Her voice slightly trembling and cheeks dyed a subtle red, Anna demonstratively sighed. "Oh well, nothing can be done about that..."
She briefly closed her eyes, then, as if gaining determination, continued, "By the way, your Tigris was so cute and no longer even scratches people! I spent today's lessons with him, and he behaved so well!"
Her seemingly unrelated words and somewhat stiff words sparked a reaction in Cyril.
She was allowed to keep him during lessons?
"...It's true," Rhamn confirmed it with Tigris, a frown on her face.
...
Anna cautiously glanced at Cyril's tranquil face. Many other students called him cold and emotionless, and she might've thought the same in the past.
But ever since he helped recover her bracelet from terrible thieves, Anna decided to investigate more thoroughly.
As a normal person would, she occasionally observed him during the Combat Training and practical Spell Making lessons from afar.
Through these, she learned how to properly differentiate the emotions on his face.
Right now, she could distinctly see a change in his eyes when she mentioned carrying Tigris during lessons.
Just as she anticipated.
Anna didn't feel too good about using tricks like these, but there was no other choice.
"You are allowed to bring beasts with you?" Cyril asked the expected question.
She steeled her heart once again and continued, "Y-Yeah, I've been given special permission by the staff." If only her voice didn't shake, it would've been better.
Anna bravely made a short step forward and took out a certain token in the shape of a cat's face. "This is proof of belonging to a Magic Life club. All beast tamers join it."
"With this you can freely bring some small-sized animals with you into the castle!"
"I thought we were allowed to join clubs starting only from the second year?" Cyril replied with confusion.
The clubs waited until the freshmen were properly introduced to magic and learned some spells before inviting them.
"Generally, but if a promising student appears, the clubs will send an invitation for them," Anna quickly explained.
Likely, thanks to Cyril's reputation, none of the clubs were willing to recruit him ahead of time.
Finding this unjust, Anna continued with more energy, "I can bring you in as a recommendation, and they'll have to accept you. They won't dare refuse a capable mage with an unfair reason!"
Then, much quieter now, she continued, "Only... as proof of your interest in the subject, it would be good to... go to that exhibition..."
Anna wasn't usually a good liar, but this time she felt she did a pretty good job.
Internally she gave herself a pat on the back and excitedly awaited his reaction.
...
"What a lying bitch..." Rhamn said with clear contempt.
"She is trying to blackmail you into going with her! We don't need her pathetic recommendation to enter that club! Simply ask Margaret, and it will be done." She was really furious over what was happening.
Cyril didn't react quite as strongly. Anna's brave front appeared even slightly cute in his eyes.
He also wasn't too keen on abusing his connection with the principal even more than he already had.
He decided to think about it some more.
They were standing quite close at this moment. From Anna's direction was coming a faint, refreshing floral scent.
"Probably prepared before coming here... I didn't expect her to be such a scheming person."
At this moment, someone else got a whiff of the scent.
A curious snake head suddenly poked out from underneath Cyril's jacket.
Anna's already nervous face suddenly changed to surprise and fear as she took a few steps back and then stumbled on the ground.
Cyril hastily approached and helped her get up.
You didn't deliberately call her out, did you? Cyril asked with suspicion.
"Of course not," Rhamn denied the accusations but didn't hide the smile on her face.
He grabbed Atheris and wanted to shove her back inside, but a voice stopped him.
"You don't have to do that! I am fine, really! I was just startled, that's all!" Anna hastily got up and shook her head.
As if to prove her words, she took a step closer, now standing right in front of the snake.
Atheris flickered her tongue and hissed, her eyes full of hostility.
"It's a cute snake..." Anna fought against her obvious fear and didn't stand back.
"You got yourself another pet?" She weakly replied and cautiously dusted herself off.
"Yes, sorry for that. Atheris can be a bit playful sometimes." Cyril apologized.
Still, he managed to come to a conclusion during this time.
"Sure, I'll go with you next week," Cyril nodded under Rhamn's piercing stare. Though she didn't say anything in the end.
A smile bloomed on Anna's face. "That's great! It's a promise!" She gave a thumbs-up with an energetic voice.
Then, as if remembering something, her face turned more modest, curbing her excitement.
"See you," she quickly retreated with her mission succeeded.
...
"Are you really sure? I thought we were busy. We could've searched for more Black Tulip next week," Rhamn finally muttered.
We can't handle more anyways. First, let's solve the issue of our mana.
Cyril patted Tigris, then motioned for Atheris to hide. He didn't scold her, as she didn't really do anything other than come out.
It wasn't a big deal. He was interested in that exhibition, and he knew Rhamn was too.
Besides, there was another reason, although one Cyril considered slightly unreasonable.
He was impressed that Anna, despite her fear, persevered and walked closer again. A weaker person would've run away at that moment.
This action of hers impressed him somewhat. She would not let her fear cloud her opinion of other people.
We should respect that. He nodded with satisfaction.
"You know I am always on your side. Since you want to go, then alright." Rhamn shrugged.
With this situation out of the way, Cyril went towards the principal's office. It was time for another lesson on illusion magic.
He could only hope Margaret didn't mind snakes being in her office...