He lead the other Teachers through the fields and Herb Hall and walked towards the large smattering of huts where most of the students resided, only to pause, slightly embarra.s.sed. These 'huts' were actually two roomed domiciles made of wood, but were not as humble as perhaps the wealthy would perceive them. Their beams were made of strong timbers, their walls were thick made with planks of wood and decorated with wooden s.h.i.+ngles, just as the roofs. Inside the walls and ceilings were covered in a lime mortar, making them warm within. The floors were tiled, for convenience, but many students decorated them with rugs, while curtains hung from small gla.s.s windows, all to personal taste. Only one student resided in each, one room was for sleeping and personal maintenance, while the other was for studies; growing herbs, making pills and potions, reading, learning. Some had small garden plots, no bigger than a few flagstones, with a few odd herbs growing within them, while stone walls grouped them in cl.u.s.ters of four to six domiciles. Girls were naturally separated from boys.

But where amongst these, exactly, did his young student live in amongst these? He stopped a young man, who was leaving his hut for some other location. "This student, Juris," Teacher Sagi called to him. "Do you happen to know in which hut resides student Leo?"

The young man looked a bit pale and wane, but shook his head furiously before saying; "Miss Maimai should know." Actually, this person did know more than he let on, but he only knew that Leo had been forced to move into an abandoned property in the woods, didn't really know the location of it. However, as the one who'd relocated him there happened to be an influential senior, who, although had moved to the inner school, still had some remnant power amongst many students in the outer school, hence this person's deflection. That way, if that senior was found to have caused trouble and was expelled, none of this could be backtracked to him easily.

Of course, Teacher Sagi was not aware of Juris' internal monologue and simply thanked him before heading to where he knew Maimai lived. "You don't know where your own student lives?" Teacher Volun teased him.

Teacher Sagi didn't have the indifference not to look fl.u.s.tered. "Young Leo, he is very obedient and also quite discreet. I've never found the need to seek him out before!" The man explained it away. In fact, he only happened to know Maimai's location as she had destroyed the walls of both her hut and the stone surroundings on more than one occasion. Who now did not know where she lived!?

And just to prove a point, there was a small explosion that happened to come from the direction of Maimai's place. And the girl's door swung open, a plume of smoke bellowing from the domicile, with Maimai following it. Despite the smudge marks on her cheek, she still managed to look adorable, drawing the glances of several pa.s.serby's. In her hand was a fragrantly spicy Burning Blood Pill and she looked quite pleased with herself. "I did it!" She beamed, tucking a loose curl behind her ear as she looked at the pill on her palm.

"Miss Maimai, congratulations," Teacher Sagi called out to her and politely celebrated her success. He knew that she was not a natural when it came to refining pills.

"Thank you, Teacher," the girl grinned, before noticing that the man was not alone. She tilted her head, curiously.

"Miss Maimai," Teacher Sagi cleared his throat and introduced Volun and the Healer to the girl, before admitting; "We were just seeking out student Leo... I don't suppose you happen to know where he lives...?"

"I do..." Maimai replied, but was slightly hesitant. It was probably only the Teachers and a few first years that did not know about Leon's... unique living conditions. That is to say that Senior Leon didn't actually live amongst them, but out in the mountain woods. "Um, I can lead you there, if you give me a minute." She vanished into her hut to put away the pill and clean her face. The Teachers couldn't help but sense that something was not quite right, which only intensified naturally when Maimai lead them beyond the domicile cl.u.s.ters and out of the school's boundaries. Not that they were beyond the Inst.i.tute's lands, just to mention, but...

"Teachers may know," Maimai began to explain, slowly, "that Senior had... has experienced difficulties during his schooling years here." She was referring to all the times poor Leon had been bullied, though she only knew a few of the things that happened before she started school. Those things had been lightly touched upon by Tor and Leon did not seem to want to talk about them. Teacher Sagi could only nod, a little depressed, of course he was aware, but the school could only protect the students so much or they would be too sheltered from the reality of the world. Teacher Volun and the Healer were naturally curious, but held back from asking for details.

"After things were resolved," Maimai mentioned, "I did suggest to Leon that he move back to the domiciles, but he said he was content to stay." She had mentioned it mainly because her poor feet suffered greatly for a cup of tea and some dog food* and she wished selfishly to lessen her walk. That and Leon's place was just too small and in need of some repair. "Ah, you should walk where I do, less you become lost."

These last words were mentioned as she noticed the charm of a b.u.t.terfly dangling from a low bough ahead. It was finely carved and were not for its stillness, one would think it was alive. It was a far cry from the plain oval shaped charm that had preceded it. She stepped in between this tree and the tree to its left. Were she to go around the other way, she would find herself traipsing north and away from her destination.

She seemed to lead them on a slightly roundabout route, which was an illusion as actually this path was fairly direct or no one would ever find Leon's hut. And just when the Teacher's thought to question the girl, the scent of leaves and tree needles rotting upon the rich earth gave way to the heady scent of established and healthy herbs. Teacher Sagi's senses were particularly alert as his sharp nose smelled the aroma of sweet sunclover, silver tea, purple spirit gra.s.s, moonmist fern...

The tiny hut came into view as well as a well trodden path that lead past an abundant garden surrounding the rear and side of the property; the garden reached the surrounding trees and even crept beyond in some places. The Teachers were lead along this path and around to the front of the single-roomed hut into a dry courtyard. There, two youths happened to be relaxing, one sitting upon a small, wooden stool, while the other lingered behind him. Their long hair was untethered, but wet, hanging down the lengths of their backs. The taller youth was contentedly combing the hair of the other, whose eyes were half-closed behind his clear spectacles.

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The Teachers were quite bewildered, but Maimai was so glad she could be witness to such a pink scene today! Such really made the long walk worth it!