I packed the books inside my bag.
I've read everything that Alexandra gave me, and in summary, the book only explains what magic is.
I went to the bookshelves, searching for a certain book that can explain to me how to use magic or wield it or whatever.
I'm in a hurry to learn skills in this academy. I didn't just come here to have fun and make friends.
I need to learn some skills before I leave this academy, because in four years, the rebel army will start their move against the royal family. War would erupt in this kingdom and many people would die. That's why I need to be prepared when that day comes.
I don't need something that would kill anyone. I just need a skill that would be able to protect myself, and perhaps a skill that would also be able to protect someone else.
However, it seems that learning a skill wouldn't be easy. After all, I don't know how to sense this thing called mana. I thought people in this world only needed to read a scroll or something, and it would magically make anyone instantly powerful, but I was wrong.
That's why I need to find a book that would teach me how to sense this thing mana.
I strode slowly forward on the bookshelves. My eyes roam in each book neatly organised on the shelf.
My eyes narrowed on a certain book. The title says 'Mana Manipulation: Volume 1' and instantly it piqued my interest.
I raised my hand and took it, but as soon as I took the book from the shelf, I saw Kendra's face on the other side between the holes.
Startled, I panicked and quickly put the book back, but after a while, I found that my reaction just now must have seemed weird. So I took the book again, and there I saw her waving at me.
"Hi," Kendra says with her angelic smile. "What are you doing here?"
"Uhm, uh, ahem," I cleared my nervous throat and smiled awkwardly. "I'm reading, what about you?" I answered as I smiled back, staring at Kendra's eyes.
I didn't notice it before, but Kendra's eyes were as blue as the ocean. It looks deep, mysterious, and unfathomable.
"I'm reading too," Kendra replied, still with her angelic smile. Her ocean blue eyes seem to stare through my soul.
"Oh," I replied dumbly, staring at Kendra's deep blue eyes.
"Ahem."
I was pulled out from the trance when I heard someone clear their throat.
"Hi Nasrin, I'm here as well," Faye said, peeking through the hole beside Kendra.
"Hi Faye, sorry didn't notice you were there," I said, chuckling awkwardly.
Faye then smiled and said, "oh, it's fine, don't worry about it, anyway, do you have anyone with you?"
I shook my head at her. "No, I didn't bring Cliopatra with me, so I'm alone right now," I answered politely.
"Really? You could join us if you want, right Kendra?" Said Faye, glancing at Kendra expectantly.
Kendra nodded her head with her angelic smile.
Faye smiled brightly as she turned to look at me expectantly, and I noticed that Kendra also seemed to be waiting for me to say yes.
My lips twisted to a wry smile as I grabbed the back of my neck.
'I went here so I could read in silence,' is what I wanted to say, but I decided not to. For some reason, I don't want to reject their offer, and I'm also slightly looking forward to talking more with them. Perhaps because they had this normy energy around them?
I'm not saying that they are ordinary. However, the only people that I met so far in this world were nothing but weird for what I consider normal. As a self-proclaimed normie, I could sense that these two are the same as me. I kinda want to get to know them, especially Kendra.
"Well?" Faye expectantly inquired.
"Alright then, I'll just…go over there?" I said shyly.
"No, we'll just go over there, so wait for us," Faye said.
The two left and I stood there fidgeting, feeling shy all of a sudden. I opened the book in my hand, pretending to read, then suddenly I felt someone poking me at my waist.
My body jolted in surprise and I turned to see Kendra's smiling face.
"Hi," Kendra says, staring at me with her deep blue eyes.
Her long platinum hair falls down just slightly below her waist; the sides were braided with its ends tied in a rose bun behind her head. As usual, Kendra is still full of aestheticness.
Not to mention that Kendra had tall long legs like my body; she had a nice figure and an elegant straight posture; there were always some passerby running down their eyes on her body.
My eyes narrowed at them, and they scattered away.
I look at Kendra again, and it doesn't seem she noticed that students around us, both male and female students, have been staring pervertedly at her body.
"Hi Kendra," I replied with a smile, then I noticed that Kendra is the only one here and Faye is missing. I glanced at Kendra and asked, "by the way, where's Faye?"
"Faye said that she forgot to do something important, well, let's go?" Kendra said, hugging a book in her curvaceous chest.
I blinked and averted my gaze, staring elsewhere.
"Or do you still need something?" Kendra said as she stepped forward in front of me, making me involuntarily look at her.
My eyes widened in surprise. "Uh, no, I already got what I need," I replied flustered, stepping back a bit. The distance widens again.
Kendra chuckled lightly. "Why do you always stare at me in that way?" Kendra said, tilting her head, staring at me curiously.
"What way?" I said as I started to walk slowly.
Kendra walks beside me as she looks in my eyes. "You know, like you always seem surprised and shocked to see me…" Kendra mumbled, tucking her long platinum blonde hair behind her ears.
"Oh," I said.
"Well?"
"Well…" I trailed, not knowing how to explain that she's the protagonist, and her sister is out to kill me in the future. I grabbed the back of my neck and said, "I guess because…"
"Because?" Kendra softly urged, and my ears felt being tickled with her angelic voice.
"I, uh, hehe, uhm, probably because…"
Shit. What am I supposed to say?
I averted my gaze as I tried to come up with an explanation, but I noticed a perverted gaze from some student staring up and down at Kendra's body.
My eyes narrowed at him. He noticed it and quickly went away.
I sighed. This is Cliopatra's role, and yet, that brat seems to have fallen to the wrong person instead.
In the novel, many students have come to court Kendra, but after Cliopatra started chasing Kendra, no one dared to pursue Kendra again.
"Well, it's fine if you don't want to tell me," Kendra said as she looked forward.
Her ocean eyes seem to be disappointed.
I gulped as I hurriedly opened my mouth and said the first thing that came to my mind. "It's because you look like an angel," I blurted in a faint voice.
Kendra glanced at me with slightly widened eyes as she muttered, "a what?"
I gasp, covering my mouth as I realise what I just said.
"Nothing, I said nothing," I said, shaking my head.
Kendra furrowed her brows but nodded. "Alright…"
We both continued to walk in awkward silence.
"So uhm where are we going?" I said, grabbing the back of my neck, feeling awkward deep inside my heart.
"Do you mind if we go elsewhere to read books?" Kendra said, staring at me inquiringly.
I smiled and said, "no, I don't mind at all."
"Are you sure?" Kendra probed.
"Well…" I trailed, lightly biting my lower lip thinking if I should tell her that I don't like crowded places.
I glanced at her and opened my mouth then continued, "as long as it is quiet, then I won't mind."
"Don't worry, it's a place not many people visit," Kendra replied.
"Oh, where is this place?" I asked curiously.
Kendra shook her head as her lips raised mysteriously and said, "I can't tell you yet, well, are you still going to come?"
Kendra is the protagonist. I have known everything about her because of the novel. She isn't someone who would bring someone to a dangerous place. Not to mention I'm curious to know Kendra.
"Sure why not," I said, smiling at her.
Kendra's smile deepened and said, "then let's go?"
I nodded and politely replied, "please lead the way."
With that, we left the library together.
As we walked together, I noticed that she was leading me outside the academy towards the direction of the forest.
I glanced at Kendra and said, "uh, Kendra, are we going to the forest?"
"Yes, the place I'm talking about is there," Kendra replied as her lips raised.
My brows furrowed worriedly. "But, isn't this against the academy's rules?" I said.
Kendra stops walking as she seems to be taken aback. I also stopped and Kendra turned to me.
"That's what you're worried about?" Kendra said, staring at me amusedly.
"Uh, yes, aren't you worried that we'll get punished for this and get expelled?" I said, puzzled.
Kendra stared at me for a while as she tilted her head to the side; as if trying to figure me out. Her deep blue eyes seemed to be staring at my soul, and I felt exposed.
The cold breeze of the wind passed by blowing our hairs to the east.
Kendra ran her long slender fingers through her platinum blonde hair, tucking them neatly behind her ears. "Don't worry, the academy won't expel or punish us since classes haven't started yet, and students are still on vacation," Kendra said calmly and relaxed. "Well, do you have any other concerns?"
I open my mouth then close it again.
I wanted to ask her…
'How did you discover that place when both of us just got enrolled here just yesterday?'
However, I decided to bury these weird questions in my heart, because I don't want to become a cynical person again. Perhaps, Kendra just had so much time yesterday, and had the time to check places, in the forest that is. That doesn't sound weird at all, right?
Maybe that's what normal is in this world. To check random places in the forest.
So I smiled at her and shook my head. "No, I don't have any further concerns," I said.
"Well, are you still coming?" Kendra said expectantly.
I nodded and said, "yes, please continue to lead the way."
Kendra smiled and walked again, so I followed beside her.
Still, deep inside, I feel that Kendra is not the same as the description of the protagonist I know in the novel.
'A little odd.'