Exodus Magic Academy (Part 3)
As much as I want to elaborate on what happened to the classes I don't want to.
The students were only shocked that someone from the noble Obiel Duchy would go into a Regulars class. Aside from that, there was also Lady Clerifa who was supposed to be a successor to the Marquis household.
The classes were interesting for the most part but when I got the hang of formula memorization and writing, everything became monotonous.
All of that passed by in just a month and missing Lord Rouge's birthday banquet.
I didn't mind the time that continued to flow lest I go crazy for staying in this timeline for too long.
It wasn't bad. There were moments we had to be summoned to the Duchy to attend some social functions such as birthday banquets of other people. Aside from that, we didn't tend to our social roles much.
"Tabitha…" A finger poked my cheek and I turned to look at Vyurian who looked bored to death in class.
Vyurian F'yoras. Cousin of Clerifa who was also a classmate and one of our friends here. She had the same hair color but the eyes were a clearer blue than Clerifa.
She had a short hair, much like Lady Lilith's hair, and although we told her the semblance she denies it and says that she's not a fan of Lady Lilith. Mind you we didn't mention anything about being a fan.
I was embarrassed for her on the first day of classes telling us off about the hair, when I knew that the person being talked about was disguised right next to us, looking blankly.
"How many minutes till the end of class…?" She whispered to me. Vyurian was my seatmate while Erazubeth Kalil or Master Lilith, and Clerifa were at different arrangements.
It was fine as we were seated at the very back.
"Check your system" I grumbled at her, trying not to get caught talking by the headmaster.
Yes. The Headmaster.
Headmaster Weiss Frauleen System, which we call Instructor Weiss now, was one of the active professors for the lecture and laboratory in our Mana System Advancement Class and Magic Formula/Experimentation Conduct Laboratory respectively.
The first subject were detailed explanations to handle the system better and conveniently with practices. The second one was just a laboratory level of studying and experimenting.
Today was for lectures and I feel the same way as Vyurian.
[11:58AM]
Just two minutes till lunch.
Vyurian grumbled a few more times before the bell finally rang.
I sighed. I survived yet again.
"Class Dismissed" The usual monotonous way of ending the class by Instructor Weiss was already comfortable to hear.
Of course, the students raced towards the door after that.
"Let's eat!" Vyurian, which we sometimes call Yuri, squealed and gathered us three: Me, Erazubeth and Clerifa.
"Student Tabitha" As familiar as the dismissal, was also how Instructor Weiss calls out to me everytime at the end.
"Yes professor?"
"This is a compiled and organized book of the advances in the creation of the Mana System. You can keep it." Instructor Weiss gave me a small smile.
The usually cold professor had never shown me that side of his when interacting with me. Although he seemed indifferent during class, he was definitely softer with me.
"Thank you very much, Professor Weiss. I appreciate it, enjoy your lunch and send my regards to the other headmasters." I beamed at him which he only bowed and left the room.
Just showing how normal the occurrence had been already, my friends just continued on their way to the canteen and I followed silently at the back.
This was an issue for sure.
But I'm not even sure who to report this about being gifted such relics or books, sometimes magic stones.
It wasn't just Headmaster Weiss either. Once or twice a week the other headmasters would have a reason to pass by the classroom at the end of every session and hand me gifts.
From Instructor Pedrio, Instructor Angelyka, and even the Grand Headmaster Constance Dhuvel Eiz Dragon.
At first they isolated me before giving me special items but it got natural even for the eyes of other students, and they just blatantly give it after sessions whether there were other students or not in the hallway.
It got specific too.
The first few times were just stationary items and then it turned to accessories, but since I didn't use much, it seemed they had to change it to specialized books.
Of course I tried to refuse their gifts but they still continued to give me one.
It ended up becoming a once or twice occurrence in a week and I was scared that my room, who was yet to be decorated nor organized, was going to be adorned with decorations in the end.
It was fortunate however, that they haven't resolved to placing gifts in my locker.
Everyone has a locker within school grounds.
It is usually placed outside the main classroom of the students, even if they move from places to places for their class.
It was especially hard to watch students from the Magic-Technology Department. Even with though they have the lockers, weapons were usually placed on them and had to carry large bags for field work almost every two days of classes.
Just in time, the students from the MT Department had returned for lunch after their field trip to observe the Living Forest. Looks like they had a fun time there.
The large corridors were instantly filled with students from the other classes.
Most of them were going to the canteen, some were already eating in their rooms, while the few others were observing the plaques with names of predecessors who had built the system and academy as it was today.
There was a man named Sullivan Lukas among them.
Era explained that he was one of the few people who had mastered the system after its creation, and innovated it unto mana screens that can be seen today. He also made it easier for the brain core to assimilate with the mana system as it was still sensitive to system-based magic at the time. The type of casting which focuses on the modification of formulas using the system was his legendary work before he had passed away to a laboratory accident.
Era also added that Sullivan Lukas was the father of Kadrina Lukas, the person who had challenged me during my banquet which showed quite a promising talent to formula modification. She had the same potential as her father.
I ignored the other paintings or figurines here and there.
When we left the building towards another one right next to the classrooms, a tower-like building with an insignia of the school but labeled 'Free Space' could be seen.
Free Space was technically an area where students can just lounge around during free time.
The first floor was a wide space canteen and the second floor was the Hall Library. There was also a small greenhouse for tea parties or meetings at the third floor. One needs a reservation first before they can use the area, it was free and most of the time it was open for normal visits limited to ten people.
"I've finished eating. I'll go to the library now." Clerifa announced and left us. The library she frequented in was actually the Bookstore.
There were only few students who order personal books that walk in there. But since there was an actual library full of different kinds of magic-related or academic books, it seems like the bookstore was not needed anymore.
Yet it still stands today. The Bookstore seems to have general books rather than the magic technology academic books in the other libraries. Maybe Clerifa liked reading fictional books or something that's not just related to enhancing your knowledge.
It had also become natural for Clerifa to go alone to that 'library' everyday after lunch. At first we went with her, but we couldn't keep up as she went there religiously.
We just let her be. Maybe that place was much more comfortable for her than our hall library which students usually frequent too although it was right above the floor.
As a matter of fact, even though Khiel, Nessa and I have surveyed the school grounds from the park, most of the information she gave were far from reality.
The first place you'll encounter after entering the gates is a semi-large guard house for carriages and driver, and stables for rentable horses.
I couldn't understand at first but seeing as how massive this place was had really made me realize it.
This whole land was ten more times bigger than the Sacred Temple. It was like a whole different country once you enter the gates of the academy.
The second place you'll find yourself in is the square where we've already visited more than twice already. It was a mini-version of the Empire's park.
Then there was the dormitory area divided into two by gender at birth. And another guardhouse in the middle.
After an hour-long walk or a few minute ride by carriage was three different paths.
The middle one was half the size of the other two buildings next to it, instead it was an extremely high tower. That one was called the Office Hall which was the same as what Nessa explained it to be but it wasn't just for the student councils. The whole faculty has offices from the fifth to the seventh floor.
I heard they have teleportation gates each floor to the ground one to optimize the time it would take to reach their classes.
The highest floor or the eighth floor was a clocktower yet also serves as a rooftop. That was where the massive school flag lie.
Beside the Office Hall which approximately had a hundred feet of distance from each other, where the Regulars Hall and Honors Hall from the left to right respectively.
At first glance outside the building, it would look like a massive and tall building with a tower at the center, but when you actually roam the inside, one can see that it was established into different smaller buildings.
The rectangular shaped building was open in the middle and that was where the tower which was Free Space had stood.
That was it. It was the same with the Honors' building too when I sometimes visited Khiel and Nessa, and frequently see Polisha or Mariah and the other people I've met at my welcome banquet before.
There was also a rumored library on the first floor basement of the Office Hall, maybe that's where the teachers disappear to if not in the office.
"By the way, Aren't the F'yoras family known for their bloodline magic, hair spikes?" Era ask Yuri.
I gave master a questioningly look which she ignored. "Yeah?" Yuri raised a brow.
"I noticed this before but you and Clerifa doesn't have long hair. I mean, based on the standards of the F'yoras household, why is that?"
I could understand that.
The standard short hair for the F'yoras Family was to at least reach the hips, and the longest can even reach up to their feet. In natural growth, of course.
It might seem crazy for the others but that was the extent of care regarding the hair for the F'yoras since it is the core for their magic.
"Oh. Actually, cous' and I have no plans on becoming the head of the family. We have our own plans in life, you know?"
"But isn't Clerifa namely the most talented mage in your household?"
"No offense in saying this, Era but… even though you're a commoner, your gossip talent is beyond aristocrat level hahahaha! You're right though." Yuri laughed and I just chuckled nervously at their conversation.
"To be honest, Cous' was a rare case in the family before. She was the only one who couldn't awaken her bloodline magic plus an incident happened when we were young. Long-story-short, due to that her sisters made extra effort to personally train her. Three years later boom! She awakened and had become one of the most talented ones in the family. It was a touching scene and her sisters made a special banquet to commemorate that day."
After Yuri's explanation, Era just nodded her head while smiling, "Her family's really sweet, no?"
"I know right! When I was invited to the banquet I was so jealous but she was nice so we became close in no time! Hahahaha!"
"What about you Tabitha? It was sweet of your cousin to design that banquet to welcome you months ago. I wasn't invited though but Rifa said it was eventful" Yuri continued.
"Yeah, speaking of Khiel maybe I should visit him and Nessa."
With that said, the other two left to converse more about the F'yoras and our supposed 'underground hometown'.
I tied my rose-gold hair that had finally reached my hips in the past few months. Should I cut my hair?
Hmmm. Maybe I shouldn't.
I'll just let Regan cut it when I finished all of this.
Ugh! My head hurt at the thought of this really long mission.
Even the civil war had vacation days when I could visit my family. Although I was having fun here, there was still this crippling anxiety that I was missing the events at home for the most part.
How was my mother? My father? My little brother who always clung to me when I was home? My uncle who only had me on his side when he visits too.
As I organize my thoughts about my family, I passed by the library where Clerifa finds comforting. It was a small shop located at the corner of the Office Hall.
Now that I think about it, should I just hang out with her?
The general library wasn't that strict too. There was only one female librarian who was nice and didn't mind the noise. Well the noise was just calm chattering at best.
[12:22PM]
Hmmm. We have plenty of time though.
When I opened the door, Clerifa who was sitting down close to it almost threw the book she was reading, "Ta-Tabitha?!" squealed with a flustered face.
Even the librarian, Uno, giggled at her reaction.
Hmmm. Well well well, what was she reading to act like that?
Of course her loyal visits to this particular library was enough to warrant suspicions. It was my first time properly investigating it too.
Despite our ongoing closeness in our everyday life, it wasn't enough to get rid of my faint hostility to technically strangers. I was in this timeline for a mission after all.
I can't ever let my guard down since I was already targeted by the Ribbons too.
Before the mana bomb accident, I already had three glowing slots on the Ribbons system menu.
After that, it added two more, which was named Zav and Kiki labeled below as Second and Fifth respectively.
Currently, a month had passed by in the academy and the glowing slots raised to an overall six. Which means I've met one more within school grounds.
It's such a creepy feeling. I couldn't wholeheartedly trust anyone here.
The only ones I could trust though were the heirs I've met in the future. It was also heartbreaking that even though I'm mostly with Master, I couldn't trust her well.
Or maybe I should still trust her, since she's also Erazubeth Kalil. But she was an objective… but it did say to befriend and help her. Ugh!
"Tabitha…?"
Clerifa had managed to get close after all the mental torture I endured for the minute, I sighed.
"Oh sorry. Did I scare you?"
"Ye-yeah. You did, actually. It doesn't matter though it's almost time for class."
[20th of July, 994]
[12:38PM]
Wow. My internal exhaustion probably blanked me out in a few minutes, huh.
"You were spaced out after opening the door. Are you okay?" The librarian, Uno, called out. She flicked her dark blue her back and fixed her glasses, yellow eyes stared at me in concern.
"Yeah. I'm okay, guess I was tired." I scratched the back of my head and chuckled.
It didn't stop Clerifa, staring at me, worry plastered on her snow white face. Her usually icy winter eyes, softened.
"We'll be going now, Miss Uno." We bid farewell to the librarian and went out. "Should we go to the infirmary?" she asked and I shook my head.
"Let's just go to class. Oh, by the way, what were you reading?" I asked nonchalantly.
Her face flushed and averted her gaze. "We-well… I don't know if I can tell you…"
"Hmmm… Oh my! Are you reading indecent books?" I whispered near her, obviously teasing, already making sure no one was around. I wanted to laugh too but what she answered made me stop.
"Do-don't tell the others…" Clerifa looks like she was about to cry.
"Seriously?"
She nodded. I couldn't help but sigh, slightly disappointed. Not because she was smuggling smut books inside the general library with the help of Miss Uno but because I thought there was more to it.
Since she had become my friend, there's a silent hope that Clerifa wouldn't be part of Ribbon. However she couldn't be removed from the possible ones.
I've met her before my mana system was synchronized and I was only able to learn of being in contact of three members already.
"Hahaha. Well, everyone has hidden hobbies." I defended her disposition and she finally smiled, peacefully.
"Yes. Do you have one too?"
"I like listening to stories about the past. My un–" Crap. I was about to say 'My uncle tells me stories all the time' but that would mean my memories had come back.
I coughed "Ahem! My… unnmmm.. my cousin, Khiel, doesn't tell me stories at all but I've heard some from Lady Lilith." There are hateful times that I couldn't lie, unfortunately.
"Oh! I know plenty of stories too. Do you want to hear one?" I nodded at her cheerful question, "This one is considered a myth though but it's really interesting."
"The myth is about the Sacred Tree, although its main highlight is about the guardian."
"Did you know? The only way that the Sacred Tree will fall is when the Sacred Guardian who dwells within it, chooses to die." Her face had gone solemn but there was an excited glint in her eyes.
"Of course guardians are technically immortal but when they choose forfeit their own life, then the world will slowly wither according to their will. Now here's where the myth starts." I nodded for her to continue.
"According to the Sacred Altar's writings, there is a mother and father of the world. Now! If we say that the father of that world is the Sacred Guardian, then who would be the mother?"
I couldn't help but be bewitched at the story. Does uncle know this story too?
It was indeed fascinating, especially since it's also being connected to factual materials like the prophecy writing in the sanctuary.
"The mother is unknown right now but maybe the guardian knows who it will be. The myth continues where the Sacred Tree will fall into the wrong hands and be used to kill. If that happens, the guardian will probably step up to save the life of his lover, killing himself if needed."
"That's idiotic…" My opinion couldn't help but leak out. "Shouldn't the guardian just get rid of the person misusing the powers of the tree?"
Clerifa shut her mouth and looked at me, perplexed. "I didn't expect you to be that brutal…"
I tried to chuckle it off but I explained. "Well I'm just being logical. It would be safer to do that. Right?"
She smiled weakly and shook her head. "Not in that case. The Sacred tree is said to be the core of the guardian, thus if it gets out of control that means the guardian wouldn't have mana anymore. However since the tree is the core then the main body of the mage would continue to be the guardian. Are you still with me?" She chuckled, mildly excited.
"It doesn't matter if the core damaged, it will be detrimental for the mage but they could live. However if the mage's life is threatened then the core will either go into overdrive lest the mage chooses to self-destruct."
"In that case the father who's presumed to be guardian will only choose to self-destruct to protect the mother. It is a lonely battle." She looked down while we were walking. A sad smile laid on her lips.
In moments like these are times that I could really tell how much Clerifa think about details. A detail-oriented person, huh.
She can infer about the lives of other people just by hearing the context. It was kinda like how people can create a situation in their heads as they read a book.
"In my opinion, the mother should help out."
Clerifa giggled at my serious reaction. "Of course we can't say for sure how it would be for the mother but since there aren't any details about that person then we could only assume and theorize countless stories bounded with facts."
"One example is a theory about the mother not existing yet and the guardian is protecting the people who will bear the mother in the future."
"Wait wait wait, Isn't that kinda out of place? It would make sense if the mother had died first and the father was the only one who survived. Isn't it?" I retorted obviously confused.
"I completely understand your reaction! The mother dying already and leaving the father would surely be the most likely scenario, if we take their roles as parents of the world or even magic itself! But the person who shared this theory just laughed at me when I told her what I thought!" She pouted.
I patted Clerifa's head lightly and chuckled. "That person must've heard it from someone else and didn't know the facts to back that claim up."
Seems like she liked stories the same way I do.
"Oh! We should hurry up. Break is almost over." We hurried our steps and reached the classroom in no time.