"The current Celestial Twelve is said to be the oddest batch."

♣

Chapter Twenty-Three ♣ Too Much Work?

The next morning, Valeriana felt that the rest she had taken wasn't enough to cure her exhaustion. Her head ached terribly and her muscles cramped all over. She couldn't even move properly. Hopelessly, she tried to focus on the lessons the teacher was giving, but it seemed that her efforts were futile.

"Hey, Valeriana. Are you alright? Did something happen last night?"

"I . . ." She groaned. "This is just too cruel," she whispered.

"What exactly happened after you left?"

"Well, I just found out that I'm going to be running errands for the circle since they said I was under-qualified for the task of managing the job as General Officer. No one opposed the idea, so I guess their silence meant they agree. I think they enjoyed bossing me around."

There was a small pause. "It's only until you gain experience, right? Well, I guess until that time comes you must work extra hard, considering you're running a little behind."

"I guess you're right."

Seraphina then found the time to enter the room. The classroom went quiet and everyone scampered back into their seats. Chavi looked exceptionally dumbfounded, and Valeriana probably was the only one who seemed clueless. She found herself leaning over and resting her chin on the back of her hand while having her elbow perched on her table.

"Wasn't Lady Seraphina involved in a summoning?"

Chavi frowned. "That's what I thought, too. She shouldn't be back for a minimum of three days or so. Maybe she turned down the summoning request—from the king, especially."

"Didn't you say a summoning was a big honor? Why will she turn it down?"

"I don't know."

"Okay, class." She scanned the room and raised a questioning brow. "Is there anything wrong with my face?" Everyone shut their hanging jaws and looked away from their instructor. "Is everyone present?"

"Miss, I think Zion Brunhild is absent," one student announced.

"Mr. Brunhild? That's the second time this week. I haven't seen him since the start of class . . . alright then." She scribbled down some notes on a paper before putting it down on her table quietly. "Let's begin our lesson for today. Valeriana?"

Valeriana instinctively stood up when her name was called. "Yes, ma'am."

"I trust you did some reading?"

"I only started yesterday, ma'am." Valeriana answered. "Fifteen chapters of History."

"That's good. Every student of this school is required to know Valemnia's basic History by their first year. The reason is that we'll be advancing to the different sections and levels of Historical Education within each semester of your classes. By the time you are on your fourth year, this subject will be replaced by the long-waited Familiars."

The students looked excited at that. Some, not very.

"I understand."

"Well, then, Valeriana. I'll be asking you a basic question. I hope you are able to answer."

"I'll try my best."

"What is the reason why King Friedel, the First King of Valemnia, decided to seal the Demon Lord into sleep instead of completely annihilating him instead?"

Valeriana snapped her fingers. "King Friederly . . . I mean, Friedel, was already too weak by the time he faced the Demon Lord, so with his remaining power, he decided to use it all up to put him into sleep instead."

Seraphina smiled at Valeriana. "Very well said, Valeriana. Please be seated."

Valeriana grinned and sat down obediently, breathing out a sigh of relief.

"Oh, and how are your quotas?"

They all groaned atthe reminder.