Chapter 90 89: First Day Of The Academy (1)

Jahi and I exited our room, fulfilled from our passionate night.

Having bathed and dressed, Jahi plopped onto the couch as she dozed off again, while I checked the pantry again for something to make us.

Sighing, I looked over my shoulder to Jahi, saying "We'll have to go shopping after classes today. There's not much I can do with the little edible ingredients we have..."

Nodding, <span>Jahi</span> yawned before turning her gaze over to me, saying "Don't worry about making anything... we'll just pick something up on our way there."

I slumped my shoulders, wanting to display my culinary prowess to our two new roommates, only for Jahi to chuckle at me.

Pouting at her, she just got up and pulled me into an embrace, kissing me before saying "You can just make something spectacular to celebrate our first day at the Academy..."

Smiling up at her, I nodded, before turning when I felt a gaze on us.

Seeing something ash colored flicker around the corner, Jahi and I grinned at one another, the tall demoness releasing me as she quietly walked towards the hallway.

I watched as she waited for Leone to peer back into the main area, only to yelp when Jahi pulled her into a hug, chuckling as the curvy girl shivered in her arms.

Walking over to join them, I peered further down the hall to see Anput peeking out of her door, her ears twitching as she stared at us.

Releasing Leone, Jahi also looked towards the peeping Jackalkin, chuckling as she said "Anput, we can see you..."

She ducked back into her room, only to walk out a few moments later, smiling like nothing had happened.

Anput walked past us, leaning on the back of the couch as she pursed her lips, looking between Jahi and I.

"You two are aware that we could... hear you, yes?"

That made Jahi grin, as she placed her arm around Leone to keep her there as she said "Yeah, I know. What'd you think? Enjoy the show?"

Anput's ears twitched again, her tail swishing as she looked away, pouting.

"N-Not exactly..."

Turning to look down at the girl in her arms, Jahi grinned as she asked "What about you, Leone?"

The vampire trembled, biting her lip as her red orange eyes looked up at Jahi.

"I-It was... wasn't bad..."

Her voice trailed off at the end, making Jahi freeze before looking up, screwing her eyes shut as she took a few deep breaths.

Letting Leone go, Jahi stumbled over to me, burying her face between my ears as she grumbled "Kat~ It's not fair... their just too cute~!"

I chuckled, my eyes moving to look at the blushing Leone and the shuffling Anput.

Patting Jahi's back, I comforted her before saying "We should probably go now..."

Sighing, the demoness removed herself from me, pouting as she said "Could we just..?"

Walking away from her, I opened the door and gestured for everyone to exit, keeping my expression neutral as Jahi pouted more and mumbled to herself, walking outside with a dejected look.

Anput and Leone looked at one another before casting a confused gaze my way, making me chuckle.

"Just... a warning. Once Jahi gets going, its hard to stop her."

They trembled, nodding at me before walking outside.

Exiting the cottage, I locked the door behind me, placing the key in one of my inner pockets before clasping my hands in front of me, taking a deep breath as I stilled my expression.

Walking behind the Heir of March Asmodia, a Princess of our Empire, and a Begum of the Sultanate, I smiled slightly as they walked down the paved road, towards the bustling city.

Unlike the gray and white color palette of Phobos City, March Asmodia's largest city, the Capital was mainly black, all the buildings made from the black and dark gray granite of the Volcano, with the only splashes of color being reds, oranges, and yellows, used sparingly as paints for signboards and some simple art on the sides of larger buildings.

To make up for their surroundings dreariness, the people dressed in all sorts of colors, the cloth dyed to be either bright and cheery or dark and subdued.

Anput looked around in wonder, her light blue cloth swirling around her olive skin as she grinned.

"Whoa... there's so many things here!"

Jahi nodded, sighing as she fixed her dress shirt again before saying "Yeah, but this heat is annoying..."

That made Anput chuckle, saying "This is heat?"

Glaring down at the Jackalkin, Jahi looked over at Leone, who was walking silently beside them, her long, flowing orange dress hanging loosely on her body.

Feeling Jahi's gaze, Leone looked up with confusion, only to blush when Jahi grinned down at her.

"Well, that's the Academy up there, right?"

Jahi pointed towards a large building, situated on a cliff face above us.

It was made from the same granite as the mountain, but the tall, elaborate pillars holding up its gently sloping roof where carved from white marble, creating a stark contrast.

Leone nodded, saying "That is Vulcan's Royal Academy, where we will be joining almost 200 other students our age, and well over a thousand total students to perfect our skills."

Continuing down the crowded street, Jahi looked over the various people movning hurriedly towards the Academy, looking back at me as she asked "When are we meant to arrive?"

"Orientation starts at 8 a'clock sharp. It is currently... 7:15, Lady Jahi."

Pursing her lips, she stared at me before placing a hand on Anput and Leone's shoulders, saying "Well, I'm hungry, so let's get something to eat."

Anput nodded, rubbing her exposed midriff, while Leone looked worriedly at the crowd, asking "Wo-Wouldn't it be better to wait in line..?"

Jahi grinned, saying "Nah, I won't be able to focus on an empty stomach."

Leading us away, Jahi sniffed the air before taking us onto a new street, looking around.

"Lady Jahi, there are stalls that way."

Following my pointing finger, Jahi nodded when she ruffled my ears, carving a way through the crowd.

Staying aware of where we were, I gazed at the buildings near us, trying to create a map of the city.

General Goods, Vinnies Bakery, Big Bad Butcher...

The mix of normal names and unique ones slowly filled my head, and I smiled slightly as I saw the various stores dedicated to foodstuffs and spices.

Tossing a vendor a few coins, Jahi returned with...

A huge platter of sliced meats, and after placing it on the table we had found, she rubbed her hands together, picking up a thing of beef with her bare hands as she gulped it down.

Leone and I looked at one another as Anput dug in as well, before we shared a wry smile and grabbed a piece ourselves.

It was a well seasoned strip of grilled beef, and as I bit into it I nodded in appreciation, enjoying how it fell apart easily in my mouth.

However, I watched in slight irritation at how Jahi simply devoured the meat with no decorum, licking the seasoning off her hands.

"Lady Jahi..."

She flinched at my cold tone, making Anput chuckle in amusement.

"That goes for you too, Lady Anput..."

Now Jahi looked over at the stiff Jackalkin, a smug look in her eye at not being the only one remonstrated.

Sighing, I looked at Leone with a small smile, who was covering her own smile as she stared at the two downcast women.

We finished the 'meal' quickly, Jahi and Anput eating with a little more manners than previously.

Getting up, I looked at the pocketwatch I carried, saying "It is currently 7:37... We should get going, Lady Jahi..."

She nodded, and we returned to the main road, now less crowded as the applicants and new students had arrived early.

Walking up the paved path leading to the Academy, Jahi chuckled as she turned around, looking over us as she said "Wonder if we'll be the best in our classes?"

Anput grinned, her eyes flickering silver as she said "Well, I doubt anyone will beat you or I with a sword."

Leone pursed her lips, looking at me and muttering "Mother said that we were pretty advanced..."

I shook my head, saying "Arrogance isn't a pretty look on any of you..."

Jahi grinned at me, her gold eyes hard as she leaned down.

"I'll prove it isn't arrogance; instead it's fact. And I expect you to tell me that later..."

Narrowing my eyes, I matched her gaze, making the demoness chuckle, turning to observe the large, black iron gates that were open.

Engraved above the gate were the words 'Vulcan's Royal Academy'.

Sighing, I took my first steps on the Academy grounds, taking in the sight of the elegant building and elaborate statues lining the path to the entrance.