Stained Part 1
Eliana could sense the stares from everyone around her as she paved her way through the hallway. There was still a fair amount of time before classes starts. So far, nothing too eventful was happening, except for the looks she has been receiving from the moment she left her room.
Eliana was still unfamiliar with the building. Her first class was somewhere on the third floor. Waking up early to navigate around the school was a good plan, but since she spent a lot of time studying a bit last night, it caused her to feel sleepy.
Later on she gave up, it was pointless to roam around on her own. She decided it was a lot smarter to just ask instead. She halted from walking, and tapped on a random girl's shoulder who stood idly along the hallway with her companions.
"Excuse me."
"Oh." The girl faced her. "Yes?"
"Do you happen to know where room 355 is?" She asked.
The girl momentarily stared at her, recognition escalated in her eyes. Her two other friends squinted at Eliana, scanning her from head to toe. Something tells her, these girls may have known her.
"Miss?"
The girl snapped out, slightly embarrassed. "Oh sorry, yes room 355 is over there. Just walk straight beyond this hall and turn right two times along the way. That should be it."
Eliana nodded to her. "Thank you."
After that she slowly walked away from them. She did this to hear their conversation. From the way they stared at her, she just wanted to eavesdrop.
"Hey I think that's her."
"It must be, she's the only one with Ash gray hair I've seen around here so far."
"What was she doing in the Ethereal Seven's dorm last night?"
"Who knows? She might've done something wrong or maybe..."
Eliana was already far enough to miss their fainting voices. She expected this but still hoped for that to be ignored.
She sighed.
'It couldn't be helped.'
Eliana finally arrived at her first class. The walk didn't take longer than two minutes, asking for directions bought her time. She entered the class quietly. Everyone gave her a short glance before returning back to their previous businesses.
The classroom looked similar to Moz's experiment area. The desks aligned connected to each other with an aisle in the middle. Some pots and tubes were on the tables.She took the seat on the first row, she always liked the first row. She could learn a lot from the spot.
Shortly later, the door opened rather harshly, it created a loud noise. A handsome boy with pale hair at shoulder length and black eyes walked in. His tall figure towered over everyone. His broad shoulders made him look intimidating and authoritative. He could rival the looks of the Ethereal Seven men.
The room fell into a deafening silence, startled from the newcomers entrance. He caught all their attention. His face twisted into disgust, disliking their wondering eyes on him.
"Tsk."
His reaction was simple yet everyone felt the thick intimidating aura around him. They ripped their attention away from him and avoided his presence. There were only three chairs left, he chose the seat located behind Eliana in the second row.
Eliana heaved out a soft sigh. She mentally thanked the odds for the guy's choice of seat. The seat beside her was empty.
Eliana ignored him and dusted off the intimidation she felt along with everyone in the room. She wondered who he was. the level of his aura was similar to an Ethereal. He was not a member, she was sure of that.
She pondered on the thought for a while before completely brushing it off. She needed to focus on something more important. Like the rendezvous later.
A teacher came in half a minute after the scene. He was wearing an outfit similar to Lady Astrid's, only with pants and a turquoise cloak. The expression on his face revealed nothing but blankness.
"First class of the day, Spells and Potion. Abbreviated it to SAP. Call me Doctor Symnar. I am no nobility, my skills brought me to this position. I expect for everyone here to respect each other." He swept his strict eyes around the room.
Eliana gulped down from the nervousness. She thought she prepared well last night, it was not enough at all. Her eyes fell to her notebook filled with notes she wrote from her late night review. If only she wasn't nervous enough to move freely in her seat. Doctor Symnar could easily notice her from the front.
Picking the first row was a bad idea.
She sat uncomfortably on the chair. Paying attention to Doctor Symnar's opening speech, which she hoped was longer but wasn't.
"Now for our lesson. Introduction to Spells and Potion. I'm sure everyone has heard the rumour about how witches are the only prime eligible users of spells and potions. That is incorrect, healers and innovators rely on SAP. It is true that the most abundant users of SAP are witches, but saying they are the only users is wrong." Doctor Symnar explained.
Eliana could feel the fascination rising inside her. Back on Earth she knew nothing about magical potions being legitimate. It was rather viewed as something demonic, but here in Praediti they casually teach it in school.
"Interesting." She unconsciously said.
Doctor Symnar darted to her seat. "Indeed it is interesting." He nodded. Eliana blinked several times. "Now, I want to see who here comes from a noble family. Raise your hands if you may."
Five hands rose up from the air. Including Eliana who was hesitant at first. Her eyes looked anywhere but Doctor Symnar.
"I see, it will be smarter to discuss this thoroughly I believe. Most but not all of the aristocrats teach basic SAP to their younger generations. From what I can see here, a lot of you are still clueless about it. I've decided, I'll teach from the basics. Adjust for them nobilities."
Eliana nodded calmly, but internally she was in pure glee. The odds were definitely on her favor today.
Soon enough, Doctor Symnar talked more about the rules within the potion room. Eliana took notes like the good student she was. Her tendency to excel was showing. Competitiveness was innately a resonance to her personality.
"Potions and Spells are easier this year. I warn you, they are still dangerous. Do not be rash and irresponsible as we study all of them. I expect you all to be responsible and meticulous in this class, understand?" Doctor Symnar gave everyone a warning look.
They all nodded. "Yes Doctor Symnar."
Soon enough, Spells and Potion class was done. Doctor Symnar succeeded in discussing the introduction of the subject. Eliana found it calm in terms of the way he delivered the important information. His teaching pace receives an okay from Eliana.
"Next class meeting, we will start with an easy potion making." The class atmosphere lit up from excitement. "Instructions will be given by then, you may all leave."
Everyone was quick to leave the room. Eliana carefully packed her notes back into her bag. She still needed to get to her next class, Demonology.
"Young Lady, may I know which family you are from." Doctor Symnar asks out of nowhere from his desk.
Eliana composed herself. "De La Felinar, Doctor Symnar."
Doctor Symnar nodded to her slightly taken aback. "I have seen you writing down the important information I talked about earlier. I will be expecting from you."
Eliana mentally cringed, if he only knew he wouldn't be saying that. Instead, she mustered up a smile.
"I'll try not to disappoint you sir. I'll be leaving now." She gave him a look before leaving the room feeling awkward.
Her next class was easy to find, Healing class. Room 365 was just around the corner so it wasn't much work. Once she got there, she realized she was the last one to arrive. All but one seat was already occupied. The seat beside that pale haired boy from the earlier class.
She cautiously sat beside him feeling everyone's stare. He sat on the second row beside the room's window. Thankfully, the guy was looking out on the view outside.
"Hey!"
A girl with black hair and brown eyes greeted her. She sat beside Eliana. She was smiling from ear to ear.
"Hello." Eliana greeted back.
"I'm Aura, I heard about you. What's your name?" She extended an arm. The way she pushed herself to Eliana made Eliana uncomfortable.
"I'm Eliana. What do you mean by, 'You've heard about me.'?" She shook Aura's hand.
"Last night, a lot of girls said Bastion asked for you. And some people saw him taking you to the Ethereal Seven's dorm building. Is that true?" Aura sported a curious look on her face.
Eliana felt scrutinized under her stares.
Eliana sighed, the question was too straight forward. She forgot to ask about this last night with the Seven. They were too reckless.
"My relative is there. You guys don't need to overthink it." She lied. It was a surprise how calm she was.
"Really?" Aura was smiling but her eyes told a different emotion. "Who's this relative that you speak of Eliana?"
"She's one of the Seven, Emery." Eliana answered.
It was obvious the girl didn't believe Eliana. Eliana was afraid she'd pry more into her business. She couldn't understand what Aura was trying to achieve. But one thing was, Aura seems like she has a lot to say.
"Oh Lady Emery, quite a surprise. Tell me ho--"
Before Aura could finish her question, the door opened revealing the teacher. Eliana mentally sighed in relief. Thank goodness.
"Let's talk later." Aura looked disappointed.
The teacher wasted no time and started talking immediately. He wore similar clothes with Doctor Symnar.
"Class, I am Lord Hanz. I will be teaching you all about Healing as everyone here previously came from the SAP class."
Eliana quickly took her notebook and quill pen out. She was in a hurry. She placed the bottle of black ink near the edge of the table. She accidentally hit the bottle when she opened her notebook. The bottle's cap was close but as it landed on the floor the glass broke. It created a mess splashing some of the ink on Eliana.
"Oh crap." She muttered, feeling her cheeks turning beet red.
She quickly bent down to pick the bottle up from panic, but the shards of glass cut her. She winced, automatically pulling her bleeding finger away from the cause of pain.
"Ah that hurts." She inspected the bleeding.
The cut was fairly deep and the gush of blood coming out was still not stopping. Just as she was worrying about the mess she created, a voice snapped her out from her dilemma.
"What is this nonsense."
Eliana froze hearing a deep angry voice coming from beside her. She slowly turned to her side in fear of her suspicion being correct.
The pale haired boy came to a view. His clothes were splashed with black dots like Eliana, but that was nothing. Eliana's eyes widened, the boy's handsome face was now smeared with black ink trailing down to his chin. The ink dripping down to his uniform.
He must've been splashed as well.
"Oh gods."