I spent most of Friday brooding after I got the letters. They just caught me off guard. So I wasn't as focused on other things as I should have been. I didn't even do my homework. Even though I promised myself that I'd always do it on the same day I get it.
Luckily, it was the weekend, so I had two more days to do what I needed to. So I did my homework on Saturday. A day I spent mostly studying. Because at least I did remember to work out on Friday.
That left me with Sunday to focus on practicing magic and meditation. However, I actually ended up trapped in my own thoughts on Sunday as well.
I made the mistake of checking my stats. Something I really should do more often. Considering that if I had, then I might have known why they looked like this.
Name: Daniel Blackwell
Age: 15
Gender: Male
Body/ Strength: 8/ Endurance: 10/ Toughness: 8
Mind/ Acuity: 31/ Wisdom: 11/ Intelligence: 11
Soul/ Destiny: 2/ Fate: 3/ Radiance 9997
Endurance had leveled up. Yes. I could explain that. But what made me do a double and then a triple take was the fact that Destiny once again had gone up.
`Why the fuck did that shit go up again?` I tried my absolute hardest to remember what could have caused this.
I really considered every angle. Going over everything that happened since I last checked my status screen carefully. Trying to remember if anything strange or extraordinary happened.
`Ahh fuck. I really need to check this shit every day. Then I wouldn't have this problem.` But promising myself that I'd check my status screen more often does nothing to solve the mystery.
`Was it the letters?` A mystery I simply cannot solve. No matter how hard I think. And I really think hard. I really consider every possible thing. Everything. The letters I got. The sparing duel. I even consider if that prank that was played on me might have something to do with it.
But in the end, all I manage to do is waste hours of my precious Sunday on this. Thinking in circles about the ever-increasing mysteries surrounding me.
I do manage to get some meditation and magic training in. But not a lot. And before I know it, Monday is already knocking on my door.
Leaving me with no other choice but to file that mystery away for the time being. In that big pile of mysteries, I still can't solve.
So I can focus on trying to cram as much knowledge as I can into my head during classes.
Though before that, I of course have to run the usual gauntlet of being picked on. Something that once again starts the moment I step outside my door.
Or well. It really only begins once I step into the Cafeteria. The favored spot for people bothering me. `I wonder why they feel more comfortable bullying me here?`
It was probably the fact that with all the ruckus going on while everyone was eating, it was easy to slip by unnoticed. Though it's not like the school staff or professors on patrol would intervene on my behalf. At least I don't think.
An assumption that is soon enough proven right.
Because who else but the red-haired girl is here again. To try and pick on me once again. And this time, she brought actual muscle with her.
A stocky, sturdy-looking boy. Probably a second year if I had to guess. With cropped blonde hair and an actual scar across his jawline. Clearly, someone who wouldn't be easily intimidated or chased off.
"Tss. Why are you still here? Don't you get that no one respects or wants you here? Especially after that pathetic display last week?" Though it was the red-haired girl leading the attack.
Again, trying to hurt my pride. An angle of attack that she should really know by now won't work against me.
My pride is something so strong and ironclad she might as well try to get through five meters of reinforced concrete with a toothbrush. Unlike most others here, I simply do not care about how others view me.
I know what I can and can't do. I know what I lack and where I am better than others. And I spend every day working towards being my best self. That alone is enough for me to have unshakable pride.
So, of course, her attack fizzles out harmlessly. But it's then that the muscle steps in. "Did you not hear Lady Veyndar? No one wants you here!" He growls loudly.
Loud enough for everyone nearby to turn to us. A lot of them stare at the scene with malicious interest. Though I do recognize that most people in the cafeteria don't really care.
I'm well aware that it's just my own bias that makes it seem like they all want me dead. In reality, most of them are just opportunists. Which is quite human.
And it's not like I needed any help anyway. He might have tried to seem intimidating. Growling and leaning over me. Invading my personal space and all. But to me, he seemed more like a small dog barking.
See. When you spent most of your teenage years and a big chunk of your adult life working on construction sites. And even went through mandatory military service. Things like this just don't faze you anymore.
I'm used to rough words and loud tones. People postering and trying to seem intimidating. I've seen it all before. And I've long since stopped giving a fuck.
Which is something that must have shown on my face, too. Because before I can say or do anything, he crashes out. A vein on his forehead throbs as he pulls back. Actually cocking his fist back. About to swing on me.
"You insolent little.." But before he can swing, he pauses. Hesitating.
Maybe it was because I still didn't flinch even now. Maybe it was me tilting my head like I was curious what he'd do. Staring at him with an expression somewhere between boredom and mild interest. Or maybe it was something in my eyes. Or well. My one good eye.
But whatever it was. He hesitated. Long enough for the red-haired girl to intervene. "Stop it, Brant. What are you doing?" She brusquely asks as she grabs his raised hand and pulls him back.
"Selienne I..." The boy, who is apparently called Brant, stammers. His aggression wilted under her scolding. "No. Don't make excuses. We are better than these filthy commoners. We don't stoop to their level and solve our problems with our fists."
`So he is called Brant and she is called Selienne. Finally figured out her name.` I watch them argue while filing their names away just in case I meet them again. `Well.` I will, of course. It's not like they are going to disappear.
However. I will. At least from this seat. Because while they argued about what is proper and what not to do as a "real noble", I had finished my last bite of food. Meaning I didn't need to waste any more time here.
So I get up and weave past them. "Well. I'm done eating. So I'll leave you two lovebirds on your own now." I comment absentmindedly. Just saying the first thing that came to mind.
But apparently that was the wrong thing to say. "What?!? What did you just say?!?" Brant shouted. His voice now even louder. Really drawing all eyes to us. "You insolent fucker!" And he keeps going. Actually, full-on swearing at me.
A first in this world. And it's also the first time one of my bullies actually tries to hit me. He barrels past Selienne and tries to punch me. A right hook.
Fortunately, acuity is my best stat. That, coupled with the fact that it was pretty obvious what he was about to do, gave me enough time to dodge his attack. Ducking under his punch before I turn on my heels and run.
"Uhh." A noise somewhere between surprise and laughter escapes me as I do. Though by the time I'm out the cafeteria door, I'm full on laughing from the thrill and absurdity of it all.
Luckily, Brant doesn't give chase. I'm not sure I could have actually gotten away if he had. His physical stats were probably higher than mine. But I don't find out.
Selienne was actually holding him back. I saw as much when I checked over my shoulder if he was running after me. Which was a bit confusing to me. Since I had assumed she had brought him along for that exact purpose.
`Well. I guess she really only wanted him to intimidate me and not actually cause a scene.` I think as I catch my breath. Now already safely on the second floor of the main building. In front of my classroom.
A place no one dares to cause a fuss in. Because only school staff and prestige class students are allowed around here.
`Lmao. That was fun.` "I just hope he calms down soon. Don't want to have to duck him every time I see him." I mumble to myself before I straighten up and head into class.
A lot earlier than usual. Yet I'm not alone. A couple of people are already here. Reviewing things or going over the homework together.
But it's no one I know well enough to interact with. Not even Selvan is here yet. So I just sit down and do the same as the others. Opening a random book to do some studying.
Though with this much time on my hands, my mind eventually starts to drift a little. To what happened just now. And to how messed up it all is.
`This was only like the third actual fight with another person I've ever been in. If you can classify that as a fight.` Which I do. Which in turn reminds me of the only two other times I've ever been in a fight.
One happened when I was still just a wee little teenager back on earth. Out drinking with my friends after a long week of work. And the other happened in a similar vein while I was out drinking with friends.
Both times, the fight didn't last long. It was basically just me dodging one swing before whoever was trying to fight me was grabbed and escorted out of the bar.
But while I was thinking about that, I was reminded of the time in my youth when I was already working and going out every weekend to get wasted.
`Bruh. To this day, I don't know how I survived doing all that.` In comparison, going to this school was like a vacation.
In my prime. Around sixteen or seventeen, I even went drinking throughout the week. While at the same time working as an apprentice. Often going days without properly sleeping. All while trying to appear coherent enough to make it through another week of working without getting fired.
`I really was a walking stereotype back then.` I wasn't alone in this, of course. Most of my friends were doing the same. It was almost expected of us.
And much like the stereotype that Europeans start drinking and smoking early. I also quit relatively early. I left my party days behind at around age twenty-two. When others only just starting to get into it.
`I wonder what the legal age in this world is? It's probably different from Kingdom to Kingdom, right? Maybe even town to town. Or at least territory to territory.` I ponder this question for a while.
Until my thoughts were eventually interrupted by the arrival of Elira and, soon after, Calveth. Another day of classes follows their arrival.
And to my surprise, it's a peaceful day. I was kind of dreading lunch break. Fully expecting to see Brant again. But he is nowhere to be found. And neither is Selienne.
They don't appear again for the rest of the day. And no one else bothers me either. Something I was sure wouldn't last.
But somehow. Someway. Even the next day is relatively peaceful. Tuesday morning, no one bothers me. Well. Not directly. There are still the typical sneers, snide remarks, and angry glares.
That changes during lunch break. When Selienne reappears. Walking in my direction. But by herself. Her muscle is nowhere in sight.
And strangely, her expression isn't one of anger. It's not the typical haughty contempt either. She seemed more hurt than anything. Which was, to be honest, more unsettling than anything she did before.
"Hey, you. Listen. And listen well." She begins. Voice low and serious. Like she didn't want anyone else to hear her speak.
"Brant is from the Hollen Family. And I'm from the Veydnar Family." Unfortunately, I had no idea what she was getting at. It's not like I knew all the noble families or what them being from those families meant.
And again. My confusion must have been evident. Because she continues with a sigh. "We are Cousins. So never, even on accident, suggest that there is anything between us again."
I quirk an eyebrow at her words. A bit surprised that she seemed so serious about this. I mean, even on Earth, it wasn't unheard of that cousins had things going on. And even more so in the past, when nobility was still a thing and incest was more prevalent.
That she was so deadset on clearing this up. Even though I just said it in a throwaway comment. It showed that it really mattered to her that no one thought she had a romantic relationship with her cousin. "It will do no one any good if people misunderstand our relationship. So keep that in mind."
And because she was being so serious and earnestly asking me to mind my words. I actually do apologize. Even though she might not deserve an apology. "Yeah, alright. Sorry. Didn't mean to put you in an awkward position or anything."
But just moments later, I regret actually apologizing. "Fine." She huffs. Throws her hair over her shoulder and stalks off. "Just watch your words from now on."
`Bruh.` I almost stopped her to tell her to listen to her own words. But in the end, I just let her go. "Ehhh. Whatever. Forget it." I just mutter to myself. Shaking my head at the absolutely hilarious lack of self-awareness.
After all, I had something much more important to worry about. Tomorrow, everything I have learned so far will be put to the test. Quite literally.
Since tomorrow morning, we'll be doing our first test of the year. On runes, runic syntax, and circlecrafting. `Well. At least we got told one day ahead of time, I guess.`
One day wasn't a lot of time to prepare. `Then again. We haven't really gone over much material so far.` It would probably be more like a short little quiz than a full-on exam. So I wasn't too worried about tomorrow.