The second floor of the cafeteria definitely threw me for a loop. From the get-go, I never wanted to eat there. I just wanted to check out what it looks like. And it was so much worse than I expected.
Not just because of the angry glares I received the second I walked up the steps. No. I couldn't care less about that. What bothered me were the design and ambiance. It reminded me of a high-end restaurant on, like, a super tall skyscraper or something.
Round tables covered in white cloth. With four seats apiece. Red satin carpet everywhere. Cutlery actually made of silver or gold. Butlers and maids busied themselves constantly pouring wine or taking orders.
Everything about it rubbed me the wrong way. The atmosphere was stiff and unbearable. And if that wasn't bad enough, you also had to order à la carte. `There is no way I won't make a fool out of myself ordering from that menu.`
Even if I could read it, which I wasn't sure about since I still had trouble reading stylized letters. It would still probably end up with me ordering something I don't like. And I don't want to waste food.
So instead, I do what I have done the last few days. I eat on the first floor. Where I know how things work and can grab whatever I want from the buffet.
I'm not the only one from the prestige class that does this, either. There is a girl with short black hair and glasses that I've seen in class. And she also eats on the first floor. Sitting with a few friends and older students at one of the large tables.
`She must be a scholarship student, right?` This assumption stems from the fact that, other than me, she was the only person who sat by herself during class. A distance away from the others, like she doesn't belong.
But the way her black eyes always meet mine confidently whenever I sweep my gaze across the class during my explanations. Tells me she is confident and smart. Possibly smarter than most others. This would be neatly explained if she were a scholarship student.
`Ahh. This is just me guessing about shit again.`"If you wanna know, just ask her, bro.` There was no reason for me not to just walk up to her and ask her. If I'm really that curious. Not that I had a good reason to disturb her and her friends.*
So I don't.
I just finish my meal and go back to class. Since I also don't see that brown-haired suspicious girl anywhere. The second I do think about her, though, I can feel my thoughts spiral again. Back to wondering why I felt so drawn to her.
My mind goes in circles until it's time for classes again. The day continues with us going over the rest of the exam questions. Thankfully, I was not the stand-in for Calveth this time.
Although after we finished going over all the questions, I saw that I could have answered them too. Not with what I knew back then. But everything I know now would have definitely allowed me to hash them out.
The math wasn't that difficult. I'd say it was about high school level. No problem for me. And the answers were all quite logical and straightforward. `Man. I could have definitely gotten at least half marks on all of these.`
Not that I believe that this school gives out half marks. I'd probably get points deducted instead. Which is also something we talk about with Calveth. Among some other organizational things that are important going forward.
The important bits are that Calveth does not appreciate tardiness or forgetting things. Which was quite reasonable. Though I wasn't a big fan of him talking about homework. Since I almost never did it on Earth. But here I'll have to, if I don't want to lose points. The only small mercy he gives us is that there will be no homework today.
And on the topic of points. We were assigned ranks based on the points we currently had. Ranks that are school-wide but separate from the class system.
It was like a numbered list of who was at the top and who was at the bottom of the school.
I was twenty-eight, of course. At the bottom of the prestige class. With four hundred and thirty-three points. Just barely above the cut-off point for my class.
Four hundred and thirty-three points that the headmaster probably gave me out of pity. The last three I had gotten from Calveth after answering the questions on the first exam sheet in front of the class.
Well. It was only one point. The other two I got from showing the experiments to explain the principles I talked about and letting Calveth note them down.
I didn't get any other points for the rest of the day. So I was still a long way away from catching up. Number twenty-seven, a boy named Thalen Morvane, was a clean one hundred points ahead of me. So I had my work cut out for me.
`Ehh. I was the one hyped as hell for getting to punch up. I shouldn't complain now.` After classes are over. It's not possible to gain any more points. But bad behavior or causing trouble can still lose you points.
So I avoid getting caught up in anything by going straight to my room. Flopping onto the bed tiredly after the long day I just had.
A day that took around nine hours from when I left my room to when I could return. Split into four parts by three shorter breaks and a one-hour lunch break. `Man. This is almost as bad as having a job.`
This wasn't the end of the day, of course. There was still much I needed to do. Like study and work out. Things I'll have to do if I ever want to catch up with my peers.
After all, my stats are still rather suboptimal.
Name: Daniel Blackwell
Age: 15
Gender: Male
Body/ Strength: 7/ Endurance: 8/ Toughness: 8
Mind/ Acuity: 25/ Wisdom: 8/ Intelligence: 10
Soul/ Destiny: 1/ Fate: 3/ Radiance 9997
The progression is slow despite how low my stats are. And considering it was only going to get more difficult, I was curious to see how long it would take me to catch up with others.
"Hmmm?" It was the first time in a good while that I checked my status screen. But what immediately jumped out at me was that a stat that hadn't changed once since I came to this world had jumped up.
`Destiny, is at one?`"Hm." The fact that Destiny had ticked up at all baffled me. It was a stat that showed the importance of a person in the story after all.
`What the fuck? Does this mean the story of the game is still intact and is going to happen?` Again. It wasn't like I really knew anything about the story. But I was unsettled at just the possibility of getting caught up in it.
Not because I knew it ended badly or anything like that. I don't know how the game ends. Rather, it was the simple possibility that the fate of this world may lie with a player.
`Player?` Every character in the game had a Destiny stat. It changed and fluctuated with the character's interaction with the player and the overarching plot.
And while Oridalis Academy is one of the schools in the first major city of the game. I don't remember any of the schools having anything to do with the plot at large.
"If it's not the overarching plot. Then it must be a player, right?" I mutter to myself while my thoughts instantly snap to one person. `It's that brown haired girl.`
There was reason to believe this, of course. My suspicions were based on the fact that she had interacted with Selvan. Reaching for the same staff as he did. Before then, go back to lower-level foci to pick one.
`Yeah. Now that I think about it, that was really suspicious. It was like she timed it perfectly to touch hands with him. And the way she picked out that bracelet wasn't random either. It was targeted. She made a beeline for that bracelet after their interaction. Like it was what she wanted to choose all along.` Dots in my mind connecting as I walk up and down my room.
To give my body something to do while I think. `Now the question is if she is in a similar situation to me. A soul trapped in the body of a character in this game.` I hum as I scrunch up my face thoughtfully.
That wasn't the only possibility, of course. There was also a more outlandish idea. `Or it could also be possible that my soul somehow got trapped in the save game of an actual player of the game.` But whatever the truth was, I knew I needed to talk with that girl.
So I prepare myself to head out. Already almost out the door when I pause and realize how foolish this endeavor is. `Even if the first-year students are only about four hundred people. Where would I even begin to look?`
The only thing I knew about the girl was her hair color and that she wasn't in the prestige class. `Yeah. Great. That only leaves about four hundred people. I'll be done in a jiffy.`
I thought for a moment to look for her based on her uniform. But I remember it was pretty unremarkable. Not that that meant anything. I've already seen people from the esteemed class wear tackier and more expensive-looking outfits than some in the prestige class do.
So I couldn't rely on looking for her based on her uniform. Not everyone wearing an unremarkable uniform would be in the foundational class.
`Not that I'd get any answers even if I did go around asking people for help.` I wasn't exactly well-liked after all. Not just among the prestige class.
Though after today, I felt like maybe they would respect me more than others. Given that no one said anything to me for the rest of the day. There were no dumb comments or snide remarks leveled against me since I explained the questions.
Not from my classmates, at least. Others still did. In the cafeteria and on my way back to my dorm. Even in the dorm, the second and third years still sneered at me. But I believe that will probably pass soon enough. Once I show others I'm not to be underestimated.
`Ahhh. Whatever.` *Despite knowing that my plan to look for the girl would only end in failure. I leave my room anyway. Not to look for her.
Rather, I was going to leave the school grounds completely. `I should swing by Myra's place and see if she is alright. Tell her I made it and all that.`
So that is what I do. I head out. Leave the school grounds. And walk through the northern district towards the center of town. Then, further south, towards her home. While enjoying the evening atmosphere in the city at a meandering pace.
The city was lively and vibrant. Everybody was enjoying the evening after work by drinking in taverns or doing other leisure activities. Quite a few things catch my eye as I pass by.
Like a play on a stage in a plaza near the bridge to the northern district, and such. Which I would like to watch. But don't, because telling Myra and the others about my accomplishments was more important. So I keep moving.
Yet, despite my not really wasting any time, it took me about three hours to get to Myra's house. Because of my steady, unhurried pace, and my not knowing the street names.
And then it turns out she isn't home anyway. My coming out here is proving to be pointless because she is probably out on a mission.
Luckily, I brought my backpack and some writing utensils with me. So I quickly write down that I'm doing alright and made it into the academy on a piece of paper that I slide underneath her door.
"I should probably head out the gate and tell the commander. Just in case." While I talk to myself, I realize it's gotten so late that the streetlights have come on. Which knocks a memory in my head loose.
`That does remind me. The documents from the school said the gate is only open until eleven, right?` If I turn back now, I should still be able to make it back without issue.
`Ahh. Whatever. I'm sure Myra will tell the others once she sees the note.` I reassure myself before I shrug my shoulders and start to walk back towards the Academy.
A journey that leads me through the heart of the city. And the largest market of it. A market so large and filled with people doing last-minute shopping before shops close up for the day, that I choose to avoid it.
Walking around it through alleys between houses. Until I stumble upon a shop window that draws my attention with how unremarkable it is.
"The Whispering Quill?" The signboard hanging over the door reads. Making it pretty obvious that it's a bookstore. "Hmm. No harm in checking it out." I comment as I shrug my shoulders and reach for the door.
For one reason and one reason only. Truth be told, it was the first shop in a building that didn't look like I would be thrown out of with my appearance.
It was unassuming and quiet. Tucked away between houses. The scent of old books wafts towards me the second I open the door. The store smells like those old little libraries near community centers.
Though it was a bit more chaotic inside than any library I've ever been in. Books were scattered around the room in piles that were necessitated because of the overflowing bookshelves in the back of the cramped room.
"Hey. Hi." I announce myself as I walk in. Be careful not to push any of the stacks of books over. "Hmm." The answer from the bookstore owner was just a casual grunt and nod of the head.
`Hmm. Nevermind. Now this is what a wizard should look like.` I think to myself as I look at the bookstore owner. A wizened old man with silvery, thinning silver hair that drapes over his shoulders, a beard gone entirely white, and spectacles perched low on his long nose.
He is dressed in patchy but clean robes. So he obviously pays some attention to his appearance. But it's pretty clear that his actual passion is collecting books.
"Mind if I look around a bit?" I ask with a tilt of my head towards the bookshelves. A question that finally makes the bookstore owner look up from the book he was reading. "Go ahead, kid." His answer was softer and kinder than I expected.
So I do. I walk around a bit, checking out some books leisurely. Until he speaks again. "You're a student from Oridalis Academy?" At which I turn around and nod. "Yeah."
That in turn makes him step away from the counter he was leaning on. Around it and towards me. "If you are looking for textbooks, you won't find very many here. I only have a few old second-hand books."
`Ohh?` His answer sparked curiosity. Making me wonder what kind of textbooks he did have. "Ah. No need. I know I don't look it, but I'm actually from the prestige class. So it's not like I need any textbooks. They are all provided for free by the Academy."
My words caused him to stiffen for a moment. He probably expects me to say something typical of a noble brat. Some rude or snarky comment. That will belittle him or his store.
But when I leave it at just stating the facts. Before going back to perusing his books. He clears his throat awkwardly. "Hnn. Ah. I see. Then what are you looking for? Anything specific you want? I can help you look."
I shake my head at his words. "No. Really. I'm just looking to see if anything catches my fancy." Turning back to him with a smile. Before I make a request. "Though now that you mention it. I would like to see those second-hand textbooks you do have."
One that he is quick to fulfill. "Of course. They are right over there. And if you'll allow it. It isn't a bad idea to get spares. You might need them later. Since they only give out one copy at the academy."
I walk over to the books he pointed out. But pause mid-sentence and turn back to him again. "Ohhh? You were a student in Oridalis once?" I ask curiously as I look him up and down. `He might look like a wizard, but I didn't actually expect him to be a mage.`
The bookstore owner's chest puffs up a little as he replies. "Yes, I was. About fifty years ago, I was part of the esteemed class. A scholarship student." He explains proudly. Clearly happy for the chance to talk about his glory days with someone who understands him.
And I just fan the flames with my words of praise. "Ohh. Impressive. You must be quite smart then. No wonder you surround yourself with books all day." The conversation flowing between us is becoming easier by the second.
The old man was basically glowing by the time I finished my impromptu book shopping. Three old textbooks in my hand that are exactly the same as the ones I already have in my room. But as the owner said. It can't hurt to have spares. `Calveth did say forgetting or losing books means you'll lose points. So I really should buy these.`
There is just one thing bothering me. "So all of these together only add up to two Lunthar? Are you sure you aren't giving them away too cheap, Osric?" I ask the bookstore owner, who was called Osric, as we negotiate the price.
And while two Lunthar might sound like a lot, considering I had essentially risked my life to get them, and it was a third of my money. The price was way lower than what I had seen from other bookstores. The textbooks at the academy were each like ten to twenty Lunthar.
So getting three, even second-hand textbooks, for just two Lunthar was a steal. "No. Don't worry. They were just collecting dust in here anyway." He waves lazily.
But seeing the skepticism in my eyes, he adds. "No Oridialis Academy student would ever walk into this shabby store of mine. I don't even have many customers anyway. So take them. I'd be happy knowing they are with a good and honest kid like you."
The fact that I was arguing with him over the price was probably some last sort of test before he actually sold the books to me. But since I've proven my worth to him, I walk out of the bookstore with a heavier backpack and a somewhat lighter coin purse.
Heading back towards the Academy with a spring in my step. Knowing that if I ever lose one of those books, I'll have backups.