I can't help but feel uneasy about this situation. Lena is already aware of my intentions and has knowledge about Count Visterio, who appears to come from a privileged background. The thought of Lena potentially divulging this information to our possible enemies leaves me feeling vulnerable and uncertain.
It's disconcerting to realize that I have no idea who to place my trust in. Furthermore, I find myself questioning my knowledge or lack thereof about Count Visterio. If I were to inquire about him with anyone here, it would undoubtedly raise suspicion and possibly jeopardize my position.
I find myself constantly changing positions in bed due to my restlessness, as if I am uncertain about the decisions I have made. I attempt to alleviate this uneasiness by closing my eyes and attempting to clear my mind of these swirling thoughts. However, no matter how many hours I spend battling these relentless thoughts, I am unable to conquer them.
In desperate need of diversion, I finally rise from my bed and direct my gaze towards the window on my right, where the soft, ethereal glow of moonlight gently filters in.
Letting out a weary sigh, I resigned myself to the fact that sleep was evading me once again. With a sense of duty, I acknowledged that there was no point in wasting precious time tossing and turning in bed. Instead, I made up my mind to shift my focus towards fulfilling my responsibilities and carrying out my professional duties.
The curfew began at 8pm, and I soon became aware of a pattern - the guards would make their rounds at the girls' dorm every 10pm. With this knowledge, I decided to take advantage of the situation and wait for the guard to come and check my room.
As I lay there, I could hear the faint sound of my door creaking, even though my eyes were shut tight. I pretended to be fast asleep, not wanting to arouse any suspicion. After a few moments, the door closed and I knew it was my cue to take action.
Swiftly, I rose from my bed and carefully arranged the pillows and blankets to resemble a human figure, creating a decoy that would deceive anyone glancing into my room. With my plan in motion, I cautiously opened the window, peering outside to ensure there were no guards lurking nearby. It appeared to be safe, granting me the opportunity to proceed with my escape.
One notable observation I have made regarding my physique is that it possesses exceptional strength. In fact, I am endowed with three times the physical strength of an average person. Consequently, engaging in activities such as jumping at considerable heights presents absolutely no challenge or difficulty for me whatsoever.
The matter at hand is...
As I stood on the edge of the cliff, my heart raced and a surge of fear washed over me. With a mixture of frustration and anxiety, I couldn't help but let out a loud whisper, "I hate this!" The intensity of my emotions was evident as my voice quivered. The mere thought of being up high sent shivers down my spine and made my palms sweat uncontrollably.
It seemed as if every fiber of my being resisted the idea of being in an elevated position, as my mind conjured up vivid images of falling and losing all control. The overwhelming dread I experienced in that moment was a stark reminder of my deep-rooted aversion towards heights, causing my inner voice to vehemently express its disdain.
As the chilly wind brushed against my exposed skin, a shiver ran down my spine. My hair was swiftly tied back, ensuring it wouldn't obstruct my view. Inhaling deeply, I mustered all the courage within me, tightly balling my hands into fists. The sheer thought of the towering heights ahead overwhelmed me, but I knew I had to conquer my fears.
With determination pulsating through my veins, I shut my eyes tightly, mentally preparing myself for the daunting challenge that lay before me. Summoning every ounce of bravery, I propelled myself forward, taking the leap into the unknown.
I successfully touched ground, but not without experiencing an unpleasant sensation in my buttocks. Wincing in discomfort, I groaned and extended my body, attempting to alleviate the pain that radiated from my posterior to my spine. Regret flooded my thoughts as I pondered why I had foolishly shut my eyes prior to leaping from the third floor.
A sharp bite on my lip served as a reminder of my recklessness. Despite the passage of time, the pain only slightly subsided, prompting me to gather the strength to rise to my feet, even though the sting in my buttocks persisted. In an effort to alleviate the discomfort, I massaged the afflicted area.
My gait became awkward and ungainly as I commenced walking, causing me to feel a sense of lameness and overall unease. This entire situation was incredibly uncomfortable and far from ideal.
In whatever situation I find myself in, it is imperative that I steer clear of the guards. However, to my dismay, a sudden wave of regret washed over me as I realized that I had carelessly forgotten to bring along my pen and paper. In an act of frustration, I instinctively brought my hand to my face in disbelief, followed by a heavy sigh escaping my lips, reflecting the depth of my disappointment.
To be honest, I consider myself fortunate that Adonis blessed me with the remarkable ability to memorize things at a single glance. This skill not only sets me apart but also enhances my intelligence.
I made my way back to the spot where I had stopped earlier, which happened to be in close proximity to the Elites' dormitory. Luckily, I had a good recollection of the various shortcuts that could be taken, so I didn't have to navigate through the bustling main road. All I needed to do was find my way through the dense trees.
After a considerable amount of time had passed, I began to sense the presence of something within the area surrounding me. It was as if a powerful surge of mana had entered my radius, and this newfound sensation was like anything I had experienced before.
I have a vivid recollection of the Principal's words resonating in my mind. He spoke about how child prodigies possess a unique and potent energy, akin to a thick and powerful force known as mana. It was intriguing to hear that the Principal possesses the ability to perceive this mana in others, although I am unable to visually see it myself.
Nonetheless, I can distinctly sense its presence, and it has become evident to me that the individual who have entered my vicinity is indeed a child prodigy, one of the Elite students. In fact, I am able to pinpoint the location of this person, who still remains quite a distance away from where I am.
The question is: what is this person doing at this hour? In an instant, my heart began racing at an alarming rate, causing a slight struggle to catch my breath. Tremors coursed through my legs until they succumbed to weakness, compelling me to take a seat with one leg while my other hand involuntarily clutched onto my pounding chest.
What is this sensation? And why does it inflict pain upon me? Why did the intensity of this sensation suddenly escalate to such unbearable levels? It is as if...
I kept a careful tally of the individuals who stepped into my radius...
Are they about twelve?
As per the principal's claims, it is evident that all of them are considered child prodigies. The atmosphere surrounding them feels oddly familiar, almost as if there is a shared cosmic energy amongst them. Adam Vaughn must also be there since I can sense him. Among them, one person particularly catches my attention; it is the same arrogant individual I had encountered previously behind their dormitory.
I find myself perplexed as to why I failed to sense anything on that particular day when I was in such close proximity to their dormitory. The confusion lingers within me, as I try to comprehend the reason behind this lack of awareness.
I find myself quite intrigued about their current activities as well. Considering that I am uncertain whether they possess the ability to perceive mana similar to me, it would be wiser for me to maintain a certain level of separation.
I find myself deeply engrossed in their activities, prioritizing them over my own tasks. However, I have decided to postpone attending to those tasks until tomorrow, as my immediate focus lies on the present moment and what is directly in front of me.
As time goes by, they still haven't moved from their position. I can't help but wonder if I am investing my time and efforts in vain. Moreover, the intense discomfort that I experienced earlier has dissipated. It appears that I was simply overcome by the overwhelming influx of individuals that entered my radius simultaneously.
As I found solace under the shade of a towering tree, I propped my chin on my thumb and pondered deeply. Thoughts swirled within my mind, contemplating the enigma of child prodigies, the enigmatic Count Visterio, the enigmatic Principal, and the perplexing Abilirish Academy. Each of them exuded an air of suspicion, leaving me perplexed and uncertain. The memories of Dina eluded me, making it all the more challenging to discern who to place my trust in. A bittersweet smile adorned my face, tinged with a tinge of melancholy and an overwhelming sense of isolation. It dawned upon me that, in this bewildering situation, the only true ally I had was myself.
Adonis mentioned that some of my fellow classmates from 8th grade were here as well, and to be honest, I have no interest in meeting them. Truly, if the elites I have encountered so far were one of my classmates, I couldn't help but shake my head in disbelief. It's overwhelming to process all of these astonishing revelations.
I couldn't help but flinch as I sensed their movement. Determined to uncover their intentions, I cautiously trailed behind them, making every effort to remain inconspicuous and muffle any noise I made. My sole purpose was to perceive the mana emanating from those within my proximity, as I was unable to decipher their actual conversation. Nonetheless, if this clandestine pursuit held the key to answer my questions, I was willing to undertake it. Unexpectedly, they abruptly picked up their pace, resembling individuals mounted on galloping horses.
Astonishment washed over me as I struggled to keep up with their rapid stride, but eventually my pursuit was halted by the imposing steel wall encircling the premises of this prestigious academy.
As they gradually distanced themselves, I could sense their presence slipping away until they were completely out of my reach. The realization hit me like a wave, causing my eyes to widen in incredulity. In an attempt to process the overwhelming emotions coursing through me, I instinctively placed my trembling hand over my trembling lips, desperately trying to steady my breath.
Are they capable of leaving the academy...?