In the deepest layer of the library, in a place that even sunrays will not reach, set a boy on the ground between the bookcases. Scattered around him were books of various sizes. If one looked closely, he would notice that almost all of them were worn out, pages tinted yellow filled with words that you can hardly recognize and some even were torn out.
He looked like around 14 years of age. He had black short hair, round glasses and wearing the light gray Academy uniform.
In contrast to his very serious attuited He was holding the book way too close to his like, just a mere finger from his eyes looking like an idiot.
"I have been trying for several hours, yet I still can't understand this part"
"Sigh…. On top of being written in an ancient language, half of the text is faded out, I only have one more year before I get kicked form Stremreth Academy, at this rate I will not be able to make it in time, might as well just give up"
His eyes were light blue as if a beautiful sky, alas they were covered by dense clouds. His left eye was completely white, if not for the bit of clarity in his right, you would never know their color.
"My sight is getting worse, the decline in my vision is getting faster, now I can only see a bit using my right eye, but for long?"
"Should pay the nurse a visit? even though I don't think she would be of any help, it has been 3 years since I started suffering from this disease yet no treatment proved effective, neither the potions from the alchemy department nor the healing spells form the health department could even slow its progression a bit".
"Dreue, what are you doing here? I have been searching for you the whole morning"
A boy who similar in age with brown hair and brown eyes came running as soon as he spotted Dreue shooting nonstop, his rough breathing sound filled the library, he stopped to catch a breath in front of Dreue, his fat belly moving up and down like a small mountain.
"what's wrong Thomme? You know I don't pay attention to classes any more, I don't think anyone cared about absence from the morning classes "
"Who gives a damn about classes!! The headmaster is calling for you to visit his office"
.....
"…."
"Sit down young man"
The headmaster office was very wide, facing the door was a large desk behind which stood the headmaster, he was looking outside through a very big window almost covering the whole wall.
On his desk were several books, some scrolls, magic gems, magic tool…etc.
His eyes were gazing into the horizon unfocused, something heavy was on his mind.
After some thought Dreue decided to speak and cut the matter shorts he know why he was summoned and what news he will receive.
"Headmaster I heard you were looking for me?"
"How are you feeling Dreue? Did you use the new potions we sent you? Are your eyes any better?"
"I am doing well headmaster, but I can't say the same for my eyes, I can say well know if not for knowing your voice I will not be able to recognize you as the headmaster"
"Sign… how about your mana core? are you perhaps close to achieving level 3?"
"You know since the moment I started suffering from this disease, I am unable to improve my mana level anymore"
"Here take this"
Suddenly the headmaster Threw a bag of golden coins at the Dreue, due to poor sight, Dreue was unable to catch it properly and it fell on the ground.
As the coins scattered around the room, various thoughts filled Dreue head, is he testing me? Why does he think I recovered? And more importantly why does he think I would hide the news of my recovery from him and deceive everyone? Or is it truly just an innocent mistake?
"Sorry young man I forgot about your eye for a moment"
"I will send you another bag of coins to your room, by the way the council decision regarding you situation will take a few more days to be made, we will send you a letter"
"You know what to expect, young man"
"Thank you, headmaster, I will be waiting"
...
"Daman these old worms!"
Dreue shut the door and Threw himself on the bed.
"The whole situation is messed up; it has been 3 years yet I still know nothing"
"First they say it was poisoning then they say It was mana disfunction, lastly they told me it is a genetic disease"
"They can't come up with a vailed reason for my disease, I am not sure they want to help me in the first place, I even suspect that they are in a way or other the people behind this incident"
"The problem is as far as I know there is no reason for anybody to do this for me, the house of Beroldus is a fallen noble family since several generations, we have no enemies, we never offended anyone, even though I am a bit talented for my age I am in no way a genius who will threaten any of the young lords of the influential families, I always avoided direct clash with them and did not offend any one of them"
"Furthermore, my disease is very severe with complicated symptoms not mentioned in any medical books or herd of, that's not something that can caused by some average poison"
"Sigh… I should sleep now, at least I earned a lot of gold coins; the council will most likely give me another year before expelling me, I should think about what is the best thing to do"
.....
Several days later, when Dreue was in the depth of library reading as usual, Thomme came carrying the council letter.
"Great news Dreue, the council decided to give another year, you should be expelled after not achieving the minimum points to enroll in the beginner class, you have been in the introductory class for 3 years the longest in the history of the academy and you have been given one more year, they must have taken your situation in consideration"
"After joining the beginner class, you will have more resources, you will start formal training as a Magus"
"So, I should be moved to tears and be thankful to the council? Thomme who allowed you to open my letter in the first place ?!!"
"You are almost blind I thought I might as well do you a favor, so I read it for you, anyway now you have 71 points, you need only 29 more"
"I am not totally blind! give me that letter, let me see what these bastards are up to"
"Dreue, stop fooling around, you have lost your sight, your eyes are clouded, if not, then why the hell are always sticking your head into there empty books, don't act tough!"
"What?"
"What did you say?!!"
"Thomme look here what do you see??"
"It is just a blank page, all these books are from section E, they are booking whose knowledge were lost to the passage of time, they are kept there in hopes of recovering there contents someday, must have lost your mind from staying here too much"
Thomme kicked the books and left angrily, not noticing the shock on Dreue's face.