A/N: Hey everyone, author here! Sorry about the long wait in between chapters. Unfortunately I had to deal with some work related things this weekend and didn't get time to write...

Anyways, once again, I ask for those who enjoy this story to leave reviews and comments. The story is almost in the top 50 +_+a;; Also shout out to CPT Ratchet for Pring this story. hahaha well hope you all enjoy the chapter!

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“ ..and the visualization of a large amount of oxygen being used is paramount to the strength of the skill. Oh, it looks like that will be how we end the class today. When we meet for class next week, we will begin practicing the spell “fire spear” so practice ahead of time!”

With that a short plum lady in red robes exits the classroom. Seeing her leave, the students began to animatedly talk among themselves. Azrael, who had been engrossed by the whole lecture, began packing his bag to leave. As he was getting up from his chair, he heard a voice call over.

“Yo. You’re a new face. What class are you?”

Hearing the soprano voice, he turns toward his left and looks at the speaker. The girl stood at around 5’4 and had flowing black hair that reached his upper back. With some dimples and brown eyes, her face looked haughty. From what Azrael could guess, she should be around 14 years old.

“How you doing, my name is Azrael, I’m a freshmen”

The room went quiet. Looking around, Azrael could see all the students look at him in surprise. Even though they knew it’s happened in the past, it was very rare for a freshmen to be able to join the intermediate class for an element when they came here. The looks of curiosity and contempt that he had received before now turned to awe.

How could these students, who had trained endlessly and for numerous years, not know how difficult it was to reach Wizard rank in an element? And here was a child who was nine years of age who was at least a Wizard rank. The female, however, was not impressed.

“Pffft don’t try to lie to me. How could a freshmen be strong enough at the age of nine to be able to reach the Wizard rank? Your father must have paid off some people at this school to let you get into this class”

Even though Kera knew that it was impossible to bribe the faculty at the academy, she really couldn’t see how else a freshmen got into the course. She didn’t even consider that he really was talented enough to get into the course.

Azrael, on the other hand, was fuming. He really didn’t care too much if people cursed or made of him. But for his beloved father to be made light of by this person in front of him did infuriate him. While pushing the anger down, he slowly calmed down and spoke once again.

“Surely you jest. How could a Swordsman instructor for a Baron have the funds to bribe someone here? Just because you weren’t talented enough to do it does not mean others also are not”

Although Azrael had calmed down, he couldn’t help throw in barbed words at her. She did, after all, attempt to slander his dad. Hearing those words, the girl exploded.

“Wh…What did you say?! You’re saying that the child of a mere commoner is more talented than Aren from the honorable House of Dufont?!?!”

Even though it pricked him that she called her dad a “mere commoner”, Azrael continued on.

“Why yes it does seem as though the son of a “mere commoner” is more talented than you, Aren. Well anyways, I have to get going. Goodbye”

After he said that, Azrael turned around and walked toward the entrance of the classroom. He could hear Aren screaming at him to come back even as he closed the classroom door and headed toward the cafeteria. He had promised to meet with Winston at 1 o’clock for lunch.

Even though he felt ashamed about the barb he had said earlier, Azrael still didn’t believe his actions were wrong. That girl had been arrogant and snotty just because she was some noble’s daughter.

‘It’s weird how even though the worlds are really different, the nobility really do act the same be it humans, demons, the other races that had intelligence, or the people in this world’

“Yo Az! Hurry up man, I’m starving!”

As he approached the cafeteria, Azrael saw his roommate complaining toward him to hurry up. Seeing the cheerful guy, his sour mood from the interaction with Aren earlier dissipated and a grin rose up. Quickening his pace, Azrael soon reached the entrance.

“Haha sorry about that man”

“Dude I feel like I can eat a whole ox right now! Let’s go in”

Being pushed forward, Azrael laughed and let Winston guide them inside. Contrary to the previous time they were here, many of the seats were taken by the numerous students inside the cafeteria. Winston, not giving a care to how the others viewed them, continued pushing Azrael forward to one of the stalls that was a little less crowded than the others.

The smell that was originating from the stall in front of him made Azrael salivate. It smelt heavenly to him. After waiting a few moments for the students in front of them to order, they were in front of the counter.

Upon reaching the counter, however, Azrael’s eyes opened wide in shock. The prices that were listed for each dish was astronomical! The cheapest meal on the menu was 1 gold, which could easily feed a family of four for about a whole month! While doing odd jobs around the house, Azrael had saved the coins he received in return and saved up one silvers and eight two coppers.

One hundred coppers was the equivalent to one silver while ten silver equated to one gold coin. Even though he received a stipend and money for meals, it still was not nearly enough to pay. Looking at Winston who had a confused look on his face, Azrael gave him a pained expression.

“Hey Winst… um I can’t afford the meals here…. I’m going to head over to one of the other stalls to get something. Save a table for us okay?”

Winston at first was confused at what Azrael was saying. After standing still and processing what Azrael said for a little while, he finally understood and started to laugh. Seeing the abrupt behavior, Azrael turned tilted his head and look at his roommate in confusion.

“Hahaha so that’s what you’re talking about. Az don’t worry. This meal will be on”

“But…it’s so expensive…”

“No worries man. This amount of money is nothing for me. Choose whatever you want to eat!”

Hearing that even one gold was nothing for Winston, Azrael’s eyes opened wide in surprise.

‘The merchant business that his family runs must really be doing well. For one gold to be nothing…’

Even though his family wasn’t poor, Azrael was still saving the money he received here. Even though thankfully his parents didn’t have to worry about paying for him, they still had to worry about potentially sending both Aurora and Azer off to school four years from now. The yearly admittance cost for an academy was not a joke. If his family started saving their money from now on, they might just barely be able to pay for the twins’ school fee.

Azrael himself didn’t need to receive an allowance from his family since he basically got it from the school. A stipend of two silver a month and one silver a day for meals was a lot of money. He planned to also save as much as he can to assist his parents in paying for Aurora and Azer’s school.

At first Azrael tried to refuse. Even though they were friends, spending that much money on one didn’t seem right. After Winston’s relentless insistence, however, he finally caved in and ordered the cheapest meal at one gold. Winston also ordered and then the both of them went to find a table. While waiting for their meals, they began speaking about their first class.

“So how was class?”

“Man… I thought I was going to fall asleep during Beginner’s Meditation. The teacher’s voice was so monotone…And the teacher”

As Winston finished ranting about his class, waitresses came over and brought their meal over. Azrael had gotten beef that was marinated with some type of citrus fruit while in front of Winston was a juicy steak that was still sizzling, eluding a mouthwatering smell. Looking at the food, they began to salivate and dove into it.

The food was amazing. The salty taste of the beef had been cancelled out by the sweet citric taste of the sauce. The two tastes blended together quite well, bringing out a unique flavor. As for the steak, it had been cooked to perfection and the spices complimented it very well. The two devoured their meals quickly and were leaning back while patting their bellies, satisfied with their meals.

“Ahhhh, that was brilliant”

“It really was. Thanks again for the meal Winst”

“No problems man. While we’re here don’t ever worry about money. I’ll take care of us”

“But won’t your parents..”

“Haha I told you its fine man. Paying for you won’t put a dent in our family’s bank. You’re my bro so of course I’ll take care of you”

“Winst..”

Hearing Winston speak like that deeply moved Azrael. It wasn’t because of his willingness to spend money for him, but how much Winston seemed to care for him. There bond was indeed becoming closer and stronger.

“Anyways, how was your class Az? To think that my roommate was such a genius…”

Azrael smiled at this. He had told Winston last night about the classes he was taking. When he heard, Winston was speechless. A Tri Elementalist already at intermediate level with all three. This was unheard of. The only people in history who could maybe challenge Azrael were the two legendary figures from history.

Even though Azrael had been worried about whether this might change their relationship, to his joy he found out he had been wrong. Even after finding out, Winston didn’t treat him with any more reverence or as though he wanted to benefit from knowing him. He just stayed the same old Winston.

“It was very interesting. Since I always had try it out by myself, it was nice hearing someone else’s thoughts on the element and the spells. It was very helpful. There was only one slight problem…”

“A slight problem? What happened?”

Hearing that, Winston became more alert. He liked Azrael a lot. He didn’t treat him like some master or was trying to gain his favor. He was just a relaxed kid who hung out with Winston because he liked him. If Azrael ever ran into trouble, Winston knew that he would do anything he could to help his friend out.

“Well… about that. At the end of class when I was about to leave the classroom, some girl came up to and st….”

"THERE YOU ARE!! I FINALLY FOUND YOU, YOU LOWLY COMMONER!!”

Just as Azrael was beginning to explain what happened, the cause herself actually came. Hearing the sudden yelling, the two of them turn toward the source of the commotion. There was Aren, shaking in anger as she glared at Azrael who was twenty ft. away from her.

Making eye contact with him, Aren immediately storms over to their table. Seeing the angry girl, Winston looks at Azrael with a questioning face. Feeling helpless, Azrael sighs.

“That’s the small problem…”

Just as he said that, Aren finally reaches the table. Taking a few moments to catch her breath, she straightens out her uniform and glares at Azrael. Suddenly thrusting her right arm forward, she points at him and quickly declare:

“How dare a commoner like you try to insult the child from the House of Dufont! I should have you executed for this!”

Hearing that, Winston’s face quickly darkens. This noble girl dares to threaten his friend?! Just as he was about to stand up and teach her a lesson, Azrael grabs his arm. Startled at the sudden action, he turns and looks at Azrael who just slowly shook his head.

“I don’t know if it can be considered an insult or not, but what I said was the truth”

Hearing that, the already furious Aren explodes. Without caring how it looked to the others in the cafeteria, she quickly exclaims.

“YO…YOU LOWLY COMMONER!! FINE LET ME TEACH YOU YOUR PLACE. TODAY AT 6 O’CLOCK I CHALLENGE YOU TO A DUEL!”