Artemis had always wondered what it felt like to be a celebrity with thousands of eyes watching your every move and expression. She had thought that it must be a wonderful feeling to have every attention focused on you. No wonder she was often called a fool for her ridiculous thoughts. At this moment as she walked the hallway of the class building, every move of her limbs felt forced. She was conscious of each passing second as the burning gazes of the other students pierced down on her body. She was only walking the hallway to attend classes, was there a need for such unnecessary staring?
However, to the eyes of the others, it was all-natural to avert their attention to a person well-known and respected. In their eyes, Artemis was one powerful being at her young age. They all had one thought in their mind as they watched her. That was overwhelming reverence.
As soon as Artemis approached the door of her assigned classroom, slight hesitation appeared in her. It was like that first moment of students when attending the first day of school. Hesitation and nervousness overwhelmed her senses. Her hands reached up to the doorknob when a familiar voice sounded beside her.
"Lady Francia?"
It was Ian.
Artemis cursed inside her heart before mechanically turning her head with a stiff smile adorning her lips, "Your Highness. It's nice to meet you."
"You're finally attending classes? I pray that your wounds must have already healed?" He was acting as if nothing serious happened at the lounging room. Nonetheless, it was a good thing to happen for Artemis as she had been restless trying to think of a way to react to him when they meet. Fortunately, it seemed as if he was willing to bury the matter.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. A lot of people had been worried for me and I am lucky to say that I only need to rest my left arm for a few more weeks before it goes back to normal."
"I see," Ian's gaze turned to her left arm which was covered by the sleeves of the uniform with narrowed eyes. He looked at Artemis for a brief second before opening the door to the classroom and Artemis took in a deep breath as the bright light of the sun entered her vision.
The room had a total of eight long tables with two seats each neatly arranged into rows facing a large writing board that has a variety of illustrations and messily strewn writings. Each student who had heard the door open was currently staring at the pair with burning eyes of curiosity and gossip. Artemis turned away from their looks and watched as the teacher who was in front of a podium welcomed them with a gentle smile.
Artemis could immediately recognize her as the teacher who was the famous magic instructor of Sebrithan Magic Academy known for her vast knowledge of different branches that deals with magic specifically. The class that all main characters were enrolled in was the notorious Elite class which houses only the most special students that no ordinary teacher could teach. Each student had a specific trait which made them eligible for the class. This specific teacher was quite a famous character in the book. With long wavy hair that stood out from the others with its fiery auburn color, it perfectly complemented her pale face that had bright cantaloupe-colored eyes. Her ruddy plump lips with pearly white teeth made her one of the most attractive teachers in the academy that students would definitely stare at all day; Letia de Armade.
"Artemis and Ian, you're finally here. We were about to start," When Artemis heard her call out to them without honorifics, she suddenly remembered a policy that she read from the letter. It was a known fact that inside the academy, statuses and positions were not considered as they had wanted to create an equal system of camaraderie without special considerations. But while this may be the case, other students still can't help but instinctively address other nobles of higher standings with honorifics as they felt it would be disrespecting them.
Letia's gentle demeanor immediately made Artemis ease up out of her stiff posture and she offered a small smile in return. As Artemis was only attending the class for the first time today, Ian guided her to her seat which was directly beside him.
"…"
She had forgotten such minor detail. Almost every student knew her obsessiveness with Ian and did not even dare to take up the seat next to him lest they angered her. Artemis sighed and did not even know how to act as she awkwardly sits beside him. The room was built to maximize size and the eight long tables were equally divided into two sides with a large walkway in the middle. Each table had two seats that both students must share and it was just fate that her partner was Ian.
There was nothing wrong with it, yes. But Artemis would have preferred a different partner if the situation required long-term partnering with him. At almost every school activity that required a team, it was inevitable that students would pick the person closest to them for convenience's sake. Artemis was hesitant with such an arrangement. Ian was such an unpredictable fellow that she did not know how to deal with him. She had a strong feeling that they would not be able to cooperate well with each other.
Such thoughts were stopped once Letia officially started her lessons and Artemis forgot everything she was thinking. If there was one thing that she would like to define herself was that she liked learning things that she willed to. As long as the subject interested her, she would do whatever she can to try and understand it. But of course, there were also things that she hated doing. If she finds herself being bored by a topic, no matter how much she tried to, she could never learn.
"It's been covered during your first-year lectures that the magic spirit that we control is provided by the celestial deities of each respective element. Each body has a specific element that they are compatible with and by making use of this, we are able to cast spells and manipulate magic different from others. Also consider that the quality of the body plays a huge role in the quality of magic you cast…" Letia continued on her basic lessons and Artemis could see the other students paying little heed to her talks. It was understandable as this concept had been drilled into their mind ever since the moment they discovered they were a wielder of element. But for Artemis who had just started being introduced to such a novel concept, everything was of absolute interest and she continued to listen with great vigor.
But unfortunately, not for long.
"So what would happen if a mage forcefully tried to manipulate a magic spirit not belonging to him? I recommend you answer this question as you go along your first activity."
All students stirred up at the mention of activity and they all buzzed with excitement. It was no secret that each activity in the Elite class was not ordinary. Usually, their activities would include extreme training that would force them to act out of their comfort zone. This type of teaching was especially effective to the elite students as they were also of not ordinary personalities.
Artemis did not even dare to imagine just what activity they were about to perform. Deep in her heart, an ominous feeling welled inside her as they went out of the classroom and Letia guided them through the large academy campus. Parts of her life that did not include either a foreshadow or of no importance were obviously not included in the novel and she was about to experience things for the first time without the knowledge of the novel.
They stopped at a large door made out of pristine marble that had a design of one eye surrounded with vines and twirling flowers pompously carved at the center as if it were about to devour them. Most students seemed to know just what this place was but Artemis was inwardly panicking as she did not know what.
"We're here again? Damn…"
"I know, right? Last year's incident was still fresh in my mind. Can't believe we're about to enter this again."
"This… usion… room should just disappear!"
Artemis tried heightening her already sharpened hearing to hear them but was unfortunately interrupted by Ian who suddenly called out to her.
"Lady Francia."
She turned her attention to him in slight frustration and perfunctorily answered with a yes. He really liked calling out to others so much these days.
"Letia said that this activity needed a partner. I hope I'm not being rude to assume that we should be partners," He turned to look at her with a deadpan expression and Artemis can't help but stare a little more at his deeply-colored eyes for a second longer. She still can't help it. People's appearances in this world were worlds away from her. She was used to seeing natural colors on a person's face but here, a variety of deep and bright colors were present that it looked like she was looking at a candy store.
"Of course not, Your Highness. It's only natural as we're seatmates," Artemis nodded her head and turned her gaze away when she heard Letia speak.