Rozer waved goodbye to his mother as they parted ways in the library corridor. Before he could step back into class, he was stopped by Esh—his khodam, emerging from a thin black mist beside him.
"Master..." Esh's words sent shivers down Rozer's spine.
"You startled me," Rozer exclaimed, holding onto his racing heart. Unaccustomed to Esh's sudden appearances, this was the third time since their contract at the bakery. Esh often appeared to offer advice or remind, like chewing food thoroughly, avoiding late nights, and prohibiting Rozer from reading books while lying down. This time, as Rozer tried to return to class, he asked, "What is it?"
"I suggest you keep your promises before heading back to class," Esh advised politely.
Confused but reminded of the commitment to meet seniors who requested his presence after school. The word for agreeing to a request is a promise. Rozer almost forgot about it, but...
"Now?"
"I cannot decide; only you can," said Esh. "But God despises those who break promises," and he vanished like smoke in the wind.
Without much thought, Rozer turned back, deciding to explore the academy while recalling its layout. From the west gate lay the elementary academy; to the south, the immediate academy and wizard training field. North of the elementary academy was a park, library, and north gate. East of the north gate was the knight training field, and to the south, east gate, the vocational academy and two buildings: the blacksmith extracurricular and the entrance to the underground maze. In the center stood the teacher's room and meeting hall. At least, that's what Rozer could remember.
Now, the question was, where were the seniors, and where was the Alchemical magic laboratory?
Lost in his thoughts, Rozer arrived at the academy cafeteria next to the library, With 15 mahogany tables, each equipped with two long chairs capable of seating eight people, there was a display counter limiting the eating area, along with 6 stalls selling food.
Currently, there were several students from vocational academies eating or drinking or just chatting with their friends. Vocational academies get an early learning break, considering that many students will eat in the cafeteria. Observing students from the vocational academy enjoying their break, Rozer's eyes caught someone he recognized—Geeraard. His piercing gaze made someone uneasy, and Geeraard stopped mid-conversation.
"What's up?" another student asked.
Geeraard ignored his friend to greet Rozer, waving him over.
"Senior Geeraard?" Rozer greeted with guilt.
"Senior you say- Reflecting on yesterday? Never mind; I'm not mad. Just call me Geeraard," he said, patting Rozer's arm. "Sit."
Rozer nodded and sat beside Geeraard. Geeraard's friend, sensing a need for privacy, reminded Geeraard of the impending end of break before leaving.
"So, did you skip class?" Geeraard inquired.
Tilting his head because not understanding what "skip class" meant, Rozer responded, "I wanted to go to the alchemy magic laboratory. Where is it?" he asked.
"Oh, it's near the wizard training field. Need me to take you?" Geeraard offered.
"That's not necessary."
"Alright, then. Be careful with them. They're a bit crazy."
"Crazy? What do you mean?"
"They do magic beyond reason. Don't end up like them. From my experience, they once tricked me with magic to make someone invisible, at that time I couldn't be seen for one day."
Geeraard remembers that day when he was suspected of peeking at a girl's skirt, was thought to be absent from class, suspected of stole valuables, and his parents even thought he didn't come home.
"Ehhh..." Rozer mumbled, slightly shocked, finding Geeraard's description of the crazy ones more intriguing.
"Some, especially the head of the alchemy magic laboratory, never leave that place. She is too focused on his madness with magic rather than lessons from teachers."
"The head?"
"She's a girl from the wizard vocational academy. Not quite sane."
"Who are you calling not sane? Geeraard?!" someone interrupted from behind, sounding annoyed, and flanked Geeraard with clenched fists.
She was the woman Geeraard mentioned, with messy long black hair and fierce red eyes, wearing a disheveled school uniform.
"This is Aleta, the crazy magic scientist I mentioned," Geeraard added.
Aleta grew more irritated, groaning fiercely and increasing the pressure on Geeraard's head until he begged for mercy. After satisfying herself, she sat next to Rozer and caressed his head.
"Don't trust Geeraard entirely. I'm Aleta. Nice to meet you, Rozer," she said, looking at him while resting her head on her hand on the table.
"Nice to meet you."
"Do you like magic? You do, right? You'll fit in with me. Unlike the boring wizard and knight leaders, in my lab, we'll have fun."
"Wizard and knight leaders?"
"Oh, you don't know? The one beside you is the leader of the knight extracurricular, and Espen is the wizard side."
Geeraard grinned as Rozer looked at him.
"Mhmm." Rozer mumbled,
"Right now, I've created a masterpiece that will leave you in awe."
Geeraard interjected, "Don't listen to her, Rozer. It's for your own good."
"Geeraard, do you hate me? You've been insulting me all this time. I feel like i want to cry," Aleta retorted, covering her face with her hands.
"Oh, there she goes, the crocodile tears. I won't believe that," Geeraard said.
A sob emanated from behind Aleta's arms, evoking sympathy from Geeraard, who approached her, saying, "Aleta? Are you really crying? I didn't mean it like that," he added,
As Geeraard gently stroked Aleta's back, a smile appeared on her face, and she strangled Geeraard with all her might.
Geeraard, not taught to harm women, could only submit and attempted to justify, "Apparently, you're just deceiving me, you crazy woman!" he shouted with a strained voice.
Aleta smiled, enjoying her actions, then released Geeraard after he nearly passed out with a blue face.
Geeraard knelt on the stone floor, supporting his weakened body with his hands.
"You'll come to my place, right? You must come," Aleta threatened Rozer with a menacing expression and tone.
Witnessing Aleta's actions, Rozer couldn't refuse and agreed to accompany her, not wanting to be strangled like Geeraard.
Still on the ground, Geeraard tried to stop them, "Don't, Rozer. It's for—" he paused when Aleta stepped on his head, Pushing his face to the floor.
"No one can stop us. This man's words reflect his weak mentality," Aleta commented, rubbing her shoe on Geeraard's head.
Geeraard, still attempting to persuade Rozer, pleaded, "Don't, Rozer, escape, run." he said in a pained voice.
Aleta extended her hand to Rozer, "Let's go!" she exclaimed.
With a worried expression, Rozer placed his trembling hand on Aleta's cold hand.
Aleta pulled Rozer away from the cafeteria towards the alchemy magic laboratory. Leaving Geeraard bleeding from his head, Making other students come over to him while shouting for help from students who can do healing magic.
Rozer wanted to help him but he was pulled by a strong hand so he couldn't return.
Midway, they encountered Poetica and friends, who had been searching for him to come back.
"There you are. Where have you been?" Poetica asked standing with hands on hips.