Conquering His Cold Heart

Kranor elementary was the highest ranking school within the enclave when it came to educating their young. The students attending this institute would be granted the very best the enclave could offer. Well-designed buildings that could house hundreds if not thousands of students with ease.

Architecture that gave the campus a noble yet ambitious ambience and beautiful, well-kept gardens that filled the school with colour. The entire campus was in one word beautiful. Though certainly an impressive sight it didn't convey ostentatious or lavish rather, deserving. Students and teachers would feel pride in being able to attend such a campus.

The generations of mayors from the conception of Kranor always respected the need for high quality education and nurturing of their young populace. Large swaths of Kranor's annual budget was always funnelled into its educational departments, keeping its campuses in pristine condition, expanding their teaching curriculums and ensuring the quality of their teachers and educational staff.

Frost suspected that if he compared the educational systems of the other enclaves in the area he'd find that Kranor stood far above the rest.

Since it was a campus ground full of young children Kiba was banned from entering. Despite being bound to Frost there was always a chance that he could bring harm to a student, something the teachers would never allow therefore he needed to park himself at the nearest monsters stables while Frost was inside.

Thankfully there was one quite close by as a few teachers and even more well off students kept bound monsters as forms of transport, though they were more of the docile kind. Not a single tiger let alone a predator could be seen within.

"Do you want to wait here, or would you rather head back to the mayor's stables?" Frost looked at his partner and asked. These stables were a far shy in terms of quality compared to the mayor's personal stables, plus he'd have to be a lot more restrained here given that all the other occupants were docile herbivores.

"Garow?" Kiba looked at his master with a querying expression.

"Yes, really."

"Vrrrrrr" In response to Frost's confirmation the massive tiger purred and rubbed his head against him with affection before dashing away with a joyous look. He ultimately chose to ditch his master for the promise of lavish comfort.

'I'm sure some people will be freaked out by the sight of a giant tiger running through the enclave without its master but knowing him he shouldn't cause too much inconvenience.' The fact that he was bonded and somewhat known should help.

"Guess I'm on my own then." Frost sarcastically smiled before making his way onto school grounds.

He was quickly shown to the headteacher's office the moment he arrived. The main receptionist was already aware of his impending visit and spared no expense in greeting him with joyous flattering, thankfully the headteacher was less annoying to deal with.

"Sir Frost it's an honour to have someone like you visit our little establishment." The headteacher invited him to sit opposite her desk. "Would you like something to drink, tea? Coffee perhaps?"

"A tea would be nice."

"Milk or lemon?"

"Milk please."

The headteacher was an elderly woman of the fox tribe likely half a generation or so older than Chia given the loss in colour in her hair and well developed crow's feet. She also sported a greying bushy tail that poked through the back of her professional pantsuit.

As first impressions go Frost got the feeling that she was quite an easy-going and calm person, there was a depth of wisdom and experience behind her eyes.

"Thank you." Frost took the cup of tea from the woman's hands and thanked her.

"You're welcome." She sat back down at her desk and smiled gently towards the young man before her.

"You're even younger than I pictured, Yarrow did say that you were a prodigy but even then to have reached B-rank at your age. I must say I'm more than impressed."

'I wonder how she'd react if she found out that I'm not even a year old yet.' Frost internally chuckled at the notion.

"I've still got a long way to go, B-rank is not my end goal after all."

"Good, ambition is sorely needed if one wishes to reach the peaks of this world. Yet arrogance can create obstacles as impassable as those created by poor work ethic. It's refreshing to see such a modest talent, I'm sure our kids can learn a lot from one such as you."

"Thank you for the praise."

"Do you have an idea of what you might like to talk about? Forewarning pretty much every student will be in attendance, including those still at nursery." The headteacher quickly informed him, tales of a gruelling battle may be acceptable to their older students but not so for their younger ones such as Ren who was but a mere 4 years old.

"I assumed that would be the case but don't worry I know how to tone down my stories. I've got two kids under my care back at home and I manage to keep them entertained."

"Good, I'd hate to have to pull the plug and ruin the opportunity to hear from someone as talented as yourself." Though the headteacher spoke highly of him and of the benefits he could bring to their establishment she wasn't above ending it in a heartbeat if it posed a detriment to the kids under her care.

Frost and the headteacher lightly chatted for a ten minutes, allowing him to learn more about their school and finish his cup of tea. After which the elderly fox beastwoman led him towards a very large amphitheatre where practically every student was sitting, awaiting a special surprise lecture.

Frost discretely poked his head out from the stage's curtains and saw  hundreds of students of all shapes and sizes along with their teachers sitting in different tiers. At the front were the youngest kids, those in nursery and 1st grade whereas those at the highest tier were the oldest kids, those who were set to graduate in the following year and enter either the workplace or higher education.

Kranor elementary taught from the ages of 4 to 16, after that you were considered an adult and could choose your own career path.

All of the kids were shuffling in their seats and whispering amongst one another. None of their teachers had told them what this sudden surprise lecture entailed or who was presenting it.

Frost with his keen vision managed to make out the 3 kids he was specifically here to visit. 'I wonder how they'll react?'

Ren was quietly sitting next to his friends and showed clear interest in the stage whereas Jasmine looked completely bored wanting to be anywhere but here.

All the supposed guest lecturers were either former alumni talking about their paths in life or representatives from the most dull and boring career institutes in the enclave. She had zero interest in becoming a farmer, a teacher, a fashion designer or becoming involved in politics.

Her path was set from the moment she could first form wants and desires, she was going to become an adventurer just like her parents and grandparents. She had grown up on their stories and wished for such a life, the freedom, the adventure and thrill of battle.

Unfortunately the school very rarely welcomed lecturers from the military or the adventurer profession, so her low expectations were understandable.

The oldest daughter, Tulip seemed to hold a very different air from her younger sister. Jasmine was a real fireball, always desperate to move and engage in sports whereas she was like a delicate flower. She was currently surrounded by a group of girls who were akin to her followers, doing their best to mimic her grace.

Frost could also see that quite a few of the boys in her class and those higher couldn't help but sneak a few glances her way. Not only was she the mayor's granddaughter she was a quickly blooming beauty plus if her mother and grandmother were anything to go by she'd shape up to be quite the woman. More than a few eagerly wanted to plant a good impression before she soared beyond their means.

After giving the kids enough time to settle down and get comfortable the headteacher walked out onto the stage.

"Good morning everyone."

""Good morning, Mrs Fennec."" All the students replied in concert.

"Now I'm sure all of you are quite curious as to why we've arranged for an impromptu lecture here in the main amphitheatre. Though some are clearly more so than others….miss Jasmine Tarnell your attention please." Mrs Fennec quickly caught the lack of interest in the young Jasmine and called her out on it.

"Eeppp sorry." Jasmine quickly apologised and focused her attention back to the stage rather than talking to her nearby friend.

"I know that our usual lecturers are not exactly your cup of tea young lady, you've made abundantly clear in the past but I'm sure this one will more than excite your interest." Her statement caused a few mutterings throughout the audience. Jasmine who initially only paid attention due to fear of punishment now had a sparkle in her eyes as a certain possibility formed in her mind.

"Is it an adventurer?" She couldn't help but ask.

"Hehehe yes and not just any adventurer this young man is at the B-rank." Mrs Fennec smiled playfully, knowing exactly how to foster excitement in her students.

This bombshell of a revelation resulted in a calm silence throughout the amphitheatre before quickly being replaced with loud excitement, even the teachers were blown away by the news. Someone at the B-rank was practically never seen in their little enclave after all.

Jasmine, at this point was standing up and practically shaking from her sheer excitement. 'A B-rank adventurer, a B-rank adventurer oh my god!'

Even Tulip struggled to hide her interest, such an opportunity was incredibly rare.

Mrs Fennec upon seeing a much more enthusiastic response turned to face Frost who was still hiding behind the curtains out of view. "I've warmed them up for you."

"Thanks." Frost thus made himself known by stepping out from behind the curtain and replacing Mrs Fennec at the centre stage.

"Hello boys and girls my name is Frost, it's nice to meet you all."