`So, from what Calveth said, Wednesday afternoon is always going to be reserved for Mana Control Techniques.` I think to myself as I wonder what today will look like.
`Probably just back to our usual schedule, right?` I was expecting today. Thursday to be the same as Monday and Tuesday. It's not like we have any other subjects that could be considered practical.
At least not in the first year of classes.
My mind was occupied with various thoughts throughout the morning. My incessant thoughts only stop when I step into class. Walking to my usual seat while mumbling. "Good morning."
To no response. Elira wasn't here yet. `And it's not like she would reply anyway.` But curiously, Thalis was also not in the seat next to mine. Instead, she sat in the front of the class. Seemingly deliberately not looking my way.
Not that I care. I just shrug my shoulders and sit down. `Maybe she only sat next to me because she wanted to ask me those questions yesterday?` Or she could have simply just wanted to thank me for what I did before.
Whatever the truth was, I certainly wasn't hung up about it. Instead, I slouch in my chair and enjoy my peaceful and quiet morning. Bathing in the sunlight streaming in through the window as I wait for lessons to begin.
Proven right once again after Calveth informs us that today is indeed back to regular classes. Two hours of Spellcraft. Two for Circlecraft. Then lunch. And in the afternoon, we'll do two hours of Runes and two more hours of Runic Syntax.
`Damm. I'm going to be wiped at the end of this day.` I think to myself before we dive into the lessons for today.
And by the time lunch break swings around, I am yet again proven right about my own assumptions. I'm already on my last leg. `Damm. I wish I wasn't right all the time.`
My walk to the cafeteria was nice and quiet. Since Thalis seems unnaturally busy today. `It's like she is deliberately avoiding me.`
Something I also think about when I finally sit down with my food in the cafeteria. "Hmmm." I hum as I notice people staring at me. More than usual.
`I feel like everyone is sitting further away today as well.` But my observations could just be biased. So I shrug my shoulders and just eat my lunch. Until I'm interrupted, of course.
By the same lanky boy who had tried to pick on me yesterday. And this time, he brought reinforcements. An older girl. Who seemed to be his older sister and their personal Servants.
All of them quickly crowd my table and surround me. Which makes me roll my eyes. `What? Are they going to jump me or something?` Of course, their plans are a lot more innocuous. And stupid than that.
"Hmm. So this is the peasant who thought he could insult my little brother?" His older sister begins while turning her nose up at me. Looking every bit like the typical villainous lady of an otome game or something. Complete with blonde hair done up in drill twintails and a fan in hand.
`Who the fuck made this character this clichéd?` I sigh to myself as I wonder which character designer was responsible for this mess.
But my thinking about that doesn't mean I can't also hit back at the same time. "Don't bother trying to intimidate me, girl. I don't care who you are or what your family name is. Nor do I care what you or your friends think of me." I respond while deliberately picking at my scars.
Moving my blue leather eyepatch away from my ruined eye slightly while staring at her. So she can get a nice, long look. The sight of my ruined eye alone more than enough to make her shut up.
A shiver of disgust and a hint of fear, clearly visible in her reaction. "Disgusting." Are the last words she throws my way before she turns around and scampers off. The gaggle of servants and her brother stare after her for a moment. Before quickly following her. Leaving me to just shake my head and sigh again.
Before I go back to eating. "The bullying here can't even be called third-rate for real for real." All while muttering about the terrible state of bullying in this world.
Though I am aware that this would be a lot different if I weren't who I am. Isolation, snide remarks, constant glares, and continuous torment wouldn't be easy to deal with for any teenager. Especially at a certain age. Those caught up in their hormones who already have to deal with a lot. Those who are trying to fit in or still need to find themselves.
But I didn't care about that. I might be in the body of a teenager now. But that didn't mean I changed. So their bullying was obviously ineffective against me. I couldn't care less if I didn't make a single friend throughout my school life. Or if people kept picking on me like this. None of it mattered to me.
Especially since I still don't think I'll ever form a real, deep connection with anyone in this world. `At least not with nobles. We are simply too different, I think.`
Of course, my thoughts didn't change that there was still one person by my side here. Elira didn't seem to care at all that others viewed me negatively. She still always sat beside me. Not talking. But almost seeming protective of me. `I suppose even among nobles there are all sorts.` She was much like a silent guardian trying to protect me from the mockery of my peers with her presence.
`Maybe she is the reason why no one in the prestige class has been mean-mugging me anymore?` A grin crept onto my lips whenever I glanced at her after I thought about that. My attention in class, a tad divided as I glance at her more often. `That's actually kinda sweet of her.` The way I see her changing ever so slightly.
Not in any significant way. We were still worlds apart.
I'm just thinking that she probably thought she owed me one. And wanted to help in her own way. But now I feel like I owe her one. Since I never expected anything from her in return for protecting her from her Mother. So after classes end, before she can leave, I quickly lean over to her. Whispering into her ear while she is still packing up. "I see what you are doing. And I want to thank you for looking out for me. I owe you one."
My words instantly made her freeze. Elira turned to me with a stunned expression. And bright red ears. Looking utterly adorable.
My heart soars at the sight. `Oh god. She looks so precious. She is so cute.` So much so that I almost can't hold myself back from wrapping her up in my arms. Leaving me with no other choice but to beat a quick retreat before I embarrass her even more. Or overstep any lines I really shouldn't.
A voice in the back of my head reminding me that if we appear too close, she might get into trouble as well. `Well. More trouble than she already is in.` Though I also believe that her mother is probably the only one brave enough to bully her. But I certainly wouldn't want to make her situation worse. Considering her Mother probably saw me as the enemy.
So I scamper off as quickly as I can. Rushing past her and almost sprinting all the way to my room. Where I hide the rest of the day. Just in case.
Not that I was planning on going out. I spend my evening as usual. Doing homework. Training. Studying. And just in general, doing the activities that I have come to enjoy in this world.
The next day, arriving soon enough, while I keep busy. `Finally Friday, huh? Can't wait for the weekend. To just relax and do what I want for a change.`
The weekend, or at least Saturday, was usually reserved for elective classes. A long list of leisure activities that the school considered worthwhile for the students to engage in.
In the documents I was handed before school started, they were grouped into seasonal activities as well as separated by what kind of activity they were. For example, there was Equestrian Excellence as a spring elective in the Sports & Competitive category. Or Summer Wine Appreciation as a summer elective in the Lifestyle & Indulgence category.
In the documents, it also said that while they were called elective classes, you had to choose at least two as mandatory classes, which you visit on Saturday. But all of this only comes into effect after the first month of school has passed.
So until then, I had the weekends off. Which will give me a lot of time to do what I want to do. And maybe also to look in on some of the elective classes. Just to get a feel for them.
But before all that, I had to survive Friday.
Keyword. Survive.
Because, unlike every other day. Friday was only a half-day. Today, classes only last until lunch break. After that, we are free to do as we please.
However. The reason for that wasn't because the school is so kind. It's because Friday is the day solely reserved for practical combat training. Physical exercise. Weapon practice. Sparring matches. Those kinds of things.
`Huh? I… I didn't expect that.` I hum after listening to Calveth's explanation of what we'll be doing today. `I mean, yeah. Brenvar said he is the combat instructor for the second year. So it makes sense we have one as well. I just didn't think we'd do that in the first week of the first year.`
It wasn't like we had a strict curriculum plan that I could look at to figure out what we did each day. That was all left up to Calveth. And that made sense, of course. But it also meant I had to stay on my toes. Never quite knowing what each day may bring. Except for Wednesday afternoon, of course. Since Calveth had designated that for mana breathing practice.
`They probably do that exactly for that reason. To keep us on our toes.` There are no strict plans for when we would do tests, either. Almost everything about our curriculum was left up to our teachers. They only had vague guidelines of what we should be able to achieve at the end of the year.
Or so I assumed, at least. Not that I had much time to think about that. Between walking into class. Waiting for Elira to arrive. Who seemed to glare just a bit more intensely at me today.
And Calveth walked in to explain what we would do today. There wasn't much time for me to ready myself for the day ahead.
Luckily, my uniform was light and breathable. So I didn't have to run back to my room to get my training outfit. "Hmmm?" What confused me was that no one else did either.
Even though some of the uniforms looked very impractical for physical training. "We will now go to the locker rooms to change, and then I will introduce you to your combat instructor for the year." Until Calveth reveals that we'll be given spare clothes to train in from the school.
"Ahh." I hum as we all follow Calveth. Back down to the ground floor. Just past the meditation hall, where the locker rooms are. And when I was just about to start wondering how the locker rooms are designed, I was informed by Calveth that we each get our own locker room to change in.
`Huh. Well. I guess this ain't the military.` I was totally ready to undress in front of my peers without shame. But as it turns out, the doors we stand before are entrances to long hallways with more doors lining them.
Each of those doors, then, in turn, leads to a locker room. Where fresh and well-fitting training uniforms are already waiting for us.
I inspect the training uniform curiously while putting it on. Realizing it's made of a similarly airy and breathable fabric as my own uniform. Though this material seems a bit thicker and more durable.
`Yeah. That makes sense.` I think as I put the shoes provided with the uniform on and open the door to join the others. "Ow-" Or at least I tried to. But when I attempt to open the door, I instead walk right into it.
"Ahh. Fuck." I mutter while rubbing my nose. "The fuck?" I grumble while trying the handle of the door again. It clicks, and I push. But the door doesn't move much. Not enough to open.
`Hmm?` I try again and again. Listening to the door hinge click open every time, but the door does not open regardless.
"Ahhh. Ohh. This is that, isn't it?" I grin to myself as it clicks in my head. Just the same as the door clicking as I try the handle again. Someone had probably put something in front of the door to keep me locked in here. Or maybe used some kind of spell to do so. Quite the classic when it comes to bullying others.
Of course, something like that won't bother or stop me. So I step back and lift one foot. Ramming it against the door. Full force. Without hesitation. And no warning. Hoping that will do the trick.
Yet the door only budges slightly. "Damn." I lean back and wind up another kick. Ramming my foot into the door again. Not even necessarily believing I can open it like this. Rather, I'm hoping that someone might hear the ruckus I make and come to investigate.
No such luck, though. So I'm left to kick and bang on the door for the next quarter of an hour or so. "Oh, come on." I'm just about to give up trying to pry the door open or make someone notice me when the door suddenly and without warning swings open by itself.
I quickly step through into the hallway before it can close again. Checking both ways to see if anyone is there. But of course, whoever was the culprit of this prank is long gone. And knowing that the others are probably all waiting for me, I don't have time to investigate things either.
I rush down the hallway and join up with the others in a hurry. Though it was already too late.
"Adept Blackwell. Keeping others waiting is quite unbecoming of a noble student of this school. I will deduct a point for your tardiness." I can't even argue with that decision. I just sigh and accept Calveth's decision with a nod. Not bothering to explain what happened. Since no one would believe me. Making excuses for getting successfully pranked is lame anyway.
Instead, I focus on what's important. And that is Calveth leading us into the training halls and introducing us to the person responsible for our physical education.
A tall, broad-shouldered man with weathered skin and a body shaped by decades of battle. "This is Serathen Kaelthorn. Your Combat Instructor for this Year." Calveth introduces us quickly before leaving us in the capable hands of our combat instructor.
And just as before with Brenvar, Serathen gave off that no-nonsense vibe that is common with military types. Though he appeared even more grizzled and serious than Brenvar. If that was even possible.
Not even bothering to say anything before he leads us to the training hall. He just nods his head for us to follow before we move. Entering the training hall.
Which was rather similar to the meditation hall. With an open ceiling. But unlike the meditation hall, it's chock-full of stuff. Training dummies. Racks with practice weapons. Tracks to run on. Obstacle courses. Even weight benches. And most eye-drawing. A small arena-like stage in the middle of the room.
An arena we approach before he turns around to finally address us properly. His voice was controlled yet boomed through the nearly empty hall easily. "Today, we will see what you are all made of."
Carrying with it that quality that you only typically find in high-ranking military folk who are used to shouting out orders. "I will call your names in pairs. When you hear your name, step forward and get ready for battle. We will hold sparring duels between each pair of students."
And much like some military man, he seems to prefer throwing people into the deep end. He informs us that the very first thing we'll do under his instructions is fight against each other.
`Well. I suppose it's a good way to check where each of us is at.` I think while shaking out my hands and feet. Already feeling like I'm going to be called on first.
"Adept Blackwell."`Yeah. Figures.` I sigh and roll my eyes as I step forward. Waiting for my opponent's name to be called with a twitching eyebrow. "Adept Tharros."`And there it is.`
"Huuuuuuuuuh." I sigh deeply. What I feared would happen played out exactly as I thought. Watching as Selvan steps forward confidently. `Yep. No surprise there. Of course, I would be up against the mega prodigy and first-place examinee of the school for my first-ever sparring match.`
I sigh once more before I straighten up. Hands on my hips as I step forward to join Selvan in standing before Serathen. `Lord, forgive me for what I'm about to do to this mans.`