NTR Quest 2 - Academy - Tintamere (Patreon)

You felt a connection to Tintamere, despite what the entity was telling you. For one, Tintamere was the only human and obviously related to you quite a bit. You were not racially motivated as far as you knew, but it was a factor and if you were able to choose, that would of course play into it. Something else you understood was that Tintamere was not just a Home for sport and combat; it was the Home for action. That was something that you, as an aspiring adventurer, felt very passionate about. Reading and learning were simply hobbies to you, so there was almost no point in joining Coda. Lauda represented the opposite of your goals, being a social Home. So it was not even a difficult choice. Tintamere represented what you wanted while the others either did not, or represented the opposite.

“Tintamere.”

“Okay.” The pure white entity disappeared anti-climatically and the world faded back into it's normal hue. The jackal and the goblin continued moving as though nothing happened. You got the impression that there was no lapse in time at all for them, or none that they could notice. Because no time had passed the Jackal continued speaking.

“The school has two guardians. A white one and a black one. From what I understand the white one always chooses.”

“What about the black one?” You questioned.

She shrugged. “Do not know. People never see it. Right?” the bronze-skinned girl craned her head down to look at the goblin. She pointed.
“Library denizen. Do you have an answer?”

The goblin narrowed her eyes at the girl. “Why should I tell you?”

The jackal smirked and looked at you, speaking out of the side of her mouth while casually placing a hand in front in a vague attempt at speaking 'privately.'
“It is a Coda student. She probably can not help herself. They will do anything to flex the only muscle they have.”

“I can HEAR you!” The goblin shouted accusingly. As the girl ranted, the Jackal counted down with three fingers.
“Dumb meathead Tintamere doesn't even know basic knowledge about the school? It's ridiculous.” The jackal's countdown reached zero as the last finger fell. Her ears twitched as the goblin simply stood sternly with her arms crossed. She looked to you.
“I'll tell you, but not her.”

You were a little surprised, but not enough to turn down some free knowledge. “Okay.” She motioned you down. You knelt a little to get on her level. As you got closer you were able to tell that she had a nice scent. What it was exactly you weren't sure, but brought to you images of a foreign market with unique spices. The jackal looked a bit annoyed as the goblin cupped her small hands around her mouth and leaned in to whisper.

“The true answer is lost but the story is that the two entities are sundered aspects of a fallen and forgotten god. As such, they got some governance over space and time. The reason that she thinks that no one ever sees the pure black one is because during sorting the black one manages time while the white one materializes and talks.”

You blinked. “That's a surprisingly complete understanding.”

“It's not perfect.” She admitted.
“Just common knowledge.”

“Interesting. Thanks.” You gave the girl a nod, prompting her to wink at you.

“It's fine, because I know you're gonna be selected to enter Coda, like me.” She announced proudly, speaking up so that the Jackal could hear.

You looked up awkwardly. “Actually I... Chose Tintamere.”

“What!?” The goblin shouted, turning a few nearby heads. The girl had a surprisingly loud voice for someone so small.

“That is perfect.” The Jackal slapped you roughly on the back and caused a pain to shoot down your spine as even her checked strength was enough to almost level you. She noticed quickly and withdrew her palm.
“Sorry! My name is Merit, by the way.” An oddly appropriate name, you thought.

The goblin glared at you skeptically. “How did you get picked for Tintamere when you're so knowledgeable?”
“I didn't get chosen, I chose.” You felt it right to be honest.

“Some people think that, but it's just pageantry.” Merit commented.
“Like... It will ask you what you choose, but ultimately if you choose 'wrong' it will place you where you should go. So, if you 'chose' Tintamere like you said, it would feel like you had a choice but really, that is just where you were meant to be. Right?” Merit looked down at the goblin for confirmation.

“No.” The goblin said frankly.

“What?” Merit's ears perked. The girl suddenly looked annoyed.
“What do you mean no?”

The goblin stared up at you, adjusting her glasses as she did. “I think he might've chosen, if he's telling the truth.”

“I am.”

She paused, then offered a short nod. “I don't think Tintamere fits you.” She offered bitterly.

“It does not have to be a perfect fit.” Merit claimed.

“No but it's always a 'good' fit and I think he's basically got Coda written all over him. It makes no sense to enter Tintamere.”

“Says you.” Merit argued.

You blushed deeply, thinking you may have said something you should not have. You had already said too much, so you thought it better to clarify than leave both girls hanging.
“It said that it wanted me in Coda, yeah. But I chose Tintamere.”

Both their eyes widened. “Grab him.” The goblin snapped her fingers.

You were very confused by the order. “Who's going to-” To your surprise Merit picked you up and threw you over her shoulder without a second thought. Amidst stares you were carried off behind a pillar, out of the public eye. After a few seconds the goblin caught up, panting. As you were so extremely close to Merit you were able to feel just how strong she really was first hand. The second thing you noticed was how soft her dark hair was. Beyond that she had a very muted scent to the point that the main thing you were able to get off her was how clean her white toga was.
“Why are you-”

“Shut up!” The goblin ordered.

“If you're telling the truth then you need to shut up.” She clarified in tone that was a bit more calm.

Merit let you down and dusted you off. “No worse for wear.” You looked to her quizzically.
“Oh, she is completely right.”

“Why are you suddenly on her side?” it was strange because both girls seemed so at odds just moments ago.

Merit tilted her head to one side, as though it is an odd question. “We both share a secret, now.”

“My esteemed colleague is correct.” She smiled impishly and stared up at the two of you.
“My name's Esther.” She lifted her small green hand and offered it to Merit, who leaned down to shake. You glanced between the two.

“What's going on?”

They looked at you. Merit explained. “Students are not completely safe here and it is by design. This land is theoretically under the jurisdiction of your silly human kingdom outside, but ultimately no one is in control here. Sometimes not even the staff. There are monsters, hazardous areas and worst of all...” She paused for effect and allowed Esther to finish what she was saying.

“Students.”

“We're students.” You argued.

“Exactly.” She continued.
“So we form an accord so that we know that we can trust one-another.”

“Why do you want to do that?”

“Because you are weird.” Merit said frankly, accompanied by a light chuckle from Esther.

“That's kinda basic, but it's true. Students should be looking for edges over their peers right from the start and I don't know what it means for you to be able to choose your house, but it's strange and unique. In this school that's either a death flag or a success flag.” As Esther explained, Merit nodded along to show that she agreed.

“It might give us all an edge over Lauda, or it might not. It's interesting enough for us to see.”

“I'm sorry... Death flag?”

The two girls trade a glance. “I thought you were a legacy student.”

“But it seems as though he really knows nothing.” Merit added.

Esther held up a finger to signify she was going to explain. “You can coast by in this school for sure. Learning magic is fun and easy here and you're guaranteed success. But if you wanna be the best you gotta take risks. Am I right in assuming you're here to win, Merit?”

“I am here to win, Esther.” The jackal grinned. The goblin returned the expression and then finally both girls stared at you.

“You're both from different Homes, though...”

Merit nodded smugly. “It makes a good accord, because there can only be one winner in each Home.”

“I'm in your Home, though.”

“You're a wild card. I don't wanna speak for her, but I assume she's thinking that it's better to have you on her side with a chance to figure things out rather than to guarantee you're against her.”

“Correct, my small friend.” Merit nodded at her.

You looked to Esther curiously. “What about you? Don't you want to win?”

The goblin shrugged. “I do, but she wasn't wrong before. Coda always comes up...” She avoided the joke by saying:
“Third place.” While glaring up at the smirking jackal.

“The annoying paradox of Coda is that most of the students that are picked for it are unambitious and just care about knowledge. Incredibly successful outside of school and a VERY safe path to take here.”

“But she wants the wish. Or at the very least, input on it.” Merit explained.

“How do you share a wish if you only get one?” It was a very important question, as it was likely the basis for all of the secrecy and accords to begin with.

Esther nodded, understanding the confusion right away. “It's about understanding what we all want and adjusting the wish in a way that can give all of us a piece.”

You were feeling a bit exhausted by the conversation but decided to ask the operative question. “What do you both want?”

Merit announced. “I want to be crowned in my home kingdom.”

Esther's face lit up. “I need an army. I think we're already pretty closely aligned. How strong is your kingdom?”

“Strong.” Merit said evenly.

Both girls stared at you expectantly. You planted your face in your hands and dragged them down your face. “I... Just want to get through this and become an adventurer.” You avoided saying hero.
“Mostly I would just like to help people do good things and stop others doing bad things.”

They stared at you hungrily. “Then do we have an accord?” Merit asked.

“What is an accord?” You questioned in a tired tone.

“It sounds way more formal than it is. We're just promising to be friends and help each other out. Most students are gonna form alliances and friendships early on just like us.”

“Obviously...” Merit stepped forward and stared at you appraisingly.
“We are going to be very close, regardless, being in the same Home.”

Esther shrugged. “I guess if you don't give a shit about any of this you're free to just coast and have a good time learning magic like a normie.”