God of Trash

Mouse quickly led them around the academy, showing them all the facilities and everything they’d need to know to thrive for their next few weeks during the tournament. From the herb fields, to the merchants and auction houses, to the training grounds and the dormitories, she led them through it all. A few times, she glanced around, then whispered that she was about to deviate from the pre-described tour to show them somewhere useful, and every time, led them somewhere highly valuable afterward. By the end of the tour, Rhys was fully satisfied with his knowledge of the peak. Sure, he didn’t know the location of every possible facility, and something like the potion-making rooms had been completely left out, but he knew enough to get around.

“That’s everything. Er, if anyone wants to see anything else, I can show you there now? Or if not, you’re free to go,” Mouse finished, fidgeting nervously.

Most of the students turned and walked away, but Rhys remained. He waited for the others to clear the area, then smiled and approached her. “Mauve—”

“Oh, Mouse is fine, it’s really fine,” she assured him.

“Mouse, then. Where is the school’s trash pit? Its landfill?” he asked, still smiling.

Behind the thick glasses, her eyes got big and wide. “Th-the… but why?”

Mew. Fur brushed against his ankles.

“And the library,” Rhys added.

Her jaw worked, and then she nodded. Pushing up her glasses, she gestured. “This way.”

“Have fun at the library, trash boy. I’m hitting up the training grounds,” Ev said, walking away with a wave.

Rhys waved back and followed after Mouse. She led him through the castle, past winding, narrow stone walls, to an ivy-clad building with an impressive stone façade. “This is the library.”

“Excellent,” Rhys replied. I’ll check it out after the trash heap.