"What should I do?" I asked aloud.
2 days were left of our 3-day break from school. An amount of time I would jump for joy as someone whose ambitions were bogged down by the responsibilities of a dead-end job as a warehouse worker.
In my past life, I would've spent that time catching up on some gacha games, start watching an anime that would be on my mind, start reading another webcomic, pretty much any enjoyable use of my free time that didn't remind me of work.
"Well, there's also the fact I'm attending a magic school, pretty much the setting of any modern-day generic Isekai. I should be more thrilled, but the lack of options only makes me feel more bored." I spoke aloud to no one in particular.
Currently, I am sitting in the arena where Kiori and I played dodgeball, using a monobloc chair I conjured on a whim. Yes, I could make whatever I wanted, to any level of specificity, but sitting in a chair, manifesting whatever comes to mind didn't spark a lot of inspiration. It was basically the equivalent of sitting in a video game's sandbox mode and quickly getting bored after abusing infinite resources in every way you could think of.
A job is definitely a top priority. I'm basically broke, and I barely know a thing about the economy past the currency. I've got no idea of the market values of anything here.
I'll have to figure out career prospects with and without graduation from this school. Are they all magic-focused, or would it simply look pretty on a resume?
"Ugh…"
Suddenly, there was a growing headache from the realization that I've got a lot on my plate.
"Why do I keep finding you here?" A familiar voice entered my ears.
It was Richter.
"It's a place I like to visit to practice my 'magic,' though I'm certain you know I wield anything but."
"I asked Alicia if you apologized to her, and she said yes."
"Glad we're on the same page." I got up from my chair and made it disappear. It sounded like he wasn't about to initiate another fight, but I didn't want to take any chances.
I should start considering other places at school where I can be alone and think. The only reason I chose the arena square I'm in is that I thought I was about to practice using my power more, refining, or adding to my arsenal of visualizations. The thought of needing to secure my future in this world put a damper on that.
"I'd like to apologize for yesterday." Richter then bowed his head.
Huh?
"I put you in a position where you had to deal with my aggression over hurting my friend, even though the two of you had already made up."
Now I felt bad for being suspicious of him.
"Umm… your anger wasn't misplaced, Richter. And I'm glad we've cleared up this misunderstanding."
Richter stood up after I spoke.
"Does this mean you have no grudge against me?"
"No. Unlike Salil, you sound like a reasonable guy."
There was a look of confusion on his face, ending with him staring at me.
"Don't tell me you want to fight because of my comment on Salil."
"No. It's just… I always thought Salil was an obnoxious mage, but to think he'd been expelled… It's surprising, that's all."
"Is obnoxious your only impression of him?"
I grew suspicious of his words. There was a tinge of anger growing in me.
"Obnoxious, conceited… those are the nicer words I could admit. He's not someone I'd want to be friends with."
"Ah… same here."
That feeling subsided.
"Are you here to spar with someone else? The Kemzo square arena is designated for fights between other mages, not a place to idle for… whatever you were here for."
"It's called Kemzo?"
"He's one of the founders of this school. You haven't heard of him?"
"I haven't heard of a lot of things. Consider me oblivious."
"Well…" He began, using his magic to erect a rock to sit on. "Kemzo founded Megalia Academy after Kapali Avera sacrificed himself in the calamity known as the Obasidainite Sentinel eruption."
I felt my eyes widen at the new term.
"The what Sentinel?"
Richter gave me a distant stare.
"You truly are clueless. The Obasidainite Sentinel eruption."
"Obasdanite."
"Yes."
"What in the world is an Obasidinite Sentinel?"
"They're… creatures made up Obasidainite, a black rock known for its extreme durability, toughness, and luster. They're not creatures in the conventional sense like animals. More like… hastily put-together statues a sculptor made using whatever rock he could get his hands on to produce something vaguely humanoid."
"Where did they come, or how did they come into existence?"
"No one knows. They just showed up one day and started wreaking havoc. Kapali was able to deal with them, but not without a cost."
"Does that mean this school was created to combat these Obasidinite Sentinels?"
"It's Obasi-day-nite, not Obasi-din-nite. And yes, that was the original purpose for this school, but fewer of these Sentinels started showing up, and eventually, they disappeared altogether. Now, the school merely serves to train the next generation of mages to fight whatever conflict arises."
"So they're training to prevent incidents like what happened with Korons that day?"
"Korons?"
"That's the name of the perpetrator who attacked the town. I've heard it from someone I've recently acquainted with."
"Korons… I think I've heard of that name before."
Richter got up, and the rock he erected sank back into the ground. With a wave of his hand, the dirt that had accumulated on the back of his pants shot toward the ground. All of this happened with his hand glowing yellowish orange for a second.
"Finish up whatever you were doing. Although it's a school break, others like to use Kemzo square, so don't take too long."
He turned around and walked toward the giant double door entrance. I stared at his retreating figure, contemplating whether to let him have the last word or say something. I didn't really need to, but…
"It was nice talking to you, Richter!" I shouted at him from where I stood.
He stopped for a moment before turning around.
"It was nice to meet you, too, Nolval!"
He turned around once more and left the arena.
…
I decided to head to the library to learn more about Kapali Avera, and perhaps the other 9 on that 3, 4, 3 arrangement of statues.
The moment I read the titles on a bunch of spines, I gave up. It seems I was so enthusiastic about the world's history that I forgot I couldn't read.
Either there's a miracle that grants me reading comprehension, or I'll brute-force learn it myself.
I looked at the empty counter where Kiori said a woman stood. From the way he described it- her, it seemed obvious that the woman in question stood where he said she was, but I just can't see her. Could it be that Proa is intrinsic for seeing non-corporeal beings?
I guess the only thing left to do is explore the town. I'll have to let Kiori know I'd like to check out more.
…
"So, what do you want to do here?"
"Not completely sure, but I certainly don't want to spend the remaining 2 days at school."
Staying at home was a dream come true in my past life. Lazing around doing nothing while being free from the obligations of my job was the most peace I had in life. No unnecessary talking to others, doing things I didn't really like to do, just blissful ignorance as I indulged in a shut-in's fantasy. It was boring, but preferable to the agony of work.
The fact that I'm saying these words is somewhat surprising, but it could be because I didn't want to drag Kiori into that lifestyle. That, or I just wanted to take a peek at what jobs were available for students.
Then, when I get my own place, I'll finally be able to laze around in my new home.
"There are a few Calcofensos I've hidden in around this area. If you're not hungry, we can go check out some shops."
"I'd like to check out some shops."
As I followed Kiori through the streets, I recalled the conversation I had with Richter. Specifically, Kapali's act of self-sacrifice against the Obasidainite Sentinels.
"Kiori, you've said you admire Kapali because of how he utilizes his plant attunement, right?"
"Yeah. If I can mimic even a fraction of what he's capable of, I won't have to be a novice-level mage."
This is the first time I've heard him reveal this mage classification. And to deliberately reveal it somewhere with nobody else around us.
"What exactly is your goal as a mage? Getting stronger is a given, but… mimicking the techniques of an honorary Tower mage of history doesn't really tell me much."
The moment I finished asking that question, he stopped.
Suddenly, the air felt heavier. I found myself being conscious of my own breathing.
Did I hit a sensitive topic?
"Have you ever told someone you wanted to become something, but they said it's impossible, or rejected the idea, or they believed a different choice would be more suitable?"
Can't say I have. I don't ever recall having such a conversation with my parents.
"Does your attunement have something to do with this?"
Instead of saying something, he turned his palm up and created a few strings above his hand.
"All I can do is produce strings. I can't turn it into a durable shield or form a sharp and reliable weapon. A lot of people say it's only good for producing fabric, and my father…"
His voice trailed off when his father was brought up.
"If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. We've got 2 days until school starts again. Let us enjoy ourselves. You said there's a shop nearby, right? I want to check out what stuff they're selling."
His expression seemed to lighten with a subtle smile.
"Sure, let me introduce you to Painsley's."