Right after that, I found myself standing in the hallway the next day. I stood outside the doorway of Fina's class, awaiting my name to be called.
"Alt? Can you come in?" [Ms. Ross]
I opened the door to see a large amount of gazes following my every step. The class felt different than when I looked at it from a spirit's perspective. The classroom's dimensions made it seem bigger as I looked up at the half-desk half-stairway room. If I had to guess, maybe a hundred students resided here.
"This here is the new transfer student, Alt Account." [Ms. Ross]
Yes, that was what I put as my last name.
"He comes from a far land by the name of… Urth. So, please forgive him for not knowing any of our customs." [Ms. Ross]
Nodding, I gave the class a smile.
"Hi, my name is Alt Account. I excel in martial arts and would be happy to get pointers regarding other subjects like magic. I hope to get along with you all." [Solace]
There was whispering among the students, but that didn't matter. All I saw was Fina watching with surprise.
"Are there any questions?" [Ms. Ross]
A few hands rose.
"What level are you?" [Blonde Haired Student]
"I'd like to kindly decline answering that question." [Solace]
I had learned beforehand that giving out your level isn't something you should do.
"Judging from your hair color, I can't tell which gods have given you a blessing. Can you tell us?" [Brown Haired Student]
I had also learned that the reason why people in this world had different hair colors was because of the blessings they've been given. For example: Red hair is a blessing to excel in flame oriented skills from the fire god. The only exceptions are black and white. Black for those who have not gotten a blessing, and white for those cursed by the gods.
"I've actually been blessed by Hema, the God of Malevolence." [Solace]
It was true I was given a title thanks to her, but there was no real blessing. Master told me to dye my hair gray which could be the color of three different gods. Though there was also a matter of imitating a god's blessing without permission, Master said Hema wouldn't mind.
"Hema?" [Ms. Ross]
The students went quiet.
"...It appears question time is over. Please take a seat wherever you like." [Ms. Ross]
She stretched out a hand over the class. It was a bit funny because the only open seats were next to Fina.
("What a coincidence.") [Solace]
I ascended the stairs, students averting their eyes as I passed them.
("Wow. How bad is Hema for them to react like this?") [Solace]
I stopped on the row Fina was at, and sat right next to her.
"Hey." [Solace]
"...Hi." [Fina]
"It appears fate has brought us together once again." [Solace]
Fina covered her mouth to stifle a laugh.
"I'm surprised you remembered that." [Fina]
"That's my line." [Solace]
It looks like we hit it off pretty well.
"Ah, but we should be quiet now. Class is starting." [Fina]
I nodded.
("I hope I don't fall asleep.") [Solace]
Contrary to my expectations, I didn't fall asleep. Matter of fact, I found myself mesmerized watching Fina hard at work. So much so that class ended before I realized it.
"Good work." [Solace]
Fina glanced at me as she yawned.
"...Did you not take any notes?" [Fina]
I had to think up an excuse.
"I don't know how to write." [Solace]
That was the first thing that came to mind. Actually, I wasn't lying considering I didn't know their language.
"...Are you serious?" [Fina]
Fina stared at me with a concerned expression.
"I come from afar, remember?" [Solace]
"From a land named Urth?" [Fina]
"It's actually Earth, but close enough." [Solace]
Fina brought a hand to her chin.
"...I think this'll work." [Fina]
"What will?" [Solace]
"I'll teach you." [Fina]
That was a bit random. It's not everyday that you would suddenly offer help to a stranger.
"Are you sure about that?" [Solace]
"I'll even invite Leyhna. You know her, right?" [Fina]
Every positive emotion I had vanished.
"Of course I know her." [Solace]
Fina smiled.
"Great! We were actually planning on meeting up soon. Why don't you come with us?" [Fina]
"Alright. I don't know anyone else here anyway." [Solace]
As we stood up, I felt a hand press against my shoulder.
"Hey." [???]
I turned to see some random brown haired guy standing there. For some reason, I felt like I've seen him before.
"May I help you?" [Solace]
"Someone is looking for you." [???]
"Can I get a name?" [Solace]
"I can't say his name." [???]
"I mean YOUR name." [Solace]
The brown haired guy went silent for a moment. Maybe he was wondering if saying his name would result badly?
"Lockmann." [???]
"That's your name?" [Solace]
Lockmann nodded.
"Okay, is the person looking for me a teacher?" [Solace]
Lockmann shook his head.
"Is it a student?" [Solace]
Lockamann nodded.
"Is it someone I know?" [Solace]
Lockmann shook his head.
"...Can we stop interacting like we're playing 21 questions?" [Solace]
Lockmann gave me a confused look.
"Okay, let's ignore that. So if I don't know this person, and they are not a teacher. Why would I go?" [Solace]
"They'll bully you." [Lockmann]
There was no way this guy just said that.
"Is this some kind of show? That's very funny." [Solace]
Lockmann held a serious expression.
"...Really? Alright, are they even strong?" [Solace]
"They're level forty if that tells you anything." [Lockmann]
("|Analyze|.") [Solace]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Name: Solace
Race: Forsaken Spirit
Gender: ???
Age: ???
Level: 62
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
I think I was fine in the level department.
"Okay buddy. Please tell me this is a joke. This is the most cliche crap to do to a transfer student. Ever." [Solace]
"...Cliche?" [Lockmann]
I rolled my eyes.
"Do you guys not have that concept?" [Solace]
The look in Lockmann's eyes told me he was lost.
"Alright. Here. Fina, do you have a sheet of paper I can have?" [Solace]
"...Here." [Fina]
I was handed this… yellow parchment. I guess you could call it a discount paper. She also handed me a feathered pen, something I've never used before. However, I still wrote what I wanted and handed it over to Lockmann.
"Give this to the guy who sent you. He can come find me himself afterwards." [Solace]
Lockmann gave me a strange look before taking his leave.
"...Are you sure you're going to be okay?" [Fina]
"Ah, don't mind it. So, where were we?" [Solace]
"Going to go meet Leyhna." [Fina]
"Oh. Yeah." [Solace]
Now that was what had me stressing.
("Knowing her loose tongue, I can only hope she doesn't blow my cover.") [Solace]