As I walked out of the facility, I entered a hallway that was dimly lit and there was a table with my belongings on top. I also see another set of the school's uniform for me to wear. Next to the table was a door that had an engraving of a stick figure showering. "I guess there's shower inside. I am pretty dirty and beat up after all." I quickly grabbed my things and went inside to shower. Once I was out, I changed right there. I came out and stretched in relief, "Ohhh man, that was great. Siren Academy sure takes care of their students well," I said in a relaxing and uplifting voice. At the end of the hallway was another exit and I walked towards it to leave. I ended up coming out the many doors that were in the main lobby. I heard a hissing noise from behind, and the door that I came through vanished. "The hell?" I guess you can only enter if you're granted permission. If they just left that door there, then tons of students would just wander in. I look to my right and see Bria on the platform. We make eye contact, and I attempt to greet her, but she instantly disregards my whole existence and looks away without saying a word. "Wait what…?" How is she going to ignore me and not say something? I walk over to the platform operator and before I reach her, my pocket vibrates. "Hm?" I reach into my pocket and it's the Horo reacting. "It's glowing blue from the inside, I wonder what it could be?"
I open it up and a holographic display appears with Eliza's name and a message from her. It says, "Meet me on the third floor. I am in the cafeteria; just walk down the hallway where the classrooms are and take the first right and you will see a sign." I closed the Horo and continued to walk towards Bria.
I wave and greet Bria once again, "Hey Bria, how ar-"
In a monotone voice she says, "And which floor will it be this time, Mr. Kima?"
I stood there a bit baffled, and then replied, "Third…please." She's so weird.
As we go up, I try to initiate conversation, so it doesn't get awkward, "So…what year are you?" She lifted up her hands and they glow with magic until the platform rises. She then says, "Why are you concerned about such trivial things?" I shrug and say, "I don't know, I just wanted to get to know you. As you know, I'm new here and you seem like a nice person." Her monotone voice sounded like a robot and always straight forward and boring, but I don't mind, "I'm not really that interesting. I'm just a platform operator."
I replied confidently, "I'm pretty sure you're not just a platform operator, you must have other things to do." I arrived on the third floor, and she said, "We are here, Mr. Kima. Now, what will you do?" I don't know if that was her way of changing the subject, but she turned to me and had a blank face as always. "I have to go see Eliza in the cafeteria. I am also very hungry…haha," I chuckled. She bows and says, "Very well, have a good day then." I wave bye and she doesn't acknowledge it.
I relay the directions Eliza gave me in my head, so I don't forget. However, my mind wanders off. I walk by the classrooms to see what was going on and I peeked inside one of them. All the students ranged from humans, dragon people, fairies, elves, odd furry people, and even a few vampires. They were all paying attention to the teacher while taking notes. My stomach growled. "Okay, I need to hurry up and find Eliza." I took the turn that Eliza said, and I saw a holographic display that said Cafeteria. I hear a lot of voices and chatter from inside, "This must be it," I said as I went through the double doors. To my amazement, I saw some tables with different races of people sitting, eating, and talking to each other. "Whoa, this place is huge and so many people," I look around and I noticed that I came through the top part of the cafeteria. There was an escalator that went up and downstairs.
I walked to the side, so I wouldn't bother anybody from enjoying their meal or time. I leaned up against the railing from the top floor and looked down to try and spot Eliza. The downstairs floor was bigger than the top, and there were many more students sitting around. Plus, the food was coming from that floor; I can see the lines of students with their trays, waiting to get their food from the stands. I take a final scan around the cafeteria and see Eliza sitting alone, looking out the window. Her bangs and ponytail sway to the side from the slight breeze coming from a nearby window. Everything around her seemed all sparkly—she seemed unapproachable for a moment. She looked so graceful and I didn't want to stop looking.
I snapped out of it and headed downstairs to go see her. I felt a bit nervous from all the other students around me, but I made it to her table. "Eliza?" I said in a soft tone. She turned her head and her eyes widened; for an instant, I thought she was happy to see me, but I shut that thought down asap. "You're alive?! I see you got my message, but I thought it was pointless since you probably had a 1% chance of living." She said in such a surprise. Was she actually thinking that I was going to die?? Or even worse…hoping for me to die? Regardless, I replied, "Whoa, that's kinda harsh, don't you think?"
She smirked, "Hmph, it was just a realistic thought of mine. Yet, you survived…how on Nuvia did you make it out alive? Unless you have cheated your way through it…" she assumed so carelessly and glared at me. "No no no, I didn't cheat, relax! It was certainly unexpected, and I don't know how it happened but I was told by my advisor, Arial, that I unlocked a power during the trials…I wouldn't be here right now if I didn't…" I said as I raised my hand and looked at my palm, recalling the events that transpired this morning. Eliza burrowed her eyebrows as if she's gotten angry, but it was only because she didn't understand. She then asked, "You unlocked a power…?"
"So basically, I-"
Eliza raised her hand towards me as a gesture for me to zip it, "Wait just a minute," Eliza got up from her seat, and said, "Before I have you speak, would you like some sustenance?"
"What is that?" I asked in complete confusion.
She sighed and said, "Some food."
Why didn't she say that from the beginning? "Oh yes, please."
We walked over to the stands to get food and we stared at the menu, "Do you have any money, Kima?" She asked in a nonchalant manner, and I hoped she was just kidding. I said, "No…I didn't think we had to pay for our food since we go to this school." Eliza looked up at me, "Well now you know. Since it is part of my job to babysit you, I will pay for your meals until you start earning a steady flow of income."
"I can earn money? If so, how?" I asked.
"We students take on missions in a squad of four people. Completing those missions pay us, and the amount of compensation varies by the difficulty and who assigned it. Your homeroom teacher should speak more about it during class."
"Alright…" I said. I feel bad for making her pay but I can't really do anything about it now. "Oh yeah that's right, in order to use my money, you need a Phoenix card. I'll just use mine for your meal as well." The card has her photo on it and the card itself has the same color scheme as the school's colors—black, red, and orange. There was a phoenix emblem in the top right corner and her name was engraved right next to her photo. "Until you get yours--which should be tomorrow; you will be able to use your Phoenix card to buy personal things as well. However, regardless of having it, you won't have any money on it. Once, you complete a few missions, your payment will be automatically transferred onto the card."
"Alright, that makes sense. I can't have you babysit me for long. I need to take on as many missions as possible." She smiled, "That's the spirit. I want to know what happened during the trials once we get our food. Don't forget," I nodded.
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"So, Eliza, any recommendations?" I asked, looking at the holographic menus displayed above the chefs. "Not really, I'm a vampire remember? I don't usually eat other races' food. It doesn't mean I can't eat it though, blood just tastes better. I have to order these blood packages; that one right there is my favorite." She points out a small transparent blood package on the screen. It had a swirl-like straw where you can drink out of; it had writing on the front. It reads, "Sternbriar Co. Blood Type: O-; Flavor: Strawberry". Flavored huh? I didn't know blood could have a taste to it. "Sternbriar…? Isn't that your family name?" She pridefully says, "Indeed it is. Our family manufactures the blood packages for all of us Vampires to drink. Blood is the only thing that keeps us, Vampires, alive and well. Without it, we die. Yet, no matter how delightful blood can be, human food especially can be absolutely mouthwatering, I personally can't live without some of it." I smiled in interest and proceeded to look at the menu for something that I could try out.
I suddenly feel eyes all over me and I look around—to see groups of people staring at us. Some were even whispering while staring at me, which made me a bit nervous. The once calm and informative atmosphere I had with Eliza, just shattered like glass, and it became real tense. I look back at her, and she's acting like nothing is happening. Does she not see them? Maybe she does…but is just ignoring them? Ugh, I can't stand being stared at by so many people. I just want to relax and eat. I start to lose my appetite slightly, but I just shake my head to snap out of it.
I ordered myself a piece of meat that looked like steak. On the menu, it said: Lesser horned boar. This sounds like a quest item. Eliza ordered her favorite bloody drink, and we went to go sit down. Realizing my discomfort, Eliza looks at me, and sighs, "My apologies…I don't have many friends and so it's kind of strange for me to have anybody associate themselves with me…" She started to speak a bit slower and lower and she says, "No one really approaches me unless it's a teacher or my squad. You're going to have to get used to that if you're going to be around me. So, I apologize for all the awkward staring from others..."
She looked troubled and I said, "It's fine, I only have two friends myself. They're kind of like my own squad, but at home," I try and sympathize with her. She continues to vent, "Me being one of the strongest in my grade and representing the Noble Sternbriars; It's as if I'm emanating a passive superiority aura to them. Hence, why I'm alone during lunch or for most of the day." She sighed with an irritated expression as if she was thinking about how life would be different, without her Noble status. "Well… are your lonely right now?" She looks up at me and replies slowly with a hint of hesitation along with confusion.
"No...?"
"Then you have nothing to worry about. Besides, you have to 'babysit' me from now on, right? That means I'll stay by your side for as long as I need to." I try my best to smile as I'm drowned with embarrassment from that corny line. I look away avoiding eye contact, but my gaze slowly returns to her and Eliza is looking at me, smiling. It was no ordinary smile though, this one felt different. It felt softer, genuine, and not strained. She giggled and said, "Thank you, Kima. I guess it wouldn't be so bad to have you around after all." Wow, that escalated quickly. For some reason...Seeing her this happy makes me kind of happy too. Having to force an image that has been embedded into you growing up isn't fun. You should always be yourself and live up to your own expectations.
My stomach growls and I respond by finally taking a bite of my food. I start to eat more and notice the flavor. "Hey, that's pretty good!" I said, and Eliza sips out of her blood pack and she can't help but smile from the taste. I glance at her and she averts her eyes away. I guess she doesn't want me to watch her eat…or drink. Whatever. We both finish up and clean up after ourselves, and she speaks, "Okay, now back to the subject of the Trials. What power did you obtain?" Eliza says with an eager expression and swings her legs under the table like a kid. I clear my throat to speak, "Remember when you talked to me about Magic? And you mentioned Pure Magic as well?" Her eyes widened, "…No way…" she says in disbelief.
"Yes…it's exactly what you're thinking. According to Arial and her research on me throughout the trials, I awakened to the Goddess's Pure Magic and I can wield it." I explained everything that happened and my fights with the monsters as well. Eliza made several expressions, but she was mostly in disbelief. She says, "Let me get this straight…during the Trials. You almost died fighting the ogre, that was modified by the advisor in order to push you to your limits, and that was when you awakened to this power? That power was Pure Magic, and not only that, you skillfully killed all the enemies without any prior fighting experience too. And this is all because of Pure Magic?" Eliza summarized my story.
I nodded slowly, and said, "It felt as if my senses were being passively heightened throughout the Trials. Before I knew it, I could easily see the monsters moves. They were so slow…I thought it was because of the adrenaline rush, but it didn't seem natural." Eliza starts to ponder about something and looks outside to gather her thoughts. I looked along with her and it was a beautiful day outside, birds were singing, and flowers were blooming. I attempted to ask her what was on her mind, "What's wrong?"
She chuckles a bit, "You may actually have some potential, Kima. At this rate, you might be able to live up to our expectations as the substitute Pawn-Wielder. But, until then, you must master your power and learn to defend yourself. Just don't get cocky with that special power of yours, understood?"
"I understand." I smiled, and she smiled back. "Good, I'm sure with enough training and discipline, you will get there in no time," she said. I started to tap my foot impatiently and said "So? When can I start training? I want to get stronger already, Eliza. Bring me one of those ogre's again." I'm pumped from the compliment that Eliza gave me, and I just stared at Eliza, so she would understand how serious I really am. She suddenly starts laughing, "Hahahaha! Oh, Kima. What did I say about not getting cocky?" I start to get red in embarrassment, "I-I'm not! With this new power, I feel like I can become the Pawn-Wielder! I can feel it. Plus, why not start training as soon as possible instead of just laying around?"
"Oh! Oh!, training?! Can I join in? Sounds like fun!" I hear a very gentle voice, behind me. I turn around and her smile is beaming brighter than the sun, yet, something seemed a bit off about it. The mysterious cheerful girl was very tall, about 5'9 ft (179cm), with short jet-black hair with pink tips that matched her eye color. Her voluptuous figure with large breasts and wide hips accentuated her skin-tight cream-colored sweater and white leather pants. She had large black and pink butterfly wings that looked to have a wingspan of about 8 ft (243cm) across. They were folded into her back and appeared like a cape.
"Give it up Juni, don't waste your time with these guys. Especially Eliza." I heard another voice that came from behind this tall girl. She revealed herself and she was the one behind those cold words. Eliza stood up, and said, "Hmph, such a childish comment. You're the last person in Nuvia I would ask for any help." What's going on? I feel tension in the air, as these girls glare at each other. Nervously, but in a somewhat demanding voice, the Juni girl says, "Now, now, Alma. Please remain calm. For me? Please?" This Alma girl backed up immediately and was instantly shut down when the Juni girl said that. "F-fine, I'm sorry Juni," she crosses her arms and blushed slightly looking away. This Alma girl is pretty short, she's around 5'2. Her voice sounded boyish, but she was obviously female. She's one of those half animal people. With medium length auburn hair with some white streaks. She has bright yellow eyes, and small patches of white fur framing her cheeks, that come down from her forehead between her eyes. It seems like the fur also goes down her neck. The two more prominent features are her tail and ears. It's the same color as her fur with a white tip. Her ears were on the top of her head and they're pretty cute if I say so myself.
"It's amazing how there are so many different races…it's so cool." Like the loser I am, I spout whatever popped up in my head. Juni is nudging at Alma for something, "Sorry we haven't introduced ourselves yet, but I'm Juniper Dusk. I'm a Fairy if you were wondering what race I am!" She twitches her wings as a gesture, "This is Alma Scarlet! She's a Beastial, a Wolf Beastial to be exact!" She says cheerfully, and Alma reluctantly waves at me. I smile trying to be as friendly as possible, and say, "I'm Kima Sayori, and I don't know if Eliza has told you about me yet, but it's nice to meet you both."
"Oh, so you're the new guy that Eliza has been complaining about? Hahaha! What a joke! You sure don't look like a Pawn-Wielder either! Good thing you aren't." Alma lets out a haughty laugh. "Wait a minute…complaining?" I turn to Eliza, but she just looks away and twirls her little finger around her hair; acting as if none of that ever happened. I sighed and I see in the corner of my eye Alma getting disciplined again about her attitude from Juniper. I sighed, and Eliza said, "Okay, enough with the introductions. Kima, go talk to the Headmaster—she told me that she wanted to have a word with you," she changed subjects. "Oh! Oh! Can I go?! I want to see the Headmaster!" I see Juniper excited and doing consecutive short hops like a child. Alma mentions, "W-wait a second, Juni, w-we have plans together remember?"
"Oh right! I'm sorry, sweety," Juniper calls Alma sweety and Alma's face is flushed in red. She stutters uncontrollably, "D-don't c-call m-me that in front of p-people..." Juniper giggles at Alma's reaction. She seems like the type to purposely say those things to her to enjoy a reaction.
I get up and say, "I guess I don't have a choice. See you all later." Eliza says farewell and Juniper waves at me ecstatically and at the same time nudges Alma to wave. I walk out of the cafeteria and wander through halls to find the main lobby.
"Hmm, what time is it?" I pull out the horo and it displays, 13:30. Oh damn, I better get a move on.