Once the good-byes had been said, Natalie and Edward had moved on. When the portal opened this time, they came out in a dimly lit room. It was large but it didn’t echo like one would think it would. They looked around.
“So where are we?” Edward asked.
“Well if I figured right, we should be at Mahora Academy in Japan. I was hoping to land outside though.”
“Welcome,” came a friendly voice of what sounded to be an older man.
Natalie and Edward both turned around quickly. Seeing who it was Natalie relaxed a bit, it was the Headmaster. Somehow she must have just missed and they’d come out in his office.
“Hello sir,” she said with a smile.
Edward leaned over and whispered in her ear, “You know him?”
Natalie nodded. “I know of him. Remember, I read about the places we’re going to. He doesn’t know me personally though.”
The Headmaster got up from his desk and walked over to them. “And what brings someone like you and your friend here?”
Natalie drew in a deep breath and exhaled it. It was obvious to her that he could tell right away who she was and that seemed to be helpful to them this time. “Well first, I’m Natalie Simon and this is Edward Elric,” she replied. “We came here hoping that you or someone here might be able to help us.” Natalie didn’t tell him that they had also come for the school festival. It wasn’t really important right now anyway.
The Headmaster nodded. “So what are you looking for?”
Natalie pointed out her necklace. “I was hoping to find another one of these.”
He took a minute to examine the item. “Ahh, a translation stone, these are hard to come by.”
“That’s what I was afraid of,” Natalie replied with a sigh.
“I didn’t say I didn’t have one though but I can’t just hand it over to you.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to sir. What can we do to get it from you?”
The Headmaster thought about this for a few moments. “Please, have a seat. I have to get someone and then we can discuss options.” He then went out the door. Natalie and Edward both sat on a couch and waited for him to return.
A few minutes later the Headmaster returned and behind him was Negi Springfield. Edward looked at the kid. He didn’t look to be any older than ten or eleven. What could he have to do with getting what they’d come for?
“Ms. Simon, Mr. Elric, let me introduce you to Negi Springfield. He’s one of the instructor’s here as I’m sure you’re probably aware.”
Natalie nodded. “I’m well aware of Mr. Springfield,” she replied with a smile. “Child prodigy, magician, and English teacher for class 3-A.”
The Headmaster grinned at her. “You’ve done your homework, excellent. What I’d like you to do is assist Mr. Springfield in his class. They can be a bit of a handful and seeing as you’re a native speaker of the English language you might be of some help to him. In return I’ll give you my translation stone, though mine isn’t quite as fetching as that necklace of yours. Though, if it’s for Mr. Elric, as I suspect it is, that won’t be too much of a problem.”
She looked at him strangely. “How did you know my primary language was English?”
He laughed. “My dear, I know many things but it’s not difficult to tell that you’re American. Your friend though, he’s a more difficult one. Actually, before he joins you in the classroom, I’d like some time with him.”
“Excuse me? But what do you want with me?” Edward asked.
The Headmaster clearly had no trouble understanding him. “You’re an alchemist are you not? I know at the very least that you’re Amestrian.”
Edward looked at him shocked. “Right on both counts.”
The Headmaster chuckled. “You look like your father you know, that’s how I knew. I had the good fortune of meeting him some time ago.”
“I’m sorry Headmaster sir,” interrupted Natalie. “But how could you have gone to Amestris?”
“I dabbled in dimensional magic in my younger days and happened upon it. Hohenheim was quite a drinker and he liked to talk about his boys back home.”
Edward, though having made peace with his father before he died after the fight with Father, still didn’t like being told he looked like him. He still had a stubborn hatred for him for leaving them alone for so long. He’d never completely let it go.
Natalie could see he was agitated by the talk of his father. She put her hand on his knee and shook her head, silently telling him not to start anything.
“But anyway,” the Headmaster said walking over to a drawer and withdrew a small locked box. Taking the box back to his desk, he took out a small key and opened the box. Inside was a ring with a red stone in the center that looked just like Natalie’s. “Here you are Mr. Elric.”
Edward took the ring and put it on his right middle finger.
“Now I’d imagine that ring has the same limitations your necklace does Ms. Simon. It will only work when directly worn, just carrying it won’t do.”
Natalie nodded. Edward looked at it. He couldn’t help noticing that it looked a lot like the ring Cornelo had in Lior. He knew it wasn’t the same, as that one had broken apart; it just was enough to be a bit haunting to him.
“Now, if you would be so kind as to change your outfit Ms. Simon and accompany Negi to the classroom.”
“Oh yeah, this isn’t exactly proper attire for a classroom is it?” She said as she put her hand to her chest and transformed back to her regular clothes. “I’ll see you later on alright Ed?”
Edward nodded. “Yeah…” It was clear Edward didn’t like being left with this guy.
“Oh stop pouting,” she said with a laugh. “You might find that the Headmaster can teach you something. That is what you told me you wanted to tag along for right?”
Edward just made a sour face at her. Yeah it had been what he’d told her, but it wasn’t what had made him jump through that portal. He thought she’d figured that much out.
“Ms. Simon…” Negi said, trying to get Natalie’s attention.
“Just call me Natalie,” she said with a smile.
“Ah, alright, and please call me Negi. Shall we be going?” With that, Natalie nodded and they headed out of the Headmaster’s office.
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