Chapter 188 - Place of Learning

The group of teens took in the gorgeous and more than slightly intimidating structure for several long moments before Jien took the first step forward onto the expansive staircase. Even though they were in open space with others walking forward onto the very same steps while chatting Jien was able to hear the clack of his boot as it struck the marble of the first step. The sound seemed to resonate deep within his mind, it brought with it a deep calm, like sinking into a deep pool of still water.Jien's eyes seemed to glaze over slightly, a fog covering his irises, hiding the slight glimmer of golden stars within. After his foot hit the first step he seemed fully entranced, taking to the steps with such purpose that the others had to rush after him when they noticed he had taken the lead. It was not more than a few minutes before Jien stood before the statue holding the lantern bearing staff.He gazed up into the darkness of the hood that the long beard sprawled from, as if trying to see the face of this god of knowledge for what it was. His mind was calm as timeless stone but his heart roiled as a voice rumbled within his very soul. The voice itself was deep as ancient ocean depths unseen and wizened as the oldest of beings, perhaps even wiser than the dragons of legend. "I wondered if we would meet again." the voice rumbled, as if mumbling to itself.The voice seemed to pause, perhaps it was just a moment, perhaps a year, possibly even an eon, Jien couldn't tell. Everything to him was nothing but calm darkness and what appeared to be an infinite expanse of golden stars above his head connected like a massive constellation. In this pause a muffled, gentle voice, almost like a gentle summer breeze through tall grass of a deep forest meadow rushed through him. "I never thought I would be acknowledged once again, but I am fine like this."The deep voice let out a deep sigh, like the roar of distant thunder in an ocean storm. "Not all have turned their eyes to the truth, we just couldn't act. Use this small sanctuary while it is available and if need be find another after you leave this place." The words seemed to grow distant as if a tide were withdrawing from the shore, the end of the sentence a mere whisper ringing in Jien's ear.It was at that moment that the scene that had taken hold of Jien's very soul shattered as if a mirror stuck by a ballista bolt. The cause was the tan skinned young woman with brown eyes and hair. Julie had placed her hand on his shoulder with so much force that he was sure she was actually aiming to dislocate his entire arm. "What are you doing standing there in a daze for several minutes, I thought we were going to head in so you could get me up to date with everything I need to know."The girl's tone was mocking as if she felt that the very effort was a waste of everyone's time. She was a fighter, she understood needing to understand a certain amount of information to function in this academy but did she really need to know it all now. Couldn't she just pick it up as she went?Jien however simply stared Julie in the eyes with a deadpan look that almost made the girl shiver beside herself. "Yes, we definitely are. Thank you for bringing my attention back." Suddenly Julie felt that she had made a terrible mistake. She should have let the studious boy to space out and gone back to their quarters while she had a chance. In fact she turned to start heading back right the moment the thought passed through her mind.Unfortunately as soon as she pivoted, as if Jien had predicted her plans his voice rang from behind her like the whisper of a demon. "Rosalind, Robyn, she needs to come with us so we can check out all the materials she will need. Don't let her escape." At his words, the physically strongest pair of girls from their group stepped forward dutifully, wrapping their arms around Julie's and started to pull her to one of the several entrances to the library. They didn't even seem to mind that she was purposefully not moving her feet so that they had to drag her.Julie didn't actively fight entering the library, partially because she knew that she lacked knowledge that she needed, partially because this in a way was bonding with her unit. She had to get at least a little bit use to them. She wouldn't be able to escape these people for four years, possibly more depending on the path they would take after academy. Jien had already made concessions to her by offering the idea of splitting the unit into two teams.As they met the threshold for the doorway she stood on her own two legs and turned around to enter properly. She let out a rough sigh as she followed the others in, flanked by the heavy wooden doors that could easily look correct barring a fortress gate.