I would've considered my past few months just a dream but I'm capable of using the magic... even if it's only channeled into a weapon. I'm still magicless for most part. My newfound confidence has helped my stand up to my dad but it also seems like only 2 days have passed since my disappearance.
Time moves differently or maybe it's only different for me. For now, I'll try going to school and see how it goes. I'll be having finals soon anyways might as well pass my exams and graduate while I'm at it.
...
Inside my class, I took the usual seat, second row middle column. It gave the best view of the blackboard.
"So, next week, you'll have your finals." Teacher passed us the exam schedule. "This will be your final exams before graduating from school, so, study exceptionally hard and pass with good grades. Also, same topics would be covered in college's entrance exams too. More of a reason to work hard. Also you're allowed to leave if you want. No classes will be held from here on but the teachers will be present if you need help."
"Hey!" Livia whispered to me. She was someone I would consider acquaintance but if I'm being honest, I always felt uncomfortable around her. She is one of those overly friendly one who is nice and kind to everyone but as they say 'a friend to all is friend to none.' To me, she was just a classmate. I preferred avoiding any and all interactions outside of classroom. Well I'm not exactly someone who cares much about my friend group but I want to avoid any issues with my social life so I entertain her within classroom walls at least.
"Yea?"
"Can you help me with math?" She asked. "I need some help with calculus."
Livia was not exactly a genius but she had consistently high grades. Personally I had no reason to believe she just wanted to waste time. But studying in a group is my exactly my forte so even if she plans to study, I would not get a single sentence learned.
"Just text me whatever questions you have. If need be, I'll video call you." Giving her a green light to texting me is all I can do for now.
"Fineeee." She pouted.
"Rejecting your girlfriend like that?" Jakob asked.
"A what?"
"Two of you are not dating?" He had somewhat of a smug expression on his face. I genuinely dislike this guy. I don't think he is mean or anything but he never knows when to shut up.
"We just sit together... that's y'know seat arrangement. We are not that close." I responded in clear manner to avoid any possible misinterpretation. I picked up my bag. "Miss Rachel, I need help with something." I immediately left the scene and went to teacher's lounge with her.
"Where were you for last two days? You missed assignments submission dates."
"My parents didn't inform? I actually got hit by a car or something but it was not bad whatsoever. I was in hospital for two days but thankfully I had no injuries. Just bruises from falling down."
"W-what?! Oh my. I see, well, then I'll let other teachers know and please submit your work asap. We will not mark it late. I'll also talk to your parents later."
"Oh yeah sure." Usually the school calls dads and not mom because they only ask for one phone number and I've already dealt with my dad. He won't slip up.
"Ah right, so, what did you need help with?" She asked.
"I just wanted some high level math books." I handed her a mathematical formula of a spell. Of course it wouldn't work since she doesn't have magic but I wanted to see how a math teacher would react. "I saw this equation and wanted to solve it but couldn't."
"Hm?" She looked at the equation and sighed. "It's not for high school level. Some of these terms, you won't even come across them if you don't have a master's degree in math related fields."
"I see. So, a normal everyday person wouldn't understand them?"
"Of course not. But if you do plan on focusing on math then I can help with a few books." She got up and walked over to the bookshelf and took our a few heavy books and slammed them onto the table. "Math related entrance exams are quite tricky to deal with. These books should be enough for you."
"Can I just... take them home? I mean I can afford to purchase."
"You're one of the more serious kid. Never missed a day, good grades, consistent with everything. It's only right to help you more. But these books have notes and markings. They'll help you understand difficult parts. New books wouldn't have them. Just return them on time though."
"R-right..." I was caught off-guard by her kindness. I never interacted with teachers but I think they do keep track of each and every kid. I picked up the books and thanked her before leaving. I don't have plans on going forward with degree in math but this will be a good starting point. Back in other world, I had hard time deducing some spells as they were too high levelled but their base was still math.
Before going back home, I decided to drop by the library. There should be some good books here too. While searching for a physics book, I saw Livia studying by herself. I do feel bad for refusing to help her but well... Should I...? Nah.
Wait... Livia stopped moving mid yawning?!
"Hey cutie." A female voice echoed through the library.
"Who?"
"I'm a member of the celestial legate. Call me Natalia. It seems a fragment of Occidenia aquilae has fallen on Earth and you contain a fragment of the fragment." She appeared in front of me. Even for someone who is usually avoidant, I felt a natural urge to be close to her. Close? In what sense? Physical? Emotional...? I couldn't pin point it. I have to just assume it's some kind of spell.
She was a beauty out of this world... literally and figuratively. Her shirt and pants fit her perfectly or maybe they were a tad bit too tight which complimented her knee high heels. But her eyes were calculating. I knew instinctively that I had to be wary of this person. Even her hair was different, it was viridian but definitely not a dye. They seemed naturally green.
"What do you want then?"
"Oh? No need to be hostile." Her tone was seductive with words dragged out for no apparent reason. I felt attracted to her tone which made it more obvious that there was some kind of spell at play here. "I just want the entire fragment back. You see Occidenia Aquilae is one of the five grand orders who rule the universe. Their death can cause major issues but a missing corpse? Celestial legates are NOT happy. It can cause a shift in stability of the entire universe. Occidenia Aquilae is specifically needed for correct passage of time."
"Is that the reason I could travel back and forth in time?"
"Yes. It seems like something happened in the future?"
"I don't know how much I can tell you but just know, I have enough reasons to not trust you."
"I see. Ah... Why does it have to be this way...?" She drew out a gun and pointed it at me.
"Is killing me enough to get that fragment out of me?"
She snickered.
"I've taken a liking to you. I guess I'll allow you to keep the fragment for now. But in turn, help me find other fragments. Deal?" She held her hand out.
"Fine." We shook our hands. "But I have exams, so, that has to wait."
"Right." She took out a business card and wrote a different number and handed it to me. "Call on this number, not the printed one."
With this, she vanished into thin air and time started moving again.
I think these fragments are what caused the world to be destroyed. Is celestial legate here to help? Or are they what destroyed the world?
Wait-
So, I already know this world will be destroyed. If I save it, then my friends from the future would be erased... right? But if I don't save the people then guilt would eat me alive.
Natalia... Celestial legate. I wonder what this organization is.