Rosanna's P. O. V:
Today was the day. Today is the day.
Run, you twerp. You know you cannot face this!
No. You're f*cking pathetic to do anything. You can't win right, you can't even lose right-
It's absolutely useless for you to escape. Seek early death or prolonged death?
It's the usual. My brain is tormenting me. Nothing new.
I shrugged the tension off my shoulders as I stared at myself in the mirror.
Silently hoping the same vortex that brought me here would appear and whisk me back into normalcy.
Although a part of me is brimming with excitement at the idea of performing magic and exploring this new world. I mean, who wouldn't? Suddenly becoming a Mage like you've only ever seen in fiction.
It was all conflicting, the inner contrast. I could not properly distinguish which part of the nervous pit in my stomach was for excitement or dread.
Nevertheless, I stilled my mind against all thoughts and proceeded with my schedule for the day.
Aniysa would catch up to me later in class- having a schedule where we both meet up. Luckily, she prevailed against the odds and she will be able to attend the Institution.
Aye, another thing different about us. She's dying to come here, I'm dying to go out.
Anyways, It would be nice to see the girl in person. Ending our long distance relationship.
It was odd, how fast we bonded. Each passing day we grew to be more fond of each other.
Why? Maybe it's the absurdity of our situation and the individual nonchalance to judge since we both had sh*t piled on our plates. Albeit different colored sh*t.
We both had things to worry about. Things that were generally odd and fiction-like but so far apart. Same yet different.
We related in a way that we had problems, trying to solve them and just not having the energy to give much of a darn judging or investing unnecessary energy at the end of it all.
Well, that is the basis. Aside from the fact she was just too cute and friendly.
Patting invisible dust off my shoulder, I puffed my chest up, squared my shoulders whilst letting them relax in a not so stiff way. Giving myself a proper posture.
My chin was not pointed to the roof nor lowered to gaze at the mystery of me feet. Reminding me of the awkward protagonists.
Unfortunately, I can't afford to show weakness or flaw anywhere in this world.
Rule No. 1: Fit in or dominate.
For the time being I'd take a passive since I didn't exactly know how to fit in, nor did I have the ability to dominate anything.
I admired myself in the mirror.
Dark academia coming into slight play.
Grey trench coat, black corset skirt, white button up t-shirt and thigh length white socks.
I wore black high heeled boots which brought my height going over 6ft- proudly, might I add. Expectedly as my original height was 5'11. My brothers all going over 6'3. It was quite the norms in my family and I love it.
Ah, my love for tall people. Well, some of them. Reminds me of Aniysa, the five foot five cutie. Though they were different topics...
Ah-hem, let's not stray to unsure topics.
I swung my brown school bag over my shoulder, filled with some books the System had prepared for me and the rest, my writing materials.
And I walked out the door exuding meekness. You'd think with all the prep talk and solid attitude/decision, I'd have a little bit of confidence.
But no. I dreaded every bit of attending my classes.
I sighed, looking at my schedule for the day.
Time Schedule (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday)
Advanced Practice of Mana Assimilation & Configuration (M. A. C.)
9:00am- 10:30am [Class 28B, Zone Alpha]
Herbology
11:00am- 12:00pm [Class 37A, Zone Beta]
Alchemy
2:00pm- 3:00pm [Class 45C, Zone Upsilon]
Military Standard Training
5:00pm- 7:00pm [Class 33A, Zone Alpha]
The Institution described zones as building locations. Alpha being one of the populated buildings consisting of classes for seniors. Beta mostly for juniors, and Upsilon a general balanced mixture of seniors and juniors going in and out for classes.
Protagonist-san, Kairos, being a temporary instructor usually taught students in Upsilon and Alpha. Along the way he built his team of powerhouses who followed him on his adventure into the deadly unknown.
Pearce Anderson. An illegitimate werewolf prince with the strongest Lycan bloodline since a few centuries back.
Karissa Newman. The only daughter of an influential merchant's family.
Elan Novak. A soon to be Duke and only child of the twisted Duke and Duchess of Spades.
Naiyah Saritine. Long lost hidden princess of a desolate mermaid clan.
And finally, Drake Colby. A traitor of humanity. Well, not only humanity now. A traitor of all things good.
With the evolution of humans and spiritual awakening, allied creatures 'awoke' and came into light. Becoming humanity's trusted aids... Well, on the surface.
One can never know.
I hummed some of the disney songs I learned as I made my way to my first class.
Earning some weird glances from people as I passed by.
They should be happy! I am this close to singing out loud- and if you love your ears and soul, oh, you'd stop me with every fiber of your being.
Ignorant mortals. Hmph.
Finding my class was not stressing. But using teleportation portals was a new thing to me. But it made finding my class easier.
Apparently there was a bunch of designated portals to transport from one area to another. Just step through and move to wherever.
The feeling, though, of transporting was sickening at first.
But after three to four trials I kind of got used to it.
Well, that was more nicer than walking around this huge campus.
C L A S S 2 8 B
Was imprinted in bold black lines upon the silver plate. Which was placed above the brown door.
I stepped into the class and gave the directors of this Institution a mental pat.
Everything here screamed standard and advanced.
But I noticed... They were mats on the floor.
Where are the chairs and tables??
But then it clicked, Mana practice. An image of a monk in a seated cross legged position appeared in my mind.
Funny enough, I was that monk. But the baldness was appalling.
Staring at the mats for a while, it occured to me, I wore skirts today! No, I already knew. But it's different because I had to sit on the floor.
Gosh. No.
I sighed. I noticed the few students in who were settled in nicely. It was not the least bit awkward- be it their posture, animated chatting and the environment all blending in to serve it's purpose.
But as ridiculous as this seemed to me, I understood.
I calmly made my way to a purple mat near the lowered glass window and dropped my bag by the side.
I removed my shoes and placed it in a corner beside me, stretching my legs out to another mat as I continued my evaluation of the room. Leaning on the cool wall.
Minty green walls I was tempted to sniff because- that, shall not be said.
A large white board with some written words on it. Supposedly from the last class. Concerning something about breathing, posture, and of course, all of which I could barely comprehend.
A wide curved ceiling with ancient words and drawings engraved on the midnight blue surface.
It was pretty much normal but neat and all seeming new. The teacher's chair- in replacement to that was a brown mat and a bunch of drawers attached to the wall. Right from the black tiled floors up to the length of 4 feet thereabout.
The drawers were made of unknown material within the wall. It was black and shiny, glinting under the warm glow of the sun. Something with a metallic element but somehow I had a feeling it wasn't metal.
I took out my phone and ear plugs, watching YouTube videos of beginner magic.
Time passing by slowly as I tried to relax my nerves on the anticipated magic class.
.
The class was filled in a manner of minutes, students of various backgrounds walking in and taking a sit on the mat. Some looking uncomfortable with a humble expression or others just looking like they would rather die than sit on mats. While for the majority which I belonged to, indifferent or just accepting it as it is.
The spaces were taken up.
My outstretched legs were soon folded in that monk posture I imagined earlier. Same like all the students in this class.
And I did pity the girls who wore skirts or dresses as short as pants.
This was not their day.
But those few were the minority. They eventually left to change or some polite person borrowed them their jacket or clothing for covering.
While I was engrossed in using my phone, hunching my back in a relaxed position where I forgot my initial- Elegant, outstanding, standard personality I was to show.
The teacher walked in.
The chatter silenced down, everyone putting away distractions to focus.
She stood at the front and watched us in silent scrutiny.
Ms. Ava Rose. Brown haired woman in her mid 30's with pretty features.
Um, okay. I thought as I wondered when the judge would pass on the verdict.
Lips parted in a dramatic way as we all watched in silence, the woman began her introduction.
"Good day, class. I am Ms. Ava Rose for some of you who do not know. I will be your teacher on Mana Assimilation and Configuration for the duration of your first academic year. This class would be an advanced teaching series of MAC as we would be studying more on practicals than theories.
The knowledge you've all learned from your past academic years would be put in play starting from today.
The rules of my class are generalized in three simple outlines:
One. Everyone is expected to put their best efforts in their upcoming studies. The Institution has provided it's best services to ensure the growth of every individual here, and we expect you to take this opportunity with the necessary effort.
Your life here will determine how long you'll live once you become an official Elementalist. Try wasting these opportunities and remember to strike off a few years of your life."
Ms. Rose paused as she let us all digest the information.
And she's right on everything. I'm starting to admire this right and honest woman who had a plain, blank expression.
"Secondly, everyone is expected to be on their best behavior. Always be punctual, polite and never stoop so low as to get involved in fights aimed to inflict mental and or, physical pain towards an opponent in a place outside the arena. If such acts are enacted, disciplinary actions will result in much more than detention or scolding. You could find yourself rotting six feet underneath."
A section of the class grimaced and showed waivers in their otherwise normal expressions. Me included. It wouldn't be a first if disciplinary actions included nightmare realities. As seen in the novel.
One of the reasons I dreaded this institution. It was an absolute iron fist system that ruled. Literally and figuratively.
Ms. Rosa smiled seeing our expressions, fully aware that we knew her words were more of facts than threats.
"And finally," Her smile grew wider. And it was the type that didn't reach the eyes.
"Every student must maintain steady progress during the entire school year. Failure to do so will result in personal classes with me and possibly, other instructors or seniors. Thank you.
Welcome to Ultra University, students. I wish to see us all grow into the defense the world needs."
And so, class began.