjusting to the sensation. It was an intentional effort that pushed me to reveal my phoenix wings, a symbol of my progress and the possibilities that lay ahead.

"But... aren't these a lot larger than expected?" I said as I moved.

*Tut*

"Huh?" My left wing just outstretched itself on reflex and hit the nearby vase, breaking it.

"Well yeah, they are... for some reason, bigger, but you know that bigger is better," Blaze replied.

"Can I fly?" I asked, feeling like I'd just asked a question as basic as a five-year-old child.

"Obviously," Blaze said immediately. "A bit of control practice, and you'll be able to fly with those... I can help," he offered, as if he knew I would ask for his assistance.

"Anyways..." I refocused and made them get back to their original place. "Let's get going."

....

"After leaving the tavern, it was a few minutes' walk from there to the academy. I kept thinking about various factors here and there.

Like what Adam and his gang would be currently doing. If I remember correctly, they are heading towards the dungeon where Elsa's parents are imprisoned or something.

"It's surprising that you don't think much about them," Blaze peeked his head out of the robe.

Yeah, he's right, but what can I say? They are important.

Adam is the protagonist, so him being on the right track means the story is on the right track.

As for the curse's impact, it's like 9%, it skyrocketed in one night.

And as a result, I am being eyed by every student around me as I enter the school grounds.

Unlike before when they used to divert their gazes when I looked back at them, they now stare at me unbothered.

I kept walking, and I thought I should go to the classroom first but...

Thud*!*

"Huh?" I heard a loud explosion from my left.

I looked and saw there was a bunch... no, a large group of students, circling around something.

I focused my mana in my eyes and looked. I could see quite far away this time.

I saw an instructor and two students standing in front of each other while holding spells in their hands.

"A duel?" I was sure it was a duel. I shook my head as I lost interest, but...

Thud*!*

"Heh?" I raised my brow as I saw a boy, one of the participants in the duel, fly far away and crash to the ground in slow motion.

"..." I refocused my gaze, and it was Vexa.

This is the second-year battle practical class, I think, and she's competing, but...

"She's that strong?" I was quite impressed when I saw the swirling tendrils of water coiling around her like a serpent as she just stood there, showing no emotion.

It was as if her opponent hadn't just gone flying, like discarded waste.

"Haa, this girl is a mystery," I muttered to myself, still perplexed about Vexa's identity. All I knew for sure was that she had royal blood.

A tap on my shoulder startled me, and I glanced over to find Cecelia standing there. I was so focused on Vexa that I hadn't noticed her approach.

"You should give me a warning next time, you lazy leech," I grumbled in my mind, but Blaze just giggled.

Cecelia smiled and commented, "She's impressive, isn't she?"

I nodded in agreement. "She definitely is."

"By the way, why aren't you participating in the duel?" I asked Cecelia.

She explained, "I just finished my own duel a minute ago. I saw you engrossed in watching Madam Vexa, so I rushed over to join you."

"Did something happen during your duel?" I inquired directly.

Cecelia hesitated for a moment before answering, "Huh? Me? No, nothing." Her response had a few awkward pauses.

I gave her a reassuring smile and said, "Well, if anything ever does happen, don't hesitate to tell me. I'm here to help." With that, I turned my attention back to the ongoing events,"Look they are calling you." I pointed.

"Oh... thanks," she looked down and ran away.

"You do realise you gotta calm down with those words of caress right?" Blaze comments at last.

"..... I do," I sighed as I looked at Vexa for last, this second year makes me irk a bit.

[A/N: Hmm Vexa.....Vexa...damn I think I know something about her but- who cares, I am dumb.]

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