Elara and Thane exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from concern to relief. Elara, her voice gentle, asked, "How are you feeling, Roderick? You've been through quite an ordeal."
Before Alex could respond, Thane smiled playfully and remarked, "You know, it's not every day someone wakes up from a magical coma. You've got to be famished. You look even thinner than when we got lost in the Kalahari desert."
Alex chuckled, grateful for their efforts to brighten the atmosphere. "Considering the circumstances, I feel surprisingly good," he admitted. "And yes, I could definitely use something to eat."
Suddenly, a vivid memory surfaced. He glanced at Thane and said, "Hold on a second, WE didn't get lost in the Kalahari desert, YOU led us astray in the Kalahari desert," he teasingly mimicked Thane's deep voice, "'Trust me, Roderick, I know these dunes like the back of my hand... No, Roderick, we haven't seen that oasis three times already.'" Roderick laughed, "I should have known better than to trust you. How else would we have accidentally found four different oases in a single day?"
Thane patted him on the back, grinning. "You haven't changed a bit when it comes to complaining. So, first things first. How about a tour of the academy? It'll help you familiarize yourself with the place again, and we can grab a bite to eat along the way."
"Sounds like a plan," Roderick agreed, eager to see the current state of the academy he was now the dean of, at least in name.
The trio set off on their tour, and it quickly became apparent that the academy had seen better days. Though the grounds were well-maintained, the overall atmosphere felt somber and weighed down by a sense of unspoken loss and low confidence. The once-lush gardens and ornate decorations that had adorned the halls were now sparse and minimalistic, a reflection of the academy's dwindling resources.
As they walked, they passed only a handful of students and barely any faculty members, a far cry from the bustling crowds that once filled the corridors on the inauguration day. Some of the people they encountered gasped in surprise upon recognizing Roderick, while others who didn`t looked puzzled, whispering to one another as they tried to figure out who this man was.
Roderick noted that there were currently only four active classrooms and six subjects taught: Basics of Mana, Botanics (located in an outdoor garden), Enchanting, water magic (By the lake), and a joint classroom for Magical Combat and Earth magic.
Many, if not most of the other classrooms had been sealed off to save on cleaning costs and time, and the furniture, tools, and books within them were sold to keep the academy afloat.
Elara led the group outside to the Botanics garden, where they were greeted by the Botanics teacher, a kind-hearted woman with a green thumb named Lila.
She had a warm smile and a gentle demeanor, her hands always slightly dirt-stained from tending to the plants. Her hair was a cascade of chestnut waves, and her eyes sparkled like sunlight reflecting off leaves.
She was wearing simple, earth-toned clothes that allowed her to move freely as she worked with her plants.
Upon seeing Roderick, Lila's eyes widened in surprise. "Roderick, it's so wonderful to see you again!" she exclaimed, giving him a warm hug. "We've all missed you so much."
Roderick mumbled a greeting back, but inside panicked, he had no memories of this woman other than a vague sense of dejavù, the original body`s memory gaps were more serious than he thought.
Next, they visited the Basics of Mana classroom, where they met the teacher, a man named Cedric. He was an unusual figure in the world of magic, as he possessed no innate magical talent.
However, he had dedicated himself to studying hundreds of theoretical tomes and had become an exceptional teacher due to his vast knowledge. Cedric was of average height and build, with a slightly disheveled appearance that gave him the air of a scholar lost in thought. His eyes were bright with intelligence, and he had a genuine passion for teaching the intricacies of mana to his students.
Cedric, too, was taken aback upon seeing Roderick. He extended a hand and said with a warm smile, "Roderick, it's an honor to have you back. Your presence will certainly inspire our students."
Roderick accepted the handshake and greeted back with a smile "Nice to see you too Cedric."
Him, he could somehow remember, as they had spent a long time working and studying together.
Roderick, Elara, and Thane were making their way to the enchanting classroom when they heard a loud crash, followed by shouts and panicked voices. The commotion seemed to be coming from their destination, and the trio immediately sprang into action.
As they entered the room, they were greeted by utter chaos. Papers and books flew through the air as a large, enchanted rock etched with glowing runes, zipped around the room like an out-of-control comet. Students and staff dove for cover, trying to avoid being struck by the rogue object.
Elara, ever calm and composed, quickly assessed the situation. "Thane, can you use your earth magic to contain the rock? I'll try to dispel the enchantment."
Thane nodded, his eyes focused on the erratic rock. He began to weave his spell, the ground rumbled, and six consecutive marble walls grew out of the floor, ready to block the rock's path.
The enchanted rock collided with the barriers, changing directions with each impact, gradually losing momentum.
Elara, her hands moving gracefully through the air, chanted a series of incantations aimed at dispelling the enchantment on the rock. Her emerald-green eyes flickered with determination, and a faint blue aura surrounded her.
As the rock continued to slow, the runes etched into its surface began to flicker and fade. Finally, with a soft thud, the rock landed on the ground, the enchantment dispelled. The room fell silent, save for the labored breathing of those caught in the chaos.
Meanwhile, Roderick stared dumbstruck at the magic, "Real magic! there is magic in this world!" He thought as his mind reorganized itself.
With the immediate danger neutralized, Elara turned her attention to the source of the problem. She approached a young second-year student named Timor, who stood sheepishly in the corner, his face pale and his hands trembling.
"Timor, what happened?" Elara asked, her voice gentle but firm.
The student hesitated, swallowing hard before answering. "I-I was trying a new enchantment, something I read in one of the advanced books. I thought I could handle it, but I must have made a mistake with the runes."
Elara sighed, her expression softening. "It's important to know your limits and not push yourself too far, too quickly. This could have ended much worse. I want you to promise me that you'll stick to the curriculum until I say you are ready to progress further."
Timor nodded, his eyes wide and apologetic. "Yes, ma'am. I promise."
Elara then sheepishly showed off the enchanting classroom, in which she taught alongside her lessons in water magic. The room was filled with delicate instruments, magical scrolls, and enchanted gemstones, all meticulously organized and cared for. It was clear that she was dedicated to her craft and her students.
As the trio left the enchanting classroom, Roderick couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy toward his friends, who had been able to utilize their magical abilities to save the day. He longed for the day when he could wield magic and become a true asset to the academy.
Thane, on the other hand, led them to a large, open room that served as both the training grounds for magical combat and the classroom for earth magic. The space was filled with an array of training dummies, weapons, and protective barriers, as well as tables and workstations for studying earth magic.
Throughout the tour, Alex couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy at the state of the academy. It was evident that Elara, Thane, and the other teachers had been doing their best to keep the institution running, but the strain of their efforts was visible in their tired expressions and the general atmosphere of the place.
Despite this, the dedication and resilience of the staff and students shone through, and it was clear that the academy still held a special place in their hearts. As they continued to explore the grounds, Alex began to feel a growing sense of responsibility towards the academy and its inhabitants. He knew that, as Roderick, he had a part to play in helping them rebuild and restore the institution to its former glory.
After visiting the classrooms, Elara, Thane, and Alex continued their tour of the academy, making their way to the library. The once-grand chamber was still an impressive sight, but the air of neglect was palpable. The towering bookshelves, crafted from dark oak, stretched to the vaulted ceilings and held a wealth of knowledge, but the collection was noticeably thinner than before.
Despite the diminished collection, the library still exuded an aura of serenity and wisdom. Tall, arched windows allowed beams of sunlight to filter through, illuminating the dust motes that danced in the air. The room was adorned with sparse tapestries and artwork depicting historical scenes leaving the walls feeling somewhat barren.
In the center of the library, sitting behind a large, ornate wooden desk, was the librarian, Agnes. She was a petite, elderly woman with a strict expression, her gray hair pulled back into a tight bun. Her sharp cold brown eyes shone dangerously with intelligence. Though her body showed signs of age, she moved with grace and agility as she navigated the library's labyrinth of books.
As they entered, Agnes looked up from her work, her eyes widening in surprise when she saw Roderick. "Oh my," she exclaimed softly, a hint of emotion wavering in her voice. "Roderick, it's so wonderful for you to be awake and well. This place could really use a firmer hand." She said throwing a meaningful glare at Elara that responded in kind.
Roderick ignored the hidden meanings and replied, "Thank you, Agnes. It's good to be back, and I'm happy to see you're still taking care of this incredible library."
After exchanging a few more words with Agnes, the trio left the library, with Elara muttering something about Agnes and snakes under her breath, and made their way to the mess hall.
The once-bustling dining area was now considerably quieter, with fewer students and staff members gathered around the long wooden tables.
Despite the diminished numbers, the room still retained its cozy atmosphere, with the warm glow of lanterns casting a welcoming light over the space.
They found a vacant spot at one of the tables and sat down to enjoy their meal.