Aron, Jin, Scarlett and Evanora had ended up drinking, eating and having minor conversations till it had become midnight. With them having to wait a week which in this world was ten days until the entrance ceremony, it meant they had a lot of free time on their hands.
Too intoxicated to drink anymore, Jin and Scarlett had decided to call it quits. Aron, who wasn't even the least bit intoxicated had no qualms with this and neither did Evanora. With that settled they quickly paid their tab and exited the tavern before saying their goodbyes and going their separate ways.
"Hmm?" However before walking too far a distance, Aron noticed that Evanora wasn't simply heading in the same direction as him but was in fact following him. After realizing this fact, he came to halt and turned to her but she simply also came to halt near him and looked around in a confused manner. "Why did we stop? Are you lost?" She genuinely asked in curiosity, causing Aron to sigh before responding.
"Is there a reason you're following me?" He asked plainly with his arms crossed whilst Evanora didn't hesitate to give a reply. "Evanora will stay with you, if she stays elsewhere people may die. Evanora will be blamed and chased again, she doesn't want to leave." Evanora explained in her usual sleepy like manner of speech.
It was when she said this that Aron was reminded of her unique position. With so much on his mind he hadn't really considered it especially since their alliance was all but done. 'It's true if students near her all start to die there'll be consequences. But...' Aron's thoughts trailed off as he turned to Evanora and gave her an answer.
"I still don't see how that's my problem, our alliance technically came to an end when we arrived in this city. Why should I let you stay in my residence for free then?" Aron spoke bluntly as usual but Evanora didn't look the least bit dissuaded. "Evanora doesn't want the alliance to end, she doesn't want to be chased and all alone again." Evanora's tone carried a hint of sadness as she gave her reasoning, Aron however remained indifferent before thinking about this.
'Leaving her now is simpler but it could lead to her getting cast out or being used by someone else...' Aron continued on this train of thought for a little while longer before giving Evanora an answer. "For now you can live at my residence but only until the entrance ceremony, after that I'll need to revise my decision. Let's go." Aron quickly approved of her request or at least that's what the simple minded Evanora saw.
In actuality Aron just weighed the pros and cons of having her, the major being she could easily be influenced and or manipulated but this was unlikely because of her mana demon. In the end he had no way of predicting the future and so he chose to risk having her.
"Evanora is happy you won't leave her." Evanora said but in a plain tone, she was someone who would only say how she feels but never express it as her face more or less always looked the same.
Once they arrived at Aron's manor, he assigned her a room and she immediately went to sleep while he himself went to his study and let out a sigh as he got three specific books titled "Rules of Galos City and Galos Academy" volumes 1 through 3.
'I loathe rules, in every culture I've read about they are like shackles. But a society like this needs them, otherwise it'd be no different from limbo.' Aron thought to himself as he reached for the first volume and began studying.
His reasoning behind this was simple, it was impossible for rules to be perfect. Knowing each and every single one gave him an advantage to take them into account should the situation call for it and thanks to the legacy ring, every piece of information he learned or studied would be recorded and be at his disposal.
Aron was by no means a genius, smart or clever was a more fitting title for him. His memory was great but not perfect, his comprehension was high but not the best and he was well aware of this. Knowing where one was lacking and accepting it was necessary for growth after all.
And so late that night Aron began studying the many rules and laws of Galos City. Two days of comprehensive reading and he was completely well versed in them, so much so that when he finally closed the final volume he had a look of satisfaction. 'This could prove to be more useful than I initially thought.' Aron stood from the sofa and stretched before leaving his study.
As he made his way upstairs Evanora could be seen sitting in the living room eating a snack per usual. Rather than an ally she was more like a pet, eating and sleeping most of the day without needing to concern herself with anything else. Aron did of course give her some basic rules to follow such as not leaving the residence unnecessarily, talking to strangers and many precautionary others but they all seemed unnecessary since she never really saw the need of leaving.
'She's less troublesome than I thought, anyway I only have eight days to finish my preparations while everyone else is still waiting for the entrance ceremony.' Aron pondered as he went up the stairs to freshen up.
After he was done, he stood in front of his bed wearing only a towel while every piece of his gear was laid on the bed. The point of this was simple, to separate what he needed and didn't as he was in Pesia or at least Galos academy.
He began by putting aside his red hooded jacket. He still didn't know much about the benefits it provided so moving around with it constantly seemed like a waste so he put it aside, what followed was a sword also of unknown grade which he thought was best saved for later again as he doubted he'd struggle with a regular high class weapon from Pesia and then Lastly his chest plate which also had a use he was yet to know off.
His shirt, gloves and pants only held enchantments with runes which he could replicate on any piece of clothing. The arcane guns were a must to have on himself along with the mana infused bullets which he still hoped to replicate. The boots were made from a high grade ore found only in Limbo making them basically unbreakable in a world such a Pesia while also having runes that increased Aron's already inhumane level of speed and agility.
With the separating done, Aron simply put the items he no longer needed in a chest within the room. The possibility of theft was present but if anyone besides him wore or tried using his gear the runes present on them would cause them to self destruct. Aron was someone who would sooner destroy something than have it taken away after all.
Having completed all he needed to do for the moment, Aron quickly left the residence and went towards the business district.
