It might only be the third day of school, but I already have things down to a T. My mornings are always the same. I wake up around half past six. When the sun is still hidden beyond the horizon.
Get up and go to the bathroom to freshen up for the day. By taking a bath, brushing my teeth, and combing my hair.
After that is done, I get dressed and head straight for the cafeteria. Where I eat breakfast before heading to class. Which start at eight and last until five in the afternoon.
Then I go back to my room. Do my homework and either study or work out for the rest of the day.
`I want to at least get all my stats into the tens before I go and use any training facilities from the Academy.` Of course, the Academy had its own training hall that I could freely use thanks to my status. But until I was at least average in everything for someone my age, I didn't want to go there.
Not because I was embarrassed or anything, but simply because I thought it would be better to get to a decent level first by myself. Before I go, I compare myself to others.
`Comparison is the thief of joy, after all.` Besides. I was happy with my current system. I'm not stuck in it. But routine was important. It was very human to crave it. And I wasn't beyond that craving.
So that's how I handle things. My coming mornings and evenings are already planned out. What I can't plan, of course, is what happens outside my room.
"Good morning." For example, the fact that I had another new seatmate came as a surprise to me. "Good morning." When I walk into class today, who else but Keldra, the black-haired girl I lent my book to yesterday, is waiting in the seat next to mine.
Looking quite good, if I do say so myself.
She wasn't as stunning or ethereal as someone like Elira. Or draw attention to herself like some of the other noble ladies. But she is definitely pretty.
She keeps her short black hair in a style that is reminiscent of a pixie cut. Framing her sharp, pale face quite well. A pair of thin-rimmed spectacles rests on her nose, giving her a perpetually focused appearance.
This is strongly supported by her black eyes, which seem to hold a vast and deep intelligence within them. Something that is also reflected in the way she carries herself and the uniform she wears.
It's all very neat and proper. Though I feel like it is a bit performative. It's just that she sits with a certain stiffness. But it's a different kind of stiffness than the one Elira had. Elira seemed elegant and dignified.
Keldra seemed nervous and unsure. At least when I first sat down. After my casual greeting and my plopping into my chair with a harumph, she seems a bit more at ease.
At least comfortable enough to talk to me. "Did you finish the homework from yesterday?" Proving a lot more personable than Elira. "Yep. All the answers were on page fifty-three of the textbook anyway." Not that that was a high bar to clear.
In fact, today again, Elira also sits beside me the moment she enters class. Still refusing to say anything. Despite seeing me talk to Keldra the whole time.
"Let's compare answers." Keldra says as she pulls out the textbook I had given her yesterday and her homework. "Sure." In response, I do the same. So we can compare our answers.
Our shoulders touch as she leans over to look at my paper.
`What is this? The fucking harem route?` But even then, it takes me a hot minute until I realize what the hell is going on.
That somehow, someway, I found myself with two pretty girls to keep me company during classes.
One extraordinary beauty is silently sitting to my right. Almost like some kind of trophy. And another undoubtedly pretty girl on my left, talking to me about homework. Like the little nerd she is.
"Pff." A stifled chuckle escapes me after things finally sink in. `Bruh. No more talking to girls, I guess.` My chuckle, of course, drew a raised eyebrow from Keldra. "Is something wrong?" She asks with a quirked eyebrow.
But I just shake my head in response. "Nah. I just realized I don't know your first name yet. I'm Daniel, by the way." I introduce myself while stretching out my hand for a casual handshake.
She reciprocates my gesture as she introduces herself as well. "Oh, yes. Right. Sorry. I'm Thalisse Keldra. Feel free to call me Thalis." She replies.
"It's ni-" But it's just when we broke the ice and the conversation finally started to flow smoothly that Calveth walks in for another day of classes.
"Good morning, Adepts." With his usual greeting.
At which we all rise and return the greeting. "Good morning, Professor." I reply before sitting back down and getting the textbooks out. Mentally preparing myself for another day of struggling to keep up.
Today is a bit different, however. The time for lunch we spend in two blocks as before. Two hours for focus & visualization training. Which is a fairly simple subject. It's all about imagining geometry in the mind to help with future circle construction.
The other two hours are spent on the last theoretical subject. A quick introduction to alchemy & arcane chemistry. Where my knowledge of chemistry shines again.
After lunch is where things get interesting. Since it's the first lesson, you could call it practical applications of what we have been learning about.
The afternoon is a four-hour block reserved just for Mana control techniques. All about breathing, pacing, and internal flow regulation. Something I have been practicing whenever given the chance since I figured out how to do it back at the gorge.
But before that, we, of course, get our lunch break. And for the first time, I'm not alone and silent as I walk towards the Cafeteria.
"Why does impurity in the potion material change the flow of electromancy?" Thalis asks. Still hung up on something from the previous lesson. Obviously, she's asking me because she trusts that I know.
And I do. I was an electrician on Earth, after all. "The impurities in the material don't break apart at the same temperature as the material itself does. This leaves the impurities floating around in the potion despite the material breaking apart cleanly."
So when it came down to explaining why electricity flowed differently in impure liquids, I had no issue explaining myself. Even while not mentioning particles or anything like that. "The impurities in this case serve as insulators." My explanations were underscored by my usual calm, explanatory hand gestures. A habit I've long had.
"Just how different materials like iron conduct electricity better. There are others that stop it from flowing properly. You've surely seen what happens when lightning strikes wood. And if you have a lot of them in your potion, then obviously the flow of electromancy will get messed up."
Fortunately for me, Thalis is a smart cookie. My explanation was enough to light her eyes up in understanding. "Ahh. So what you are saying is that because of the small impurities left over in the potion after the heating process, the electromancy flowed differently, and therefore the potion was ruined."
I snap my fingers and point at her. "Precisely." Acknowledging her answer just as we enter the cafeteria.
"I'll see you later then." I tell Thalis over the din of the cafeteria before I turn and go to get a plate. But she taps me on the shoulder with a bit of a confused expression. "You eat on floor one too, right?"
I nod. "Yeah.""Then why not sit with me and my friends? They aren't the type to judge." She explains with a vague gesture towards her face. Apparently, assuming thatIi sit alone because I'm ashamed of my scars.
So I quickly dispel her misunderstanding. "It's not about that. I couldn't care less what others think of my appearance. It's more about the fact that all your friends are girls. And I'd feel horribly out of place at your table." Casually waving her worry off and telling her the truth.
That I simply don't want to sit with them because they are all girls. "Not that I have anything against you. Or girls in general. I just don't feel like it."`I don't wanna talk to even more minors gang. Fuck this harem shit.` A revelation that she luckily accepts as is. "Oh… I…. Well. Alright. Then I'll see you later in class."
I nod as I turn back around again. "Have a nice meal." I wave goodbye lazily as I walk off to grab lunch.
Getting my food and sitting down without distractions. Until another person comes up to me to bother me. Some lanky boy with brown hair who wears a really tacky and overdone uniform. Despite not being in the prestige class.
"Hmm. Is it just me, or does it smell awful in here?" `Ohh. Strong opening line, huh?` The bullying I had anticipated since day one finally started after a few days of delay.
"That must be those people, not from the prestige class." My casual comeback. With me not even looking up from my food, instantly sent the boy sputtering.
"I…. Uh… Wha… Screw you." He mutters out before running off in defeat.
"Bruh. Really? That's all it took?" I wonder aloud while watching the boy run off with his tail between his legs. `Well. Just like Elira's mom, he probably never had anyone shoot back like that.`
I make a mental note of nobles apparently being terrible at verbal altercations. At least when it comes to trading insults with someone they clearly think is below them, and who should just cower and beg for forgiveness when they say something.
`I shouldn't assume. My sample size is too small.` I muse while I finish my meal and go back to classes. Where Thalis is already waiting with more questions to ask me. Elira, as per usual, only arrived seconds before the bell rang.
We don't get to sit down for long, though. Once Calveth arrives, we change rooms for the first time for a lecture. Leaving our classroom on the second floor to go down to the meditation hall on the first floor.
A wide-open hall without a ceiling. So the sun can shine down on us while we practice. `I bet being in here during the night is really cool.`
Of course, we weren't alone in the hall. Plenty of other people were already here meditating or leisurely walking around while cycling their mana. Some under teacher supervision and others without.
The older students are obviously given more freedom to do their own thing than the first years. And for a good reason. As we walked past some first years practicing under teacher supervision, they looked exhausted.
`Are we going to cast spells too? I don't see anyone doing anything special.` Which earns a quirked eyebrow from me. As I ponder what they could possibly be doing to be sweating like they are.
It doesn't even cross my mind that others might have difficulty doing this until Calveth speaks up. Ripping me out of my thoughts with his voice. "I've already briefly explained what we will focus on for the next four hours previously."
He explains as he collects the attention of the whole class. "Here. In this hall, I will teach you all about breathing techniques, internal flow regulation, and mana pacing." He reiterates before going more in-depth. "Besides clear visualization, breathing techniques, and knowing how to properly regulate your internal flow are the most important tools for a mage in battle. So I do not want to see a single one of you slack off here."
`There is literally no reason to slack off in this class. Since it's basically a freebie anyway.` I think while he continues. "Now I know some of you are already used to regulating and circling mana. So you may find this tedious or even boring. But even if that is the case. If I see anyone play around. Or worse, disturb others in their training; I will deduct points immediately. No questions asked."
`That's a bit harsh. But I suppose it makes sense.` "Others here have never done anything like this. Therefore, I expect everyone to follow along with my explanations. Even if you can already do what I tell you to do."
With his explanation finished and his expectations made clear, Calveth then designates a spot for each Adept to sit in. The class is a bit spread out, so no one bothers anyone else, but not enough to not hear his instructions."Okay. Now that everyone has their spot, I want you all to get into a position that feels comfortable for you. And then close your eyes." A cacophony of rustling uniforms and some complaints follows Calveth's instructions.
But no one is brave or stupid enough not to do as he says. Most of the girls, of course, are trying to sit all dainty and pretty. While the boys are generally more relaxed and at ease.
Like I am. I simply sit down cross-legged and close my eyes. Waiting for further instructions. That comes in the form of a half-hour explanation of things I already know. Calveth mostly just talked about what I figured out on my own.
Back on that frozen mountain. With the mysterious help of the moons. `I still haven't figured out why I feel so drawn to the Moons.` I shake my head and attempt to quiet my thoughts. Since this wasn't the time to be thinking about all the mysteries I still have yet to answer.
This was a time to focus and do as Calveth says. So that's what I do. For the next four hours, I do as he says. Without really questioning the sometimes a little dubious methodology.
However. Even after four hours, we are all still just sitting around meditating. And frankly, my ass was starting to hurt. `Come on. When can we get up and start walking around while cycling mana?` I grumble.
Absolutely ecstatic when the bell finally rings. Marking the end of another day of school. Whose last four hours felt like an eternity.
"Hmm. I suppose that will have to do for today." Calveth says as he packs up his things. "Do not forget to do your homework." Reminding us to do our homework before he walks off.
Followed closely by me. Since I already had my things packed and was just waiting to leave at this point. In fact, I'm so fast out the door that I actually leave before Calveth does.
Heading to my dorm room for a much-needed break. Before I then do what I usually do for the evening. The sun is slowly setting in the distance while I do my thing. Bathing my room in the golden hue of the waning light.
—
"Hey. Thali? Why were you talking to that boy with the scars in the cafeteria? Isn't he a noble?" Thalis looks up from her book with a quirked eyebrow at the question one of her friends asks.
"I mean, yeah. But he isn't narcissistic at all. He seems really down-to-earth. So I actually wanted to introduce him to you." Thalis replies while leaning back to stretch. Her back was aching from being hunched over her books.
"Oh. Really? He isn't scary?" Another voice chimes in. Thalis quickly shook her head in turn. "Mhm. No. He's actually quite kind, I think. He didn't even ask if I am a noble or not. I don't think he cares. And he is also really smart." Thalis replies.
At her answer, the first girl tilted her head. Before sighing and telling Thalis something she had heard in class. "I don't think you should hang around that guy."
Thalis looks at her, confused, before she elaborates."Someone in my class said he made enemies of Lady Veydris. And that anyone who is seen hanging out with him is her enemy as well." A revelation that makes Thalis freeze. The color drained from her face quickly. "I…. I didn't know. I…"
Her stuttered words were interrupted by her friend. "You know how nobles are. They don't care if you actually did. So you should just stay away from him. He'll only be trouble."
Thalis hangs her head low. Thinking for only a few moments before she nods. Trusting her friend's judgment completely. "Yeah. You're right. Thanks, Lyssandra. I'm sorry." Thalis whispers. Looking crestfallen. But her friends quickly comfort her. Before they all go back to studying together.