Arthur should really close the windows in his room.
He woke up and the first thing he saw was the silver beak and black eyes of Selene looking at him.
After some yelling, screeching, and flapping of wings, a disgruntled Arthur entered the bathroom and brushed off the silver feathers on his hair.
He brushed his teeth and after washing his face, looked at the mirror. Arthur could see that he would make a beautiful girl with his long hair, slightly longer lashes, and bright purple eyes.
He chuckled at the thought of wearing a dress and having his hair braided. He quickly got ready. When he stepped out he saw Selene on his desk.
"You seriously aren't going to leave me alone?", he stared at the falcon who returned it. The stare-off lasted for a minute.
Finally, Arthur closed his eyes and sighed, "Fine. You win. Do what you want.", Selene squawked happily and he swore she was giving him a smug look.
He put on his uniform and was about to tie his hair when someone knocked on his door.
He opened the door and saw Ruth Aeva in a maid outfit. "Breakfast is ready Arthur.", she said courteously. Arthur raised his eyebrows.
It has been a week since Ruth became their second instructor and maid. She's taking attribute theory in class and also attribute combat in the afternoon. She's a really good teacher and warlock, albeit a little icy.
"Good morning, instructor Ruth.", he greeted her. Ruth smiled, "Good morning to you too, and please call me Miss Aeva or just Ruth. I'm just about your sister's age."
"Okay. Today's your last day as a maid right?", he asked. Ruth nodded, "Indeed. I can't wait to get rid of these clothes.", see looked her the outfit with distaste.
"Are you perhaps still mad at sir?"
"How can I not be? That man is the most infuriating person I have ever met.", Ruth huffed. "I've only known him for about two weeks, but I can say he's a good person.", Arthur said.
"Maybe.", Ruth looked flustered. She asked, "Are you sure he's not your long-lost brother? You two look a lot alike."
"I assure you, we're not.", Arthur said. He's been getting questions like that for the past two weeks, not just from his class, but also from other classes in the mess hall and corridors.
Ray told Arthur that Selene was always attached to him more than the others in the class because he looked like Seventeen.
Arthur seriously doubts that. The bird ain't that dumb.
"Sure. Anyway, you should really get your breakfast. The others are already at the table.", Ruth told him.
Arthur nodded, "I'll come right now", Ruth nodded and walked away.
He went back to the room and tied back his hair with a red band. He got out of his room and went downstairs where he found the others having breakfast. Selene followed behind him.
"You're late.", Minerva said. "I had a tussle with Selene.", Arthur said and grabbed an apple.
"So she was in your room again?", Seventeen came behind him, Selene perched on his shoulder. Arthur nodded.
"Sorry about that.", Seventeen said with a smile. He then looked at Selene, "And you. Don't get in his room without permission.", he said with a frown.
The Moon Falcon just looked away and ruffled her feathers.
"Sir, have you eaten?", Arthur asked. Seventeen nodded, "Yep. The ice queen also ate. So you guys can finish the stuff on the table."
"Excuse me. When did you see me eat breakfast?", Ruth's cold voice came behind Seventeen. He jumped and turned around, "Ah ice queen. Don't startle me like that mmph!"
A small block of ice formed in his mouth, plugging it.
"Try melting that.", Ruth grabbed a toast and spread jam on it. Everyone looked at her in awe. She changed from her maid outfit and was wearing a white shirt underneath a green coat, black shorts, and shoes.
Seventeen spit out the ice.
"That was nasty.", he said in disgust. "Serves you right for making me work really hard for the past week.", Ruth said as she took a bite.
"Why you....", Seventeen stopped and sighed, "You did make a good maid though. Everything was sparkling and you looked pretty good in the maid outfit."
"Shut up.", Ruth snapped but her face was a bit red.
Seventeen chuckled, "Speaking of the weekend. You guys know that there isn't class tomorrow right?", Everyone nodded.
"Okay. So I and the ice queen are going to Elveria tomorrow.", he announced.
"For a date?", Ray asked. A block of ice suddenly dropped on his head. Ruth's face was as red as a tomato.
"As you have seen from instructor Ruth's reaction. No. We are not going on a date. We are going to meet the head of the Sylran family.", Seventeen said, unfazed by what Ray said.
Robin froze with a piece of bacon halfway towards his mouth and Rhea spit out her orange juice. Unfortunately, Ray was sitting opposite her.
"You're going to meet dad?", Rhea asked, wiping her mouth while ignoring the dripping Ray glaring at her.
Ruth nodded. "Why?", Robin asked.
"You don't know?", Minerva asked. The twins shook their heads. She sighed.
"Well. The thing is, when an instructor has a student from an Arken Family, they have to meet a representative from that Family so that the Family can know who is teaching their young heirs.", Minerva explained.
Seventeen nodded, "You are correct Minerva. The head of the Sylran Family, Castiel Sylran has asked us to meet him. So we need one of you to come with us.", he said looking at the twins.
"I'll come.", Robin said. Seventeen nodded, "Alright. Does anyone else want to come?", he looked at the others.
Arthur was surprised to hear their instructor asking whether anyone wants to come with them to another nation. He wondered if this was normal.
He raised his hand, "Can I come?", he asked. No need to miss a good opportunity to visit Elveria, not to mention to see his cousins there. "Okay.", Seventeen said.
"Um, can I come too?", a soft voice asked. It was Gray, "I've never been to Elveria.", she said timidly.
Ruth smiled. She had taken a liking to Gray and Clare, probably because they share the same attribute. Both the girls came to her for advice about their attributes last week.
"Sure Gray.", she said and looked at Seventeen who nodded, "Alright. Anyone else?", he asked. The others shook their heads.
"Okay. So Arthur, Robin, and Gray. You guys get ready by morning. We leave at 10. Now finish up your breakfast and get to class."
He turned to Ruth, "I'll be going now ice queen. Gotta tell the headmaster about our travel companions.", he said and left the dorm.
The first session in the class went the usual way. Lunchtime went without any problem, albeit with some dirty looks from other classes.
During combat class, Arthur sat on a bench and watched the others improving their attributes. He smiled when he saw instructor Ruth pair Damien with Ray. Both didn't look happy about it.
"Slacking off during combat class? That is unlike you Arthur.", Seventeen sat beside him. Arthur didn't notice him. The guy is like a ghost.
"I'm not slacking, sir. It's just that I don't need attribute training.", he said. "Is it because you don't have an attribute.", Seventeen asked.
Arthur nodded reluctantly. His lack of an attribute was a sore subject to him. Seventeen noticed this.
"Sorry for being so blunt.", he said with a smile. "It's alright. I'm used to it.", Arthur shrugged, "Also, I am not just sitting simply. I'm..."
"Observing them?", Seventeen asked. Arthur was taken aback, "Yeah. I am observing them. How did you know."
Seventeen chuckled, "Well, your disadvantage in combat is your lack of an attribute so you have to formulate countermeasures against your opponents who have attributes. And to do that, you need to observe what your opponent is doing. Am I right?"
Arthur nodded in agreement.
"To formulate many countermeasures and predicting your opponent's moves. No wonder the Nights are called a family of geniuses.", Seventeen said in awe. Arthur just shrugged.
Seventeen continued, "But your sharp intelligence isn't your only advantage. You have something else that surpasses everyone in the class."
"Surpasses everyone? Even Minerva?", Arthur asked. Seventeen nodded.
"What is it?"
"It's your perfect magia control. I believe you have the best magia control in the academy.", Seventeen answered, his irises glowed blue. "Sir, do you have magia vision?", Arthur asked.
Seventeen nodded, "Yes Arthur, and I can see magia flowing uniformly and strongly in your body. Even now, you are unconsciously maintaining a thin layer of magia around your body."
"I am?", Arthur looked at his hands.
Seventeen thought about something. "Hey, Arthur. I have an idea. Come with me.", he said and got up. He called out to Ruth.
"Hey, ice queen. I'm borrowing Arthur."
Ruth frowned but she nodded, "Don't get into trouble.", she said. Seventeen ignored her and turned to Arthur, "Come on."
Arthur was puzzled but he followed Seventeen out of the practice hall. They soon reached their classroom. "Wait here. I'll be back in a minute.", Seventeen said and went out.
He came back with three vials filled with a blue liquid that glowed. Arthur's eyes widened as he recognized the liquid, "Is that liquid magia?", he asked in disbelief.
Seventeen nodded. Just like matter, magia also has different states. Solid magia exists as crystals that are mined, purified, and used for different purposes.
Liquid magia is the purest form of magia. Magia in the Reserve exists in this form. It also exists naturally in certain hotspots. Despite its availability, liquid magia is hard to acquire and thus, expensive, with a small vial reaching a staggering 8 crystals or 80000 gold.
Liquid magia has a variety of uses. It can be used to forge powerful weapons, by mixing it with the molten metal while forging, creation of enchanted items, used as an energy source for a few magia machines which require huge amounts of magia.
A single vial can power a magia machine for two years. Apart from these, there are also other ways this pure magia can be used.
Arthur couldn't believe Seventeen managed to acquire three vials of liquid magia. He put them on the table and gestured at Arthur to come.
"Arthur, do you know why warlocks use attribute magia?", Seventeen asked.
"That is because pure magia is more powerful and unstable. It will require a crazy amount of control to stabilize pure magia. So the core of a warlock converts the pure magia into a form more easily controlled. This form is called attribute magia.", Arthur answered.
Seventeen nodded, "Very good. And you say it requires a crazy amount of magia control?"
"Yes sir. That's what scholars concluded.", Arthur replied.
Seventeen looked at him in the eye, "So what if there is someone who has that crazy amount of magia control?"
"That is ridiculous.", he said, slowly realizing where the conversation is going, "Who would have that much control?"
"I'm looking at him right now.", Seventeen said. Arthur was taken aback, "Me?"
The instructor nodded, "While others trained to improve their combat skills and attributes, they didn't have enough time to improve their magia control. But you solely improved your magia control for two years along with polishing your sword skills."
"And the result is astonishing. You have the most uniform and powerful magia flow I have ever seen with my magia vision.", Seventeen's eyes glowed again.
"So that means?", Arthur asked, excitement and shock tinged his voice.
Seventeen nodded, "Arthur Night. I believe you can directly control pure magia."