Let's ask about this school

You looked at her narrowed eyes with trepidation, she was looking at you with more interest than you were comfortable with.

Is she dangerous?

You suppose she could be... But you have no real choice here, you need real answers from her, "Calixte, please tell me about this school you mentioned."

Her finger continued to tap her lips but her eyes now scanned over your body as if trying to find something, "Vernix is on the front lines these days. Civilization beyond our city lines does not exist, because of that and our church... Adventurers often use our city as a base. Their kids and many young people coming here needed education, the crown obliged. It's truly an excellent institution that has produced world class magicians and warriors... But as with everything when it comes to the crown, there's a catch."

You raised an eyebrow at that last part. This place you were in seems to be some kind of fantasy world. Magic and knights exist. Catfolk exist. Magic schools exist. Even adventurers exist.

"What's the catch?"

"The crown makes every student sign a contract, saying any request the crown has of them... They'll obey. It's a condition that's never come into use, since royals don't care about anything in the wild... But it's wildly believed that they do it so they can have a standing army at a moments notice."

Your eyebrow shot up even more, "There could be war in this region?"

"Yes, the Satu empire has only one ally in this region. They lie to the east, to the south lie a nation we're not friendly with... But they don't much care for us. Unfortunately, there's a nation to our north that is quite intent on conquest. Quite the savage people that hide behind a veneer of civility. Lucky for us, Vernix is on the western edge of the Suta empire. All we have to worry about are magical beasts and unknown species trying to kill anything that comes into their territory."

A nervous smile spread across your face in response to a sweet one she had given you, 'Not good... This is not good'

You stood and started to pace in front of her, "Okay, the cons are I could very well end up in a war if I join this school. Besides it being free, are there any other benefits?"

Calixte followed your pacing body with an amused smile, "The school provides free housing and meals to their younger students. You look about the right age to receive those benefits and once you graduate, they provide you with gear and supplies."

You almost missed a step when she said you look young, quickly walking over to a window you looked at the reflection. She was right, you had the same youthful look you had when you were 18. Standing back, you could see why the guard thought you were a drunk, your cloths were in disarray and your curly hair was a mess.

Fussing with your cloths, you thought about what she had just said.

'Free place to crash and free food. Free gear when I'm done as well. All I'd have to do is sign away my freedom to fight for a place I don't know and people I don't care about.'

Getting your cloths in order, you started pacing again, "Quite the intricate honey pot they've set up. Training an army of indentured servants and their all accepting it."

You bit your thumb nail as you paced, "Would people around these parts hire someone who isn't a citizen?"

Calixte smiled and opened her mouth to answer you, but just as she did... Her eyes flashed bright green and she fell silent for a moment, "No, my Goddess says you would regret revealing you are not from around here."

That made you stop, "You communicate with a Gods?"

"I receive revelations from my Goddess, yes."

You blinked in surprise at her straight forward answer, 'Gods are real. No, no, let's put that away for later.'

"Why would I regret it?"

"I do not know."

Back to your pacing, 'Is she telling the truth? Maybe this Goddess knows why I'm here... And knows what I need to do?'

You looked over at her and saw that she was still looking at you with that amused smile on her face.