With the Leona stuck with the kids downstairs, Rollo spoke up, "Who could the invitation be from? Being the headmage can't attract this much attention can it?"
"Being the headmage only attracts certain people. Those who are into politics, those who are focused on better education facilities, and others with an agenda in mind. In her situation, she have other groups as well
"Other groups?" Rollo tilted his head in confusion.
"For example, my background includes those who holds a grudge against me, those who want to make use of me and those who admire me. Now that I'm the first female headmage of an all boys arcane academy, mouths love to gossip and other shift their gave on me. There are people who think highly of me and those who look at me with disdain. This who flatter me and those to only look at my power, like how a fly craves rot. In this world, there are many types of people even more unpredictable as the weather. But if you want to know where the weather first converged, you must first take a plunge into it and stand tall against its wind. Examine where the flow begin and where it will lead to. Eventually you will find the moon in the darkness and the mountains across it's shores. Question is…" she smirked and picked up the letter from the table and stretched it out to him, "Will this land you in the eye of the storm or the soft breeze of the night? If you don't know, will you still take the risk or not?"
Rollo stared at the invitation nervously as the seconds ticked by. Finally, Peony laughed, "To make such dangerous decisions is still too early for you. But take this event and remember it. There will always be those who either suffer from your decision or benefits from it. If you reach out your hand to those with humble backgrounds, there are always those who want to take advantage of you and those who may need the aid more than those you offer it too. There is no absolute answer. One day, you help five people and, in that same moment, ten others are starving on the street. Five of them got what they deserved and the other five were either innocent or unlucky. In this moment, had I not agreed to go, they could call me cold or undeserving of the position from multiple reasons such as gender difference, political parties, and foreign relations. Then, they'd target the school and the changes I've made as something unfair or such. Every law has their loop holes, you just gotta look carefully to find them. But, say I take the invitation and go there. They'd then say I'm someone who'd enjoy a party and take advantage of my position rather than on the well being of the students. There are always the pros and cons of all the decisions we make in this world. So…"
She tossed the invitation onto the table and laughed, "Whether I go or not makes no difference. If so, why not go and see what they have in store for someone as busy as myself. After all, in the words of this school's headmage, despite being so busy with work and managing the school, I will do my best to find two days time to accept their invitation… Because, I'm ever so kind…"
As she sneered, Rollo frowned, "The headmage really thinks like that?"
Peony chuckled, "He's a lot more simple minded than you take him for. For better or worse. Why not ask Riddle the next time you see him? He is quite blunt and has some idea of the headmage's motives."
"Why not housewarden Kingscholar?" Rollo tilted his head.
"Does it look like he will give you the answer?" She smiled.
Rollo thought carefully before summing up the habits with a frown and shaking his head.
She smiled, "How about you give him something to motivate for an honest answer… Say… What he wants to do the most?"
Rollo hummed in deep thought before he sighed, "Is everyone here so simple minded?"
"Not what you thought is it?" Peony laughed, "Don't worry. Only a few handful are spared from this trait. Unfortunately, Malleus isn't included in this. Among them, the housewarden of Scarabia dorm is may be the most simple minded. He's more of a child than you think and has no idea what his words can lead others to think. Innocent and naive. Yet, underneath it all, the struggle to keep up with other students and being a leader of his dorm."
Recalling the overly friendly student from his welcoming party, Rollo was left in confusion, "How did he get into this school in the first place?!"
"Why not do some practice yourself? I'd like to hear your report tomorrow." She smiled wide.
"You want me to stoop so low as to eavesdrop on others?" Rollo glared at her, "Absolutely not!"
"Now that's unfortunate. I thought you wanted to learn how to navigate through society?" Peony sighed, "But if you aren't as motivated as to learn the basics… Our poor master will be so disappointed…"
Rollo scowled but recalled the humble little old man with the warm smile. He felt slightly hesitant when he recalled how he agreed to do his best but now he had to go and eavesdrop?! This was ridiculous!
Peony sighed, "I see you've forgotten everything already… Did you forget what we talked about during the volunteer relief group?"
Rollo remembered. Others continued to talk behind their backs. Those who knew of the situations and those who didn't. However, Peony didn't seem as though she heard them but quickly created a plan from the theories she drew after hearing those words. It was through this thought process that she was able to quickly formulate a temporary solution to a sinking ship. She even found the rats scurrying on it and caught them with ease. All this from just the words of others. Still, it felt wrong to eavesdrop on others.
Seeing his inner dilemma, Peony thought it was like seeing a child unsure if he should tell his parents he did something wrong or not. She wanted to laugh but held back. It was the most important lesson so she can't bring herself to ruin it. She watched as he came to his own decision… or not.
Minutes passed before, Peony yawned, "Whatever, whether you do it or not, just tell me how you resolved it tomorrow or the day after. Consider it an assignment."
She stretched and walked out the door as Rollo hesitated before closing the door as he left as well.
Was he really going to eavesdrop on others too? Her words resonated in his mind. In the end, it didn't matter which decision he makes. Whatever opinions or rumors will come will always come. However, how was it that the princess was capable of tackling so much on her own and willing to forsake this much? He quickly recalled the warm smiles of the former headmage and the president of the magic council. No. She hadn't been taking on all of this by herself. Because there were people who would stand by her and believe in her abilities. She didn't need to be afraid of what others will think or what tricks they'd pull. At the same time, she'd probably dive into those flowers again if the ones caught were either of them. Yet back then, all he could do was call for help while watching in horror as his own brother died to his own magic. Would he ever become as strong as she is? Would there be a day where he'd stop staring at her back and take lead instead? He had already lost the freedom to decide his own path as price for his crimes. The same freedom he once had with his younger brother and then took it for granted. Yet, here she was continuing to stride forward standing tall and firm no matter what colors others painted her as. For him and Axel, she became the weak judge who can't even properly punish two criminals. Yet, there she was time and again standing tall against the winds as though the storm was nothing more than just a breeze as she sheltered them. Now here she was teaching him how to take her position albeit with an ulterior motive. Just what is it that she saw in them?